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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 11, 2012

Registration No. 333-                

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933



EP ENERGY LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)
  1311
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  45-4871021
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
713-997-1200

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)



EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)
  1311
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  45-4870996
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 997-1200

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)



GUARANTORS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A HERETO
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)



Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman, Esq.
General Counsel
EP Energy LLC
1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 997-1200

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)



With a copy to:
Monica K. Thurmond, Esq.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019-6064
(212) 373-3000



Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

             If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.     o

             If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.     o

             If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.     o

             Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  o   Accelerated filer  o   Non-accelerated filer  o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company  o

             If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

             Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)     o

             Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)     o



CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

               
 
Title of each Class of Securities
to be Registered

  Amount to be
Registered

  Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Note

  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(1)

  Amount of
Registration Fee(2)

 

6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

  $750,000,000   100%   $750,000,000   $85,950
 

Guarantee of 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019(3)

        (4)
 

9.375% Senior Notes due 2020

  $2,000,000,000   100%   $2,000,000,000   $229,200
 

Guarantee of 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020(3)

        (4)
 

7.750% Senior Notes due 2022

  $350,000,000   100%   $350,000,000   $40,110
 

Guarantee of 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022(3)

        (4)

 

(1)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The proposed maximum offering price is estimated solely for purpose of calculating the registration fee.

(2)
Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(f) of the rules and regulations of the Security Act. Paid by wire transfer on September 6, 2012

(3)
Each of EP Energy LLC's wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries jointly, severally and unconditionally guarantees, the 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 on a senior secured basis, the 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 on a senior unsecured basis and the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 on a senior unsecured basis.

(4)
See Schedule A on the inside facing page for table of additional registrant guarantors. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) of the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, no separate fee for the guarantee is payable.

              The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

   


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SCHEDULE A

Guarantor
  State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Organization
  Address of Registrants' Principal
Executive Offices
  IRS Employer
Identification Number

EP Energy Global LLC

  Delaware   1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
  Not Applicable

EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C. 

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C. 

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C. 

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. 

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C. 

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C. 

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. 

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EPE Nominee Corp. 

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

80-0817606

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C. 

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

        The primary standard industrial classification code number for each of the additional registrants is 1311.


Subject to completion, dated September [    ], 2012

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

LOGO

EP Energy LLC
Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

Exchange Offer for

$750,000,000 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
$2,000,000,000 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 and
$350,000,000 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022



            The Notes and the Guarantees

            Terms of the Exchange Offer

            Before participating in this exchange offer, please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 34.

            Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

           We have not applied, and do not intend to apply, for listing the notes on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system.

           Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of those exchange notes. The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for initial notes where those initial notes were acquired by that broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the expiration date, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution."

The date of this prospectus is                        , 2012.


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

Summary

    1  

Risk Factors

    34  

Market and Industry Data and Forecast

    73  

Cautionary Statements Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

    74  

Use of Proceeds

    75  

Capitalization

    76  

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data

    77  

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data

    83  

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    86  

Business

    112  

Management

    139  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

    166  

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

    168  

Description of Other Indebtedness

    170  

The Exchange Offer

    174  

Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes

    185  

Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes

    271  

Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes

    341  

Book-Entry; Delivery and Form

    411  

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

    413  

Plan of Distribution

    420  

Legal Matters

    421  

Experts

    421  

Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms

    A-1  

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-1  



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PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        EP Energy LLC (the "Issuer" and "Successor" and formerly known as Everest Acquisition LLC) was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on March 23, 2012 by Apollo Global Management LLC (Apollo) and other private equity investors (collectively, the Sponsors). On May 24, 2012, the Sponsors acquired EP Energy Global LLC, (the "Predecessor" and formerly known as EP Energy Corporation and EP Energy, L.L.C. after its conversion into a Delaware limited liability company) and subsidiaries for approximately $7.2 billion in cash as contemplated by the merger agreement among El Paso Corporation ("El Paso") and Kinder Morgan, Inc. ("KMI"). The entities acquired are engaged in the exploration for and the acquisition, development, and production of oil, natural gas and NGL primarily in the United States, with other international activities in Brazil and Egypt (Egypt was sold in June 2012) and together constituted the oil and natural gas operations of El Paso.

        We present historical financial information prior to May 24, 2012, relating to EP Energy Global LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries in this prospectus. Following the acquisition, EP Energy Global LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Issuer and is the predecessor of the Issuer for accounting purposes. Accordingly, its financial statements are presented for the historical periods prior to the Acquisition Transactions (as defined herein). The Issuer conducts all of its operations through EP Energy Global LLC and other subsidiaries that were subsidiaries of EP Energy Global LLC at the time of the historical financial statements presented in this prospectus and that were spun out of EP Energy Global LLC prior to the closing of the Acquisition Transactions.

        Historical financial results in this prospectus for the periods before and after the Acquisition on May 24, 2012, have been presented separately for the predecessor and successor in accordance with required GAAP presentation. Despite this separate GAAP presentation, the successor had no independent oil and gas operations prior to the acquisition and accordingly there were no operational exploration and production activities changed as a result of the acquisition of the Predecessor. Consequently, given the continuity of operations, when assessing certain sections in our Management's Discussion and Analysis (e.g. variance analysis, operating statistics) and pro forma financial information for the periods presented throughout this prospectus, we have presented a combined analysis of the pre-acquisition results of operations of the Predecessor and the post-acquisition results of operations of the Successor. We believe that reflecting this combined information and analysis, while non-GAAP, facilitates the most meaningful comparison and understanding of our operating performance in 2012 over the same period in the prior year and the pro forma results of our operations.


USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        We use the non-GAAP financial measures of Reported EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDAX, Cash Operating Costs /Adjusted Cash Operating Costs, Reserve Replacement Costs / Reserve Replacement Ratio, and PV-10. We believe these are supplemental measures and provide meaningful information to our investors; however, due to the limitations of these measures as analytical tools, we rely primarily on our GAAP results. Each of these non-GAAP measures is further described below or as further noted.

        Reported EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAX.     Reported EBITDA is defined as net income plus interest and debt expense, income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. Adjusted EBITDAX is defined as Reported EBITDA, adjusted as applicable in the relevant period, for the net change in the fair value of derivatives (mark to market effects, net of cash settlements and premiums related to these derivatives), ceiling test charges or other impairments, adjustments to reflect cash distributions of the earnings from our unconsolidated affiliates, non-cash equity based compensation expenses, transition and restructuring costs we expect not to recur, advisory fees paid to our sponsors and exploration expenses.

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        We believe that the presentation of Reported EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAX is important to provide management and investors with (i) additional information to evaluate our ability to service debt adjusting for items required or permitted in calculating covenant compliance under our debt agreements, (ii) an important supplemental indicator of the operational performance of our business, (iii) an additional criterion for evaluating our performance relative to our peers, (iv) additional information to measure our liquidity (before cash capital requirements and working capital needs) (v) and supplemental information to investors about certain material non-cash and/or other items that may not continue at the same level in the future.

        Reported EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAX have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP or as an alternative to net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. For example, our presentation of Reported EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAX may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry. Furthermore, our presentation of Reported EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAX should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by the items noted above or what we believe to be other unusual or non-recurring items or that in the future we may not incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation.

        Cash Operating Costs / Adjusted Cash Operating Costs.     We monitor cash operating costs required to produce our oil and natural gas production volumes. Cash operating costs is a non-GAAP measure calculated on a per Mcfe basis and includes total operating expenses less depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, ceiling test and other impairment charges, exploration expense, and transportation costs and costs of products. Adjusted cash operating costs reflects cash operating costs adjusted for non-recurring transition and restructuring costs, advisory fees paid to our sponsors and non-cash equity based compensation expense. We believe cash operating costs and adjusted cash operating costs per unit are valuable measures to provide management and investors reflecting operating performance and efficiency; however, these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are subject to several of the same limitations as analytical tools as noted in the paragraphs above.

        Reserve Replacement Ratio/Reserve Replacement Costs.     We calculate two primary metrics, (i) a reserve replacement ratio and (ii) reserve replacement costs, to measure our ability to establish a long-term trend of adding reserves at a reasonable cost in our key asset areas. The reserve replacement ratio is an indicator of our ability to replenish annual production volumes and grow our reserves. It is important for us to economically find and develop new reserves that will more than offset produced volumes and provide for future production given the inherent decline of hydrocarbon reserves. In addition, we calculate reserve replacement costs to assess the cost of adding reserves, which is ultimately included in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. For a further discussion of these measures, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

        PV-10.     PV-10 is considered a non-GAAP measure and is derived from the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows of our oil and natural gas properties, which is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. PV-10 is equal to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows at the applicable date, before deducting future taxes, discounted at 10%. We believe that the presentation of PV-10 is relevant and useful to investors because it presents the relative monetary significance of our oil and natural gas properties regardless of tax structure. Further, investors may utilize the measure as a basis for comparison of the relative size and value of our reserves to other companies. We use this measure when assessing the potential return on investment related to our oil and natural gas properties. PV-10, however, is not a substitute for the standardized measure of

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discounted future net cash flows. Our PV-10 measure and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows do not purport to present the fair value of our oil, natural gas and NGL reserves.


PRESENTATION OF RESERVES INFORMATION

        The SEC permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only estimated proved, probable and possible reserves that meet the SEC's definitions of such terms. We disclose estimated proved reserves in this prospectus. Our estimates of proved reserves contained in this prospectus were estimated by our internal staff of engineers and comply with the rules and definitions promulgated by the SEC. For the year ended December 31, 2011, we engaged Ryder Scott Company, L.P., an independent petroleum engineering firm, to perform reserve audit services with respect to a substantial portion of our proved reserves.


EQUIVALENCY

        This prospectus presents certain production and reserves-related information on an "equivalency" basis. Equivalent volumes are computed with oil and natural gas liquids quantities converted to Mcfe at a ratio of one Bbl to six Mcf, and natural gas converted to Boe at a ratio of six Mcf to one Bbl. These conversions are based on energy equivalency conversion methods primarily applicable at the burner tip and do not represent value equivalencies at the wellhead. Although these conversion factors are industry accepted norms, they are not reflective of price or market value differentials between product types.

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SUMMARY

         This summary highlights information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, including the information presented under "Risk Factors" and "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data" and the historical financial statements and related notes presented elsewhere in this prospectus.

         Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to "we," "our," "us," and the "Company" refer to EP Energy LLC (formerly known as Everest Acquisition LLC) (the "Issuer") and each of its consolidated subsidiaries, including Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. (the "Co-Issuer" and, together with the Issuer, the "Issuers"). References in this prospectus to the "Sponsors" refer to the entities described under "—Our Sponsors" and their respective affiliates. You should carefully consider all information in this prospectus, including the matters discussed in "Risk Factors." Financial information identified in this prospectus as "pro forma" gives effect to the closing of the Acquisition and Refinancing Transactions, which are described in this prospectus summary under "—The Acquisition Transactions" and "—The Refinancing Transactions." Certain oil and gas industry terms used in this prospectus are defined in the "Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms" beginning on page A-1 of this prospectus.


Our Company

        We are one of North America's leading independent oil and natural gas producers. We have a large and diverse base of producing assets that provides cash flow to fund the development of our key programs, which at this time are primarily oil-focused. Over the last several years, we have high-graded our future drilling inventory by establishing large acreage positions with repeatable drilling opportunities and more favorable return characteristics. Domestically, we currently operate through three divisions: Central, Eagle Ford and Southern, and have a strategic presence in well-known oil resource areas, including the Eagle Ford Shale, the Altamont Field, the Wolfcamp Shale and the South Louisiana Wilcox area. Our large and diverse producing gas assets include our Haynesville Shale position, substantially all of which is held by production, which gives us a significant presence in unconventional natural gas. We also have a small international presence in Brazil.

        Our management team, which has been with us since at least 2007, has an average of 22 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and technical and operating expertise across our geographic regions. Our management team has a track record of identifying, acquiring and developing low-risk, repeatable resource opportunities and has executed a multi-year effort to add assets that fit our competencies. Today, our substantial key program drilling inventory encompasses approximately 4,500 locations and more than 20 years of drilling activity at our current pace. We have operational control over approximately 77% of our producing wells and 88% of our key program drilling inventory as of December 31, 2011. This control has allowed us to continually improve our capital and operating efficiencies. In 2011, we drilled 233 gross wells domestically (182 net to our ownership interests ("net")) with a success rate of 100%, adding approximately 1,100 Bcfe of proved reserves at a replacement cost of $1.43 per Mcfe, the majority of which was oil.

        As of December 31, 2011, we had proved reserves of approximately 4.0 Tcfe with a pre-tax PV-10 of approximately $7 billion (of which approximately 54% of the PV-10 was attributed to proved developed producing reserves). We had 182 MMBbls of proved oil reserves, 19 MMBbls of proved NGL reserves and 2,782 Bcfe of proved natural gas reserves, representing 27%, 3% and 70%, respectively, of our total proved reserves. Given the recent commodity price environment, we have shifted our focus primarily to developing our key oil programs, resulting in 48% of our revenues (excluding realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives) being contributed by oil and NGLs in the fourth quarter of 2011, versus 34% in the fourth quarter of 2010. Our oil production for the month

 

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of December 2011 was approximately 24,000 Bbls/d, which contributed to our approximate 50% year-over-year growth in oil production for the fourth quarter of 2011. We anticipate that approximately 91% of our capital expenditures for 2012 will be allocated to oil-focused key programs. For the six month period ended June 30, 2012, 57% of our revenues (excluding realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives) were contributed by oil and NGLs, versus 35% during the same period in 2011. For the month of June 2012, our oil production was approximately 27,000 Bbls/d.

        For the six months ended June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition Transactions and the Refinancing Transactions, we generated Adjusted EBITDAX of $655 million on average daily production of 906 MMcfe/d. See "—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data" for our definition of Adjusted EBITDAX and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDAX to amounts reported under GAAP.

        The following table provides summary data for each of our areas of operation:

 
  As of December 31, 2011   As of
June 30, 2012
 
 
  Proved
Reserves
(Bcfe)
  % Proved
Developed
  PV-10   Net Acres   Average
Daily
Production
(MMcfe/d)
 
 
  (dollars in millions)
 

United States

                               

Central

                               

Haynesville Shale

    903     34 % $ 719     41,000     317  

South Louisiana Wilcox

    31     48     143     183,000     16  

Altamont Field

    551     37     1,479     176,000     62  

Other Central

    1,117     75     998     1,339,000     208  

Eagle Ford

                               

Eagle Ford Shale

    642     18     2,283     157,000     91  

Southern

                               

Wolfcamp Shale

    148     12     337     138,000     10  

Other Southern(1)

    326     94     536     314,000     110  
                         

Total United States

    3,718     48     6,495     2,348,000     814  

International

                               

Brazil

    95     100     210     132,000     36  

Egypt(2)

                774,000      
                         

Total Consolidated

    3,813     50     6,705     3,254,000     850  
                         

Unconsolidated Affiliate(3)

    174     86     311           56  
                           

Total Combined

    3,987     51   $ 7,016           906  
                           

(1)
Gulf of Mexico assets were sold in July 2012 and comprised reserves of 90 Bcfe, PV-10 of $150 million, net acres of 233,000 and average daily production of 45 Mcfe/d.

(2)
Sold in June 2012.

(3)
Represents our approximate 49% equity interest in Four Star Oil & Gas Company ("Four Star").

Key Programs

        Over the past five years, our strategy has been to focus on areas that offer repeatable drilling programs, enabling us to reduce development costs, and to grow our asset base and inventory size. We have consistently improved the quality and increased the number of our drilling opportunities. During 2011, our principal focus was in the Haynesville Shale, the Eagle Ford Shale, the Wolfcamp Shale, the

 

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Altamont Field and South Louisiana Wilcox. We are redeploying the capital allocated to the Haynesville Shale to our oil programs. The technical and operating experience gained from our successful Haynesville program has been employed in our other key programs, including the Eagle Ford Shale.

    Haynesville Shale

        The initial execution of our strategy of repeatable drilling programs was in the Haynesville Shale, where we had existing conventional production as a result of historical development activities in east Texas and north Louisiana. Our operations in the Haynesville Shale are primarily focused in DeSoto Parish and Caddo Parish, Louisiana. We acquired additional leasehold interests through the acquisition of Peoples Energy Production Company in 2007. We piloted horizontally drilled wells in the Haynesville Shale, experimenting with different horizontal lateral lengths and fracture stimulation staging, with the objective of delivering optimal capital efficiency, finding costs and returns. High production rates in our Haynesville program combined with very low operating and development costs create competitive returns for us even at low natural gas prices. In addition, our acreage in the Haynesville Shale is predominately held by production, giving us the flexibility to pace our development and optimize our returns. Furthermore, our operations are surrounded by existing infrastructure, providing strong take-away access to markets. As of June 30, 2012, we had 66 net operated wells in this area. During the first quarter of 2012, although we had a very efficient drilling program in the Haynesville Shale, we suspended the program and released all rigs due to low natural gas prices.

    Eagle Ford Shale

        Beginning in late 2008, we were an early entrant in the Eagle Ford Shale, acquiring our interests through leasehold acquisitions for less than $1,000 per acre on average. Our operations in the Eagle Ford Shale are focused in LaSalle, Dimmit, Atascosa and Webb counties of south Texas. Overall, we hold rights to approximately 157,000 net acres across all Eagle Ford areas, where approximately 77,000 net acres are under development in our central Eagle Ford area. During 2010 and 2011, we improved the efficiency and productivity of our development program, reducing per-well capital costs by approximately 16% and drilling cycle time by more than 35% year over year. Most of our wells have had initial production rates that range from 600 to over 1,000 Boe/d, and our oil production in this area has grown significantly since the beginning of 2011. The Eagle Ford Shale currently provides the highest economic returns in our portfolio. Significant strengths of the Eagle Ford Shale also currently include a multi-year future drilling location inventory, favorable crude oil pricing relative to the West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") index and a newly constructed midstream infrastructure with ample take-away capacity. As a result, the Eagle Ford Shale has become one of our key programs and a contributor to the increase in our oil reserves and production. As of December 31, 2011, we had 1,246 future drilling locations in the Eagle Ford Shale. As of June 30, 2012 we had 98 net operated wells and are currently running four rigs in the Eagle Ford Shale. We plan to add a fifth rig and drill 79 gross wells in 2012 based on our capital budget.

    Wolfcamp Shale

        In 2009 and 2010, we established a new major oil shale position by successfully leasing approximately 138,000 net acres in the Wolfcamp Shale in the Permian Basin in west Texas. Our operations in the Wolfcamp Shale are focused in Reagan, Crockett, Upton and Irion counties. We were an early entrant in the Wolfcamp Shale, acquiring our interests through leasehold acquisitions for less than $1,500 per acre on average. We have leveraged our technical and operating expertise, and in 2011 advanced our understanding of this area using the same approach and techniques that have allowed us to be successful in the Haynesville and Eagle Ford shales. As a result, in late 2011, we completed a 7,500 foot lateral well with 25 stages that tested at an initial production rate of 1,369 Boe/d, our highest initial production rate to date. In addition, the Wolfcamp Shale has high oil in place, a multi-year

 

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future drilling location inventory and favorable lease owner dynamics with the Texas University Land system as the predominant landowner. As of December 31, 2011, we had 983 future drilling locations in the Wolfcamp Shale. As of June 30, 2012, we had 26 net operated wells and are currently running one rig in the Wolfcamp Shale. We plan to drill 15 gross wells in 2012 based on our capital budget.

    Altamont Field

        In 2007, we commenced a reengineering effort in the Altamont Field in Utah, a legacy oil asset. Our operations in the Altamont Field are focused in the Uinta Basin. Altamont was initially developed in the 1970s, and we are applying current drilling and stimulation technology to vertically drill and develop this prolific oil area. We have enhanced the value of this field through infill drilling, for which we received regulatory approval in 2008. The Altamont Field has a multi-year inventory of future drilling locations, giving us a substantial opportunity for growth in oil production. Since our acreage is predominantly held by production, we have greater flexibility to improve both our costs and technical understanding of this area, while also growing returns. As of December 31, 2011, we had 1,336 future drilling locations in the Altamont Field. As of June 30, 2012, we had 307 net operated wells and are currently running two rigs in the Altamont Field. We plan to drill 21 gross wells in 2012 based on our capital budget.

    South Louisiana Wilcox

        In south Louisiana, we are developing our emerging South Louisiana Wilcox play. This is a relatively new oil-focused play that we have added to our drilling program. Our activity is located primarily in Beauregard Parish and is focused on the Wilcox Sands. We have over 1,000 square miles of 3-D seismic data in South Louisiana Wilcox, providing valuable information in selecting drilling locations. South Louisiana Wilcox is a conventional vertical well play that produces both oil and natural gas from a series of completed sands. A significant strength of South Louisiana Wilcox is its access to Louisiana Light Sweet Crude and Gulf Coast NGL pricing, which trade at a premium relative to the WTI index. In addition, the resource does not compete for horizontal drilling and completion services due to vertical drilling and completion design. As of December 31, 2011, we had 260 future drilling locations in South Louisiana Wilcox. As of June 30, 2012, we had 19 net operated wells and are currently running one rig in South Louisiana Wilcox. We plan to drill 15 gross wells in 2012 based on our capital budget.

Other Gas Assets

        We have a large and diverse base of other domestic producing assets that provides cash flow to fund the development of our key programs. We do not anticipate a material portion of our 2012 capital expenditure budget to be spent on these assets.

    Arklatex/Unconventional

        Our Arklatex land positions comprise 104,470 total net acres focused on tight gas sands production. We have approximately 449,000 net acres in our unconventional plays. Our production is from vertical CBM wells development in Alabama, vertical and horizontal CBM wells in the Hartshorne coals in Oklahoma and the New Albany Shale in Indiana (sold in July 2012). We have high average working interests and long life reserves in these areas. For the six months ended June 30, 2012 we had average daily production of 119 MMcfe/d.

    Texas Gulf Coast/Gulf of Mexico

        We have significant assets in fields throughout the Texas Gulf Coast. In addition, prior to selling our Gulf of Mexico assets in July 2012, this area included interests in 69 Blocks offshore of the

 

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Louisiana, Texas and Alabama coastlines focused on deep targets (greater than 12,000 feet) in relatively shallow water depths (less than 400 feet). In these areas, we licensed over 8,700 square miles of 3D seismic data onshore and over 61,000 square miles of 3D seismic data offshore. As of December 31, 2011, these operations included 314,000 total net acres, and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 we had average daily production of 111 MMcfe/d.

    Raton Basin

        Our operations in the Raton Basin of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, where we own the minerals beneath the Vermejo Park Ranch, are primarily focused on coal bed methane production. As of December 31, 2011, these operations included 606,000 total net acres, and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 we had average daily production of 81 MMcfe/d.

    Rocky Mountains

        We have a non-operated working interest in the County Line coal bed methane property in Wyoming, with additional non-producing acreage in Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota and Utah. As of December 31, 2011, these operations included 179,000 total net acres, and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 we had average daily production of 9 MMcfe/d.

    Four Star

        We have an approximate 49% equity interest in Four Star. Production is from high quality conventional and coal bed methane assets in the San Juan, Permian, Hugoton and South Alabama basins and the Gulf of Mexico. For the first six months of 2012, our equity interest in Four Star's daily equivalent natural gas production averaged approximately 56 MMcfe/d.

2012 Capital Expenditures

        We have approved a capital expenditure budget between $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion for 2012, of which about $1.2 billion will be spent on drilling and completion activities. Our total oil and natural gas capital expenditures were $762 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, of which $758 million were domestic capital expenditures. Our spending will be heavily weighted toward oil-focused reservoirs, which are forecasted to comprise 91% of our capital expenditures; our key programs will comprise 97% of our spending. A substantial portion of our capital expenditure budget is expected to be funded from operating cash flows, which should enable us to grow reserves and production while maintaining sufficient liquidity. We expect to periodically review our capital spending plans versus commodity prices and well performance and adjust spending as necessary. For example, the portion of

 

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our budget dedicated to gas-weighted resources has declined significantly in 2012, due primarily to reductions in Haynesville Shale activity as a result of low current natural gas prices.

2012 Capex Budget
$1.5 Billion-$1.6 Billion(1)
  Key Drilling Locations(2)
4,498 Locations
  2012 Gross Wells Expected to
Complete in Key Programs

144 Gross Well


GRAPHIC

 


GRAPHIC

 


GRAPHIC

(1)
Includes approximately $100 million of capitalized interest, information technology and capitalized direct labor costs.

(2)
As of December 31, 2011 (includes proved undeveloped ("PUD") locations shown on a risked basis).


Competitive Strengths

        We believe the following strengths provide us with significant competitive advantages:

Large and Diverse Producing Asset Base

        Our vast resource base consists of approximately 4.0 Tcfe of proved reserves as of December 31, 2011 and are located on 3.3 million net acres. Approximately 1.7 Tcfe, or 42%, of our proved reserves are proved developed producing assets, and we generated an average of 838 MMcfe/d in 2011 from approximately 6,000 wells. During the first half of 2012, we generated an average of 906 MMcfe/d. Our existing assets are geographically diversified among many of the major basins of North America, insulating us to some extent from regional commodity pricing and costs dislocations that occur from time to time. Our producing assets provide a diverse source of cash flow to fund the development of our key programs, significantly reducing our reliance on outside sources of capital and improving our ability to replace and grow production in the future. While our existing producing assets are well diversified, we maintain a focused and concentrated approach that enables us to drive efficiencies, benefit from economies of scale, remain flexible in allocating capital to our most profitable projects and leverage our knowledge base from one project to the next.

Extensive Inventory of Low-Risk Drilling Opportunities

        We have established a substantial resource base in unconventional oil plays to supplement our already significant inventory of unconventional natural gas resources. With our Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp shales, the ongoing development of our Altamont Field and the recent addition of South Louisiana Wilcox, we estimate we have more than 20 years of drilling inventory in approximately 4,500 drilling locations across our key programs, 85% of which are located in oil-focused reservoirs. The move to oil-focused reservoirs has allowed us to take advantage of higher oil prices and has improved cash flow through commodity diversity. The development of these assets will generate accelerated growth in oil production and reserves and provide us the flexibility to take advantage of strength in either gas or oil commodity price environments. We expect that the oil composition of our production will continue to increase as we develop our key oil programs over the next several years.

 

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Strong Financial Profile

        Our large and diverse portfolio produced 906 MMcfe/d in the six months ended June 30, 2012, which generated Adjusted EBITDAX of $655 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Pro forma for the Refinancing Transactions, as of June 30, 2012, we would have had approximately $1.6 billion of liquidity. Additionally, we maintain a robust hedging program that protects cash flows to fund development plans through the commodity cycle. As of August 20, 2012, our hedged volumes for 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 represent 85%, 79%, 38% and 16%, respectively, based on our total 2011 equivalent production.

Low Cost and Efficient Operations

        We maintain a significant degree of operational control over our portfolio, operating approximately 77% of our producing wells and 88% of our key program drilling inventory as of December 31, 2011. Our operational efficiency has resulted in leading well cost performance in our key programs. Our three-year average reserve replacement cost of $1.55 per Mcfe ranks among the lowest among our peer group. Based on our operating efficiency, we believe our ability to generate significant cash flow in a variety of commodity price environments is enhanced, especially as our production profile becomes increasingly oil-focused. We have reduced our domestic unit operating costs over the last several years by approximately $0.21 per Mcfe by lowering lifting costs, reducing subsurface, compression and disposal costs and divesting of high cost production areas. From 2007 to 2011, we reduced our unit lifting costs by approximately 28%. A lower cost structure should allow us to preserve returns and margins throughout the commodity cycle. Given our proven ability to find and develop reserves economically, we believe we should be able to convert our sizeable drilling portfolio at similar or better rates of return going forward.

High Caliber Management Team with Proven Track Record

        Our senior management team, with an average of 22 years of experience, has a strong track record both at El Paso Corporation and in former leadership roles with Burlington Resources, ConocoPhillips and other leading producers. In addition, our operational team has significant experience in horizontal drilling and developing shales. We have an organizational structure that allows for greater ownership and accountability at the asset level through multi-disciplined asset teams organized around our key geographic areas. Through a combination of invested equity and incentive programs, we believe our management and operational teams are motivated to deliver high returns and increase long-term value. We employ a centralized operational structure to accelerate the knowledge transfer around the execution of our drilling and completion programs and to continually enhance our field operations and base production performance. Our management and operational teams are focused on increasing our drilling opportunities and capital management and are motivated to ensure safe and reliable operations while delivering improved capital and operating efficiency. In addition, our supply chain management group enables us to partner with suppliers in order to improve the cost efficiency of services across the entire operation.


Business Strategy

        Our strategy is to use our strengths to generate competitive returns from our capital investment programs by growing proved reserves, production volumes, and future drilling opportunities while optimizing our existing asset base. The key elements of this strategy are:

Grow Our Production and Reserves with a Near-Term Focus on Oil

        Our primary focus is developing our key oil programs. We have a strategic presence in well-known oil resource areas, including the Eagle Ford Shale, the Altamont Field, the Wolfcamp Shale and South

 

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Louisiana Wilcox, and 85% of our key future drilling locations are in oil-focused areas. Our overall oil production volumes grew approximately 58% in the first six months of 2012 compared to the first six months of 2011, and our 2012 capital expenditure budget is heavily weighted toward oil-focused reservoirs, which comprise 91% of our capital expenditures.

Continue to Leverage Technical and Operating Expertise to Develop Repeatable, Low-Risk Plays

        We plan to continue to evaluate new opportunities to gain scale and optimize our operating performance while leveraging our past experience to establish repeatable, low-risk plays in the future. Since our initial entry into the Haynesville Shale in 2007, we have drilled some of the most efficient wells in the area, and our production per well is among the best in the areas in which we operate. We entered the Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp shales through grassroots leasing efforts in late 2008 and applied the expertise gained from horizontal drilling in the Haynesville. We have subsequently leased large acreage positions in the Wolfcamp Shale, developed additional zones within our other key programs and have significantly improved the quality and number of our drilling opportunities.

Continuously Improve Capital and Operating Efficiency

        We maintain a disciplined approach to spending that directs capital in a manner that seeks to maximize returns. Our large and diverse portfolio provides sufficient scale and diversity to conduct operations in a cost-efficient manner and reallocate capital as appropriate to maintain attractive returns. We have developed particular expertise as an operator of unconventional oil and natural gas plays. In each of our key programs, we have realized substantial reductions in drilling and completion costs and large improvements in cycle times by applying expertise from prior activities. For example, in the Eagle Ford Shale, we have quickly improved our efficiency and productivity, reducing capital costs by 16% and cycle time by more than 35% since the beginning of 2010.

Maintain Financial Strength and Flexibility

        We intend to fund growth predominantly with internally generated funds while maintaining ample liquidity. As of June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions, we would have had approximately $1.6 billion of liquidity. Our hedging program should further protect cash flows to provide sufficient funding levels for our capital program. In addition, consistent with past practices, we intend to continue to high-grade our asset base and remain opportunistic with respect to divesting other gas assets. As we pursue our strategy of developing high-return opportunities in our key programs, we expect our reserves to grow, thereby enhancing our liquidity and financial strength.

Manage Commodity Price Volatility

        We maintain a robust hedging program designed to mitigate volatility in commodity prices and protect our enterprise cash flows. As of August 20, 2012, we have hedged for the remainder of 2012 a total of 4.6 MMBbls of oil at a weighted average price of $97.11 per Bbl and 103 TBtu of natural gas at a weighted average price of $4.47 per MMBtu. As of August 20, 2012, our hedged volumes for 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 represent 85%, 79%, 38% and 16%, respectively, based on our total 2011 equivalent production.

 

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Recent Events

The Acquisition Transactions

    The Acquisition

        On February 24, 2012, EPE Acquisition, LLC, the indirect parent of the Company ("Parent" or "EPE Acquisition"), entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the "Purchase and Sale Agreement") with EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. (collectively, the "Sellers"). Parent and the Issuers are controlled by investments funds affiliated with and controlled by Apollo Global Management, LLC, Riverstone Holdings LLC, Access Industries and Korea National Oil Corporation (collectively, the "Sponsors"). Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Sellers agreed to sell, and Parent agreed to purchase: (i) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy Global LLC, a limited liability company resulting from the conversion of EP Energy Corporation into a limited liability company, which was renamed EP Energy Global LLC upon completion of the Acquisition Transactions ("EP Energy"); (ii) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company; (iii) all of the issued and outstanding quotas of UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda. and El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.; and (iv) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso Brazil Holdings Company (collectively, the "Acquired Business"). The Acquired Business includes all of El Paso Corporation's exploration and production assets. As of the date of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, EP Energy Corporation owned all of the entities described in the preceding clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv). In connection with the Acquisition, a restructuring was completed, the result of which was that the entity described in clause (ii) above, together with its subsidiaries, shares common owners with EP Energy rather than being part of EP Energy. On May 24, 2012, we acquired the Acquired Business for a purchase price of approximately $7.2 billion, and the Issuer was renamed EP Energy LLC. The Acquired Business and the Co-Issuer comprise all of the assets of the Issuer. A portion of the Acquisition consideration was used by the Sellers to retire the Acquired Business's existing reserve-based credit facility and outstanding indebtedness. We refer to the purchase of the Acquired Business as the "Acquisition."

        The Sponsors, certain co-investors and certain members of management directly or indirectly own all of the equity interests of Parent.

    The Financing

        The Acquisition was financed with the following:

    a cash equity investment by the Sponsors and their co-investors in Parent of approximately $3,300 million;

    the net proceeds from the incurrence by the Issuers of $750 million of the initial senior secured notes;

    the net proceeds from the incurrence by the Issuers of $2,000 million of the initial 2020 senior notes;

    borrowing of $750 million by the Issuer under its new $750 million senior secured term loan facility; and

    borrowings of $750 million by the Issuer under its new $2,000 million senior secured reserve-based revolving credit facility.

        Throughout this prospectus, we collectively refer to the Acquisition, the investment in Parent's equity, the consummation of the offering of the initial senior secured notes and the initial 2020 senior

 

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notes and the entry into the RBL Facility and the senior secured term facility and the borrowings thereunder, as the "Acquisition Transactions."

The Refinancing Transactions

    7.750% Senior Notes due 2022

        On August 13, 2012, the Issuers issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.750% senior notes due 2022 (the "initial 2022 senior notes") through a private placement. We used the proceeds of the notes to repay a portion of our borrowings under the RBL Facility.

    Term Loan Repricing

        On August 21, 2012, we completed a repricing amendment of our senior secured term loan that reduced the LIBOR floor to 1.00% and the applicable margin applicable to the loans to 4.00%. In connection with the repricing amendment, we paid the lenders a fee equal to 1.00% of the principal amount of the loans affected by such amendment.

        Throughout this prospectus, we collectively refer to the offering of the initial 2022 senior notes and the repricing of the senior secured term loan as the "Refinancing Transactions."

RBL Facility Amendment

        On August 17, 2012, we received requisite lenders' consent and amended the RBL Facility to increase the general lien basket by $350 million in order to make the lien capacity thereunder consistent with the lien capacity under the notes and our other indebtedness, including the senior secured term loan.

Sale of Egypt, Gulf of Mexico and Indiana Assets

        In June 2012, we completed the sale of our Egyptian operations, which were comprised of 774,000 net acres of non-producing properties, for approximately $22 million in proceeds, representing an exit of our Egyptian exploration activities. In July 2012, we completed the sale of our Gulf of Mexico assets for approximately $79 million in proceeds, (a gross sales price of $103 million, less $24 million of purchase price adjustments.) The Gulf of Mexico assets had average daily production of approximately 45 MMcfe/d. At year end 2011, the Gulf of Mexico assets comprised approximately 2% or 90 Bcfe of our proved reserves. In addition, in July 2012, we sold our Indiana assets for approximately $6 million in proceeds.

 

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Corporate Structure

        The diagram below sets forth a simplified version of our organizational structure and our principal indebtedness following the exchange offer. This chart is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not represent all legal entities affiliated with, or all obligations of, the Issuers.

GRAPHIC


(1)
EPE Holdings LLC has made a non-recourse pledge of the equity of the Issuer to secure the RBL Facility.

(2)
As of September 1, 2012, $350 million was drawn and outstanding under the RBL Facility and our borrowings are limited to $1,913 million due to borrowing-base restrictions under the agreement. See "Capitalization" for more information regarding borrowings and availability under the RBL Facility.

(3)
All wholly owned material domestic subsidiaries of the Issuer guarantee and pledge certain assets under the RBL Facility, our senior secured term loan and the senior secured notes. These subsidiaries also guarantee the senior notes on a senior unsecured basis.

(4)
As of June 30 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions, non-wholly owned subsidiaries, foreign subsidiaries and other subsidiaries of the Issuer that do not

 

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    guarantee the notes hold approximately 2% of our consolidated assets and had no outstanding indebtedness, excluding intercompany obligations. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to Refinancing Transactions, these non-guarantor subsidiaries generated approximately 5% of our total revenue and 2% of our Adjusted EBITDAX.

(5)
Includes our foreign operations in Brazil.


Our Sponsors

        Apollo Global Management, LLC (together with its subsidiaries, "Apollo"), founded in 1990, is a leading global alternative investment manager with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Houston, London, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Singapore, Mumbai and Hong Kong. As of June 30, 2012, Apollo had assets under management of approximately $105 billion in private equity, credit-oriented capital markets and real estate funds invested across a core group of nine industries where Apollo has considerable knowledge and resources. Apollo's team of more than 200 seasoned investment professionals possesses a broad range of transactional, financial, managerial and investment skills, which has enabled the firm to deliver strong long-term investment performance throughout expansionary and recessionary economic cycles.

        Riverstone Holdings LLC ("Riverstone"), founded in 2000, is an energy and power-focused private equity firm with over $22 billion of equity capital raised across seven investment funds and co-investments, including the world's largest renewable energy fund. Riverstone conducts buyout and growth capital investments in the midstream, exploration & production, oilfield services, power and renewable sectors of the energy industry. With offices in New York, London and Houston, the firm has committed approximately $19.4 billion to 91 investments in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

        Access Industries ("Access") is a privately held, U.S.-based industrial group with long-term holdings worldwide. Founded by industrialist Len Blavatnik, Access' focus spans three key sectors: natural resources and chemicals; telecommunications and media; and real estate.

        Korea National Oil Corporation ("KNOC") was incorporated in 1979 to engage in the development of oil fields, distribution of crude oil, maintenance of petroleum reserve stock and improvement of the petroleum distribution structure under the Korea National Oil Corporation Act. KNOC is wholly owned by the Korean government and located in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do in Korea. KNOC also has nine petroleum stockpile offices, one domestic gas field management office, 13 overseas offices in Vietnam and other countries and numerous overseas subsidiaries and affiliates in the United States and other countries.

        In addition to our Sponsors, other co-investors participated in the Acquisition.


Corporate Information

        Our principal executive offices are located at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

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Summary of the Exchange Offer

        In connection with the closing of the offering of the initial notes, we entered into registration rights agreements (as more fully described below) with the initial purchasers of the initial notes. You are entitled to exchange in the exchange offer your initial notes for exchange notes, which are identical in all material respects to the initial notes except that:

    the exchange notes have been registered under the Securities Act and will be freely tradable by persons who are not affiliated with us;

    the exchange notes are not entitled to the registration rights applicable to the initial notes under the registration rights agreements; and

    our obligation to pay additional interest on the initial notes due to the failure to consummate the exchange offer by a prior date does not apply to the exchange notes.

Exchange Offer

  We are offering to exchange up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our senior secured exchange notes, up to $2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our senior 2020 exchange notes and up to $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our senior 2022 exchange notes for a like aggregate principal amount of our initial senior secured notes, initial 2020 senior notes and initial 2022 senior notes, respectively.

 

In order to exchange your initial notes, you must properly tender them and we must accept your tender. We will exchange all outstanding initial notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. Initial notes may be exchanged only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Expiration Date

 

This exchange offer will expire at midnight, New York City time, on      , 2012, unless we decide to extend it. We do not currently intend to extend the expiration date.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

 

The exchange offer is subject to customary conditions, some of which we may waive, that include the following conditions:

 

there is no change in the laws and regulations which would impair our ability to proceed with this exchange offer,

 

there is no change in the current interpretation of the staff of the SEC permitting resales of the exchange notes,

 

there is no stop order issued by the SEC which would suspend the effectiveness of the registration statement which includes this prospectus or the qualification of the exchange notes under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,

 

there is no litigation or threatened litigation which would impair our ability to proceed with this exchange offer, and

 

we obtain all the governmental approvals we deem necessary to complete this exchange offer.

 

Please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer."

 

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Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes

 

To participate in this exchange offer, you must complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal or its facsimile and transmit it, together with your initial notes to be exchanged and all other documents required by the letter of transmittal, to Wilmington Trust, National Association, as exchange agent, at its address indicated under "The Exchange Offer—Exchange Agent." In the alternative, you can tender your initial notes by book-entry delivery following the procedures described in this prospectus. For more information on tendering your initial notes, please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes."

Special Procedures for Beneficial Owners

 

If you are a beneficial owner of initial notes that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender your initial notes in the exchange offer, you should contact the registered holder promptly and instruct that person to tender on your behalf.

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

 

If you wish to tender your initial notes and you cannot get the required documents to the exchange agent on time, you may tender your initial notes by using the guaranteed delivery procedures described under the section of this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes—Guaranteed Delivery Procedure."

Withdrawal Rights

 

You may withdraw the tender of your initial notes at any time before midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date of the exchange offer. To withdraw, you must send a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent at its address indicated under "The Exchange Offer—Exchange Agent" before midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date of the exchange offer.

Acceptance of Initial Notes and Delivery of Exchange Notes

 

If all the conditions to the completion of this exchange offer are satisfied, we will accept any and all initial notes that are properly tendered in this exchange offer on or before midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date. We will return any initial note that we do not accept for exchange to you without expense promptly after the expiration date. We will deliver the exchange notes to you promptly after the expiration date and acceptance of your initial notes for exchange. Please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer—Acceptance of Initial Notes for Exchange; Delivery of Exchange Notes."

 

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Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to the Exchange Offer

 

Exchanging your initial notes for exchange notes should not be a taxable event to you for United States federal income tax purposes. Please refer to the section of this prospectus entitled "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations."

Exchange Agent

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association is serving as exchange agent in the exchange offer.

Fees and Expenses

 

We will pay all expenses related to this exchange offer. Please refer to the section of this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer—Fees and Expenses."

Use of Proceeds

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the exchange notes. We are making this exchange offer solely to satisfy certain of our obligations under our registration rights agreements entered into in connection with the offering of the initial notes.

Consequences to Holders Who Do Not Participate in the Exchange Offer

 

All untendered initial notes will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer provided for in the initial notes and in the applicable indenture. In general, the initial notes may not be offered or sold unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Other than in connection with the exchange offer, we do not currently anticipate that we will register under the Securities Act any initial notes that remain outstanding after completion of the exchange offer.

 

Please refer to the section of this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer—Your Failure to Participate in the Exchange Offer Will Have Adverse Consequences."

Resales of the Exchange Notes

 

Based on an interpretation by the staff of the SEC set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that the exchange notes issued pursuant to the exchange offers in exchange for original notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by you (unless you are our "affiliate" within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that you:

 

are acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of business; and

 

have not engaged in, do not intend to engage in, and have no arrangement or understanding with any person or entity, including any of the Issuers' affiliates, to participate in, a distribution of the exchange notes.

 

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In addition, each participating broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offers in exchange for initial notes that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activity must also acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. For more information, see "Plan of Distribution." Any holder of initial notes, including any broker-dealer, who

 

is our affiliate,

 

does not acquire the exchange notes in the ordinary course of its business, or

 

tenders in the exchange offers with the intention to participate, or for the purpose of participating, in a distribution of exchange notes,

 

cannot rely on the position of the staff of the SEC expressed in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation, Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated or similar no-action letters and, in the absence of an exemption, must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with the resale of the exchange notes.

 

Please refer to the sections of this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes—Proper Execution and Delivery of Letters of Transmittal," "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Exchange Offer—Some persons who participate in the exchange offer must deliver a prospectus in connection with resales of the exchange notes" and "Plan of Distribution."

 

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Summary of Terms of the Exchange Notes

         The summary below describes the principal terms of the exchange notes. Certain of the terms and conditions described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions. The "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes," the "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes" and the "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes" sections of this prospectus contain more detailed descriptions of the terms and conditions of the exchange notes.

Senior Secured Exchange Notes

Issuers

  EP Energy LLC (formerly known as Everest Acquisition LLC) and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

Notes Offered

 

$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019.

Maturity Date

 

May 1, 2019.

Interest Rate

 

Interest on the senior secured exchange notes will accrue from April 24, 2012 at a rate of 6.875% per annum and will be payable in cash.

Interest Payment Dates

 

May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 2012.

Denominations

 

Minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; provided that notes may be issued in denominations of less than $2,000 solely to accommodate book-entry positions that have been created by a DTC participant in denominations of less than $2,000.

Guarantees

 

Our obligations under the senior secured exchange notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Issuers' present and future direct or indirect wholly owned material domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the RBL Facility.

Ranking

 

The senior secured exchange notes will be our senior secured obligations and will:

 

rank senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future debt and other obligations that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the senior secured exchange notes;

 

be effectively senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future unsecured indebtedness (including the senior notes) to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the senior secured exchange notes;

 

be effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured debt that is secured on a first-priority basis (including obligations under the RBL Facility), to the extent of the value of the RBL Facility Priority Collateral (as defined below);

 

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be equal to our senior secured term loan, which is secured on a pari passu basis with the senior secured exchange notes; and

 

be structurally subordinated to all obligations of each of our subsidiaries that is not a guarantor of the senior secured exchange notes.

 

As of June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions, the senior secured notes ranked (1) effectively junior to $400 million of first-priority senior secured indebtedness under the RBL Facility to the extent of the RBL Facility Priority Collateral, (2) equally to $750 million of senior secured indebtedness under our new senior secured term loan, (3) effectively senior to $2,350 million of unsecured indebtedness represented by the senior notes and (4) effectively junior to no indebtedness of our non-guarantor subsidiaries. Further, we had approximately $1.5 billion available for additional borrowing under the RBL Facility, all of which would be secured on a first-priority basis by a lien on the RBL Facility Priority Collateral.

 

As of June 30, 2012, non-wholly owned subsidiaries, foreign subsidiaries and other subsidiaries of the Issuer that do not guarantee the senior secured notes hold approximately 2% of our consolidated assets and have no outstanding indebtedness, excluding intercompany obligations. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition Transactions and the Refinancing Transactions, these non-guarantor subsidiaries generated approximately 5% of our revenue and 2% of our Adjusted EBITDAX.

Security

 

The senior secured exchange notes will be secured:

 

on a first-priority basis by a perfected pledge of the capital stock of all first-tier foreign subsidiaries of the Issuers and each of the guarantors (which pledge will be limited to 65% of the voting capital stock and 100% of the non-voting capital stock of each such subsidiary) (the "Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral");

 

on a second-priority basis by all of the other collateral securing the RBL Facility other than the capital stock of the Issuer and as set forth below, which includes:

 

a perfected pledge of all of the capital stock of each material domestic restricted subsidiary held by the Issuers and each of the guarantors;

 

perfected real property mortgages on oil and gas reserves of the Issuers and the guarantors located in the United States that are included in the reserve reports most recently delivered to the lenders under the RBL Facility; and

 

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substantially all other tangible (other than real property and other oil and gas properties) and intangible assets of the Issuers and the guarantors.

 

In this prospectus, we refer to the foregoing collateral that secures the RBL Facility on a first-priority basis and the senior secured notes on a second-priority basis as the "RBL Facility Priority Collateral." For a further description of the RBL Facility Priority Collateral, see "Description of Other Indebtedness—The RBL Facility—Guarantees and Security."

 

While the senior secured exchange notes will initially be secured by the pledge of the capital stock of the subsidiaries of the Issuers and the Guarantors as described above, these pledges will be released to the extent that separate financial statements pursuant to Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X would be required in connection with the filing of the registration statement related to the senior secured exchange notes of which this prospectus forms a part. See "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Security—Limitations on Stock Collateral."

 

The RBL Facility Priority Collateral and the Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral excludes: (i) any property or assets owned by any foreign subsidiaries, (ii) certain real property and oil and gas properties, (iii) motor vehicles, (iv) subject to limited exceptions, any assets or any right, title or interest in any license, contract or agreement to the extent that taking a security interest in any of them would violate any applicable law or regulation or any enforceable contractual obligation binding on the assets that existed at the time of the acquisition thereof and not created in connection with such acquisition (except in the case of assets owned on the date the initial senior secured notes are issued or that are subject to certain purchase money liens permitted under the indenture governing the senior secured notes) or would violate the terms of any such license, contract or agreement and (v) certain other limited assets.

 

For more information on the security granted, see "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Security." The security interests in the assets securing the senior secured notes may be released under certain circumstances. See "Risk Factors—Additional Risks Related to the Senior Secured Notes," "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Security—Intercreditor Agreements" and "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Security—Release of Collateral."

 

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Intercreditor Agreements

 

The security granted in the RBL Facility Priority Collateral to secure the senior secured notes and the senior secured term loan on a second-priority basis is also granted to secure, on a first-priority basis, indebtedness under the RBL Facility, and the security granted in the Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral to secure the senior secured notes and the senior secured term loan on a first-priority basis will also be granted to secure, on a second-priority basis, indebtedness under the RBL Facility. In addition, the indenture governing the senior secured notes permits us to secure additional indebtedness with liens on the RBL Facility Priority Collateral and the Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral under certain circumstances. The lenders under the RBL Facility and the holders of certain debt (including certain hedging and cash management counterparties) will receive priority treatment with respect to the proceeds of an enforcement of the security interest in or other recoveries from the RBL Facility Priority Collateral. These intercreditor relationships will be governed by an intercreditor agreement as described in more detail under the caption "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Security—Intercreditor Agreements—Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement." In addition, the agent for the senior secured term loan and the trustee for the senior secured notes entered into an intercreditor agreement governing the relationship between the lenders under our new senior secured term loan and holders of the senior secured notes as well as holders of any other indebtedness secured on a pari passu basis with the senior secured notes and the senior secured term loan. See "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Security—Intercreditor Agreements—Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement."

Optional Redemption

 

Prior to May 1, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the senior secured exchange notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the senior secured exchange notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date plus the applicable "make-whole" premium. On or after May 1, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the senior secured exchange notes at the redemption prices set forth in this prospectus. Additionally, on or prior to May 1, 2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the senior secured exchange notes with the net proceeds of specified equity offerings at the redemption price set forth in this prospectus. See "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Optional Redemption."

Certain Covenants

 

The indenture governing the senior secured exchange notes, among other things, limits our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:

 

incur or guarantee additional indebtedness;

 

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pay dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, capital stock and make other restricted payments;

 

make investments;

 

consummate certain asset sales;

 

engage in transactions with affiliates;

 

grant or assume liens; and

 

consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets.

 

These limitations are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions as described under "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Certain Covenants." Parent will not be subject to any of the covenants in the indenture governing the senior secured exchange notes.

Book-Entry Form

 

The senior secured exchange notes will be issued in registered book-entry form represented by one or more global notes to be deposited with or on behalf of DTC or its nominee. Transfers of the senior secured exchange notes will only be effected through facilities of DTC. Beneficial interests in the global notes may not be exchanged for certificated notes except in limited circumstances. See "Book-Entry; Delivery and Form."

Risk Factors

 

You should consider all of the information contained in this prospectus before making an investment in the senior secured exchange notes. In particular, you should consider the risks described under "Risk Factors."

Senior 2020 Exchange Notes

Issuers

  EP Energy LLC (formerly known as Everest Acquisition LLC) and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

Notes Offered

 

$2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020.

Maturity Date

 

May 1, 2020.

Interest Rate

 

Interest on the senior 2020 exchange notes will accrue from April 24, 2012 at a rate of 9.375% per annum and will be payable in cash.

Interest Payment Dates

 

May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 2012.

Denominations

 

Minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; provided that notes may be issued in denominations of less than $2,000 solely to accommodate book-entry positions that have been created by a DTC participant in denominations of less than $2,000.

 

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Guarantees

 

Our obligations under the senior 2020 exchange notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Issuers' present and future direct or indirect wholly owned material domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the RBL Facility.

Ranking

 

The senior 2020 exchange notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will:

 

rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior debt;

 

rank senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future debt and other obligations that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the senior 2020 exchange notes;

 

be effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured debt (including obligations under the RBL Facility, our senior secured term loan and the senior secured notes), to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and

 

be structurally subordinated to all obligations of each of our subsidiaries that is not a guarantor of the notes.

 

As of June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions, the senior 2020 exchange notes ranked (1) effectively junior to $1,900 million of senior secured indebtedness, consisting of indebtedness outstanding under the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan and the senior secured notes, (2) equally to $350 million of our senior 2022 notes and (3) effectively junior to no indebtedness of our non-guarantor subsidiaries. Further, we had approximately $1.5 billion available for additional borrowing under the RBL Facility, all of which would be secured.

 

As of June 30, 2012, non-wholly owned subsidiaries, foreign subsidiaries and other subsidiaries of the Issuer that do not guarantee the senior 2020 exchange notes hold approximately 2% of our consolidated assets and have no outstanding indebtedness, excluding intercompany obligations. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition Transactions and the Refinancing Transactions, these non-guarantor subsidiaries generated approximately 5% of our total revenue and 2% of our Adjusted EBITDAX.

 

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Optional Redemption

 

Prior to May 1, 2016, we may redeem some or all of the senior 2020 exchange notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the senior 2020 exchange notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date plus the applicable "make-whole" premium. On or after May 1, 2016, we may redeem some or all of the senior 2020 exchange notes at the redemption prices set forth in this prospectus. Additionally, on or prior to May 1, 2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the senior 2020 exchange notes with the net proceeds of specified equity offerings at the redemption price set forth in this prospectus. See "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes—Optional Redemption."

Certain Covenants

 

The indenture governing the senior 2020 exchange notes, among other things, limits our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:

 

incur or guarantee additional indebtedness;

 

pay dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, capital stock and make other restricted payments;

 

make investments;

 

consummate certain asset sales;

 

engage in transactions with affiliates;

 

grant or assume liens; and

 

consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets.

 

These limitations are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions as described under "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes—Certain Covenants." Parent will not be subject to any of the covenants in the indenture governing the senior 2020 exchange notes.

Book-Entry Form

 

The senior 2020 exchange notes will be issued in registered book-entry form represented by one or more global notes to be deposited with or on behalf of DTC or its nominee. Transfers of the senior 2020 exchange notes will only be effected through facilities of DTC. Beneficial interests in the global notes may not be exchanged for certificated notes except in limited circumstances. See "Book-Entry; Delivery and Form."

Risk Factors

 

You should consider all of the information contained in this prospectus before making an investment in the senior 2020 exchange notes. In particular, you should consider the risks described under "Risk Factors."

 

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Senior 2022 Exchange Notes

Issuers

  EP Energy LLC and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

Notes Offered

 

$350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022.

Maturity Date

 

September 1, 2022.

Interest Rate

 

Interest on the senior 2022 exchange notes will accrue from August 13, 2012 at a rate of 7.750% per annum and will be payable in cash.

Interest Payment Dates

 

March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing March 1, 2013.

Denominations

 

Minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; provided that notes may be issued in denominations of less than $2,000 solely to accommodate book-entry positions that have been created by a DTC participant in denominations of less than $2,000.

Guarantees

 

Our obligations under the senior 2022 exchange notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Issuers' present and future direct or indirect wholly owned material domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the RBL Facility.

Ranking

 

The senior 2022 exchange notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will:

 

rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior debt;

 

rank senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future debt and other obligations that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the senior 2022 exchange notes;

 

be effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured debt (including obligations under the RBL Facility, our senior secured term loan and the senior secured notes), to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and

 

be structurally subordinated to all obligations of each of our subsidiaries that is not a guarantor of the notes.

 

As of June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions, the senior 2022 exchange notes ranked (1) effectively junior to $1,900 million of senior secured indebtedness, consisting of indebtedness outstanding under the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan and the senior secured notes, (2) equally to $2,000 million of our senior 2020 notes and (3) effectively junior to no indebtedness of our non-guarantor subsidiaries. Further, we had approximately $1.5 billion available for additional borrowing under the RBL Facility, all of which would be secured.

 

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As of June 30, 2012, non-wholly owned subsidiaries, foreign subsidiaries and other subsidiaries of the Issuer that do not guarantee the senior 2022 exchange notes hold approximately 2% of our consolidated assets and have no outstanding indebtedness, excluding intercompany obligations. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition Transactions and the Refinancing Transactions, these non-guarantor subsidiaries generated approximately 5% of our total revenue and 2% of our Adjusted EBITDAX.

Optional Redemption

 

Prior to September 1, 2017, we may redeem some or all of the senior 2022 exchange notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the senior 2022 exchange notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date plus the applicable "make-whole" premium. On or after September 1, 2017, we may redeem some or all of the senior 2022 exchange notes at the redemption prices set forth in this prospectus. Additionally, on or prior to September 1, 2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the senior 2022 exchange notes with the net proceeds of specified equity offerings at the redemption price set forth in this prospectus. See "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes—Optional Redemption."

Certain Covenants

 

The indenture governing the senior 2022 exchange notes, among other things, limits our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:

 

incur or guarantee additional indebtedness;

 

pay dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, capital stock and make other restricted payments;

 

make investments;

 

consummate certain asset sales;

 

engage in transactions with affiliates;

 

grant or assume liens; and

 

consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets.

 

These limitations are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions as described under "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes—Certain Covenants." Parent will not be subject to any of the covenants in the indenture governing the senior 2022 exchange notes.

 

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Book-Entry Form

 

The senior 2022 exchange notes will be issued in registered book-entry form represented by one or more global notes to be deposited with or on behalf of DTC or its nominee. Transfers of the senior 2022 exchange notes will only be effected through facilities of DTC. Beneficial interests in the global notes may not be exchanged for certificated notes except in limited circumstances. See "Book-Entry; Delivery and Form."

Risk Factors

 

You should consider all of the information contained in this prospectus before making an investment in the senior 2022 exchange notes. In particular, you should consider the risks described under "Risk Factors."

 

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Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial
and Other Operating Data

        Set forth below is the summary historical consolidated financial and other operating data of EP Energy Global LLC (formerly known as EP Energy Corporation and EP Energy, L.L.C.). See "Presentation of Financial Information," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the historical consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

        The following table sets forth summary historical financial and other data for the periods and as of the dates indicated. We have derived the consolidated statement of income and statement of cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 from EP Energy Corporation's audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009 has been derived from EP Energy Corporation's audited consolidated financial statements not included herein.

        The table below also includes the Issuer's unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of income data, giving pro forma effect to the Acquisition and Refinancing Transactions as described in "—Recent Events" if they had occurred on January 1, 2011. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet has been prepared as if the Refinancing Transactions occurred on June 30, 2012. The pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable. The summary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial data are for informational purposes only and do not purport to represent what our results of operations or financial position actually would have been if the Acquisition and Refinancing Transactions had occurred at any other date, and such data does not purport to project our results of operations for any future period.

        The Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon management's estimates of fair value. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated data are based upon available information and certain assumptions that management believes are factually supportable and that are reasonable under the circumstance. Because the determination of fair value is dependent upon valuations as of the Acquisition date, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial data may be revised and any such adjustments to the estimates of fair value may be material.

        The following summary historical and pro forma financial and other data should be read in conjunction with the information included under the headings "—Recent Events," "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data," "Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data," "Use of Proceeds," "Capitalization" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial

 

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Condition and Results of Operations" and EP Energy Corporation's audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 
   
   
  EP Energy Corporation
Historical
 
 
  EP Energy LLC Pro Forma  
 
  Year ended
December 31,
 
 
  Six Months
ended
June 30,
2012
   
 
 
  Year ended
December 31,
2011
 
 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  (dollars in millions)
 

Statement of income data

                               

Operating revenues:

                               

Third parties

  $ 756   $ 1,582   $ 948   $ 634   $ 552  

Affiliates

            634     746     545  

Realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives(1)

    422     284     284     390     687  

Other

        1     1     19     44  
                       

Total operating revenues

    1,178     1,867     1,867     1,789     1,828  

Operating expenses:

                               

Cost of products

                15     31  

Transportation costs

    59     85     85     73     66  

Lease operating expenses           

    117     217     217     193     197  

General and administrative expenses

    294     226     201     190     195  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    153     262     612     477     440  

Impairments/Ceiling test charges

        6     158     25     2,148  

Exploration expense

    105     249              

Taxes, other than income taxes

    57     91     91     85     68  
                       

Total operating expenses

    785     1,136     1,364     1,058     3,145  
                       

Operating income (loss)

    393     731     503     731     (1,317 )

Income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates(2)

        5     (7 )   (7 )   (30 )

Other income (expense)

    (2 )   (2 )   (2 )   3     (1 )

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest:

                               

Third parties

    (155 )   (310 )   (9 )   (16 )   (21 )

Affiliates

            (3 )   (5 )   (4 )
                       

Income (loss) before income taxes

    236     424     482     706     (1,373 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

    1     (7 )   220     263     (462 )
                       

Net income (loss)

  $ 235   $ 431   $ 262   $ 443   $ (911 )
                       

Balance sheet data (at period end)

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 41         $ 25   $ 74   $ 183  

Total assets

    8,157           5,099     4,942     4,457  

Total debt

    4,243           851     301     835  

Members'/stockholder's equity

    3,149           3,100     3,067     2,529  

Statement of cash flows data

                               

Net cash provided by (used in):

                               

Operating activities

              $ 1,426   $ 1,067   $ 1,573  

Investing activities

                (1,237 )   (1,130 )   (1,156 )

Financing activities

                (238 )   (46 )   (336 )

Other financial data

                               

Capital expenditures(3)

  $ 762         $ 1,644   $ 1,318   $ 1,129  

Adjusted EBITDAX(4)

    655     1,391     1,391     1,205     1,491  

Cash interest expense(5)

    147     313                    

(1)
Includes $11 million, $11 million and $406 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income associated with accounting hedges. During 2008, we removed the hedging designation on all of our commodity-based derivative contracts related to our hedged oil and natural gas production volumes.

 

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(2)
Income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates includes equity earnings from Four Star Oil & Gas Company ("Four Star"), our unconsolidated affiliate, net of amortization of our purchase cost in excess of our equity interest in the underlying net assets.

(3)
Represent accrual based capital expenditures including acquisitions capital, and excludes asset retirement obligation.

(4)
The Adjusted EBITDAX measure presented in this prospectus is a non-GAAP measure and is not a measurement of operating performance computed in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flows from operating activities computed in accordance with GAAP. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. See further discussion in "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information."

The following table provides an unaudited reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDAX:

 
   
   
  EP Energy Corporation
Historical
 
 
  EP Energy LLC Pro forma  
 
  Year ended
December 31,
 
 
  Six Months
ended
June 30,
2012
   
 
 
  Year ended
December 31,
2011
 
 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  (in millions)
 

Net income (loss)

  $ 235   $ 431   $ 262   $ 443   $ (911 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

    1     (7 )   220     263     (462 )

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest

    155     310     12     21     25  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    153     262     612     477     440  
                       

Reported EBITDA

    544     996     1,106     1,204     (908 )

Net impact of financial derivatives(a)

    (214 )   47     47     (92 )   323  

Impairments and ceiling test charges(b)

        100     158     25     2,148  

Transition and restructuring costs(c)

    183     6     6         7  

Dividends from unconsolidated affiliates(d)

    8     46     46     50     45  

Income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates(e)

        (5 )   7     7     30  

Non-cash equity-based compensation expense(f)

    16     21     21     18     19  

Financial derivatives premiums(g)

                (7 )   (173 )

Advisory fee(h)

    13     25              

Exploration expense(i)

    105     155              
                       

Adjusted EBITDAX(j)

  $ 655   $ 1,391   $ 1,391   $ 1,205   $ 1,491  
                       

(a)
Represents the non-cash net change in the fair value of derivatives, net of actual cash settlements received/(paid) in respect of derivatives.

(b)
Impairments and ceiling test charges include inventory impairments of $6 million in 2011 and $16 million in 2009.

(c)
Reflects the transaction costs paid as part of the acquisition in 2012, a non-recurring severance cost incurred in connection with the closure of our office in Denver in 2011 and a cost related to restructuring our organization in 2009.

(d)
Represents cash dividends received from Four Star, our unconsolidated affiliate in which we hold an approximate 49% equity interest.

(e)
Reflects the elimination of non-cash equity income (losses) recognized from Four Star, net of amortization of our purchase cost in excess of our equity interest in the underlying net assets.

(f)
Represents non-cash equity-based compensation expense.

(g)
Represents the net cash outflows related to premiums paid on the derivative contracts.

(h)
Represents the pro-rata portion of the annual advisory fee to be paid to affiliates of the Sponsors and other investors. The annual advisory fee is $25 million.

(i)
Represents exploration expense recorded due to applying the successful efforts method of accounting following the acquisition.

 

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(j)
Includes net EBITDAX contribution of $31 million, $136 million, $136 million, $203 million and $206 million for each period, related to business divestitures including the divestiture of Gulf of Mexico in July 2012, the divestitures of our Blue Creek West, Minden and Powder River operations in 2011 and the divestitures of our Catapult operations and Altamont processing plant and related gathering systems in 2010.
(5)
Represents cash interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011, in each case calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition and Refinancing Transactions.

 

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Summary Operating and Reserve Information

Proved Reserves

        The proved reserve estimates set forth below are for the Acquired Business and were prepared in accordance with SEC rules using the first day 12-month average price as of December 31, 2011.

        The following table summarizes our historical proved reserves and related PV-10 as of the dates indicated. The proved reserves as of December 31, 2011 are based on our internal reserve report. The reserve data represents only estimates, which are often different from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered. The risks and uncertainties associated with estimating proved oil and natural gas reserves are discussed further in "Risk Factors." Net proved reserves exclude royalties and interests owned by others and reflect contractual arrangements and royalty obligations in effect at December 31, 2011. You should refer to "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business" in evaluating the material presented below. The information in the following table does not give any effect to or reflect our commodity hedges.

        Ryder Scott Company, L.P. ("Ryder Scott") conducted an audit of the estimates of the proved reserves prepared by us as of December 31, 2011. In connection with its audit, Ryder Scott reviewed 86% of the properties associated with our proved reserves on a natural gas equivalent basis, representing 87% of the total discounted future net cash flows of these proved reserves. Ryder Scott also conducted an audit of the estimates we prepared of the proved reserves of Four Star as of December 31, 2011. In connection with the audit of these proved reserves, Ryder Scott reviewed 87% of the properties associated with Four Star's total proved reserves on a natural gas equivalent basis, representing 91% of the total discounted future net cash flows. For the reviewed properties, our overall proved reserves estimates, in the aggregate, are within 10% of Ryder Scott's estimates.

 
  As of
December 31, 2011
 

Proved reserves(1):

       

Natural gas (MMcf)

    2,781,904  

Oil/Condensate (MBbls)

    181,639  

NGL (MBbls)

    19,153  

Total estimated net proved reserves (MMcfe)

    3,986,658  

Proved developed producing (MMcfe)

    1,694,039  

Proved developed non-producing (MMcfe)

    350,274  

Proved undeveloped (MMcfe)

    1,942,345  

Percent proved developed reserves (%)

    51 %

PV-10 (in thousands)(2)

  $ 7,015,973  

(1)
Includes the net proved reserve amounts represented by our approximate 49% equity interest in Four Star. Specifically, net proved reserves represented by our approximate 49% interest in Four Star as of December 31, 2011 were 134,713 MMcf natural gas, 1,569 MBbls oil and condensate and 4,908 MBbls NGL, totaling 173,574 MMcfe total net proved reserves. Total net proved reserves were comprised of 144,248 MMcfe proved developed producing, 5,292 MMcfe proved developed non-producing, and 24,034 MMcfe proved undeveloped.

(2)
PV-10 is considered a non-GAAP measure and is derived from the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, which is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. PV-10 is equal to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows at the applicable date, before deducting future income taxes, discounted at 10%. We believe that the presentation of PV-10 is relevant and useful to investors

 

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    because it presents the relative monetary significance of our oil, natural gas and NGL properties regardless of tax structure. Further, investors may utilize the measure as a basis for comparison of the relative size and value of our reserves to other companies. We use this measure when assessing the potential return on investment related to our oil, natural gas and NGL properties. PV-10, however, is not a substitute for the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows. Our PV-10 measure and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows do not purport to present the fair value of our oil (including NGLs) and natural gas reserves. The unweighted average of the historical first-day-of-the-month prices for the prior 12 months was $4.12 per MMBtu of natural gas and $96.19 per barrel of oil as of December 31, 2011.

            The following table provides a reconciliation of PV-10 to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows (in millions):

 
  As of
December 31, 2011
 

PV-10

  $ 7,016  

Income taxes, discounted at 10%

    (1,816 )

Discounting difference(a)

    210  
       

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $ 5,410  
       

(a)
Discounting difference relates to differences in the manner in which discounted cash flows are determined for reserve calculations (monthly) versus the discount calculation for purposes of calculating the standardized measure (annually).

 

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Production, Revenues and Price History

        The following table sets forth information regarding net production of the Acquired Business and certain price and cost information for each of the periods indicated.

 
  EP Energy Corporation Historical  
 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Production data(1):

                   

Natural gas (MMcf)

    257,964     242,776     238,101  

Oil/Condensate (MBbls)

    6,340     5,111     4,497  

NGL (MBbls)

    1,624     1,996     2,248  

Combined production (MMcfe)

    305,748     285,418     278,571  

Average combined daily production (MMcfe/d)

    838     782     763  

Average realized prices on physical sales(2):

                   

Natural gas (Mcf)

  $ 4.04   $ 4.32   $ 3.80  

Oil (Bbl)

    91.40     72.83     52.48  

NGL (Bbl)

    53.50     42.38     33.75  

Average realized prices, including financial derivative settlements(2)(3):

                   

Natural gas (Mcf)

  $ 5.44   $ 5.67   $ 7.62  

Oil (Bbl)

    90.23     71.13     95.57  

NGL (Bbl)

    53.50     42.38     33.75  

Average cash operating cost per Mcfe(4):

                   

Lease operating expenses(5)

  $ 0.77   $ 0.73   $ 0.78  

Production taxes

    0.28     0.27     0.22  

General and administrative expenses

    0.70     0.72     0.77  

Taxes other than production and income taxes

    0.04     0.06     0.05  
               

Total

  $ 1.79   $ 1.78   $ 1.82  
               

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  $ 2.16   $ 1.82   $ 1.74  

(1)
Includes the production amounts represented by our approximate 49% equity interest in Four Star. Specifically, production amounts represented by our approximate 49% equity interest in Four Star as of December 31, 2011 were 16,881 MMcf natural gas, 306 MBbls oil and condensate, 556 MBbls NGL, 22,052 MMcfe combined production and 61 MMcfe/d average combined daily production.

(2)
Average prices shown in the table reflect prices both before and after the effects of financial derivative settlements.

(3)
We had no cash premiums related to oil derivatives settled during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. Premiums paid related to natural gas derivatives settled during the year ended December 31, 2010 were $157 million. Premiums paid related to natural gas derivatives settled during the year ended December 31, 2011 were $23 million. Had we included these premiums in our natural gas average realized prices in 2011 and 2010, our realized price, including financial derivatives settlements, would have decreased by $0.10 per Mcf and $0.70 per Mcf for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

(4)
Total adjusted cash operating costs per unit for each period were $1.69/Mcfe, $1.71/Mcfe and $1.72/Mcfe.

(5)
Includes approximately $14 million of start-up costs in Camarupim Field in 2009 or $3.08 per Mcfe for Brazil and $0.05 per Mcfe worldwide.

 

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RISK FACTORS

         Investing in the exchange notes in this exchange offer involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus, before participating in the exchange offer. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, the risks described below are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or those that we currently view to be immaterial could also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In any such case, you may lose all or a part of your original investment.

Risks Related to the Exchange Offer

If you do not properly tender your initial notes, you will continue to hold unregistered initial notes and be subject to the same limitations on your ability to transfer initial notes.

        We will only issue exchange notes in exchange for initial notes that are timely received by the exchange agent together with all required documents, including a properly completed and signed letter of transmittal. Therefore, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery of the initial notes and you should carefully follow the instructions on how to tender your initial notes. Neither we nor the exchange agent are required to tell you of any defects or irregularities with respect to your tender of the initial notes. If you are eligible to participate in the exchange offer and do not tender your initial notes or if we do not accept your initial notes because you did not tender your initial notes properly, then, after we consummate the exchange offer, you will continue to hold initial notes that are subject to the existing transfer restrictions and will no longer have any registration rights or be entitled to any additional interest with respect to the initial notes. In addition:

        We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the exchange offer is consummated, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any resales of the exchange notes.

        After the exchange offer is consummated, if you continue to hold any initial notes, you may have difficulty selling them because there will be fewer initial notes outstanding.

The issuance of the exchange notes may adversely affect the market for the initial notes.

        To the extent the initial notes are tendered and accepted in the exchange offer, the trading market for the untendered and tendered but unaccepted initial notes could be adversely affected. Because we anticipate that most holders of the initial notes will elect to exchange their initial notes for exchange notes due to the absence of restrictions on the resale of exchange notes under the Securities Act, we anticipate that the liquidity of the market for any initial notes remaining after the completion of this exchange offer may be substantially limited. Please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer—Your Failure to Participate in the Exchange Offer Will Have Adverse Consequences."

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Some persons who participate in the exchange offer must deliver a prospectus in connection with resales of the exchange notes.

        Based on interpretations of the staff of the SEC contained in Exxon Capital Holdings Corp., SEC no-action letter (April 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., SEC no-action letter (June 5, 1991) and Shearman & Sterling, SEC no-action letter (July 2, 1983), we believe that you may offer for resale, resell or otherwise transfer the exchange notes without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. However, in some instances described in this prospectus under "Plan of Distribution," you will remain obligated to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to transfer your exchange notes. In these cases, if you transfer any exchange note without delivering a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act or without an exemption from registration of your exchange notes under the Securities Act, you may incur liability under the Securities Act. We do not and will not assume, or indemnify you against, this liability.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes

Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from making debt service payments on the notes.

        After giving pro forma effect to the Acquisition Transactions and the Refinancing Transactions, we are a highly leveraged company. As of June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions, we would have had $4,250 million face value of outstanding indebtedness (in addition to approximately $1.5 billion of undrawn commitments under the RBL Facility), and for the six months ended June 30, 2012, we would have had total pro forma debt service payment obligations of $156 million.

        Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences for you as a holder of the notes. For example, it could:

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In addition, the credit agreements governing the RBL Facility and our new senior secured term loan and the indentures governing the notes contain restrictive covenants that will limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interest. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of substantially all of our indebtedness.

Despite our substantial indebtedness, we may still be able to incur significantly more debt, which could intensify the risks described above.

        We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial indebtedness in the future. Although the terms of the indentures governing the notes and the credit agreements governing the RBL Facility and the senior secured term loan contain restrictions on our and our subsidiaries' ability to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness that will be effectively senior to the senior notes and could be effectively senior to the senior secured notes, these restrictions are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. These restrictions also will not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness. As of June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition Transactions and the Refinancing Transactions, we would have had approximately $1.5 billion available for additional borrowing under the RBL Facility, all of which would be secured. In addition to the notes and our borrowings under the RBL Facility and the senior secured term loan, the covenants under any other existing or future debt instruments could allow us to incur a significant amount of additional indebtedness. The more leveraged we become, the more we, and in turn our securityholders, will be exposed to certain risks described above under "—Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from making debt service payments on the notes."

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness, including the notes, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness that may not be successful.

        Our ability to pay principal and interest on the notes and to satisfy our other debt obligations will depend upon, among other things:

        We cannot assure you that our business will generate cash flow from operations, or that we will be able to draw under the RBL Facility or otherwise, in an amount sufficient to fund our liquidity needs, including the payment of principal and interest on the notes.

        If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to service our indebtedness, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or

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refinance our indebtedness, including the notes. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. In addition, the terms of existing or future debt agreements, including the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan and the indentures governing the notes, may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions for fair market value or at all. Furthermore, any proceeds that we could realize from any such dispositions may not be adequate to meet our debt service obligations then due. The Sponsors and their affiliates have no continuing obligation to provide us with debt or equity financing. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all, could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and could negatively impact our ability to satisfy our obligations under the notes.

        If we cannot make scheduled payments on our indebtedness, we will be in default and holders of the notes could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable, the lenders under the RBL Facility could terminate their commitments to loan money, our secured lenders (including the lenders under the RBL Facility and the senior secured term loan and the holders of the senior secured notes) could foreclose against the assets securing their loans and the senior secured notes and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. All of these events could cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the notes.

Repayment of our debt, including the notes, is dependent on cash flow generated by our subsidiaries.

        We are a holding company and have no direct operations other than holding the equity interests in our subsidiaries and activities directly related thereto. Accordingly, repayment of our indebtedness, including the notes, is dependent on the generation of cash flow by our subsidiaries and (if they are not guarantors of the notes) their ability to make such cash available to us, by dividend, debt repayment or otherwise. Unless they are guarantors of the notes, our subsidiaries do not have any obligation to pay amounts due on the notes or to make funds available for that purpose. Our subsidiaries may not be able to, or may not be permitted to, make distributions to enable us to make payments in respect of our indebtedness, including the notes. Each of our subsidiaries is a distinct legal entity, and under certain circumstances legal and contractual restrictions may limit our ability to obtain cash from them and we may be limited in our ability to cause any future joint ventures to distribute their earnings to us. While the indentures governing the notes and the credit agreements governing the RBL Facility and the senior secured term loan limit the ability of our subsidiaries to incur consensual restrictions on their ability to pay dividends or make other intercompany payments to us, these limitations are subject to certain qualifications and exceptions. In the event that we do not receive distributions from our non-guarantor subsidiaries, we may be unable to make required principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, including the notes.

If we default on our obligations to pay our other indebtedness, we may not be able to make payments on the notes.

        Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including defaults under the RBL Facility and the senior secured term loan that are not waived by the required lenders, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness could leave us unable to pay principal, premium, if any, or interest on the notes and could substantially decrease the market value of the notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required

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payments of principal, premium, if any, or interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing our indebtedness (including the RBL Facility and the senior secured term loan), we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to (i) declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, (ii) terminate their commitments and cease making further loans and (iii) institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

        If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to seek waivers from the required lenders or holders under the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan and the notes to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan and the notes and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders or holders, as applicable. If this occurs, we would be in default under these facilities, the lenders or holders could exercise their rights as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. See "Description of Other Indebtedness," "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes," "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes" and "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes."

        Upon any such bankruptcy filing, we would be stayed from making any ongoing payments on the notes, and the holders of the notes would not be entitled to receive post-petition interest or applicable fees, costs or charges, or any "adequate protection" under Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended (the "Bankruptcy Code").

The notes will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.

        The notes will be structurally subordinated to indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries that are not guaranteeing the notes, and the claims of creditors of these subsidiaries, including trade creditors, will have priority as to the assets of these subsidiaries. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of our non-guarantor subsidiaries, these non-guarantor subsidiaries will pay the holders of their debts, holders of preferred equity interests and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to us. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition Transactions and the Refinancing Transactions, these non-guarantor subsidiaries generated approximately 5% of our total revenue and 2% of our Adjusted EBITDAX. As of June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis these non-guarantor subsidiaries held approximately 2% of our consolidated assets and had no outstanding indebtedness, excluding intercompany obligations.

        In addition, the indentures governing the notes permit these subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, subject to some limitations, and do not contain any limitation on the amount of other liabilities, such as trade payables, that may be incurred by these subsidiaries.

        The notes will not be guaranteed by any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries or any other subsidiaries that are not material or wholly owned. These non-guarantor subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the notes, or to make any funds available therefore, whether by dividends, loans, distributions or other payments. Any right that we or the subsidiary guarantors have to receive any assets of any of the non-guarantor subsidiaries upon the liquidation or reorganization of those subsidiaries, and the consequent rights of holders of notes to realize proceeds from the sale of any of those subsidiaries' assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of those subsidiaries' creditors, including trade creditors and holders of preferred equity interests of those subsidiaries.

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Our debt agreements contain restrictions that will limit our flexibility in operating our business.

        The RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan and the indentures governing the notes contain, and any other existing or future indebtedness of ours would likely contain, a number of covenants that will impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on our and our subsidiaries ability to, among other things:

        In addition, the RBL Facility requires us to comply with certain financial covenants. See "Description of Other Indebtedness—The RBL Facility."

        As a result of these covenants, we will be limited in the manner in which we conduct our business, and we may be unable to engage in favorable business activities or finance future operations or capital needs.

        A failure to comply with the covenants under the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan, the notes or any of our other future indebtedness could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In the event of any such default, the lenders thereunder:

any of which could result in an event of default under the notes.

        Such actions by the lenders could cause cross defaults under our other indebtedness. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders or holders under the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan and the notes could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. We pledged a significant portion of our assets as collateral under the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan and the senior secured notes.

        If any of our outstanding indebtedness under the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan or our other indebtedness, including the notes, were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that our

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assets would be sufficient to repay such indebtedness in full. See "Description of Other Indebtedness," "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes," "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes" and "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes."

Because each subsidiary guarantor's liability under its guarantee may be reduced to zero, avoided or released under certain circumstances, you may not receive any payments from some or all of the subsidiary guarantors.

        You have the benefit of the guarantees of the guarantors. However, the guarantees by the subsidiary guarantors are limited to the maximum amount that such guarantors are permitted to guarantee under applicable law. As a result, any such guarantor's liability under its guarantee could be reduced to zero, depending on the amount of other obligations of such guarantor. Further, under the circumstances discussed more fully below, a court under federal or state fraudulent conveyance and transfer statutes could void the obligations under a guarantee or further subordinate it to all other obligations of the guarantor.

        In addition, the subsidiary guarantors will be automatically released from their guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events, including the following:

        If the guarantee of any subsidiary guarantor is released, no holder of the notes will have a claim as a creditor against that subsidiary, and the indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables and preferred stock, if any, whether secured or unsecured, of that subsidiary will be structurally senior to the claim of any holders of the notes. See "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes—Subsidiary Guarantees," "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes—Subsidiary Guarantees" and "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Subsidiary Guarantees."

We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control.

        Upon the occurrence of certain specific kinds of change of control events, we will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding notes and our senior secured term loan at 101% of the principal amount thereof plus, without duplication, accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. Additionally, under the RBL Facility, a change of control constitutes an event of default that permits the lenders to accelerate the maturity of borrowings and terminate their commitments to lend. The source of funds for any repurchase of the notes and repayment of borrowings under the RBL Facility and the senior secured term loan would be our available cash or cash generated from our subsidiaries' operations or other sources, including borrowings, sales of assets or sales of equity. It is possible that we will not have sufficient funds at the time of a change of control to make the required repurchase of notes or that restrictions in the RBL Facility and the senior secured term loan will not allow such repurchases. We may require additional financing from third parties to fund any such repurchases, and we may be unable to obtain financing on satisfactory terms or at all. Further, our ability to repurchase the notes may be limited by law. In addition, certain important corporate events, such as leveraged recapitalizations that would increase the level of our indebtedness, would not constitute a change of control under the indentures governing the notes. See "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes—Change of Control," "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes—Change of Control" and "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Change of Control."

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        Courts interpreting change of control provisions under New York law (which will be the governing law of the indentures governing the notes) have not provided clear and consistent meanings of such change of control provisions which leads to subjective judicial interpretation. In addition, a court case in Delaware has questioned whether a change of control provision contained in an indenture could be unenforceable on public policy grounds.

We may enter into transactions that would not constitute a change of control that could affect our ability to satisfy our obligations under the notes.

        Legal uncertainty regarding what constitutes a change of control and the provisions of the indentures governing the notes may allow us to enter into transactions, such as acquisitions, refinancing or recapitalizations, that would not constitute a change of control but may increase our outstanding indebtedness or otherwise affect our ability to satisfy our obligations under the notes. The definition of change of control for purposes of the notes includes a phrase relating to the transfer of "all or substantially all" of our assets taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, your ability to require us to repurchase notes as a result of a transfer of less than all of our assets to another person may be uncertain.

Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void notes and guarantees and require noteholders to return payments received.

        If we or any guarantor becomes a debtor in a case under the Bankruptcy Code or encounters other financial difficulty, under federal or state fraudulent transfer law a court may void or otherwise decline to enforce the notes or the guarantees. A court might do so if it found that when we issued the notes or the subsidiary guarantor entered into its guarantee, or in some states when payments became due under the notes or the guarantees, we or the subsidiary guarantor received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration and:

        The court might also void an issuance of notes or a guarantee, without regard to the above factors, if the court found that we issued the notes or the applicable guarantor entered into its guarantee with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud its creditors.

        A court would likely find that we or a guarantor did not receive reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the notes or its guarantee if we or a guarantor did not substantially benefit directly or indirectly from the issuance of the notes. If a court were to void the issuance of the notes or any guarantee you would no longer have any claim against the issuer or the applicable guarantor. Sufficient funds to repay the notes may not be available from other sources, including the remaining obligors, if any. In addition, the court might direct you to repay any amounts that you already received from us or a guarantor. In the event of a finding that a fraudulent transfer or conveyance occurred, you may not receive any repayment on the notes. Further, the avoidance of the notes could result in an event of default with respect to our and our subsidiaries' other debt, which could result in acceleration of that debt.

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        The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally, however, a guarantor would be considered insolvent if:

        On the basis of historical financial information, recent operating history and other factors, we believe that each subsidiary guarantor, after giving effect to its guarantee of these notes, will not be insolvent, will not have unreasonably small capital for the business in which it is engaged and will not have incurred debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature. In addition, no subsidiary guarantor was a defendant in an action for money damages, or had a judgment for money damages docketed against it, for which the judgment was unsatisfied after final judgment. We cannot assure you, however, as to what standard a court would apply in making these determinations or that a court would agree with our conclusions in this regard.

        Although each guarantee entered into by a guarantor will contain a provision intended to limit that guarantor's liability to the maximum amount that it could incur without causing the incurrence of obligations under its guarantee to be a fraudulent transfer, this provision may not be effective to protect those guarantees from being voided under fraudulent transfer law, or may reduce that guarantor's obligation to an amount that effectively makes its guarantee worthless.

        Finally, as a court of equity, the bankruptcy court may subordinate the claims in respect of the notes to other claims against us under the principle of equitable subordination if the court determines that (a) the holder of notes engaged in some type of inequitable conduct, (b) the inequitable conduct resulted in injury to our other creditors or conferred an unfair advantage upon the holders of notes and (c) equitable subordination is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.

Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.

        Borrowings under the RBL Facility and the senior secured term loan are at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. Assuming the RBL Facility is fully drawn and the applicable LIBOR rate exceeds the term loan LIBOR floor, each 0.125% change in assumed blended interest rates would result in a $3.4 million change in annual interest expense on indebtedness under the RBL Facility and the senior secured term loan. In the future, we may enter into interest rate swaps that involve the exchange of floating for fixed rate interest payments in order to reduce interest rate volatility. However, we may not maintain interest rate swaps with respect to all of our variable rate indebtedness, and any swaps we enter into may not fully mitigate our interest rate risk, may prove disadvantageous or may create additional risks.

Your ability to transfer the notes may be limited by the absence of an active trading market, and there is no assurance that any active trading market will develop, or if developed be maintained, for the notes.

        The notes are new issues of securities for which there is no established public market. We do not intend to have the notes listed on a national securities exchange or included in any automated quotation system. Affiliates of the initial purchasers of the initial notes have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, as permitted by applicable laws and regulations; however, they are not obligated to make a market in any of the notes, and they may discontinue their market making

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activities at any time without notice. Therefore, an active market for any of the notes may not develop or, if developed, it may not continue. The liquidity of any market for the notes will depend upon the number of holders of the notes, our performance, the market for similar securities, the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the notes and other factors. A liquid trading market may not develop for the notes or any series of notes. If an active market does not develop or is not maintained, the price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the notes. The market, if any, for any of the notes may not be free from similar disruptions and any such disruptions may adversely affect the prices at which you may sell your notes. In addition, the notes may trade at a discount from their value on the date you acquired the notes, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar notes, our performance and other factors.

Many of the restrictive covenants contained in the indentures governing the notes will not apply during any period in which the notes are rated investment grade by both Moody's and S&P.

        Many of the covenants contained in the indentures governing the notes will not apply to us during any period in which the notes are rated investment grade by both Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, provided that at such time no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing. Such covenants will include restrictions on, among other things, our ability to make certain distributions, incur indebtedness and enter into certain other transactions. There can be no assurance that the notes will ever be rated investment grade or that if the notes ever are rated investment grade they will maintain these ratings. However, suspension of these covenants would allow us to engage in certain transactions that would not be permitted while these covenants were in force. To the extent the covenants are subsequently reinstated, any such actions taken while the covenants were suspended would not result in an event of default under the indentures governing the notes. See "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes—Certain Covenants," "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes—Certain Covenants" and "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Certain Covenants."

Additional Risks Related to the Senior Secured Notes

The lien on the RBL Facility Priority Collateral securing the senior secured notes and the guarantees is junior and subordinate to the lien on the RBL Facility Priority Collateral securing the RBL Facility and certain other first lien obligations.

        The senior secured notes and related guarantees will be secured by second-priority liens on the RBL Facility Priority Collateral, which secures on a first-priority basis obligations under our the RBL Facility and certain hedging and cash management obligations, subject to certain permitted liens, exceptions and encumbrances described in the indenture governing the senior secured notes and the security documents relating to the senior secured notes. As set out in more detail under "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Security," the lenders under the RBL Facility and holders of certain of our hedging and cash management obligations will be entitled to receive all proceeds from the realization of the RBL Facility Priority Collateral before the notes under certain circumstances, including upon default in payment on, or the acceleration of, any obligations under the RBL Facility, or in the event of our or any guarantor's bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding, to repay such obligations in full before the holders of the senior secured notes will be entitled to any recovery from the RBL Facility Priority Collateral. In addition, the indenture governing the senior secured notes will permit us and the guarantors to create additional liens under specified circumstances, including liens senior in priority to the liens on the RBL Facility Priority Collateral securing the senior secured notes. Any obligations secured by such liens may further limit the recovery from the realization of the RBL Facility Priority Collateral available to satisfy holders of the senior secured notes.

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Holders of the senior secured notes will not control decisions regarding the RBL Facility Priority Collateral.

        The lenders under the RBL Facility, as holders of first priority-lien obligations, will control substantially all matters related to the RBL Facility Priority Collateral pursuant to the terms of the senior lien intercreditor agreement. The holders of the first-priority lien obligations may cause the collateral agent thereunder (the "first lien agent") to dispose of, release or foreclose on, or take other actions with respect to, the RBL Facility Priority Collateral (including amendments of and waivers under the security documents) with which holders of the senior secured notes may disagree or that may be contrary to the interests of holders of the senior secured notes, even after a default under the senior secured notes. To the extent RBL Facility Priority Collateral is released from securing the first-priority lien obligations, the senior lien intercreditor agreement will provide that, in certain circumstances, the second-priority liens securing the senior secured notes will also be released. In addition, the security documents related to the second-priority liens generally will provide that, so long as the first-priority lien obligations are in effect, the holders of the first-priority lien obligations may change, waive, modify or vary the security documents governing such first-priority liens without the consent of the holders of the senior secured notes (except under certain limited circumstances) and that the security documents governing the second-priority liens will be automatically be changed, waived and modified in the same manner. Further, the security documents governing the second-priority liens may not be amended in any manner adverse to the holders of the first-priority obligations without the consent of the first lien agent until the first priority lien obligations are paid in full. The security agreement governing the second-priority liens will prohibit second-priority lienholders from foreclosing on the RBL Facility Priority Collateral until payment in full of the first-priority lien obligations. We cannot assure you that in the event of a foreclosure by the holders of the first-priority lien obligations, the proceeds from the sale of collateral would be sufficient to satisfy all or any of the amounts outstanding under the senior secured notes after payment in full of the obligations secured by first-priority liens on the RBL Facility Priority Collateral. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the senior secured notes and the senior secured term loan, then holders of the senior secured notes (to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the RBL Facility Priority Collateral and Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral) would only have an unsecured claim against our remaining assets, which claim will rank equal in priority to the unsecured claims with respect to any unsatisfied portion of the obligations secured by the first-priority liens or other second-priority liens and our other unsecured senior indebtedness (including the senior notes). See also "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Security—Intercreditor Agreements—Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement."

Security interest in certain of the collateral may not be in place on the date of the consummation of the exchange offer for the senior secured notes.

        Security interests may not be in place on the date of the consummation of the exchange offer for the senior secured notes. We are required to deliver real property mortgages only on certain oil and gas properties encumbering (x) not less than 50% of the PV-10 value of the proved oil and gas reserves included in the borrowing base under the RBL Facility no later than 90 days following the Acquisition and (y) not less than 80% of the PV-10 value of the proved oil and gas reserves included in the borrowing base under the RBL Facility no later than 120 days following the Acquisition, subject to extensions that may be granted in the discretion of the administrative agent under the RBL Facility. Any issues that we are not able to resolve in connection with the delivery and recordation of such mortgages and security interests may negatively impact the value of the collateral. To the extent a security interest in certain collateral is perfected following the date of issuance of the senior secured notes, it might be avoidable in bankruptcy. See "—Any future pledge of collateral might be avoidable in bankruptcy."

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The capital stock of each of our subsidiaries that has been pledged to secure the senior secured notes will be automatically released from the collateral for the senior secured notes to the extent that the pledge would require the preparation and filing of separate audited financial statements of such subsidiary under Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

        Pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the senior secured notes, a portion (or, if necessary, all) of the capital stock of each of our subsidiaries that has been pledged to secure the senior secured notes will be automatically released from the collateral for the senior secured notes to the extent that the pledge would require the preparation and filing of separate audited financial statements of such subsidiary under Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act. As a result, the collateral securing the senior secured notes will include the capital stock of each such subsidiary only to the extent that the applicable value of such capital stock (on a subsidiary-by-subsidiary basis) is less than 20% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes. See "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Security—Limitations on Stock Collateral." The senior secured term loan will be subject to the same limits described herein.

It may be difficult to realize the value of the collateral securing the senior secured notes.

        The collateral securing the senior secured notes will be subject to any and all exceptions, defects, encumbrances, liens and other imperfections as may be accepted by the trustee for the senior secured notes and the collateral agent thereunder (the "second lien collateral agent") and any other creditors that have the benefit of first-priority liens on the collateral securing the senior secured notes from time to time, whether on or after the date the senior secured notes are issued. The existence of any such exceptions, defects, encumbrances, liens and other imperfections could adversely affect the value of the collateral securing the senior secured notes as well as the ability of the second lien collateral agent to realize or foreclose on such collateral.

        The value of the collateral at any time will depend on market and other economic conditions, including the availability of suitable buyers. By their nature, some or all of the pledged assets may be illiquid and may have no readily ascertainable market value. We cannot assure you that the fair market value of the collateral as of the date of this prospectus exceeds the principal amount of the debt secured thereby. The value of the assets pledged as collateral for the senior secured notes could be impaired in the future as a result of changing economic conditions, our failure to implement our business strategy, competition, unforeseen liabilities and other future events. Accordingly, there may not be sufficient collateral to pay all or any of the amounts due on the senior secured notes. Any claim for the difference between the amount, if any, realized by holders of the senior secured notes from the sale of the collateral securing the senior secured notes and the obligations under the senior secured notes will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness and other obligations, including trade payables. Additionally, in the event that a bankruptcy case is commenced by or against us, if the value of the collateral is less than the amount of principal and accrued and unpaid interest on the senior secured notes and all other senior secured obligations, interest may cease to accrue on the senior secured notes from and after the date the bankruptcy petition is filed.

        In the future, the obligation to grant additional security over assets, or a particular type or class of assets, whether as a result of the acquisition or creation of future assets or subsidiaries, the designation of a previously unrestricted subsidiary or otherwise, is subject to the provisions of the intercreditor agreement. The intercreditor agreement sets out a number of limitations on the rights of the holders of the senior secured notes offered hereby to require security in certain circumstances, which may result in, among other things, the amount recoverable under any security provided by any subsidiary being limited and/or security not being granted over a particular type or class of assets. Accordingly, this may affect the value of the security provided by us and our subsidiaries. Furthermore, upon enforcement against any collateral or in insolvency, under the terms of the intercreditor agreement the claims of the

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holders of the senior secured notes offered hereby to the proceeds of such enforcement will rank behind the claims of the holders of obligations under the RBL facility, which are first-priority obligations, and holders of additional secured indebtedness (to the extent permitted to have priority by the indenture governing the senior secured notes).

        The security interest of the second lien collateral agent will be subject to practical problems generally associated with the realization of security interests in collateral. For example, the second lien collateral agent may need to obtain the consent of a third party to obtain or enforce a security interest in a contract. We cannot assure you that the second lien collateral agent will be able to obtain any such consent. We also cannot assure you that the consents of any third parties will be given when required to facilitate a foreclosure on such assets. Accordingly, the second lien collateral agent may not have the ability to foreclose upon those assets and the value of the collateral may significantly decrease.

The value of the Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral will not be sufficient to repay the obligations under the senior secured notes and senior secured term loan.

        The Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral is composed of 65% of the voting capital stock and 100% of the non-voting capital stock of all first-tier foreign subsidiaries of the Issuers and each of the guarantors. These foreign subsidiaries constitute approximately 2% of our consolidated assets and generated approximately 5% of our revenue and 2% of our Adjusted EBITDAX as of June 30, 2012 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions. In addition, the Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral will also secure our obligations under our new senior secured term loan on a first lien basis pari passu with the senior secured notes. No appraisals of any collateral have been prepared in connection with the offering of the senior secured notes. The value of the collateral securing the senior secured notes will depend on market and other economic conditions, including the availability of suitable buyers for the collateral. Accordingly, the value of the Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral will not be sufficient to repay any obligations under the senior secured notes and senior secured term loan, and holders of the senior secured notes would only have rights to their second-priority interest on the RBL Facility Priority Collateral and, to the extent such collateral is insufficient, would have an unsecured claim against our remaining assets, ranking equal to other unsecured claims.

Rights in the collateral may be adversely affected by the failure to perfect securities interests in collateral.

        Applicable law provides that a security interest in certain tangible and intangible assets can only be properly perfected and its priority retained through certain actions undertaken by the secured party. The liens in the collateral securing the senior secured notes may not be perfected with respect to the claims of such senior secured notes if the collateral agent for the senior secured notes is not able to take the actions necessary to perfect any of these liens on or prior to the date of the indenture governing such senior secured notes. In addition, applicable law provides that certain property and rights acquired after the grant of a general security interest, such as real property, equipment subject to a certificate and certain proceeds, can only be perfected at the time such property and rights are acquired and identified. We and the guarantors have limited obligations to perfect the senior secured noteholders' security interest in specified collateral. The collateral agent for the senior secured notes will not monitor, and there can be no assurance that we will inform the collateral agent of, the future acquisition of property and rights that constitute collateral, and that the necessary action will be taken to properly perfect the security interest in such after-acquired collateral. The collateral agent for the senior secured notes has no obligation to monitor the acquisition of additional property or rights that constitute collateral or the perfection of any security interest. Such failure may result in the loss of the security interest in the collateral or the priority of the security interest in favor of the collateral agent for the senior secured notes, as applicable, against third parties. The collateral agent for the senior secured notes will be the collateral agent under our new senior secured term loan.

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Bankruptcy laws may limit your ability to realize value from the collateral.

        The right of the second lien collateral agent to repossess and dispose of the collateral upon the occurrence of an event of default under the indenture governing the senior secured notes is likely to be significantly impaired by applicable bankruptcy law if a bankruptcy case were to be commenced by or against us before the second lien collateral agent repossessed and disposed of the collateral. Upon the commencement of a case under the bankruptcy code, a secured creditor such as the second lien collateral agent is prohibited from repossessing its security from a debtor in a bankruptcy case, or from disposing of security repossessed from such debtor, without bankruptcy court approval, which may not be given. Moreover, the bankruptcy code permits the debtor to continue to retain and use collateral even though the debtor is in default under the applicable debt instruments, provided that the secured creditor is given "adequate protection." The meaning of the term "adequate protection" may vary according to circumstances, but it is intended in general to protect the value of the secured creditor's interest in the collateral as of the commencement of the bankruptcy case and may include cash payments or the granting of additional security if and at such times as the bankruptcy court in its discretion determines that the value of the secured creditor's interest in the collateral is declining during the pendency of the bankruptcy case. A bankruptcy court may determine that a secured creditor may not require compensation for a diminution in the value of its collateral if the value of the collateral exceeds the debt it secures.

        In view of the lack of a precise definition of the term "adequate protection" and the broad discretionary power of a bankruptcy court it is impossible to predict:

        In addition, the intercreditor agreement provides that, in the event of a bankruptcy, the trustee and the second lien collateral agent may not object to a number of important matters following the filing of a bankruptcy petition so long as any first priority lien obligations are outstanding. After such a filing, the value of the collateral securing the senior secured notes could materially deteriorate and the holders of the senior secured notes would be unable to raise an objection. The right of the holders of obligations secured by first priority liens on the collateral to foreclose upon and sell the collateral upon the occurrence of an event of default also would be subject to limitations under applicable bankruptcy laws if we or any of our subsidiaries become subject to a bankruptcy proceeding.

        Any disposition of the collateral during a bankruptcy case would also require permission from the bankruptcy court. Furthermore, in the event a bankruptcy court determines the value of the collateral is not sufficient to repay all amounts due on first priority lien debt and, thereafter, the senior secured notes, the holders of the senior secured notes would hold a secured claim only to the extent of the value of the collateral to which the holders of the senior secured notes are entitled and unsecured claims with respect to such shortfall. The bankruptcy code only permits the payment and accrual of post-petition interest, costs and attorney's fees to a secured creditor during a debtor's bankruptcy case to the extent the value of its collateral is determined by the bankruptcy court to exceed the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured by the collateral.

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A court could void the liens securing the guarantees or the senior secured notes under fraudulent transfer laws.

        Although the senior secured notes and guarantees will be secured by the collateral owned by us and the guarantors, under the federal bankruptcy laws and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, a lien could be voided, or claims with respect to a lien could be subordinated to all other debts of that obligor. In addition, a bankruptcy court could require enforcement proceeds from the collateral to be returned to the obligor or to a fund for the benefit of the other creditors of the obligor. Each guarantee will contain a provision intended to limit the guarantor's liability to the maximum amount that it could incur without causing the incurrence of obligations under its senior secured notes and guarantee to be a fraudulent transfer. This provision may not be effective to protect the liens securing the senior secured notes and the guarantees from being voided under fraudulent transfer law.

        The bankruptcy court might take these actions if it found, among other things, that when an obligor granted its lien:

        A bankruptcy court would likely find that an obligor received less than fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value for its lien to the extent that it did not receive direct or indirect benefit from the issuance of the senior secured notes. A bankruptcy court could also void a lien if it found that the subsidiary issued its lien with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors.

        Although courts in different jurisdictions measure solvency differently, in general, an entity would be deemed insolvent if the sum of its debts, including contingent and unliquidated debts, exceeds the fair value of its assets, or if the present fair salable value of its assets is less than the amount that would be required to pay the expected liability on its debts, including contingent and unliquidated debts, as they become due.

        If a court voided a lien, it could require that noteholders return any enforcement proceeds from the collateral. If any lien were voided, noteholders would retain their rights against us and any guarantors, although there is no assurance that those entities' assets would be sufficient to pay the senior secured notes in full.

Any future pledge of collateral might be avoidable in bankruptcy.

        Any future pledge of collateral in favor of the second lien collateral agent, including pursuant to mortgages and other security documents delivered after the date of the indenture governing the senior secured notes, might be avoidable by the pledgor (as debtor-in-possession) or by its trustee in bankruptcy if certain events or circumstances exist or occur, including, among others, if the pledgor is insolvent at the time of the pledge, the pledge permits the holders of the senior secured notes to receive a greater recovery than if the pledge had not been given and a bankruptcy proceeding in

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respect of the pledgor is commenced within 90 days following the pledge or, in certain circumstances, a longer period.

The collateral is subject to casualty risks.

        We maintain insurance or otherwise insure against certain hazards. There are, however, losses that may be not be insured. If there is a total or partial loss of any of the pledged collateral, we cannot assure you that any insurance proceeds received by us will be sufficient to satisfy all the secured obligations, including the senior secured notes, our new senior secured term loan and related guarantees.

The representative of the lenders under the senior secured term loan will initially control actions with respect to the Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral. In addition, subject in all respects to the intercreditor agreement with the holders of obligations under the RBL Facility, the representative of the lenders under the senior secured term loan will also conduct all actions with respect to the RBL Facility Priority Collateral held by the holders of obligations having a second-priority security interest in such assets.

        The rights of the holders of the senior secured notes with respect to the Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral and RBL Facility Priority Collateral will be subject to an intercreditor agreement with the lenders under the senior secured term loan and other pari passu obligations. Under that intercreditor agreement, any action that may be taken with respect to the collateral, including the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against such collateral, will be at the direction of the authorized representative of the lenders under the senior secured term loan until (1) our obligations under the senior secured term loan are discharged or (2) (i) 180 days after the occurrence of an event of default under the senior secured notes indenture or the senior secured term loan and (ii) the acceleration of the obligations under the senior secured notes indenture or the senior secured term loan. In addition, the intercreditor agreement will provide that, so long as the senior secured term loan obligations are in effect, the holders of the senior secured notes may not contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the authorized representative of the lenders under the senior secured term loan (subject to limited exceptions). The collateral will also be subject to any and all exceptions, defects, encumbrances, liens and other imperfections as may be accepted by the authorized representative of the lenders under the senior secured term loan. See "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes."

Additional Risks Related to the Senior Notes

The senior notes are unsecured, and the senior notes will be effectively subordinated to any existing and future secured debt.

        The senior notes are unsecured and will rank equal in right of payment with our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated senior debt. The senior notes will not be secured by any of our or the guarantors' assets. The senior notes will be effectively subordinated to the senior secured notes, the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan and any future secured debt to the extent the value of the assets that secure the indebtedness. The effect of this subordination is that upon a default in payment on, or the acceleration of, any of our secured indebtedness, or in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution or reorganization of us or the guarantors of the senior secured notes, the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan or of other secured debt, the proceeds from the sale of assets securing our secured indebtedness will be available to pay obligations on the senior notes only after all indebtedness under the senior secured notes, the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan and the other secured debt has been paid in full. As a result, the holders of the senior notes may receive less, ratably, than the holders of secured debt in the event of our or the guarantors' bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution or reorganization. As of June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions, there would have been secured debt consisting of

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$400 million under the RBL Facility (as well as approximately $1.5 billion of undrawn commitments), $750 million of the senior secured notes and $750 million under the senior secured term loan.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

The supply and demand for oil, natural gas and NGLs could be negatively impacted by many factors outside of our control, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        Our success depends on the supply and demand for oil, natural gas and NGLs which will depend on many other factors outside of our control, which include, among others:

The prices for oil, natural gas and NGLs are highly volatile and could be negatively impacted by many factors outside of our control, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

        Our success depends upon the prices we receive for our oil, natural gas and NGLs. Oil, natural gas and NGL prices historically have been highly volatile and are likely to continue to be volatile in the future, especially given current global geopolitical and economic conditions. There is a risk that commodity prices could remain depressed for sustained periods, especially natural gas prices, which are at historical ten year low levels at this time. Subject to our risk mitigation and hedging strategies, we are not likely to be impacted by short-term changes in commodity prices. However, we can be

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negatively impacted in the long-term by sustained depression in commodity prices for oil, natural gas or NGLs, including reductions in our drilling opportunities. The prices for oil, natural gas and NGLs are subject to a variety of additional factors that are outside of our control, which include, among others:

        In addition to negatively impacting our cash flows, prolonged or substantial declines in these commodity prices could negatively impact our proven oil and natural gas reserves, which could cause us to incur non-cash charges to earnings. Approximately 70% of our proved reserves at December 31, 2011 were natural gas and approximately 84% of our production for the year ended December 31, 2011 was natural gas, and as a result we are substantially more sensitive to changes in natural gas prices than to changes in oil and NGL prices. Current natural gas prices are significantly below the 12-month average price used to determine our domestic proved reserves at December 31, 2011. Such decreases in commodity prices could negatively impact the amount of oil and natural gas production that we can produce economically in the future. A decrease in production could result in a shortfall in our expected cash flows and require us to reduce our capital spending or borrow funds to cover any such shortfall. Prices also affect our cash flow available for capital expenditures and our ability to access funds under the RBL Facility and through the capital markets. The amount available for borrowing under the RBL Facility is subject to a borrowing base, which is determined by our lenders taking into account our proved reserves, and is subject to periodic redeterminations based on pricing models determined by the lenders at such time. Declines in oil, natural gas and NGL prices may adversely impact the value of our proved reserves and, in turn, the bank pricing used by our lenders to determine our borrowing base. Any of these factors could negatively impact our liquidity, our ability to replace our production and our future rate of growth. On the other hand, increases in these commodity prices may be offset by increases in drilling costs, production taxes and lease operating costs that typically result from any increase in such commodity prices. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

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If oil and natural gas prices decrease, we may be required to take write-downs of the carrying values of our oil properties, which could result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

        Accounting rules require that we review periodically the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties for impairment. Under the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties, we review our oil and natural gas properties periodically (at least annually) to determine if impairment of such properties is necessary. Significant undeveloped leasehold costs are assessed for impairment at a lease level or resource play based on our current exploration plans, while leasehold acquisition costs associated with prospective areas that have limited or no previous exploratory drilling are generally assessed for impairment by major prospect area. Proved oil and natural gas property values are reviewed when circumstances suggest the need for such a review and may occur if a field discovers lower than anticipated reserves, reservoirs produce below original estimates or if commodity prices fall below a level that significantly affects anticipated future cash flows on the property. If required, the proved properties are written down to their estimated fair market value based on proved reserves and other market factors.

        We may incur additional impairment charges in the future depending on the value of our proved reserves, which are subject to change as a result of factors such as prices, costs and well performance. Finally, in light of the recent decline in natural gas prices, it is possible we could experience impairment charges for our domestic natural gas properties in the future. These impairment charges could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition for the periods in which such charges are taken.

Our use of derivative financial instruments could result in financial losses or could reduce our income.

        We use futures, over-the-counter options and swaps to mitigate our commodity price, basis and interest rate exposures. However, we do not typically hedge all of these exposures. For example, we do not typically hedge positions beyond several years with regard to commodity or basis risks. As a result, we are subject to commodity price and basis exposure since our business has multi-year drilling programs for our proved reserves and unproved resources.

        The derivative contracts we enter into to mitigate commodity price risk are not designated as accounting hedges and are therefore marked to market. As a result, we still experience volatility in our revenues and net income as a result of changes in commodity prices, counterparty non-performance risks, correlation factors and changes in the liquidity of the market. Furthermore, the valuation of these financial instruments involves estimates that are based on assumptions that could prove to be incorrect and result in financial losses. Although we have internal controls in place that impose restrictions on the use of derivative instruments, there is a risk that such controls will not be complied with or will not be effective, and we could incur substantial losses on our derivative transactions. The use of derivatives, to the extent they require collateral posting with our counterparties, could impact our working capital and liquidity when commodity prices or interest rates change.

        To the extent we enter into derivative contracts to manage our commodity price exposure, basis and interest rate exposures, we may forego the benefits we could otherwise experience if such prices, differentials or rates were to change favorably. In addition, when we enter into fixed price derivative contracts, we could experience losses and be required to pay cash to the extent that commodity prices, basis positions or interest rates were to increase above the fixed price.

        In addition, these hedging arrangements also expose us to the risk of financial loss in the following circumstances, among others:

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        These types of hedging arrangements could also limit the benefit we would receive from increases in the prices for natural gas or oil.

        Our counterparties are typically large financial institutions. The risk that a counterparty may default on its obligations is heightened by the recent financial sector crisis and losses incurred by many banks and other financial institutions, including our counterparties or their affiliates. These losses may affect the ability of the counterparties to meet their obligations to us on hedge transactions, which would reduce our revenue from hedges at a time when we are also receiving a lower price for our oil and natural gas sales, thereby triggering the hedge payments. As a result, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

        In addition, our commodity price risk management activities could have the effect of reducing our revenue and net income. For the year ended December 31, 2011 and the six months ended June 30, 2012, the net unrealized asset represented by our hedging contracts was $201 million and $460 million, respectively. We may continue to incur significant unrealized gains or losses in the future from our commodity price risk management activities to the extent market prices increase or decrease and our hedging arrangements remain in place.

The derivatives reform legislation adopted by the U.S. Congress could have a negative impact on our ability to hedge risks associated with our business.

        On July 21, 2010, The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 ("Dodd-Frank") was signed into law. Title VII of Dodd-Frank ("Title VII") imposes comprehensive regulation on the over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives marketplace and could affect the use of derivatives in hedging transactions. Among other things, Title VII subjects swap dealers and major swap participants to substantial supervision and regulation, including capital standards, margin requirements, business conduct standards and recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Title VII also requires central clearing for many transactions entered into between swap dealers, major swap participants and other entities unless an End-User Exemption is available. All swaps subject to the clearing requirement must be executed on a regulated exchange or a swap execution facility ("SEF"), unless no exchange or SEF makes it available for trading. For these purposes, it is expected that a major swap participant generally will be someone other than a dealer (i) who maintains a "substantial" net position in outstanding swaps, excluding swaps used for commercial hedging or for reducing or mitigating commercial risk or (ii) whose positions create substantial net counterparty exposure that could have material adverse effects on the financial stability of the U.S. banking system or financial markets. In addition, Title VII provides the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") with express authority to impose aggregate position limits on derivatives related to energy commodities, including contracts traded on exchanges, SEFs, non-U.S. boards of trade and swaps that are not centrally cleared. The CFTC has proposed a large number of rules to implement Title VII in multiple rulemaking proceedings and has finalized a number of such rules, such as the rule on the end user exception to certain clearing, margin and reporting requirements applicable to derivatives transactions on July 10, 2012. Specifically, the CFTC has issued finance regulations to define the terms "swap," "swap dealer" and "major swap participant." In addition, the CFTC has issued final regulations regarding registration of swap dealers and major swap participants. The CFTC has also issued final regulations on position limits for futures and swaps, which became effective sixty days after the term "swap" was defined by the CFTC. The CFTC has also issued final regulations on real-time public reporting of swap transaction and pricing data, as well as final regulations regarding recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Under Dodd-Frank, the CFTC was generally given until July 16, 2011 to adopt

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final rules under Title VII, though some rules were required to be completed sooner. However, most of the contemplated rules were not adopted by such date. Since certain provisions of Dodd-Frank reference terms that required further definition or repeal provisions of current law, such provisions would not become effective until there was a final rulemaking with respect thereto. To address the consequences of this regulatory backlog and avoid "undue disruption" to current practices during the transition to the new regulatory regime, the CFTC issued a final order, effective December 23, 2011, which (i) delays the effectiveness of provisions which reference certain terms that require further definition until the earlier of the effective date of the final rule defining the referenced term or July 16, 2012 and (ii) adds provisions to account for the repeal and replacement (as of December 31, 2011) of part 35 of the CFTC's regulations. Part 35 provided a safe harbor from CFTC regulation for certain transactions between "eligible swap participants," until the earlier of the repeal, withdrawal or replacement of Part 35 or December 31, 2011. The CFTC continues to propose and finalize rules to implement Title VII in multiple rulemaking proceedings. It is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of these proceedings or, in the case of final rules, the impact that such rules will have on the new regulatory regime and the OTC derivatives marketplace. Any laws or regulations that may be adopted that subject us or our counterparties to additional capital or margin requirements and substantially increase the costs associated with hedging our equity production, potentially making it more expensive, or limiting our ability, to implement our hedging program. In addition, the position limits implemented under the new regulatory regime may effectively limit our ability to implement our hedging program.

We require substantial capital expenditures to conduct our operations, engage in acquisition activities and replace our production, and we may be unable to obtain needed financing on satisfactory terms necessary to execute our operating strategy.

        We require substantial capital expenditures to conduct our exploration, development and production operations, engage in acquisition activities and replace our production. We have established a capital budget for 2012 between $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion. We plan to use cash flow from operating activities and borrowings under the RBL Facility to fund our capital expenditures in 2012.

        We intend to rely on cash flow from operating activities and borrowings under the RBL Facility as our primary sources of liquidity. We also may engage in asset sale transactions to fund capital expenditures when market conditions permit us to complete transactions on terms we find acceptable. There can be no assurance that such sources will be sufficient to fund our exploration, development and acquisition activities. If our revenues and cash flows decrease in the future as a result of a decline in commodity prices or a reduction in production levels, however, and we are unable to obtain additional equity or debt financing in the private or public capital markets or access alternative sources of funds, we may be required to reduce the level of our capital expenditures and may lack the capital necessary to replace our reserves or maintain our production levels.

        Our future revenues, cash flows and spending levels are subject to a number of factors, including commodity prices, the level of production from existing wells and our success in developing and producing new wells. Further, our ability to access funds under the RBL Facility is based on a borrowing base, which is subject to periodic redeterminations based on our proved reserves and prices that will be determined by our lenders using the bank pricing prevailing at such time. If the prices for oil and natural gas decline, or if we have a downward revision in estimates of our proved reserves, our borrowing base may be reduced.

        Our ability to access the private and public equity and debt markets and complete future asset monetization transactions is also dependent upon oil, natural gas and NGL prices, in addition to a number of other factors, some of which are outside our control. These factors include, among others, domestic and global economic conditions and conditions in the domestic and global financial markets.

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        Due to these factors, we cannot be certain that funding, if needed, will be available to the extent required, or on acceptable terms. If we are unable to access funding when needed on acceptable terms, we may not be able to fully implement our business plans, take advantage of business opportunities, respond to competitive pressures or refinance our debt obligations as they come due, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Our business is subject to competition from third parties, which could negatively impact our ability to succeed.

        The oil, natural gas and NGL businesses are highly competitive. We compete with third parties in the search for and acquisition of leases, properties and reserves, as well as the equipment, materials and services required to explore for and produce our reserves. There has been intense competition for the acquisition of leasehold positions, particularly in many of the oil and natural gas shale plays. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to discover reserves in the future will be dependent upon our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. In addition, because we have fewer financial and human resources than many companies in our industry, we may be at a disadvantage in bidding for exploratory prospects and producing oil properties. Similarly, we compete with many third parties in the sale of oil, natural gas and NGLs to customers, some of which have substantially larger market positions, marketing staff and financial resources than us. Our competitors include major and independent oil and natural gas companies, as well as financial services companies and investors, many of which have financial and other resources that are substantially greater than those available to us. Many of these companies not only explore for and produce oil and natural gas, but also carry on refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. These companies may be able to pay more for productive oil and natural gas properties and exploratory prospects or define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or human resources permit. In addition, these companies may have a greater ability to continue exploration activities during periods of low oil and natural gas market prices.

        Furthermore, there is significant competition between the oil and natural gas industry and other industries producing energy and fuel, which may be substantially affected by various forms of energy legislation and/or regulation considered from time to time by the U.S. government. It is not possible to predict the nature of any such legislation or regulation that may ultimately be adopted or its effects upon our future operations. Such laws and regulations may substantially increase the costs of exploring for, developing or producing oil and natural gas and may prevent or delay the commencement or continuation of a given operation. Our larger competitors may be able to absorb the burden of existing, and any changes to, federal, state and local laws and regulations more easily than we can, which could negatively impact our competitive position.

        Our industry is cyclical, and historically there have been shortages of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies or qualified personnel. During these periods, the cost of rigs, equipment, supplies and personnel are substantially greater and their availability may be limited. These services may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. We cannot predict whether these conditions will exist in the future and, if so, what their timing and duration will be. The high cost or unavailability of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel and other oil field services could significantly decrease our profit margins, cash flows and operating results and could restrict our ability to drill the wells and conduct the operations that we currently have planned and budgeted or that we may plan in the future. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

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Our business is subject to operational hazards and uninsured risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        Our oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are subject to all of the inherent risks associated with drilling for and producing natural gas and oil, including the possibility of:

        Each of these risks could result in (i) damage to and destruction of our facilities, (ii) damage to and destruction of property, natural resources and equipment; (iii) injury or loss of life; (iv) business interruptions while damaged energy infrastructure is repaired or replaced; (v) pollution and other environmental damage; (vi) regulatory investigations and penalties; and (vii) repair and remediation costs. Any of these results could cause us to suffer substantial losses. Our offshore operations may encounter additional marine perils, including hurricanes and other adverse weather conditions, damage from collisions with vessels, and governmental regulations (including interruption or termination of drilling rights by governmental authorities based on environmental, safety and other considerations).

        While we maintain insurance against some of these risks in amounts that we believe are reasonable, our insurance coverages have material deductibles, self-insurance levels and limits on our maximum recovery and do not cover all risks. For example, from time to time, we may not carry, or may be unable to obtain, on terms that we find acceptable and/or reasonable, insurance coverage for certain exposures, including, but not limited to certain environmental exposures (including potential environmental fines and penalties), business interruption and, named windstorm/hurricane exposures and, in limited circumstances, certain political risk exposures. The premiums and deductibles we pay for certain insurance policies are also subject to the risk of substantial increases over time that could negatively impact our financial results. In addition, we may not be able to renew existing insurance policies or procure desirable insurance on commercially reasonable terms. There is also a risk that our insurers may default on their insurance coverage obligations or that amounts for which we are insured, or that the proceeds of such insurance, will not compensate us fully for our losses. Any of these

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outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.

Some of our operations are subject to joint ventures or operations by third parties, which could negatively impact our control over these operations, and our inability to maintain these relationships and find appropriate partners for our operations in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

        Some of our operations and interests are subject to joint ventures or are operated by other companies. The most significant joint venture is our approximate 49% equity interest in Four Star. Although we operate the substantial majority of the properties in our business, certain of the properties are operated by our joint venture partners or other third-party working interest owners. In certain cases, (a) we have limited ability to influence or control the day-to-day operation of such properties, including compliance with environmental, safety and other regulations, (b) we cannot control the amount of capital expenditures that we are required to fund with respect to properties, (c) we are dependent on third parties to fund their required share of capital expenditures and (d) we may have restrictions or limitations on our ability to sell our interests in these jointly owned assets.

        The failure of an operator of our properties to adequately perform operations or an operator's breach of applicable agreements could reduce our production and revenue. As a result, the success and timing of our drilling and development activities on properties operated by others depends upon a number of factors outside of our control, including the operator's timing and amount of capital expenditures, expertise and financial resources, inclusion of other participants in drilling wells and use of technology.

We are subject to a complex set of laws and regulations that regulate the energy industry for which we have to incur substantial compliance and remediation costs.

        Our operations, and the energy industry in general, are subject to a complex set of federal, state and local laws and regulations over the following activities, among others:

        Generally, the regulations have become more stringent over time and impose more limitations on our operations and cause more costs to be incurred to comply with such increased regulation. Many

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required approvals are subject to considerable discretion by the regulatory agencies with respect to the timing and scope of approvals and permits issued. If permits are not issued, or if unfavorable restrictions or conditions are imposed on our drilling activities, we may not be able to conduct our operations as planned or at all. Delays in obtaining regulatory approvals or drilling permits, the failure to obtain a drilling permit for a well, or the receipt of a permit with excessive conditions or costs could have a material negative impact on our operations and financial results. We may also incur substantial costs in order to maintain compliance with these existing laws and regulations, including costs to comply with new and more extensive reporting and disclosure requirements. Failure to comply with such requirements may result in the suspension or termination of operations and may subject us to criminal as well as civil and administrative penalties. We are exposed to fines and penalties to the extent that we fail to comply with the applicable laws and regulations, as well as the potential for limitations to be imposed on our operations. In addition, our costs of compliance may increase if existing laws and regulations are revised or reinterpreted, or if new laws and regulations become applicable to our operations. Such costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        Also, some of our assets are located and operate on federal, state, local or tribal lands and are typically regulated by one or more federal, state or local agencies. For example, we have drilling and production operations that are located on federal lands, which are regulated by the U.S. Department of the Interior ("DOI"), particularly by the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement. We also have operations on Native American tribal lands, which are regulated by the DOI, particularly by the Bureau of Indian Affairs ("BIA"), as well as local tribal authorities. Operations on these properties are often subject to additional regulations and compliance obligations, which can delay our access to such lands and impose additional compliance costs. There are also various laws and regulations that regulate various market practices in the industry, including antitrust laws and laws that prohibit fraud and manipulation in the markets in which we operate. The authority of the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") to impose penalties for violations of laws or regulations has generally increased over the last few years.

We are exposed to the credit risk of our counterparties, and our credit risk management may not be adequate to protect against such risk.

        We are subject to the risk that our counterparties may fail to make payments to us within the time required under our contracts or at all. Our current largest exposure is with some of our hedging transaction counterparties. Our credit procedures and policies may not be adequate to fully eliminate counterparty credit risk. In addition, in certain situations, we may assume certain additional credit risks for competitive reasons or otherwise. If our existing or future counterparties fail to pay and/or perform, our business, results of operation and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

We are exposed to the credit and performance risk of our key contractors and suppliers.

        As an owner of drilling and production facilities with significant capital expenditures in our business, we rely on contractors for certain construction, drilling and completion operations and we rely on suppliers for key materials, supplies and services, including steel mills, pipe and tubular manufacturers and oil field service providers. We also rely upon the services of other third parties to explore or analyze our prospects to determine a method in which the prospects may be developed in a cost-effective manner. There is a risk that such contractors and suppliers may experience credit and performance issues that could adversely impact their ability to perform their contractual obligations with us, including their performance and warranty obligations. This could result in delays or defaults in performing such contractual obligations and increased costs to seek replacement contractors, each of which could negatively impact us.

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Affiliates of the Sponsors and other investors own substantially all of the equity interests in us may have conflicts of interest with us and or the holders of the notes in the future.

        As a result of the Acquisition Transactions, investment funds affiliated with, and one or more co-investment vehicles controlled by, the Sponsors and other investors collectively own substantially all of our equity interests and such persons or their designees hold substantially all of the seats on Parent's board of managers. As a result, affiliates of the Sponsors and such other investors have control over our decisions to enter into certain corporate transactions and have the ability to prevent any transaction that requires the approval of stockholders, regardless of whether holders of the notes believe that any such transactions are in their own best interests. For example, affiliates of the Sponsors and other investors could collectively cause us to make acquisitions that increase the amount of our indebtedness or to sell assets, or could cause us to issue additional capital stock or declare dividends. So long as investment funds affiliated with the Sponsors and other investors continue to indirectly own a significant amount of the outstanding shares of our equity interests or otherwise control a majority of Parent's board of managers, affiliates of the Sponsors and other investors will continue to be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions. The indentures governing the notes and the credit agreements governing the RBL Facility and our new senior secured term loan permit us, under certain circumstances, to pay advisory and other fees, pay dividends and make other restricted payments to the Sponsors and other investors, and the Sponsors and such other investors or their respective affiliates may have an interest in our doing so.

        Additionally, the Sponsors and such other investors are in the business of making investments in companies and may from time to time acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us or that supply us with goods and services. These persons may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to (or competitive with) our business, and as a result those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. In addition, the Sponsors' and other investors' interests in other portfolio companies could impact our ability to pursue acquisition opportunities. The holders of the notes should consider that the interests of the Sponsors and such other investors (or their respective affiliates) may differ from their interests in material respects. See "Summary—Our Sponsors" and "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions."

The loss of the services of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        The leadership of our executive officers and other members of our senior management has been a critical element of our success. These individuals have substantial experience and expertise in our business and have made significant contributions to our growth and success. We are not protected by key man or similar life insurance covering our executive officers and other members of senior management. We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers, including Brent J. Smolik, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Dane E. Whitehead, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, but these agreements do not guarantee that these executives will remain with us. For information regarding these employment agreements, see "Management—Employment Agreements." The unexpected loss of services of one or more of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our business requires the retention and recruitment of a skilled workforce and the loss of employees could result in the inability to implement our business plans.

        Our business requires the retention and recruitment of a skilled workforce including engineers, technical personnel, geoscientists and land personnel and other professionals. We compete with other companies in the energy industry for this skilled workforce. We have developed new firm-wide compensation and benefit programs that took effect following the Acquisition Transactions. These new programs are based on previous Company plans and are designed to be competitive among our industry peers and to reflect market-based metrics as well as incentives to create alignment with the

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Sponsors and other investors, but there is a risk that these new programs may not be successful in retaining and recruiting these professionals or that we could experience increased costs. If we are unable to (a) retain our current employees, (b) successfully complete our knowledge transfer and/or (c) recruit new employees of comparable knowledge and experience, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be negatively impacted. In addition, we could experience increased costs to retain and recruit these professionals.

Skilled labor shortages and increased labor costs could negatively impact our profitability.

        We may be affected by skilled labor shortages of certain types of technical or qualified personnel, including engineers, geo-professionals, project managers, field supervisors and other technical or qualified personnel, which we have from time-to-time experienced, especially in North American regions where there are large unconventional shale resource plays. These shortages could negatively impact the productivity and profitability of certain projects. Our inability to bid on new and attractive projects, or maintain productivity and profitability on existing projects due to the limited supply of skilled workers and/or increased labor costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.

The success of our business depends upon our ability to find and replace reserves that we produce.

        Similar to our competitors, we have a reserve base that is depleted as it is produced. Unless we successfully replace the reserves that we produce, our reserves will decline, which will eventually result in a decrease in oil and natural gas production and lower revenues and cash flows from operations. We historically have replaced reserves through both drilling and acquisitions. The business of exploring for, developing or acquiring reserves requires substantial capital expenditures. If we do not continue to make significant capital expenditures (such as if our access to capital resources becomes limited) or if our exploration, development and acquisition activities are unsuccessful, we may not be able to replace the reserves that we produce, which would negatively impact us. As a result, our future natural gas and oil reserves and production, and therefore our cash flow and results of operations, are highly dependent upon our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current properties and economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves. We may not be able to develop, find or acquire additional reserves to replace our current and future production at acceptable costs or at all. If we are unable to replace our current and future production, the value of our reserves will decrease, and our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely affected.

        In addition, we have certain areas in which we have incurred material costs to explore for and develop reserves. These unproved property costs include non-producing leasehold, geological and geophysical costs associated with unevaluated leasehold or drilling interests, and exploration drilling costs in investments in unproved properties and major development projects in which we own a direct interest. We have incurred unevaluated capitalized costs associated with development and exploration activities in Brazil. If costs are determined to be impaired, we record in our income statement the amount of any impairment.

Our oil and natural gas drilling and producing operations involve many risks, and our production forecasts may differ from actual results.

        Our success will depend on our drilling results. Our drilling operations are subject to the risk that (i) we may not encounter commercially productive reservoirs or (ii) if we encounter commercially producible reservoirs, we either may not fully recover our investments or that our rates of return will be less than expected. We are also subject to the risk that we encounter unexpected drilling conditions. Our past performance should not be considered indicative of future drilling performance. For example, we have acquired acreage positions in two new domestic oil and natural gas shale areas for which we plan to incur substantial capital expenditures over the next several years. It remains uncertain whether

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we will be successful in exploring for the reserves in these regions or in developing the reserves that are found. Our success in such areas will depend in part on our ability to successfully transfer our experiences from existing areas into these new shale plays. As a result, there remains uncertainty on the results of our drilling programs, including our ability to realize proved reserves or to earn acceptable rates of return on our drilling programs. From time to time, we provide forecasts of expected quantities of future production. These forecasts are based on a number of estimates, including expectations of production from existing wells and the outcome of future drilling activity. Our forecasts could be different from actual results and such differences could be material.

        Our decisions to purchase, explore, develop or otherwise exploit prospects or properties will depend in part on the evaluation of data obtained through geophysical and geological analyses, production data and engineering studies, the results of which are often inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations. In addition, the results of our exploratory drilling in new or emerging areas are more uncertain than drilling results in areas that are developed and have established production. Our cost of drilling, completing, equipping and operating wells is often uncertain before drilling commences. Overruns in budgeted expenditures are common risks that can make a particular project uneconomical or less economic than forecasted. Further, many factors may increase the cost of, or curtail, delay or cancel, drilling operations, including the following:

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        Additionally, the occurrence of certain of these events could impact third parties, including persons living in proximity to our operations, our employees and employees of our contractors, leading to possible injuries or death or significant property damage. As a result, we face the possibility of liabilities from these events that could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        In addition, uncertainties associated with enhanced recovery methods may result in our inability to realize an acceptable return on our investments in such projects. The additional production and reserves, if any, attributable to the use of enhanced recovery methods are inherently difficult to predict. If our enhanced recovery methods do not allow for the extraction of natural gas and oil in a manner or to the extent that we anticipate, we may not realize an acceptable return on our investments in such projects. Further, 2-D and 3-D seismic data that we obtain is subject to interpretation and may not accurately identify the presence of natural gas, which could also negatively impact the results of our drilling operations.

Part of our strategy involves drilling in existing or emerging shale plays using some of the latest available horizontal drilling and completion techniques, the results of which are subject to drilling and completion technique risks, and drilling results may not meet our expectations for reserves or production.

        Many of our operations involve utilizing the latest drilling and completion techniques as developed by us and our service providers in order to maximize cumulative recoveries and therefore generate the highest possible returns. Risks that we face while drilling include, but are not limited to, landing our well bore in the desired drilling zone, staying in the desired drilling zone while drilling horizontally through the formation, running our casing the entire length of the well bore and being able to run tools and other equipment consistently through the horizontal well bore. Risks that we face while completing our wells include, but are not limited to, being able to fracture stimulate the planned number of stages, being able to run tools the entire length of the well bore during completion operations and successfully cleaning out the well bore after completion of the final fracture stimulation stage.

        Ultimately, the success of these drilling and completion techniques can only be evaluated over time as more wells are drilled and production profiles are established over a sufficiently long time period. If our drilling results are less than anticipated or we are unable to execute our drilling program because of capital constraints, lease expirations, limited access to gathering systems and takeaway capacity, and/or oil and natural gas prices decline, the return on our investment for a particular project may not be as attractive as we anticipated and we could incur material write-downs of unevaluated properties and the value of our undeveloped acreage could decline in the future.

Drilling locations that we decide to drill may not yield oil, natural gas or NGLs in commercially viable quantities.

        We describe potential drilling locations and our plans to explore those potential drilling locations in this prospectus. These potential drilling locations are in various stages of evaluation, ranging from a location which is ready to drill to a location that will require substantial additional interpretation. There is no way to predict in advance of drilling and testing whether any particular location will yield oil, natural gas or NGLs in sufficient quantities to recover drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable. The use of technologies and the study of producing fields in the same area will not enable us to know conclusively, prior to drilling, whether oil, natural gas or NGLs will be present or, if present, whether oil, natural gas or NGLs will be present in sufficient quantities to be economically viable. Even if sufficient amounts of oil, natural gas or NGLs exist, we may damage the potentially productive hydrocarbon-bearing formation or experience mechanical difficulties while drilling or completing the well, resulting in a reduction in production from the well or abandonment of the well. We cannot assure you that the analogies we draw from available data from other wells, more fully

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explored locations or producing fields will be applicable to our other identified drilling locations. Further, initial production rates reported by us or other operators may not be indicative of future or long-term production rates. In summary, the cost of drilling, completing and operating any well is often uncertain, and new wells may not be productive.

Our drilling locations are scheduled to be drilled over several years, making them susceptible to uncertainties that could materially alter the occurrence or timing of their drilling. In addition, we may not be able to raise the significant amount of capital that would be necessary to drill a substantial portion of our potential drilling locations.

        Our management has identified and scheduled potential drilling locations as an estimate of our future multi-year drilling activities on our existing acreage. All of our potential drilling locations represent a significant part of our growth strategy. Our ability to drill and develop these locations is subject to a number of uncertainties, including the availability of capital, seasonal conditions, regulatory approvals, oil, natural gas and NGL prices, costs and drilling results. Because of these uncertainties, we do not know if the drilling locations we have identified will ever be drilled or if we will be able to produce oil, natural gas or NGLs from these or any other potential drilling locations. Pursuant to existing SEC rules and guidance, subject to limited exceptions, proved undeveloped reserves may only be booked if they relate to wells scheduled to be drilled within five years of the date of booking. These rules and guidance may limit our potential to book additional proved undeveloped reserves as we pursue our drilling program.

New technologies may cause our current exploration and drilling methods to become obsolete.

        The oil and natural gas industry is subject to rapid and significant advancements in technology, including the introduction of new products and services using new technologies. As competitors use or develop new technologies, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage, and competitive pressures may force us to implement new technologies at a substantial cost. In addition, competitors may have greater financial, technical and personnel resources that allow them to enjoy technological advantages and may in the future allow them to implement new technologies before we can. One or more of the technologies that we currently use or that we may implement in the future may become obsolete. We cannot be certain that we will be able to implement technologies on a timely basis or at a cost that is acceptable to us. If we are unable to maintain technological advancements consistent with industry standards, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

Our business depends on access to oil, natural gas and NGL processing, gathering and transportation systems and facilities.

        The marketability of our oil, natural gas and NGL production depends in large part on the operation, availability, proximity, capacity and expansion of processing, gathering and transportation facilities owned by third parties. We can provide no assurance that sufficient processing, gathering and/or transportation capacity will exist or that we will be able to obtain sufficient processing, gathering and/or transportation capacity on economic terms. A lack of available capacity on processing, gathering and transportation facilities or delays in their planned expansions could result in the shut-in of producing wells or the delay or discontinuance of drilling plans for properties. A lack of availability of these facilities for an extended period of time could negatively impact our revenues. In addition, we have entered into contracts for firm transportation and any failure to renew those contracts on the same or better commercial terms could increase our costs and our exposure to the risks described above.

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Our acquisition attempts may not be successful or may result in completed acquisitions that do not perform as anticipated.

        We have made and may continue to make acquisitions of businesses and properties. However, suitable acquisition candidates may not continue to be available on terms and conditions we find acceptable or at all. Any acquisition, including any completed or future acquisition, involves potential risks, including, among others:

Certain of our undeveloped leasehold acreage is subject to leases that will expire in several years unless production is established on units containing the acreage.

        Although most of our reserves are located on leases that are held by production, we do have provisions in many of our leases that provide for the lease to expire unless certain conditions are met,

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such as drilling having commenced on the lease or production in paying quantities having been obtained within a defined time period. If commodity prices remain low or we are unable to fund our anticipated capital program there is a risk that some of our existing proved reserves and some of our unproved inventory could be subject to lease expiration or a requirement to incur additional leasehold costs to extend the lease. This could result in a reduction in our reserves and our growth opportunities (or the incurrence of significant costs) and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Estimating our reserves involves uncertainty, our actual reserves will likely vary from our estimates, and negative revisions to our reserve estimates in the future could result in decreased earnings, losses and impairments.

        All estimates of proved reserves are determined according to the rules prescribed by the SEC. Our reserve information was prepared internally and was audited by an independent petroleum consultant. There are numerous uncertainties involved in estimating proved reserves, which may result in these estimates varying considerably from actual results. Estimating quantities of proved reserves is complex and involves significant interpretations and assumptions with respect to available geological, geophysical and engineering data, including data from nearby producing areas. It also requires us to estimate future economic factors, such as commodity prices, production costs, plugging and abandonment costs, severance, ad valorem and excise taxes, capital expenditures, workover and remedial costs, and the assumed effect of governmental regulation. Due to a lack of substantial production data, there are greater uncertainties in estimating proved undeveloped reserves and proved developed non-producing reserves. There is also greater uncertainty of estimating proved developed reserves that are early in their production life. As a result, our reserve estimates are inherently imprecise. Furthermore, estimates are subject to revision based upon a number of factors, including many factors beyond our control such as reservoir performance, prices (including commodity prices and the cost of oilfield services), economic conditions and government restrictions and regulations. In addition, results of drilling, testing and production subsequent to the date of an estimate may justify revision of that estimate. Therefore, our reserve information represents an estimate and is often different from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered or proven recoverable.

        The SEC rules require the use of a 10% discount factor for estimating the value of our future net cash flows from reserves and the use of a 12-month average price. This discount factor may not necessarily represent the most appropriate discount factor, given our costs of capital, actual interest rates and risks faced by our exploration and production business, and the average price will not generally represent the market prices for oil and natural gas over time. Any significant change in commodity prices could cause the estimated quantities and net present value of our reserves to differ and these differences could be material. You should not assume that the present values referred to in this prospectus represent the current market value of our estimated oil and natural gas reserves. Finally, the timing of the production and the expenses related to the development and production of oil and natural gas properties will affect both the timing of actual future net cash flows from our proved reserves and their present value.

        We account for our activities under the successful efforts method of accounting. Changes in the present value of these reserves could result in a write-down in the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties, which could be substantial and could have a material adverse effect on our net income and stockholder's equity. Changes in the present value of these reserves could also result in increasing our depreciation, depletion and amortization rates, which could decrease earnings.

        A portion of our proved reserves are undeveloped. Recovery of undeveloped reserves requires significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. In addition, as the portion of our proved reserve base that consists of unconventional resources increases, the costs of finding, developing and producing those reserves may require capital expenditures that are greater than more conventional

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resource plays. Our estimates of proved reserves assume that we can and will make these expenditures and conduct these operations successfully. However, future events, including commodity price changes and our ability to access capital markets, may cause these assumptions to change.

        In addition, if our cash flows or the borrowing base under the RBL Facility decrease as a result of lower oil and natural gas prices, operating difficulties, declines in reserves or for any other reason, we may be required to seek additional debt or equity financing to sustain our operations at current levels. If we are unable to secure sufficient capital to meet our capital requirements, we may be required to curtail operations, which could lead to a possible decline in our reserves and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations are subject to governmental laws and regulations relating to environmental matters, which may expose us to significant costs and liabilities and could exceed current expectations. In addition, regulations relating to climate change and energy conservation may negatively impact our operations.

        Our business is subject to laws and regulations that govern environmental matters. These regulations include compliance obligations for air emissions, water quality, wastewater discharge and solid and hazardous waste disposal, as well as regulations designed for the protection of threatened or endangered species. In some cases, our operations are subject to federal requirements for performing or preparing environmental assessments, environmental impact studies and/or plans of development before commencing exploration and production activities. In addition, our activities are subject to state regulations relating to conservation practices and protection of correlative rights. These regulations may negatively impact our operations and limit the quantity of natural gas and oil we produce and sell. We must take into account the cost of complying with such requirements in planning, designing, constructing, drilling, operating and abandoning wells and related surface facilities, including gathering, transportation, storage and waste disposal facilities. The regulatory frameworks govern, and often require permits for, the handling of drilling and production materials, water withdrawal, disposal of produced water, drilling and production wastes, operation of air emissions sources, and drilling activities, including those conducted on lands lying within wilderness, wetlands, Federal and Indian lands and other protected areas. Various governmental authorities, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), the DOI, the BIA and analogous state agencies and tribal governments, have the power to enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits issued under them, often requiring difficult and costly actions, such as installing and maintaining pollution controls and maintaining measures to address personnel and process safety and protection of the environment and animal habitat near our operations. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations and permits may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial obligations, the imposition of stricter conditions on or revocation of permits, the issuance of injunctions limiting or preventing some or all of our operations, delays in granting permits and cancellation of leases. Our exploration and production operations in Brazil are subject to various types of regulations similar to those described above, which are imposed by the government of the country in which we operate (including political subdivisions in those countries), and which may affect our operations and costs within those countries. Liabilities, penalties, suspensions, terminations and increased costs resulting from any failure to comply with regulations and requirements of the type described above, or from the enactment of additional similar regulations or requirements in the future or a change in the interpretation or the enforcement of existing regulations or requirements of this type, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        In addition, there have been various legislative and regulatory proposals at the federal and state levels to address climate change and to regulate greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions. The EPA and several state environmental agencies have already adopted regulations to regulate GHG emissions. Although natural gas as a fuel supply for power generation has the least GHG emissions of any fossil fuel, it is uncertain at this time what impact the existing and proposed regulations will have on the

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demand for natural gas and on our operations. This impact will largely depend on what regulations are ultimately adopted, including the level of any emission standards, the amount and costs of allowances, offsets and credits granted and any incentives and subsidies provided to other fossil fuels, nuclear power and renewable energy sources. In May 2010, the EPA adopted its "Tailoring Rule" concerning regulation of large emitters of GHGs under the Clean Air Act's Prevention of Significant Deterioration ("PSD") and Title V programs. This rule tailors these permitting programs to apply to certain stationary sources of GHG emissions in a multi-step process, with the largest sources subject to permitting first. Facilities required to obtain PSD permits for their GHG emissions will also be required to meet "best available control technology" standards, which will be established by states or, in some instances, the EPA on a case-by-case basis. The Tailoring Rule is not expected to materially impact our operations until 2016. There have also been various legislative and regulatory proposals at the federal and state levels to address various emissions from coal-fired power plants. Although such proposals will generally favor the use of natural gas-fired power plants over coal-fired power plants, it remains uncertain what regulations will ultimately be adopted and when they will be adopted. In addition, any regulations regulating GHG emissions would likely increase our costs of compliance by requiring us to monitor such emissions, to install additional equipment to reduce carbon emissions and possibly to purchase emission credits. Any such regulations also could potentially delay the receipt of permits and other regulatory approvals. While we may be able to include some or all of the costs associated with our environmental liabilities and environmental compliance in the prices at which we sell oil, natural gas and NGLs, our ability to recover such costs is uncertain and may depend on events beyond our control.

        In addition to the EPA initiatives, the U.S. Congress has considered legislation that would establish a nationwide cap-and-trade system for GHGs. If enacted, such laws and regulations could require us to modify existing, or obtain new, permits, implement additional pollution control technology, curtail operations or increase significantly our operating costs.

        Regulation of GHG emissions could also result in reduced demand for our products, as oil and natural gas consumers seek to reduce their own GHG emissions. Any regulation of GHG emissions, including through a cap-and-trade system, technology mandate, emissions tax, reporting requirement or other program, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, to the extent climate change results in more severe weather and significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods, droughts and other climatic effects, our own, our counterparties' or our customers' operations may be disrupted, which could result in a decrease in our available products or reduce our customers' demand for our products.

        Further, there have been various legislative and regulatory proposals at the federal and state levels to provide incentives and subsidies to (i) shift more power generation to renewable energy sources and (ii) support technological advances to drive less energy consumption. These incentives and subsidies could have a negative impact on oil, natural gas and NGL consumption and thus have negative impacts on our operations and financial results.

Our operations may be exposed to significant delays, costs and liabilities as a result of environmental and health and safety laws and regulations applicable to our business and new legislation or regulation on safety procedures in exploration and production operations could require us to adopt expensive measures and adversely impact our results of operation.

        There is inherent risk in our operations of incurring significant environmental costs and liabilities due to our generation and handling of petroleum hydrocarbons and wastes, because of our air emissions and wastewater discharges, and as a result of historical industry operations and waste disposal practices. Some of our owned and leased properties have been used for oil and natural gas exploration and production activities for a number of years, often by third parties not under our control. During that time, we and/or other owners and operators of these facilities may have generated or disposed of

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wastes that polluted the soil, surface water or groundwater at our facilities and adjacent properties. For our non-operated properties, we are dependent on the operator for operational and regulatory compliance. We could be subject to claims for personal injury and/or natural resource and property damage (including site clean-up and restoration costs) related to the environmental, health or safety impacts of our oil and natural gas production activities, and we have been from time to time, and currently are, named as a defendant in litigation related to such matters. Under certain laws, we also could be subject to joint and several and/or strict liability for the removal or remediation of contamination regardless of whether such contamination was the result of our activities, even if the operations were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time the contamination occurred. Private parties, including the owners of properties upon which our wells are drilled and facilities where our petroleum hydrocarbons or wastes are taken for reclamation or disposal, may also have the right to pursue legal actions to enforce compliance, as well as to seek damages for non-compliance, with environmental laws and regulations or for personal injury or property damage. We have been and continue to be responsible for remediating contamination, including at some of our current and former facilities or areas where we produce hydrocarbons. While to date none of these obligations or claims have involved costs that have materially adversely affected our business, we cannot predict with certainty whether future costs of newly discovered or new contamination might result in a materially adverse impact on our business or operations.

        Partially as a result of a recent explosion on an offshore platform of a third party and subsequent release of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, there have been various regulations proposed and implemented that could materially impact the costs of exploration and production operations, as well as cause substantial delays in the receipt of regulatory approvals from both an environmental and safety perspective in the Gulf of Mexico. Although we have sold our Gulf of Mexico assets, it is also possible that similar, more stringent, regulations might be enacted or delays in receiving permits may occur in other areas, such as in offshore regions of other countries (such as Brazil) and in other onshore regions of the United States (including drilling operations on other federal or state lands).

Our operations could result in an equipment malfunction or oil spill that could expose us to significant liability.

        Despite the existence of various procedures and plans, there is a risk that we could experience well control problems in our operations. As a result, we could be exposed to regulatory fines and penalties, as well as landowner lawsuits resulting from any spills or leaks that might occur. While we maintain insurance against some of these risks in amounts that we believe are reasonable, our insurance coverages have material deductibles, self-insurance levels and limits on our maximum recovery and do not cover all risks. For example, from time to time we may not carry, or may be unable to obtain on terms that we find acceptable and/or reasonable, insurance coverage for certain exposures including, but not limited to, certain environmental exposures (including potential environmental fines and penalties), business interruption and named windstorm/hurricane exposures and, in limited circumstances, certain political risk exposures. The premiums and deductibles we pay for certain insurance policies are also subject to the risk of substantial increases over time that could negatively impact our financial results. In addition, we may not be able to renew existing insurance policies or procure desirable insurance on commercially reasonable terms. There is also a risk that our insurers may default on their insurance coverage obligations or that amounts for which we are insured, or that the proceeds of such insurance, will not compensate us fully for our losses. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.

        Although we might also have remedies against our contractors or vendors or our joint working interest owners with regard to any losses associated with unintended spills or leaks the ability to recover from such parties will depend on the indemnity provisions in our contracts as well as the facts

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and circumstances associated with the causes of such spills or leaks. As a result, our ability to recover associated costs from insurance coverages or other third parties is uncertain.

Legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays.

        We currently use hydraulic fracturing extensively in all of our key programs. Hydraulic fracturing typically involves the injection of water, sand and additives under pressure into rock formations in order to stimulate hydrocarbon production. We find that the use of hydraulic fracturing is necessary to produce commercial quantities of oil and natural gas from many of the reservoirs in which we operate. Recently, there have been a number of initiatives and proposed initiatives at the federal, state and local level to ban or regulate hydraulic fracturing and to study the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing and the need for further regulation of the practice. For example, debate has intensified over whether certain of the chemical constituents in hydraulic fracturing fluids may contaminate drinking water supplies, with some members of Congress and others proposing to revisit the exemption of hydraulic fracturing from the permitting requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (the "SDWA"). Eliminating this exemption could establish an additional level of regulation and permitting at the federal level that could lead to operational delays or increased operating costs and could result in additional regulatory burdens that could make it more difficult to perform hydraulic fracturing and increase our costs of compliance and doing business. Even in the absence of new legislation, the EPA recently asserted the authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing involving the use of diesel additives under the SDWA's Underground Injection Control Program.

        Scrutiny of hydraulic fracturing activities continues in other ways, with the EPA having commenced a multi-year study of the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water, the initial results of which are anticipated to be available by late 2012. Hydraulic fracturing operations require the use of water and the disposal or recycling of water that has been used in operations. The federal Clean Water Act (the "CWA") restricts the discharge of produced waters and other pollutants into waters of the United States and requires permits before any pollutants may be discharged. The CWA and comparable state laws and regulations provide for penalties for unauthorized discharges of pollutants including produced water, oil, and other hazardous substances. Compliance with and future revisions to requirements and permits governing the use, discharge, and recycling of water used for hydraulic fracturing may increase our costs and cause delays, interruptions or terminations of our operations which cannot be predicted.

        The EPA has also taken actions to regulate air emissions from hydraulic fracturing operations. On August 16, 2012, EPA published regulations in the Federal Register pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act to reduce various air pollutants from the oil and natural gas industry. These regulations will limit emissions from the hydraulic fracturing of certain natural gas wells and from certain equipment including compressors, storage vessels and natural gas processing plants. These regulations require reduction of flowback emissions from gas wells effective October 15, 2012 and use of "green completions" effective January 1, 2015. We have developed plans to meet the new regulations.

        Several states have also adopted or are considering legislation requiring the disclosure of fracturing fluids and other restrictions on hydraulic fracturing operations, including states in which we operate. The DOI is also considering disclosure requirements or other mandates for hydraulic fracturing on federal land, which, if adopted, would affect our operations on federal lands. The Department of Energy (the "DOE") is also considering whether to implement actions to lessen the environmental impact associated with hydraulic fracturing operations. Initiatives by the EPA and other federal and state regulators to expand their regulation of hydraulic fracturing, together with the possible adoption of new federal or state laws or regulations that significantly restrict hydraulic fracturing, could result in delays, eliminate certain drilling and injection activities, make it more difficult or costly for us to perform hydraulic fracturing, increase our costs of compliance and doing business, and delay or prevent

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the development of unconventional hydrocarbon resources from shale and other formations that are not commercial without the use of hydraulic fracturing. In addition, there have been proposals by non-governmental organizations to restrict certain buyers from purchasing oil and natural gas produced from wells that have utilized hydraulic fracturing in their completion process, which could negatively impact our ability to sell our production from wells that utilized these fracturing processes.

Tax laws and regulations may change over time, including the elimination of federal income tax deductions currently available with respect to oil and gas exploration and development.

        Tax laws and regulations are highly complex and subject to interpretation, and the tax laws and regulations to which we are subject may change over time. Our tax filings are based upon our interpretation of the tax laws in effect in various jurisdictions at the time that the filings were made. If these laws or regulations change, or if the taxing authorities do not agree with our interpretation of the effects of such laws and regulations, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Among the changes contained in President Obama's budget proposal for fiscal year 2013, released by the White House on February 13, 2012, is the elimination of certain U.S. federal income tax provisions currently available to oil and gas exploration and production companies. Such changes include, but are not limited to:

        Members of Congress have introduced legislation with similar provisions in the current session. It is unclear whether any such changes will be enacted or how soon such changes could be effective. The elimination of such U.S. federal tax deductions, as well as any other changes to or the imposition of new federal, state, local or non-U.S. taxes (including the imposition of, or increases in production, severance or similar taxes) could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

        The Issuer is classified as an entity disregarded from Parent for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and Parent is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes. As a result, neither the Issuer nor Parent pays U.S. federal, state or local income tax; rather, the direct and indirect owners of Parent must report and pay U.S. federal, state and local income tax on their distributive share of the income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by Parent. Changes in U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax law (such as the proposals listed above) may increase the U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax liability of the direct and indirect owners of Parent and the Issuer may be obligated to distribute greater amounts indirectly to such owners on account of such increased U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax liability.

Our foreign operations and investments involve special risks.

        Our activities in Brazil are subject to the risks inherent in foreign operations and other additional risks not associated with assets located in the United States, which include, among others:

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We have certain contingent liabilities that could exceed our estimates.

        We have certain contingent liabilities associated with litigation, regulatory, environmental and tax matters. See Note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements and elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition, the positions taken in our federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns require significant judgments, use of estimates and interpretation of complex tax laws. Although we believe that we have established appropriate reserves for our litigation, regulatory, environmental and tax matters, we could be required to accrue additional amounts in the future and/or incur more actual cash expenditures than accrued for and these amounts could be material.

We have significant capital programs in our business that may require us to access capital markets, and any inability to obtain access to the capital markets in the future at competitive rates, or any negative developments in the capital markets, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        We have significant capital programs in our business, which may require us to access the capital markets. Since we are rated below investment grade, our ability to access the capital markets or the cost of capital could be negatively impacted in the future, which could require us to forego capital opportunities or could make us less competitive in our pursuit of growth opportunities, especially in relation to many of our competitors that are larger than us or have investment grade ratings.

        In addition, the credit markets and the financial services industry have recently experienced a period of unprecedented turmoil and upheaval characterized by the bankruptcy, failure, collapse or sale of various financial institutions and an unprecedented level of intervention from the United States government. These circumstances and events led to reduced credit availability, tighter lending standards and higher interest rates on loans. While we cannot predict the future condition of the credit markets, future turmoil in the credit markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition and cash flows, particularly if our ability to borrow money from lenders or access the capital markets to finance our operations were to be impaired.

        Although we believe that the banks participating in the RBL Facility have adequate capital and resources, we can provide no assurance that all of those banks will continue to operate as a going concern in the future. If any of the banks in our lending group were to fail, it is possible that the borrowing capacity under the RBL Facility would be reduced. In the event of such reduction, we could be required to obtain capital from alternate sources in order to finance our capital needs. Our options for addressing such capital constraints would include, but not be limited to, obtaining commitments from the remaining banks in the lending group or from new banks to fund increased amounts under

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the terms of the RBL Facility, and accessing the public and private capital markets. In addition, we may delay certain capital expenditures to ensure that we maintain appropriate levels of liquidity. If it became necessary to access additional capital, any such alternatives could have terms less favorable than the terms under the RBL Facility, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

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MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

        We include statements regarding factors that have impacted our and our customers' industries, such as our customers' access to capital. Such statements regarding our and our customers' industries and market share or position are statements of belief and are based on market share and industry data and forecasts that we have obtained from industry publications and surveys, as well as internal company sources. Industry publications, surveys and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but there can be no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Although we believe that the third party sources are reliable, we have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources, nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein. In addition, while we believe that the market share, market position and other industry information included herein is generally reliable, such information is inherently imprecise. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding our industry data presented herein, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under "Risk Factors" in this prospectus.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus and certain oral statements made from time to time by us and our representatives contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "believes," "project," "might," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "intends," "plans," "estimates," or "anticipates" or similar expressions that concern our strategy, plans or intentions. In addition, all statements herein about our 2012 capital expenditures, including our planned wells, and the characteristics of average future wells for our key areas, which are based on current internal engineering estimates as described under "Business—Operations—Key Program Profiles," are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and therefore our actual results may differ materially from those that we expected. While we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and it is impossible to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results.

        Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations ("cautionary statements") are disclosed under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus, including, without limitation, in conjunction with the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements. Some of the factors that we believe could affect our results include:

        We caution you that the foregoing list of important factors may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus or oral statements made by us or our representatives may not in fact occur. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the exchange notes in exchange for the outstanding initial notes. We are making this exchange solely to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreements entered into in connection with the offering of the initial notes. In consideration for issuing the exchange notes, we will receive initial notes in like aggregate principal amount.

        The proceeds of the offering of the initial senior secured notes and initial 2020 senior notes were $2,750 million before the initial purchasers' discount and estimated fees and expenses. We used the net proceeds from the offering, together with proceeds from our senior secured term loan, investments in Parent's equity by funds affiliated with the Sponsors and other investors and borrowings under the RBL Facility to fund the Acquisition and to pay related transaction fees and expenses.

        The proceeds of the offering of the initial 2022 senior notes were $350 million before initial purchasers' discount and estimated fees and expenses. We used the proceeds of the offering to repay a portion of the borrowings under our RBL Facility.

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CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth the cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of June 30, 2012 for:

        You should read this table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, as well as the sections entitled "Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data," "Use of Proceeds," "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data," "Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

 
  As of June 30, 2012  
 
  Actual   Pro Forma for the
Refinancing Transactions
 
 
  (in millions)
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 55   $ 41  
           

Long-term debt:

             

The RBL Facility(1)(2)

  $ 750   $ 400  

Senior secured term loan(3)

    750     750  

Senior secured notes

    750     750  

9.375% senior notes

    2,000     2,000  

7.750% senior notes(2)

        350  
           

Total long-term debt

  $ 4,250   $ 4,250  

Total members' equity(4)

    3,158     3,149  
           

Total capitalization

  $ 7,408   $ 7,399  
           

(1)
In connection with the Acquisition Transactions, we entered into the RBL Facility, which will mature in 2017. We borrowed $750.0 million under the RBL Facility at the closing of the Acquisition to fund a portion of the Acquisition Transactions and to pay related fees and expenses. As of September 1, 2012, $350 million was drawn and outstanding under the RBL Facility.

(2)
As part of the Refinancing Transactions, we issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.750% senior notes due 2022 and used the proceeds of the notes to repay a portion of our borrowings under the RBL Facility.

(3)
In connection with the Acquisition Transactions, we entered into our senior secured term loan, which will mature in 2018.

(4)
Total stockholder's/contributed equity primarily reflects the equity contribution by affiliates of the Sponsors and other investors of $3,324.0 million net of transaction fees of $175.0 million that were not capitalized as deferred financing fees.

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

        The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial data of the Company presented below have been derived from the historical consolidated financial statements of EP Energy Corporation (the predecessor) included elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with "Presentation of Financial Information," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the historical consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

        The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2011 and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 has been prepared as though the Acquisition and Refinancing Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2011. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2012 has been prepared as though the Refinancing Transactions occurred on June 30, 2012.

        The unaudited pro forma adjustments include the following items:

    changes in depreciation, depletion, and amortization resulting from the allocation of purchase price;

    changes resulting from the application of the successful efforts method of accounting for our oil and gas activities;

    the adjustment for an annual advisory fee to be paid to the Sponsors and other investors following the Acquisition;

    the changes in interest expense resulting from additional indebtedness incurred in connection with the Acquisition and re-pricing of our term loan in connection with the Refinancing Transactions, including amortization of estimated deferred financing fees;

    the adjustment associated with the change in tax status of EP Energy Corporation in conjunction with the Acquisition;

    the proceeds from the issuance of the initial 7.750% senior notes and the related use of proceeds; and

    the reclassification of intercompany transactions to third-party transactions.

        The Acquisition is being accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon management's estimates of fair value. The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that management believes are factually supportable and that are reasonable under the circumstance. Assumptions underlying the unaudited pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes, which should be read in conjunction with this unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial data. We have made every effort to ensure our estimates are reasonable. Actual results can, and often do differ from estimates.

        The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of income excludes non-recurring items, such as the write-off of debt issue costs and transaction costs associated with the Acquisition and Refinancing Transactions that are not capitalized as part of the Acquisition and Refinancing Transactions. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial data are presented for illustrative purposes only and do not purport to indicate the financial condition or results of operations of future periods or the financial condition or results of operations that actually would have been realized had the Acquisition and Refinancing Transactions been consummated on the dates or for the periods presented.

        The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements constitute forward-looking information and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. See "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements."

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
As of June 30, 2012
(In millions)

 
  Historical
EP Energy LLC
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
EP Energy LLC
 

Current Assets

                   

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 55   $ (14 )(a) $ 41  

Accounts receivable

                   

Customer, net of allowance of less than $1

    163         163  

Other

    30         30  

Assets from price risk management activities

    278         278  

Other

    72         72  
               

Total current assets

    598     (14 )   584  
               

Property, plant and equipment, net

    6,982         6,982  
               

Other assets

                   

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

    236         236  

Assets from price risk management activities

    200         200  

Unamortized debt issue cost

    139     5 (a)   144  

Other

    11         11  
               

    586     5     591  
               

Total Assets

  $ 8,166   $ (9 ) $ 8,157  
               

Current Liabilities

                   

Accounts payable

                   

Trade

  $ 107   $   $ 107  

Other

    268         268  

Other

    130         130  
               

Total current liabilities

    505         505  
               

Long-term debt

    4,243     (350 )(a)   4,243  

          350 (a)      

Other long-term liabilities

    260         260  
               

    4,503         4,503  

Members' Equity

                   

Members' equity

    3,158     (9 )(a)   3,149  
               

Total members' equity

    3,158     (9 )   3,149  
               

Total Liabilities and members' equity

  $ 8,166   $ (9 ) $ 8,157  
               

Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(a)
Reflects the pro forma net adjustment of $14 million to cash and cash equivalents reflecting the sources and uses of cash as if the Refinancing Transactions occurred on June 30, 2012, as follows (in millions):

Sources of funds
   
 
Uses of funds
   
 

7.750% senior notes due 2022

  $ 350  

RBL Facility

  $ 350  

Cash and cash equivalents

    14  

Unamortized debt issue cost

    5  

       

Transaction fees and expenses

    9  
               

Total sources

  $ 364  

    Total uses

  $ 364  
               

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
For the six months ended June 30, 2012
(In millions)

 
  Historical
EP Energy LLC
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
EP Energy LLC
 

Operating revenues

                   

Third parties

  $ 756   $   $ 756  

Derivatives

    422         422  
               

    1,178         1,178  
               

Operating expenses

                   

Transportation costs

    59         59  

Lease operating expenses

    117         117  

General and administrative expenses

    284     10 (a)   294  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    353     (200) (b)   153  

Ceiling test charges

    63     (63) (c)    

Exploration expense

    6     99 (d)   105  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    57         57  
               

    939     (154 )   785  
               

Operating income

    239     154     393  

(Loss) earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

    (6 )   6 (e)    

Other expense

    (2 )       (2 )

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest:

                   

Third parties

    (67 )   (88 )(f)   (155 )
               

Income before income taxes

    164     72     236  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    136     (135 )(g)   1  
               

Net income

  $ 28   $ 207   $ 235  
               

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Unaudited Pro forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
For the year ended December 31, 2011
(in millions)

 
  Historical(i)
EP Energy Corporation
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
EP Energy LLC
 

Operating revenues

                   

Third parties

  $ 948   $ 634 (h) $ 1,582  

Affiliates

    634     (634 )(h)    

Realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives

    284         284  

Other

    1         1  
               

    1,867         1,867  

Operating expenses

                   

Transportation costs

    85         85  

Lease operating expenses

    217         217  

General and administrative expenses

    201     25 (a)   226  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    612     (350) (b)   262  

Ceiling test charges/impairment

    152     (58) (c)   94  

Impairment of inventory and other assets

    6         6  

Exploration expense

          155 (d)   155  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    91         91  
               

    1,364     (228 )   1,136  
               

Operating income

    503     228     731  

(Loss) earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

    (7 )   12 (e)   5  

Other expense

    (2 )       (2 )

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest:

                   

Third parties

    (9 )   (298 )(f)   (310 )

          (3 )(h)      

Affiliates

    (3 )   3 (h)    
               

Income before income taxes

    482     (58 )   424  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    220     (227 )(g)   (7 )
               

Net income

  $ 262   $ 169   $ 431  
               

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Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

(a)
Reflects the pro-rata adjustment to record estimated annual advisory fees ($25 million annually) paid to affiliates of the Sponsors and other investors for management, consulting and financial services provided.

(b)
Reflects the estimated adjustment to depreciation, depletion and amortization due to the fair value adjustments to our property, plant and equipment and the application of the successful efforts method of accounting. The pro forma depreciation, depletion and amortization rates were calculated using the year end 2011 proved reserves held constant throughout both periods in 2011 and 2012. It also assumes no reserve additions or changes in existing proved reserve categories beyond those existing at the balance sheet date. The pro forma depreciation, depletion and amortization rates were applied to production volumes in the respective periods.

(c)
Reflects the removal of international ceiling test charges of $63 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and $152 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 under the full cost method of accounting offset by impairment of $94 million due to the denial of a necessary environmental permit for a Brazilian development project under the successful efforts method of accounting for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011.

(d)
Reflects exploratory dry hole costs, delay rentals, and seismic costs expensed under the successful efforts method of accounting.

(e)
Reflects an estimated adjustment to (loss) earnings from unconsolidated affiliates due to the reduction of the amortization of the excess of our investment in Four Star Oil & Gas Company relative to the underlying equity in the net assets resulting from the fair value adjustment to our investment.

(f)
Reflects the estimated adjustment to interest expense, net of capitalized interest, resulting from our new capital structure as follows (in millions):

 
  Six Months
ended
June 30,
2012
  Year ended
December 31,
2011
 

Interest on the RBL Facility, senior secured term loan, senior secured notes and senior notes(1)

  $ 156   $ 313  

Amortization of capitalized deferred financing fees and original issue discount(2)

    16     30  

Commitment fees(3)

    3     6  

Capitalized interest expense(4)

    (20 )   (39 )
           

Total pro forma interest expense, net of capitalized interest

    155     310  

Less: historical interest expense, net of capitalized interest(5)

    (67 )   (12 )
           

Pro forma net adjustment to interest expense, net of capitalized interest

  $ 88   $ 298  
           

(1)
Represents interest on the RBL Facility, senior secured term loan, senior secured notes and senior notes, at a weighted average interest rate. A 0.125% change in interest rates under the RBL Facility and senior secured term loan would change pro forma interest expense by approximately $1.0 million for each period.

(2)
Represents the estimated amortization of deferred financing fees, which are amortized over 5 years for the RBL Facility, 6 years for the senior secured term loan, 7 years for

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    the senior secured notes and 8 years for the senior notes, and the amortization of the 1% original issue discount on the senior secured term loan over 6 years.

(3)
Represents commitment fees of 0.375% on the estimated unused balance of the RBL Facility.

(4)
Represents interest expense to be capitalized based on the weighted average borrowing rate and costs related to the unproven oil and gas properties being developed.

(5)
Includes historical interest expense due to affiliates of approximately $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(g)
Reflects an adjustment for EP Energy Corporation's change in tax status from a taxable entity to a non-taxable entity leaving only current tax benefits associated with our international operations.

(h)
Reflects the reclassification of activity with El Paso Corporation from affiliate to third-party.

(i)
Lease operating expenses and general and administrative expenses were presented in the aggregate as "operation and maintenance" in the historical audited financial statements included elsewhere herein.

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following table sets forth selected historical financial and other data for the periods and as of the dates indicated for EP Energy LLC (the "Successor" and formerly known as Everest Acquisition LLC) and EP Energy Global LLC (the "Predecessor" and formerly known as EP Energy Corporation and EP Energy, L.L.C.). See "Presentation of Financial Information." We have derived the consolidated statement of income and statement of cash flows data for the period from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012, and the six months ended June 30, 2011, from EP Energy Corporation's condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the consolidated statement of income and statement of cash flows data for the period from March 23, 2012 (inception) to June 30, 2012 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2012 from EP Energy LLC's condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the consolidated statement of income and cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 from EP Energy Corporation's audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated statements of income and cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of EP Energy Corporation, which are not included in this prospectus.

        The following selected historical financial data should be read in conjunction with the information included under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

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  Successor    
  Predecessor  
 
   
   
   
  Six
Months
ended
June 30,
2011
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  March 23
(inception)
to June 30,
2012
   
   
  Year ended December 31,  
 
   
  January 1,
to May 24,
2012
 
 
   
  2011   2010   2009   2008   2007  
 
   
   
  (dollars in millions)
 

Statement of income data

                                                     

Operating revenues:

                                                     

Third parties

  $ 143       $ 470   $ 439   $ 948   $ 634   $ 552   $ 1,078   $ 1,093  

Affiliates

            143     322     634     746     545     1,423     1,169  

Realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives(1)

    57         365     24     284     390     687     196      

Other

                    1     19     44     65     38  
                                       

Total operating revenues

    200         978     785     1,867     1,789     1,828     2,762     2,300  
                                       

Operating expenses:

                                                     

Cost of products

                        15     31     38     20  

Transportation costs

    14         45     38     85     73     66     79     72  

Lease operating expenses(2)

    21         96     100     217     193     197     244     254  

General and administrative expenses(2)

    209         75     98     201     190     195     160     185  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    34         319     280     612     477     440     818     804  

Impairments/Ceiling test charges

    1         62         158     25     2,148     2,824      

Exploration expense

    6                                  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    12         45     49     91     85     68     132     103  
                                       

Total operating expenses

    297         642     565     1,364     1,058     3,145     4,295     1,438  
                                       

Operating income (loss)

    (97 )       336     220     503     731     (1,317 )   (1,533 )   862  

Income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

    (1 )       (5 )   (1 )   (7 )   (7 )   (30 )   (93 )   12  

Other income (expense)

    1         (3 )       (2 )   3     (1 )   7     17  

Debt Extinguishment

                                    (87 )

Interest expense, net:

                                                     

Third parties

    (53 )       (14 )   (2 )   (9 )   (16 )   (21 )   (24 )   (57 )

Affiliates

                (4 )   (3 )   (5 )   (4 )   (33 )   (40 )
                                       

Income (loss) before income taxes

    (150 )       314     213     482     706     (1,373 )   (1,676 )   707  

Income tax expense (benefit)

            136     61     220     263     (462 )   (413 )   243  
                                       

Net income (loss)

  $ (150 )     $ 178   $ 152   $ 262   $ 443   $ (911 ) $ (1,263 ) $ 464  
                                       

(1)
Includes less than $1 million for the successor period, $5 million for the predecessor periods from January 1 to May 24, 2012, $6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and $11 million, $11 million, ($406) million and $88 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income associated with accounting hedges. During 2008, we removed the hedging designation on all of our commodity-based derivative contracts related to our hedged oil and natural gas production volumes.

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(2)
Lease operating expenses and general and administrative expenses were presented in the aggregate as "operation and maintenance" in the historical predecessor audited financial statements of EP Energy Corporation for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 
   
  Predecessor  
 
  Successor  
 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  As of
June 30,
2012
 
 
  2011   2010   2009   2008   2007  
 
  (dollars in millions)
 

Balance sheet data (at period end):

                                     

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 55   $ 25   $ 74   $ 183   $ 102   $ 114  

Total assets

    8,166     5,099     4,942     4,457     6,384     8,872  

Long-term debt

    4,243     851     301     835     915     751  

Members'/ Stockholder's equity

    3,158     3,100     3,067     2,529     3,697     4,694  

Other financial data:

                                     

Capital expenditures(1)

  $ 762   $ 1,644   $ 1,318   $ 1,129   $ 1,742   $ 2,603  

(1)
Represents accrual based capital expenditures, including acquisitions capital, and excludes asset retirement obligation.


 
  Successor    
  Predecessor  
 
   
   
   
  Six
Months
ended
June 30,
2011
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  March 23
(inception)
to June 30,
2012
   
   
  Year ended December 31,  
 
   
  January 1,
to May 24,
2012
 
 
   
  2011   2010   2009   2008   2007  
 
   
   
  (dollars in millions)
 

Statement of cash flows data:

                                                     

Net cash provided by (used in):

                                                     

Operating activities

  $ (93 )     $ 580   $ 663   $ 1,426   $ 1,067   $ 1,573   $ 2,218   $ 1,179  

Investing activities

    (7,254 )       (628 )   (652 )   (1,237 )   (1,130 )   (1,156 )   (993 )   (2,479 )

Financing activities

    7,402         110     (51 )   (238 )   (46 )   (336 )   (1,237 )   1,282  

Other financial data:

                                                     

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(2)

            18.0 x   19.6 x   21.1 x   25.3 x           6.4 x
                                                       

(2)
Earnings for the periods from March 23 to June 30, 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $151 million, $1,305 million and $1,532 million, respectively. For purposes of computing these ratios, earnings means income (loss) before income taxes before (i) income or loss from equity investees, adjusted to reflect actual distributions from equity investments and (ii) fixed charges, less (a) capitalized interest. Fixed charges means the sum of the following: (i) interest costs, not including interest on tax liabilities which is included in income tax expense on our income statement; (ii) amortization of debt costs; and (iii) that portion of rental expense which we believe represents an interest factor.

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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        Our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") should be read in conjunction with the information under the headings "Risk Factors," "Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data" and "Business" and the financial statements and the accompanying footnotes included in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in the "Risk Factors" section of this registration statement. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this MD&A section to "we," "our," "us" and "the Company" refer to both EP Energy LLC (the Issuer) and EP Energy Global LLC (the "Predecessor" for accounting purposes), and each of its consolidated subsidiaries.

Overview

        We are one of North America's leading independent oil and natural gas producers. We have a large and diverse base of producing assets that provides cash flow to fund the development of our key programs, which at this time are primarily oil-focused. Over the last several years, we have high-graded our future drilling inventory by establishing large acreage positions with repeatable drilling opportunities and more favorable return characteristics. As a result, we have a strategic presence in well-known oil resource areas, including the Eagle Ford Shale, the Altamont Field, the Wolfcamp Shale and South Louisiana Wilcox. Our large and diverse producing gas assets include our Haynesville Shale position, substantially all of which is held by production, which gives us a significant presence in unconventional natural gas. We also have a small international presence in Brazil and prior to selling our interests in Egypt in July 2012, we had an international presence in that country. Over the past five years, our strategy has been to focus on areas that offer repeatable drilling programs, enabling us to reduce development costs, and to grow our asset base and inventory size. We have consistently improved the quality and number of our drilling opportunities.

        In June of 2012, we realigned our divisions based on our capital spending activities. The areas previously reported in the Western division will be reported under our Central division. In addition, Eagle Ford will be treated as a separate division. Prior to June 2012, we operated through three divisions: Central, Western and Southern. Domestically, we operate through three divisions: Central, Eagle Ford and Southern. The Central division includes operations in east Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Indiana (Indiana assets sold in July 2012), eastern Oklahoma, in the Uintah Basin in Utah and the Raton Basin in New Mexico and Colorado. Our Eagle Ford division includes operations in south Texas. Our Southern division is located along the Gulf Coast, south and west areas of Texas and the Gulf of Mexico (sold in July 2012). Our key programs include the Haynesville Shale in northwest Louisiana and east Texas, the Altamont Field in Utah, the Eagle Ford Shale in south Texas and the Wolfcamp Shale which is located in the Permian Basin of west Texas.

        Below is a description of each key program which are further described in "Business":

        Eagle Ford Shale.     The Eagle Ford Shale provides the highest economic returns in our portfolio. We currently are running four rigs.

        Haynesville Shale.     We operated approximately four rigs in the Haynesville Shale through 2011 and currently have no rigs running. Although we had a very efficient drilling program in the Haynesville Shale, we suspended the program at the end of the first quarter of 2012 due to low natural gas prices. We have released all rigs and redeployed the capital allocated to the Haynesville Shale to our oil programs.

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        Altamont Field.     In the Altamont Field, we are gaining operational efficiencies as we develop the field. We currently are running two rigs.

        Wolfcamp Shale.     In our Wolfcamp Shale program, which we entered in 2009 and 2010, we are focused on optimizing our drilling, completion and artificial lift systems. We currently are running one rig.

        South Louisiana Wilcox.     We are continuing to develop our emerging South Louisiana Wilcox play. This is a relatively new oil and NGL play that we have added to our drilling program. We are currently running one rig.

        Internationally, our portfolio consists of producing fields along with exploration and development projects in offshore Brazil. Achieving success in our international programs in Brazil will require effective project management, strong partner relations and obtaining approvals from regulatory agencies. Previously we also had exploration activities in Egypt, but our interests were sold in June 2012.

        We evaluate acquisition and growth opportunities that are focused on our core competencies and areas of competitive advantage. Strategic acquisitions can provide us greater opportunities to achieve our long-term goals by leveraging existing expertise in key operating areas, balancing our exposure to regions, basins and commodities, helping us to achieve risk-adjusted returns competitive with those available within our existing drilling programs and increasing our reserves.

        Our exploration and production operations generate profits which are dependent on the prices for oil and natural gas, the costs to explore, develop, and produce oil and natural gas, and the volumes we are able to produce, among other factors. Our long-term profitability will be influenced primarily by the following factors:

        In addition to these factors, our future profitability and performance will be affected by our ability to execute our strategy, the impacts of volatility in the financial and commodity markets, industry-wide changes in the cost of drilling and oilfield services which impact our daily production, operating and capital costs and our debt level and related interest costs. Additionally, we may be impacted by hurricanes and other weather events, or domestic or international regulatory issues or other actions outside of our control (e.g., oil spills). To the extent possible, we attempt to mitigate certain of these risks through actions such as entering into longer term contractual arrangements to control costs and entering into derivative contracts to reduce the financial impact of downward commodity price movements.

Results of Operations

Overview

        The historical financial results for the periods before and after the Acquisition, which closed on May 24, 2012, in the tables that follow have been presented separately in accordance with required GAAP presentation. Periods prior to May 24, 2012 are referred to as predecessor periods and those entities as the Predecessor, while periods after May 24, 2012 are referred to as successor periods and those entities as the Successor. Despite this separate GAAP presentation, the successor had no independent oil and gas operations prior to the acquisition and accordingly there were no operational exploration and production activities changed as a result of the acquisition of the Predecessor.

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Consequently, given the continuity of operations, when assessing variance analysis of our historical results of operations and financial performance as well as in reviewing our operating statistics (e.g. volumes and per unit metrics and costs) in the tables and discussion that follows, we have evaluated the six month period ended June 30, 2011 of the predecessor to the combined six month period ended June 30, 2012. This presentation represents a combined analysis of the pre-acquisition results of operations of the Predecessor and the post-acquisition results of operations of the Successor in 2012. We believe that reflecting the combined information and analysis, while non-GAAP, facilitates the most meaningful comparison and understanding of our operating performance in 2012 over the same period in the prior year.

        In connection with the Acquisition Transactions and Refinancing Transactions, we incurred $4,250 million of principal amount of total indebtedness outstanding. We have the ability to incur approximately $1.25 billion of additional indebtedness under the RBL Facility. We are and will continue to be highly leveraged and have significant additional liquidity requirements. As a result, we expect that our interest expense will be significantly higher in future periods than we have experienced in the predecessor periods. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data" and "—Liquidity and Capital Resources" for more information regarding the pro forma effect of the Acquisition Transactions and Refinancing Transactions. Additionally, the financial results for the successor period presented includes the application of purchase accounting and the application of the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties. As a result, trends and results in future periods may look different than those that existed prior to the acquisition and under the full cost method of accounting. See "Risk Factors," "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data" and "—Liquidity and Capital Resources."

Significant Operational Factors

        Production.     Below is an analysis of our production by division for the six months ended June 30 and three years ended December 31:

 
  Six Months
ended June 30,
  Years ended
December 31,
 
 
  2012   2011   2011   2010   2009  
 
  (MMcfe/d)
 

United States

                               

Central

    603     569     576     498     423  

Eagle Ford

    91     20     40     6      

Southern

    120     137     127     183     256  

International

                               

Brazil

    36     34     34     33     12  
                       

Total consolidated

    850     760     777     720     691  

Unconsolidated affiliate

    56     62     61     62     72  
                       

Total combined

    906     822     838     782     763  
                       

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        Volumes.     Our volumes by commodity for the six months ended June 30 and three years ended December 31 were as follows:

 
  Six Months
ended
June 30,
  Years ended
December 31,
 
 
  2012   2011   2011   2010   2009  

Natural Gas (MMcf/d)

                               

Consolidated volumes

    686     658     661     618     599  

Unconsolidated affiliate volumes

    43     47     46     47     54  
                       

Total Combined

    729     705     707     665     653  
                       

Oil and condensate (MBbls/d)

                               

Consolidated volumes

    23     14     16     13     11  

Unconsolidated affiliate volumes

    1     1     1     1     1  
                       

Total Combined

    24     15     17     14     12  
                       

NGL (MBbls/d)

                               

Consolidated volumes

    5     3     3     4     5  

Unconsolidated affiliate volumes

    1     2     1     2     2  
                       

Total Combined

    6     5     4     6     7  
                       

        Central division —Our 2012 Central division production volumes increased 34 MMcfe/d for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011 primarily as a result of our drilling program in the Haynesville Shale and our successful drilling programs in our Altamont and Raton Basin areas. At June 30, 2012, we had 66 net operated wells in the Haynesville Shale and our total production was approximately 317 MMcfe/d. Although we had a very efficient capital program in the Haynesville Shale, we suspended the program at the end of the first quarter of 2012 due to low natural gas prices. We released all rigs and redeployed the capital allocated to the Haynesville Shale to our oil programs. In addition, a relatively new oil play, the South Louisiana Wilcox program had 19 net operated wells with total oil and NGL production of approximately 2 MBbls/d for the six months ended June 30, 2012. As of June 30, 2012, we had 307 net operated wells in our Altamont Field with total oil production of approximately 7 MBbls/d.

        Eagle Ford division —Our 2012 Eagle Ford division production volumes increased 71 MMcfe/d for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011 due to our successful drilling program in the area. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, we drilled 36 additional wells in our Eagle Ford Shale for a total of 98 net operated wells. With a majority of our acreage located in the oil and liquids rich area of the Eagle Ford Shale, our total oil and NGL production was approximately 12 MBbls/d for the six months ended June 30, 2012, an increase of over 350 percent from the same period of last year.

        Southern division —Our 2012 Southern division production volumes decreased 17 MMcfe/d for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011 primarily due to natural declines and lower levels of drilling activity in the Texas Gulf Coast and Gulf of Mexico, partially offset by our successful drilling in the Wolfcamp Shale. In our Wolfcamp Shale area, we drilled 10 additional wells during 2012, for a total of 26 net operated wells. We sold our Gulf of Mexico assets in July 2012, which during the six months ended June 30, 2012, and twelve months ended December 31, 2011, had equivalent production of 45 MMcfe/d and 46 MMcfe/d, respectively.

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        International —Our 2012 production volumes in Brazil increased 2 MMcfe/d for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011 primarily due to a fourth well coming on line in August 2011 and an oil offloading in March and June of 2012 from our Camarupim Field. We are still awaiting a response on our appeal filed in 2011, for our environmental permit request concerning the Pinauna Field which was denied by the Brazilian environmental regulatory agency. In June of 2012, we sold all our interests in Egypt. The sale represents an exit from our Egyptian exploration activities.

         Cash Operating Costs and Adjusted Cash Operating Costs.   We monitor cash operating costs required to produce our oil and natural gas production volumes. Cash operating costs is a non-GAAP measure calculated on a per Mcfe basis and includes total operating expenses less depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, exploration expense, ceiling test and other impairment charges, transportation costs and cost of products. Adjusted cash operating costs is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as cash operating costs less transition and restructuring costs and non-cash equity based compensation expense. Cash operating costs and adjusted cash operating costs per unit are a valuable measure of operating performance and efficiency; however, these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

        During the six months ended June 30, 2012, adjusted cash operating costs per unit decreased to $1.66/Mcfe as compared to $1.67/Mcfe during the same period in 2011, primarily due to higher production volumes offset by higher general and administrative costs and higher lease operating expenses.

        The table below represents a reconciliation of our cash operating costs and adjusted cash operating costs for the six months ended June 30:

 
  Six Months ended June 30,  
 
  2012   2011  
 
  Total   Per unit   Total   Per unit  
 
  (In millions, except per unit costs)
 

Total operating expenses

  $ 939   $ 6.07   $ 565   $ 4.11  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    (353 )   (2.28 )   (280 )   (2.04 )

Transportation costs

    (59 )   (0.38 )   (38 )   (0.27 )

Exploration expense

    (6 )   (0.04 )        

Ceiling test charges

    (63 )   (0.41 )        
                   

Total cash operating costs and per-unit cash costs(1)

    458     2.96     247     1.80  

Transition/restructurings costs and non-cash equity based compensation expense(2)

    (202 )   (1.30 )   (17 )   (0.13 )
                   

Total adjusted cash operating costs and adjusted per-unit cash costs(1)

  $ 256   $ 1.66   $ 230   $ 1.67  
                   

Total equivalent volumes (MMcfe)(1)

    154,818           137,543        
                       

(1)
Excludes volumes and costs associated with Four Star.

(2)
Total amount in 2012 includes $183 million for transition and restructuring costs associated with the acquisition, $3 million of advisory fees and $16 million of non-cash equity-based compensation expense. Total amount in 2011 includes $6 million of restructuring costs associated with the closure of our Denver office and $11 million of non-cash equity-based compensation expense.

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        The table below represents a reconciliation of our cash operating costs and adjusted cash operating costs for the three years ended December 31:

 
  Years ended December 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  Total   Per unit   Total   Per unit   Total   Per unit  
 
  (dollars in millions, except per unit costs)
 

Total operating expenses

  $ 1,364   $ 4.81   $ 1,058   $ 4.03   $ 3,145   $ 12.46  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    (612 )   (2.16 )   (477 )   (1.82 )   (440 )   (1.74 )

Transportation costs

    (85 )   (0.30 )   (73 )   (0.28 )   (66 )   (0.26 )

Cost of products

            (15 )   (0.05 )   (31 )   (0.13 )

Ceiling test charges

    (152 )   (0.54 )   (25 )   (0.10 )   (2,123 )   (8.41 )

Impairments

    (6 )   (0.02 )           (25 )   (0.10 )
                           

Total cash operating costs and per-unit cash costs(1)

    509     1.79     468     1.78     460     1.82  

Restructuring costs and non-cash equity based compensation expense

    (27 )   (0.10 )   (18 )   (0.07 )   (26 )   (0.10 )
                           

Total adjusted cash operating costs and adjusted per-unit cash costs(1)

    482     1.69     450     1.71     434     1.72  
                           

Total equivalent volumes (MMcfe)(1)

    283,696           262,631           252,432        
                                 

(1)
Excludes volumes and costs associated with Four Star.

        Reserve Replacement Ratio/Reserve Replacement Costs.     We calculate two primary non-GAAP metrics associated with reserves performance: (i) a reserve replacement ratio and (ii) reserve replacement costs, to measure our ability to establish a long-term trend of adding reserves at a reasonable cost in our key asset areas. The reserve replacement ratio is an indicator of our ability to replenish annual production volumes and grow our reserves. It is important for us to economically find and develop new reserves that will more than offset produced volumes and provide for future production given the inherent decline of hydrocarbon reserves. In addition, we calculate reserve replacement costs to assess the cost of adding reserves, which is ultimately included in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. We believe the ability to develop a competitive advantage over other oil and natural gas companies is dependent on adding reserves in our key asset areas at lower costs than our competition. We calculate these metrics as follows:

Reserve replacement ratio:   Sum of reserve additions(1)
Actual production for the corresponding period

Reserve replacement costs per Mcfe:

 

Total oil and gas capital costs(2)
Sum of reserve additions(1)

(1)
Reserve additions include proved reserves and reflect reserve revisions for prices and performance, extensions, discoveries and other additions and acquisitions and do not include unproved reserve quantities or proved reserve additions attributable to investments accounted for using the equity method. We present these metrics separately, both including and excluding the impact of price revisions on reserves, to demonstrate the effectiveness of our drilling program exclusive of economic factors (such as price) outside of our control. All amounts are derived directly from the table presented in "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Operations."

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(2)
Total oil and natural gas capital costs include the costs of development, exploration and property acquisition activities conducted to add reserves and exclude asset retirement obligations. Amounts are derived directly from the table presented in "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Operations."

        The reserve replacement ratio and reserve replacement costs per unit are statistical indicators that have limitations, including their predictive and comparative value. As an annual measure, the reserve replacement ratio is limited because it typically varies widely based on the extent and timing of new discoveries, project sanctioning and property acquisitions. In addition, since the reserve replacement ratio does not consider the cost or timing of developing future production of new reserves, it cannot be used as a measure of value creation.

        The exploration for and the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas reserves is inherently uncertain as further discussed in "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry." One of these risks and uncertainties is our ability to spend sufficient capital to increase our reserves. While we currently expect to spend such amounts in the future, there are no assurances as to the timing and magnitude of these expenditures or the classification of the proved reserves as developed or undeveloped. At December 31, 2011, proved developed reserves represent approximately 50% of our total consolidated proved reserves. Proved developed reserves will generally begin producing within the year they are added, whereas proved undeveloped reserves generally require additional future expenditures.

        The table below shows our reserve replacement ratio and reserve replacement costs for our domestic and worldwide operations, including and excluding the effect of price revisions on reserves for each of the years ended December 31:

 
  Including Price Revisions   Excluding Price Revisions  
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009  
 
  ($/Mcfe)
  ($/Mcfe)
 

Reserve Replacement Ratios

                                     

Domestic

                                     

Including acquisitions

    416 %   370 %   188 %   418 %   306 %   220 %

Excluding acquisitions

    416     353     162     418     289     195  

Worldwide

                                     

Including acquisitions

    400     347     212     401     284     245  

Excluding acquisitions

    400     331     187     401     268     220  

Reserve Replacement Costs(1)

                                     

Domestic

                                     

Including acquisitions

  $ 1.42   $ 1.29   $ 1.84   $ 1.41   $ 1.56   $ 1.57  

Excluding acquisitions

    1.42     1.29     1.91     1.41     1.58     1.59  

Worldwide

                                     

Including acquisitions

    1.43     1.40     2.04     1.43     1.72     1.76  

Excluding acquisitions

    1.43     1.41     2.13     1.43     1.75     1.81  

(1)
Only proved property acquisition costs are excluded from these calculations. Leasehold or unproved acquisitions costs are included in all calculations.

        We typically cite reserve replacement costs in the context of a multi-year trend, in recognition of its limitation as a single year measure, and also to demonstrate consistency and stability, which are

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essential to our business model. The table below shows our reserve replacement costs for our domestic and worldwide operations for the years ended December 31:

 
  Three Years Ended
December 31, 2011
 
 
  Including
Price
Revisions
  Excluding
Price
Revisions
 
 
  ($/Mcfe)
 

Reserve Replacement Costs

             

Domestic

             

Including acquisitions

  $ 1.45   $ 1.49  

Excluding acquisitions

    1.45     1.50  

Worldwide

             

Including acquisitions

    1.55     1.60  

Excluding acquisitions

    1.56     1.61  

        Capital Expenditures.     Our oil and gas capital expenditures were as follows for the six months ended June 30 and three years ended December 31:

 
  Six Months
ended June 30,
  Years ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2011   2010   2009  
 
  (in millions)
 

Total oil and gas capital costs, excluding proved property acquisitions

  $ 757   $ 727   $ 1,624   $ 1,231   $ 1,004  

Proved property acquisitions

        1         51     87  
                       

Total oil and gas capital costs, including acquisitions(1)

    757     728     1,624     1,282     1,091  

Non-oil and gas capital costs

    5     8     20     36     38  
                       

Total capital expenditures

  $ 762   $ 736   $ 1,644   $ 1,318   $ 1,129  
                       

(1)
Total oil and gas capital costs include the costs of development, exploration and property acquisition activities conducted to add reserves and exclude asset retirement obligations.

        Capital expenditures for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and rig count by key program as of June 30, 2012 were:

 
  Capital
Expenditures
(In millions)
  Rig
Count
 

Eagle Ford

  $ 421     4  

Haynesville

    89      

Altamont

    77     2  

Wolfcamp

    111     1  

South Louisiana Wilcox

    55     1  

Other, including International

    9      
           

Total capital expenditures

  $ 762     8  
           

Price Risk Management Activities

        We enter into derivative contracts on our oil and natural gas production primarily to stabilize cash flows and reduce the risk and financial impact of downward commodity price movements on

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commodity sales. Because we apply mark-to-market accounting on our financial derivative contracts and because we do not hedge all of our price risks, this strategy only partially reduces our commodity price exposure. Our reported results of operations, financial position and cash flows can be impacted significantly by commodity price movements from period to period. Adjustments to our strategy and the decision to enter into new positions or to alter existing positions are made based on the goals of the overall company. During the first six months of 2012, approximately 75 percent of our natural gas production and 90 percent of our crude oil production were hedged and settled at average floor prices of $4.85 per MMBtu and $95.22 per barrel, respectively.

        The following table reflects the contracted volumes and the minimum, maximum and average prices we will receive under our derivative contracts as of June 30, 2012.

 
  2012   2013   2014   2015  
 
  Volumes(1)   Average
Price(1)
  Volumes(1)   Average
Price(1)
  Volumes(1)   Average
Price(1)
  Volumes(1)   Average
Price(1)
 

Natural Gas

                                                 

Fixed Price Swaps

    103   $ 4.47     138   $ 3.54     52   $ 3.92     11   $ 4.01  

Oil

                                                 

Fixed Price Swaps

    1,654   $ 105.12     8,225   $ 104.72     8,760   $ 98.64     5,502   $ 95.42  

Ceilings

    736   $ 95.00       $     1,095   $ 100.00     1,095   $ 100.00  

Three Way Collars Ceiling

    2,898   $ 114.16     3,741   $ 108.09       $       $  

Three Way Collars Floors(2)

    2,898   $ 92.54     3,741   $ 91.22       $       $  

(1)
Volumes presented are TBtu for natural gas and MBbl for oil. Prices presented are per MMBtu of natural gas and per Bbl of oil.

(2)
If market prices settle at or below $67.54 and $69.15 for the years 2012 and 2013, respectively, our three-way collars-floors effectively "lock-in" a cash settlement of the market price plus $25.00 per Bbl for 2012 and plus $22.07 per Bbl for 2013.

        In July and August of 2012, we added 730 MBbls of oil fixed price swaps at an average price of $90.00 per barrel and 1,829 MBbls of costless three-way oil collars for our anticipated 2013 oil production. For these collars, the transactions effectively provide an average ceiling price of $102.26 per barrel and an average floor price of $95.00 per barrel unless oil prices drop below $75.00 per barrel. If oil prices drop below $75.00 per barrel, the transactions effectively lock-in a cash settlement of the market price plus $20.00 per barrel. We also entered into 14 TBtu at an average price of $3.61 per MMBtu and 11 TBtu at an average price of $4.01 per MMBtu of natural gas fixed price swaps at for our anticipated 2013 and 2015 natural gas production, respectively.

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Operating Results

        The information below provides the financial results for the Successor from March 23 (inception) to June 30 and for the Predecessor from January 1 to May 24 and for the six months ended June 30 and the three years ended December 31:

 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  Successor   Predecessor  
 
  March 23
(inception)
to June 30,
2012
   
  Six Months
ended
June 30,
2011
  Years ended December 31,  
 
  January 1 to
May 24,
2012
 
 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
   
  (dollars in millions)
 

Physical sales :

                                     

Oil and condensate

  $ 77   $ 322   $ 236   $ 552   $ 346   $ 214  

Natural gas

    61     262     497     973     974     830  

NGL

    5     29     28     57     60     53  
                           

Total physical sales

    143     613     761     1,582     1,380     1,097  

Realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives(1)

    57     365     24     284     390     687  

Other revenues

                1     19     44  
                           

Total operating revenues

    200     978     785     1,867     1,789     1,828  

Operating Expenses :

                                     

Cost of products

                    15     31  

Transportation costs

    14     45     38     85     73     66  

Production costs(2)

    32     136     143     298     264     252  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    34     319     280     612     477     440  

General and administrative expenses

    209     75     98     201     190     195  

Exploration expenses

    6                      

Impairments/Ceiling test charges

    1     62         158     25     2,148  

Other

    1     5     6     10     14     13  
                           

Total operating expenses

    297     642     565     1,364     1,058     3,145  
                           

Operating income (loss)

    (97 )   336     220     503     731     (1,317 )

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates

    (1 )   (5 )   (1 )   (7 )   (7 )   (30 )

Other income (expense)

    1     (3 )       (2 )   3     (1 )

Interest expense

    (53 )   (14 )   (6 )   (12 )   (21 )   (25 )
                           

(Loss) income before income taxes

    (150 )   314     213     482     706     (1,373 )

Income taxes (benefit)

        136     61     220     263     (462 )
                           

Net (loss) income

  $ (150 ) $ 178   $ 152   $ 262   $ 443   $ (911 )
                           

(1)
Includes less than $1 million for the successor period and $5 million for the predecessor periods from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012 and $6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and $11 million, $11 million and $406 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income associated with accounting hedges. During 2008, we removed the hedging designation on all our commodity-based derivative contracts related to our hedged oil and natural gas production volumes.

(2)
Includes domestic lease operating expenses of $16 million for the successor period and $80 million for the predecessor periods from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012 and $80 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 and $176 million, $156 million and $175 million, respectively for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

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        The table below provides additional detail of our volumes, prices, and costs per unit. We present (i) average realized prices based on physical sales of natural gas, oil and condensate and NGL as well as (ii) average realized prices inclusive of the impacts of financial derivative settlements. Our average realized prices, including financial derivative settlements, reflect cash received and/or paid during the period on settled financial derivatives based on the period the contracted settlements were originally scheduled to occur; however, these prices do not reflect the impact of any associated premiums paid to enter into certain of our derivative contracts.

 
  Six months
ended June 30,
  Years ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2011   2010   2009  

Volumes :

                               

Oil and condensate

                               

Consolidated volumes (MBbls)

    4,138     2,543     6,034     4,747     4,078  

Unconsolidated affiliate volumes (MBbls)

    142     159     306     364     419  

Natural gas

                               

Consolidated volumes (MMcf)

    124,819     119,052     241,083     225,611     218,544  

Unconsolidated affiliate volumes (MMcf)

    7,848     8,554     16,881     17,165     19,557  

NGL

                               

Consolidated volumes (MBbls)

    862     538     1,068     1,423     1,570  

Unconsolidated affiliate volumes (MBbls)

    237     280     556     573     678  

Equivalent volumes

                               

Consolidated MMcfe

    154,818     137,543     283,696     262,631     252,432  

Unconsolidated affiliate MMcfe

    10,126     11,186     22,052     22,787     26,139  
                       

Total combined MMcfe

    164,944     148,729     305,748     285,418     278,571  
                       

Consolidated MMcfe/d

    850     760     777     720     691  

Unconsolidated affiliate MMcfe/d

    56     62     61     62     72  
                       

Total Combined MMcfe/d

    906     822     838     782     763  
                       

Consolidated prices and costs per unit:

                               

Oil and condensate

                               

Average realized price on physical sales ($/Bbl)

  $ 96.32   $ 92.74   $ 91.40   $ 72.83   $ 52.48  

Average realized price, including financial derivative settlements ($/Bbl)(1)(2)

    97.91     88.67     90.23     71.13     95.57  

Average transportation costs ($/Bbl)

    0.91     0.06     0.06     0.08     0.06  

Natural gas

                               

Average realized price on physical sales ($/Mcf)

  $ 2.59   $ 4.18   $ 4.04   $ 4.32   $ 3.80  

Average realized prices, including financial derivative settlements ($/Mcf)(1)(2)

    4.20     5.44     5.44     5.67     7.62  

Average transportation costs ($/Mcf)

    0.38     0.30     0.33     0.30     0.28  

NGL

                               

Average realized price on physical sales ($/Bbl)

  $ 39.89   $ 52.41   $ 53.50   $ 42.38   $ 33.75  

Average transportation costs ($/Bbl)

    6.57     4.88     3.83     3.16     2.61  

Production costs and other cash operating costs ($/Mcfe)

                               

Average lease operating expenses

  $ 0.75   $ 0.73   $ 0.77   $ 0.73   $ 0.78  

Average production taxes(3)

    0.33     0.31     0.28     0.27     0.22  

Average general and administrative expenses

    1.84     0.71     0.70     0.72     0.77  

Average taxes, other than production and income taxes

    0.04     0.05     0.04     0.06     0.05  
                       

Total cash operating costs(4)

  $ 2.96   $ 1.80   $ 1.79   $ 1.78   $ 1.82  
                       

Depreciation, depletion and amortization ($/Mcfe)(5)

  $ 2.29   $ 2.04   $ 2.16   $ 1.82   $ 1.74  
                       

(1)
We had no cash premiums related to oil and natural gas derivatives settled during the six months ended June 30, 2012. Premiums related to natural gas derivatives settled during the six months ended June 30, 2011 were approximately $12 million. Had we included these premiums in our natural gas average realized prices

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    in 2011, our realized price, including financial derivative settlements, would have decreased by $0.10/Mcf for the six months ended June 30, 2011. We had no cash premiums related to oil derivatives settled during the six months ended June 30, 2011. We had no cash premiums related to oil derivatives settled during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. Premiums paid in 2009 related to natural gas derivatives settled during the year ended December 31, 2010 were $157 million. Premiums paid related to natural gas derivatives settled during the year ended December 31, 2011 were $23 million. Had we included these premiums in our natural gas average realized prices in 2010 and 2011, our realized price, including financial derivative settlements, would have decreased by $0.70/Mcf and $0.10/Mcf for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011.

(2)
The six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 include approximately $201 million and $150 million, respectively, of cash receipts on settlements related to natural gas derivative contracts and approximately $7 million and $(10) million of cash receipts and cash paid, respectively, on settlements related to crude oil derivative contracts. The years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 include approximately $338 million, $306 million and $834 million, respectively, of cash receipts for settlements of natural gas derivative contracts. The years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011, include approximately $8 million and $7 million, respectively, of cash paid for the settlement of crude oil derivative contracts. Additionally, the year ended December 31, 2009, includes approximately $176 million of cash receipts for the settlement of crude oil derivative contracts.

(3)
Production taxes include ad valorem and severance taxes.

(4)
Total adjusted cash operating costs per unit for each period were $1.66/Mcfe, $1.67/Mcfe, $1.69/Mcfe, $1.71/Mcfe and $1.72/Mcfe. See Cash Operating Costs and Adjusted Cash Operating costs section of MD&A for a reconciliation.

(5)
Includes $0.05 per Mcfe and $0.06 per Mcfe for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $0.05 per Mcfe for the year ended December 31, 2011 and $0.06 per Mcfe for both years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 related to accretion expense on asset retirement obligations.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2011

        Our net income for the six months ended June 30, 2012 decreased $124 million as compared to the same period in 2011. The discussion below reflects variances in our financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared with the same period in 2011.

        Physical sales.     Physical sales represent accrual-based commodity sales transactions with customers. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, physical sales were $756 million compared to $761 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The overall decrease of $5 million, or 1 percent, was a result of the (i) favorable impact of $148 million, $24 million and $17 million related to higher production volumes of oil and condensate, natural gas and NGL, respectively, (ii) a favorable impact of $15 million related to the increase in realized oil and condensate prices and (iii) the unfavorable impact of $198 million and $11 million related to lower realized prices for natural gas and NGL, respectively. The increase in oil production is primarily attributable to our Eagle Ford and Altamont key programs which are up 9 MBbls/d year over year.

        Realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives.     Realized and unrealized gains for the six months ended June 30, 2012 were $422 million compared to $24 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase of $398 million was due to changes in the fair value of our derivative contracts based on forward commodity prices relative to the prices in the underlying contracts.

        Transportation costs.     Transportation costs for the six months ended June 30, 2012 were $59 million compared to $38 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. This increase of $21 million, or 55 percent, was due primarily to new transportation contracts entered into in 2012.

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        Production costs.     Production costs for the six months ended June 30, 2012 were $168 million compared to $143 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. This increase of $25 million, or 17 percent, was due primarily to an increase of $17 million in lease operating expenses and an increase of $8 million in production taxes. Lease operating expenses are attributable to increased water disposal costs in our Eagle Ford and Central divisions and higher equipment, contract labor and chemical costs in our Eagle Ford division. Production taxes increased primarily due to higher production volumes.

        Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense.     Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $353 million compared to $280 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase of $73 million, or 26 percent, was a result of an increase of $39 million due to a higher depletion rate and an increase of $34 million due to higher production volumes compared to the same period in 2011. During the first half of 2012, we experienced an expected upward trend in our depletion rate relative to prior periods as we focused our capital expenditures on developing key oil programs and as we moved away from significant ceiling test charges in 2009. Due to the application of the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties after the acquisition, we expect our depletion rate will decrease during the second half of 2012 compared to the first six months of 2012.

        General and administrative expenses.     General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2012 were $284 million compared to $98 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase of $186 million, or 190 percent, is primarily due to $186 million of transition and restructuring costs associated with the acquisition.

        Exploration expense.     Exploration expense for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $6 million due to applying the successful efforts method of recording exploration costs compared to applying the full cost method prior to the acquisition.

        Impairments/Ceiling test charges.     Under the full cost method of accounting, each quarter we were required to evaluate our capitalized costs in each of our full cost pools. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 we recorded a non-cash charge of approximately $62 million as a result of our decision to end exploration and development activities in Egypt. In June of 2012, we sold all our interests in Egypt. No full cost ceiling test charges were recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2011. Additionally, no impairments were recorded of oil and natural gas properties in the successor period through June 30, 2012. Due to current natural gas prices, the fair value of our oil and natural gas properties could decline in the future and we may be required to record an impairment to the carrying value.

Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010

        Our net income for 2011 was $262 million compared to net income for 2010 of $443 million. This represents a decrease of $181 million or 41% as compared to 2010. The discussion below reflects variances in our financial results in 2011 as compared to 2010.

        Physical sales.     Physical sales represent accrual-based commodity sales transactions with customers. Physical sales for 2011 were $1,582 million compared to $1,380 million for 2010. This represents an increase of $202 million or 15% for the twelve months ending December 31, 2011 as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2010. Of this increase, $112 million and $12 million were related to the change in realized prices for oil and condensate and NGL, respectively, and $94 million and $67 million were related to an increase in production volumes of oil and condensate and natural gas sold, respectively. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $68 million related to a reduction in realized prices for natural gas and $15 million related to a decrease in production volumes of NGL sold. The higher volumes are due to our focus on our key programs in the Haynesville and Eagle Ford shales.

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        Realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives.     Realized and unrealized gains for 2011 were $284 million compared to $390 million for 2010. This represents a decrease of $106 million or 27% for the twelve months ending December 31, 2011 as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2010. This decrease was due to changes in the fair value of our derivative contracts based on forward commodity prices relative to the prices in the underlying contracts.

        Production costs.     Production costs for 2011 were $298 million compared to $264 million for 2010. This represents an increase of $34 million or 13% for the twelve months ending December 31, 2011 as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2010. This increase was due primarily to an increase of $24 million in lease operating expenses and an increase of $10 million in production taxes. Lease operating expenses increased due to higher maintenance, repair and power costs in our Central division, temporary higher costs in our Southern division due to early well testing and higher expenses in our International division. Production taxes increased primarily due to higher volumes.

        Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense.     Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for 2011 was $612 million compared to $477 million for 2010. This represents an increase of $135 million or 28% for the twelve months ending December 31, 2011 as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2010. This increase was a result of an increase of $98 million due to a higher depletion rate and an increase of $37 million related to higher production volumes compared to the same period in 2010. Our depreciation, depletion and amortization rate increased in 2011 as we focused our capital on oil programs.

        General and administrative expenses.     General and administrative expenses for 2011 were $201 million compared to $190 million for 2010. This represents an increase of $11 million or 6% for the twelve months ending December 31, 2011 as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2010. This increase was due primarily to an increase of $5 million in severance costs related to an office closure and an increase of $6 million related to employee benefit costs.

        Impairments/Ceiling test charges.     We recorded a non-cash ceiling test charge in 2011 of $152 million compared to $25 million in 2010. This represents an increase of $127 million or 508% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. The 2011 ceiling test charge was driven by the release of costs into the Brazilian full cost pool substantially due to the denial of a necessary environmental permit on our Pinauna project as well as the completion of our evaluation of certain exploratory wells drilled in 2009 and 2010. We have filed an appeal with regard to the denial of the permit and are awaiting a response. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we recorded non-cash ceiling test charges of $25 million related to our Egyptian full cost pool as a result of acreage relinquishments in South Mariut and South Alamein and a dry hole drilled in the Tanta block.

        Other.     Our equity losses from Four Star for 2011 were $7 million, which is consistent with our 2010 equity losses. In addition, the fair value of our investment in Four Star could decline as a result of lower natural gas prices, and we may be required to record an impairment of the carrying value in the future.

Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009

        Our net income for 2010 was $443 million compared to net loss for 2009 of $911 million. This represents an increase of $1,354 million or 148% as compared to 2009. The table below shows our operating revenue variances in our financial results in 2010 as compared to 2009:

        Physical sales.     Physical sales represent accrual-based commodity sales transactions with customers. Physical sales for 2010 were $1,380 million compared to $1,097 million for 2009. This represents an increase of $283 million or 26% for the twelve months ending December 31, 2010 as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2009. Of this increase $117 million, $97 million and $12 million

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were related to the change in realized prices, for natural gas, oil and condensate and NGL, respectively, and $35 million and $27 million were related to an increase in production volumes of oil and condensate and natural gas sold, respectively. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $5 million related to a reduction in production volumes of NGL sold. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we also benefited from an increase in production volumes in our Central division and in Brazil.

        Realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives.     Realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives for 2010 were $390 million compared to $687 million for 2009. This represents a decrease of $297 million or 43% for the twelve months ending December 31, 2010 as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2009. This decrease was due to changes in the fair value of our derivative contracts based on forward commodity prices relative to the prices in the underlying contracts.

        Production costs.     Production costs for 2010 were $264 million compared to $252 million for 2009. This represents an increase of $12 million or 5% for the twelve months ending December 31, 2010 as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2009. This increase was due primarily to an increase of $16 million in production taxes, which resulted from higher production volumes.

        Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense.     Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for 2010 was $477 million compared to $440 million for 2009. This represents an increase of $37 million or 8% for the twelve months ending December 31, 2010 as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2009. This increase was the result of an increase of $20 million due to a higher depletion rate and an increase of $17 million related to higher production volumes. The depletion rate for the year ended December 31, 2009 was impacted largely by the ceiling test charges recorded in the first quarter of 2009.

        General and administrative expenses.     General and administrative expenses for 2010 were $190 million compared to $195 million for 2009. This represents a decrease of $5 million or 3% for the twelve months ending December 31, 2010 as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2009. This was due primarily to a decrease related to payroll and administrative costs to support the business following reorganizations in 2009.

        Impairments/Ceiling test charges.     We recorded a non-cash ceiling test charges in 2010 of $25 million related to our Egyptian full cost pool compared to a full cost ceiling test charge of $2,123 million in 2009. This represents a decrease of $2,098 million or 99% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2009. The non-cash ceiling test charge in 2010 to our Egyptian full cost pool was a result of contractual acreage relinquishments in our blocks, and a dry hole drilled in the Tanta block. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded non-cash ceiling test charges of $2.1 billion related to our domestic and Brazilian full cost pools as a result of low oil and natural gas prices and to our Egyptian full cost pool as a result of dry hole costs.

        Other.     Our equity loss from Four Star for 2010 was $7 million compared to equity loss of $30 million for 2009. This represents an increase of $23 million or 77% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2009. This increase is due primarily to an increase related to commodity prices partially offset by a decrease related to production volumes.

        Supplemental Non-GAAP Measure.     We use the non-GAAP measures "Reported EBITDA" and "Adjusted EBITDAX", among others as further described in Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information. We believe these supplemental measures provide meaningful information to our investors; however, due to the limitations of these measures as analytical tools, we rely primarily on our GAAP results. We define Reported EBITDA as net income plus interest and debt expense, income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. Adjusted EBITDAX is defined as Reported EBITDA adjusted as applicable in the relevant period, for the net change in the fair value of derivatives (mark to market

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effects, net of cash settlements and premiums related to these derivatives), ceiling test charges or other impairments, adjustments to reflect cash distributions of the earnings from our unconsolidated affiliates, non-cash equity based compensation expenses, transition and restructuring costs we expect not to recur, advisory fees paid to our sponsors and exploration expenses. We believe that the presentation of Reported EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAX is important to provide management and investors with (i) additional information to evaluate our ability to service debt adjusting for items required or permitted in calculating covenant compliance under our debt agreements, (ii) an important supplemental indicator of the operational performance of our business, (iii) an additional criterion for evaluating our performance relative to our peers, (iv) additional information to measure our liquidity (before cash capital requirements and working capital needs) (v) and supplemental information to investors about certain material non-cash and/or other items that may not continue at the same level in the future. Reported EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAX have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP or as an alternative to net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.

        Below is a reconciliation of our Reported EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAX to our consolidated net income (loss) for the six months ended June 30 and the three years ended December 31:

 
  Six Months
ended June 30,
  Years ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2011   2010   2009  
 
  (in millions)
 

Net income (loss)

  $ 28   $ 152   $ 262   $ 443   $ (911 )

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest(1)

    67     6     12     21     25  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    136     61     220     263     (462 )

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    353     280     612     477     440  
                       

Reported EBITDA

    584     499     1,106     1,204     (908 )

Net impact of financial derivatives

    (214 )   117     47     (92 )   323  

Impairments and ceiling test charges

    63         158     25     2,148  

Transition and restructuring costs

    183     6     6         7  

Dividends from unconsolidated affiliates

    8     26     46     50     45  

Income from unconsolidated affiliates

    6     1     7     7     30  

Non-cash equity-based compensation expense

    16     11     21     18     19  

Financial derivatives premiums

                (7 )   (173 )

Advisory fee

    3                  

Exploration expense

    6                  
                       

Adjusted EBITDAX(2)

  $ 655   $ 660   $ 1,391   $ 1,205   $ 1,491  
                       

(1)
Includes less than $1 million and $4 million of affiliated interest for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, and $3 million, $5 million and $4 million of affiliated interest for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(2)
Includes net EBITDAX contribution related to business divestitures of $31 million and $53 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, and $136 million, $203 million and $206 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

    Overview

        Our primary sources of liquidity are cash generated by operations and borrowings under the RBL Facility. Our primary uses of cash are working capital requirements, debt service requirements and capital expenditures. Based on our current level of operations and available cash, we believe our cash flows from operations, combined with availability under the RBL Facility provides us sufficient liquidity to fund our current obligations, projected working capital requirements, debt service requirements and capital spending requirements over the next twelve months and the foreseeable future. We cannot assure you, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under the RBL Facility in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs. Our ability to do so depends on prevailing economic conditions, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a change of control, we could be required to repay or refinance our indebtedness. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including the RBL Facility, the senior secured term loan, the senior secured notes and the senior notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Any future acquisitions, joint ventures or other similar transactions will likely require additional capital, and there can be no assurance that any such capital will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.

        We are highly leveraged and our liquidity requirements will be significant, primarily due to debt service requirements. As of June 30, 2012, our long-term debt is approximately $4.25 billion, with approximately $1.25 billion of additional borrowing capacity available under the RBL Facility. As of June 30, 2012, our debt was comprised of $2.75 billion in senior notes due in 2019 and 2020, a $750 million senior secured term loan with a six-year maturity, and $750 million outstanding under the RBL Facility with a five-year maturity. In August 2012, we issued an additional $350 million of the initial 2022 senior notes and used a substantial portion of the proceeds to reduce amounts outstanding under the RBL facility. Additionally, we repriced our $750 million senior secured term loan reducing the interest rate from 6.5% to 5.0%. Our net cash interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the twelve month period ended June 30, 2012 was $12 million and $73 million. However, on a pro forma basis including the effects of our financing transactions in conjunction with the Acquisition and subsequent issuances and repayments as discussed as well as repricing our senior secured term loan, our net cash interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 would have been approximately $313 million. Assuming the RBL Facility is fully drawn, each one eighth point change in assumed blended interest rates would result in a $3.4 million change in annual interest expense on indebtedness under the RBL Facility and our senior secured term loan.

    The RBL Facility

        In connection with the Acquisition Transactions, we entered into the RBL Facility, which provides for up to $2.0 billion of borrowings, of which we drew $750 million upon closing the Acquisition Transactions. The RBL Facility is available to fund working capital and for general corporate purposes. In August 2012, we repaid approximately $350 million of outstanding borrowings under the RBL Facility using the proceeds from the additional $350 million initial 2022 senior notes offering discussed above. With the notes issuance our borrowing base was reduced to approximately $1.9 billion. For a description of the RBL Facility, see "Description of Other Indebtedness—The RBL Facility."

        The RBL Facility contains customary representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants, including, among other things, restrictions on indebtedness, investments, asset sales, mergers and consolidations, prepayments of subordinated indebtedness, liens, transactions with affiliates, and dividends and other distributions. The RBL Facility also includes customary events of defaults including a change of control.

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    Senior Secured Term Loan

        We have a $750 million senior secured term loan facility that contains customary representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants, including, among other things, restrictions on indebtedness, investments, asset sales, mergers and consolidations, prepayments of subordinated indebtedness, liens, transactions with affiliates, and dividends and other distributions, which are substantially similar to the covenants in the indenture governing the senior secured notes. In August 2012, we repriced our senior secured term loan reducing the interest rate from 6.5% to 5%. Our senior secured term loan also includes customary events of defaults.

    The Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes

        The indentures governing the notes contain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability, and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries, to:

    incur additional indebtedness and guarantee indebtedness;

    pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of, or repurchase or redeem, capital stock;

    prepay, redeem or repurchase certain debt;

    make loans and investments;

    sell or otherwise dispose of assets;

    incur liens;

    enter into transactions with affiliates;

    enter into agreements restricting our subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends; and

    consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets.

These limitations are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions that set forth in the indentures.

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        Overview of Cash Flow Activities.     During the period from March 23 (inception) to June 30, 2012, we used operating cash flow of approximately $92 million. During the period from January 1 to May 24, 2012, we generated operating cash flow of approximately $580 million. We utilized these amounts to fund our capital programs, repay amounts outstanding under our various credit facilities and other debt obligations. For the six months ended June 30, and the three years ended December 31, our cash flows from operations are summarized as follows:

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  Successor    
  Predecessor  
 
  March 23
(inception)
to June 30,
2012
   
   
   
  December 31,  
 
 


  January 1
to May 24,
2012
  June 30,
2011
 
 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  (in millions)
 

Cash Flow from Operations

                                         

Operating activities

                                         

Net (loss) income

  $ (150 )     $ 178   $ 152   $ 262   $ 443   $ (911 )

Impairments/Ceiling test charges

    1         62         152     25     2,123  

Other income adjustments

    48         537     368     979     859     (4 )

Change in other assets and liabilities

    9         (197 )   143     33     (260 )   365  
                               

Total cash flow from operations

  $ (92 )     $ 580   $ 663   $ 1,426   $ 1,067   $ 1,573  
                               

Other Cash Inflows

                                         

Investing activities

                                         

Net proceeds from the sale of assets

    22         9     24     612     155     93  

Other

                        4      
                               

    22         9     24     612     159     93  
                               

Financing activities

                                         

Proceeds from long term debt

    4,323         215     925     2,030     500     100  

Contributions

    3,300         960                  

Net change in note payable with parent company and affiliates

                        489      
                               

    7,623         1,175     925     2,030     989     100  
                               

Total cash inflows

  $ 7,645       $ 1,184   $ 949   $ 2,642   $ 1,148   $ 193  
                               

Cash Outflows

                                         

Investing activities

                                         

Capital expenditures

  $ 150       $ 636   $ 675   $ 1,591   $ 1,238   $ 1,115  

Cash paid for acquisitions

    7,126         1     1     22     51     131  

Increase in note receivable with affiliate

                    236          

Other

                            3  
                               

  $ 7,276       $ 637     676     1,849     1,289     1,249  
                               

Financing activities

                                         

Repayment of long term debt

    80         1,065     825     1,480     1,034     180  

Net change in note payable with parent company and affiliates

                145     781         256  

Debt issuance costs

    142                          

Other

                6     7     1      
                               

    222         1,065     976     2,268     1,035     436  
                               

Total cash outflows

  $ 7,498       $ 1,702   $ 1,652   $ 4,117   $ 2,324   $ 1,685  
                               

Net change in cash and cash equivalents          

  $ 55       $ 62   $ (40 ) $ (49 ) $ (109 ) $ 81  
                               

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Contractual Obligations

        We are party to various contractual obligations. Some of these obligations are reflected in our financial statements, such as liabilities from commodity-based derivative contracts, while other obligations, such as operating leases and capital commitments, are not reflected on our balance sheet.

        The following table and discussion summarizes our contractual cash obligations as of June 30, 2012, for each of the periods presented:

 
  2012   2013 - 2014   2015 - 2016   Thereafter   Total  
 
  (in millions)
 

Long-term financing obligations:

                               

Principal

  $   $   $   $ 4,250   $ 4,250  

Interest

    155     618     618     818     2,209  

Liabilities from price risk management activities

        11     6         17  

Operating leases

    5     20     20     4     49  

Other contractual commitments and purchase obligations:

                               

Volume and transportation commitments

    43     178     191     369     781  

Other obligations

    122     139     50     188     499  
                       

Total contractual obligations

  $ 325   $ 966   $ 885   $ 5,629   $ 7,805  
                       

        Long-term Financing Obligations (Principal and Interest).     Debt obligations included in the table above represent stated maturities. Interest payments are shown through the stated maturity date of the related debt based on (i) the contractual interest rate for fixed rate debt and (ii) current market interest rates and the contractual credit spread for variable rate debt.

        Liabilities from Price Risk Management Activities.     These amounts include the fair value of our price risk management liabilities. We have also excluded all margin and other deposits held associated with these contracts from these amounts.

        Operating Leases.     For a further discussion of these obligations, see Note 8 of our "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements." In conjunction with the Transactions we entered into a new five year operating lease for office space.

        Other Contractual Commitments and Purchase Obligations.     Other contractual commitments and purchase obligations are legally enforceable agreements to purchase goods or services that have fixed or minimum quantities and fixed or minimum variable price provisions, and that detail approximate timing of the underlying obligations. Included are the following:

    Volume and Transportation Commitments.   Included in these amounts are commitments for volume deficiency contracts and demand charges for firm access to natural gas transportation and storage capacity.

    Other Obligations.   Included in these amounts are commitments for drilling, completions and seismic activities for our operations and various other maintenance, engineering, procurement and construction contracts. We have excluded asset retirement obligations and reserves for litigation and environmental remediation, as these liabilities are not contractually fixed as to timing and amount. Upon the closing of the Acquisition Transactions, affiliates of the Sponsors and other investors entered into a Management Fee Agreement with Parent and EP Energy Global LLC requiring an annual advisory fee of $25 million to be paid. The agreement terminates on the twelve-year anniversary of the acquisition date (May 24, 2012) if not terminated earlier by mutual agreement of the parties, or upon a change in control or specified IPO transaction.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

        We enter into a variety of financing arrangements and contractual obligations, some of which are referred to as off-balance sheet arrangements. These include guarantees and letters of credit.

    Guarantees

        We periodically provide indemnification arrangements related to assets or businesses we have sold. These indemnification arrangements include, but are not limited to, indemnification for income taxes, the resolution of existing disputes, environmental matters, and necessary expenditures to ensure the safety and integrity of assets sold. As of June 30, 2012, we had no obligations related to our guarantee and indemnification arrangements.

    Letters of Credit

        We enter into letters of credit in the ordinary course of our operations as well as periodically in conjunction with sales of assets or businesses. As of June 30, 2012, we had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $8 million. For additional information on our counterparty credit and nonperformance risk, see Note 5 of our "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."

Critical Accounting Estimates

        Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of each of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue and expense and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider our critical accounting estimates to be those estimates that require judgments, complex or subjective judgment necessary to account for inherently uncertain matters and those that could significantly impact our financial results based on changes in those judgments. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates and actual results may differ materially from those estimates. We have discussed the development and selection of the following critical accounting estimates and related disclosures with our Audit Committee.

        Accounting for Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities.     Prior to its acquisition on May 24, 2012, our predecessor accounted for oil and natural gas producing activities in accordance with the full cost method. Subsequent to the acquisition, we follow the successful efforts method of accounting for our oil and natural gas properties.

        Our estimates of proved reserves reflect quantities of oil, natural gas and NGL which geological and engineering data demonstrate, with reasonable certainty, will be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic conditions. These estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves primarily impact our property, plant and equipment amounts on our balance sheets and the depreciation, depletion and amortization amounts including any impairment test charges on our income statements, among other items.

        The process of estimating oil and natural gas reserves is complex and requires significant judgment to evaluate of all available geological, geophysical engineering and economic data. Our proved reserves are estimated at a property level and compiled for reporting purposes by a centralized group of experienced reservoir engineers who work closely with the operating groups. These engineers interact with engineering and geoscience personnel in each of our operating areas and accounting and marketing personnel to obtain the necessary data for projecting future production, costs, net revenues and economic recoverable reserves. Reserves are reviewed internally with senior management quarterly and presented to our Board in summary form on an annual basis. Additionally, on an annual basis each property is reviewed in detail by our centralized and operating divisional engineers to ensure forecasts

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of operating expenses, netback prices, production trends and development timing are reasonable. Our proved reserves are reviewed by internal committees and the processes and controls used for estimating our proved reserves are reviewed by our internal auditors. In addition, a third-party reservoir engineering firm, which is appointed by and reports to the Audit Committee of our Board of Managers, conducts an audit of the estimates of a significant portion of our proved reserves. Ryder Scott conducted an audit of our predecessor's estimates of proved reserves as of December 31, 2011.

        As of December 31, 2011, 50% of our predecessor's total consolidated proved reserves were undeveloped (49% including Four Star) and 9% were developed, but non-producing. The data for a given field may change substantially over time as a result of numerous factors, including additional development activity, evolving production history and a continual reassessment of the viability of production under changing economic conditions. As a result, material revisions to existing reserve estimates occur from time to time. In addition, the judgments based on available data for various fields increase the likelihood of significant changes in these estimates.

        Full Cost.     Under the full cost accounting method followed by our predecessor prior to the acquisition, substantially all of the costs incurred in connection with the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves, including salaries, benefits and other internal costs directly related to these activities, asset retirement costs and interest on significant capital projects were capitalized. Capitalized costs were aggregated in full cost pools by country, regardless of whether reserves were actually discovered. Depletion expense of these capitalized amounts plus estimated future development costs over the life of the proved reserves was based on the unit of production method. If all other factors were held constant, a 10% increase in proved reserves would decrease the unit of production depletion rate by 9% and a 10% decrease in proved reserves would increase the unit of depletion rate by 11%..

        Additionally, under the full cost method our predecessor conducted quarterly ceiling tests of capitalized costs for each of its full cost pools. Total capitalized costs, net of related deferred income taxes, were limited to a ceiling based on the present value of future net revenues from proved reserves less estimated future capital expenditures, discounted at 10%, plus the cost of unproved oil and natural gas properties not being amortized less related income tax effects. In calculating the ceiling test and estimating proved reserves, a first day 12-month average price was used. If the discounted future net cash flows were not greater than or equal to the total capitalized costs, capitalized costs were written-down to the level of discounted future net cash flows. Our predecessor recorded ceiling test charges of $62 million, $152 million, $25 million and $2,123 million for the period from January 1, 2012 through May 24, 2012 and for the years ended 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

        Finally, under the full cost method, oil and natural gas properties included unproved property costs that were excluded from costs being depleted. These unproved property costs included non-producing leasehold, geological and geophysical costs associated with unevaluated leasehold or drilling interests and exploration drilling costs in investments in unproved properties and directly owned major development projects. Costs were excluded on a country-by-country basis until proved reserves were found or until it was determined that the costs were impaired. All costs excluded were reviewed at least quarterly to determine if exclusion from the full-cost pool continued to be appropriate. If costs were determined to be impaired, the amount of any impairment was transferred to the full cost pool if a reserve base exists or is expensed if a reserve base had not yet been created. Impairments transferred to the full cost pool increased the depletion rate for that country.

        Successful Efforts.     Under the successful efforts method (which was used subsequent to the Acquisition), exploratory non-drilling costs and costs of carrying and retaining undeveloped properties are charged to expense as incurred while acquisition costs, development costs and the costs associated with drilling exploratory wells are capitalized pending the determination of proved oil and gas reserves. Therefore, at any point in time, we may have capitalized costs on our consolidated balance sheet

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associated with exploratory wells that could be charged to exploration expense in a future period. Costs of drilling exploratory wells that do not result in proved reserves are charged to expense. Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment of oil and natural gas properties are calculated on a depletable unit basis. Additionally, gain or loss is generally recognized on all sales of oil and natural gas properties. We capitalize salaries and benefits that we determine are directly attributable to our oil and natural gas activities.

        Under the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties, we review our oil and natural gas properties periodically (at least annually) to determine if impairment of such properties is necessary. Significant proved undeveloped leasehold costs are assessed for impairment at a field level or resource play based on total future undiscounted net cash flows, while leasehold acquisition costs associated with prospective areas that have limited or no previous exploratory drilling are generally assessed for impairment by major prospect area based on our current drilling plans. Proved oil and natural gas property values are reviewed when circumstances suggest the need for such a review and may occur if a field discovers lower than anticipated reserves, reservoirs produce below original estimates or in a mix that is different than anticipated or if commodity prices fall below a level that significantly affects anticipated future cash flows on the property. If required, the proved properties are written down to their estimated fair market value based on proved reserves and other market factors. A majority of the Company's unproved property costs are associated with properties acquired in the Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp shales. Generally, economic recovery of unproved reserves in such areas is not yet supported by actual production or conclusive formation tests, but may be confirmed by our continuing exploration and development programs. Subsequent to the Acquisition (May 25, 2012) to June 30, 3012, we did not record any impairments.

        Asset Retirement Obligations.     The accounting guidance for future abandonment costs requires that a liability for the discounted fair value of an asset retirement obligation be recorded in the period in which it is incurred and the corresponding cost capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Future abandonment costs include costs to dismantle and relocate or dispose of our production platforms, gathering systems and related structures and restoration costs of land and seabed. We develop estimates of these costs for each of our properties based upon their geographic location, type of production structure, water depth, reservoir depth and characteristics, market demand for equipment, currently available procedures and ongoing consultations with construction and engineering consultants. Because these costs typically extend many years into the future, estimating these future costs is difficult and requires management to make judgments that are subject to future revisions based upon numerous factors, including changing technology and the political and regulatory environment. We review our assumptions and estimates of future development and abandonment costs on an annual basis, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would affect our assumptions and estimates. Additionally, inherent in the present value calculations are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlements and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. As of June 30, 2012, our net asset retirement liability is approximately $235 million, including approximately $64 million related to the Gulf of Mexico oil and gas properties sold in July 2012.

        Price Risk Management Activities.     We record the derivative instruments used in our price risk management activities at their fair values. We estimate the fair value of our derivative instruments using exchange prices, third-party pricing data and valuation techniques that incorporate specific contractual terms, statistical and simulation analysis and present value concepts. One of the primary assumptions used to estimate the fair value of derivative instruments is pricing. Our pricing assumptions are based upon price curves derived from actual prices observed in the market, pricing information supplied by a third-party valuation specialist and independent pricing sources and models

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that rely on this forward pricing information. The extent to which we rely on pricing information received from third parties in developing these assumptions is based, in part, on whether the information considers the availability of observable data in the marketplace. For example, in relatively illiquid markets we may make adjustments to the pricing information we receive from third parties based on our evaluation of whether third party market participants would use pricing assumptions consistent with these sources.

        The table below presents the hypothetical sensitivity of our commodity-based price risk management activities to changes in fair values arising from immediate selected potential changes in oil and natural gas prices at June 30, 2012:

 
   
  Change in Price  
 
   
  10 Percent Increase   10 Percent Decrease  
 
  Fair Value   Fair Value   Change   Fair Value   Change  
 
  (in millions)
 

Production-related derivatives—net assets (liabilities)

  $ 460   $ 102   $ (358 ) $ 814   $ 354  

        Other significant assumptions that we use in determining the fair value of our derivative instruments are those related to the credit and non-performance risk of our counterparties. We adjust the fair value of our derivative assets for the risk of non-performance of our counterparties considering the collateral posted for the derivative and changes in the counterparties' creditworthiness, which is in part based on changes in their bond yields, changes in actively traded credit default swap prices (if available) and other information about their credit standing. We adjust the fair value of our derivative liabilities for our creditworthiness utilizing similar inputs considering cash collateral we have posted with our counterparties.

        Income taxes.     EP Energy LLC is not subject to domestic income taxes and foreign tax amounts are not material to our financial results. However, prior to the settlement of domestic income tax balances (including deferred taxes) of our predecessor with El Paso in conjunction with the acquisition on May 24, 2012, our predecessor recorded deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflecting tax consequences deferred to future periods based on differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. The most significant judgments on tax related matters included matters such as valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, and undistributed earnings of certain unconsolidated affiliates. For a further discussion of these items and other income tax matters, see of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk

        We are exposed to market risks in our normal business activities. Market risk is the potential loss that may result from market changes associated with an existing or forecasted financial or commodity transaction. The types of market risks we are exposed to and examples of each are:

    Commodity Price Risk

    changes in oil and natural gas prices impact the amounts at which we sell our oil and natural gas and affect the fair value of our oil and natural gas derivative contracts held; and

    changes in natural gas locational price differences also affect amounts at which we sell our oil and natural gas production, and the fair values of any related derivative products; and

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    Interest Rate Risk

    changes in interest rates affect the interest expense we incur on our variable-rate debt and the fair value of fixed-rate debt;

    changes in interest rates result in increases or decreases in the unrealized value of our derivative positions; and

    changes in interest rates used to discount liabilities result in higher or lower accretion expense over time.

        Where practical, we manage these risks by entering into contractual commitments involving physical or financial settlement that attempt to limit exposure related to future market movements. The timing and extent of our risk management activities are based on a number of factors, including our market outlook, risk tolerance and liquidity. Our risk management activities typically involve the use of the following types of contracts:

    forward contracts, which commit us to purchase or sell energy commodities in the future;

    futures contracts, which are exchange-traded standardized commitments to purchase or sell a commodity or financial instrument, or to make a cash settlement at a specific price and future date;

    options, which convey the right to buy or sell a commodity, financial instrument or index at a predetermined price;

    swaps, which require payments to or from counterparties based upon the differential between two prices or rates for a predetermined contractual (notional) quantity; and

    structured contracts, which may involve a variety of the above characteristics.

        Many of the contracts we use in our risk management activities qualify as derivative financial instruments. A discussion of our accounting policies for derivative instruments is included in Notes 1 and 5 of our "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."

    Commodity Price Risk

    Oil and Natural Gas Derivatives

        We attempt to mitigate commodity price risk and stabilize cash flows associated with our forecasted sales of oil and natural gas production through the use of derivative oil and natural gas swaps, basis swaps and option contracts. These contracts impact our earnings as the fair value of these derivatives changes. Our derivatives do not mitigate all of the commodity price risks of our forecasted sales of oil and natural gas production and, as a result, we are subject to commodity price risks on our remaining forecasted production.

    Sensitivity Analysis

        The table below presents the hypothetical sensitivity of our commodity-based price risk management activities to changes in fair values arising from immediate selected potential changes in oil and natural gas prices, discount rates and credit rates at June 30, 2012:

 
   
  Oil and Natural Gas Derivatives  
 
   
  10 Percent Increase   10 Percent Decrease  
 
  Fair Value   Fair Value   Change   Fair Value   Change  
 
  (in millions)
 

Price impact(1)

  $ 460   $ 102   $ (358 ) $ 814   $ 354  

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  Oil and Natural Gas Derivatives  
 
   
  1 Percent Increase   1 Percent Decrease  
 
  Fair Value   Fair Value   Change   Fair Value   Change  
 
  (in millions)
 

Discount Rate(2)

  $ 460   $ 454   $ (6 ) $ 463   $ 3  

Credit rate(3)

  $ 460   $ 456   $ (5 ) $ 465   $ 4  

(1)
Presents the hypothetical sensitivity of our commodity-based price risk management activities to changes in fair values arising from changes in oil and natural gas prices.

(2)
Presents the hypothetical sensitivity of our commodity-based price risk management activities to changes in the discount rates we used to determine the fair value of our derivatives.

(3)
Presents the hypothetical sensitivity of our commodity-based price risk management activities to changes in credit risk.

    Interest Rate Risk

        We had $4.25 billion of total debt outstanding at June 30, 2012, of which $1.5 billion under the RBL Facility and our new senior secured term loan was variable rate debt.

        Assuming a hypothetical increase in our variable interest rate under our existing debt agreements of 100 basis points, our net income for the six months ended June 30, 2012 would have decreased by $2.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2011, our net income would have decreased by $3.0 million.

        During July 2012, we entered into interest rate swaps on $600 million related to our RBL Facility. These interest rate derivatives start in November 2012 extending through April 2017 and attempt to reduce our variable interest rate exposure.

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BUSINESS

Our Company

        We are one of North America's leading independent oil and natural gas producers. We have a large and diverse base of producing assets that provides cash flow to fund the development of our key programs, which at this time are primarily oil-focused. Over the last several years, we have high-graded our future drilling inventory by establishing large acreage positions with repeatable drilling opportunities and more favorable return characteristics. Domestically, we currently operate through three divisions: Central, Eagle Ford and Southern, and have a strategic presence in well-known oil resource areas, including the Eagle Ford Shale, the Altamont Field, the Wolfcamp Shale and South Louisiana Wilcox. Our large and diverse production gas assets include our Haynesville Shale position, substantially all of which is held by production, which gives us a significant presence in unconventional natural gas. We also have a small international presence in Brazil.

        Our management team, which has been with us since at least 2007, has an average of 22 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and technical and operating expertise across our geographic regions. Our management team has a track record of identifying, acquiring and developing low-risk, repeatable resource opportunities and has executed a multi-year effort to add assets that fit our competencies. Today, our substantial key program drilling inventory encompasses approximately 4,500 locations and more than 20 years of drilling activity at our current pace. We have operational control over approximately 77% of our producing wells and 88% of our key program drilling inventory as of December 31, 2011. This control has allowed us to continually improve our capital and operating efficiencies. In 2011, we drilled 233 gross wells domestically (182 net) with a success rate of 100%, adding approximately 1,100 Bcfe of proved reserves at a replacement cost of $1.43 per Mcfe, the majority of which was oil.

        As of December 31, 2011, we had proved reserves of approximately 4.0 Tcfe with a pre-tax PV-10 of approximately $7 billion (of which approximately 54% of the PV-10 was attributed to proved developed producing reserves). We had 182 MMBbls of proved oil reserves, 19 MMBbls of proved NGL reserves and 2,782 Bcfe of proved natural gas reserves, representing 27%, 3% and 70%, respectively, of our total proved reserves. Given the recent commodity price environment, we have shifted our focus primarily to developing our key oil programs, resulting in 48% of our revenues (excluding realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives) being contributed by oil and NGLs in the fourth quarter of 2011, versus 34% in the fourth quarter of 2010. Our oil production for the month of December 2011 was approximately 24,000 Bbls/d, which contributed to our approximate 50% year-over-year growth in oil production for the fourth quarter of 2011. We anticipate that approximately 91% of our capital expenditures for 2012 will be allocated to oil-focused key programs. For the six month period ended June 30, 2012, 57% of our revenues (excluding realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives) were contributed by oil and NGLs, versus 35% during the same period in 2011. For the month of June 2012, our oil production was approximately 27,000 Bbls/d.

        For the six months ended June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition Transactions and the Refinancing Transactions, we generated Adjusted EBITDAX of $655 million on average daily production of 906 MMcfe/d. See "Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data" for our definition of Adjusted EBITDAX and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDAX to amounts reported under GAAP.

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        The following table provides summary data for each of our areas of operation:

 
  As of December 31, 2011   As of
June 30, 2012
 
 
  Proved
Reserves
(Bcfe)
  % Proved
Developed
  PV-10   Net Acres   Average
Daily
Production
(MMcfe/d)
 
 
  (dollars in millions)
 

United States

                               

Central

                               

Haynesville Shale

    903     34 % $ 719     41,000     317  

South Louisiana Wilcox

    31     48     143     183,000     16  

Altamont Field

    551     37     1,479     176,000     62  

Other Central

    1,117     75     998     1,339,000     208  

Eagle Ford

                               

Eagle Ford Shale

    642     18     2,283     157,000     91  

Southern

                               

Wolfcamp Shale

    148     12     337     138,000     10  

Other Southern(1)

    326     94     536     314,000     110  
                         

Total United States

    3,718     48     6,495     2,348,000     814  

International

                               

Brazil

    95     100     210     132,000     36  

Egypt(2)

                774,000      
                         

Total Consolidated

    3,813     50     6,705     3,254,000     850  
                         

Unconsolidated Affiliate(3)

    174     86     311           56  
                           

Total Combined

    3,987     51   $ 7,016           906  
                           

(1)
Gulf of Mexico assets were sold in July 2012 and comprised reserves of 90 Bcfe, PV-10 of $150 million, net acres of 233,000 and average daily production of 45 Mcfe/d.

(2)
Sold June 2012.

(3)
Represents our approximate 49% equity interest in Four Star.

        Over the past five years, our strategy has been to focus on areas that offer repeatable drilling programs, enabling us to reduce development costs, and to grow our asset base and inventory size. We have consistently improved the quality and increased the number of our drilling opportunities. During 2011, our principal focus was in the Haynesville Shale, the Eagle Ford Shale, the Wolfcamp Shale, the Altamont Field and South Louisiana Wilcox. We are redeploying the capital allocated to the Haynesville Shale to our oil programs. The technical and operating experience gained from our successful Haynesville program has been employed in our other key programs, including the Eagle Ford Shale.

        The initial execution of our strategy was in the Haynesville Shale, where we had existing conventional production as a result of historical development activities in east Texas and north Louisiana. Our operations in the Haynesville Shale are primarily focused in DeSoto Parish and Caddo Parish, Louisiana. We acquired additional leasehold interests through the acquisition of Peoples Energy Production Company in 2007. We piloted horizontally drilled wells in the Haynesville Shale,

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experimenting with different horizontal lateral lengths and fracture stimulation staging, with the objective of delivering optimal capital efficiency, finding costs and returns. High production rates in our Haynesville program combined with very low operating and development costs create competitive returns for us even at low natural gas prices. In addition, our acreage in the Haynesville Shale is predominately held by production, giving us the flexibility to pace our development and optimize our returns. Furthermore, our operations are surrounded by existing infrastructure, providing strong take-away access to markets. As of June 30, 2012, we had 66 net operated wells in this area. During the first quarter of 2012, although we had a very efficient drilling program in the Haynesville Shale, we suspended the program and released all rigs due to low natural gas prices.

        Beginning in late 2008, we were an early entrant in the Eagle Ford Shale, acquiring our interests through leasehold acquisitions for less than $1,000 per acre on average. Our operations in the Eagle Ford Shale are focused in LaSalle, Dimmit, Atascosa and Webb counties of south Texas. Overall, we hold rights to approximately 157,000 net acres across all Eagle Ford areas, where approximately 77,000 net acres are under development in our central Eagle Ford area. During 2010 and 2011, we improved the efficiency and productivity of our development program, reducing per-well capital costs by approximately 16% and drilling cycle time by more than 35% year over year. Most of our wells have had initial production rates that range from 600 to over 1,000 Boe/d, and our oil production in this area has grown significantly since the beginning of 2011. The Eagle Ford Shale currently provides the highest economic returns in our portfolio. Significant strengths of the Eagle Ford Shale also currently include a multi-year future drilling location inventory, favorable crude oil pricing relative to the WTI index and a newly constructed midstream infrastructure with ample take-away capacity. As a result, the Eagle Ford Shale has become one of our key programs and a contributor to the increase in our oil reserves and production. As of December 31, 2011, we had 1,246 future drilling locations in the Eagle Ford Shale. As of June 30, 2012, we had 98 net operated wells and are currently running four rigs in the Eagle Ford Shale. We plan to add a fifth rig and drill 79 gross wells in 2012 based on our capital budget.

        In 2009 and 2010, we established a new major oil shale position by successfully leasing approximately 138,000 net acres in the Wolfcamp Shale in the Permian Basin in west Texas. Our operations in the Wolfcamp Shale are focused in Reagan, Crockett, Upton and Irion counties. We were an early entrant in the Wolfcamp Shale, acquiring our interests through leasehold acquisitions for less than $1,500 per acre on average. We have leveraged our technical and operating expertise, and in 2011 advanced our understanding of this area using the same approach and techniques that have allowed us to be successful in the Haynesville and Eagle Ford Shales. As a result, in late 2011, we completed a 7,500 foot lateral well with 25 stages that tested at an initial production rate of 1,369 Boe/d, our highest initial production rate to date. In addition, the Wolfcamp Shale has high oil in place, a multi-year future drilling location inventory and favorable lease owner dynamics with the Texas University Land system as the predominant landowner. As of December 31, 2011, we had 983 future drilling locations in the Wolfcamp Shale. As of June 30, 2012, we had 26 net operated wells and are currently running one rig in the Wolfcamp Shale. We plan to drill 15 gross wells in 2012 based on our capital budget.

        In 2007, we commenced a reengineering effort in the Altamont Field in Utah, a legacy oil asset. Our operations in the Altamont Field are focused in the Uinta Basin. Altamont was initially developed in the 1970s, and we are applying current drilling and stimulation technology to vertically drill and develop this prolific oil area. We have enhanced the value of this field through infill drilling, for which

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we received regulatory approval in 2008. The Altamont Field has a multi-year inventory of future drilling locations, giving us a substantial opportunity for growth in oil production. Since our acreage is predominantly held by production, we have greater flexibility to improve both our costs and technical understanding of this area, while also growing returns. As of December 31, 2011, we had 1,336 future drilling locations in the Altamont Field. As of June 30, 2012, we had 307 net operated wells and are currently running two rigs in the Altamont Field. We plan to drill 21 gross wells in 2012 based on our capital budget.

        In south Louisiana, we are developing our emerging South Louisiana Wilcox play. This is a relatively new oil-focused play that we have added to our drilling program. Our activity is located primarily in Beauregard Parish and is focused on the Wilcox Sands. We have over 1,000 square miles of 3-D seismic data in South Louisiana Wilcox, providing valuable information in selecting drilling locations. South Louisiana Wilcox is a conventional vertical well play that produces both oil and natural gas from a series of completed sands. A significant strength of South Louisiana Wilcox is its access to Louisiana Light Sweet Crude and Gulf Coast NGL pricing, which trade at a premium relative to the WTI index. In addition, the resource does not compete for horizontal drilling and completion services due to vertical drilling and completion design. As of December 31, 2011, we had 260 future drilling locations in South Louisiana Wilcox. As of June 30, 2012, we had 19 net operated wells and are currently running one rig in South Louisiana Wilcox. We plan to drill 15 gross wells in 2012 based on our capital budget.

        We have a large and diverse base of other domestic producing assets that provides cash flow to fund the development of our key programs. We do not anticipate a material portion of our 2012 capital expenditure budget to be spent on these assets.

        Our Arklatex land positions comprise 104,470 total net acres focused on tight gas sands production. We have approximately 449,000 net acres in our unconventional plays. Our production is from vertical CBM wells development in Alabama, vertical and horizontal CBM wells in the Hartshorne coals in Oklahoma and the New Albany Shale in Indiana (sold in July 2012). We have high average working interests and long life reserves in these areas. For the six months ended June 30, 2012 we had average daily production of 119 MMcfe/d.

        We have significant assets in fields throughout the Texas Gulf Coast. In addition, prior to selling our Gulf of Mexico assets in July 2012, this area included interests in 69 Blocks offshore of the Louisiana, Texas and Alabama coastlines focused on deep targets (greater than 12,000 feet) in relatively shallow water depths (less than 400 feet). In these areas, we licensed over 8,700 square miles of 3D seismic data onshore and over 61,000 square miles of 3D seismic data offshore. As of December 31, 2011, these operations included 314,000 total net acres, and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 we had average daily production of 111 MMcfe/d.

        Our operations in the Raton Basin of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, where we own the minerals beneath the Vermejo Park Ranch, are primarily focused on coal bed methane

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production. As of December 31, 2011, these operations included 606,000 total net acres, and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 we had average daily production of 81 MMcfe/d.

        We have a non-operated working interest in the County Line coal bed methane property in Wyoming, with additional non-producing acreage in Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota and Utah. As of December 31, 2011, these operations included 179,000 total net acres, and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 we had average daily production of 9 MMcfe/d.

        We have an approximate 49% equity interest in Four Star. Production is from high quality conventional and coal bed methane assets in the San Juan, Permian, Hugoton and South Alabama basins and the Gulf of Mexico. For the first six months of 2012, our equity interest in Four Star's daily equivalent natural gas production averaged approximately 56 MMcfe/d.

        We have approved a capital expenditure budget between $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion for 2012, of which about $1.2 billion will be spent on drilling and completion activities. Our total oil and natural gas capital expenditures were $762 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, of which $758 million were domestic capital expenditures. Our spending will be heavily weighted toward oil-focused reservoirs, which are forecasted to comprise 91% of our capital expenditures; our key programs will comprise 97% of our spending. A substantial portion of our capital expenditure budget is expected to be funded from operating cash flows, which should enable us to grow reserves and production while maintaining sufficient liquidity. We expect to periodically review our capital spending plans versus commodity prices and well performance and adjust spending as necessary. For example, the portion of our budget dedicated to gas-weighted resources has declined significantly in 2012, due primarily to reductions in Haynesville Shale activity as a result of low current natural gas prices.

2012 Capex Budget
$1.5 Billion-$1.6 Billion(1)
  Key Drilling Locations(2)
4,498 Locations
  2012 Gross Wells Expected to
Complete in Key Programs

144 Gross Well


GRAPHIC

 


GRAPHIC

 


GRAPHIC

(1)
Includes approximately $100 million of capitalized interest, information technology and capitalized direct labor costs.

(2)
As of December 31, 2011 (includes PUD locations shown on a risked basis).

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Competitive Strengths

        We believe the following strengths provide us with significant competitive advantages:

    Large and Diverse Producing Asset Base

        Our vast resource base consists of approximately 4.0 Tcfe of proved reserves as of December 31, 2011 and are located on 3.3 million net acres. Approximately 1.7 Tcfe, or 42%, of our proved reserves are proved developed producing assets, and we generated an average of 838 MMcfe/d in 2011 from approximately 6,000 wells. During the first half of 2012, we generated an average of 906 MMcfe/d. Our existing assets are geographically diversified among many of the major basins of North America, insulating us to some extent from regional commodity pricing and costs dislocations that occur from time to time. Our producing assets provide a diverse source of cash flow to fund the development of our key programs, significantly reducing our reliance on outside sources of capital and improving our ability to replace and grow production in the future. While our existing producing assets are well diversified, we maintain a focused and concentrated approach that enables us to drive efficiencies, benefit from economies of scale, remain flexible in allocating capital to our most profitable projects and leverage our knowledge base from one project to the next.

    Extensive Inventory of Low-Risk Drilling Opportunities

        We have established a substantial resource base in unconventional oil plays to supplement our already significant inventory of unconventional natural gas resources. With the addition of the Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp shales, the ongoing development of our Altamont Field and the recent addition of South Louisiana Wilcox, we estimate have more than 20 years of drilling inventory in approximately 4,500 drilling locations across our key programs, 85% of which are located in oil-focused reservoirs. The move to oil-focused reservoirs has allowed us to take advantage of higher oil prices and has improved cash flow through commodity diversity. The development of these assets will generate accelerated growth in oil production and reserves and provide us the flexibility to take advantage of strength in either gas or oil commodity price environments. We expect that the oil composition of our production will continue to increase as we develop our key oil programs over the next several years.

    Strong Financial Profile

        Our large and diverse portfolio produced 906 MMcfe/d in the six months ended June 30, 2012, which generated Adjusted EBITDAX of $655 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Pro forma for the Refinancing Transactions, as of June 30, 2012, we would have had approximately $1.6 billion of liquidity. Additionally, we maintain a robust hedging program that protects cash flows to fund development plans through the commodity cycle. As of August 20, 2012, our hedged volumes for 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 represent 85%, 79%, 38% and 16%, respectively, based on our total 2011 equivalent production.

    Low Cost and Efficient Operations

        We maintain a significant degree of operational control over our portfolio, operating approximately 77% of our producing wells and 88% of our key program drilling inventory as of December 31, 2011. Our operational efficiency has resulted in leading well cost performance in our key programs. Our three-year average reserve replacement cost of $1.55 per Mcfe ranks among the lowest in our peer group. Based on our operating efficiency, we believe our ability to generate significant cash flow in a variety of commodity price environments is enhanced, especially as our production profile becomes increasingly oil-focused. We have reduced our domestic unit operating costs over the last several years by approximately $0.21 per Mcfe by lowering lifting costs, reducing subsurface, compression and disposal costs and divesting of high cost production areas. From 2007 to 2011, we reduced our unit

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lifting costs by approximately 28%. A lower cost structure should allow us to preserve returns and margins throughout the commodity cycle. Given our proven ability to find and develop reserves economically, we believe we should be able to convert our sizeable drilling portfolio at similar or better rates of return going forward.

    High Caliber Management Team with Proven Track Record

        Our senior management team, with an average of 22 years of experience, has a strong track record both at El Paso Corporation and in former leadership roles with Burlington Resources, ConocoPhillips and other leading producers. In addition, our operational team has significant experience in horizontal drilling and developing shales. We have an organizational structure that allows for greater ownership and accountability at the asset level through multi-disciplined asset teams organized around our key geographic areas. Through a combination of invested equity and incentive programs, we believe our management and operational teams are motivated to deliver high returns and increase long-term value. We employ a centralized operational structure to accelerate the knowledge transfer around the execution of our drilling and completion programs and to continually enhance our field operations and base production performance. Our management and operational teams are focused on increasing our drilling opportunities and capital management and are motivated to ensure safe and reliable operations while delivering improved capital and operating efficiency. In addition, our supply chain management group enables us to partner with suppliers in order to improve the cost efficiency of services across the entire operation.

Business Strategy

        Our strategy is to use our strengths to generate competitive returns from our capital investment programs by growing proved reserves, production volumes, and future drilling opportunities while optimizing our existing asset base. The key elements of this strategy are:

    Grow Our Production and Reserves with a Near-Term Focus on Oil

        Currently, our primary focus is developing our key oil programs. We have a strategic presence in well-known oil resource areas, including the Eagle Ford Shale, the Altamont Field, the Wolfcamp Shale and South Louisiana Wilcox, and 85% of our key future drilling locations are in oil-focused areas. Our overall oil production volumes grew approximately 58% for the first six months of 2012 compared to the first six months of 2011, and our 2012 capital expenditure budget is heavily weighted toward oil-focused reservoirs, which comprise 91% of our capital expenditures.

    Continue to Leverage Technical and Operating Expertise to Develop Repeatable, Low-Risk Plays

        We plan to continue to evaluate new opportunities to gain scale and optimize our operating performance while leveraging our past experience to establish repeatable, low-risk plays in the future. Since our initial entry into the Haynesville Shale in 2007, we have drilled some of the most efficient wells in the area, and our production per well is among the best in the areas in which we operate. We entered the Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp shales through grassroots leasing efforts in late 2008 and applied the expertise gained from horizontal drilling in the Haynesville. We have subsequently leased large acreage positions in the Wolfcamp Shale, developed additional zones within our other key programs and have significantly improved the quality and number of our drilling opportunities.

    Continuously Improve Capital and Operating Efficiency

        We maintain a disciplined approach to spending that directs capital in a manner that seeks to maximize returns. Our large and diverse portfolio provides sufficient scale and diversity to conduct operations in a cost-efficient manner and reallocate capital as appropriate to maintain attractive

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returns. We have developed particular expertise as an operator of unconventional oil and natural gas plays. In each of our key programs, we have realized substantial reductions in drilling and completion costs and large improvements in cycle times by applying expertise from prior activities. For example, in the Eagle Ford Shale, we have quickly improved our efficiency and productivity, reducing capital costs by 16% and cycle time by more than 35% since the beginning of 2010.

    Maintain Financial Strength and Flexibility

        We intend to fund growth predominantly with internally generated funds while maintaining ample liquidity. As of June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions, we would have had approximately $1.6 billion of liquidity. Our hedging program should further protect cash flows to provide sufficient funding levels for our capital program. In addition, consistent with past practices, we intend to continue to high-grade our asset base and remain opportunistic with respect to divesting other gas assets. As we pursue our strategy of developing high-return opportunities in our key programs, we expect our reserves to grow, thereby enhancing our liquidity and financial strength.

    Manage Commodity Price Volatility

        We maintain a robust hedging program designed to mitigate volatility in commodity prices and protect our enterprise cash flows. As of August 20, 2012, we have hedged for the remainder of 2012 a total of 4.6 MMBbls of oil at a weighted average price of $97.11 per Bbl and 103 TBtu of natural gas at a weighted average price of $4.47 per MMBtu. As of August 20, 2012, our hedged volumes for 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 represent 85%, 79%, 38% and 16%, respectively, based on our total 2011 equivalent production.

    Operations

        In the U.S., we currently operate through three divisions: Central, Eagle Ford and Southern. During 2011, we focused our activities on our key programs. Over the past few years, we have high-graded our future drilling opportunities through producing property acquisitions, acreage acquisitions and the sale of producing properties that tended to be late in life and without meaningful future drilling opportunities. As a result, our drilling programs are now lower risk, more concentrated, more domestic, more focused on oil and more profitable.

        Internationally, our portfolio consists of producing fields along with exploration and development projects in offshore Brazil. Our Brazilian operations are in the Camamu, Espirito Santo and Potiguar basins. Previously we also had exploration activities in Egypt, but our interests were sold in June 2012.

    U.S.

    Central

        The Central division includes operations that have largely been focused on shale gas primarily the Haynesville Shale in north Louisiana and oil and natural gas production from fractured tight sands within the Altamont Field in Utah. Additionally we have tight gas sands production in north Louisiana and east Texas, coal bed methane production in the Black Warrior Basin of Alabama and in the Arkoma Basin of Oklahoma, New Albany Shale production in Indiana and conventional oil production in our South Louisiana Wilcox program. The Central division operations have generally been characterized by lower development costs, higher drilling success rates and longer reserve lives. We have increased our drilling prospects in this division and have grown production in this area for five consecutive years. For the first six months of 2012, daily production for the Central division averaged 603 MMcfe. During 2011, we invested $790 million on capital projects and production averaged 576 MMcfe/d in the Central division.

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        Haynesville Shale.     In 2011, the Haynesville Shale was our key program in the Central division. It is located in northwest Louisiana and east Texas. Our operations are in the Holly, Bethany Longstreet and Logansport fields. A majority of our acreage is located in a high deliverability part of the play.

        We have a history of delivering improved capital performance in the Haynesville Shale. In 2011, our average capital costs per well in Haynesville were $8.9 million, with a best of $7.7 million, as compared to average capital costs of $10.8 million for the first three wells in the location. In addition, our 2011 average cycle time per well was 34 days, with a best of 27 days, as compared to an average cycle time of 52 days for the first three wells in the location.

        During 2011, we operated an average of four drilling rigs and invested $409 million in capital expenditures in our Haynesville Shale. Average production for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 265 MMcfe/d compared to 143 MMcfe/d for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, our properties in the Haynesville Shale included:

    41,000 total net acres, including approximately 29,000 undeveloped net acres;

    903 Bcfe of estimated net proved reserves; and

    93 net producing wells.

        We have allocated approximately $96 million in capital expenditures to our Haynesville Shale program in 2012. Although we had a very efficient drilling program in the Haynesville Shale, we shut down the program due to low natural gas prices. We have released all rigs and will redeploy the capital allocated to the Haynesville Shale to our oil programs.

        Altamont Field.     The Altamont Field is our key program in the Western division. Our focus has been on drilling vertical fractured wells through fractured tight oil sands in the Uinta Basin located in Utah. We have gained operational efficiencies as we have developed the field.

        We continue to focus on improving capital performance in the Altamont Field. In 2011, our average cycle time per well was 48 days, with a best of 23 days, as compared to an average cycle time of 66 days for the first three wells in the location. Our average 2011 capital costs per well in Altamont were $6.8 million, with a best of $4.6 million, as compared to average capital costs of $6.6 million for the first three wells in the location.

        During 2011, we operated an average of three drilling rigs and invested $173 million in capital expenditures in the Altamont Field. Average production for the year ended December 31, 2011, was 55 MMcfe/d compared to 51 MMcfe/d for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, our properties in the Altamont Field included:

    176,000 total net acres, including approximately 56,000 undeveloped acres;

    551 Bcfe of estimated net proved reserves; and

    301 net producing wells.

        We have allocated approximately $181 million in capital expenditures to the Altamont Field in 2012.

        South Louisiana Wilcox.     Our South Louisiana Wilcox play is located primarily in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana and is focused on the Wilcox Sands. This is a conventional vertical well play, utilizing 3-D seismic to help with location selection, that produces both oil and natural gas from a series of completed sands.

        During 2011, we operated one drilling rig and invested $148 million in capital expenditures in South Louisiana Wilcox. Average production for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 10 MMcfe/d

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compared to 9 MMcfe/d for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, our properties in South Louisiana Wilcox included:

    183,000 total net acres, including approximately 173,000 net undeveloped net acres;

    31 Bcfe of estimated net proved reserves; and

    13 net producing wells.

        We have allocated approximately $121 million in capital expenditures to South Louisiana Wilcox in 2012.

        Arlatex/Unconventional.     Our Arklatex land positions are primarily focused on tight gas sands production in the Travis Peak/Hosston, Bossier and Cotton Valley formations. Our operations are in the Bear Creek, Vacherie Dome, Holly, Bethany, Longstreet and Bald Prairie fields. Additionally we have shallow coal bed methane producing areas in the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama and the Arkoma Basin in Oklahoma. Our production is from vertical wells in Alabama and horizontal wells in the Hartshorne Coals in Oklahoma. We have high average working interests and long life reserves in these areas. In addition, we have a 50% average working interest covering approximately 46,000 net acres of coal bed methane production operated by Black Warrior Methane Corporation in the Brookwood Field. We also have approximately 200,000 net acres in the New Albany Shale in Indiana. We are the operator of these properties and have a 95% working interest. During 2011, we sold oil and natural gas properties located in the Minden and Blue Creek fields for approximately $204 million. Additionally, we sold our New Albany Shale properties in July of 2012 for $6 million.

        We invested $28 million in capital expenditures in these operations in 2011 and have allocated approximately $5 million in capital expenditures in 2012. Average production for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 147 MMcfe/d compared to 185 MMcfe/d for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, our Arklatex land positions included:

    554,000 total net acres, including approximately 351,000 net undeveloped net acres;

    554 Bcfe of estimated net proved reserves; and

    1,843 net producing wells.

        Raton Basin.     Our operations in the Raton Basin of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, where we own the minerals beneath the Vermejo Park Ranch, are primarily focused on coal bed methane production. We invested $30 million in capital expenditures in these operations in 2011 and have allocated approximately $6 million in capital expenditures in 2012. Average production for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 79 MMcfe/d compared to 76 MMcfe/d for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, these operations included 606,000 total net acres (including approximately 464,000 net undeveloped acres), 552 Bcfe of estimated net proved reserves and 972 operated/net producing wells.

        Rocky Mountains.     We have a non-operated working interest in the County Line coal bed methane property in Wyoming, with additional non-production acreage in Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota and Utah. During 2011, we sold our operated oil and natural gas properties located in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming for approximately $346 million. We invested $2 million in capital expenditures in these operations in 2011 and have allocated less than $1 million in capital expenditures in 2012. Average production for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 20 MMcfe/d compared to 33 MMcfe/d for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, these operations included 179,000 total net acres (including approximately 169,000 net undeveloped acres), 7 Bcfe of estimated net proved reserves and 82 non-operated/net producing wells.

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    Eagle Ford

        Eagle Ford Shale.     The Eagle Ford Shale is located in LaSalle, Webb, Atascosa and Dimmit counties. Our leasing efforts began early in the play in 2008, resulting in a relatively low per acre entry cost. The Eagle Ford central programs are currently the most economic programs in our portfolio, with approximately 50% of our total net acres located in this area.

        We have a history of delivering improved capital performance in the Eagle Ford Shale. In 2011, our average capital costs per well in Eagle Ford were $9.6 million, with a best of $7.7 million, as compared to average capital costs of $9.8 million for the first three wells in the location. In addition, our 2011 average cycle time per well was 23 days, with a best of 14 days, as compared to an average cycle time of 38 days for the first three wells in the location.

        During 2011, we operated an average of three drilling rigs and invested $626 million in capital expenditures in our Eagle Ford Shale. In late 2011, we also sold oil and natural gas properties located in the Frio county area for approximately $26 million. Average net production for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 40 MMcfe/d compared to 6 MMcfe/d for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, our properties in the Eagle Ford Shale included:

    157,000 total net acres, including approximately 151,000 undeveloped net acres;

    642 Bcfe of estimated net proved reserves; and

    64 net producing wells.

        We have allocated approximately $896 million in capital expenditures to our Eagle Ford Shale program in 2012.

    Southern

        In our Southern division, our focus has primarily been on developing and exploring for oil and natural gas in unconventional shales and tight gas sands in south and west Texas. These opportunities have been characterized by lower risk, longer life production profiles. Prior to selling our Gulf of Mexico assets in July 2012, our operations in this area were focused on conventional reservoirs characterized by relatively high initial production rates, resulting in higher near-term cash flows and high decline rates. For the first six months of 2012, daily production for the Southern division averaged 120 MMcfe. During 2011, we invested $181 million on capital projects and production averaged 127 MMcfe/d in the Southern division.

        Wolfcamp Shale.     The Wolfcamp Shale is our key program in the Southern division. It is located in the Permian Basin in Reagan, Crockett, Upton and Irion Counties, Texas. Since 2010, we have grown our position in this area to approximately 138,000 net acres.

        During 2011, we operated an average of two drilling rigs and invested $163 million in capital expenditures in our Wolfcamp Shale. Average net production for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 3 MMcfe/d. As of December 31, 2011, our properties in the Wolfcamp Shale included:

    138,000 total net acres, including approximately 135,000 undeveloped net acres;

    148 Bcfe of estimated net proved reserves; and

    14 net producing wells.

        We have allocated approximately $204 million in capital expenditures to our Wolfcamp Shale program in 2012.

        Texas Gulf Coast/Gulf of Mexico.     Our assets in the Texas Gulf Coast include the Renger, Dry Hollow, Brushy Creek and Speaks fields, located in Lavaca County, the Graceland Field, located in

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Colorado County, and the Vicksburg/Frio area, with concentrated and contiguous assets in the Jeffress and Monte Christo fields, primarily in Hidalgo County. These assets also include assets in the Alvarado and Kelsey fields, in Starr and Brooks Counties, and working interests in the Bob West, Jennings Ranch and Roleta fields, located in Zapata County. Other interests in Zapata County include the Bustamante and Las Comitas fields.

        Our assets in the Gulf of Mexico area included interests in 69 Blocks south of the Louisiana, Texas and Alabama shoreline focused on deep (greater than 12,000 feet) oil and natural gas reserves in relatively shallow water depths (less than 400 feet). In these areas, we licensed over 8,700 square miles of three dimensional (3D) seismic data onshore and over 61,000 square miles of 3D seismic data offshore.

        We invested $18 million in capital expenditures in these operations in 2011 and have allocated approximately $11 million in capital expenditures in 2012. Average production for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 124 MMcfe/d compared to 183 MMcfe/d for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, these operations included 314,000 total net acres (including approximately 168,000 net undeveloped acres), 326 Bcfe of estimated net proved reserves and 785 operated/net producing wells. We sold our Gulf of Mexico operations in July of 2012.

    Four Star

        We have an approximate 49% equity interest in Four Star. Four Star operates in the San Juan, Permian, Hugoton and South Alabama basins and in the Gulf of Mexico. Production is from high quality conventional and CBM assets in several basins. During 2011, our equity interest share of Four Star's daily equivalent natural gas production averaged approximately 61 MMcfe/d.

    International

    Brazil

        Our Brazilian operations cover approximately 132,000 net acres in the Espirito Santo, Potiguar and Camamu basins located in offshore Brazil. During 2011, we invested $19 million on capital projects in Brazil, and production averaged 34 MMcfe/d. As of December 31, 2011, we have total capitalized costs of approximately $205 million attributable to our operations in Brazil. Our operations in each basin are described below:

    Espirito Santo Basin.   We own an approximate 24% working interest in the Camarupim Field. We have four wells producing in the field, and production in the Camarupim Field averaged approximately 27 MMcfe/d in 2011. We also own a 35% working interest in two areas that are under plans of evaluation, originating from the ES-5 block, which are operated by Petrobras. During 2011 we also released approximately $86 million of unevaluated capitalized costs into the Brazilian cost pool related to the ES-5 block upon the completion of our evaluation of exploratory wells drilled in 2009 and 2010 that were not additive to our proved reserves.

    Potiguar Basin.   We own a 35% working interest in the Pescada-Arabaiana fields. Our production from these fields averaged approximately 7 MMcfe/d in 2011.

    Camamu Basin.   We own a 100% working interest in two development areas, the Pinauna and Camarao fields. During 2011, we were informed that our environmental permit request for the Pinauna Field in the Camamu Basin was denied by the Brazilian environmental regulatory agency. As a result, we released $94 million of unevaluated capitalized costs related to this field into the Brazilian full cost pool. We have filed an appeal with respect to the denial of this permit and are awaiting a response with respect thereto.

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        We own a 20% interest in two additional blocks in the Camamu Basin, CAL-M-312 and CAL-M-372. During 2011, we relinquished our 18% working interest in the BM-CAL-5 block which is owned by Petrobras, Brazil's state-owned energy company.

    Egypt

        Prior to the sale of our interests in Egypt in June 2012, we had approximately 774,000 net acres in two blocks located onshore in Egypt's Western Desert. We owned a 60 percent working interest in the South Mariut block, which contained approximately 497,000 net acres and a 50 percent working interest in the South Alamein block, which contained approximately 277,000 net acres. As of December 31, 2011 we had total capitalized costs in Egypt of approximately $74 million.

    Key Program Profiles

        The following table describes the characteristics of an average well for the respective key areas based on our 2012 capital program and internal engineering estimates (dollars in millions):

 
  Capital
Costs(1)
  Estimated
Ultimate
Recovery
(Mboe)(1)
  Initial
Production
(Boe/d)(1)(2)
  IRR(3)   Average
Working
Interest
  Average
Net
Revenue
Interest
 

Eagle Ford Shale, Central

  $ 8.0 - 8.4     500 - 600     750 - 900     45 - 65 %   92 %   69 %

Wolfcamp Shale

    8.0 - 8.4     465 - 510     575 - 675     20 - 30     100     75  

Altamont Field

    4.6 - 7.7     300 - 450     400 - 600     20 - 40     89     75  

South Louisiana Wilcox

    6.0 - 7.0     320 - 440     500 - 900     30 - 70     85     64  

 

 
  Gross
Capital
Costs(1)
  Estimated
Gross
Ultimate
Recovery
(Bcfe)(1)
  Initial
Production
(MMcfe/d)(1)(2)
  IRR(3)   Average
Working
Interest
  Average
Net
Revenue
Interest
 

Haynesville Shale, Holly

  $ 7.9 - 8.3     5.4 - 7.1     15 - 19     12 - 29 %   80 %   67 %

(1)
Based on 100% working interest and net revenue interest basis.

(2)
Based on initial 24 hours of production.

(3)
After tax internal rate of return net to our interest based on $3.50 per MMBtu Henry Hub pricing and $90.00 per Bb1 WTI pricing.

Oil and Gas Properties

    Oil and Condensate, Natural Gas and NGL Reserves and Production

        The table below presents information about our proved reserves as of December 31, 2011. These reserves are based on our internal reserve report. The reserve data represents only estimates, which are often different from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered. Certain risks and uncertainties associated with estimating proved oil and natural gas reserves are discussed further in

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"Risk Factors" and elsewhere herein Net proved reserves exclude royalties and interests owned by others and reflect contractual arrangements and royalty obligations in effect at December 31, 2011.

 
  Net Proved Reserves    
 
 
   
  Oil/
Condensate
   
   
   
   
 
 
  Natural Gas   NGLs   Total    
 
 
  2011
Production
(MMcfe)
 
 
  (MMcf)   (MBbls)   (MBbls)   (Mmcfe)   (Percent)  

Reserves and Production by Division

                                     

Consolidated:

                                     

Proved

                                     

U.S.

                                     

Central

    2,176,021     70,995         2,601,991     65 %   210,272  

Eagle Ford

    91,271     82,750     9,092     642,321     16 %   14,550  

Southern

    298,574     24,056     5,153     473,830     12 %   46,335  
                             

Total

    2,565,866     177,801     14,245     3,718,142     93 %   271,157  

Brazil

    81,325     2,269         94,942     3 %   12,539  
                             

Total Consolidated

    2,647,191     180,070     14,245     3,813,084     96 %   283,696  
                             

Unconsolidated Affiliate(1)

    134,713     1,569     4,908     173,574     4 %   22,052  
                             

Total Combined

    2,781,904     181,639     19,153     3,986,658     100 %   305,748  
                             

Reserves by Classification

                                     

Consolidated:

                                     

Proved Developed

                                     

U.S. 

    1,488,045     46,797     5,168     1,799,831     47 %      

Brazil

    81,325     2,269         94,942     3 %      
                               

Total

    1,569,370     49,066     5,168     1,894,773 (2)   50 %      
                               

Proved Undeveloped

                                     

U.S. 

    1,077,821     131,004     9,077     1,918,311     50 %      

Brazil

                    0 %      
                               

Total

    1,077,821     131,004     9,077     1,918,311     50 %      
                               

Total Consolidated

    2,647,191     180,070     14,245     3,813,084 (2)   100 %      
                               

Unconsolidated Affiliate:(1)

                                     

Proved Developed

    116,029     1,520     4,066     149,540     86 %      

Proved Undeveloped

    18,684     49     842     24,034     14 %      
                               

Unconsolidated Affiliate(1)

    134,713     1,569     4,908     173,574     100 %      
                               

Total Combined

    2,781,904     181,639     19,153     3,986,658     100 %      
                               

(1)
Amounts represent our approximate 49% equity interest in Four Star.

(2)
Includes 1,550 Bcfe of proved developed producing reserves representing 41% of consolidated proved reserves and 345 Bcfe of proved developed non-producing reserves representing 9% of consolidated proved reserves at December 31, 2011.

        Our consolidated reserves in the table above are consistent with estimates of reserves filed with federal agencies except for differences of less than 5% resulting from actual production, acquisitions, property sales, necessary reserve revisions and additions to reflect actual experience.

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        The table below presents proved reserves as reported and sensitivities related to our proved reserves based on differing price scenarios as of December 31, 2011.

 
  Net Proved Reserves
(MMcfe)
 

As Reported

       

Consolidated

    3,813,084  

Unconsolidated Affiliate

    173,574  
       

Total Combined

    3,986,658  
       

10% increase in commodity prices(1)

       

Consolidated

    3,836,145  

Unconsolidated Affiliate

    175,991  
       

Total Combined

    4,012,136  
       

10% decrease in commodity prices(1)

       

Consolidated

    3,614,145  

Unconsolidated Affiliate

    170,007  
       

Total Combined

    3,784,152  
       

(1)
Based on the first day 12-month average U.S. prices of $96.19 per barrel of oil and $4.12 per MMBtu of natural gas used to determine proved reserves at December 31, 2011.

        Current natural gas prices are significantly below the 12-month average price used to determine our domestic proved reserves at December 31, 2011. A sustained period of low domestic natural gas prices will over time result in a downward revision of proved reserves and a corresponding reduction in the discounted future net cash flows from our proved reserves.

        We employ a technical staff of engineers and geoscientists to perform technical analysis of each undeveloped location. The staff uses industry accepted practices to estimate, with reasonable certainty, the economically producible oil and natural gas. The practices for estimating hydrocarbons in place include, but are not limited to; mapping, seismic interpretation of two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional data, core analysis, mechanical properties of formations, thermal maturity, well logs of existing penetrations, correlation of known penetrations, decline curve analysis of producing locations with significant production history, well testing, static bottom hole testing, flowing bottom hole pressure analysis and pressure and rate transient analysis.

        Our primary internal technical person in charge of overseeing our reserves estimates, including the reserves estimate we prepare related to our investment in Four Star, our unconsolidated affiliate, has a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering and is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He is currently responsible for reserve reporting, strategy development, technical excellence and land administration. He has more than 24 years of industry experience in various domestic and international engineering and management roles. For a discussion of the internal controls over our proved reserves estimation process, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates."

        Ryder Scott conducted an audit of the estimates of proved reserves prepared by us as of December 31, 2011. In connection with its audit, Ryder Scott reviewed 86% of the properties associated with our total proved reserves on a natural gas equivalent basis, representing 87% of the total discounted future net cash flows of these proved reserves. Ryder Scott also conducted an audit of the estimates we prepared of the proved reserves of Four Star as of December 31, 2011. In connection with the audit of these proved reserves, Ryder Scott reviewed 87% of the properties associated with Four Star's total proved reserves on a natural gas equivalent basis, representing 91% of the total

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discounted future net cash flows. For the reviewed properties, our overall proved reserves estimates are within 10% of Ryder Scott's estimates.

        The technical person primarily responsible for overseeing the reserves audit by Ryder Scott has a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas, a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and has more than 20 years of experience in petroleum reserves evaluation.

        In general, the volume of production from oil and natural gas properties declines as reserves are depleted. Except to the extent we conduct successful exploration and development activities or acquire additional properties with proved reserves, or both, our proved reserves will decline as they are produced. Recovery of PUD reserves requires significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. Our reserve data contained in this prospectus assumes that we can and will make these expenditures and conduct these operations successfully, but future events, including commodity price changes and other events described under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus may cause these assumptions to change. In addition, estimates of PUD reserves and proved non-producing reserves are inherently subject to greater uncertainties than estimates of proved producing reserves.

        We currently have 1,474 proved undeveloped drilling locations, of which 575 are in shale plays where we are actively developing reserves. The three shales are Haynesville, Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp. At this time we do not have a developed to undeveloped relationship that is beyond one adjacent offset to a productive well.

        We assess our PUD reserves on a quarterly basis. At December 31, 2011, we had 1,918 Bcfe of consolidated PUD reserves representing an increase of 662 Bcfe of PUD reserves compared to December 31, 2010. During 2011, we added 939 Bcfe of PUD reserves primarily due to our drilling activities in the Haynesville Shale in our Central division and the Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp Shales in our Southern division. We had 210 Bcfe of PUD reserves transferred to proved developed reserves and negative revisions of 11 Bcfe related to reserves older than five years as well as 20 Bcfe related to prices and performance. We divested 36 Bcfe PUD reserves from the sales of assets throughout the year in our Central, Southern and Western divisions.

        We spent approximately $601 million, $199 million and $186 million, during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, to convert approximately 17% or 210 Bcfe, 11% or 94 Bcfe and 11% or 69 Bcfe, respectively, of our prior year-end PUD reserves to proved developed reserves. In our December 31, 2011 reserve report, the amounts estimated to be spent in 2012, 2013 and 2014 to develop our consolidated worldwide PUD reserves are $1,003 million, $1,009 million and $1,329 million, respectively. The upward trend in the amounts estimated to be spent to develop our PUD reserves is a result of our shift in capital focus to develop our key programs. The amount and timing of these expenditures will depend on a number of factors, including actual drilling results, service costs and commodity prices.

        Of the 1,918 Bcfe of PUD reserves at December 31, 2011, we have 49 Bcfe of undeveloped reserves that are outside of our current five-year development plan in the Raton Basin located in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. These reserves extend beyond the five-year development plan due to pace restrictions established by the surface owner which limits the number of wells drilled annually to a level significantly below the historical levels of wells drilled per year. Additionally, we own the mineral rights on the acreage in the Raton Basin which enables us to develop beyond the five-year window. We have historical and ongoing drilling and development activities in this area, including the drilling of 30 undeveloped locations in 2011 and a 30 to 50 well development program in 2013. There were no new PUD reserves booked to the Raton Basin in 2011, and the undeveloped reserves outside of our current five-year development plan represent less than 5% of the consolidated PUD reserves.

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    Acreage and Wells

        The following tables detail (i) our interest in developed and undeveloped acreage at December 31, 2011, (ii) our interest in oil and natural gas wells at December 31, 2011 and (iii) our exploratory and development wells drilled during the years 2009 through 2011. Any acreage in which our interest is limited to owned royalty, overriding royalty and other similar interests is excluded.

 
  Developed   Undeveloped   Total  
 
  Gross(1)   Net(2)   Gross(1)   Net(2)   Gross(1)   Net(2)  

Acreage

                                     

United States

                                     

Central

    641,599     496,279     1,570,857     1,242,077     2,212,456     1,738,356  

Eagle Ford

    6,600     6,552     159,564     150,510     166,164     157,061  

Southern

    264,304     149,160     343,788     303,049     608,092     452,210  
                           

Total United States

    912,503     651,991     2,074,209     1,695,636     2,986,712     2,347,627  

Brazil

    47,377     14,492     458,519     117,344     505,896     131,836  

Egypt

            1,382,856     774,195     1,382,856     774,195  
                           

Worldwide Total

    959,880     666,483     3,915,584     2,587,175     4,875,464     3,253,658  
                           

(1)
Gross interest reflects the total acreage we participate in regardless of our ownership interest in the acreage.

(2)
Net interest is the aggregate of the fractional working interests that we have in the gross acreage.

        In the United States, our net developed acreage is concentrated primarily in New Mexico (19%), Utah (18%), the Gulf of Mexico (13%), Texas (12%), Louisiana (11%), Oklahoma (11%) and Alabama (8%). Our net undeveloped acreage is concentrated primarily in New Mexico (26%), Texas (19%), Indiana (11%), Louisiana (10%), the Gulf of Mexico (9%) and Colorado (7%). Approximately 10%, 21% and 10% of our total United States net undeveloped acreage is held under leases that have minimum remaining primary terms expiring in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Approximately 6% of our total Brazilian net undeveloped acreage is held under leases that have minimum remaining primary terms expiring in 2012. Approximately 13% and 27% of our total Egyptian net undeveloped acreage is held under leases that have minimum remaining primary terms expiring in 2012 and 2013, respectively. We employ various techniques to manage the expiration of leases, including drilling the acreage

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ourselves prior to lease expiration, entering into farm-out agreements with other operators or extending lease terms.

 
  Natural Gas   Oil   Total   Wells Being
Drilled at
December 31,
2011(1)
 
 
  Gross(2)   Net(3)   Gross(2)   Net(3)   Gross(2)   Net(3)(4)   Gross(2)   Net(3)  

Productive Wells

                                                 

United States

                                                 

Central

    4,468     3,007     436     297     4,904     3,304     20     13  

Eagle Ford

    4     4     60     60     64     64     16     16  

Southern

    969     777     47     41     1,016     818     7     7  
                                   

Total

    5,441     3,788     543     398     5,984     4,186     43     36  

Brazil

    9     2     5     2     14     4          

Egypt

                            4     2  
                                   

Worldwide Total

    5,450     3,790     548     400     5,998     4,190     47     38  
                                   

(1)
Includes wells that were spud in 2011 or a prior year and have not been completed.

(2)
Gross interest reflects the total wells we participated in, regardless of our ownership interest.

(3)
Net interest is the aggregate of the fractional working interests that we have in the gross wells or gross wells drilled.

(4)
At December 31, 2011, we operated 3,625 of the 4,190 net productive wells.


 
  Net Exploratory(1)   Net Development(1)  
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009  

Wells Drilled

                                     

United States

                                     

Productive

    87     35     61     95     55     69  

Dry

            2         2     2  
                           

Total

    87     35     63     95     57     71  
                           

Brazil

                                     

Productive

                        1  

Dry

    1                      
                           

Total

    1                     1  
                           

Egypt

                                     

Productive

                         

Dry

            2              
                           

Total

            2              
                           

Worldwide

                                     

Productive

    87     35     61     95     55     70  

Dry

    1         4         2     2  
                           

Total

    88     35     65     95     57     72  
                           

(1)
Net interest is the aggregate of the fractional working interests that we have in the gross wells or gross wells drilled.

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        The drilling performance above should not be considered indicative of future drilling performance, nor should it be assumed that there is any correlation between the number of productive wells drilled and the amount of oil and natural gas that may ultimately be recovered.

    Net Production, Sales Prices, Transportation and Production Costs

        The following table details our net production volumes, average sales prices received, average transportation costs and average production costs (including production taxes) associated with the sale of oil and natural gas for each of the years ended December 31:

 
  2011   2010   2009  

Volumes:

                   

Consolidated Net Production Volumes

                   

United States

                   

Natural gas (MMcf)(1)

    230,669     215,905     214,718  

Oil and condensate (MBbls)(1)

    5,680     4,363     3,978  

NGL (MBbls)

    1,068     1,423     1,570  

Total (MMcfe)

    271,157     250,621     248,006  

Brazil

                   

Natural gas (MMcf)

    10,414     9,706     3,826  

Oil and condensate (MBbls)

    354     384     100  

NGL (MBbls)

             

Total (MMcfe)

    12,539     12,010     4,426  

Consolidated—Worldwide

                   

Natural gas (MMcf)

    241,083     225,611     218,544  

Oil and condensate (MBbls)

    6,034     4,747     4,078  

NGL (MBbls)

    1,068     1,423     1,570  

Total (MMcfe)

    283,696     262,631     252,432  

Total (MMcfe/d)

    777     720     691  

Unconsolidated Affiliate Volumes(2)

                   

Natural gas (MMcf)

    16,881     17,165     19,557  

Oil and condensate (MBbls)

    306     364     419  

NGL (MBbls)

    556     573     678  

Total equivalent volumes (MMcfe)

    22,052     22,787     26,139  

MMcfe/d

    61     62     72  

Total Combined Volumes(2)

                   

Natural gas (MMcf)

    257,964     242,776     238,101  

Oil and condensate (MBbls)

    6,340     5,111     4,497  

NGL (MBbls)

    1,624     1,996     2,248  

Total equivalent volumes (MMcfe)

    305,748     285,418     278,571  

MMcfe/d

    838     782     763  

Consolidated Prices and Costs per Unit:

                   

Natural Gas Average Realized Sales Price ($/Mcf)

                   

United States

                   

Physical sales

  $ 3.91   $ 4.26   $ 3.78  

Including financial derivative settlements(3)

    5.37     5.71     7.68  

Brazil

                   

Physical sales

    6.94     5.65     4.84  

Including financial derivative settlements(3)

    6.94     4.93     4.22  

Worldwide

                   

Physical sales

    4.04     4.32     3.80  

Including financial derivative settlements(3)

    5.44     5.67     7.62  

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  2011   2010   2009  

Oil and Condensate Average Realized Sales Price ($/Bbl)

                   

United States

                   

Physical sales

    90.22     72.37     52.27  

Including financial derivative settlements(3)

    88.98     70.52     96.44  

Brazil

                   

Physical sales

    110.33     78.02     60.88  

Including financial derivative settlements(3)

    110.33     78.02     60.88  

Worldwide

                   

Physical sales

    91.40     72.83     52.48  

Including financial derivative settlements(3)

    90.23     71.13     95.57  

NGL Average Realized Sales Price ($/Bbl)

                   

United States

                   

Physical sales

    53.50     42.38     33.75  

Brazil

                   

Physical sales

             

Worldwide

                   

Physical sales

    53.50     42.38     33.75  

Average Transportation Costs

                   

United States

                   

Natural gas ($/Mcf)

    0.35     0.31     0.28  

Oil and Condensate ($/Bbl)

    0.06     0.09     0.06  

NGL ($/Bbl)

    3.83     3.16     2.61  

Worldwide

                   

Natural gas ($/Mcf)

    0.33     0.30     0.28  

Oil and Condensate ($/Bbl)

    0.06     0.08     0.06  

NGL ($/Bbl)

    3.83     3.16     2.61  

Average Production Costs (Lease Operating Expenses ($/Mcfe)

                   

United States

    0.65     0.62     0.70  

Brazil(4)

    3.29     3.07     5.19  

Worldwide(4)

    0.77     0.73     0.78  

Average Production Taxes ($/Mcfe)

                   

United States

    0.26     0.21     0.21  

Brazil

    0.91     0.73     0.68  

Worldwide

    0.28     0.27     0.22  

(1)
For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, our Eagle Ford Shale program had natural gas volumes of 1,971 MMcf and 287 MMcf, oil and condensate volumes of 1,690 MMBbls and 177 MMBbls and NGL volumes of 207 MMBbls and 30 MMBbls, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, our Haynesville Shale program, within the Central division, had natural gas volumes of 80,591 MMcf, 42,820 MMcf and 11,223 MMcf, and NGL volumes of less than 2 MMBbls, 2 MMBbls and 1 MMBbls, respectively. The Haynesville Shale program had oil and condensate volumes of less than 1 MMBbls for the year ended December 31, 2011.

(2)
Represents our approximate 49% equity interest in the volumes of Four Star.

(3)
We had no cash premiums related to oil derivatives settled during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. Premiums paid in 2009 related to natural gas derivatives settled during the year ended December 31, 2010 were $157 million. Premiums paid related to natural gas derivatives settled during the year ended December 31, 2011 were $23 million. Had we included these premiums in our natural gas average realized prices in 2011 and 2010, our realized price, including financial derivatives settlements, would have decreased by $0.10/Mcf and $0.70/Mcf for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

(4)
Includes approximately $14 million of start-up costs in Camarupim Field in 2009 or $3.08 per Mcfe for Brazil and $0.05 per Mcfe worldwide.

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    Acquisition, Development and Exploration Expenditures

        The following table details information regarding our capital expenditures in our acquisition, development and exploration activities for each of the years ended December 31:

 
  2011   2010   2009  

United States

                   

Acquisition Costs:

                   

Proved

  $   $ 51   $ 87  

Unproved

    45     269     89  

Development Costs

    694     276     324  

Exploration Costs:

                   

Delay rentals

    8     9     5  

Seismic acquisition and reprocessing

    32     15     27  

Drilling

    818     576     323  

Asset Retirement Obligations

    25     7     36  
               

Total full cost pool expenditures

    1,622     1,203     891  

Non-full cost pool expenditures

    18     35     34  
               

Total capital expenditures

  $ 1,640   $ 1,238   $ 925  
               

Brazil and Egypt(1)

                   

Acquisition Costs:

                   

Unproved

  $   $   $ 51  

Development Costs

    12     28     118  

Exploration Costs:

                   

Seismic acquisition and reprocessing

    9     6     3  

Drilling

    6     52     64  

Asset Retirement Obligations

            6  
               

Total full cost pool expenditures

    27     86     242  

Non-full cost pool expenditures

    2     1     4  
               

Total capital expenditures

  $ 29   $ 87   $ 246  
               

Worldwide(1)

                   

Acquisition Costs:

                   

Proved

  $   $ 51   $ 87  

Unproved

    45     269     140  

Development Costs

    706     304     442  

Exploration Costs:

                   

Delay rentals

    8     9     5  

Seismic acquisition and reprocessing

    41     21     30  

Drilling

    824     628     387  

Asset Retirement Obligations

    25     7     42  
               

Total full cost pool expenditures

    1,649     1,289     1,133  

Non-full cost pool expenditures

    20     36     38  
               

Total capital expenditures

  $ 1,669   $ 1,325   $ 1,171  
               

(1)
Total capital expenditures for Egypt were $8 million, $20 million and $81 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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Markets and Competition

        We primarily sell our domestic oil and natural gas to third parties at spot market prices, subject to customary adjustments. We sell our NGL at market prices under monthly or long-term contracts, subject to customary adjustments. We have a highly experienced marketing team in place and strive to achieve best available pricing for sales from all of our production.

        In Brazil, we sell the majority of our oil and natural gas under long-term contracts to Petrobras. These long-term contracts include a gas sales agreement and a condensate sales agreement. The gas sales agreement provides for a price that adjusts quarterly based on a basket of fuel oil prices, while the condensate sales agreement provides for a price that adjusts monthly based on a Brent crude price less a fixed differential that will adjust annually. The gas sales agreement also includes a minimum daily delivery commitment of our natural gas production. The current delivery commitment is approximately 15 MMcf/d and can be modified on an annual basis depending on the production capacity of the subject wells. We do not anticipate being unable to meet the current delivery commitment. We enter into derivative contracts on our oil and natural gas production to stabilize our cash flows, reduce the risk and financial impact of downward commodity price movements and protect the economic assumptions associated with our capital investment programs. For a further discussion of these contracts, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Price Risk Management Activities."

        The exploration and production industry is highly competitive in the search for and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves and in the sale of oil, natural gas and NGL. Our competitors include major and intermediate sized oil and natural gas companies, independent oil and natural gas operators and individual producers or operators with varying scopes of operations and financial resources. Competitive factors include price and contract terms, our ability to access drilling, completion and other equipment and our ability to hire and retain skilled personnel on a timely and cost effective basis. Ultimately, our future success in this business will be dependent on our ability to find or acquire additional reserves at costs that yield acceptable returns on the capital invested.

Regulatory Environment

        Our oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are regulated at the federal, state and local levels in the United States and in Brazil. These regulations include, but are not limited to, those governing the drilling and spacing of wells, conservation, forced pooling and protection of correlative rights among interest owners. We are also subject to various governmental safety and environmental regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

        Our domestic operations under federal oil and natural gas leases are regulated by the statutes and regulations of the DOI that currently impose liability upon lessees for the cost of environmental impacts resulting from their operations. Royalty obligations on all federal leases are regulated by the Office of Natural Resources Revenue within the DOI, which has promulgated valuation guidelines for the payment of royalties by producers. Our exploration and production operations in Brazil are subject to environmental (and other) regulations administered by the Brazilian government, which include political subdivisions. These domestic and international laws and regulations affect the construction and operation of facilities, water disposal, drilling operations, production and future lease sales.

    Hydraulic Fracturing

        Hydraulic fracturing is the well stimulation technique we use to maximize productivity of our oil and natural gas wells in many of our domestic basins, including in our Haynesville, Eagle Ford, Wolfcamp, Altamont, South Louisiana Wilcox, Texas Gulf Coast, Raton and Black Warrior operations. We currently do not use hydraulic fracturing in our Arkoma program. Our net acreage position in basins in which hydraulic fracturing is utilized total approximately 2 million acres. Approximately 98%

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of our domestic proved undeveloped oil and natural gas reserves are subject to hydraulic fracturing. During 2011, we incurred costs of approximately $400 million associated with hydraulic fracturing.

        Hydraulic fracturing fluid is typically composed of over 99% water and proppant, which is usually sand. The other 1% or less of the fluid is composed of additives that may contain acid, friction reducer, surfactant, gelling agent and scale inhibitor. We retain service companies to conduct such operations and we have worked with several service companies to evaluate, test and, where appropriate, modify our fluid design to reduce the use of chemicals in our fracturing fluid. We have worked closely with our service companies to provide, both voluntarily and under certain states' regulations, disclosure of our hydraulic fracturing fluids through the Groundwater Protection Council's FracFocus web site.

        In order to protect surface and groundwater quality during the drilling and completion phases of our operations, we follow applicable industry practices and legal requirements of the applicable state oil and natural gas commissions with regard to well design, including requirements associated with casing steel strength, cement strength and slurry design. Our activities in the field are monitored by state and federal regulators. Key aspects of our field protection measures include: (i) pressure testing well construction and integrity, (ii) casing and cementing practices to ensure pressure management and separation of hydrocarbons from groundwater, and (iii) public disclosure of the contents of hydraulic fracture fluids. In addition to these measures, our drilling, casing and cementing procedures are designed to prevent fluid migration and include the following measures:

    Our drilling process executes several repeated cycles conducted in sequence—drill, set casing, cement casing and then test casing and cement for integrity before proceeding to the next drilling interval.

    Conductor casing is drilled and cemented or driven in place. This string serves as the structural foundation for the well. Conductor casing is not necessary or required for all wells.

    Surface casing is set within the conductor casing and is cemented in place. Surface casing is set for all wells. The purpose of the surface casing is to contain wellbore fluids and pressure and protect Underground Sources of Drinking Water ("USDW") as identified by federal and state regulatory bodies. The surface casing and cement isolates wellbore materials from any potential USDW contact.

    Intermediate casing is set through the surface casing to a depth necessary to isolate abnormally pressured subsurface formations from normally pressured formations. Intermediate casing is not necessary or required for all wells. Our standard practices include (a) cementing above any hydrocarbon bearing zone and (b) performing casing pressure and other tests to verify the integrity of the casing and cement.

    Production casing is set through the surface and intermediate through the depth of the targeted producing formation. Our standard practices include (a) pumping cement above the confining structure of the target zone and (b) performing casing pressure tests and other tests to verify the integrity of the casing and cement. If any problems are detected, then appropriate remedial action is taken to ensure wellbore integrity.

    With the casing set and cemented, a barrier of steel and cement is in place that is designed to isolate the wellbore from surrounding geologic formations. As designed, this barrier mitigates against the risk of drilling or fracturing fluids entering potential sources of drinking water.

        In addition to the required use of casing and cement in the well construction, we follow additional regulatory requirements and industry operating practices. These typically include (i) pressure testing of casing and surface equipment, (ii) continuous monitoring of surface pressure, pumping rates, volumes of fluids and chemical concentrations, and (iii) continuous monitoring of well pressure during hydraulic fracturing operations. When any pressure differential outside the normal range of operations occurs,

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the pumps are promptly shut off until the cause of the pressure differential is identified and any required remedial measures are completed. Hydraulic fracturing fluid is delivered to our sites in accordance with Department of Transportation ("DOT") regulations in DOT approved shipping containers using DOT transporters.

        We also have procedures to address water use and disposal. This includes evaluating surface and groundwater sources, commercial sources, and potential recycling and reuse of treated water sources. When commercially and technically feasible, we use recycled or treated water. This practice helps mitigate against potential adverse impacts to other water supply sources. When using raw surface or groundwater, we obtain all required water rights or compensate owners for water consumption. We are evaluating additional treatment capability to augment future water supplies at several of our sites. During our drilling operations, we manage waste water to minimize risks and costs. Frac water or flowback water returned to the surface is typically contained in steel tanks or pits. Water that is not treated for reuse is usually piped or trucked to waste disposal injection wells, many of which we own and operate. These wells are permitted through the Underground Injection Control ("UIC") program of the Safe Drinking Water Act. We also use commercial injection facilities for frac fluid disposal, which typically dispose of the frac fluids in permitted injection disposal wells. In Alabama, we operate a water treatment disposal facility with a permitted surface discharge. This facility is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (the "NPDES") program.

        We have not received regulatory citations or notice of suits related to our hydraulic fracturing operations for environmental concerns. We have experienced no material incidents of surface spills of fluids associated with hydraulic fracturing. Consistent with local, state and federal requirements, any releases were reported to appropriate regulatory agencies and site restoration was completed. No remediation reserve has been identified or anticipated as a result of these incidents.

    Spill Prevention/Response Procedures

        There are various state and federal regulations that are designed to prevent and respond to any spills or leaks resulting from exploration and production activities. In this regard, we maintain spill prevention control and countermeasures programs, which frequently include the installation and maintenance of spill containment devices designed to contain spill materials on location. In addition, we maintain emergency response plans to minimize potential environmental impacts in the event of a spill or leak or any material hydraulic fracturing well control issue.

        We conduct annual training and drills for various upset scenarios. To augment our internal capability, we retain the services of vendors to assist our spill management team to the extent that we experience any prolonged and significant incidents. We also maintain contractual agreements and memberships with additional oil spill and emergency service providers and co-ops for equipment, response personnel, dispersant and aircraft, vessels, wildlife rehabilitation, and shoreline protection and cleanup.

        We have an emergency response plan to address any material well control or asset issue in our onshore operations. We retain the services of experienced vendors to assist in the management of any material well control issues that might arise. Pursuant to our emergency response plan, after any well control issue is abated, we will initiate cleanup and restoration work.

        Despite the existence of our procedures and plans, there is a risk that we could experience well control problems in our onshore operations. As a result, we could be exposed to regulatory fines and penalties, as well as landowner lawsuits resulting from any spills or leaks that might occur. We do not maintain insurance to cover all possible risks of loss. However, we expect to maintain liability and property damage insurance at levels customary in our industry.

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        In addition, we might have remedies against our contractors or vendors or our joint working interest owners with respect to any losses associated with unintended spills or leaks. For example, we typically have indemnity provisions in our service agreements with our contractors. Liability under such agreements is typically allocated such that we and our contractors assume liability for our respective personnel and property, regardless of how the loss or damage to the personnel and property may have been caused. As a result, typically our contractors are required to indemnify us for any pollution originating from facilities or equipment in their control and custody above the surface of the land. In turn, we typically indemnify our contractors for any pollution originating below the surface of the land, including resulting from fire, blowout, cratering, seepage or other uncontrolled flow of oil, gas, water, drilling fluid or other fluids and materials from wells, except to the extent caused by a contractor's willful misconduct. Under our joint operating agreements with other working interest owners, each working interest owner is responsible for its working interest share of any liabilities arising out of joint operations, except generally in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the operator.

        To the extent that our well control issues might result in any injuries or fatalities, in addition to the potential insurance coverages mentioned above, we might have certain remedies against our contractors or working interest owners. Similar to property damage, our contractors assume responsibility for injury or death of their personnel arising in connection with activities conducted at our wellsites and other worksites, and our contractors are required to maintain appropriate levels of insurance against such liabilities. In addition, while we generally operate most of our properties, including jointly owned properties, in those instances where we are a non-operating party, each working interest owner in a property is required to bear its working interest share of any liability to a third party arising from such operations, and we generally would be entitled to indemnity from the operator only to the extent that we bore a disproportionate amount of the liability (in which case, we could look to the operator and any other non-operators for indemnity in respect of that portion of the liability borne by us in excess of our working interest share) or if the liability was caused by the operator's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Legal Proceedings

        We are named defendants in numerous legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. There are also other regulatory rules and orders in various stages of adoption, review and/or implementation. For each of these matters, we evaluate the merits of the case or claim, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. If we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, and there are still uncertainties related to the costs we may incur, based upon our evaluation and experience to date, we believe we have established appropriate reserves. It is possible, however, that new information or future developments could require us to reassess our potential exposure related to these matters and adjust our accruals accordingly, and these adjustments could be material. As of June 30, 2012, we had approximately $23 million accrued for all outstanding legal proceedings and other contingent matters, including $22 million of sales tax reserves.

        Sales Tax Audits.     As a result of sales and use tax audits during 2010, the State of Texas has asserted additional taxes plus penalties and interest for the audit period 2001-2008 for two of our operating entities. We believe amounts reserved are adequate. We are currently contesting the assessments and the ultimate outcomes are still uncertain. We are indemnified by KMI if and to the extent the ultimate outcomes exceed the reserves. During the period ending June 30, 2012, the Louisiana audit was settled.

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Environmental

        We are subject to existing federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental quality, pollution control and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The environmental laws and regulations to which we are subject also require us to remove or remedy the effect on the environment of the disposal or release of specified substances at current and former operating sites. As of June 30, 2012, we had accrued less than $1 million for related environmental remediation costs associated with onsite, offsite and groundwater technical studies and for related environmental legal costs. Our accrual represents a combination of two estimation methodologies. First, where the most likely outcome can be reasonably estimated, that cost has been accrued. Second, where the most likely outcome cannot be estimated, a range of costs is established and if no one amount in that range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the expected range has been accrued. Our exposure could be as high as $1 million. Our environmental remediation projects are in various stages of completion. The liabilities we have recorded reflect our current estimates of amounts that we will expend to remediate these sites. However, depending on the stage of completion or assessment, the ultimate extent of contamination or remediation required may not be known. As additional assessments occur or remediation efforts continue, we may incur additional liabilities.

        Climate Change and Other Emissions.     The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and several state environmental agencies have adopted regulations to regulate GHG emissions. Although the EPA has adopted a tailoring rule to regulate GHG emissions, it is not expected to materially impact our existing operations until 2016. Any regulations regulating GHG emissions would likely increase our costs of compliance by potentially delaying the receipt of permits and other regulatory approvals; requiring us to monitor emissions, install additional equipment or modify facilities to reduce GHG and other emissions; purchase emission credits; and utilize electric-driven compression at facilities to obtain regulatory permits and approvals in a timely manner.

        Air Quality Regulations.     In August 2010, the EPA finalized a rule that impacts emissions of hazardous air pollutants from reciprocating internal combustion engines and requires us to install emission controls on engines across our operations. Engines subject to the regulations have to be in compliance by October 2013. We plan to execute the required modifications and testing in 2013. Our current estimated impact is approximately $3 million in capital expenditures in 2013. On August 16, 2012 EPA published regulations in the Federal Register pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act to reduce various air pollutants from the oil and natural gas industry. These regulations will limit emissions from the hydraulic fracturing of certain natural gas wells and from certain equipment including compressors, storage vessels and natural gas processing plants. These regulations require reduction of flowback emissions from gas wells effective October 15, 2012 and use of "green completions" effective January 1, 2015. We are still evaluating the regulations and their impact on our operations and our financial results.

        Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations.     We use hydraulic fracturing extensively in our operations. Various regulations have been adopted and proposed at the federal, state and local levels to regulate hydraulic fracturing operations. These regulations range from banning or substantially limiting hydraulic fracturing operations, requiring disclosure of the hydraulic fracturing fluids and requiring additional permits for the use, recycling and disposal of water used in such operations. At this time no adopted regulations have imposed a material impact on our hydraulic fracturing operations. In addition, various agencies, including the EPA, the Department of Interior and Department of Energy are reviewing changes in their regulations to address the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing operations. Until such regulations are implemented, it is uncertain what impact they might have on our operations.

        Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA") Matters.     As part of our environmental remediation projects, we are or have received notice that we could be designated as a Potentially Responsible Party ("PRP") with respect to one active site under the

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CERCLA or state equivalents. As of June 30, 2012, we have estimated our share of the remediation costs at this site to be less than $1 million. Because the clean-up costs are estimates and are subject to revision as more information becomes available about the extent of remediation required, and in some cases we have asserted a defense to any liability, our estimates could change. Moreover, liability under the federal CERCLA statute may be joint and several, meaning that we could be required to pay in excess of our pro rata share of remediation costs. Our understanding of the financial strength of other PRPs has been considered, where appropriate, in estimating our liabilities. Accruals for these matters are included in the environmental reserve discussed above.

        It is possible that new information or future developments could require us to reassess our potential exposure related to environmental matters. We may incur significant costs and liabilities in order to comply with existing environmental laws and regulations. It is also possible that other developments, such as increasingly strict environmental laws, regulations, and orders of regulatory agencies, as well as claims for damages to property and the environment or injuries to employees and other persons resulting from our current or past operations, could result in substantial costs and liabilities in the future. As this information becomes available, or other relevant developments occur, we will adjust our accrual amounts accordingly. While there are still uncertainties related to the ultimate costs we may incur, based upon our evaluation and experience to date, we believe our reserves are adequate.

Employees

        At September 5, 2012, we had 1,076 full-time employees, of which 63 employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.

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MANAGEMENT

        The following table provides information regarding the executive officers of the Issuer and the members of the board of managers of Parent (the "Board"), as of September 10, 2012. The supervision of the Issuer's management and the general course of its affairs and business operations is entrusted to the Board, which currently consists of nine members.

Name
  Age   Position(s)

Brent J. Smolik

    51   President, Chief Executive Officer and Manager

Clayton A. Carrell

    46   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Joan M. Gallagher

    48   Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administrative Services

John D. Jensen

    43   Executive Vice President, Operations Services

Dane E. Whitehead

    51   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    47   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Gregory A. Beard

    40   Manager

Joshua J. Harris

    47   Manager

Chang-Seok Jeong

    53   Manager

Pierre F. Lapeyre, Jr. 

    49   Manager

David Leuschen

    60   Manager

Sam Oh

    42   Manager

Donald A. Wagner

    49   Manager

Rakesh Wilson

    37   Manager

         Brent J. Smolik became our President and Chief Executive Officer and a manager of Parent in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. He was previously Executive Vice President and Member of the Executive Committee of El Paso Corporation and President of our predecessor since November 2006. Mr. Smolik was President of ConocoPhillips Canada from April 2006 to October 2006. Prior to the Burlington Resources merger with ConocoPhillips, he was President of Burlington Resources Canada from September 2004 to March 2006. From 1990 to 2004, Mr. Smolik worked in various engineering and asset management capacities for Burlington Resources Inc., including the Chief Engineering role from 2000 to 2004. He was a member of Burlington Executive Committee from 2001 to 2006. Mr. Smolik also serves on the boards of the American Exploration and Production Council, America's Natural Gas Alliance and the Independent Petroleum Association of America.

         Clayton A. Carrell became our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. He was previously Senior Vice President, Chief Engineer of our predecessor since June 2010. Mr. Carrell joined El Paso Corporation in March 2007 as Vice President, Texas Gulf Coast Division. Prior to that, he was Vice President, Engineering & Operations at Peoples Energy Production from February 2001 to March 2007. Prior to joining Peoples Energy Production, Mr. Carrell worked at Burlington Resources and ARCO Oil and Gas Company from May 1988 to February 2001 in various domestic and international engineering and management roles. He serves on the Industry Board of the Texas A&M Petroleum Engineering Department, is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and a Board Member of the US Oil & Gas Association.

         Joan M. Gallagher became our Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administrative Services in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. She was previously Vice President, Human Resources of El Paso Corporation since March 2011. From August 2005 until February 2011, she served as Vice President, Human Resources of our predecessor. In that capacity, Ms. Gallagher had HR responsibility for our predecessor's exploration and production business unit and from January 2010 to February 2011, she had added HR responsibilities for shared services and midstream. Prior to

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2005, Ms. Gallagher served as Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Torch Energy Advisors Incorporated.

         John D. Jensen became our Executive Vice President, Operations Services in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. He was previously Senior Vice President, Operations of our predecessor since June 2010. From May 2009 until May 2010 he served as Vice President of Operations of our predecessor. Mr. Jensen previously served as Vice President, Strategy and Engineering from April 2007 to May 2009. Prior to joining our predecessor, Mr. Jensen served as Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Planning for ConocoPhillips Canada from June 2005 to March 2007. In addition, he held various positions in upstream and midstream engineering, planning, and business development at ConocoPhillips starting in July 1990. He is a board member of the Texas Oil and Gas Association and a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers.

         Dane E. Whitehead became our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. He was previously Senior Vice President of Strategy and Enterprise Business Development and a member of the Executive Committee of El Paso Corporation since October 2009. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of our predecessor from May 2006 to October 2009. He was the Vice President and Controller of Burlington Resources Inc. from June 2005 to March 2006. From January 2002 to May 2005 he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Burlington Resources Canada. He was a member of the Burlington Resources Executive Committee from 2000 to 2006. From 1984 to 1993, Mr. Whitehead was an independent accountant with Coopers and Lybrand. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

         Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman became our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. She was previously Vice President, Legal Shared Services, Corporate Secretary and Chief Governance Officer of El Paso Corporation since November 2009. Ms. Woung-Chapman was Vice President, Chief Governance Officer and Corporate Secretary at El Paso Corporation from May 2007 to November 2009 and from May 2006 to May 2007 served as General Counsel and Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs for El Paso Corporation's Eastern Pipeline Group. She served as General Counsel of El Paso Corporation's Eastern Pipeline Group from April 2004 to May 2006. Ms. Woung-Chapman served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel of El Paso Merchant Energy from July 2003 to April 2004. Prior to that time, she held various legal positions with El Paso Corporation and Tenneco Energy starting in 1991.

         Gregory A. Beard became a manager of the Parent in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Beard joined Apollo Management in 2010 as the Global Head of Natural Resources, based in the New York office. Mr. Beard joined Apollo Management with 17 years of investment experience, the last ten years with Riverstone Holdings where he was a founding member, Managing Director and lead deal partner in many of the firm's top oil and gas and energy service investments. While at Riverstone, Mr. Beard was involved in all aspects of the investment process including sourcing, structuring, monitoring and exiting transactions. Mr. Beard began his career as a Financial Analyst at Goldman Sachs, where he played an active role in that firm's energy-sector principal investment activities. Mr. Beard has served on the board of directors of many oil and gas companies including Athlon Energy, Belden & Blake Corporation, Canera Resources, Cobalt International Energy, Eagle Energy, Legend Natural Gas I - IV, Mariner Energy, Phoenix Exploration, Titan Operating, and Vantage Energy. Mr. Beard has served on the Board of various oilfield services companies, including CDM Max, CDM Resource Management, and International Logging. Mr. Beard received his BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana.

         Joshua J. Harris became a manager of the Parent in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Harris is a Senior Managing Director of Apollo Global Management, LLC and

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Managing Partner of Apollo Management, L.P., which he co-founded in 1990. Prior to 1990, Mr. Harris was a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions Group of Drexel Burnham Lambert Incorporated. Mr. Harris currently serves on the boards of directors of Apollo Global Management, LLC, Berry Plastics Group Inc., LyondellBasell Industries, CEVA Group plc, Momentive Performance Materials and the holding company for Alcan Engineered Products and is the Managing Partner of the Philadelphia 76ers. Mr. Harris has previously served on the boards of directors of Verso Paper, Metals USA, Nalco, Allied Waste Industries, Pacer International, General Nutrition Centers, Furniture Brands International, Compass Minerals Group, Alliance Imaging, NRT Inc., Covalence Specialty Materials, United Agri Products, Quality Distribution, Whitmire Distribution, and Noranda Aluminum. Mr. Harris is actively involved in charitable and political organizations. Mr. Harris graduated summa cum laude and Beta Gamma Sigma from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and received his MBA from the Harvard Business School, where he graduated as a Baker and Loeb Scholar.

         Chang-Seok Jeong became a manager of the Parent in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Jeong joined KNOC in 1986. He is currently Executive Vice President for the America Group of KNOC. Prior to this role, Mr. Jeong was Managing Director of KNOC Vietnam. Before this, Mr. Jeong was Vice President of KNOC's Asia Production Department and Senior Manager of the New Ventures team. Mr. Jeong received his bachelor degree in Petroleum & Mining Engineering from Seoul National University, a master degree in Petroleum Engineering from Seoul National University and a PhD ABD in Petroleum Engineering from Seoul National University.

         David Leuschen became a manager of the Parent in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Leuschen is a founder and Senior Managing Director of Riverstone. Prior to co-founding Riverstone, Mr. Leuschen was a Partner and Managing Director at Goldman, Sachs & Co. and founder and head of the Goldman, Sachs & Co. Global Energy & Power Group. Mr. Leuschen joined Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1977 and became head of the Global Energy & Power Group in 1985 and a Partner in 1986. He remained with Goldman, Sachs & Co. until leaving to found Riverstone. Mr. Leuschen has served as a director of Cambridge Energy Research Associates, Cross Timbers Oil Company (predecessor to XTO Energy), J. Aron Resources, Mega Energy, Inc. and Natural Meats Montana. He currently serves on the boards of directors of Legend Natural Gas, Dynamic Industries, Canera Resources and Titan Operating. He is also president of Switchback Ranch LLC and has served on a number of non-profit boards of directors. Mr. Leuschen received his Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth and his Master of Business Administration from Dartmouth's Amos Tuck School of Business.

        Pierre F. Lapeyre, Jr.     became a manager of the Parent in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Lapeyre is a founder and Senior Managing Director of Riverstone. Prior to co-founding Riverstone, Mr. Lapeyre was a Managing Director at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in its Global Energy & Power Group. Mr. Lapeyre joined Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1986 and spent his 14-year investment banking career focused on energy and power, particularly the midstream/pipeline and oil service sectors. Mr. Lapeyre's responsibilities included client coverage and leading the execution of a wide variety of mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, strategic advisory and capital markets financings for clients across all sectors of the industry. Mr. Lapeyre serves on the boards of directors of Legend Natural Gas, Titan Specialties, Dynamic Industries, Titan Operating, Three Rivers and Quorum Technologies. Mr. Lapeyre received his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from the University of Kentucky and his Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

         Sam Oh became a manager of the Parent in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Oh joined Apollo Management in 2008. He is a Senior Partner and one of the original founding members of Apollo's Natural Resources Group. Prior to that time, Mr. Oh was with Morgan Stanley's Commodities Department where he led principal investments for the group. While at Morgan Stanley,

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Mr. Oh launched a successful oil and gas fund, Helios Energy/Royalty Partners, and sat on the board of several portfolio companies. Mr. Oh has 18 years of experience, including 13 years of principal investing. He also has a broad range of experience in the commodities markets including risk management and structured products. Since joining Apollo Management, Mr. Oh has been actively involved in Apollo's E&P investments, including leading the Parallel Petroleum acquisition in 2009. Mr. Oh was formerly Chairman of the Board of Parallel Petroleum and is a Director of Athlon Energy. Mr. Oh received a BS from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst.

         Donald A. Wagner became a manager of the Parent in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Wagner is a Managing Director of Access Industries, having been with Access since 2010. He is responsible for sourcing and executing new investment opportunities in North America, and he oversees Access' current North American investments. From 2000 to 2009, Mr. Wagner was a Senior Managing Director of Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C., responsible for investments in several areas and heading the industry group focused on investments in basic industries. Previously, Mr. Wagner was a Managing Director of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC and had a 15-year career at that firm and its affiliates in New York and London. He is a board member of Access portfolio companies Warner Music Group and Boomerang Tube and was on the board of NYSE-listed RSC Holdings from November 2006 until August 2009. Mr. Wagner graduated summa cum laude with an A.B. in physics from Harvard College.

         Rakesh Wilson became a manager of the Parent in May 2012 upon the consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Wilson joined Apollo Management in 2009, where he is currently a senior member of the natural resources team. Prior to joining Apollo Management, Mr. Wilson was at Morgan Stanley's Commodities Department in the principal investing group responsible for generating, evaluating and executing investment ideas across the energy sector with deals including Wellbore Capital and Helios Energy/Royalty Partners. Mr. Wilson began his career at Goldman Sachs in equity research and then moved to its investment banking division in New York and Asia. Mr. Wilson currently serves on the boards of directors of Athlon Energy and Talos Energy and previously served as a director of Parallel Petroleum. Mr. Wilson graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and received his MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France. He has also taught business courses at universities in China.

Committees of the Board of Managers

        Audit Committee.     The Audit Committee consists of seven members: Messrs. Oh (as Chairman), Beard, Harris, Jeong, Lapeyre, Wagner and Wilson. In light of our status as a privately-held company and the absence of a public trading market for our common stock, there are no requirements that we have an independent audit committee and our Board has not designated any member of the Audit Committee as an "audit committee financial expert".

        Compensation Committee.     The Compensation Committee consists of seven members: Messrs. Oh (as Chairman), Beard, Harris, Jeong, Leuschen, Wagner and Wilson. The Compensation Committee is responsible for formulating, evaluating and approving the compensation and employment arrangements of the senior officers of the Issuer.

        Budget Committee.     The Budget Committee consists of two members: Messrs. Lapeyre and Oh. The Budget Committee is responsible for authorizing certain capital expenditures, acquisitions and dispositions by the Issuer and its subsidiaries.

Code of Ethics

        We have adopted a code of ethics, referred to as our "Code of Conduct," that applies to all of our employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and senior financial and accounting officers. In addition to other matters, our Code of Conduct establishes policies to deter

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wrongdoing and to promote honest and ethical conduct. A copy of our Code of Conduct is available on our website at www.epenergy.com .

Executive Compensation

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

        The following compensation discussion and analysis, or CD&A , provides information relevant to understanding the 2011 compensation of the executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table below, who we refer to as our named executive officers. They include our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Brent J. Smolik, our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Dane E. Whitehead, and our other three most highly compensated executive officers, Mr. Clayton A. Carrell, Mr. John D. Jensen, and Ms. Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman. Unless otherwise noted, the information provided in this CD&A reflects compensation earned by our named executive officers while employed by El Paso Corporation ("El Paso") pursuant to the design and objectives of El Paso's executive compensation programs in place prior to the closing of the sale of EP Energy to EPE Acquisition, LLC in May 2012. All executive compensation decisions for our named executive officers prior to the sale were made by El Paso, and to the extent applicable, the Compensation Committee of El Paso's Board of Directors ("El Paso's Compensation Committee"), and relate to the positions that such executives held at El Paso prior to the sale. Executive compensation decisions following the closing of the sale are made by the compensation committee of the board of our parent company, EPE Acquisition, LLC, and relate to the current positions the officers hold as executive officers of EP Energy. The discussion is divided into the following sections:

        The core of our El Paso's 2011 executive compensation program was pay for performance. A significant portion of each of our named executive's total annual compensation was at risk and dependent upon El Paso's achievement of specific, measurable performance goals. The framework of El Paso's 2011 executive compensation program is set forth below:

        El Paso's Compensation Committee had primary responsibility for determining and approving, on an annual basis, the total compensation level of El Paso's senior officers who were subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, which included Messrs. Smolik and Whitehead. El Paso's Compensation Committee received information and advice from its compensation consultant as well as from El Paso's human resources department and management to assist in compensation determinations.

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Management of El Paso was responsible for determining and approving the total compensation level of officers who were not subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, which included Messrs. Carrell and Jensen and Ms. Woung-Chapman.

        El Paso's Compensation Committee retained Deloitte Consulting as its independent compensation consultant. Deloitte advised the committee on an ongoing basis with regard to the general competitive landscape and trends in compensation and executive and director compensation matters, including (i) competitive benchmarking, (ii) incentive plan design, (iii) performance metrics testing, (iv) peer group selection, (v) compensation risk-management, and (vi) updates on best-practices and trends in executive and director compensation.

        Our named executive officers received base salary adjustments in early 2011. Salary increases were generally between 3% and 6%. In each situation, the salary increases were made to align with market competitive levels and reflect individual contributions. No adjustments were made to the named executive officers' 2011 target bonus opportunities. These target bonus opportunities relate to the positions each of our named executive officers held with El Paso during 2011 and were derived in part from peer group and competitive survey benchmarking data and in part by the judgment of El Paso's Compensation Committee and management on the internal equity of the positions, scope of job responsibilities and the executives' industry experience and tenure. The following table sets forth the base salaries and annual target bonus opportunities for our named executive officers for 2011.


Annual Base Salaries and
Target Bonus Opportunities

Name
  2011
Base Salary(1)
($)
  2011 Target
Bonus
Opportunity
(% of salary)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    600,000     90 %

Dane E. Whitehead

    406,008     60 %

Clayton A. Carrell

    336,000     45 %

John D. Jensen

    336,000     45 %

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    295,488     35 %

(1)
Base salary increases were effective as of April 1, 2011.

    Annual Cash Incentive Awards for 2011 Performance

        Performance Goals.     At the beginning of 2011, El Paso's Compensation Committee approved corporate and business unit financial and non-financial performance goals. El Paso's 2011 corporate financial goals, which were the primary goals used in determining the 2011 annual incentive bonuses for

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our named executive officers, are set forth below, including adjusted year-end results. For purposes of the performance goals, the reference to "MM" means million.

 
  2011 Goals  
Corporate Financial Goals
  Threshold   Target   Maximum   2011 Results   Weighting  

Earnings Per Share

  $0.84   $0.96   $1.08   $0.94     35 %

Segment EBITDA

  $3,260 MM   $3,361 MM   $3,505 MM   $3,363 MM     35 %

Return on Total Capital

  6.6%   7.1%   7.5%   7.1%     15 %

Debt (net of cash)

  $13,200 MM   $12,700 MM   $12,400 MM   $12,381 MM     15 %

        The corporate financial goals were set in alignment with El Paso's 2011 strategic plan. In making the determination of the threshold, target and maximum levels, El Paso's Compensation Committee considered the specific circumstances expected to be faced by El Paso and its business units in 2011. The threshold levels represent reasonably achievable goals, whereas the maximum levels represent a significant stretch and would require exceptional performance.

        Annual Incentive Bonus Pool Funding.     After the 2011 financial results became available, El Paso's Compensation Committee determined the appropriate funding of the 2011 annual incentive bonus pool based on the achievement of the pre-established performance goals for the year, as well as the successful execution of operational and strategic initiatives. The following table sets forth the percentage that the annual incentive bonus pool is funded based on the level of performance relative to the performance goals that were established for the year.


Funding of the
Annual Incentive Bonus Pool

Performance
  Pool Funding  

Maximum Goals Met

    150 %(1)

Target Goals Met

    100 %(2)

Threshold Goals Met

    50 %(3)

Threshold Not Met

    0 %

(1)
The maximum funding of the annual incentive bonus pool is 150% for performance at or above the maximum performance level.

(2)
For performance above target but below maximum, actual funding is between 100% and 150%, as determined by El Paso's Compensation Committee.

(3)
For performance above threshold but below target, actual funding is between 50% and 100%, as determined by El Paso's Compensation Committee.

        Individual Performance Adjustment.     In addition to company performance, individual performance was an important factor in determining annual incentives for 2011. Individual performance goals for 2011 included living El Paso's core values of stewardship, integrity, safety, accountability, and excellence strengthening El Paso's balance sheet, continuing to improve our exploration and production cost structure and delivering significant reserve growth with increased oil exposure, increasing our inventory of low-risk, repeatable drilling operations, executing on the construction of El Paso's backlog of pipeline projects and placing pipeline growth projects in service on time and on budget, continuing to grow El Paso's master limited partnership, reducing costs, improving execution capability, leadership training and development initiatives and supporting volunteer efforts in the communities in which we work. Based on the executive's performance in relation to these goals, an individual performance factor is assigned to each executive. The individual performance factor is used to adjust the executive's actual annual cash incentive award.

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        The range of annual cash incentive bonuses is illustrated as a percentage of base salary for each named executive officer in the following table. The actual percentage of cash incentive bonuses could be at any level between the minimum and maximum percentages based on company and individual performance.


Range of Cash Incentive Bonuses as a Percentage of Base Salary for 2011

 
  Minimum
Threshold
Not Met
  Threshold   Target   Maximum  

Brent J. Smolik

    0 %   45 %   90 %   202.50 %

Dane E. Whitehead

    0 %   30 %   60 %   135 %

Clayton A. Carrell

    0 %   22.5 %   45 %   150 %

John D. Jensen

    0 %   22.5 %   45 %   150 %

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    0 %   17.5 %   35 %   78.75 %

        The potential range of values of the annual cash incentive awards for 2011 performance for each of the named executive officers is reflected in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table in the "Estimated Possible Payouts under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards" column.

        El Paso Performance.     In February 2012, El Paso's Compensation Committee reviewed El Paso's performance and the performance of its business units relative to the performance goals that were established for the year. In reviewing El Paso's performance relative to the corporate financial goals, El Paso's Compensation Committee excluded the impacts of certain items under pre-approved adjustment categories, including: charges due to the deconsolidation of El Paso's joint venture Ruby Pipeline, L.L.C.; debt extinguishment losses; adjustments to exclude the mark-to-market impact of our derivative positions and include the value of hedge cash settlements; a ceiling test charge related to capitalized costs in Brazil; commodity price fluctuations in the exploration and production business unit, which resulted in an unfavorable adjustment to earnings per share, segment EBITDA and outstanding debt (net of cash); transaction-related costs; decision to develop El Paso's exploration and production Eagle Ford shale program without a joint venture partner as well the impact of certain divestitures not contemplated by plan, each of which resulted in adjustments to segment EBITDA; and actions taken to resolve legacy issues. El Paso's Compensation Committee determined that these items were not related to the ongoing operation of El Paso in a manner consistent with the way the performance goals and ranges were set for compensation-related purposes. Based on these adjustments, El Paso's Compensation Committee determined that El Paso achieved the following adjusted results:

    earnings per share of $0.94;

    segment EBITDA of $3,363 million;

    return on total capital of 7.1%; and

    outstanding debt (net of cash) of $12,381 million.

        El Paso's Compensation Committee also considered the strategic initiatives undertaken by El Paso during 2011 that were designed to increase and accelerate stockholder value that required maximum performance on behalf of management and employees, including the proposed spin-off of El Paso's exploration and production business unit, and the subsequent decision to merge El Paso with Kinder Morgan, Inc. Based on the achievement of the performance goals and after considering management's execution of strategic initiatives that resulted in acceleration of El Paso's stockholder value for 2011, El Paso's Compensation Committee approved a corporate funding level of 150% for cash incentive awards, as well as a funding level of 146% for the exploration and production business unit.

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        Individual Performance.     After approving the bonus pool funding levels described above, El Paso's Compensation Committee and management reviewed the individual performance of each of our named executive officers, with particular focus on individual accountabilities and business unit performance. Based on this review, El Paso's Compensation Committee, as it related to Messrs. Smolik and Whitehead, and El Paso's management, as it related to Messrs. Carrell and Jensen and Ms. Woung-Chapman, awarded the executives above-target individual performance factors.

        2011 Annual Incentives.     Based on the policies described above, El Paso's Compensation Committee approved annual incentive bonuses for 2011 performance for Messrs. Smolik and Whitehead, and El Paso management approved annual incentive bonuses for 2011 performance for Messrs. Carrell and Jensen and Ms. Woung-Chapman in accordance with the funding levels set forth above and the individual performance and contributions of each named executive officer.


Annual Cash Incentives
for 2011 Performance

 
  Actual
Incentive Bonus(1)
($)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    1,206,900  

Dane E. Whitehead

    544,457  

Clayton A. Carrell

    344,000  

John D. Jensen

    333,750  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    184,000  

(1)
Cash incentive awards for 2011 performance were paid in March 2012.

    Long-Term Incentive Awards

        El Paso's annual long-term incentives have historically been comprised of an approximate 50/50 combination of stock options and restricted stock. However, commencing with the April 2011 grant cycle, El Paso's Compensation Committee incorporated performance shares into the equity program, along with traditional stock options and time-vested restricted stock. The performance shares were designed to pay out on the basis of El Paso's multi-year relative TSR results, with no dividends payable on unvested performance shares. With 2011 as a transition year, the performance share grant utilized two performance periods, with half of the target grant payout based on El Paso's TSR results over a two year period (2011-2012), and half on TSR results over a three year period (2011-2013).

        The number and kind of El Paso equity awards granted in April 2011 to each of our named executive officers is reflected in the table below.


Annual Grant of
El Paso Long-Term Incentive Awards

Name
  Stock
Options
(#)
  Restricted
Stock
(#)
  Performance
Shares
(#)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    108,507     66,828     48,476  

Dane E. Whitehead

    35,156     22,853     17,313  

Clayton A. Carrell

    35,156     20,776     11,668  

John D. Jensen

    35,156     20,776     11,668  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    20,399     13,850     7,918  

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        Stock options were granted at target levels and were not adjusted for company or individual performance. In contrast, restricted stock awards were granted based on the level of achievement during 2011 of certain pre-established performance goals. The performance goals that were used by El Paso's Compensation Committee for purposes of determining the number of restricted stock awards granted to our named executive officers in April 2011 included (i) El Paso's 2011 annual corporate financial goals (weighted at 50%) and (ii) El Paso's 2011 relative TSR compared to its peer group of companies (weighted at 50%). During 2011, El Paso had above-target achievement of corporate financial goals, together with top quartile TSR performance, which resulted in above-target restricted share grants to our named executive officers. The performance share grants were granted at target levels, with minor adjustments for individual performance. El Paso made no equity grants to our named executive officers in 2012.

    Impact of EP Energy Sale and El Paso Merger on NEO Compensation

    Outstanding El Paso Equity Awards

        All of our named executive officers held vested and unvested stock options to purchase shares of El Paso common stock, restricted shares and performance shares granted under El Paso's equity plan prior to the closing of the sale on May 24, 2012 of El Paso's exploration and production business unit to EPE Acquisition, LLC. Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement between El Paso and Kinder Morgan, Inc., which merger became effective on May 25, 2012, each outstanding El Paso stock option, restricted share and performance share automatically vested. In the case of outstanding performance shares, performance was deemed to be attained at target. At such time, each outstanding stock option, restricted share and performance share was converted into the right to receive either cash or a mixture of cash and shares of Class P common stock of KMI for all shares subject to such awards (in the case of stock options, less the aggregate exercise price), pursuant to the terms of the El Paso/KMI merger agreement. Each holder also received warrants as part of the merger consideration in respect of such equity awards. Our named executive officers were deemed to remain in the employ of El Paso up to the effective time of the merger between El Paso and KMI for purposes of the treatment of their outstanding El Paso equity awards, which vested and were converted into merger consideration as described above.

    Retention Plan

        Our named executive officers participate in a retention plan that was established by El Paso in late 2011. The plan was adopted, in consultation with KMI, for full-time employees of El Paso who primarily provided services to El Paso's exploration and production business (the "Retention Plan"). Based on the level of gross sales proceeds received by El Paso/KMI in respect of the sale of the EP Energy business assets and on the specific time at which such assets were sold, a retention bonus pool in the aggregate amount of $1,750,000 has been established for EP Energy officers. Prior to the determination of actual pool funding in 2012, each of our named executive officers was awarded a percentage interest in the overall pool. In accordance with this allocation, Mr. Smolik's payment is $226,937, Mr. Whitehead's payment is $153,564, Mr. Carrell's payment is $127,085, Mr. Jensen's payment is $127,085, and Ms. Woung-Chapman's payment is $111,762.

    Employment Agreements

        In connection with the closing of the sale of EP Energy to EPE Acquisition, LLC, EP Energy entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers. These agreements provide us and the executives with certain rights and obligations during and following a termination of employment. We believe these agreements are necessary to protect our legitimate business interests, as well as to protect the executives in the event of certain termination events. The employment agreements provide for, among other things, base salaries, annual performance bonuses and severance

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benefits in the event of a termination of employment under certain circumstances. The employment agreements became effective as of the closing of the sale. The employment agreements have an initial term that expires on the fifth anniversary of their effective date, but the term of each agreement will automatically be extended for successive additional one-year periods unless either the executive or company provides written notice to the other at least 60 days prior to the end of the then-current initial term or extension term that no such automatic extension will occur. In addition, in connection with entering into the agreement, the executives agreed to waive any rights relating to their participation in El Paso's 2004 Key Executive Severance Protection Plan. Additional detail regarding the employment agreements is set forth below.

        Brent J. Smolik.     We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Smolik, effective May 24, 2012, to serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as the Chairman of the Board of Managers of our parent EPE Acquisition, LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Smolik's annual base salary is $850,000, with an annual cash bonus target equal to 100% of his annual base salary, with higher or lower amounts (0% to 200% of target) payable depending on performance relative to targeted results. Mr. Smolik is also entitled to an additional one-time guaranteed bonus of $2,000,000 payable in the first quarter of 2013. Mr. Smolik is eligible to participate in all benefit plans and programs that are available to other senior executives of our company. Mr. Smolik's employment agreement contains provisions related to the payment of benefits upon certain termination events, as well as non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality restrictions.

        Dane E. Whitehead.     We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Whitehead, effective May 24, 2012, to serve as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Whitehead's annual base salary is $450,000, with an annual cash bonus target equal to 100% of his annual base salary, with higher or lower amounts (0% to 200% of target) payable depending on performance relative to targeted results. Mr. Whitehead is also entitled to an additional one-time guaranteed bonus of $850,000 payable in the first quarter of 2013. Mr. Whitehead is eligible to participate in all benefit plans and programs that are available to other senior executives of our company. Mr. Whitehead's employment agreement contains provisions related to the payment of benefits upon certain termination events, as well as certain non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality restrictions.

        Clayton A. Carrell.     We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Carrell, effective May 24, 2012, to serve as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Carrell's annual base salary is $400,000, with an annual cash bonus target equal to 100% of his annual base salary, with higher or lower amounts (0% to 200% of target) payable depending on performance relative to targeted results. Mr. Carrell is also entitled to an additional one-time guaranteed bonus of $600,000 payable in the first quarter of 2013. Mr. Carrell is eligible to participate in all benefit plans and programs that are available to other senior executives of our company. Mr. Carrell's employment agreement contains provisions related to the payment of benefits upon certain termination events, as well as certain non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality restrictions.

        John D. Jensen.     We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Jensen, effective May 24, 2012, to serve as our Executive Vice President, Operations Services. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Jensen's annual base salary is $400,000, with an annual cash bonus target equal to 100% of his annual base salary, with higher or lower amounts (0% to 200% of target) payable depending on performance relative to targeted results. Mr. Jensen is also entitled to an additional one-time guaranteed bonus of $600,000 payable in the first quarter of 2013. Mr. Jensen is eligible to participate in all benefit plans and programs that are available to other senior executives of our company. Mr. Jensen's employment agreement contains provisions related to the payment of benefits upon

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certain termination events, as well as certain non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality restrictions.

        Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman.     We entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Woung-Chapman, effective May 24, 2012, to serve as our Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary. Under the terms of the agreement, Ms. Woung-Chapman's annual base salary is $370,000, with an annual cash bonus target equal to 55% of her annual base salary, with higher or lower amounts (0% to 200% of target) payable depending on performance relative to targeted results. Ms. Woung-Chapman is also entitled to an additional one-time guaranteed bonus of $370,000 payable in the first quarter of 2013. Ms. Woung-Chapman is eligible to participate in all benefit plans and programs that are available to other senior executives of our company. Ms. Woung-Chapman's employment agreement contains provisions related to the payment of benefits upon certain termination events, as well as certain non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality restrictions.

    Executive Compensation Programs at EP Energy

    Compensation Committee of Our Board of Managers

        The compensation committee of the Board of Managers of our parent, EPE Acquisition, LLC ("Compensation Committee") is responsible with overseeing and approving compensation for our executive officers.

    Our Compensation Programs

        We believe El Paso's executive compensation programs were effective at retaining and motivating our named executive officers and in aligning their interests with the interests of El Paso's stockholders. As described below, the executive compensation programs initially adopted by us are similar to those in place at El Paso immediately prior to the sale, but, in the case of long-term incentive, tailored to reflect our status as a privately-owned company. The Compensation Committee will continue to evaluate our compensation and benefit programs and may make adjustments as necessary to meet prevailing business needs.

        Compensation Objectives.     Our executive compensation program at EP Energy is designed to achieve the following objectives:

    attract, retain and motivate the high-performing executive talent necessary at a new privately-held operating company, and

    align the interests of our executive officers with both the short-term and long-term interests of our equity holders.

        In connection with the closing of the sale and as set forth in the executive officer employment agreements, we adopted the same components of compensation used by El Paso, consisting of base salary, annual performance-based cash bonus and long-term incentives.

        Base Salary.     The Compensation Committee will review the base salary of each of our named executive officers annually. In making base salary decisions, we anticipate that the Compensation Committee will consider factors including external benchmarking data, scope of job responsibilities, experience and individual performance.

        Annual Performance-Based Cash Incentive.     In connection with the closing of the sale, we adopted an annual incentive program for our named executive officers similar to the El Paso bonus program described above. The EP Energy officers' annual cash bonus program will link annual bonus payments to company performance and each individual officer's performance for the year.

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        The Compensation Committee will establish company financial and operational performance goals each year as the primary driver in determining annual incentive bonuses for our named executive officers.

        In addition to company performance metrics, we anticipate that the Compensation Committee will also consider individual performance in determining annual cash bonus payments.

        The Compensation Committee may also consider additional relevant factors, including the marketplace for executive talent within our industry and the competitiveness of our annual cash bonus program relative to our peers.

        Long-Term Incentive Awards.     We provide our named executive officers with two forms of long-term equity incentive awards, each of which is designed to align the interests of our named executive officers with that of our equity investors, as described below.

        Management Incentive Units.     At the time of the closing of the sale of EP Energy, we issued Management Incentive Units ("MIPs") to our executive officers, which units are intended to constitute profits interests. The MIPs vest ratably over 5 years based on the executive's continued employment with the company and become payable based on the achievement of certain predetermined performance measures, including, without limitation, the occurrence of certain liquidity events. The MIPs were issued at no cost and, similar to a stock option, have value only to the extent the value of the company increases. The number of MIPs awarded to each named executive officer is set forth in the table below.


Management Incentive Units
(profits interests)

Name
  MIPs
(#)(1)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    207,985  

Dane E. Whitehead

    69,328  

Clayton A. Carrell

    69,328  

John D. Jensen

    69,328  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    27,731  

(1)
The MIPs were issued on May 24, 2012.

        Class A Investment Units.     In addition to the MIPs awards described above, each of our named executive officers purchased Class A units (capital interests) in our parent company (at a purchase price of $1,000 per Class A unit) shortly following the closing of the sale. In connection with this purchase, each named executive officers was awarded a "matching" Class A unit grant in an amount equal to 50% of the Class A units purchased. The matching units are subject to forfeiture in the event of certain termination scenarios. The number of Class A units issued to each named executive officer is set forth in the table below.

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Class A Investment Units

Name
  Buy-In
Units
(#)(1)
  Matching
Units
(#)(2)
  Total Units
(#)(3)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    4,000     2,000     6,000  

Dane E. Whitehead

    1,700     850     2,550  

Clayton A. Carrell

    1,200     600     1,800  

John D. Jensen

    1,200     600     1,800  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    740     370     1,110  

(1)
This column reflects the number of Class A units of our parent company that each named executive officer purchased following the closing of the sale of EP Energy to EPE Acquisition, LLC, at a purchase price of $1,000 per Class A unit.

(2)
This column reflects the matching Class A unit grant awarded to each named executive officer in connection with his or her buy-in of Class A units.

(3)
The management buy-in and matching Class A units were issued on July 23, 2012.

    Post-Employment Benefits

        401(k) Retirement Plan.     We sponsor a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan for a broad-based group of employees. We make matching contributions (dollar for dollar up to 6% of eligible compensation) and non-elective employer contributions (5% of eligible compensation) to the defined contribution plan, and individual employees, including our named executive officers, are eligible to contribute to the defined contribution plan. We do not sponsor a defined benefit pension plan.

        Severance.     Severance benefits are provided in certain termination events as set forth in the executives' employment agreements. Benefits include 3 times annual salary and target bonus for the CEO and 2 times annual salary and target bonus for other named executive officers.

        Senior Executive Survivor Benefits Plan.     We sponsor a welfare benefit plan that provides senior executives with survivor benefit coverage in lieu of the coverage provided generally to employees under EP Energy's group life insurance plan in the event of an executive's death. The amount of survivor benefit is 2 1 / 2  times the executive officer's annual salary.

        Other Benefits.     We anticipate that our executive officers will be offered limited perquisites, including financial planning assistance.

    Summary Compensation Table

        The following table and the narrative text that follows it provide a summary of the compensation earned or paid to our named executive officers during 2011 according to applicable SEC regulations. All of the information included in this table reflects compensation earned by the individuals for service with El Paso. We were not a reporting company under the Exchange Act for 2009 and 2010. Therefore, pursuant to the executive compensation rules adopted by the SEC, only the compensation of Mr. Smolik is shown for prior years when he was a named executive officer of El Paso. All references in the following tables to stock relate to awards of stock granted by El Paso. The amounts set forth in this table do not necessarily reflect the compensation such persons will receive from EP Energy, which could be higher or lower, because historical compensation was determined by El Paso and going forward compensation levels will be determined based on the compensation policies, programs and procedures established by the compensation committee of our parent, EPE Acquisition, LLC. The

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principal position listed for each name executive officer below reflects the current position each executive holds at EP Energy.


Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal Position
  Year   Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)(1)
  Option
Awards
($)(1)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(2)
  Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(3)(4)
  All Other
Compensation
($)(5)
  Total
($)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    2011     595,002         2,563,509     795,215     1,206,900     119,088     83,894     5,363,608  

President & Chief Executive

    2010     576,636         722,650     666,883     1,000,000     118,356     72,049     3,156,574  

Officer

    2009     566,520         385,023     502,351     1,000,000     57,136     34,724     2,545,754  

Dane E. Whitehead

   
2011
   
402,447
   
   
897,081
   
257,648
   
544,457
   
61,190
   
55,110
   
2,217,933
 

Executive Vice President &

                                                       

Chief Financial Officer

                                                       

Clayton A. Carrell

   
2011
   
333,579
   
   
702,422
   
257,648
   
344,000
   
36,849
   
26,821
   
1,701,319
 

Executive Vice President &

                                                       

Chief Operating Officer

                                                       

John D. Jensen

   
2011
   
333,591
   
   
702,422
   
257,648
   
333,750
   
37,188
   
27,977
   
1,692,576
 

Executive Vice President

                                                       

Operations Services

                                                       

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

   
2011
   
291,114
   
   
472,141
   
149,498
   
184,000
   
46,765
   
40,427
   
1,183,945
 

Senior Vice President, General

                                                       

Counsel & Corporate Secretary

                                                       

(1)
Amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards or option awards, as applicable, granted to each named executive officer under El Paso's equity plan computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, " Compensation—Stock Compensation " ("FASB ASC Topic 718").

(2)
The amount in this column for 2011 reflects each named executive officer's annual cash incentive bonus earned for 2011 performance under El Paso's annual incentive plan.

(3)
The amount in this column for 2011 reflects the annual change in the actuarial present value of each named executive officer's accumulated pension benefits under El Paso's pension and supplemental pension plans. The change in pension value is generally equal to the difference between the actuarial present value at the end of the year and the beginning of the year. The annual change in the actuarial present value of Messrs. Smolik's, Whitehead's, Carrell's and Jensen's and Ms. Woung-Chapman's accumulated pension and supplemental pension benefits for 2011 is $117,938, $60,854, $36,677, $37,032 and $46,333 respectively.

(4)
The amount in this column for 2011 also reflects above-market interest credited to our named executive officers' El Paso supplemental Retirement Savings Plan account balances under El Paso's supplemental benefits plan. During 2011, interest was credited to the balance of each executive officer's supplemental Retirement Savings Plan account balance on a monthly basis at a rate equal to the average of Moody's Seasoned Aaa Corporate Bond Rate and Moody's Seasoned Baa Corporate Bond Rate, as published by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. It was determined that the rate of interest exceeded 120 percent of the applicable federal long-term rate for each month during 2011. The total amount of the above-market interest credited to Messrs. Smolik's, Whitehead's, Carrell's, and Jensen's and Ms. Woung-Chapman's supplemental Retirement Savings Plan account balance during 2011 was $418, $336, $172, $156, and $432, respectively.

(5)
The compensation reflected in the "All Other Compensation" column for 2011 for each of our named executive officers includes company matching contributions to El Paso's Retirement Savings Plan, supplemental company matching contributions accrued under El Paso's 2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan, annual executive physicals, financial planning assistance and limited tax reimbursements, which are listed in the table immediately below.

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All Other Compensation included in the Summary Compensation Table for 2011

Name
  Company
Matching
Contributions
to the
Retirement
Savings Plan
($)
  Supplemental
Company Matching
Contributions
under the
2005 Supplemental
Benefits Plan
($)(A)
  Personal
Use of
Aircraft
($)(B)
  Annual
Executive
Physicals
($)(C)
  Financial
Planning
($)(D)
  Tax
Reimbursements
($)(E)
  Total
($)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    11,025     60,750     11     1,397     10,082     629     83,894  

Dane E. Whitehead

    11,025     25,085         2,000     17,000         55,110  

Clayton A. Carrell

    11,025     14,399         1,397             26,821  

John D. Jensen

    11,025     14,652     209     2,000         91     27,977  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    22,050     16,930         1,447             40,427  

(A)
The compensation reflected in this column for each of our named executive officers for 2011 includes supplemental company matching contributions which were accrued under El Paso's 2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan.

(B)
The amount shown in this column for Mr. Smolik for 2011 reflects the incremental cost to El Paso for an occasion when his spouse accompanied him on a business-related flight on private aircraft leased by El Paso. As Mr. Smolik was using the leased aircraft for business purposes, the only incremental cost to El Paso associated with his spouse's travel was a nominal per person segment fee charged by the private carrier to El Paso, which amount is shown above. The amount shown for Mr. Jensen reflects an occasion when his spouse accompanied him on a business-related flight using a commercial carrier. When the executive officer's use of leased aircraft or a guest's travel does not meet the IRS's standard for business use, but nevertheless is determined by the company to be business-related, the cost of that travel is imputed as income to the executive officer and a gross-up payment for taxes is provided. No tax gross-ups are made for flights that are not business-related. Any tax reimbursements with respect to the imputed income for business-related travel are reflected in the "Tax Reimbursements" column of this table.

(C)
The amounts in this column for 2011 reflect the cost for executive officer annual physicals.

(D)
The amounts in this column for 2011 reflect the cost for financial and tax planning assistance. This amount is imputed as income and no tax-gross up is provided.

(E)
The amounts in this column for 2011 reflect tax reimbursements associated with imputed income for occasions when the executive's spouse accompanied him on a business-related flight.

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    Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

        The following table provides additional information about stock awards and non-equity plan awards granted by El Paso to our named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2011.


Grants of Plan-Based Awards
During the Year Ended December 31, 2011

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
(#)(3)
  All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)(4)
   
  Closing
Market
Price of
Underlying
Securities
on Grant
Date
($/Sh)(6)
   
 
 
   
   
  Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)
  Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2)
  Exercise
or Base
Price
of Option
Awards
($/Sh)(5))
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and
Option
Awards
($)(7)
 
 
   
  Date of
Compensation
Committee
Action
 
Name
  Grant
Date
  Threshold
Not Met
($)
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
(#)
  Target
(#)
  Maximum
(#)
 

Brent J. Smolik

                                                                                     

Short-Term Incentive

    N/A     N/A         270,000     540,000     1,215,000                                                  

Stock Options

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                                     108,507     18.205     18.16     795,215  

Restricted Stock

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                               66,828                       1,216,604  

Performance Shares

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                 48,476     96,952                             1,346,906  

Dane E. Whitehead

                                                                                     

Short-Term Incentive

    N/A     N/A         121,802     243,605     548,111                                                  

Stock Options

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                                     35,156     18.205     18.16     257,648  

Restricted Stock

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                               22,853                       416,039  

Performance Shares

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                 17,313     34,626                             481,042  

Clayton A. Carrell

                                                                                     

Short-Term Incentive

    N/A     N/A         75,600     151,200     504,000                                                  

Stock Options

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                                     35,156     18.205     18.16     257,648  

Restricted Stock

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                               20,776                       378,227  

Performance Shares

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                 11,668     23,336                             324,195  

John D. Jensen

                                                                                     

Short-Term Incentive

    N/A     N/A         75,600     151,200     504,000                                                  

Stock Options

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                                     35,156     18.205     18.16     257,648  

Restricted Stock

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                               20,776                       378,227  

Performance Shares

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                 11,668     23,336                             324,195  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

                                                                                     

Short-Term Incentive

    N/A     N/A         51,710     103,421     232,697                                                  

Stock Options

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                                     20,399     18.205     18.16     149,498  

Restricted Stock

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                               13,850                       252,139  

Performance Shares

    4/1/2011     2/7/2011                                 7,918     15,836                             220,002  

(1)
These columns show the potential value of the payout of the annual cash incentive bonuses for 2011 performance for each named executive officer if the threshold, target and maximum performance levels are achieved. The actual amount of the annual cash incentive bonuses paid for 2011 performance is shown in the Summary Compensation Table under the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column.

(2)
These columns show the potential payout of performance shares granted in 2011 for each named executive officer if the target and maximum performance levels are achieved. No performance shares were paid out during 2011.

(3)
This column shows the number of shares of El Paso restricted stock granted in 2011 to the named executive officers. The shares vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant.

(4)
This column shows the number of El Paso stock options granted in 2011 to the named executive officers. The stock options vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant.

(5)
This column shows the exercise price for the El Paso stock options granted during 2011, which was the average between the high and low selling prices at which our common stock traded on the date of grant.

(6)
This column shows the closing market price of a share of El Paso's common stock on the date of grant of the stock options.

(7)
This column shows the grant date fair value of El Paso restricted stock, performance shares and stock options computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 granted to the named executive officers during 2011.

        The following is a description of material factors necessary to understand the information regarding the stock awards and option awards reflected in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table. The awards reflected in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table are shares of El Paso restricted stock, performance shares and non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of El Paso's common stock which were approved by El Paso's Compensation Committee and granted to the named executive officers on April 1, 2011. The stock options and restricted stock awards approved granted on April 1, 2011 were made as part of El Paso's 2011 annual grant of long-term incentive awards based on 2010 performance. The performance share awards granted on April 1, 2011 were not based on 2010 performance, but rather were approved by El Paso's Compensation Committee and incorporated into El Paso's long-term incentive program in 2011. As discussed further in the CD&A, the performance

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shares were designed to payout solely on the basis of El Paso's multi-year relative TSR results. With 2011 as a transition year, the performance share grant utilized two performance periods, with half of the target grant pay out based on El Paso's TSR results over a two-year period (2011-2012), and half on TSR results over a three-year period (2011-1013). The grant date fair value of the performance shares granted on April 1, 2011 that vest over a two-year period was $27.93, and the grant date fair value of performance shares that vest over a three-year period was $27.64. The grant date fair value per share for the restricted stock awards granted on April 1, 2011 was $18.205. The grant date fair value per option for the stock options granted on April 1, 2011 was $7.328, computed using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on several assumptions. These assumptions are based on El Paso's best estimate at the time of grant and are listed below, as follows:

 
  Grant Date
04/01/2011
 

Expected Term in Years

    6.0  

Expected Volatility

    40 %

Expected Dividends

    0.5000 %

Risk-Free Interest Rate

    2.569 %

        Restricted stock carries voting and dividend rights.     The amount of dividends received during 2011 on shares of El Paso's unvested restricted stock granted to our named executive officers is factored into the grant date fair value per share and is not required to be included in the Summary Compensation Table or Grants of Plan-Based Awards table but is reflected in the table below.

Name
  Dividends Received
during 2011 on
Restricted Stock
($)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    5,427  

Dane E. Whitehead

    2,058  

Clayton A. Carrell

    1,441  

John D. Jensen

    1,475  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    1,050  

    Employment Agreements

        As discussed in the CD&A, we entered into employment agreements with our named executive officers in connection with the closing of the sale of EP Energy to EPE Acquisition, LLC. The employment agreements are effective as of May 24, 2012 and have a five year term. See the heading "Impact of EP Energy Sale and El Paso Merger on NEO Compensation" in the CD&A for a summary of the key terms of the employment agreements.

    Outstanding Equity Awards

        The following table summarizes the equity awards El Paso made to our named executive officers which were outstanding as of December 31, 2011.

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Outstanding Equity Awards
at December 31, 2011

 
  Option Awards   Stock Awards  
 
  Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options at Fiscal Year-End
(#)
   
   
  Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
  Market Value
of Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(2)
  Number of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other
Rights
That Have Not
Vested
(#)(3)
  Market or Payout
of Unearned
Shares, Units or
Other Rights
That Have Not
Vested
($)(2)
 
 
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)(1)
   
 
 
  Option
Expiration
Date
 
Name
  Exercisable   Unexercisable  

Brent J. Smolik

    106,112         14.580   4/02/2017     13,053 (7)   346,818     48,476 (11)   1,288,007  

    108,319         16.705   4/01/2018     21,617 (8)   574,364              

    116,063     58,032 (4)   6.335   4/01/2019     43,520 (9)   1,156,326              

    49,020     98,039 (5)   11.070   4/01/2020     66,828 (10)   1,775,620              

        108,507 (6)   18.205   4/01/2021                          

Dane E. Whitehead

    30,134         13.100   5/01/2016     7,769 (7)   206,422     17,313 (11)   460,006  

    34,380         14.580   4/02/2017     16,352 (8)   434,473              

    35,095         16.705   4/01/2018     4,638 (9)   123,232              

    37,605     18,802 (4)   6.335   4/01/2019     22,853 (10)   607,204              

    21,525     43,048 (5)   11.070   4/01/2020                          

        35,156 (6)   18.205   4/01/2021                          

Clayton A. Carrell

    70,323         13.920   3/12/2017     3,446 (7)   91,560     11,668 (11)   310,019  

    9,009         16.390   3/03/2018     14,845 (9)   394,432              

    20,364         16.705   4/01/2018     20,776 (10)   552,018              

    21,820     10,910 (4)   6.335   4/01/2019                          

    15,883     31,764 (5)   11.070   4/01/2020                          

        35,156 (6)   18.205   4/01/2021                          

John D. Jensen

        10,910 (4)   6.335   4/01/2019     4,532 (7)   120,415     11,668 (11)   310,019  

        31,764 (5)   11.070   4/01/2020     14,845 (9)   394,432              

        35,156 (6)   18.205   4/01/2021     20,776 (10)   552,018              

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    6,788         16.705   4/01/2018     4,177 (7)   110,983     7,918 (11)   210,381  

    10,910     10,910 (4)   6.335   4/01/2019     9,348 (9)   248,376              

    9,216     18,431 (5)   11.070   4/01/2020     13,850 (10)   367,995              

        20,399 (6)   18.205   4/01/2021                          

(1)
The average between the high and low selling prices at which El Paso's common stock traded on the grant date is used as the exercise price (or strike price) for stock options. No cash is realized until the shares received upon exercise of an option are sold.

(2)
The values represented in this column have been calculated by multiplying $26.57, the closing price of El Paso's common stock on December 31, 2011 by the number of shares of stock.

(3)
The number of shares in this column represents the number of performance shares that would vest based on achieving target-level performance.

(4)
These are stock options that were granted as part of El Paso's 2009 annual grant of long-term incentive awards and time vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, with the remaining vesting date on April 1, 2012.

(5)
These are stock options that were granted as part of El Paso's 2010 annual grant of long-term incentive awards and time vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, with the remaining vesting dates on April 1, 2012 and April 1, 2013.

(6)
These are stock options that were granted as part of the El Paso's 2011 annual grant of long-term incentive awards and time vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, with vesting dates on April 1, 2012, April 1, 2013 and April 1, 2014.

(7)
These are shares of restricted stock that were granted as part of El Paso's 2009 annual grant of long-term incentive awards and time vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, with the remaining vesting date on April 1, 2012.

(8)
These are shares of restricted stock that El Paso's Compensation Committee awarded as part of the 2008 performance bonus in lieu of cash and cliff-vest three years from the date of grant, with the vesting date on April 1, 2012.

(9)
These are shares of restricted stock that were granted as part of El Paso's 2010 annual grant of long-term incentive awards and time vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, with the remaining vesting dates on April 1, 2012 and April 1, 2013.

(10)
These are shares of restricted stock that were granted as part of El Paso's 2011 annual grant of long-term incentive awards and time vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, with vesting dates on April 1, 2012, April 1, 2013 and April 1, 2014.

(11)
These are performance shares granted as part of El Paso's 2011 annual grant of long-term incentive awards and vest based on El Paso's multi-year relative TSR results. The amount listed is the target grant. Actual payouts could range between 0-200% of target and would be settled in stock.

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    Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

        The following table sets forth information concerning El Paso stock option exercises and vesting of El Paso restricted stock during 2011 for each of our named executive officers. In satisfaction of applicable SEC regulations, the number of securities for which stock options were exercised (if any) and the aggregate dollar value realized upon the exercise of such stock options is reflected in this table. The number of shares of restricted stock that have vested and the aggregate dollar value realized upon the vesting of such restricted stock is also reflected.


Option Exercises and Stock Vested
During Fiscal Year 2011

 
  Option Awards   Stock Awards  
Name
  Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)
  Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
  Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)
  Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(1)
 

Brent J. Smolik

            48,138     876,352  

Dane E. Whitehead

            22,543     410,395  

Clayton A. Carrell

            15,182     276,495  

John D. Jensen

    55,417     447,826     14,232     259,094  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    45,536     258,331     11,607     211,305  

(1)
The values represented in this column for El Paso restricted stock have been calculated by multiplying the per share fair market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date by the number of shares of restricted stock that vested.

    Pension Benefits Table

        The following table sets forth information with respect to the pension benefits of each of the named executive officers under El Paso's qualified and nonqualified pension plans. El Paso sponsors a qualified Pension Plan and supplemental benefits plans in which the named executive officers participate. In satisfaction of applicable SEC regulations, this table provides the number of years of service credited to the named executive officers, the actuarial present value of the named executive officers' accumulated benefits at the earliest unreduced retirement age and the dollar amount of benefits paid, if any, to a named executive officer under each of the plans during 2011. No pension benefits were paid to the named executive officers during 2011.

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Pension Benefits

Name
  Plan Name   Number of Years
Credited Service
(#)
  Present Value of
Accumulated Benefit
($)(1)
  Payments During
Last Fiscal Year
($)
 

Brent J. Smolik

  Pension Plan     5     79,233      

  Supplemental Benefits Plan              

  2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan     5     298,632      

Dane E. Whitehead

  Pension Plan     6     86,557      

  Supplemental Benefits Plan              

  2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan     6     125,084      

Clayton A. Carrell

  Pension Plan     5     66,004      

  Supplemental Benefits Plan              

  2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan     5     59,832      

John D. Jensen

  Pension Plan     5     65,111      

  Supplemental Benefits Plan              

  2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan     5     50,527      

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

  Pension Plan     15     227,581      

  Supplemental Benefits Plan     8     10,985      

  2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan     7     63,791      

(1)
The present value of the named executive officers' accumulated pension benefits in this column reflects a 4.32 percent discount rate and December 31, 2011 measurement date. The calculations reflect an age 65 commencement date.

        The following is a description of material factors necessary to understand the information disclosed above in the Pension Benefits table for each of the named executive officers. El Paso's Pension Plan provides pension benefits under a cash balance plan formula that defines participants' accrued benefits in terms of a notional cash account balance. Eligible El Paso employees become participants in the Pension Plan immediately upon employment and are fully vested in their benefits upon the earliest of the completion of three years of service or attainment of age 65. At the end of each calendar quarter, participant cash account balances are increased by an interest credit based on the 5-Year U.S. Treasury constant maturity yield, subject to a minimum interest credit of 4 percent per year, plus a pay credit equal to a percentage of salary and bonus.

        Amounts in the Pension Benefits table reported as the actuarial present value of each named executive officer's accumulated benefits are calculated as of December 31, 2011 using the same assumptions that are used for El Paso's pension liability disclosure in Note 13 to El Paso's financial statements included in its 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2012. However, the amounts in the Pension Benefits table assume no pre-retirement decrements (i.e., that the named executive officers work and survive to retirement age) and reflect an age 65 commencement date.

        Under El Paso's qualified Pension Plan and applicable Code provisions, for 2011 compensation in excess of $245,000 could not be taken into account and the maximum payable benefit in 2011 was $195,000. For 2011, any excess benefits otherwise accruing under the Pension Plan were payable under El Paso's 2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan which was adopted effective January 1, 2005 in connection with the implementation of Section 409A of the Code. The 2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan replaced El Paso's prior Supplemental Benefits Plan for benefits accruing after 2004. The benefits that accrue under the 2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan are supplemental benefits for officers and key management employees (including all of the named executive officers) who could not be paid under El Paso's Pension Plan and/or Retirement Savings Plan due to certain Code limitations. The supplemental pension benefits under El Paso's 2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan, when combined with the supplemental pension benefits the executive is entitled to receive under the prior Supplemental Benefits Plan and the amounts a participant is entitled to receive under El Paso's qualified Pension Plan, will be the actuarial equivalent of the Pension Plan's benefit formula had the limitations of the Code not been applied. See the "Nonqualified Deferred Compensation" table below for additional information regarding our named executive officers' supplemental Retirement Savings Plan benefits. The management committee of the plans designates who may participate and also administers the plan.

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    Nonqualified Defined Contribution and Other Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans

        The following table sets forth information with respect to nonqualified defined contribution plans sponsored by El Paso for each of the named executive officers as of December 31, 2011. El Paso sponsors a supplemental benefits plan that provides for the crediting of matching contributions that could not be paid under El Paso's Retirement Savings Plan due to Code limitations. El Paso does not sponsor a traditional nonqualified deferred compensation plan that provides for deferrals of base salary and bonuses for executive officers. None of the named executive officers had withdrawals or distributions of supplemental Retirement Savings Plan benefits during 2011.


Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
as of December 31, 2011

Name
  Registrant
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year
($)(1)
  Aggregate
Earnings in
Last Fiscal Year
($)(2)
  Aggregate
Balance at Last
Fiscal Year End
($)(3)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    60,750     5,816     182,289  

Dane E. Whitehead

    25,085     2,223     70,282  

Clayton A. Carrell

    14,399     1,141     38,405  

John D. Jensen

    14,652     1,040     36,648  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    16,930     2,852     75,316  

(1)
The amounts in this column are reported as compensation to the named executive officers in the Summary Compensation Table in the "All Other Compensation" column as supplemental company matching contributions for El Paso's Retirement Savings Plan which were accrued under El Paso's 2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan. See footnote 5 to the Summary Compensation Table.

(2)
Of the amounts in this column, $418 for Mr. Smolik, $336 for Mr. Whitehead, $172 for Mr. Carrell, $156 for Mr. Jensen and $432 for Ms. Woung-Chapman are reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table in the "Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings" column. See footnote 4 to the Summary Compensation Table.

(3)
Of the totals in this column, $60,750 for Mr. Smolik, $25,085 for Mr. Whitehead, $14,399 for Mr. Carrell, $14,652 for Mr. Jensen and $16,930 for Ms. Woung-Chapman, were reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table included in this registration statement.

        The following is a description of material factors necessary to understand the information disclosed above in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table for each of the named executive officers. The registrant's contributions reflected in this table include supplemental company matching contributions for the Retirement Savings Plan which are accrued under El Paso's supplemental benefits plans. The supplemental Retirement Savings Plan benefits are excess benefits in the form of company matching contributions that could not be made under El Paso's Retirement Savings Plan due to Code limitations. During 2011, these excess benefits were credited by El Paso to each executive's supplemental Retirement Savings Plan account balance under El Paso's 2005 Supplemental Benefits Plan. The plan administrator determines the rate of interest, if any, periodically attributable to the balance of each supplemental Retirement Savings Plan account. For 2011, interest was credited to the balance of each executive's supplemental Retirement Savings Plan account balance on a monthly basis at a rate equal to the average of Moody's Seasoned Aaa Corporate Bond Rate and Moody's Seasoned Baa Corporate Bond Rate, as published by Moody's Investors Services, Inc.

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    Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

        The following tables reflect the incremental value of compensation and benefits each named executive officer would have received in the event of an involuntary termination without cause, death, disability, termination with cause and a termination following a change in control relative to a voluntary termination of employment by the executive. Pursuant to SEC rules, all amounts below are based upon amounts payable in the event the termination event occurred as of December 31, 2011, and thus reflect amounts payable under El Paso's compensation programs in effect at that time. All amounts are estimates of the amounts which would have been paid to the executive officers upon their termination. The actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of such executive officer's termination.

    Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control Assuming Termination Event Occurs on December 31, 2011

    Payments made upon Voluntary Termination

        The following table reflects the total value of payments the named executive officers would have received in the event of a voluntary termination on December 31, 2011. In the event a named executive officer voluntarily terminated his or her employment, the executive officer would have been entitled to his or her vested benefits under El Paso's Pension Plan and Retirement Savings Plan (including supplemental benefits). Under El Paso's equity compensation plan, unvested equity awards would be forfeited in the event of a voluntary termination.


Payments made upon Voluntary Termination

Name
  Pension
Benefits
($)(1)(2)
  Supplemental
Pension
Benefits
($)(2)
  Retirement
Savings
Plan
Benefits
($)
  Supplemental
Retirement
Savings Plan
Benefits
($)
  Equity
Awards
($)
  Total
($)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    76,609     288,744     271,831     182,289     5,449,195     6,268,668  

Dane E. Whitehead

    83,385     120,501     150,731     70,282     2,258,908     2,683,807  

Clayton A. Carrell

    62,989     57,099     152,485     38,405     1,823,489     2,134,467  

John D. Jensen

    61,533     47,751     182,841     36,648         328,773  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    218,511     71,796     462,308     75,316     430,575     1,258,506  
                                     

Total

                                  12,674,221  
                                     

(1)
The amounts in this column reflect a lump sum payment.

(2)
The amounts in these columns may differ from the amounts in the Pension Benefits table due to several factors, including the use of different assumptions and the timing of commencement of payment.

    Incremental Payments made upon Involuntary Termination without Cause

        The following table reflects the incremental value of enhanced benefits the named executive officers would have received in the event of an involuntary termination without cause as of December 31, 2011 above the compensation and benefits that the executive officer would have been entitled to as a result of a voluntary termination, which includes a severance payment, continued medical benefits and the value of restricted stock that vest on a pro-rata basis. Under El Paso's severance plan, the amount of severance pay is based on the individual's years of service and his or her compensation level. The maximum amount of severance pay is 1 times the participant's annual base salary. Severance pay is paid in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable following

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termination. Participants are also entitled to receive continued medical and dental coverage for a period of three months following termination. Under El Paso's equity compensation plans, restricted stock vests on a pro-rata basis and unvested stock options are forfeited in the event of an involuntary termination without cause.


Incremental Payments made upon Involuntary Termination without Cause

 
  Severance Plan   Equity Awards    
 
Name
  Severance
Payment
($)
  Continued
Medical Benefits
($)
  Stock
Options
($)(1)
  Restricted
Stock
($)(2)
  Performance
Shares
($)(3)
  Total
($)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    600,000     3,369         1,641,415     536,670     2,781,454  

Dane E. Whitehead

    406,008     3,369         508,709     191,672     1,109,758  

Clayton A. Carrell

    336,000     3,369         349,767     129,174     818,310  

John D. Jensen

    336,000     3,369         371,103     129,174     839,646  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    295,488     1,623         264,743     87,659     649,513  
                                     

Total

                                  6,198,681  
                                     

(1)
Unvested stock options are forfeited in the event of an involuntary termination without cause.

(2)
This column shows the value of shares of El Paso restricted stock that vest on a pro-rata basis in the event of an involuntary termination without cause calculated using $26.57, the closing price of El Paso's common stock on December 31, 2011.

(3)
This column shows the value of El Paso performance shares that vest on a pro-rata basis in the event of an involuntary termination without cause based on target level achievement, calculated using $26.57, the closing price of El Paso's common stock on December 31, 2011.

    Incremental Payments made upon Death

        The following table reflects the incremental value of enhanced benefits our named executive officers would have received in the event of death above the compensation and benefits the executive officers are entitled to as a result of a voluntary termination. El Paso sponsored a Senior Executive Survivor Benefits Plan that provided certain senior executives of El Paso with survivor benefit coverage in lieu of the coverage provided generally under El Paso's group life insurance plan. The amount of benefits provided is 2.5 times the executive officer's annual salary. Messrs. Smolik, Whitehead, Carrell and Jensen participated in El Paso's Senior Executive Survivor Benefits Plan during 2011. Under El Paso's equity compensation plan, outstanding stock options become fully vested and exercisable and the restriction periods applicable to shares of restricted stock immediately lapse in the event of death.

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Incremental Payments made upon Death

 
   
  Equity Awards    
 
 
  Survivor
Benefit
Coverage
($)
   
 
Name
  Stock
Options
($)(1)
  Restricted
Stock
($)(2)
  Performance
Shares
($)(3)
  Total
($)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    1,500,000     3,601,543     3,853,128     536,670     9,491,341  

Dane E. Whitehead

    1,015,000     1,341,782     1,371,331     191,672     3,919,785  

Clayton A. Carrell

    840,000     1,007,186     1,038,010     129,174     3,014,370  

John D. Jensen

    840,000     1,007,186     1,066,865     129,174     3,043,225  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    295,000     677,082     727,354     87,659     1,787,095  
                               

Total

                            21,255,816  
                               

(1)
This column shows the value of El Paso stock options that become fully vested and exercisable in the event of the death of a named executive officer calculated using $26.57, the closing price of El Paso's common stock on December 31, 2011.

(2)
This column shows the value of shares of El Paso restricted stock that become fully vested in the event of the death of a named executive officer calculated using $26.57, the closing price of El Paso's common stock on December 31, 2011.

(3)
This column shows the value of El Paso performance shares that vest on a pro-rata basis in the event of death, calculated using $26.57, the closing price of El Paso's common stock on December 31, 2011.

    Incremental Payments made upon Disability

        The following table reflects the incremental value of enhanced benefits our named executive officers would have received under El Paso's welfare benefits plan in the event of permanent disability above the compensation and benefits the executive officers are entitled to as a result of a voluntary termination, which include disability benefits, the value of unvested stock options that become fully vested and the value of restricted stock that vests on a pro-rata basis. In the event of a named executive officer's permanent disability, disability income would be payable on a monthly basis as long as the executive officer qualifies as permanently disabled. For purposes of this table, we have assumed the executive officer is disabled for a period of one year. The restrictions on outstanding shares of restricted stock lapse on a prorated basis and all stock options become fully vested and exercisable in the event an executive officer becomes permanently disabled. In addition, in the event of disability, performance shares vest on a pro-rata basis based on target.

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Incremental Payments made upon Disability

 
   
  Equity Awards    
 
Name
  Disability
Income
($)(1)
  Stock
Options
($)(2)
  Restricted
Stock
($)(3)
  Performance
Shares
($)(4)
  Total
($)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    300,000     3,601,543     1,641,415     536,670     6,079,628  

Dane E. Whitehead

    243,605     1,341,782     508,709     191,672     2,285,768  

Clayton A. Carrell

    201,600     1,007,186     349,767     129,174     1,687,727  

John D. Jensen

    168,000     1,007,186     371,103     129,174     1,675,463  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    147,744     677,082     182,642     87,659     1,095,127  
                               

Total

                            12,823,713  
                               

(1)
In the event of a named executive officer's permanent disability, disability income would be payable on a monthly basis as long as the executive officer qualifies as permanently disabled. The amounts in this column assume disability income is paid to the executive officer for a period of one year.

(2)
This column shows the value of El Paso stock options that become fully vested and exercisable in the event of the disability of a named executive officer calculated using $26.57, the closing price of El Paso's common stock on December 31, 2011.

(3)
This column shows the value of shares of El Paso restricted stock that vest on a pro-rata basis in the event of disability calculated using $26.57, the closing price of El Paso's common stock on December 31, 2011.

(4)
This column shows the value of El Paso performance shares that vest on a pro-rata basis in the event of disability, calculated using $26,57, the closing price of El Paso's common stock on December 31, 2011.

    Incremental Payments made upon Termination with Cause

        In the event a named executive officer is terminated with cause, the named executive officer would not receive any benefits above the compensation and benefits he or she is entitled to as a result of a voluntary termination.

    Incremental Payments made upon a Change in Control of El Paso

        The following table reflects the incremental value of enhanced benefits the named executive officers would have received in the event of termination of employment on December 31, 2011 following a change in control of El Paso above the compensation and benefits the executive officers are entitled to as a result of a voluntary termination, which include benefits under El Paso's 2004 Key Executive Severance Protection Plan and the value of stock options and restricted stock that become fully vested. The plan provides severance benefits following an involuntary/good reason termination of employment within two years of a change in control of El Paso for certain executives designated by El Paso's Board or El Paso's Compensation Committee, including all of our named executive officers, and supersedes benefits payable under El Paso's severance plan (see "Incremental Payments made upon Involuntary Termination without Cause" above).

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Incremental Payments made upon a Change in Control of El Paso

 
  2004 Key Executive
Severance Protection Plan
   
   
   
   
 
 
  Equity Awards    
 
 
   
   
  Continued
Medical
Benefits
($)
   
 
Name
  Severance
Payment
($)
  Bonus
Payment
($)
  Stock
Options
($)(1)
  Restricted
Stock
($)(2)
  Performance
Shares
($)(3)
  Total
($)
 

Brent J. Smolik

    2,280,000     540,000     27,126     3,601,543     3,853,128     1,288,007     11,589,804  

Dane E. Whitehead

    1,299,226     243,605     27,126     1,341,782     1,371,331     460,006     4,743,076  

Clayton A. Carrell

    974,400     151,200     27,126     1,007,186     1,038,010     310,019     3,507,941  

John D. Jensen

    974,400     151,200     27,126     1,007,186     1,066,865     310,019     3,536,796  

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

    398,909     103,421     7,005     677,082     727,354     210,381     2,124,152  
                                           

Total

                                        25,501,769  
                                           

(1)
This column shows the value of El Paso stock options that become fully vested and exercisable in the event of a change in control of El Paso calculated using $26.57, the closing price of El Paso's common stock on December 31, 2011.

(2)
This column shows the value of shares of El Paso restricted stock that become fully vested in the event of a change in control of El Paso calculated using $26.57, the closing price of El Paso's common stock on December 31, 2011.

(3)
This column shows the value of El Paso performance shares that vest at target in the event of a change in control of El Paso calculated using $26.57, the closing price of El Paso's common stock on December 31, 2011.

Director Compensation

        Members of the Board of Managers of our parent, EPE Acquisition, LLC, do not receive a retainer or board meeting fees from EPE Acquisition, LLC for serving on the Board. All members of the Board are reimbursed for their reasonable expenses for attending Board functions.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

        All of our equity interests are held indirectly by EPE Acquisition, LLC and we do not have any limited liability company units issued and outstanding. The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our equity interests as of September 1, 2012, and shows the percentage owned by:

        The percentages of our equity interests beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a "beneficial owner" of a security if that person has or shares "voting power," which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or "investment power," which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed a beneficial owner of securities as to which he has no economic interest. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, each of the beneficial owners has, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment power with respect to the indicated equity interests, and has not pledged any such equity interests as security.

 
  Beneficial Ownership of
Equity Interests
 
Name of Beneficial Owner
  Percentage of
Ownership
 

EPE Acquisition, LLC(1)

    100.0 %

Brent J. Smolik(2)

     

Dane E. Whitehead(3)

     

Clayton A. Carrell(4)

     

John D. Jensen(5)

     

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman(6)

     

Greg Beard(7)

     

Joshua J. Harris(7)

     

Chang-Seok Jeong(8)

     

Pierre F. Lapeyre, Jr.(9)

     

David Leuschen(9)

     

Sam Oh(7)

     

Donald A. Wagner(10)

     

Rakesh Wilson(7)

     

All managers and named executive officers as a group

     

*
Indicates less than 1%
(1)
All of our equity interests are held by EPE Holdings LLC. EPE Intermediate LLC is the sole member of EPE Holdings LLC, and EPE Acquisition, LLC ("EPE Acquisition") is the sole member of EPE Intermediate LLC. ANRP (EPE AIV), L.P. ("ANRP EPE"), AIF PB VII (LS AIV), L.P. ("AIF PB"), AIF VII (AIV), L.P. ("AIF VII"), Apollo (EPE Intermediate DC I), LLC ("Intermediate I") and Apollo (EPE Intermediate DC II), LLC ("Intermediate II," and together with ANRP EPE, AIF PB, AIF VII and Intermediate I, the "Apollo Funds") have the right to appoint five out of ten members to EPE

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    Acquisition's board of managers and may thus be deemed to control actions that EPE Acquisition's board of managers may take with respect to our equity interests that require approval of a majority of EPE Acquisition's managers. Apollo Management VII, L.P. ("Management VII") is the manager of each of ANRP EPE, AIF PB and AIF VII, and a manager of Intermediate I and Intermediate II along with Apollo Commodities Management, L.P. ("Commodities Management"), which also serves as a manager of Intermediate I and Intermediate II. The general partner of Management VII is AIF VII Management, LLC ("AIF VII LLC") and the general partner of Commodities Management is Apollo Commodities Management GP, LLC ("Commodities GP"). Apollo Management, L.P. ("Apollo Management") is the sole member-manager of AIF VII LLC. Apollo Management GP, LLC ("Management GP") is the general partner of Apollo Management. Apollo Management Holdings, L.P. ("Management Holdings") is the sole member and manager of Management GP and of Commodities GP. Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC ("Management Holdings GP") is the general partner of Management Holdings. Leon Black, Joshua Harris and Marc Rowan are the managers, as well as principal executive officers, of Management Holdings GP, and as such may be deemed to have voting and dispositive control of the Units beneficially owned by EPE Acquisition. The address of EPE Holdings LLC, EPE Intermediate LLC and EPE Acquisition, LLC is c/o EP Energy LLC, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002. The address of each of the Apollo Funds other than ANRP EPE is One Manhattanville Road, Suite 201, Purchase, New York 10577. The address of ANRP EPE, Management VII, Commodities Management, AIF VII LLC, Commodities GP, Apollo Management, Management GP, Management Holdings and Management Holdings GP, and Messrs. Black, Harris and Rowan, is 9 W. 57 th Street, 43 rd Floor, New York, New York 10019.

(2)
Mr. Smolik holds 6,000 Class A units of EPE Acquisition, LLC, which accounts for less than 1% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of EPE Acquisition, LLC. The address of Mr. Smolik is c/o EP Energy LLC, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

(3)
Mr. Whitehead holds 2,550 Class A units of EPE Acquisition, LLC, which accounts for less than 1% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of EPE Acquisition, LLC. The address of Mr. Whitehead is c/o EP Energy LLC, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

(4)
Mr. Carrell holds 1,800 Class A units of EPE Acquisition, LLC, which accounts for less than 1% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of EPE Acquisition, LLC. The address of Mr. Carrell is c/o EP Energy LLC, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

(5)
Mr. Jensen holds 1,800 Class A units of EPE Acquisition, LLC, which accounts for less than 1% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of EPE Acquisition, LLC. The address of Mr. Jensen is c/o EP Energy LLC, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

(6)
Ms. Woung-Chapman holds 1,100 Class A units of EPE Acquisition, LLC, which accounts for less than 1% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of EPE Acquisition, LLC. The address of Ms. Woung-Chapman is c/o EP Energy LLC, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

(7)
The address of each of the managers is c/o Apollo Global Management, LLC, 9 West 57 th Street, New York, New York 10019.

(8)
The address of the manager is c/o Korea National Oil Corporation, 57 Gwampyeong-ro212beong-gil, Dongan-gu, Anyang, Gyeonggido, Korea 431-711.

(9)
The address of each of the managers is c/o Riverstone Holdings LLC, 712 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10019.

(10)
The address of the manager is c/o Access Industries Holdings LLC, 730 Fifth Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10019.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Parent

        In connection with the Acquisition Transactions, certain affiliates of Apollo (collectively, the "Apollo Member"), EPE 892 and TE Co-Investors (DC), LLC (the "EPE 892 Member"), EPE Domestic Co-Investors, L.P. (the "EPE Domestic Member"), EPE Overseas Co-Investors (DC), LLC (the "EPE Overseas Member," and together with the EPE 892 Member and EPE Domestic Member, the "Co-Investment Members"), an affiliate of Access (the "Access Member"), a vehicle through which management holds class A common units ("Class A Units") of Parent (the "EMI Member"), an affiliate of KNOC (the "KNOC Member"), Riverstone V Everest Holdings, L.P. (the "Riverstone Member" and, together with the KNOC Member and the Access Member, the "Principal Members"), a vehicle through which management holds class B profits interest units ("Class B Units") of Parent (the "EEH Member") (collectively, the "Members") and Parent, entered into a second amended and restated limited liability company agreement of Parent (the "LLC Agreement"). The Apollo Member, the Co-Investment Members, the Principal Members and the EMI Member were issued Class A Units (such Members in their capacity as holders of Class A Units, the "Class A Members").

        The Board initially consists of nine Managers: (a) four designated by the Apollo Member; (b) two designated by the Riverstone Member; (c) one designated by the Access Member; (d) one designated by the KNOC Member; and (e) the Chief Executive Officer of Parent.

        The number of Managers that each such Member is entitled to designate is subject to such Member maintaining a certain Class A Unit ownership threshold. All decisions of the Board require a majority vote of the Managers, other than certain extraordinary specified matters, which require the approval of a majority of the Managers, which majority must include the affirmative vote by a Manager designated by a Principal Member or its replacement elected in accordance with the LLC Agreement.

        The LLC Agreement provides for customary rights of first refusal, drag-along rights, tag-along rights and preemptive rights for all Class A Members.

        If, by the fifth anniversary of the consummation of the Acquisition Transactions, Parent or a successor entity of Parent has not consummated an initial public offering or a change of control transaction, the Apollo Member or the Class A Members holding 40% of the then outstanding Class A Units shall have the right to cause Parent to consummate a qualified initial public offering ("QIPO") without the approval of the Board and without the consent of the other Members.

Related Party Transaction Policy

        Under the LLC Agreement, the consummation of any transaction or series of related transactions involving Parent or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Member, Manager or an affiliate of any Member or Manager, on the other hand (each such transaction, a "Related Party Transaction"), requires the approval of a majority of the Managers, other than those Managers that are (or whose affiliates are) party to such Related Party Transaction or that have been designated by the Class A Members that are party, or whose affiliates are party to, such Related Party Transaction. This voting requirement does not apply to (among other things): (i) any transaction consummated in the ordinary course of business, on arm's length terms and de minimis in nature; and (ii) an acquisition of additional securities by a Class A Member pursuant to an exercise of its preemptive rights pursuant to the LLC Agreement.

Transaction Fee Agreement

        In connection with the Acquisition Transactions, Apollo Global Securities, LLC, the Riverstone Member (together, the "Initial Service Providers"), Access and KNOC (collectively with the Initial Service Providers, the "Service Providers") entered into a transaction fee agreement with EP Energy

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Global LLC ("EP Energy Global") and Parent (the "Transaction Fee Agreement") relating to the provision of certain structuring, financial, investment banking and other similar advisory services by the Service Providers to Parent, its direct and indirect divisions and subsidiaries, parent entities or controlled affiliates (collectively, the "Company Group") in connection with the Acquisition Transactions and future transactions. Parent will pay the Initial Service Providers a one-time transaction fee of $71.5 million in the aggregate in exchange for services rendered in connection with structuring the Acquisition Transactions, arranging the financing and performing other services in connection with the Acquisition Transactions. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Transaction Fee Agreement, Parent will pay to the Service Providers an additional transaction fee equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the aggregate enterprise value paid or provided by the Company Group and (ii) $100,000,000 in connection with any transaction (including any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets or equity interests) effected by a member of the Company Group after the consummation of the Acquisition Transactions and (x) which results in a change of control of the equity and voting securities, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of, the Company Group, or (y) which is in connection with one or more public offerings of any class of equity securities of Parent, EP Energy Global or any other member of the Company Group.

Management Fee Agreement

        In connection with the Acquisition Transactions, Apollo Management VII, L.P., Apollo Commodities Management, L.P., with respect to Series I, the Riverstone Member, Access and KNOC (collectively, the "Management Service Providers") entered into a management fee agreement with Parent and EP Energy Global (the "Management Fee Agreement") relating to the provision of certain management consulting and advisory services to the members of the Company Group following the consummation of the Acquisition Transactions. In exchange for the provision of such services, Parent will pay the Management Service Providers a non-refundable annual management fee of $25 million in the aggregate.

Participation of Apollo Global Securities, LLC in the Sales of the Initial Notes

        Apollo Global Securities, LLC is an affiliate of Apollo, one of the Sponsors, and acted as an initial purchaser in the sales of the initial notes. Apollo Global Securities, LLC received $937,500, $2,500,000 and $131,250 of the gross spread in the sales of the initial senior secured notes, initial 2020 senior notes and initial 2022 senior notes, respectively.

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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

The RBL Facility

        The following sets forth a summary of the terms of the RBL Facility. This summary is not a complete description of all the terms of the agreements governing our RBL Facility.

General

        In connection with the Acquisition Transactions, we entered into the RBL Facility, a new $2,000 million reserve-based borrowing base revolving credit facility, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the administrative agent, which will mature after five years. The RBL Facility provides for revolving loans, swing line loans and letters of credit. On the closing date of the Acquisition Transactions, we borrowed $750 million of loans under the RBL Facility to fund a portion of the Acquisition consideration, to fund certain original issue discount or upfront fees, to pay any working capital adjustments payable pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement and to pay the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Acquisition Transactions. The foregoing borrowings, together with letters of credit issued under the RBL Facility to roll over any of our letters of credit that are outstanding on the closing date of the Acquisition Transactions, reduce availability under the RBL Facility.

Interest Rates and Fees

        Under the RBL Facility, we have a choice of borrowing at an interest rate equal to, at our option, either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the federal funds rate plus 50 basis points, (2) the prime commercial lending rate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and (3) LIBOR for an interest period of one month beginning on such day plus 100 basis points or (b) a LIBOR rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin varies depending on the percentage of our borrowing base utilized at a given time and ranges from 150 to 250 basis points per annum for LIBOR based borrowings and ranges from 50 to 150 basis points per annum for base rate borrowings.

        In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the RBL Facility, we are required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders in respect of the unutilized commitments. The commitment fee rate ranges from 37.5 to 50 basis points per annum based on our borrowing base usage at a given time.

Prepayments and Adjustments of the Borrowing Base

        The first semi-annual redetermination date of our borrowing base is scheduled to be April 1, 2013. If following a scheduled or interim redetermination of the borrowing base the aggregate amount of outstanding revolving loans, swingline loans and letters of credit exceeds the borrowing base, we will be required to elect within 10 business days to (i) within 30 days after such election, provide additional collateral having a borrowing base value sufficient to eliminate the deficiency; (ii) within 30 days after such election, prepay the loans (or cash collateralize the letters of credit) in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency; (iii) prepay such deficiency in six equal monthly installments beginning on the 30 th day after our receipt of notice of the deficiency from the administrative agent; or (iv) undertake a combination of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii); provided that any such deficiency must be cured prior to the maturity date of the RBL Facility.

        If the borrowing base is reduced as a result of the incurrence of certain debt, early monetization or termination of hedge positions (above a certain agreed-upon threshold) or disposition of borrowing base assets (above a certain agreed-upon threshold) and the aggregate amount of outstanding revolving loans, swingline loans and letters of credit exceeds such reduced borrowing base, we are required to prepay the loans (or cash collateralize letters of credit) in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency within two business days following receipt of the RBL Facility administrative agent's written notice of such deficiency.

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Guarantees and Security

        All obligations under the RBL Facility are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by, subject to certain exceptions, all of our existing and future direct and indirect wholly owned material domestic restricted subsidiaries, referred to collectively as guarantors (together with the borrower under the RBL Facility, referred to as "credit parties"). All obligations under the RBL Facility, and the guarantees of those obligations, are secured:

        The obligations under the RBL Facility are also guaranteed by Holdings, our direct parent. Holdings' guarantee is limited recourse to our equity interests owned by Holdings.

Restrictive Covenants and Other Matters

        The RBL Facility contains restrictive covenants that may limit our ability to, among other things:

        Each of these covenants is subject to customary or agreed-upon exceptions, baskets and thresholds.

        In addition, the RBL Facility requires us to maintain a ratio of our consolidated total debt, net of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, to consolidated trailing 12-month EBITDAX (as defined in the

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credit agreement governing the RBL Facility) of not more than 5.0 to 1.0, with a step-down to 4.75 to 1.0 one year after entering into the RBL Facility and a further step down to 4.5 to 1.0 two years after entering into the RBL Facility and thereafter.

        The credit agreement governing the RBL Facility also contains certain other customary affirmative covenants and events of default, subject to customary or agreed-upon exceptions, baskets and thresholds (including equity cure provisions).

Senior Secured Term Loan Facility

        Concurrently with the closing of the offering of the initial senior secured notes and the initial 2020 senior notes, in order to fund a portion of the Acquisition, we also entered into a new $750 million senior secured term loan, with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative and collateral agent, which will mature on the sixth anniversary of the closing of the Acquisition. We refer to this loan in this prospectus as our "senior secured term loan."

        Our senior secured term loan bears interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the federal funds rate plus 50 basis points, (2) the prime commercial lending rate of Citibank, N.A. and (3) LIBOR for an interest period of one month beginning on such day plus 100 basis points or (b) a LIBOR rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin.

        Any repricing amendment or refinancing through the issuance of any debt that results in a repricing event applicable to the senior secured term loan occurring at any time during the first year after the closing date will be accompanied by a 1.00% prepayment premium.

        We are also required to offer to prepay our senior secured term loan, on terms and subject to reinvestment rights and other exceptions consistent with comparable provisions applicable to the senior secured notes (as described in "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes"), with (a) the net cash proceeds from any non-ordinary course disposition of any Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral and (ii) the net cash proceeds from any non-ordinary-course asset sale of RBL Facility Priority Collateral in excess of the amount required to be paid to the lenders under the RBL Facility or the holders of certain other indebtedness. We are also required to offer to prepay our senior secured term loan following the occurrence of a change of control at 101% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repayment, on terms consistent with those applicable to the senior secured notes.

        All obligations under our new senior secured term loan are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by each of the guarantors under the RBL Facility and the notes, and all such obligations and guarantees are secured (i) on a first-priority basis by a perfected pledge of the capital stock of all first-tier foreign subsidiaries that are directly owned by the borrower or any guarantor (which pledge will be limited to 65% of the voting capital stock and 100% of the non-voting capital stock of such subsidiary) (referred to as the "Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral") and (ii) on a second-priority basis by a security interest in the RBL Facility Priority Collateral. See "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Security—Intercreditor Agreements—Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement." The senior secured term loan shares equally with the senior secured notes in the liens on the Secured Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral and the RBL Facility Priority Collateral. The agent for the senior secured term loan and the trustee for the senior secured notes have entered into an intercreditor agreement governing the relationship between the lenders of the senior secured term loan and holders of the senior secured notes as well as holders of any other indebtedness that is secured on a pari passu basis with the senior secured notes. See "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Security—Intercreditor Agreements—Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement."

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        Our senior secured term loan includes customary events of default and contains customary representations and warranties and customary covenants, including, among other things, restrictions on indebtedness, investments, asset sales, mergers and consolidations, prepayments of subordinated indebtedness, liens, transactions with affiliates and dividends and other distributions, in each case, consistent with comparable provisions applicable to the senior secured notes. Our senior secured term loan does not contain any financial maintenance covenant.

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THE EXCHANGE OFFER

Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer

        We have entered into registration rights agreements with the initial purchasers of the initial notes, in which we agreed to file a registration statement relating to an offer to exchange the initial notes for exchange notes. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part was filed in compliance with this obligation. We also agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to file the registration statement with the SEC and to cause it to become effective under the Securities Act. The exchange notes will have terms substantially identical to the initial notes except that the exchange notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions and registration rights and additional interest payable for the failure to consummate the exchange offer by the dates set forth in the registration rights agreement. The initial senior secured notes and initial 2020 senior notes in aggregate principal amounts of $750,000,000 and $2,000,000,000, respectively, were issued on April 24, 2012 and the initial 2022 senior notes in aggregate principal amount of $350,000,000 were issued on August 13, 2012.

        Under the circumstances set forth below, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the SEC to declare effective a shelf registration statement with respect to the resale of the initial notes and to keep the shelf registration statement effective for up to two years after the effective date of the shelf registration statement. These circumstances include:

        Each holder of initial notes that wishes to exchange such initial notes for transferable exchange notes in the exchange offer will be required to make the following representations:

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        In addition, each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for initial notes, where such initial notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. See "Plan of Distribution."

Resale of Exchange Notes

        Based on interpretations of the SEC staff set forth in no action letters issued to unrelated third parties, we believe that exchange notes issued in the exchange offer in exchange for initial notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by any exchange note holder without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, if:

        Any holder who tenders in the exchange offer with the intention of participating in any manner in a distribution of the exchange notes:

        If, as stated above, a holder cannot rely on the position of the staff of the SEC set forth in "Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation" or similar interpretive letters, any effective registration statement used in connection with a secondary resale transaction must contain the selling security holder information required by Item 507 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

        This prospectus may be used for an offer to resell, for the resale or for other retransfer of exchange notes only as specifically set forth in this prospectus. With regard to broker-dealers, only broker-dealers that acquired the initial notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may participate in the exchange offer. Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for initial notes, where such initial notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it (i) has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with the Issuer or an affiliate of the Issuer to distribute the exchange notes and (ii) will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. Please read the section captioned "Plan of Distribution" for more details regarding these procedures for the transfer of exchange notes. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the exchange offer is consummated, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale of the exchange notes.

Terms of the Exchange Offer

        We are offering to exchange our exchange notes for a like aggregate principal amount of our initial notes. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange any initial notes properly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration date. We will issue $1,000 principal amount of exchange notes in exchange for each

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$1,000 principal amount of initial notes surrendered under the exchange offer. Initial notes may be tendered only in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

        The exchange notes that we propose to issue in this exchange offer will be substantially identical to the form and terms of our initial notes except that, unlike our initial notes, the exchange notes will have no transfer restrictions or registration rights. You should read the description of the exchange notes in the section in this prospectus entitled "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes," "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes" and "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes."

        We reserve the right in our sole discretion to purchase or make offers for any initial notes that remain outstanding following the expiration or termination of this exchange offer and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to purchase initial notes in the open market or privately negotiated transactions, one or more additional tender or exchange offers or otherwise. The terms and prices of these purchases or offers could differ significantly from the terms of this exchange offer.

Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments; Termination

        This exchange offer will expire at midnight, New York City time, on                        , 2012, unless we extend it in our reasonable discretion. The expiration date of this exchange offer will be at least 20 business days after the commencement of the exchange offer in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

        We expressly reserve the right to delay acceptance of any initial notes, extend or terminate this exchange offer and not accept any initial notes that we have not previously accepted if any of the conditions described below under "—Conditions to the Exchange Offer" have not been satisfied or waived by us. We will notify the exchange agent of any extension by oral notice promptly confirmed in writing or by written notice. We will also notify the holders of the initial notes by a press release or other public announcement communicated before 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date unless applicable laws require us to do otherwise and we will disclose the number of initial notes tendered as of the date of the notice.

        We also expressly reserve the right to amend the terms of this exchange offer in any manner. If we make any material change, we will promptly disclose this change in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the holders of our initial notes of the change including providing public announcement or giving oral or written notice to these holders. A material change in the terms of this exchange offer could include a change in the timing of the exchange offer, a change in the exchange agent and other similar changes in the terms of this exchange offer. If we make any material change to this exchange offer, we will disclose this change by means of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement which includes this prospectus and will distribute an amended or supplemented prospectus to each registered holder of initial notes. In addition, we will extend this exchange offer for an additional five to ten business days as required by the Exchange Act, depending on the significance of the amendment, if the exchange offer would otherwise expire during that period. We will promptly notify the exchange agent by oral notice, promptly confirmed in writing, or written notice of any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment of this exchange offer.

Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes

Proper Execution and Delivery of Letters of Transmittal

        To tender your initial notes in this exchange offer, you must use one of the three alternative procedures described below:

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        The method of delivery of the initial notes, the letter of transmittal and all other required documents is at your election and risk. Instead of delivery by mail, we recommend that you use an overnight or hand-delivery service. If you choose the mail, we recommend that you use registered mail, properly insured, with return receipt requested. In all cases, you should allow sufficient time to assure timely delivery. You should not send any letters of transmittal or initial notes to us. You must deliver all documents to the exchange agent at its address provided below. You may also request your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or nominee to tender your initial notes on your behalf.

        Only a holder of initial notes may tender initial notes in this exchange offer. A holder is any person in whose name initial notes are registered on our books or any other person who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered holder.

        If you are the beneficial owner of initial notes that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender your notes, you must contact that registered holder promptly and instruct that registered holder to tender your notes on your behalf. If you wish to tender your initial notes on your own behalf, you must, before completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering your initial notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register the ownership of these notes in your name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder. The transfer of registered ownership may take considerable time.

        You must have any signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal guaranteed by:

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        If the letter of transmittal or any bond powers are signed by:

        To tender your initial notes in this exchange offer, you must make the following representations:

        You must also warrant that the acceptance of any tendered initial notes by the issuers and the issuance of exchange notes in exchange therefor shall constitute performance in full by the issuers of its obligations under the registration rights agreements relating to the initial notes.

        To effectively tender notes through The Depository Trust Company, the financial institution that is a participant in The Depository Trust Company will electronically transmit its acceptance through the

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Automatic Tender Offer Program. The Depository Trust Company will then edit and verify the acceptance and send an agent's message to the exchange agent for its acceptance. An agent's message is a message transmitted by The Depository Trust Company to the exchange agent stating that The Depository Trust Company has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in The Depository Trust Company tendering the notes that this participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal, and that we may enforce this agreement against this participant.

        In addition, each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it (i) has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with the Issuers or an affiliate of the Issuers to distribute such exchange notes and (ii) will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. See "Plan of Distribution."

        Any financial institution that is a participant in The Depository Trust Company's systems may make book-entry deliveries of initial notes by causing The Depository Trust Company to transfer these initial notes into the exchange agent's account at The Depository Trust Company in accordance with The Depository Trust Company's procedures for transfer. To effectively tender notes through The Depository Trust Company, the financial institution that is a participant in The Depository Trust Company will electronically transmit its acceptance through the Automatic Tender Offer Program. The Depository Trust Company will then edit and verify the acceptance and send an agent's message to the exchange agent for its acceptance. An agent's message is a message transmitted by The Depository Trust Company to the exchange agent stating that The Depository Trust Company has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in The Depository Trust Company tendering the notes that this participation has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal, and that we may enforce this agreement against this participant. The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account for the initial notes at The Depository Trust Company for purposes of the exchange offer within two business days after the date of this prospectus.

        A delivery of initial notes through a book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at The Depository Trust Company will only be effective if an agent's message or the letter of transmittal or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents is transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at the address indicated below under "—Exchange Agent" on or before the expiration date unless the guaranteed delivery procedures described below are complied with. Delivery of documents to The Depository Trust Company does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent.

Guaranteed Delivery Procedure

        If you are a registered holder of initial notes and desire to tender your notes, and (1) these notes are not immediately available, (2) time will not permit your notes or other required documents to reach the exchange agent before the expiration date or (3) the procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis and an agent's message delivered, you may still tender in this exchange offer if:

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Acceptance of Initial Notes for Exchange; Delivery of Exchange Notes

        Your tender of initial notes will constitute an agreement between you and us governed by the terms and conditions provided in this prospectus and in the related letter of transmittal.

        We will be deemed to have received your tender as of the date when your duly signed letter of transmittal accompanied by your initial notes tendered, or a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of these notes into the exchange agent's account at The Depository Trust Company with an agent's message, or a notice of guaranteed delivery from an eligible institution is received by the exchange agent.

        All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, acceptance and withdrawal of tenders will be determined by us in our sole discretion. Our determination will be final and binding.

        We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all initial notes not properly tendered or any initial notes which, if accepted, would, in our opinion or our counsel's opinion, be unlawful. We also reserve the absolute right to waive any conditions of this exchange offer or irregularities or defects in tender as to particular notes with the exception of conditions to this exchange offer relating to the obligations of broker dealers, which we will not waive. If we waive a condition to this exchange offer, the waiver will be applied equally to all noteholders. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of this exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of initial notes must be cured within such time as we shall determine. We, the exchange agent or any other person will be under no duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of initial notes. We and the exchange agent or any other person will incur no liability for any failure to give notification of these defects or irregularities. Tenders of initial notes will not be deemed to have been made until such irregularities have been cured or waived. The exchange agent will return without cost to their holders any initial notes that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived promptly following the expiration date.

        If all the conditions to the exchange offer are satisfied or waived on the expiration date, we will accept all initial notes properly tendered and will issue the exchange notes promptly thereafter. Please refer to the section of this prospectus entitled "—Conditions to the Exchange Offer" below. For purposes of this exchange offer, initial notes will be deemed to have been accepted as validly tendered for exchange when, as and if we give oral or written notice of acceptance to the exchange agent.

        We will issue the exchange notes in exchange for the initial notes tendered pursuant to a notice of guaranteed delivery by an eligible institution only against delivery to the exchange agent of the letter of

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transmittal, the tendered initial notes and any other required documents, or the receipt by the exchange agent of a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of initial notes into the exchange agent's account at The Depository Trust Company with an agent's message, in each case, in form satisfactory to us and the exchange agent.

        If any tendered initial notes are not accepted for any reason provided by the terms and conditions of this exchange offer or if initial notes are submitted for a greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange, the unaccepted or non-exchanged initial notes will be returned without expense to the tendering holder, or, in the case of initial notes tendered by book-entry transfer procedures described above, will be credited to an account maintained with the book-entry transfer facility, promptly after withdrawal, rejection of tender or the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

        By tendering into this exchange offer, you will irrevocably appoint our designees as your attorney-in-fact and proxy with full power of substitution and resubstitution to the full extent of your rights on the notes tendered. This proxy will be considered coupled with an interest in the tendered notes. This appointment will be effective only when, and to the extent that we accept your notes in this exchange offer. All prior proxies on these notes will then be revoked and you will not be entitled to give any subsequent proxy. Any proxy that you may give subsequently will not be deemed effective. Our designees will be empowered to exercise all voting and other rights of the holders as they may deem proper at any meeting of noteholders or otherwise. The initial notes will be validly tendered only if we are able to exercise full voting rights on the notes, including voting at any meeting of the noteholders, and full rights to consent to any action taken by the noteholders.

Withdrawal of Tenders

        Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may withdraw tenders of initial notes at any time before midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date.

        For a withdrawal to be effective, you must send a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent before midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date at the address provided below under "—Exchange Agent" and before acceptance of your tendered notes for exchange by us.

        Any notice of withdrawal must:

        We will determine all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility, including time of receipt, of all notices of withdrawal and our determination will be final and binding on all parties. Initial notes

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that are withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange in this exchange offer.

        The exchange agent will return without cost to their holders all initial notes that have been tendered for exchange and are not exchanged for any reason, promptly after withdrawal, rejection of tender or expiration or termination of this exchange offer.

        You may retender properly withdrawn initial notes in this exchange offer by following one of the procedures described under "—Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes" above at any time on or before the expiration date.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

        We will complete this exchange offer only if:

        These conditions are for our sole benefit. We may assert any one of these conditions regardless of the circumstances giving rise to it and may also waive any one of them, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, if we determine in our reasonable discretion that it has not been satisfied, subject to applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all conditions to the exchange offer must be satisfied or waived before the expiration of this exchange offer. If we waive a condition to this exchange offer, the waiver will be applied equally to all noteholders. We will not be deemed to have waived our rights to assert or waive these conditions if we fail at any time to exercise any of them. Each of these rights will be deemed an ongoing right which we may assert at any time and from time to time.

        If we determine that we may terminate this exchange offer because any of these conditions is not satisfied, we may:

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Accounting Treatment

        We will record the exchange notes at the same carrying value as the initial notes as reflected in our accounting records on the date of the exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes. We will amortize the costs of the initial notes offering and the exchange offer over the term of the notes.

Exchange Agent

        We have appointed Wilmington Trust, National Association as exchange agent for this exchange offer. You should direct all questions and requests for assistance on the procedures for tendering and all requests for additional copies of this prospectus or the letter of transmittal to the exchange agent as follows:

By Hand, Overnight Delivery, Registered or Certified Mail:

    Wilmington Trust, National Association
    c/o Wilmington Trust Company
    Rodney Square North
    1100 North Market Street
    Wilmington, DE 19890-1626
    Attention: Sam Hamed

By facsimile (for eligible institutions only): (302) 636-4139, Attention: Sam Hamed

For information or confirmation by telephone: (302) 636-6181

Fees and Expenses

        We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders in this exchange offer, including fees and expenses of the exchange agent and trustee and accounting, legal, printing and related fees and expenses.

        We will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or other persons soliciting acceptances of this exchange offer. However, we will pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse the exchange agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this exchange offer. We will also pay brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding copies of the prospectus, letters of transmittal and related documents to the beneficial owners of the initial notes and for handling or forwarding tenders for exchange to their customers.

        We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of initial notes in accordance with this exchange offer. However, tendering holders will pay the amount of any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons, if:

    (1)
    certificates representing exchange notes or initial notes for principal amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the notes tendered;

    (2)
    tendered initial notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing the letter of transmittal; or

    (3)
    a transfer tax is payable for any reason other than the exchange of the initial notes in this exchange offer.

        If you do not submit satisfactory evidence of the payment of any of these taxes or of any exemption from this payment with the letter of transmittal, we will bill you directly the amount of these transfer taxes.

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Your Failure to Participate in the Exchange Offer Will Have Adverse Consequences

        The initial notes were not registered under the Securities Act or under the securities laws of any state and you may not resell them, offer them for resale or otherwise transfer them unless they are subsequently registered or resold under an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. If you do not exchange your initial notes for exchange notes in accordance with this exchange offer, or if you do not properly tender your initial notes in this exchange offer, you will not be able to resell, offer to resell or otherwise transfer the initial notes unless they are registered under the Securities Act or unless you resell them, offer to resell or otherwise transfer them under an exemption from the registration requirements of, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act.

        In addition, except as set forth in this paragraph, you will not be able to obligate us to register the initial notes under the Securities Act. You will not be able to require us to register your initial notes under the Securities Act unless:

    (1)
    an initial purchaser requests us to register initial notes that are not eligible to be exchanged for exchange notes in the exchange offer;

    (2)
    you are not eligible to participate in the exchange offer;

    (3)
    you may not resell the exchange notes you acquire in the exchange offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and that the prospectus contained in the exchange offer registration statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by you; or

    (4)
    you are a broker-dealer and hold initial notes that are part of an unsold allotment from the original sale of the initial notes, in which case the registration rights agreement requires us to file a registration statement for a continuous offer in accordance with Rule 415 under the Securities Act for the benefit of the holders of the initial notes described in this sentence. We do not currently anticipate that we will register under the Securities Act any notes that remain outstanding after completion of the exchange offer.

Delivery of Prospectus

        Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for initial notes, where such initial notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. See "Plan of Distribution."

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DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR SECURED EXCHANGE NOTES

General

        EP Energy LLC (formerly known as Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation (each an " Issuer " and together, the " Issuers ") issued $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the " initial senior secured notes " ) under an indenture (the " indenture "), dated as of April 24, 2012, by and among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined below) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee. The Issuer will issue the senior secured exchange notes under the indenture. In this description, (i) "we," "us" and "our" mean EP Energy LLC and its Subsidiaries and (i) the term "Issuers" refers only to EP Energy LLC and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., but not to any of their Subsidiaries.

        The terms of the senior secured exchange notes are identical in all material respects to the initial senior secured notes except that upon completion of the exchange offer, the senior secured exchange notes will be registered under the Securities Act and free of any covenants regarding exchange registration rights. We refer to the initial senior secured notes as the "initial notes." We refer to the senior secured exchange notes as the "exchange notes." Unless otherwise indicated by the context, references in the "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes" section to the "notes" include the initial notes and the exchange notes.

        The following summary of certain provisions of the indenture, the notes, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of those agreements, including the definitions of certain terms therein and those terms made a part thereof by the TIA. We urge you to read those agreements because they, not this description, define your rights as holders of the notes. Capitalized terms used in this "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes" section and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth under "—Certain Definitions."

        The Issuers will issue the exchange notes in an aggregate principal amount up to $750,000,000. The Issuers may issue additional notes from time to time. Any offering of additional notes is subject to the covenants described below under the caption "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock." The notes and any additional notes subsequently issued under the indenture may, at our election, be treated as a single class for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if the additional notes are not fungible with the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional notes will have a separate CUSIP number, if applicable. Unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of the indenture and this "Description of Senior Secured Notes," references to the notes include any additional notes actually issued.

        Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes will be payable, and the notes may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or agency designated by the Issuers (which initially shall be the designated office or agency of the Trustee).

        The exchange notes will be issued only in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the exchange notes may be issued in denominations of less than $1,000 solely to accommodate book-entry positions that have been created by a DTC participant in denominations of less than $1,000. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the notes, but in certain circumstances the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

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Terms of the Notes

        The notes are senior obligations of the Issuers, have the benefit of the security interests in the Collateral described below under "—Security" and will mature on May 1, 2019. Each note bears interest at a rate of 6.875% per annum from the Issue Date or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable semiannually to holders of record at the close of business on April 15 or October 15 immediately preceding the interest payment date on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 2012.

Optional Redemption

        On or after May 1, 2015, the Issuers may redeem the notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder's registered address, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 1 of the years set forth below:

Period
  Redemption
Price
 

2015

    103.438 %

2016

    101.719 %

2017 and thereafter

    100.000 %

        In addition, prior to May 1, 2015 the Issuers may redeem the notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder's registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to May 1, 2015 the Issuers may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of additional notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by Holdings or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of Holdings or used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 106.875%, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided , however , that at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of additional notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided , further , that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice mailed to each holder of notes being redeemed and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the indenture.

        Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers' discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering.

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Selection

        In the case of any partial redemption, selection of notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the notes are listed, or if the notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and, in such manner that complies with the applicable legal requirements and the requirements of DTC, if applicable); provided that no notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original note. On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Issuers have deposited with the paying agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest (if any) on, the notes to be redeemed.

Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases

        The Issuers will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Issuers may be required to offer to purchase notes as described under the captions "—Change of Control" and "—Certain Covenants—Asset Sales." We may at any time and from time to time purchase notes in the open market or otherwise.

Ranking

        The indebtedness evidenced by the notes is senior Indebtedness of the Issuers, ranks pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior Indebtedness of the Issuers, have the benefit of the security interest in the Collateral as described under "—Security" and is senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuers. Pursuant to the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, the security interests securing the notes are senior in priority (subject to Permitted Liens, including exceptions described under the caption "—Security") to all security interests in the Notes Priority Collateral granted to secure the First-Priority Lien Obligations and junior in priority (subject to Permitted Liens, including exceptions described under the caption "—Security") to all security interests in the RBL Priority Collateral at any time granted to secure First-Priority Lien Obligations. The notes rank pari passu with the loans under the Term Loan Facility.

        The indebtedness evidenced by the Subsidiary Guarantees is senior Indebtedness of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, ranks pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor, have the benefit of the security interest in the Collateral of such Subsidiary Guarantor as described under "—Security" and are senior in right of payment, to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Pursuant to the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, the security interests securing the Subsidiary Guarantees are senior in priority (subject to Permitted Liens, including exceptions described under the caption "—Security") to all security interests in the Notes Priority Collateral granted to secure the First-Priority Lien Obligations and junior in priority (subject to Permitted Liens, including exceptions described under the caption "—Security") to all security interests in the Collateral at any time granted to secure First-Priority Lien Obligations. The Subsidiary Guarantees ranks pari passu with the guarantees of the loans under the Term Loan Facility.

        At June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions:

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        Although the indenture limits the Incurrence of Indebtedness and the issuance of Disqualified Stock by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and the issuance of Preferred Stock by the Restricted Subsidiaries of Holdings that are not Subsidiary Guarantors, such limitation is subject to a number of significant qualifications and exceptions. Holdings and its Subsidiaries are able to Incur additional amounts of Indebtedness. Under certain circumstances the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial and, subject to certain limitations, such Indebtedness may be Secured Indebtedness constituting First-Priority Lien Obligations or Other Second-Lien Obligations. See "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock" and "—Certain Covenants—Liens."

        Holdings is a holding company that has no material assets or operations other than the equity in the assets of its Subsidiaries. Unless a Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Guarantor, claims of creditors of such Subsidiary, including trade creditors, and claims of preferred stockholders (if any) of such Subsidiary, generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such Subsidiary over the claims of creditors of the Issuers, including holders of the notes. The notes, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to holders of indebtedness and other creditors (including trade creditors) and preferred stockholders (if any) of Subsidiaries of Holdings that are not Subsidiary Guarantors. Our only Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors will be (i) non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and (ii) Foreign Subsidiaries, as well as Domestic Subsidiaries (x) that own no material assets (directly or through their Subsidiaries) other than equity interests of one or more of Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs or (y) that are Subsidiaries of Foreign Subsidiaries, all of which, as of June 30, 2012, had no outstanding indebtedness, excluding intercompany obligations.

        See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes—The notes will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries."

Security

        The Note Obligations will be secured (i) by first-priority security interests in 65% of the voting capital stock and 100% of the nonvoting capital stock of first-tier Foreign Subsidiaries that are owned by any Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, subject to the limitation set forth below under "—Limitation on Stock Collateral" (the " Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral ") and (ii) by second-priority security interests in the collateral that secures the obligations of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Credit Agreement other than the capital stock of Holdings (the " RBL Priority Collateral " and, together with the Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral, the " Collateral "), in each case, subject to Permitted Liens. The Term Loan Facility is secured by security interests in both the RBL Priority Collateral and the Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral that rank pari passu with the security interests securing the Notes Obligations. The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may incur additional Indebtedness in the future that may be secured by security interests in both the RBL Priority Collateral and the Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral that rank pari passu with the security interests securing the Notes Obligations.

        The Collateral consists of substantially all of the property and assets, in each case, that are held by any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, to the extent that such assets secure the First-Priority Lien Obligations and to the extent that a security interest is able to be granted or perfected therein, subject to the exceptions described below. Please see "Description of Other Indebtedness—The RBL Facility—

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Guarantees and Security" for a description of the RBL Priority Collateral. The initial Collateral does not include, subject to certain exceptions, (i) any real property (owned or leased) or oil and gas properties (owned or leased), other than those securing the Credit Agreement, (ii) motor vehicles or other assets subject to certificates of title, letter of credit rights (other than to the extent a Lien thereon can be perfected by filing a customary financing statement) and commercial tort claims, (iii) those assets over which the granting of security interests in such assets would be prohibited by an enforceable contractual obligation binding on the assets that existed at the time of the acquisition thereof and was not created or made binding on the assets in contemplation or in connection with the acquisition of such assets (except in the case of assets owned on the Issue Date or acquired after the Issue Date with Indebtedness of the type permitted pursuant to clause (d) under the second paragraph under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock"), applicable law or regulation (in each case, except to the extent such prohibition is unenforceable after giving effect to applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, other than proceeds thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the Uniform Commercial Code notwithstanding such prohibitions) or to the extent that such security interests would require obtaining the consent of any governmental authority or would result in materially adverse tax consequences as reasonably determined by Holdings, (iv) except with respect to the capital stock referenced in subclause (i) of the first sentence of the preceding paragraph, any foreign collateral or credit support, (v) margin stock and, to the extent prohibited by the terms of any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholders' agreement, equity interests in any Person other than Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, (vi) any right, title or interest in any license, contract or agreement to which an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or any of its right, title or interest thereunder to the extent, but only to the extent, that such a grant would violate the terms of applicable law or of such license, contract or agreement, or result in a breach of the terms of, or constitute a default under, any such license, contract or agreement to which an Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor is a party (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable law or regulation (including Title 11 of the United States Code) or principles of equity); provided, that immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse or termination of any such provision, the Collateral shall include all such rights and interests as if such provision had never been in effect, (vii) any equipment or other asset owned by an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is subject to a purchase money lien or a Capitalized Lease Obligation, in each case, as permitted under the Indenture, if the contract or other agreement in which the Lien is granted (or the documentation providing for such Capitalized Lease Obligation) prohibits or requires the consent of any Person other than an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor as a condition to the creation of any other security interest on such equipment or asset and, in each case, the prohibition or requirement is permitted under the Indenture, (viii) other than with respect to Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral, any asset at any time that is not then subject to a Lien securing First-Priority Lien Obligations at such time, (ix) with respect to Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral, any asset at any time that is not then subject to a Lien securing Second Lien Term Loan Obligations, except for the release of all or substantially all of the Collateral or in connection with the repayment in full of the Second Lien Term Loan Obligations, and (x) certain other exceptions described in the Security Documents, including the limitation on stock collateral described below (all such excluded assets referred to as " Excluded Assets "). The foregoing Excluded Assets (other than stock collateral not subject to the limitations described below) will not secure the Credit Agreement or other First-Priority Lien Obligations. The security interests in the RBL Priority Collateral securing the notes are second in priority to any and all security interests at any time granted to secure the First-Priority Lien Obligations and are also subject to all other Permitted Liens. No control agreements or control arrangements will be required with respect to any assets requiring perfection through control, control agreements or other control arrangements (other than control of pledged capital stock that is certificated to the extent otherwise required to be included in the Collateral), including deposit accounts, securities accounts and commodities accounts. The First-Priority

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Lien Obligations include Secured Bank Indebtedness and related obligations, as well as certain Hedging Obligations and certain other obligations in respect of cash management services. The other Persons holding First-Priority Lien Obligations may have rights and remedies with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral that, if exercised, could adversely affect the value of the RBL Priority Collateral or the ability of the RBL Agent or Second Lien Agent under the applicable intercreditor agreement to realize or foreclose on the RBL Priority Collateral on behalf of the holders of the notes. The RBL Agent and Second Lien Agent also have rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral that, if exercised, could also adversely affect the value of the Collateral or the ability of the holders of the notes to cause a realization or foreclosure on the Collateral, particularly the rights described below under "—Security—Intercreditor Agreements."

        The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors are able to incur additional Indebtedness in the future that could share in the Collateral, including additional First-Priority Lien Obligations and additional Indebtedness that would be secured on a pari passu basis with the notes. The amount of such First-Priority Lien Obligations and additional Indebtedness is limited by the covenants described under "—Certain Covenants—Liens" and "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuances of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock." Under certain circumstances, the amount of such First-Priority Lien Obligations and additional Indebtedness could be significant.

Limitations on Stock Collateral

        The Capital Stock and securities of a Subsidiary of Holdings that are owned by an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor will constitute Collateral only to the extent that such Capital Stock and securities can secure the notes without Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act (or any other law, rule or regulation) requiring separate financial statements of such Subsidiary to be filed with the SEC (or any other governmental agency). In the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act requires or is amended, modified or interpreted by the SEC to require (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would require) the filing with the SEC (or any other governmental agency) of separate financial statements of any Subsidiary due to the fact that such Subsidiary's Capital Stock or securities secure the notes or any Guarantee, then the Capital Stock and/or securities of such Subsidiary shall automatically be deemed not to be part of the Collateral (but only to the extent necessary to not be subject to such requirement). In such event, the Security Documents may be amended or modified, without the consent of the Trustee or any holder of notes, to the extent necessary to release the security interests on the shares of Capital Stock and securities that are so deemed to no longer constitute part of the Collateral.

        In the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act is amended, modified or interpreted by the SEC to permit (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would permit) such Subsidiary's Capital Stock or securities to secure the notes in excess of the amount then pledged without the filing with the SEC (or any other governmental agency) of separate financial statements of such Subsidiary, then the Capital Stock and/or securities of such Subsidiary shall automatically be deemed to be a part of the Collateral (but only to the extent that will not result in such Subsidiary being subject to any such financial statement requirement). In such event, the Security Documents may be amended or modified, without the consent of the Trustee or any holder of notes, to the extent necessary to subject to the Liens under the Security Documents such additional Capital Stock and securities, on the terms contemplated herein.

After Acquired Collateral

        Subject to certain limitations and exceptions (including Excluded Assets), if an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor creates any additional security interest upon any property or asset to secure any First-Priority Lien Obligations (which include Obligations in respect of the Credit Agreement), it must

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concurrently grant a second priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens, including the first priority lien that secures obligations in respect of the First-Priority Lien Obligations) upon such property as security for the notes. Also, if granting a security interest in such property requires the consent of a third party, Holdings will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent with respect to the second-priority security interest for the benefit of the Second Lien Collateral Agent on behalf of the Trustee and the holders of the notes. If such third party does not consent to the granting of the second-priority security interest after the use of such commercially reasonable efforts, the applicable entity will not be required to provide such security interest.

Security Documents

        The Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Second Lien Collateral Agent entered into the Security Documents defining the terms of the security interests that secure the notes. These security interests secure the payment and performance when due of all of the Obligations of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors under the notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Indenture and the Security Documents, as provided in the Security Documents.

        Subject to the terms of the Security Documents, the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors have the right to remain in possession and retain exclusive control of the Collateral securing the notes (other than any cash, securities, obligations and Cash Equivalents constituting part of the Collateral and deposited with the RBL Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents and other than as set forth in the Security Documents), to freely operate the Collateral and to collect, invest and dispose of any income therefrom.

Intercreditor Agreements

        The Second Lien Agent, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Secured Parties under the Indenture, the secured parties under the Term Loan Facility and holders of future Other Second-Lien Obligations, and the RBL Agent, on its own behalf and on behalf of the lenders under the Credit Agreement and the holders of the other First-Priority Lien Obligations (together with the Second Lien Agent, the " Applicable Collateral Agents ") entered into a senior lien intercreditor agreement (as hereafter amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the " Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ") that sets forth the relative priority of the Liens securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations compared to the Liens securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations (collectively, all such Second-Priority Lien Obligations and First-Priority Lien Obligations, the " Applicable Obligations "). The RBL Agent shall initially be the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement. Although the holders of Second-Priority Lien Obligations and First-Priority Lien Obligations will not be parties to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, by their acceptance of the instruments evidencing such Obligations, each will be deemed to agree to be bound thereby. In addition, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that it may be amended from time to time to add holders of Other Second-Lien Obligations to the extent permitted to be incurred under the Indenture, the Term Loan Facility and the Credit Agreement and to add holders of First-Priority Lien Obligations arising under any Credit Agreement Documents. The Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement allocates the benefits of any Collateral between the holders of the First-Priority Lien Obligations on the one hand and the holders of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations on the other hand.

        The Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides, among other things:

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        In addition, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that if Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to a case under the Bankruptcy Code or any other bankruptcy law:

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        The Trustee and the Second Lien Collateral Agent entered into a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as the same may be amended from time to time, the " Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ") with the Second Lien Agent with respect to the Notes/Term Loan Priority Collateral, which may be amended from time to time without the consent of the holders of the notes to add other parties holding Second Priority Lien Obligations permitted to be incurred under the Indenture, the Term Loan Facility and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. The Second Lien Agent shall initially be the administrative agent under the Term Loan Facility.

        Under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, as described below, the "Applicable Authorized Representative" has the right to direct foreclosures and take other actions with respect to the Common Collateral, and the Authorized Representatives of other Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations have no right to take actions with respect to the Common Collateral. The Applicable Authorized Representative will initially be the administrative agent under the Term Loan Facility, and the Trustee for the holders of the notes, as Authorized Representative in respect of the notes, will have no rights to take any action under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

        The administrative agent under the Term Loan Facility will remain the Applicable Authorized Representative until the earlier of (1) the Discharge of Second Lien Term Loan Obligations and (2) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date (such date, the " Applicable Authorized Agent Date "). After the Applicable Authorized Agent Date, the Applicable Authorized Representative will be the Authorized Representative of the Series of Second Priority Lien Obligations that constitutes the largest outstanding principal amount of any then outstanding Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations, other than the Second Lien Term Loan Obligations, with respect to the Common Collateral (the " Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative ").

        The " Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date " is the date that is 180 days (throughout which 180-day period the applicable Authorized Representative was the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative) after the occurrence of both (a) an event of default, as defined in the Indenture or other applicable governing instrument for that Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations, and (b) the Second Lien Collateral Agent's and each other Authorized Representative's receipt of written notice from that Authorized Representative certifying that (i) such Authorized Representative is the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative and that an event of default, as defined in the Indenture or other applicable governing instrument for that Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations, has occurred and is continuing and (ii) the Second-Priority Lien Obligations of that Series are currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise) in accordance with the Indenture or other applicable governing instrument for that Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations; provided that the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date shall be stayed and shall not occur and shall be deemed not to have occurred with respect to any Common Collateral (1) at any time the administrative agent under the Term Loan Facility or the Second Lien Collateral Agent has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to such Common Collateral or (2) at any time an Issuer or the

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Subsidiary Guarantor that has granted a security interest in such Common Collateral is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any insolvency or liquidation proceeding.

        The Applicable Authorized Representative shall have the sole right to instruct the Second Lien Collateral Agent to act or refrain from acting with respect to the Common Collateral, (b) the Second Lien Collateral Agent shall not follow any instructions with respect to such Common Collateral from any representative of any Non-Controlling Secured Party or other Second Lien Secured Party (other than the Applicable Authorized Representative), and (c) no Authorized Representative of any Non-Controlling Secured Party or other Second Lien Secured Party (other than the Applicable Authorized Representative) will instruct the Second Lien Collateral Agent to commence any judicial or non-judicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its interests in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, the Common Collateral.

        Notwithstanding the equal priority of the Liens, the Second Lien Collateral Agent, acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative, may deal with the Common Collateral as if such Applicable Authorized Representative had a senior Lien on such Collateral. No representative of any Non-Controlling Secured Party may contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the Second Lien Collateral Agent, Applicable Authorized Representative or Controlling Secured Party. The Second Lien Collateral Agent and each other Authorized Representative will agree that it will not accept any Lien on any Collateral for the benefit of the holders of the notes (other than funds deposited for the discharge or defeasance of the notes) other than pursuant to the Second Lien Security Documents. Each of the Second Lien Secured Parties also will agree that it will not contest or support any other person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any insolvency or liquidation proceeding), the perfection, priority, validity or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of any of the Second Lien Secured Parties in all or any part of the Collateral, or the provisions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

        If an event of default under any Second Priority Document has occurred and is continuing and the Second Lien Collateral Agent is taking action to enforce rights in respect of any Common Collateral, or any distribution is made with respect to any Common Collateral in any bankruptcy case of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, the proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any such Collateral by the Second Lien Collateral Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party (or received pursuant to any other intercreditor agreement), as applicable, and proceeds of any such distribution (subject, in the case of any such distribution, to the paragraph immediately following) to which the Second Priority Lien Obligations are entitled under any other intercreditor agreement shall be applied among the Second Priority Lien Obligations to the payment in full of the Second Priority Lien Obligations on a ratable basis, after payment of all amounts owing to the Second Lien Collateral Agent.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Common Collateral for which a third party (other than a Second Lien Secured Party) has a lien or security interest that is junior in priority to the security interest of any Series of Second Priority Lien Obligations but senior (as determined by appropriate legal proceedings in the case of any dispute) to the security interest of any other Series of Second Priority Lien Obligations (such third party, an " Intervening Creditor "), the value of any Common Collateral or proceeds which are allocated to such Intervening Creditor shall be deducted on a ratable basis solely from the Common Collateral or proceeds to be distributed in respect of the Series of Second Priority Lien Obligations with respect to which such Impairment exists.

        None of the Second Lien Secured Parties may institute any suit or assert in any suit, bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceeding any claim against the Second Lien Collateral Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to any Common Collateral. In addition, none of the Second Lien Secured

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Parties may seek to have any Common Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral. If any Second Lien Secured Party obtains possession of any Common Collateral or realizes any proceeds or payment in respect thereof, at any time prior to the discharge of each of the Second Priority Lien Obligations, then it must hold such Common Collateral, proceeds or payment in trust for the other Second Lien Secured Parties and promptly transfer such Common Collateral, proceeds or payment to the Second Lien Collateral Agent to be distributed in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

        If an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor becomes subject to any bankruptcy case, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement will provide that (1) if an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall, as debtor(s)-in-possession, move for approval of financing (the " DIP Financing ") to be provided by one or more lenders (the " DIP Lenders ") under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, each Second Lien Secured Party will agree not to object to any such financing or to the Liens on the Common Collateral securing the same (the " DIP Financing Liens ") or to any use of cash collateral that constitutes Common Collateral, unless any Controlling Secured Party, or an Authorized Representative of any Controlling Secured Party, shall then oppose or object to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens or use of cash collateral (and (i) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens are senior to the Liens on any such Common Collateral for the benefit of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will subordinate its Liens with respect to such Common Collateral on the same terms as the Liens of the Controlling Secured Parties (other than any Liens of any Second Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) are subordinated thereto, and (ii) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens rank pari passu with the Liens on any such Common Collateral granted to secure the Second-Priority Lien Obligations of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will confirm the priorities with respect to such Common Collateral as set forth in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement), in each case so long as:

         provided , further, that the Second Lien Secured Parties receiving adequate protection shall not object to any other Second Lien Secured Party receiving adequate protection comparable to any adequate protection granted to such Second Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing or use of cash collateral.

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        The Second Lien Secured Parties acknowledge that the Second-Priority Lien Obligations of any Series may, subject to the limitations set forth in the other Second-Priority Documents, be increased, extended, renewed, replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, all without affecting the priorities set forth in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement defining the relative rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties of any Series.

Release of Collateral

        The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors are entitled to the releases of property and other assets included in the Collateral from the Liens securing the notes under any one or more of the following circumstances:

        If an Event of Default under the Indenture exists on the date of Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations, the second priority Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the notes will not be released, except to the extent the RBL Priority Collateral or any portion thereof was disposed of in order to repay the First-Priority Lien Obligations secured by the RBL Priority Collateral, and thereafter

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the Second Lien Agent (or another designated representative appointed pursuant to the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) will have the right to foreclose or direct the RBL Agent to foreclose upon the RBL Priority Collateral (but in such event, the Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the notes will be released when such Event of Default and all other Events of Default under the Indenture cease to exist).

        The security interests in all Collateral securing the notes also will be released upon (i) payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any) on, the notes and all other Obligations under the Indenture and the Security Documents that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), are paid (including pursuant to a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as described below under "—Satisfaction and Discharge") or (ii) a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance under the Indenture as described below under "—Defeasance."

Subsidiary Guarantees

        Each of Holdings' direct and indirect Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.) that are Domestic Subsidiaries and that are borrowers or guarantors under the Credit Agreement jointly and severally irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee on a senior basis the performance and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of the Issuers under the indenture and the notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest or additional interest on the notes, expenses, indemnification or otherwise (all such obligations guaranteed by such Subsidiary Guarantors being herein called the " Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations "). The Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations of all Subsidiary Guarantors are secured by first-priority security interests (subject to Permitted Liens) in the Notes Priority Collateral owned by such Subsidiary Guarantor and by second-priority security interests (subject to Permitted Liens) in the RBL Priority Collateral owned by such Subsidiary Guarantor. Such Subsidiary Guarantors agree to pay, in addition to the amount stated above, any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or the holders in enforcing any rights under the Subsidiary Guarantees.

        Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering the Subsidiary Guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes—Because each subsidiary guarantor's liability under its guarantee may be reduced to zero, avoided or released under certain circumstances, you may not receive any payments from some or all of the subsidiary guarantors." After the Issue Date, Holdings will cause each Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) that Incurs or guarantees certain Indebtedness of Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or issues shares of Disqualified Stock and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the notes on the same unsecured senior basis. See "—Certain Covenants—Future Subsidiary Guarantors."

        Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be a continuing guarantee and shall:

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        Each Subsidiary's Subsidiary Guarantee will be automatically released upon:

        A Restricted Subsidiary's Subsidiary Guarantee also will be automatically released upon the applicable Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing Bank Indebtedness or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof.

Change of Control

        Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder will have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder's notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), except to the extent the Issuers have previously or concurrently elected to redeem notes as described under "—Optional Redemption."

        In the event that at the time of such Change of Control, the terms of the Bank Indebtedness restrict or prohibit the repurchase of notes pursuant to this covenant, then prior to the mailing of the notice to holders provided for in the immediately following paragraph but in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers shall:

        See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes—We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control."

        Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Issuers have exercised their right to redeem the notes by delivery of a notice of redemption as described under

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"—Optional Redemption," the Issuers shall mail a notice (a " Change of Control Offer ") to each holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:

        A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

        In addition, the Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

        Notes repurchased by the Issuers pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and canceled at the option of the Issuers. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding paragraph will have the status of notes issued and outstanding.

        The Issuers will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of notes pursuant to this covenant. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this covenant by virtue thereof.

        This Change of Control repurchase provision is a result of negotiations between the Issuers and the initial purchasers. The Issuers have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that the Issuers could decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, the Issuers could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of Control under the indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect the Issuers' capital structure or credit rating.

        The occurrence of events which would constitute a Change of Control would constitute a default under the Credit Agreement. Future Bank Indebtedness of the Issuers may contain prohibitions on certain events which would constitute a Change of Control or require such Bank Indebtedness to be repurchased upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the holders of their right to require the Issuers to repurchase the notes could cause a default under such Bank Indebtedness, even if the Change of Control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on the Issuers. Finally, the Issuers' ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited by the Issuers' then existing financial resources. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available when

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necessary to make any required repurchases. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes—We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control."

        The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease or transfer of "all or substantially all" the assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a developing body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," under New York law, which governs the indenture, there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require the Issuers to repurchase such notes as a result of a sale, lease or transfer of less than all of the assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be uncertain.

        The provisions under the indenture relating to the Issuers' obligation to make an offer to repurchase the notes as a result of a Change of Control may be waived or modified with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes.

Certain Covenants

        Set forth below are summaries of certain covenants that are contained in the indenture. If on any date following the Issue Date, (i) the notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture then, beginning on that day (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a " Covenant Suspension Event "), the covenants specifically listed under the following captions in this "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes" section of this prospectus will not be applicable to the notes (collectively, the " Suspended Covenants "):

        If and while Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants, the notes will be entitled to substantially less covenant protection. In the event that Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under the indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the " Reversion Date ") one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under the indenture with respect to future events. The period of time between the Covenant Suspension Event and the Reversion Date is referred to in this description as the " Suspension Period. "

        On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be classified as having been Incurred or issued pursuant to the first paragraph of "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock" below or one of the clauses set forth in the second paragraph of "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock" below (to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would be permitted to be Incurred

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or issued thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness Incurred or issued prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would not be so permitted to be Incurred or issued pursuant to the first or second paragraph of "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock," such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under clause (c) of the second paragraph under "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock." Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under "—Limitation on Restricted Payments" will be made as though the covenant described under "—Limitation on Restricted Payments" had been in effect since the Issue Date and prior, but not during, the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will not reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of "—Limitation on Restricted Payments." As described above, however, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred on the Reversion Date as a result of any actions taken by Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period. Within 30 days of such Reversion Date, the Issuers must comply with the terms of the covenant described under "—Future Subsidiary Guarantors."

        For purposes of the "—Asset Sales" covenant, on the Reversion Date, the unutilized Excess Proceeds amount will be reset to zero.

        There can be no assurance that the notes will ever achieve or maintain Investment Grade Ratings.

Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock

        The indenture provides that:

provided , however , that Holdings and any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock or issue shares of Preferred Stock, in each case if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided , further , that any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may not incur Indebtedness or issue shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in excess of an amount, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof pursuant to clause (o) below, equal to, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or issuance (including pro forma effect to the application of the net proceeds therefrom), the greater of $150.0 million and 2% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount).

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        The foregoing limitations will not apply to:

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        For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant:

        Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, amortization of original issue discount, the accretion of liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be

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deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this covenant. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this covenant.

        For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness other than as provided in clauses (3) and (4) above, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first Incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt.

        Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur pursuant to this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

Limitation on Restricted Payments

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as " Restricted Payments "), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

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        " Cumulative Credit " means the sum of (without duplication):

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        The foregoing provisions will not prohibit:

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provided , however , that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (6)(b), (7), (10), (11) and (13)(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; provided , further that any Restricted Payments made with property other than cash shall be calculated using the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of such property.

        As of the Issue Date, all of the Subsidiaries of Holdings will be Restricted Subsidiaries. Holdings will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary." For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of "Investments." Such designation will only be permitted if a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in such amount would be permitted at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

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Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary to:

        except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

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        For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (1) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (2) the subordination of loans or advances made to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness Incurred by Holdings or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.

Asset Sales

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless (x) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of, and (y) at

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least 75% of the consideration therefor received by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents or Additional Assets; provided that the amount of:

shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this provision.

        Within 365 days after Holdings' or any Restricted Subsidiary's receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale, at its option:

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        In the case of clause (2) above, a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the 18-month anniversary of the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds; provided that in the event such binding commitment is later canceled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are so applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds unless Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another binding commitment (a " Second Commitment ") within six months of such cancellation or termination of the prior binding commitment; provided , further, that Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may only enter into a Second Commitment under the foregoing provision one time with respect to each Asset Sale and to the extent such Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied or are not applied within 180 days of such Second Commitment, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

        Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by the indenture. Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the second paragraph of this covenant (it being understood that any portion of such Net Proceeds used to make an offer to purchase notes, as described in clause (1) above, shall be deemed to have been invested whether or not such offer is accepted) will be deemed to constitute " Excess Proceeds ." When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all holders of notes (and, at the option of the Issuers, to holders of any Pari Passu Indebtedness) (an " Asset Sale Offer ") to purchase the maximum principal amount of notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness), that is at least $2,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event the notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness was issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness), to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the indenture. The Issuers will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten (10) Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of the indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, Holdings may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose that is not prohibited by the indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the notes to be purchased in the manner described below. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

        The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in the indenture by virtue thereof.

        If more notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) are tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer than the Issuers are required to purchase, selection of such notes for purchase will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such notes are listed, or if such notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with

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applicable legal requirements); provided that no notes of $2,000 or less shall be purchased in part. Selection of such Pari Passu Indebtedness will be made pursuant to the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness.

        Notices of an Asset Sale Offer shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each holder of notes at such holder's registered address. If any note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of purchase that relates to such note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.

Transactions with Affiliates

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of Holdings (each of the foregoing, an " Affiliate Transaction ") involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, unless:

        The foregoing provisions will not apply to the following:

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Liens

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist (i) any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on any asset or property of Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary unless the notes are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the notes) the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien or (ii) any Lien securing any First-Priority Lien Obligation of Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor without effectively providing that the notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, shall be granted a second-priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) upon the RBL Priority Collateral constituting the collateral for such First-Priority Lien Obligations, except in respect of Excluded Assets and as set forth under "—Security"; provided , however , that if granting such security interests requires the consent of a third party, Holdings will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent with respect to the security interests for the benefit of the Second Lien Collateral Agent on behalf of the holders of the notes; provided further , however , that if such third party does not consent to the granting of such

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security interests after the use of commercially reasonable efforts, Holdings will not be required to provide such security interests.

        Clause (i) of the preceding paragraph will not require the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to secure the notes if the Lien consists of a Permitted Lien. Any Lien that is granted to secure the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee under clause (i) of the preceding paragraph (unless also granted pursuant to clause (ii) of the preceding paragraph) shall be automatically released and discharged at the same time as the release of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee under such clause (i).

        For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (A) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens described in the definition of "Permitted Liens" or pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens described in the definition of "Permitted Liens" or pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, Holdings shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien in one of the clauses of the definition of "Permitted Liens" and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness will be treated as being Incurred or existing pursuant to only one of such clauses or pursuant to the first paragraph hereof.

        With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The " Increased Amount " of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms or in the form of common stock of Holdings, the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock of the same class, accretion of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness described in clause (3) of the definition of "Indebtedness."

Reports and Other Information

        The indenture provides that notwithstanding that Holdings may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, Holdings will file with the SEC (and provide the Trustee and holders with copies thereof, without cost to each holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC),

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provided , however , that Holdings shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event Holdings will make available such information to prospective purchasers of notes in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the holders, in each case within 15 days after the time Holdings would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subject, in the case of any such information, certificates or reports provided prior to the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement, to exceptions and exclusions consistent with the presentation of financial and other information in the offering memorandum related to the initial notes dated April 10, 2012 (including with respect to any periodic reports provided prior to effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement, the omission of financial information required by Rule 3-10 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision)). In addition to providing such information to the Trustee, Holdings shall make available to the holders, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the notes and securities analysts the information required to be provided pursuant to clauses (1), (2) or (3) of this paragraph, by posting such information to its website or on IntraLinks or any comparable online data system or website.

        If Holdings has designated any of its Subsidiaries as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and if any such Unrestricted Subsidiary or group of Unrestricted Subsidiaries, if taken together as one Subsidiary, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of Holdings, then the annual and quarterly information required by clauses (1) and (2) of the first paragraph of this covenant shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, of the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings will not be required to furnish any information, certificates or reports required by Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K prior to the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement, as applicable.

        In the event that:

consolidating reporting at the parent entity's level in a manner consistent with that described in this covenant for Holdings will satisfy this covenant, and the indenture will permit Holdings to satisfy its obligations in this covenant with respect to financial information relating Holdings by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that such financial information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than Holdings and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to Holdings, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the other Subsidiaries of Holdings on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

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        In addition, Holdings will make such information available to prospective investors upon request. In addition, Holdings has agreed that, for so long as any notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, it will furnish to the holders of the notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. Holdings will also hold quarterly conference calls, beginning with the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Escrow Release Date, for all holders and securities analysts to discuss such financial information no later than five business days after the distribution of such information required by this covenant and prior to the date of each such conference call, announcing the time and date of such conference call and either including all information necessary to access the call or informing holder of notes, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the notes and securities analysts how they can obtain such information, including, without limitation, the applicable password or other login information.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings will be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to above to the Trustee and the holders if Holdings has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available. In addition, the requirements of this covenant shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the notes or the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement by (1) the filing with the SEC of the exchange offer registration statement and/or shelf registration statement in accordance with the provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement, and any amendments thereto, and such registration statement and/or amendments thereto are filed at times that otherwise satisfy the time requirements set forth in the first paragraph of this covenant and/or (2) the posting of reports that would be required to be provided to the Trustee and the holders on Holdings' website (or that of any of Holdings' parent companies).

Future Subsidiary Guarantors

        The indenture provides that Holdings will cause each Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Excluded Subsidiary and that guarantees any Indebtedness (other than Junior Lien Obligations) of an Issuer or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors secured by the Collateral (other than Excluded Assets) to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the notes and, if required by the applicable Intercreditor Agreement, a joinder to such Intercreditor Agreement. Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by that Restricted Subsidiary without rendering the Subsidiary Guarantee, as it relates to such Restricted Subsidiary, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

        Each Subsidiary Guarantee shall be released in accordance with the provisions of the indenture described under "—Subsidiary Guarantees."

Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets

        The indenture provides that Holdings may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up or convert into (whether or not Holdings is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

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        The Successor Holdco (if other than Holdings) will succeed to, and be substituted for, Holdings under the indenture and the notes, and in such event Holdings will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under the indenture and the notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (3) and (4), (a) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to or to a Restricted Subsidiary, and (b) Holdings may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating Holdings in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States or may convert into a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby. This "—Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets" will not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

        The indenture further provides that, subject to certain limitations in the indenture governing release of assets and property securing the notes and a Subsidiary Guarantee upon the sale or disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings that is a Subsidiary Guarantor, no Subsidiary Guarantor will, and Holdings will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person),

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or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:

        Subject to certain limitations described in the indenture, the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Subsidiary Guarantor under the indenture and the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, and QD such Subsidiary Guarantor will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under the indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Subsidiary Guarantor in a Permitted Jurisdiction or may convert into a limited liability company, corporation, partnership or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of any Permitted Jurisdiction so long as the amount of Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is not increased thereby and (2) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with Holdings or another Subsidiary Guarantor.

        In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into, liquidate, dissolve, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets (collectively, a " Transfer ") to Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

Defaults

        An "Event of Default" is defined in the indenture as:

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        The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

        However, a default under clauses (4) or (10) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 30% in principal amount of outstanding notes notify the Issuers of the default

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and the Issuers do not cure such default within the time specified in clauses (4) or (10) hereof after receipt of such notice.

        If an Event of Default (other than a Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Holdings) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding notes by notice to the Issuers may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Holdings occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the notes and its consequences.

        In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (5) of the first paragraph above, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default) will be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the holders of the notes, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose the Issuers deliver an Officers' Certificate to the Trustee stating that (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the notes as described above be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.

        In case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes unless:

        Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

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        The indenture provides that if a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer or the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder of the notes notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer or written notice if it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the noteholders. In addition, Holdings is required to deliver to the Trustee, annually, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. Holdings also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action Holdings is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

Amendments and Waivers

        Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture, the notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements may be amended with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding and any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding. However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding note affected, no amendment may, among other things:

        Except as expressly provided by the indenture, without the consent of holders of at least 66.67% in principal amount of notes then outstanding, no amendment may modify or release the Subsidiary Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary in any manner adverse to the holders of the notes. Without the consent of the holders of at least 66.67% in a aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding, no amendment or waiver may release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Lien of the indenture and the Security Documents with respect to the notes.

        Without the consent of any holder, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend the indenture, the notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency, to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under the indenture and the notes, to provide

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for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the indenture, its Subsidiary Guarantee and the Security Documents, to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes ( provided that the uncertificated notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code), to add a Subsidiary Guarantee or collateral with respect to the notes, to secure the notes, to release Collateral as permitted by the indenture and the Intercreditor Agreements, to add additional secured creditors holding Other Second-Lien Obligations, First-Priority Lien Obligations or other Junior Lien Obligations so long as such obligations are not prohibited by the indenture or the Security Documents, to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuers, to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder, to conform the text of the indenture, Subsidiary Guarantees, the notes, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements, to any provision of this "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes" to the extent that such provision in this "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes" was intended by the Issuers to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture as stated in an Officers' Certificate, Subsidiary Guarantees, the notes, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements, to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the TIA to effect any provision of the indenture or to make certain changes to the indenture to provide for the issuance of additional notes.

        The consent of the noteholders is not necessary under the indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Managers and Stockholders

        No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in Holdings or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the notes, the indenture or the Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of notes by accepting a note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Transfer and Exchange

        A noteholder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the registrar and the Trustee may require a noteholder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a noteholder to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the indenture. The Issuers are not required to transfer or exchange any notes selected for redemption or to transfer or exchange any notes for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of notes to be redeemed. The notes will be issued in registered form and the registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of such note for all purposes.

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Satisfaction and Discharge

        The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights and immunities of the Trustee and rights of registration or transfer or exchange of notes, as expressly provided for in the indenture) as to all outstanding notes when:

Defeasance

        The Issuers at any time may terminate all of their obligations under the notes and the indenture with respect to the holders of the notes (" legal defeasance" ), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the notes. The Issuers at any time may terminate their obligations under the covenants described under "—Certain Covenants" for the benefit of the holders of the notes, the operation of the cross acceleration provision, the bankruptcy provisions with respect to Significant Subsidiaries, the judgment default provision described under "—Defaults" (but only to the extent that those provisions relate to the Defaults with respect to the notes) and the undertakings and covenants contained under "—Change of Control" and "—Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets" (" covenant defeasance ") for the benefit of the holders of the notes. If the Issuers exercise their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee and the Security Documents.

        The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of the covenant defeasance option. If the Issuers exercise their legal defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Issuers exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clause (3), (4) and (5) (with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries), (6), (7), (8) or (9) under "—Defaults" or because of the failure of Holdings to comply with the first clause (4) under "—Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets."

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        In order to exercise their defeasance option, the Issuers must irrevocably deposit in trust (the " defeasance trust ") with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on the notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that holders of the notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred (and, in the case of legal defeasance only, such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by the immediately preceding sentence with respect to a legal defeasance need not be delivered if all of the notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable or (y) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers.

Concerning the Trustee

        The Wilmington Trust, National Association is the Trustee under the indenture and has been appointed by the Issuers as registrar and a paying agent with regard to the notes.

Governing Law

        The indenture provides that it and the notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Certain Definitions

        " Acquired Indebtedness " means, with respect to any specified Person:

Acquired Indebtedness will be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (2) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of such assets.

        " Acquisition " means the purchase of EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil by EPE Acquisition, LLC as described in this prospectus under the heading "Summary—Recent Events—The Acquisition Transactions."

        " Acquisition Documents " means the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., as sellers, and EPE Acquisition, LLC, as purchaser, and any other agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

        " Additional Assets " means:

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provided , however , that, in the case of clauses (3) and (4), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

        " Additional Refinancing Amount " means, in connection with the Incurrence of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate principal amount of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), expenses, defeasance costs and fees in respect thereof.

        " Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets " means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

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If Holdings changes its method of accounting from the full cost method of accounting to the successful efforts or a similar method, "Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" will continue to be calculated as if Holdings were still using the full cost method of accounting.

        " Affiliate " of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

        " Applicable Premium " means, with respect to any note on any applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuers, the greater of:

        " Asset Sale " means:

in each case other than:

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        " Bank Indebtedness " means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of (a) the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time (including after termination of the Credit Agreement), including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to Holdings whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof and (b) whether or not the Indebtedness referred to in clause (a) remains outstanding, if designated by Holdings to be included in this definition, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers' acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

        " Board of Directors " means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof. In the case of Holdings, the Board of Directors of Holdings shall be deemed to include the Board of Directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent, as appropriate.

        " Borrowing Base " means, at any date of determination, an amount equal to the amount of (a) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed producing (PDP) reserves, plus (b) 35% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed non-producing (PDNP) reserves, plus

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(c) 25% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proven undeveloped (PUD) reserves, plus or minus (d) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries under commodity hedging agreements (other than basis differential commodity hedging agreements), netted against the price described below, plus or minus (e) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by Holdings and its Restricted subsidiaries under basis differential commodity hedging agreements, in each case for Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (i) for purposes of clauses (a) through (d) above, as estimated by Holdings in a reserve report prepared by Holdings' petroleum engineers applying the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity adjusted for relevant energy content, quality and basis differentials (before any state or federal or other income tax) and (ii) for purposes of clauses (d) and (e) above, as estimated by Holdings applying, if available, the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward basis differential or, if such NYMEX (or successor) forward basis differential is unavailable, in good faith based on historical basis differential (before any state or federal or other income tax). For any months beyond the term included in published NYMEX (or successor) forward pricing, the price used will be equal to the last published contract escalated at 1.5% per annum.

        " Business Day " means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or the place of payment.

        " Capital Stock " means:

        " Capitalized Lease Obligation " means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that any obligations of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, either existing on the Issue Date or created prior to any recharacterization described below (or any refinancings thereof) (i) that were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of Holdings as capital lease obligations and (ii) that are subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.

        " Capitalized Software Expenditures " shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and such Restricted Subsidiaries.

        " Cash Equivalents " means:

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        " Change of Control " means the occurrence of either of the following:

        " Code " means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

        " Collateral " means all property subject or purported to be subject, from time to time, to a Lien under any Security Documents.

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        " Common Collateral " means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of two or more Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations (or their respective Authorized Representatives) hold a valid and perfected security interest at such time. If more than two Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations are outstanding at any time and the holders of less than all Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations hold a valid and perfected security interest in any Collateral at such time, then such Collateral shall constitute Common Collateral for those Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations that hold a valid security interest in such Collateral at such time and shall not constitute Common Collateral for any Series which does not have a valid and perfected security interest in such Collateral at such time.

        " Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees and Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

        " Consolidated Interest Expense " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

        For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by Holdings to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

        " Consolidated Net Income " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided , however , that:

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        Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments" only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clauses (4) and (5) of the definition of Cumulative Credit contained therein.

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        " Consolidated Non-Cash Charges " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the non-cash expenses (other than Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that if any such non-cash expenses represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA in such future period to the extent paid, but excluding from this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period.

        " Consolidated Taxes " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise, property and similar taxes, foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and any Tax Distributions taken into account in calculating Consolidated Net Income.

        " Consolidated Total Indebtedness " means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any undrawn letters of credit) consisting of Capitalized Lease Obligations, bankers' acceptances and Indebtedness for borrowed money, plus (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries and all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

        " Contingent Obligations " means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (" primary obligations ") of any other Person (the " primary obligor ") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:

        " Credit Agreement " means (i) the Credit Agreement entered into upon expiration of the Escrow Period among Holdings, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by Holdings to be included in the definition of "Credit Agreement," one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders

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against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers' acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

        " Credit Agreement Documents " means the collective reference to any Credit Agreement, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.

        " Default " means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

        " Designated Non-cash Consideration " means the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of non-cash consideration received by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers' Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

        " Designated Preferred Stock " means Preferred Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock), that is issued for cash (other than to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers' Certificate, on the issuance date thereof.

         "Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations" shall mean, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Senior Intercreditor Agreement with respect to the reinstatement or continuation of any First-Priority Lien Obligation under certain circumstances, payment in full in cash (except for contingent indemnities and cost and reimbursement obligations to the extent no claim has been made) of all First-Priority Lien Obligations and, with respect to any letters of credit or letter of credit guaranties outstanding under a document evidencing a First-Priority Lien Obligation, delivery of cash collateral or backstop letters of credit in respect thereof in a manner consistent with such document, in each case after or concurrently with the termination of all commitments to extend credit thereunder, and the termination of all commitments of the holders of First-Priority Lien Obligations under such document evidencing such obligation; provided that the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred if such payments are made with the proceeds of other First-Priority Lien Obligations that constitute an exchange or replacement for or a refinancing of any First-Priority Lien Obligations. In the event the First-Priority Lien Obligations are modified and the First-Priority Lien Obligations are paid over time or otherwise modified pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code under a confirmed and consummated plan, the First-Priority Lien Obligations shall be deemed to be discharged when the final payment is made under such plan in respect of such indebtedness and any obligations pursuant to such modified indebtedness shall have been satisfied.

         "Discharge of Second Lien Term Loan Obligations" shall mean, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement with respect to the reinstatement or continuation of any Second Lien Term Loan Obligation under certain circumstances, payment in full in cash (except for contingent indemnities and cost and reimbursement obligations to the extent no claim has been made) of all Second Term Loan Obligations and, with respect to any letters of credit or letter of credit guaranties outstanding under a document evidencing a Second Lien Term Loan Obligation, delivery of cash collateral or backstop letters of credit in respect thereof in a manner consistent with such document, in each case after or concurrently with the termination of all commitments to extend credit thereunder, and the termination of all commitments of the lenders under the Term Loan Facility under

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such document evidencing such obligation; provided that the Discharge of Second Lien Term Loan Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred if such payments are made with the proceeds of other Second-Priority Lien Obligations that constitute an exchange or replacement for or a refinancing of any Second-Priority Lien Obligations. In the event the Second Lien Term Loan Obligations are modified and the Second Lien Term Loan Obligations are paid over time or otherwise modified pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code under a confirmed and consummated plan, the Second Lien Term Loan Obligations shall be deemed to be discharged when the final payment is made under such plan in respect of such indebtedness and any obligations pursuant to such modified indebtedness shall have been satisfied.

         "Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations" shall mean, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Senior Intercreditor Agreement with respect to the reinstatement or continuation of any Second-Priority Lien Obligation under certain circumstances, payment in full in cash (except for contingent indemnities and cost and reimbursement obligations to the extent no claim has been made) of all Second-Priority Lien Obligations and, with respect to any letters of credit or letter of credit guaranties outstanding under a document evidencing a Second-Priority Lien Obligation, delivery of cash collateral or backstop letters of credit in respect thereof in a manner consistent with such document, in each case after or concurrently with the termination of all commitments to extend credit thereunder, and the termination of all commitments of holders of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations under such document evidencing such obligation; provided that the Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred if such payments are made with the proceeds of other Second-Priority Lien Obligations that constitute an exchange or replacement for or a refinancing of any Second-Priority Lien Obligations. In the event the Second-Priority Lien Obligations are modified and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations are paid over time or otherwise modified pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code under a confirmed and consummated plan, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall be deemed to be discharged when the final payment is made under such plan in respect of such indebtedness and any obligations pursuant to such modified indebtedness shall have been satisfied.

        " Disqualified Stock " means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event:

in each case prior to 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the notes or the date the notes are no longer outstanding; provided , however , that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided , further , however , that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of Holdings or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee's termination, death or disability; provided , further , that any class of Capital Stock of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.

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        " Dollar-Denominated Production Payments " means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

        " Domestic Subsidiary " means a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

        " EBITDA " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus, without duplication, to the extent the same was deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income:

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less , without duplication, to the extent the same increased Consolidated Net Income,

        " Equity Interests " means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

        " Equity Offering " means any public or private sale after the Issue Date of common Capital Stock or Preferred Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable (other than Disqualified Stock), other than:

        " Escrow Account " means a segregated account, under the sole control of the Trustee, that includes only cash and U.S. dollar denominated Cash Equivalents (or rights to receive such under letters of credit), the proceeds thereof and interest earned thereon, free from all Liens other than the Lien in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the notes.

        " Escrow Period " means that period beginning on the Issue Date and ending on the date on which the funds held in the Escrow Account are released upon satisfaction of all conditions precedent to such release, as set forth in the escrow agreement.

        " Escrow Release Date " means the date upon which the Escrow Condition is satisfied.

        " Exchange Act " means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

        " Excluded Contributions " means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of Holdings) received by Holdings after the Issue Date from:

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officers' Certificate on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Capital Stock is sold, as the case

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may be; provided , that $3,200 million of Cash Equivalents received by Holdings from the Equity Investors on or prior to the Escrow Release Date to fund the Acquisition shall not be permitted to be designated an Excluded Contribution.

        " Excluded Subsidiary " means (a) any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (b) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (c) any Foreign Subsidiary, (d) any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that owns no material assets (directly or through its Subsidiaries) other than equity interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are "controlled foreign corporations" within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code ("CFCs") or (ii) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, (e) any Receivables Subsidiary and (f) any Subsidiary (other than a Significant Subsidiary) that (i) did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Holdings most recently ended, have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5.0% of total revenues of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date and (ii) taken together with all other such Subsidiaries as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Holdings most recently ended, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 10.0% of total revenues of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date.

        " Fair Market Value " means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm's-length transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.

        " Farm-In Agreement " means an agreement whereby a Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of one or more exploratory or development wells (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interests therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well or wells as all or a part of the consideration provided in exchange for an ownership interest in an Oil and Gas Property.

        " Farm-Out Agreement " means a Farm-In Agreement, viewed from the standpoint of the party that transfers an ownership interest to another.

        " First-Priority After-Acquired Property " means any property of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor that secures any Secured Bank Indebtedness that is not already subject to the Lien under the Security Documents, other than any Excluded Assets.

        " First-Priority Lien Obligations " means (i) all Secured Bank Indebtedness and (ii) all other obligations of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Hedging Obligations or obligations in respect of cash management services in each case owing to a Person that is a holder of Secured Bank Indebtedness or an Affiliate of such holder at the time of entry into such Hedging Obligations or obligations in respect of cash management services.

        " Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than in the case of any Qualified Receivables Financing, in which case interest expense shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period) or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the " Calculation Date "), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that Holdings may elect pursuant to an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any

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Indebtedness as being Incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent Incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an Incurrence at such subsequent time.

        For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, and any operational changes that Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, discontinued operation or operational change, in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or operational change had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

        For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of Holdings as set forth in an Officers' Certificate, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from the applicable event, and (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of "Adjusted EBITDA" as set forth in footnote (4) to the "Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data" under "Summary" in the offering memorandum related to the initial notes dated April 10, 2012 to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period.

        If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a Eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as Holdings may designate.

        For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month

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period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

        " Fixed Charges " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (1) Consolidated Interest Expense (excluding amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs) of such Person for such period, and (2) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

        " Foreign Subsidiary " means a Restricted Subsidiary not organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

        " GAAP " means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Issue Date. For the purposes of the indenture, the term "consolidated" with respect to any Person shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an Investment.

        " guarantee " means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

        " Hedging Obligations " means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreements or obligations to physically sell any commodity at any index-based price shall not be considered Hedging Obligations.

        " holder " or " noteholder " means the Person in whose name a note is registered on the registrar's books.

        " Holdings " means Everest Acquisition LLC (renamed as EP Energy LLC on the Escrow Release Date), together with its successors or assigns.

        " Hydrocarbons " means oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

        " Incur " means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided , however , that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.

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        " Indebtedness " means, with respect to any Person:

provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (1) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in respect of borrowed money; (2) deferred or prepaid revenues; (3) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller; (4) Obligations under or in respect of Qualified Receivables Financing; (5) obligations under the Acquisition Documents; (6) Production Payments and Reserve Sales; (7) any obligation of a Person in respect of a Farm-In Agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property; (8) any obligations under Hedging Obligations; provided that such agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of Holdings, whether or not accounted for as a hedge in accordance with GAAP) and, in the case of any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement, such agreements are related to business transactions of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and, in the case of any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, such agreements substantially correspond in terms of notional amount, duration and interest rates, as applicable, to Indebtedness of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred without violation of the indenture; and (9) in-kind obligations relating to net oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business.

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        Notwithstanding anything in the indenture to the contrary, Indebtedness shall not include, and shall be calculated without giving effect to, the effects of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under the indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness; and any such amounts that would have constituted Indebtedness under the indenture but for the application of this sentence shall not be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness under the indenture.

        " Independent Financial Advisor " means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant, in each case of nationally recognized standing, that is, in the good faith determination of Holdings, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

        " Intercreditor Agreements " means the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

        " Investment Grade Rating " means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody's and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

        " Investment Grade Securities " means:

        " Investments " means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit and advances to customers and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet of such Person in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments":

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        " Issue Date " means the date on which the notes are originally issued.

        " Junior Lien Obligations " means the Obligations with respect to other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the indenture, which is by its terms intended to be secured by the Collateral on a basis junior to the notes; provided such Lien is permitted to be incurred under the indenture.

        " Lien " means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

        " Management Group " means the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as the case may be, on the Issue Date together with (1) any new directors whose election by such boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors on the Issue Date or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (2) executive officers and other management personnel of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, hired at a time when the directors on the Issue Date together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable.

        " Moody's " means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

        " Net Income " means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

        " Net Proceeds " means the aggregate cash proceeds received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received in respect of or upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding the assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other consideration received in any other non-cash form), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses Incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including Tax Distributions and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related solely to such disposition), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required (other than pursuant to the second paragraph of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Asset Sales") to be paid as a result of such transaction, amounts paid in connection with the termination of Hedging Obligations related to

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Indebtedness repaid with such proceeds or hedging oil, natural gas and natural gas liquid production in notional volumes corresponding to the Oil and Gas Properties subject to such Asset Sale, and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by Holdings as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by Holdings after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

         "Net Working Capital" means (a) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business less (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities (i) associated with asset retirement obligations relating to Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) included in Indebtedness and (iii) any current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP.

        " Notes Documents " means the indenture, the notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees and the Security Documents.

        " Notes Obligations " means Obligations in respect of the notes, the indenture and the Security Documents, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Obligations in respect of exchange notes and guarantees thereof.

        " Obligations " means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness; provided that Obligations with respect to the notes shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the notes.

        " Officer " means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of Holdings.

        " Officers' Certificate " means a certificate signed on behalf of Holdings by two Officers of Holdings, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of Holdings, which meets the requirements set forth in the indenture.

        " Oil and Gas Business " means:

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        " Oil and Gas Properties " means all properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by a Person which contain or are believed to contain oil and gas reserves or other reserves of Hydrocarbons.

        " Opinion of Counsel " means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to Holdings.

        " Other Second-Lien Obligations " means other Indebtedness of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is equally and ratably secured with the notes as permitted by the Indenture and is designated by Holdings as an Other Second-Lien Obligation (provided that such designation shall not be required for the Term Loan Facility).

        " Pari Passu Indebtedness " means: (a) with respect to an Issuer, the notes and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to the notes; and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantor's Subsidiary Guarantee.

        " Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement " means (i) the intercreditor agreement among Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Collateral Agent, the Trustee, and the other parties from time to time party thereto, entered into upon expiration of the Escrow Period, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the indenture or (ii) any replacement thereof that contains terms not materially less favorable to the holders of the notes than the intercreditor agreement referred to in clause (i).

        " Permitted Business Investment " means any Investment and/or expenditure made in the ordinary course of business or which are of a nature that is or shall have become customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur, including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing, distributing, storing, or transporting oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons and minerals (including with respect to plugging and abandonment) through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:

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        " Permitted Holders " means, at any time, each of (i) the Sponsors, (ii) the Management Group, (iii) any Person that has no material assets other than the Capital Stock of Holdings and, directly or indirectly, holds or acquires 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of Holdings, and of which no other Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), other than any of the other Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above, holds more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock thereof and (iv) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) the members of which include any of the Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above and that, directly or indirectly, hold or acquire beneficial ownership of the Voting Stock of Holdings (a "Permitted Holder Group"), so long as (1) each member of the Permitted Holder Group has voting rights proportional to the percentage of ownership interests held or acquired by such member and (2) no Person or other "group" (other than Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above) beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the Voting Stock held by the Permitted Holder Group. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of the indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

        " Permitted Investments " means:

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        " Permitted Liens " means, with respect to any Person:

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        " Person " means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

        " Preferred Stock " means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

        " Production Payments and Reserve Sales " means the grant or transfer by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar-denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers

        " Qualified Receivables Financing " means any Receivables Financing of a Receivables Subsidiary that meets the following conditions:

        The grant of a security interest in any accounts receivable of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) to secure Bank Indebtedness, Indebtedness in respect of the notes or any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the notes shall not be deemed a Qualified Receivables Financing.

        " Rating Agency " means (1) each of Moody's and S&P and (2) if Moody's or S&P ceases to rate the notes for reasons outside of Holdings' control, a "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" within the meaning of Rule 15cs-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings as a replacement agency for Moody's or S&P, as the case may be.

        " RBL Facility " means the credit agreement entered into on the Escrow Release Date among Holdings, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase

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Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or other lenders), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to any amendment thereto or pursuant to a new loan agreement with other lenders, governed by a borrowing base set by the lenders, extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or under any successor or replacement agreement or increasing the amount loaned thereunder or altering the maturity thereof.

        " RBL Agent " means the agent for secured parties holding First-Priority Lien Obligations, as appointed pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The RBL Agent is initially the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement.

        " Receivables Fees " means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interests issued or sold in connection with, and all other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Receivables Financing.

        " Receivables Financing " means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Receivables Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries); and (b) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts receivable and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable and any Hedging Obligations entered into by Holdings or any such Subsidiary in connection with such accounts receivable.

        " Receivables Repurchase Obligation " means any obligation of a seller of receivables in a Qualified Receivables Financing to repurchase receivables arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off-set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

        " Receivables Subsidiary " means a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (or another Person formed for the purposes of engaging in Qualified Receivables Financing with Holdings in which Holdings or any Subsidiary of Holdings makes an Investment and to which Holdings or any such Subsidiary transfers accounts receivable and related assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the Board of Directors of Holdings (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary and:

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        Any such designation by the Board of Directors of Holdings shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of Holdings giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

        " Restricted Cash " means cash and Cash Equivalents held by Restricted Subsidiaries that is contractually restricted from being distributed to Holdings, except for such cash and Cash Equivalents subject only to such restrictions that are contained in agreements governing Indebtedness permitted under the indenture and that is secured by such cash or Cash Equivalents.

        " Restricted Investment " means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

        " Restricted Subsidiary " means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated in this "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes," all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of Holdings.

        " Sale/Leaseback Transaction " means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between Holdings and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries.

        " S&P " means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

        " SEC " means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        " Second Lien Agent " means the agent for secured parties holding Second Priority Lien Obligations, as appointed pursuant to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. The Second Lien Agent is initially the administrative agent under the Term Loan Facility.

        " Second Lien Collateral Agent " means Citibank, N.A. in its capacity as "Collateral Agent" under the Security Documents and any successor thereto in such capacity.

        " Second Lien Secured Parties" means (a) the "Secured Parties," as defined in the Term Loan Facility, (b) the Trustee and the holders of the notes (including the holders of any additional notes subsequently issued under and in compliance with the terms of the indenture), and (c) holders of Other Second-Lien Obligations.

        " Second Lien Term Loan Obligations " means Obligations in respect of the Term Loan Facility and the Second-Priority Documents in respect thereof.

        " Second-Priority Documents " means the Notes Documents, any document or instrument evidencing or governing the Term Loan Facility and any other document or instrument evidencing or governing any Other Second-Lien Obligations.

        " Second-Priority Lien Obligations " means (a) the Notes Obligations, (b) the Second Lien Term Loan Obligations and (c) all other Obligations in respect of, or arising under, the Second-Priority Documents, including all fees and expenses of the collateral agent for any Other Second-Lien

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Obligations and shall include all interest and fees, which but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to Holdings, an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, would have accrued on such obligations, whether or not a claim for such interest or fees is allowed in such proceeding.

        " Secured Bank Indebtedness " means any Bank Indebtedness that is secured by a Permitted Lien incurred or deemed incurred pursuant to clause (6)(B) or clause (6)(C) of the definition of Permitted Lien.

        " Secured Indebtedness " means any Consolidated Total Indebtedness secured by a Lien.

        " Securities Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

        " Security Documents " means the security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages and related agreements, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, creating the security interests in the Collateral for the benefit of the Trustee, the Second Lien Collateral Agent and the holders of the notes as contemplated by the indenture.

        " Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement " means (i) the intercreditor agreement among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Collateral Agent, and the other parties from time to time party thereto, entered into upon expiration of the Escrow Period, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the indenture or (ii) any replacement thereof that contains terms not materially less favorable to holders of the notes than the intercreditor agreement referred to in clause (i).

        " Senior Notes " means the Issuers' 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 issued on the Issue Date and including any exchange notes issued in exchange therefor pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

        " Series " means (a) with respect to the Second Lien Secured Parties, each of (i) the "Secured Parties," as defined in the Term Loan Facility (in their capacities as such), (ii) the holders of the notes and the Trustee (each in their capacity as such) and (iii) holders of Other Second-Lien Obligations that become subject to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement after the date hereof that are represented by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such holders of Other Second-Lien Obligations) and (b) with respect to any Second-Priority Lien Obligations, each of (i) the Second Lien Term Loan Obligations, (ii) the Notes Obligations and (iii) the Other Second-Lien Obligations incurred pursuant to any applicable agreement, which pursuant to any joinder agreement, are to be represented under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Other Second-Lien Obligations).

        " Significant Subsidiary " means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a "Significant Subsidiary" of Holdings within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision).

        " Similar Business " means a business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from the activities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the Issue Date or any business or activity that is reasonably similar or complementary thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto.

        " Sponsor Management Agreement " means the management agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsors, EP Energy Holding Company and EPE Acquisition, LLC.

        " Sponsors " means (i) affiliates of each of Apollo Global Management, LLC, Access Industries, Inc. and Riverstone Holdings, L.P. and other investors party to that certain Interim Investors Agreement

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dated as of February 24, 2012 (the " Interim Investors A greement ") and any other investors that may become party to the Interim Investors Agreement prior to or upon the consummation of the Acquisition and any of their respective Affiliates other than any portfolio companies (collectively, the " Equity Investor ") and (ii) any Person that forms a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) with the Equity Investor; provided that the Equity Investor (x) owns a majority of the voting power and (y) controls a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings.

        " Standard Securitization Undertakings " means representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and guarantees of performance entered into by Holdings or any Subsidiary thereof which Holdings has determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Financing including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Receivables Subsidiary, it being understood that any Receivables Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.

        " Stated Maturity " means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

        " Subordinated Indebtedness " means (a) with respect to an Issuer, any Indebtedness of the Issuer which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the notes, and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

        " Subsidiary " means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

        " Subsidiary Guarantee " means any guarantee of the obligations of the Issuers under the indenture and the notes by any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of the indenture.

        " Subsidiary Guarantor " means any Subsidiary that Incurs a Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the indenture, such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor.

        " Tax Distributions " means any distributions described in clause (12) of the covenant entitled "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments."

        " Term Loan Facility " means the term loan agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, by and among Holdings, as borrower, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, including any guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications or restatements thereof.

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        " TIA " means the Trust indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the indenture.

        " Total Assets " means the total consolidated assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of Holdings, without giving effect to any amortization of the amount of intangible assets since December 31, 2011, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any subsequent acquisition or disposition of a Person or business.

        " Transactions" means the transactions described under "Summary—Recent Events—The Acquisition Transactions."

        " Treasury Rate " means, as of the applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuers, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to May 1, 2015; provided , however , that if the period from such redemption date to May 1, 2015, as applicable, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

        " Trust Officer " means:

        " Trustee " means the party named as such in the indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

        " Unrestricted Subsidiary " means:

        Holdings may designate any Subsidiary of Holdings (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, Holdings or any other Subsidiary of Holdings that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided , however , that the Subsidiary to be so designated and its Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have and do not thereafter Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than pursuant to customary Liens on related arrangements under any oil and gas royalty trust or master limited partnership); provided , further , however , that either:

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        Holdings may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that immediately after giving effect to such designation:

        Any such designation by Holdings shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof of Holdings giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

        " U.S. Government Obligations " means securities that are:

which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

        " Volumetric Production Payments " means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertaking and obligations in connection therewith.

        " Voting Stock " of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

        " Weighted Average Life to Maturity " means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (2) the sum of all such payments.

        " Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary " is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

        " Wholly Owned Subsidiary " of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares or shares required pursuant to applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

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DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR 2020 EXCHANGE NOTES

General

        EP Energy LLC (formerly known as Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation (each an " Issuer " and together, the " Issuers ") issued $2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (the " initial 2020 senior notes ") under an indenture (the "indenture" ), dated as of April 24, 2012, by and among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined below) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee. In this description, (i) "we," "us" and "our" mean EP Energy LLC and its Subsidiaries and (i) the term "Issuers" refers only to EP Energy LLC and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., but not to any of their Subsidiaries.

        The Issuers will issue the senior 2020 exchange notes under the indenture. The terms of the senior 2020 exchange notes are identical in all material respects to the initial 2020 senior notes except that upon completion of the exchange offer, the senior 2020 exchange notes will be registered under the Securities Act and free of any covenants regarding exchange registration rights. We refer to the initial 2020 senior notes as the "initial notes." We refer to the senior 2020 exchange notes as the "exchange notes." Unless otherwise indicated by the context, references in the "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes" section to the "notes" include the initial notes and the exchange notes.

        The following summary of certain provisions of the indenture and the notes does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of those agreements, including the definitions of certain terms therein and those terms made a part thereof by the TIA. We urge you to read those agreements because they, not this description, define your rights as holders of the notes. Capitalized terms used in this "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes" section and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth under "—Certain Definitions."

        The Issuers will issue the exchange notes in an aggregate principal amount up to $2,000,000,000. The Issuers may issue additional notes from time to time. Any offering of additional notes is subject to the covenants described below under the caption "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock." The notes and any additional notes subsequently issued under the indenture may, at our election, be treated as a single class for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if the additional notes are not fungible with the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional notes will have a separate CUSIP number, if applicable. Unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of the indenture and this "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes," references to the notes include any additional notes actually issued.

        Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes will be payable, and the notes may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or agency designated by the Issuers (which initially shall be the designated office or agency of the Trustee).

        The exchange notes will be issued only in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the exchange notes may be issued in denominations of less than $1,000 solely to accommodate book-entry positions that have been created by a DTC participant in denominations of less than $1,000. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the notes, but in certain circumstances the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Terms of the Notes

        The notes are senior obligations of the Issuers and will mature on May 1, 2020. Each note bears interest at a rate of 9.375% per annum from the Issue Date or from the most recent date to which

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interest has been paid or provided for, payable semiannually to holders of record at the close of business on April 15 or October 15 immediately preceding the interest payment date on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 2012.

Optional Redemption

        On or after May 1, 2016 the Issuers may redeem the notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder's registered address, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 1 of the years set forth below:

Period
  Redemption
Price
 

2016

    104.688 %

2017

    102.344 %

2018 and thereafter

    100.000 %

        In addition, prior to May 1, 2016 the Issuers may redeem the notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder's registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to May 1, 2015 the Issuers may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of additional notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by Holdings or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of Holdings or used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 109.375%, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided , however , that at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of additional notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided , further , that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice mailed to each holder of notes being redeemed and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the indenture.

        Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers' discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering.

Selection

        In the case of any partial redemption, selection of notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the notes are listed, or if the notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and, in such manner that complies with the applicable legal requirements and the requirements of DTC, if applicable); provided that no notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. If any note is to be redeemed in

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part only, the notice of redemption relating to such note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original note. On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Issuers have deposited with the paying agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest (if any) on, the notes to be redeemed.

Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases

        The Issuers will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Issuers may be required to offer to purchase notes as described under the captions "—Change of Control" and "—Certain Covenants—Asset Sales." We may at any time and from time to time purchase notes in the open market or otherwise.

Ranking

        The indebtedness evidenced by the notes is senior Indebtedness of the Issuers, ranks pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior Indebtedness of the Issuers and is senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuers.

        The indebtedness evidenced by the Subsidiary Guarantees is senior Indebtedness of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, ranks pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor and is senior in right of payment, to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

        At June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions:

        Although the indenture will limit the Incurrence of Indebtedness and the issuance of Disqualified Stock by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and the issuance of Preferred Stock by the Restricted Subsidiaries of Holdings that are not Subsidiary Guarantors, such limitation is subject to a number of significant qualifications and exceptions. Holdings and its Subsidiaries are able to Incur additional amounts of Indebtedness. Under certain circumstances the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial and, subject to certain limitations, such Indebtedness may be Secured Indebtedness. See "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock" and "—Certain Covenants—Liens."

        Holdings is a holding company that has no material assets or operations other than the equity in the assets of its Subsidiaries. Unless a Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Guarantor, claims of creditors of such Subsidiary, including trade creditors, and claims of preferred stockholders (if any) of such Subsidiary, generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such Subsidiary over the claims of creditors of the Issuers, including holders of the notes. The notes, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to holders of indebtedness and other creditors (including trade creditors) and preferred stockholders (if any) of Subsidiaries of Holdings that are not Subsidiary Guarantors. Our only Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors will be (i) non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and

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(ii) Foreign Subsidiaries, as well as Domestic Subsidiaries (x) that own no material assets (directly or through their Subsidiaries) other than equity interests of one or more of Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs or (y) that are Subsidiaries of Foreign Subsidiaries, all of which, as of June 30, 2012, had no outstanding indebtedness, excluding intercompany obligations.

        See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes—The notes will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries."

Subsidiary Guarantees

        Each of Holdings' direct and indirect Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.) that are Domestic Subsidiaries and that are borrowers or guarantors under the Credit Agreement jointly and severally irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee on a senior basis the performance and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of the Issuers under the indenture and the notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest or additional interest on the notes, expenses, indemnification or otherwise (all such obligations guaranteed by such Subsidiary Guarantors being herein called the " Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations "). Such Subsidiary Guarantors agree to pay, in addition to the amount stated above, any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or the holders in enforcing any rights under the Subsidiary Guarantees.

        Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering the Subsidiary Guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes—Because each subsidiary guarantor's liability under its guarantee may be reduced to zero, avoided or released under certain circumstances, you may not receive any payments from some or all of the subsidiary guarantors." After the Issue Date, Holdings will cause each Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) that Incurs or guarantees certain Indebtedness of Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or issues shares of Disqualified Stock and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the notes on the same unsecured senior basis. See "—Certain Covenants—Future Subsidiary Guarantors."

        Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be a continuing guarantee and shall:

        Each Subsidiary's Subsidiary Guarantee will be automatically released upon:

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        A Restricted Subsidiary's Subsidiary Guarantee also will be automatically released upon the applicable Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing Bank Indebtedness or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof.

Change of Control

        Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder will have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder's notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), except to the extent the Issuers have previously or concurrently elected to redeem notes as described under "—Optional Redemption."

        In the event that at the time of such Change of Control, the terms of the Bank Indebtedness restrict or prohibit the repurchase of notes pursuant to this covenant, then prior to the mailing of the notice to holders provided for in the immediately following paragraph but in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers shall:

        See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes—We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control."

        Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Issuers have exercised their right to redeem the notes by delivery of a notice of redemption as described under "—Optional Redemption," the Issuers shall mail a notice (a " Change of Control Offer ") to each holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:

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        A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

        In addition, the Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

        Notes repurchased by the Issuers pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and canceled at the option of the Issuers. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding paragraph will have the status of notes issued and outstanding.

        The Issuers will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of notes pursuant to this covenant. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this covenant by virtue thereof.

        This Change of Control repurchase provision is a result of negotiations between the Issuers and the initial purchasers. The Issuers have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that the Issuers could decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, the Issuers could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of Control under the indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect the Issuers' capital structure or credit rating.

        The occurrence of events which would constitute a Change of Control would constitute a default under the Credit Agreement. Future Bank Indebtedness of the Issuers may contain prohibitions on certain events which would constitute a Change of Control or require such Bank Indebtedness to be repurchased upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the holders of their right to require the Issuers to repurchase the notes could cause a default under such Bank Indebtedness, even if the Change of Control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on the Issuers. Finally, the Issuers' ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited by the Issuers' then existing financial resources. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required repurchases. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes—We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control."

        The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease or transfer of "all or substantially all" the assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a developing body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," under New York law, which governs the indenture, there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require the Issuers to repurchase such notes as a result of a sale, lease or transfer of less than all of the assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be uncertain.

        The provisions under the indenture relating to the Issuers' obligation to make an offer to repurchase the notes as a result of a Change of Control may be waived or modified with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes.

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Certain Covenants

        Set forth below are summaries of certain covenants that are contained in the indenture. If on any date following the Issue Date, (i) the notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture then, beginning on that day (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a " Covenant Suspension Event "), the covenants specifically listed under the following captions in this "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes" section of this prospectus will not be applicable to the notes (collectively, the " Suspended Covenants "):

        If and while Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants, the notes will be entitled to substantially less covenant protection. In the event that Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under the indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the " Reversion Date ") one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under the indenture with respect to future events. The period of time between the Covenant Suspension Event and the Reversion Date is referred to in this description as the " Suspension Period. "

        On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be classified as having been Incurred or issued pursuant to the first paragraph of "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock" below or one of the clauses set forth in the second paragraph of "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock" below (to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would be permitted to be Incurred or issued thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness Incurred or issued prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would not be so permitted to be Incurred or issued pursuant to the first or second paragraph of "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock," such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under clause (c) of the second paragraph under "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock." Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under "—Limitation on Restricted Payments" will be made as though the covenant described under "—Limitation on Restricted Payments" had been in effect since the Issue Date and prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will not reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of "—Limitation on Restricted Payments." As described above, however, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have

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occurred on the Reversion Date as a result of any actions taken by Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period. Within 30 days of such Reversion Date, the Issuers must comply with the terms of the covenant described under "—Future Subsidiary Guarantors."

        For purposes of the "—Asset Sales" covenant, on the Reversion Date, the unutilized Excess Proceeds amount will be reset to zero.

        There can be no assurance that the notes will ever achieve or maintain Investment Grade Ratings.

Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock

        The indenture provides that:

provided , however , that Holdings and any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock or issue shares of Preferred Stock, in each case if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided , further , that any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may not incur Indebtedness or issue shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in excess of an amount, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof pursuant to clause (o) below, equal to, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or issuance (including pro forma effect to the application of the net proceeds therefrom), the greater of $150.0 million and 2% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount).

        The foregoing limitations will not apply to:

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        For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant:

        Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, amortization of original issue discount, the accretion of liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this covenant. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this covenant.

        For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness other than as provided in clauses (3) and (4) above, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first Incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt.

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        Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur pursuant to this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

Limitation on Restricted Payments

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as " Restricted Payments "), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

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        " Cumulative Credit " means the sum of (without duplication):

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        The foregoing provisions will not prohibit:

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provided , however , that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (6)(b), (7), (10), (11) and (13)(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; provided , further that any Restricted Payments made with property other than cash shall be calculated using the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of such property.

        As of the Issue Date, all of the Subsidiaries of Holdings will be Restricted Subsidiaries. Holdings will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary." For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of "Investments." Such designation will only be permitted if a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in such amount would be permitted at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary to:

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except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

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        For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (1) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (2) the subordination of loans or advances made to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness Incurred by Holdings or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.

Asset Sales

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless (x) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of, and (y) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents or Additional Assets; provided that the amount of:

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shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this provision.

        Within 365 days after Holdings' or any Restricted Subsidiary's receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale, at its option:

        In the case of clause (2) above, a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the 18-month anniversary of the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds; provided that in the event such binding commitment is later canceled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are so applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds unless Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another binding commitment (a " Second Commitment ") within six months of such cancellation or termination of the prior binding commitment; provided , further, that Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may only enter into a Second Commitment under the foregoing provision one time with respect to each Asset Sale and to the extent such Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied or are not applied within 180 days of such Second Commitment, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

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        Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by the indenture. Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the second paragraph of this covenant (it being understood that any portion of such Net Proceeds used to make an offer to purchase notes, as described in clause (1) above, shall be deemed to have been invested whether or not such offer is accepted) will be deemed to constitute " Excess Proceeds ." When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all holders of notes (and, at the option of the Issuers, to holders of any Pari Passu Indebtedness) (an " Asset Sale Offer ") to purchase the maximum principal amount of notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness), that is at least $2,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event the notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness was issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness), to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the indenture. The Issuers will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten (10) Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of the indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, Holdings may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose that is not prohibited by the indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the notes to be purchased in the manner described below. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

        The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in the indenture by virtue thereof.

        If more notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) are tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer than the Issuers are required to purchase, selection of such notes for purchase will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such notes are listed, or if such notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with applicable legal requirements); provided that no notes of $2,000 or less shall be purchased in part. Selection of such Pari Passu Indebtedness will be made pursuant to the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness.

        Notices of an Asset Sale Offer shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each holder of notes at such holder's registered address. If any note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of purchase that relates to such note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.

Transactions with Affiliates

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or

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amend any transaction or series of transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of Holdings (each of the foregoing, an " Affiliate Transaction ") involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, unless:

        The foregoing provisions will not apply to the following:

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Liens

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on any asset or property of Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary unless the notes are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the notes) the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

        Any Lien that is granted to secure the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee under the preceding paragraph shall be automatically released and discharged at the same time as the release of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee.

        For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (A) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens described in the definition of "Permitted Liens" or pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens described in the definition of "Permitted Liens" or pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, Holdings shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien in one of the clauses of the definition of "Permitted Liens" and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness will be treated as being Incurred or existing pursuant to only one of such clauses or pursuant to the first paragraph hereof.

        With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The " Increased Amount " of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of

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additional Indebtedness with the same terms or in the form of common stock of Holdings, the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock of the same class, accretion of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness described in clause (3) of the definition of "Indebtedness."

Reports and Other Information

        The indenture provides that notwithstanding that Holdings may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, Holdings will file with the SEC (and provide the Trustee and holders with copies thereof, without cost to each holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC),

provided , however , that Holdings shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event Holdings will make available such information to prospective purchasers of notes in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the holders, in each case within 15 days after the time Holdings would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subject, in the case of any such information, certificates or reports provided prior to the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement, to exceptions and exclusions consistent with the presentation of financial and other information in the offering memorandum related to the initial notes dated April 10, 2012 (including with respect to any periodic reports provided prior to effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement, the omission of financial information required by Rule 3-10 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision)). In addition to providing such information to the Trustee, Holdings shall make available to the holders, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the notes and securities analysts the information required to be provided pursuant to clauses (1), (2) or (3) of this paragraph, by posting such information to its website or on IntraLinks or any comparable online data system or website.

        If Holdings has designated any of its Subsidiaries as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and if any such Unrestricted Subsidiary or group of Unrestricted Subsidiaries, if taken together as one Subsidiary, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of Holdings, then the annual and quarterly information

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required by clauses (1) and (2) of the first paragraph of this covenant shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, of the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings will not be required to furnish any information, certificates or reports required by Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K prior to the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement, as applicable.

        In the event that:

consolidating reporting at the parent entity's level in a manner consistent with that described in this covenant for Holdings will satisfy this covenant, and the indenture will permit Holdings to satisfy its obligations in this covenant with respect to financial information relating Holdings by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that such financial information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than Holdings and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to Holdings, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the other Subsidiaries of Holdings on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

        In addition, Holdings will make such information available to prospective investors upon request. In addition, Holdings has agreed that, for so long as any notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, it will furnish to the holders of the notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. Holdings will also hold quarterly conference calls, beginning with the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Escrow Release Date, for all holders and securities analysts to discuss such financial information no later than five business days after the distribution of such information required by this covenant and prior to the date of each such conference call, announcing the time and date of such conference call and either including all information necessary to access the call or informing holder of notes, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the notes and securities analysts how they can obtain such information, including, without limitation, the applicable password or other login information.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings will be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to above to the Trustee and the holders if Holdings has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available. In addition, the requirements of this covenant shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the notes or the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement by (1) the filing with the SEC of the exchange offer registration statement and/or shelf registration statement in accordance with the provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement, and any amendments thereto, and such registration statement and/or amendments thereto are filed at times that otherwise satisfy the time requirements set forth in the first paragraph of this covenant and/or (2) the posting of reports that would be required to be provided to the Trustee and the holders on Holdings' website (or that of any of Holdings' parent companies).

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Future Subsidiary Guarantors

        The indenture provides that Holdings will cause each Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Excluded Subsidiary and that guarantees any Indebtedness of an Issuer or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the notes. Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by that Restricted Subsidiary without rendering the Subsidiary Guarantee, as it relates to such Restricted Subsidiary, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

        Each Subsidiary Guarantee shall be released in accordance with the provisions of the indenture described under "—Subsidiary Guarantees."

Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets

        The indenture provides that Holdings may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up or convert into (whether or not Holdings is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

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        The Successor Holdco (if other than Holdings) will succeed to, and be substituted for, Holdings under the indenture and the notes, and in such event Holdings will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under the indenture and the notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (3) and (4), (a) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to or to a Restricted Subsidiary, and (b) Holdings may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating Holdings in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States or may convert into a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby. This "—Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets" will not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

        The indenture further provides that, subject to certain limitations in the indenture governing release of a Subsidiary Guarantee upon the sale or disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings that is a Subsidiary Guarantor, no Subsidiary Guarantor will, and Holdings will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:

        Subject to certain limitations described in the indenture, the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Subsidiary Guarantor under the indenture and the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, and QD such Subsidiary Guarantor will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under the indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Subsidiary Guarantor in a Permitted Jurisdiction or may convert into a limited

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liability company, corporation, partnership or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of any Permitted Jurisdiction so long as the amount of Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is not increased thereby and (2) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with Holdings or another Subsidiary Guarantor.

        In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into, liquidate, dissolve, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets (collectively, a " Transfer ") to Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

Defaults

        An "Event of Default" is defined in the indenture as:

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        The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

        However, a default under clause (4) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 30% in principal amount of outstanding notes notify the Issuers of the default and the Issuers do not cure such default within the time specified in clause (4) hereof after receipt of such notice.

        If an Event of Default (other than a Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Holdings) occurs with respect to the notes and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding notes by notice to the Issuers may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Holdings occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the notes and its consequences.

        In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (5) of the first paragraph above, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default) will be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the holders of the notes, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose the Issuers deliver an Officers' Certificate to the Trustee stating that (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the notes as described above be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.

        In case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes unless:

        Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee,

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however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

        The indenture provides that if a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer or the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder of the notes notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer or written notice if it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the noteholders. In addition, Holdings is required to deliver to the Trustee, annually, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. Holdings also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action Holdings is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

Amendments and Waivers

        Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture, the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees may be amended with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding and any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding. However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding note affected, no amendment may, among other things:

        Except as expressly provided by the indenture, without the consent of holders of at least 66.67% in principal amount of notes then outstanding, no amendment may modify or release the Subsidiary Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary in any manner adverse to the holders of the notes.

        Without the consent of any holder, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend the indenture, the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency, to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under the indenture and the notes, to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee, to provide for uncertificated notes in

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addition to or in place of certificated notes ( provided that the uncertificated notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code), to add a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the notes, to secure the notes, to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuers, to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder, to conform the text of the indenture, Subsidiary Guarantees or the notes, to any provision of this "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes" to the extent that such provision in this "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes" was intended by the Issuers to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture as stated in an Officers' Certificate, Subsidiary Guarantees or the notes, to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the TIA to effect any provision of the indenture or to make certain changes to the indenture to provide for the issuance of additional notes.

        The consent of the noteholders is not necessary under the indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Managers and Stockholders

        No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in Holdings or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the notes, the indenture or the Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of notes by accepting a note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Transfer and Exchange

        A noteholder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the registrar and the Trustee may require a noteholder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a noteholder to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the indenture. The Issuers are not required to transfer or exchange any notes selected for redemption or to transfer or exchange any notes for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of notes to be redeemed. The notes will be issued in registered form and the registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of such note for all purposes.

Satisfaction and Discharge

        The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights and immunities of the Trustee and rights of registration or transfer or exchange of notes, as expressly provided for in the indenture) as to all outstanding notes when:

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Defeasance

        The Issuers at any time may terminate all of their obligations under the notes and the indenture with respect to the holders of the notes (" legal defeasance" ), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the notes. The Issuers at any time may terminate their obligations under the covenants described under "—Certain Covenants" for the benefit of the holders of the notes, the operation of the cross acceleration provision, the bankruptcy provisions with respect to Significant Subsidiaries, the judgment default provision described under "—Defaults" (but only to the extent that those provisions relate to the Defaults with respect to the notes) and the undertakings and covenants contained under "—Change of Control" and "—Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets" (" covenant defeasance ") for the benefit of the holders of the notes. If the Issuers exercise their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

        The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of the covenant defeasance option. If the Issuers exercise their legal defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Issuers exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clause (3), (4) and (5) (with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries), (6), (7), (8) or (9) under "—Defaults" or because of the failure of Holdings to comply with the first clause (4) under "—Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets."

        In order to exercise their defeasance option, the Issuers must irrevocably deposit in trust (the " defeasance trust ") with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on the notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that holders of the notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred (and, in the case of legal defeasance only, such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by the immediately preceding sentence with respect to a legal defeasance need not be delivered if all of the notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable or (y) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers.

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Concerning the Trustee

        The Wilmington Trust, National Association is the Trustee under the indenture and has been appointed by the Issuers as registrar and a paying agent with regard to the notes.

Governing Law

        The indenture provides that it and the notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Certain Definitions

        " Acquired Indebtedness " means, with respect to any specified Person:

Acquired Indebtedness will be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (2) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of such assets.

        " Acquisition " means the purchase of EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil by EPE Acquisition, LLC as described in this prospectus under the heading "Summary—Recent Events—The Acquisition Transactions."

        " Acquisition Documents " means the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., as sellers, and EPE Acquisition, LLC, as purchaser, and any other agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

        " Additional Assets " means:

provided , however , that, in the case of clauses (3) and (4), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

        " Additional Refinancing Amount " means, in connection with the Incurrence of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate principal amount of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), expenses, defeasance costs and fees in respect thereof.

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        " Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets " means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

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If Holdings changes its method of accounting from the full cost method of accounting to the successful efforts or a similar method, "Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" will continue to be calculated as if Holdings were still using the full cost method of accounting.

        " Affiliate " of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly

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or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

        " Applicable Premium " means, with respect to any note on any applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuers, the greater of:

        " Asset Sale " means:

in each case other than:

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        " Bank Indebtedness " means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of (a) the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time (including after termination of the Credit Agreement), including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to Holdings whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof and (b) whether or not the Indebtedness referred to in clause (a) remains outstanding, if designated by Holdings to be included in this definition, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers' acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

        " Board of Directors " means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof. In the case of Holdings, the Board of Directors of Holdings shall be deemed to include the Board of Directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent, as appropriate.

        " Borrowing Base " means, at any date of determination, an amount equal to the amount of (a) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed producing (PDP) reserves, plus (b) 35% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed non-producing (PDNP) reserves, plus (c) 25% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proven undeveloped (PUD) reserves, plus or minus (d) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries under commodity hedging agreements (other than basis differential commodity hedging agreements), netted against the price described below, plus or minus (e) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by Holdings and its Restricted subsidiaries under basis differential commodity hedging agreements, in each case for Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (i) for purposes of clauses (a) through (d) above, as estimated by Holdings in a reserve report prepared by Holdings' petroleum engineers applying the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity adjusted for relevant energy content, quality and basis differentials (before any state or federal or other income tax) and (ii) for purposes of clauses (d) and (e) above, as estimated by Holdings applying, if available, the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward basis differential

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or, if such NYMEX (or successor) forward basis differential is unavailable, in good faith based on historical basis differential (before any state or federal or other income tax). For any months beyond the term included in published NYMEX (or successor) forward pricing, the price used will be equal to the last published contract escalated at 1.5% per annum.

        " Business Day " means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or the place of payment.

        " Capital Stock " means:

        " Capitalized Lease Obligation " means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that any obligations of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, either existing on the Issue Date or created prior to any recharacterization described below (or any refinancings thereof) (i) that were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of Holdings as capital lease obligations and (ii) that are subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.

        " Capitalized Software Expenditures " shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and such Restricted Subsidiaries.

        " Cash Equivalents " means:

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        " Change of Control " means the occurrence of either of the following:

        " Code " means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

        " Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees and Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

        " Consolidated Interest Expense " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

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        For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by Holdings to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

        " Consolidated Net Income " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided , however , that:

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        Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments" only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clauses (4) and (5) of the definition of Cumulative Credit contained therein.

        " Consolidated Non-Cash Charges " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the non-cash expenses (other than Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that if any such non-cash expenses represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA in such future period to the extent paid, but excluding from this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period.

        " Consolidated Taxes " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise, property and similar taxes, foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and any Tax Distributions taken into account in calculating Consolidated Net Income.

        " Consolidated Total Indebtedness " means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any undrawn letters of credit) consisting of Capitalized Lease Obligations, bankers' acceptances and Indebtedness for borrowed money, plus (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries and all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

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        " Contingent Obligations " means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (" primary obligations ") of any other Person (the " primary obligor ") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:

        " Credit Agreement " means (i) the Credit Agreement entered into upon expiration of the Escrow Period among Holdings, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by Holdings to be included in the definition of "Credit Agreement," one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers' acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

        " Credit Agreement Documents " means the collective reference to any Credit Agreement, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.

        " Default " means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

        " Designated Non-cash Consideration " means the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of non-cash consideration received by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers' Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

        " Designated Preferred Stock " means Preferred Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock), that is issued for cash (other than to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by Holdings or any of its

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Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers' Certificate, on the issuance date thereof.

        " Disqualified Stock " means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event:

in each case prior to 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the notes or the date the notes are no longer outstanding; provided , however , that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided , further , however , that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of Holdings or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee's termination, death or disability; provided , further , that any class of Capital Stock of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.

        " Dollar-Denominated Production Payments " means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

        " Domestic Subsidiary " means a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

        " EBITDA " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus, without duplication, to the extent the same was deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income:

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less , without duplication, to the extent the same increased Consolidated Net Income,

        " Equity Interests " means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

        " Equity Offering " means any public or private sale after the Issue Date of common Capital Stock or Preferred Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable (other than Disqualified Stock), other than:

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        " Escrow Account " means a segregated account, under the sole control of the Trustee, that includes only cash and U.S. dollar denominated Cash Equivalents (or rights to receive such under letters of credit), the proceeds thereof and interest earned thereon, free from all Liens other than the Lien in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the notes.

        " Escrow Period " means that period beginning on the Issue Date and ending on the date on which the funds held in the Escrow Account are released upon satisfaction of all conditions precedent to such release, as set forth in the escrow agreement.

        " Escrow Release Date " means the date upon which the Escrow Condition is satisfied.

        " Exchange Act " means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

        " Excluded Contributions " means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of Holdings) received by Holdings after the Issue Date from:

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officers' Certificate on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Capital Stock is sold, as the case may be; provided , that $3,200 million of Cash Equivalents received by Holdings from the Equity Investors on or prior to the Escrow Release Date to fund the Acquisition shall not be permitted to be designated an Excluded Contribution.

        " Excluded Subsidiary " means (a) any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (b) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (c) any Foreign Subsidiary, (d) any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that owns no material assets (directly or through its Subsidiaries) other than equity interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are "controlled foreign corporations" within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code ("CFCs") or (ii) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, (e) any Receivables Subsidiary and (f) any Subsidiary (other than a Significant Subsidiary) that (i) did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Holdings most recently ended, have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5.0% of total revenues of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date and (ii) taken together with all other such Subsidiaries as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Holdings most recently ended, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 10.0% of total revenues of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date.

        " Fair Market Value " means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm's-length transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.

        " Farm-In Agreement " means an agreement whereby a Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of one or more exploratory or development wells (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interests therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well or wells as all or a part of the consideration provided in exchange for an ownership interest in an Oil and Gas Property.

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        " Farm-Out Agreement " means a Farm-In Agreement, viewed from the standpoint of the party that transfers an ownership interest to another.

        " Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than in the case of any Qualified Receivables Financing, in which case interest expense shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period) or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the " Calculation Date "), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that Holdings may elect pursuant to an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being Incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent Incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an Incurrence at such subsequent time.

        For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, and any operational changes that Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, discontinued operation or operational change, in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or operational change had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

        For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of Holdings as set forth in an Officers' Certificate, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from the applicable event, and (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of "Adjusted EBITDA" as set forth in footnote (4) to the "Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data" under "Summary" in the offering memorandum related to the initial notes dated April 10, 2012 to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period.

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        If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a Eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as Holdings may designate.

        For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

        " Fixed Charges " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (1) Consolidated Interest Expense (excluding amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs) of such Person for such period, and (2) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

        " Foreign Subsidiary " means a Restricted Subsidiary not organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

        " GAAP " means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Issue Date. For the purposes of the indenture, the term "consolidated" with respect to any Person shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an Investment.

        " guarantee " means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

        " Hedging Obligations " means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreements or obligations to physically sell any commodity at any index-based price shall not be considered Hedging Obligations.

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        " holder " or " noteholder " means the Person in whose name a note is registered on the registrar's books.

        " Holdings " means Everest Acquisition LLC (renamed as EP Energy LLC on the Escrow Release Date), together with its successors or assigns.

        " Hydrocarbons " means oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

        " Incur " means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided , however , that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.

        " Indebtedness " means, with respect to any Person:

provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (1) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in respect of borrowed money; (2) deferred or prepaid revenues; (3) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller; (4) Obligations under or in respect of Qualified Receivables Financing; (5) obligations under the Acquisition Documents; (6) Production Payments and Reserve Sales; (7) any obligation of a Person in respect of a Farm-In Agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property; (8) any obligations under Hedging Obligations; provided that such agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of Holdings or its Restricted

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Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of Holdings, whether or not accounted for as a hedge in accordance with GAAP) and, in the case of any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement, such agreements are related to business transactions of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and, in the case of any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, such agreements substantially correspond in terms of notional amount, duration and interest rates, as applicable, to Indebtedness of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred without violation of the indenture; and (9) in-kind obligations relating to net oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business.

        Notwithstanding anything in the indenture to the contrary, Indebtedness shall not include, and shall be calculated without giving effect to, the effects of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under the indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness; and any such amounts that would have constituted Indebtedness under the indenture but for the application of this sentence shall not be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness under the indenture.

        " Independent Financial Advisor " means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant, in each case of nationally recognized standing, that is, in the good faith determination of Holdings, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

        " Investment Grade Rating " means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody's and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

        " Investment Grade Securities " means:

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        " Investments " means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit and advances to customers and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet of such Person in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments":

        " Issue Date " means the date on which the notes are originally issued.

        " Lien " means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

        " Management Group " means the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as the case may be, on the Issue Date together with (1) any new directors whose election by such boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors on the Issue Date or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (2) executive officers and other management personnel of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, hired at a time when the directors on the Issue Date together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable.

        " Moody's " means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

        " Net Income " means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

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        " Net Proceeds " means the aggregate cash proceeds received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received in respect of or upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding the assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other consideration received in any other non-cash form), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses Incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including Tax Distributions and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related solely to such disposition), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required (other than pursuant to the second paragraph of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Asset Sales") to be paid as a result of such transaction, amounts paid in connection with the termination of Hedging Obligations related to Indebtedness repaid with such proceeds or hedging oil, natural gas and natural gas liquid production in notional volumes corresponding to the Oil and Gas Properties subject to such Asset Sale, and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by Holdings as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by Holdings after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

         "Net Working Capital" means (a) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business less (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities (i) associated with asset retirement obligations relating to Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) included in Indebtedness and (iii) any current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP.

        " Notes Obligations " means Obligations in respect of the notes and the indenture, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Obligations in respect of exchange notes and guarantees thereof.

        " Obligations " means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness; provided that Obligations with respect to the notes shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the notes.

        " Officer " means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of Holdings.

        " Officers' Certificate " means a certificate signed on behalf of Holdings by two Officers of Holdings, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of Holdings, which meets the requirements set forth in the indenture.

        " Oil and Gas Business " means:

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        " Oil and Gas Properties " means all properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by a Person which contain or are believed to contain oil and gas reserves or other reserves of Hydrocarbons.

        " Opinion of Counsel " means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to Holdings.

        " Pari Passu Indebtedness " means: (a) with respect to an Issuer, the notes and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to the notes; and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantor's Subsidiary Guarantee.

        " Permitted Business Investment " means any Investment and/or expenditure made in the ordinary course of business or which are of a nature that is or shall have become customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur, including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing, distributing, storing, or transporting oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons and minerals (including with respect to plugging and abandonment) through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:

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        " Permitted Holders " means, at any time, each of (i) the Sponsors, (ii) the Management Group, (iii) any Person that has no material assets other than the Capital Stock of Holdings and, directly or indirectly, holds or acquires 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of Holdings, and of which no other Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), other than any of the other Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above, holds more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock thereof and (iv) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) the members of which include any of the Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above and that, directly or indirectly, hold or acquire beneficial ownership of the Voting Stock of Holdings (a "Permitted Holder Group"), so long as (1) each member of the Permitted Holder Group has voting rights proportional to the percentage of ownership interests held or acquired by such member and (2) no Person or other "group" (other than Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above) beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the Voting Stock held by the Permitted Holder Group. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of the indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

        " Permitted Investments " means:

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        " Permitted Liens " means, with respect to any Person:

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        " Person " means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

        " Preferred Stock " means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

        " Production Payments and Reserve Sales " means the grant or transfer by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar-denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers

        " Qualified Receivables Financing " means any Receivables Financing of a Receivables Subsidiary that meets the following conditions:

        The grant of a security interest in any accounts receivable of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) to secure Bank Indebtedness, Indebtedness in respect of the notes or any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the notes shall not be deemed a Qualified Receivables Financing.

        " Rating Agency " means (1) each of Moody's and S&P and (2) if Moody's or S&P ceases to rate the notes for reasons outside of Holdings' control, a "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" within the meaning of Rule 15cs-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings as a replacement agency for Moody's or S&P, as the case may be.

        " RBL Facility " means the credit agreement entered into on the Escrow Release Date among Holdings, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or other lenders), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to any amendment thereto or pursuant to a new loan agreement with other lenders, governed by a borrowing base set by the lenders, extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or under any successor or replacement agreement or increasing the amount loaned thereunder or altering the maturity thereof.

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        " Receivables Fees " means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interests issued or sold in connection with, and all other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Receivables Financing.

        " Receivables Financing " means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Receivables Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries); and (b) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts receivable and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable and any Hedging Obligations entered into by Holdings or any such Subsidiary in connection with such accounts receivable.

        " Receivables Repurchase Obligation " means any obligation of a seller of receivables in a Qualified Receivables Financing to repurchase receivables arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off-set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

        " Receivables Subsidiary " means a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (or another Person formed for the purposes of engaging in Qualified Receivables Financing with Holdings in which Holdings or any Subsidiary of Holdings makes an Investment and to which Holdings or any such Subsidiary transfers accounts receivable and related assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the Board of Directors of Holdings (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary and:

        Any such designation by the Board of Directors of Holdings shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of Holdings giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

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        " Restricted Cash " means cash and Cash Equivalents held by Restricted Subsidiaries that is contractually restricted from being distributed to Holdings, except for such cash and Cash Equivalents subject only to such restrictions that are contained in agreements governing Indebtedness permitted under the indenture and that is secured by such cash or Cash Equivalents.

        " Restricted Investment " means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

        " Restricted Subsidiary " means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated in this "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes," all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of Holdings.

        " Sale/Leaseback Transaction " means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between Holdings and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries.

        " S&P " means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

        " SEC " means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        " Secured Indebtedness " means any Consolidated Total Indebtedness secured by a Lien.

        " Secured Notes " means the Issuers' 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued on the Issue Date and including any exchange notes issued in exchange therefor pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

        " Securities Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

        " Significant Subsidiary " means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a "Significant Subsidiary" of Holdings within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision).

        " Similar Business " means a business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from the activities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the Issue Date or any business or activity that is reasonably similar or complementary thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto.

        " Sponsor Management Agreement " means the management agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsors, EP Energy Holding Company and EPE Acquisition, LLC.

        " Sponsors " means (i) affiliates of each of Apollo Global Management, LLC, Access Industries, Inc. and Riverstone Holdings, L.P. and other investors party to that certain Interim Investors Agreement dated as of February 24, 2012 (the " Interim Investors A greement ") and any other investors that may become party to the Interim Investors Agreement prior to or upon the consummation of the Acquisition and any of their respective Affiliates other than any portfolio companies (collectively, the " Equity Investor ") and (ii) any Person that forms a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) with the Equity Investor; provided that the Equity Investor (x) owns a majority of the voting power and (y) controls a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings.

        " Standard Securitization Undertakings " means representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and guarantees of performance entered into by Holdings or any Subsidiary thereof which Holdings has

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determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Financing including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Receivables Subsidiary, it being understood that any Receivables Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.

        " Stated Maturity " means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

        " Subordinated Indebtedness " means (a) with respect to an Issuer, any Indebtedness of the Issuer which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the notes, and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

        " Subsidiary " means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

        " Subsidiary Guarantee " means any guarantee of the obligations of the Issuers under the indenture and the notes by any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of the indenture.

        " Subsidiary Guarantor " means any Subsidiary that Incurs a Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the indenture, such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor.

        " Tax Distributions " means any distributions described in clause (12) of the covenant entitled "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments."

        " Term Loan Facility " means the term loan agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, by and among Holdings, as borrower, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, including any guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications or restatements thereof.

        " TIA " means the Trust indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the indenture.

        " Total Assets " means the total consolidated assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of Holdings, without giving effect to any amortization of the amount of intangible assets since December 31, 2011, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any subsequent acquisition or disposition of a Person or business.

        " Transactions " means the transactions described under "Summary—Recent Events—The Acquisition Transactions."

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        " Treasury Rate " means, as of the applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuers, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to May 1, 2016; provided , however , that if the period from such redemption date to May 1, 2016 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

        " Trust Officer " means:

        " Trustee " means the party named as such in the indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

        " Unrestricted Subsidiary " means:

        Holdings may designate any Subsidiary of Holdings (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, Holdings or any other Subsidiary of Holdings that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided , however , that the Subsidiary to be so designated and its Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have and do not thereafter Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than pursuant to customary Liens on related arrangements under any oil and gas royalty trust or master limited partnership); provided , further , however , that either:

        Holdings may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that immediately after giving effect to such designation:

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        Any such designation by Holdings shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof of Holdings giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

        " U.S. Government Obligations " means securities that are:

which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

        " Volumetric Production Payments " means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertaking and obligations in connection therewith.

        " Voting Stock " of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

        " Weighted Average Life to Maturity " means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (2) the sum of all such payments.

        " Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary " is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

        " Wholly Owned Subsidiary " of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares or shares required pursuant to applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

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DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR 2022 EXCHANGE NOTES

General

        EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation (each an " Issuer " and together, the " Issuers "), issued $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (the " initial 2022 senior notes ") under an indenture (the " indenture "), dated as of August 13, 2012, by and among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined below) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee. In this description, (i) "we," "us" and "our" mean EP Energy LLC and its Subsidiaries and (i) the term "Issuers" refers only to EP Energy LLC and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., but not to any of their Subsidiaries.

        The Issuers will issue the senior 2022 exchange notes under the indenture. The terms of the senior 2022 exchange notes are identical in all material respects to the initial 2022 senior notes except that upon completion of the exchange offer, the senior 2022 exchange notes will be registered under the Securities Act and free of any covenants regarding exchange registration rights. We refer to the initial 2022 senior notes as the "initial notes." We refer to the senior 2022 exchange notes as the "exchange notes." Unless otherwise indicated by the context, references in the "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes" section to the "notes" include the initial notes and the exchange notes.

        The following summary of certain provisions of the indenture and the notes does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of those agreements, including the definitions of certain terms therein and those terms made a part thereof by the TIA. We urge you to read those agreements because they, not this description, define your rights as holders of the notes. Capitalized terms used in this "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes" section and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth under "—Certain Definitions."

        The Issuers will issue the exchange notes in an aggregate principal amount up to $350,000,000. The Issuers may issue additional notes from time to time. Any offering of additional notes is subject to the covenants described below under the caption "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock." The notes and any additional notes subsequently issued under the indenture may, at our election, be treated as a single class for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if the additional notes are not fungible with the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional notes will have a separate CUSIP number, if applicable. Unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of the indenture and this "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes," references to the notes include any additional notes actually issued.

        Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes will be payable, and the notes may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or agency designated by the Issuers (which initially shall be the designated office or agency of the Trustee).

        The exchange notes will be issued only in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the exchange notes may be issued in denominations of less than $1,000 solely to accommodate book-entry positions that have been created by a DTC participant in denominations of less than $1,000. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the notes, but in certain circumstances the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Terms of the Notes

        The notes are senior obligations of the Issuers and will mature on September 1, 2022. Each note bears interest at a rate of 7.750% per annum from the Issue Date or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable semiannually to holders of record at the close of

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business on February 15 or August 15 immediately preceding the interest payment date on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing March 1, 2013.

Optional Redemption

        On or after September 1, 2017 the Issuers may redeem the notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder's registered address, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 1 of the years set forth below:

Period
  Redemption
Price
 

2017

    103.875 %

2018

    102.583 %

2019

    101.292 %

2020 and thereafter

    100.000 %

        In addition, prior to September 1, 2017 the Issuers may redeem the notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice mailed by the Issuers by first-class mail to each holder's registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to September 1, 2015 the Issuers may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of additional notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by Holdings or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of Holdings or used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 107.750%, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided , however , that at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of additional notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided , further , that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice mailed to each holder of notes being redeemed and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the indenture.

        Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers' discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering.

Selection

        In the case of any partial redemption, selection of notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the notes are listed, or if the notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and, in such manner that complies with the applicable legal requirements and the requirements of DTC, if applicable);

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provided that no notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original note. On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Issuers have deposited with the paying agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest (if any) on, the notes to be redeemed.

Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases

        The Issuers will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Issuers may be required to offer to purchase notes as described under the captions "—Change of Control" and "—Certain Covenants—Asset Sales." We may at any time and from time to time purchase notes in the open market or otherwise.

Ranking

        The indebtedness evidenced by the notes is senior Indebtedness of the Issuers, ranks pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior Indebtedness of the Issuers and is senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuers.

        The indebtedness evidenced by the Subsidiary Guarantees is senior Indebtedness of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, ranks pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor and is senior in right of payment, to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

        At June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Refinancing Transactions:

        Although the indenture will limit the Incurrence of Indebtedness and the issuance of Disqualified Stock by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and the issuance of Preferred Stock by the Restricted Subsidiaries of Holdings that are not Subsidiary Guarantors, such limitation is subject to a number of significant qualifications and exceptions. Holdings and its Subsidiaries are able to Incur additional amounts of Indebtedness. Under certain circumstances the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial and, subject to certain limitations, such Indebtedness may be Secured Indebtedness. See "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock" and "—Certain Covenants—Liens."

        Holdings is a holding company that has no material assets or operations other than the equity in the assets of its Subsidiaries. Unless a Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Guarantor, claims of creditors of such Subsidiary, including trade creditors, and claims of preferred stockholders (if any) of such Subsidiary, generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such Subsidiary over the claims of creditors of the Issuers, including holders of the notes. The notes, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to holders of indebtedness and other creditors (including trade creditors) and preferred stockholders (if any) of Subsidiaries of Holdings that are not Subsidiary Guarantors. Our only

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Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors will be (i) non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and (ii) Foreign Subsidiaries, as well as Domestic Subsidiaries (x) that own no material assets (directly or through their Subsidiaries) other than equity interests of one or more of Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs or (y) that are Subsidiaries of Foreign Subsidiaries, all of which, as of March 31, 2012, had no outstanding indebtedness, excluding intercompany obligations.

        See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes—The notes will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries."

Subsidiary Guarantees

        Each of Holdings' direct and indirect Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.) that are Domestic Subsidiaries and that are borrowers or guarantors under the Credit Agreement jointly and severally irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee on a senior basis the performance and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of the Issuers under the indenture and the notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest or additional interest on the notes, expenses, indemnification or otherwise (all such obligations guaranteed by such Subsidiary Guarantors being herein called the " Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations "). Such Subsidiary Guarantors agree to pay, in addition to the amount stated above, any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or the holders in enforcing any rights under the Subsidiary Guarantees.

        Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering the Subsidiary Guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes—Because each subsidiary guarantor's liability under its guarantee may be reduced to zero, avoided or released under certain circumstances, you may not receive any payments from some or all of the subsidiary guarantors." After the Issue Date, Holdings will cause each Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) that Incurs or guarantees certain Indebtedness of Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or issues shares of Disqualified Stock and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the notes on the same unsecured senior basis. See "—Certain Covenants—Future Subsidiary Guarantors."

        Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be a continuing guarantee and shall:

        Each Subsidiary's Subsidiary Guarantee will be automatically released upon:

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        A Restricted Subsidiary's Subsidiary Guarantee also will be automatically released upon the applicable Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing Bank Indebtedness or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof.

Change of Control

        Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder will have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder's notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), except to the extent the Issuers have previously or concurrently elected to redeem notes as described under "—Optional Redemption."

        In the event that at the time of such Change of Control, the terms of the Bank Indebtedness restrict or prohibit the repurchase of notes pursuant to this covenant, then prior to the mailing of the notice to holders provided for in the immediately following paragraph but in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers shall:

        See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes—We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control."

        Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Issuers have exercised their right to redeem the notes by delivery of a notice of redemption as described under "—Optional Redemption," the Issuers shall mail a notice (a " Change of Control Offer ") to each holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:

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        A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

        In addition, the Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

        Notes repurchased by the Issuers pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and canceled at the option of the Issuers. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding paragraph will have the status of notes issued and outstanding.

        The Issuers will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of notes pursuant to this covenant. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this covenant by virtue thereof.

        This Change of Control repurchase provision is a result of negotiations between the Issuers and the initial purchasers. The Issuers have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that the Issuers could decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, the Issuers could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of Control under the indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect the Issuers' capital structure or credit rating.

        The occurrence of events which would constitute a Change of Control would constitute a default under the Credit Agreement. Future Bank Indebtedness of the Issuers may contain prohibitions on certain events which would constitute a Change of Control or require such Bank Indebtedness to be repurchased upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the holders of their right to require the Issuers to repurchase the notes could cause a default under such Bank Indebtedness, even if the Change of Control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on the Issuers. Finally, the Issuers' ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited by the Issuers' then existing financial resources. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required repurchases. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and the Notes—We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control."

        The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease or transfer of "all or substantially all" the assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a developing body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," under New York law, which governs the indenture, there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require the Issuers to repurchase such notes as a result of a sale, lease or transfer of less than all of the assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be uncertain.

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        The provisions under the indenture relating to the Issuers' obligation to make an offer to repurchase the notes as a result of a Change of Control may be waived or modified with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes.

Certain Covenants

        Set forth below are summaries of certain covenants that are contained in the indenture. If on any date following the Issue Date, (i) the notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture then, beginning on that day (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a " Covenant Suspension Event "), the covenants specifically listed under the following captions in this "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes" section of this prospectus will not be applicable to the notes (collectively, the " Suspended Covenants "):

        If and while Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants, the notes will be entitled to substantially less covenant protection. In the event that Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under the indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the " Reversion Date ") one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under the indenture with respect to future events. The period of time between the Covenant Suspension Event and the Reversion Date is referred to in this description as the " Suspension Period. "

        On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be classified as having been Incurred or issued pursuant to the first paragraph of "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock" below or one of the clauses set forth in the second paragraph of "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock" below (to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would be permitted to be Incurred or issued thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness Incurred or issued prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would not be so permitted to be Incurred or issued pursuant to the first or second paragraph of "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock," such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under clause (c) of the second paragraph under "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock." Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under "—Limitation on Restricted Payments" will be made as though the covenant described under "—Limitation on Restricted

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Payments" had been in effect since the Issue Date and prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will not reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of "—Limitation on Restricted Payments." As described above, however, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred on the Reversion Date as a result of any actions taken by Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period. Within 30 days of such Reversion Date, the Issuers must comply with the terms of the covenant described under "—Future Subsidiary Guarantors."

        For purposes of the "—Asset Sales" covenant, on the Reversion Date, the unutilized Excess Proceeds amount will be reset to zero.

        There can be no assurance that the notes will ever achieve or maintain Investment Grade Ratings.

Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock

        The indenture provides that:

provided , however , that Holdings and any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock or issue shares of Preferred Stock, in each case if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided , further , that any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may not incur Indebtedness or issue shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in excess of an amount, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof pursuant to clause (o) below, equal to, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or issuance (including pro forma effect to the application of the net proceeds therefrom), the greater of $150.0 million and 2% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount).

        The foregoing limitations will not apply to:

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        For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant:

        Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, amortization of original issue discount, the accretion of liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this covenant. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this covenant.

        For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness other than as provided in clauses (3) and (4) above, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first Incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt.

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        Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur pursuant to this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

Limitation on Restricted Payments

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as " Restricted Payments "), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

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        " Cumulative Credit " means the sum of (without duplication):

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        The foregoing provisions will not prohibit:

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provided , however , that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (6)(b), (7), (10), (11) and (13)(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; provided , further that any Restricted Payments made with property other than cash shall be calculated using the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of such property.

        As of the Issue Date, all of the Subsidiaries of Holdings will be Restricted Subsidiaries. Holdings will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary." For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of "Investments." Such designation will only be permitted if a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in such amount would be permitted at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary to:

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except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

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        For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (1) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (2) the subordination of loans or advances made to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness Incurred by Holdings or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.

Asset Sales

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless (x) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of, and (y) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents or Additional Assets; provided that the amount of:

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shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this provision.

        Within 365 days after Holdings' or any Restricted Subsidiary's receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale, at its option:

        In the case of clause (2) above, a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the 18-month anniversary of the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds; provided that in the event such binding commitment is later canceled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are so applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds unless Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another binding commitment (a " Second Commitment ") within six months of such cancellation or termination of the prior binding commitment; provided , further, that Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may only enter into a Second Commitment under the foregoing provision one time with respect to each Asset Sale and to the extent such Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net

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Proceeds are applied or are not applied within 180 days of such Second Commitment, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

        Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by the indenture. Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the second paragraph of this covenant (it being understood that any portion of such Net Proceeds used to make an offer to purchase notes, as described in clause (1) above, shall be deemed to have been invested whether or not such offer is accepted) will be deemed to constitute " Excess Proceeds ." When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all holders of notes (and, at the option of the Issuers, to holders of any Pari Passu Indebtedness) (an " Asset Sale Offer ") to purchase the maximum principal amount of notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness), that is at least $2,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event the notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness was issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness), to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the indenture. The Issuers will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten (10) Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of the indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, Holdings may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose that is not prohibited by the indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the notes to be purchased in the manner described below. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

        The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in the indenture by virtue thereof.

        If more notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) are tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer than the Issuers are required to purchase, selection of such notes for purchase will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such notes are listed, or if such notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with applicable legal requirements); provided that no notes of $2,000 or less shall be purchased in part. Selection of such Pari Passu Indebtedness will be made pursuant to the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness.

        Notices of an Asset Sale Offer shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each holder of notes at such holder's registered address. If any note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of purchase that relates to such note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.

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Transactions with Affiliates

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of Holdings (each of the foregoing, an " Affiliate Transaction ") involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, unless:

        The foregoing provisions will not apply to the following:

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Liens

        The indenture provides that Holdings will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on any asset or property of Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary unless the notes are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the notes) the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

        Any Lien that is granted to secure the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee under the preceding paragraph shall be automatically released and discharged at the same time as the release of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee.

        For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (A) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens described in the definition of "Permitted Liens" or pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens described in the definition of "Permitted Liens" or pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, Holdings shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien in one of the clauses of the definition of "Permitted Liens" and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness will be treated as being Incurred or existing pursuant to only one of such clauses or pursuant to the first paragraph hereof.

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        With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The " Increased Amount " of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms or in the form of common stock of Holdings, the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock of the same class, accretion of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness described in clause (3) of the definition of "Indebtedness."

Reports and Other Information

        The indenture provides that notwithstanding that Holdings may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, Holdings will file with the SEC (and provide the Trustee and holders with copies thereof, without cost to each holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC),

provided , however , that Holdings shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event Holdings will make available such information to prospective purchasers of notes in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the holders, in each case within 15 days after the time Holdings would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subject, in the case of any such information, certificates or reports provided prior to the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement, to exceptions and exclusions consistent with the presentation of financial and other information in the offering memorandum related to the initial notes dated August 8, 2012 (including with respect to any periodic reports provided prior to effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement, the omission of financial information required by Rule 3-10 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision)). In addition to providing such information to the Trustee, Holdings shall make available to the holders, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the notes and securities analysts the information required to be provided pursuant to clauses (1), (2) or (3) of this

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paragraph, by posting such information to its website or on IntraLinks or any comparable online data system or website.

        If Holdings has designated any of its Subsidiaries as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and if any such Unrestricted Subsidiary or group of Unrestricted Subsidiaries, if taken together as one Subsidiary, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of Holdings, then the annual and quarterly information required by clauses (1) and (2) of the first paragraph of this covenant shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, of the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings will not be required to furnish any information, certificates or reports required by Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K prior to the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement, as applicable.

        In the event that:

consolidating reporting at the parent entity's level in a manner consistent with that described in this covenant for Holdings will satisfy this covenant, and the indenture will permit Holdings to satisfy its obligations in this covenant with respect to financial information relating Holdings by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that such financial information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than Holdings and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to Holdings, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the other Subsidiaries of Holdings on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

        In addition, Holdings will make such information available to prospective investors upon request. In addition, Holdings has agreed that, for so long as any notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, it will furnish to the holders of the notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. Holdings will also hold quarterly conference calls, beginning with the first full fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2012, for all holders and securities analysts to discuss such financial information no later than five business days after the distribution of such information required by this covenant and prior to the date of each such conference call, announcing the time and date of such conference call and either including all information necessary to access the call or informing holder of notes, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the notes and securities analysts how they can obtain such information, including, without limitation, the applicable password or other login information.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings will be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to above to the Trustee and the holders if Holdings has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available. In addition, the requirements of this covenant shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the notes or the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement by (1) the filing with the SEC of the exchange offer registration statement and/or shelf registration statement in accordance with the provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement, and any amendments thereto, and such registration statement and/or amendments thereto are filed at times

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that otherwise satisfy the time requirements set forth in the first paragraph of this covenant and/or (2) the posting of reports that would be required to be provided to the Trustee and the holders on Holdings' website (or that of any of Holdings' parent companies).

Future Subsidiary Guarantors

        The indenture provides that Holdings will cause each Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Excluded Subsidiary and that guarantees any Indebtedness of an Issuer or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the notes. Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by that Restricted Subsidiary without rendering the Subsidiary Guarantee, as it relates to such Restricted Subsidiary, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

        Each Subsidiary Guarantee shall be released in accordance with the provisions of the indenture described under "—Subsidiary Guarantees."

Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets

        The indenture provides that Holdings may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up or convert into (whether or not Holdings is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

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        The Successor Holdco (if other than Holdings) will succeed to, and be substituted for, Holdings under the indenture and the notes, and in such event Holdings will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under the indenture and the notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (3) and (4), (a) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to or to a Restricted Subsidiary, and (b) Holdings may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating Holdings in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States or may convert into a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby. This "—Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets" will not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

        The indenture further provides that, subject to certain limitations in the indenture governing release of a Subsidiary Guarantee upon the sale or disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings that is a Subsidiary Guarantor, no Subsidiary Guarantor will, and Holdings will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:

        Subject to certain limitations described in the indenture, the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Subsidiary

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Guarantor under the indenture and the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, and QD such Subsidiary Guarantor will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under the indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Subsidiary Guarantor in a Permitted Jurisdiction or may convert into a limited liability company, corporation, partnership or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of any Permitted Jurisdiction so long as the amount of Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is not increased thereby and (2) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with Holdings or another Subsidiary Guarantor.

        In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into, liquidate, dissolve, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets (collectively, a " Transfer ") to Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

Defaults

        An "Event of Default" is defined in the indenture as:

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        The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

        However, a default under clause (4) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 30% in principal amount of outstanding notes notify the Issuers of the default and the Issuers do not cure such default within the time specified in clause (4) hereof after receipt of such notice.

        If an Event of Default (other than a Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Holdings) occurs with respect to the notes and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding notes by notice to the Issuers may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Holdings occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the notes and its consequences.

        In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (5) of the first paragraph above, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default) will be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the holders of the notes, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose the Issuers deliver an Officers' Certificate to the Trustee stating that (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the notes as described above be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.

        In case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes unless:

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        Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

        The indenture provides that if a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer or the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder of the notes notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the noteholders. In addition, Holdings is required to deliver to the Trustee, annually, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. Holdings also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action Holdings is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

Amendments and Waivers

        Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture, the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees may be amended with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding and any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding. However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding note affected, no amendment may, among other things:

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        Except as expressly provided by the indenture, without the consent of holders of at least 66.67% in principal amount of notes then outstanding, no amendment may modify or release the Subsidiary Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary in any manner adverse to the holders of the notes.

        Without the consent of any holder, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend the indenture, the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency, to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under the indenture and the notes, to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee, to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes ( provided that the uncertificated notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code), to add a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the notes, to secure the notes, to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuers, to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder, to conform the text of the indenture, Subsidiary Guarantees or the notes, to any provision of this "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes" to the extent that such provision in this "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes" was intended by the Issuers to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture as stated in an Officers' Certificate, Subsidiary Guarantees or the notes, to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the TIA to effect any provision of the indenture or to make certain changes to the indenture to provide for the issuance of additional notes.

        The consent of the noteholders is not necessary under the indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Managers and Stockholders

        No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in Holdings or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the notes, the indenture or the Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of notes by accepting a note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Transfer and Exchange

        A noteholder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the registrar and the Trustee may require a noteholder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a noteholder to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the indenture. The Issuers are not required to transfer or exchange any notes selected for redemption or to transfer or exchange any notes for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of notes to be redeemed. The notes will be issued in registered form and the registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of such note for all purposes.

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Satisfaction and Discharge

        The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights and immunities of the Trustee and rights of registration or transfer or exchange of notes, as expressly provided for in the indenture) as to all outstanding notes when:

Defeasance

        The Issuers at any time may terminate all of their obligations under the notes and the indenture with respect to the holders of the notes (" legal defeasance" ), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the notes. The Issuers at any time may terminate their obligations under the covenants described under "—Certain Covenants" for the benefit of the holders of the notes, the operation of the cross acceleration provision, the bankruptcy provisions with respect to Significant Subsidiaries, the judgment default provision described under "—Defaults" (but only to the extent that those provisions relate to the Defaults with respect to the notes) and the undertakings and covenants contained under "—Change of Control" and "—Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets" (" covenant defeasance ") for the benefit of the holders of the notes. If the Issuers exercise their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

        The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of the covenant defeasance option. If the Issuers exercise their legal defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Issuers exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clause (3), (4) and (5) (with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries), (6), (7), (8) or (9) under "—Defaults" or because of the failure of Holdings to comply with the first clause (4) under "—Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets."

        In order to exercise their defeasance option, the Issuers must irrevocably deposit in trust (the " defeasance trust ") with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of

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principal, premium (if any) and interest on the notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that holders of the notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred (and, in the case of legal defeasance only, such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by the immediately preceding sentence with respect to a legal defeasance need not be delivered if all of the notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable or (y) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers.

Concerning the Trustee

        The Wilmington Trust, National Association is the Trustee under the indenture and has been appointed by the Issuers as registrar and a paying agent with regard to the notes.

Governing Law

        The indenture provides that it and the notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Certain Definitions

        " Acquired Indebtedness " means, with respect to any specified Person:

Acquired Indebtedness will be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (2) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of such assets.

        " Acquisition " means the purchase of EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil by EPE Acquisition, LLC as described in this prospectus under the heading "Summary—Recent Events—The Acquisition Transactions."

        " Acquisition Documents " means the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., as sellers, and EPE Acquisition, LLC, as purchaser, and any other agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

        " Additional Assets " means:

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provided , however , that, in the case of clauses (3) and (4), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

        " Additional Refinancing Amount " means, in connection with the Incurrence of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate principal amount of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), expenses, defeasance costs and fees in respect thereof.

        " Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets " means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

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If Holdings changes its method of accounting from the full cost method of accounting to the successful efforts or a similar method, "Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" will continue to be calculated as if Holdings were still using the full cost method of accounting.

        " Affiliate " of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

        " Applicable Premium " means, with respect to any note on any applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuers, the greater of:

        " Asset Sale " means:

in each case other than:

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        " Bank Indebtedness " means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of (a) the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time (including after termination of the Credit Agreement), including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to Holdings whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof and (b) whether or not the Indebtedness referred to in clause (a) remains outstanding, if designated by Holdings to be included in this definition, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers' acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

        " Board of Directors " means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof. In the case of Holdings, the Board of Directors of Holdings shall be deemed to include the Board of Directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent, as appropriate.

        " Borrowing Base " means, at any date of determination, an amount equal to the amount of (a) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed producing (PDP) reserves, plus (b) 35% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed non-producing (PDNP) reserves, plus

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(c) 25% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proven undeveloped (PUD) reserves, plus or minus (d) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries under commodity hedging agreements (other than basis differential commodity hedging agreements), netted against the price described below, plus or minus (e) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by Holdings and its Restricted subsidiaries under basis differential commodity hedging agreements, in each case for Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (i) for purposes of clauses (a) through (d) above, as estimated by Holdings in a reserve report prepared by Holdings' petroleum engineers applying the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity adjusted for relevant energy content, quality and basis differentials (before any state or federal or other income tax) and (ii) for purposes of clauses (d) and (e) above, as estimated by Holdings applying, if available, the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward basis differential or, if such NYMEX (or successor) forward basis differential is unavailable, in good faith based on historical basis differential (before any state or federal or other income tax). For any months beyond the term included in published NYMEX (or successor) forward pricing, the price used will be equal to the last published contract escalated at 1.5% per annum.

        " Business Day " means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or the place of payment.

        " Capital Stock " means:

        " Capitalized Lease Obligation " means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that any obligations of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, either existing on the Issue Date or created prior to any recharacterization described below (or any refinancings thereof) (i) that were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of Holdings as capital lease obligations and (ii) that are subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.

        " Capitalized Software Expenditures " shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and such Restricted Subsidiaries.

        " Cash Equivalents " means:

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        " Change of Control " means the occurrence of either of the following:

        " Code " means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

        " Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees and Capitalized Software Expenditures and

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amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

        " Consolidated Interest Expense " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

        For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by Holdings to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

        " Consolidated Net Income " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided , however , that:

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        Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments" only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clauses (4) and (5) of the definition of Cumulative Credit contained therein.

        " Consolidated Non-Cash Charges " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the non-cash expenses (other than Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that if any such non-cash expenses represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA in such future period to the extent paid, but excluding from this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period.

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        " Consolidated Taxes " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise, property and similar taxes, foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and any Tax Distributions taken into account in calculating Consolidated Net Income.

        " Consolidated Total Indebtedness " means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any undrawn letters of credit) consisting of Capitalized Lease Obligations, bankers' acceptances and Indebtedness for borrowed money, plus (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries and all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

        " Contingent Obligations " means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (" primary obligations ") of any other Person (the " primary obligor ") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:

        " Credit Agreement " means (i) the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 by and among Holdings, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by Holdings to be included in the definition of "Credit Agreement," one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers' acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

        " Credit Agreement Documents " means the collective reference to any Credit Agreement, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral documents relating thereto, as

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amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.

        " Default " means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

        " Designated Non-cash Consideration " means the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of non-cash consideration received by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers' Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

        " Designated Preferred Stock " means Preferred Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock), that is issued for cash (other than to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers' Certificate, on the issuance date thereof.

        " Disqualified Stock " means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event:

in each case prior to 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the notes or the date the notes are no longer outstanding; provided , however , that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided , further , however , that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of Holdings or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee's termination, death or disability; provided , further , that any class of Capital Stock of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.

        " Dollar-Denominated Production Payments " means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

        " Domestic Subsidiary " means a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

        " EBITDA " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus, without duplication, to the extent the same was deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income:

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less , without duplication, to the extent the same increased Consolidated Net Income,

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        " Equity Interests " means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

        " Equity Offering " means any public or private sale after the Issue Date of common Capital Stock or Preferred Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable (other than Disqualified Stock), other than:

        " Exchange Act " means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

        " Excluded Contributions " means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of Holdings) received by Holdings after the Issue Date from:

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officers' Certificate on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Capital Stock is sold, as the case may be; provided , that $3,200 million of Cash Equivalents received by Holdings from the Equity Investors on or prior to May 24, 2012 to fund the Acquisition shall not be permitted to be designated an Excluded Contribution.

        " Excluded Subsidiary " means (a) any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (b) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (c) any Foreign Subsidiary, (d) any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that owns no material assets (directly or through its Subsidiaries) other than equity interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are "controlled foreign corporations" within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code ("CFCs") or (ii) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, (e) any Receivables Subsidiary and (f) any Subsidiary (other than a Significant Subsidiary) that (i) did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Holdings most recently ended, have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5.0% of total revenues of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date and (ii) taken together with all other such Subsidiaries as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Holdings most recently ended, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 10.0% of total revenues of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date.

        " Existing Senior Notes " means the Issuers' 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 issued on April 24, 2012 (including exchange notes issued in exchange therefor pursuant to a registration rights agreement dated April 24, 2012) pursuant to the Indenture dated as of April 24, 2012 by and among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

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        " Fair Market Value " means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm's-length transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.

        " Farm-In Agreement " means an agreement whereby a Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of one or more exploratory or development wells (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interests therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well or wells as all or a part of the consideration provided in exchange for an ownership interest in an Oil and Gas Property.

        " Farm-Out Agreement " means a Farm-In Agreement, viewed from the standpoint of the party that transfers an ownership interest to another.

        " Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than in the case of any Qualified Receivables Financing, in which case interest expense shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period) or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the " Calculation Date "), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that Holdings may elect pursuant to an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being Incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent Incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an Incurrence at such subsequent time.

        For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, and any operational changes that Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, discontinued operation or operational change, in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or operational change had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

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        For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of Holdings as set forth in an Officers' Certificate, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from the applicable event, and (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of "Adjusted EBITDA" as set forth in footnote (4) to the "Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data" under "Summary" in the offering memorandum related to the initial notes dated August 8, 2012 to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period.

        If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a Eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as Holdings may designate.

        For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

        " Fixed Charges " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (1) Consolidated Interest Expense (excluding amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs) of such Person for such period, and (2) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

        " Foreign Subsidiary " means a Restricted Subsidiary not organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

        " GAAP " means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Issue Date. For the purposes of the indenture, the term "consolidated" with respect to any Person shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an Investment.

        " guarantee " means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

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        " Hedging Obligations " means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreements or obligations to physically sell any commodity at any index-based price shall not be considered Hedging Obligations.

        " holder " or " noteholder " means the Person in whose name a note is registered on the registrar's books.

        " Holdings " means EP Energy LLC, together with its successors or assigns.

        " Hydrocarbons " means oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

        " Incur " means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided , however , that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.

        " Indebtedness " means, with respect to any Person:

provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (1) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in respect of borrowed

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money; (2) deferred or prepaid revenues; (3) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller; (4) Obligations under or in respect of Qualified Receivables Financing; (5) obligations under the Acquisition Documents; (6) Production Payments and Reserve Sales; (7) any obligation of a Person in respect of a Farm-In Agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property; (8) any obligations under Hedging Obligations; provided that such agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of Holdings, whether or not accounted for as a hedge in accordance with GAAP) and, in the case of any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement, such agreements are related to business transactions of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and, in the case of any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, such agreements substantially correspond in terms of notional amount, duration and interest rates, as applicable, to Indebtedness of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred without violation of the indenture; and (9) in-kind obligations relating to net oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business.

        Notwithstanding anything in the indenture to the contrary, Indebtedness shall not include, and shall be calculated without giving effect to, the effects of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under the indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness; and any such amounts that would have constituted Indebtedness under the indenture but for the application of this sentence shall not be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness under the indenture.

        " Independent Financial Advisor " means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant, in each case of nationally recognized standing, that is, in the good faith determination of Holdings, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

        " Investment Grade Rating " means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody's and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

        " Investment Grade Securities " means:

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        " Investments " means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit and advances to customers and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet of such Person in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments":

        " Issue Date " means the date on which the notes are originally issued.

        " Lien " means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

        " Management Group " means the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as the case may be, on the Issue Date together with (1) any new directors whose election by such boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors on the Issue Date or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (2) executive officers and other management personnel of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, hired at a time when the directors on the Issue Date together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable.

        " Moody's " means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

        " Net Income " means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

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        " Net Proceeds " means the aggregate cash proceeds received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received in respect of or upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding the assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other consideration received in any other non-cash form), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses Incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including Tax Distributions and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related solely to such disposition), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required (other than pursuant to the second paragraph of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Asset Sales") to be paid as a result of such transaction, amounts paid in connection with the termination of Hedging Obligations related to Indebtedness repaid with such proceeds or hedging oil, natural gas and natural gas liquid production in notional volumes corresponding to the Oil and Gas Properties subject to such Asset Sale, and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by Holdings as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by Holdings after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

         "Net Working Capital" means (a) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business less (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities (i) associated with asset retirement obligations relating to Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) included in Indebtedness and (iii) any current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP.

        " Notes Obligations " means Obligations in respect of the notes and the indenture, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Obligations in respect of exchange notes and guarantees thereof.

        " Obligations " means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness; provided that Obligations with respect to the notes shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the notes.

        " Officer " means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of Holdings.

        " Officers' Certificate " means a certificate signed on behalf of Holdings by two Officers of Holdings, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of Holdings, which meets the requirements set forth in the indenture.

        " Oil and Gas Business " means:

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        " Oil and Gas Properties " means all properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by a Person which contain or are believed to contain oil and gas reserves or other reserves of Hydrocarbons.

        " Opinion of Counsel " means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to Holdings.

        " Pari Passu Indebtedness " means: (a) with respect to an Issuer, the notes and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to the notes; and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantor's Subsidiary Guarantee.

        " Permitted Business Investment " means any Investment and/or expenditure made in the ordinary course of business or which are of a nature that is or shall have become customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur, including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing, distributing, storing, or transporting oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons and minerals (including with respect to plugging and abandonment) through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:

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        " Permitted Holders " means, at any time, each of (i) the Sponsors, (ii) the Management Group, (iii) any Person that has no material assets other than the Capital Stock of Holdings and, directly or indirectly, holds or acquires 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of Holdings, and of which no other Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), other than any of the other Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above, holds more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock thereof and (iv) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) the members of which include any of the Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above and that, directly or indirectly, hold or acquire beneficial ownership of the Voting Stock of Holdings (a "Permitted Holder Group"), so long as (1) each member of the Permitted Holder Group has voting rights proportional to the percentage of ownership interests held or acquired by such member and (2) no Person or other "group" (other than Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above) beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the Voting Stock held by the Permitted Holder Group. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of the indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

        " Permitted Investments " means:

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        " Permitted Liens " means, with respect to any Person:

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        " Person " means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

        " Preferred Stock " means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

        " Production Payments and Reserve Sales " means the grant or transfer by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar-denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers.

        " Qualified Receivables Financing " means any Receivables Financing of a Receivables Subsidiary that meets the following conditions:

        The grant of a security interest in any accounts receivable of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) to secure Bank Indebtedness, Indebtedness in respect of the notes or any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the notes shall not be deemed a Qualified Receivables Financing.

        " Rating Agency " means (1) each of Moody's and S&P and (2) if Moody's or S&P ceases to rate the notes for reasons outside of Holdings' control, a "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" within the meaning of Rule 15cs-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings as a replacement agency for Moody's or S&P, as the case may be.

        " RBL Facility " means the credit agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 by and among Holdings, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or other lenders), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to any amendment thereto or pursuant to a new loan agreement with other lenders, governed by a borrowing base set by the lenders, extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or under any successor or replacement agreement or increasing the amount loaned thereunder or altering the maturity thereof.

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        " Receivables Fees " means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interests issued or sold in connection with, and all other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Receivables Financing.

        " Receivables Financing " means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Receivables Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries); and (b) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts receivable and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable and any Hedging Obligations entered into by Holdings or any such Subsidiary in connection with such accounts receivable.

        " Receivables Repurchase Obligation " means any obligation of a seller of receivables in a Qualified Receivables Financing to repurchase receivables arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off-set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

        " Receivables Subsidiary " means a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (or another Person formed for the purposes of engaging in Qualified Receivables Financing with Holdings in which Holdings or any Subsidiary of Holdings makes an Investment and to which Holdings or any such Subsidiary transfers accounts receivable and related assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the Board of Directors of Holdings (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary and:

        Any such designation by the Board of Directors of Holdings shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of Holdings giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

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        " Restricted Cash " means cash and Cash Equivalents held by Restricted Subsidiaries that is contractually restricted from being distributed to Holdings, except for such cash and Cash Equivalents subject only to such restrictions that are contained in agreements governing Indebtedness permitted under the indenture and that is secured by such cash or Cash Equivalents.

        " Restricted Investment " means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

        " Restricted Subsidiary " means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated in this "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes," all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of Holdings.

        " Sale/Leaseback Transaction " means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between Holdings and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries.

        " S&P " means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

        " SEC " means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        " Secured Indebtedness " means any Consolidated Total Indebtedness secured by a Lien.

        " Secured Notes " means the Issuers' 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued on April 24, 2012 (including exchange notes issued in exchange therefor pursuant to a registration rights agreement dated April 24, 2012) pursuant to the Indenture dated as of April 24, 2012 by and among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

        " Securities Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

        " Significant Subsidiary " means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a "Significant Subsidiary" of Holdings within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision).

        " Similar Business " means a business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from the activities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the Issue Date or any business or activity that is reasonably similar or complementary thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto.

        " Sponsor Management Agreement " means the management agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsors, EP Energy Holding Company and EPE Acquisition, LLC.

        " Sponsors " means (i) affiliates of each of Apollo Global Management, LLC, Access Industries, Inc. and Riverstone Holdings, L.P. and other investors party to that certain Interim Investors Agreement dated as of February 24, 2012 (the " Interim Investors A greement ") and any other investors that may become party to the Interim Investors Agreement prior to or upon the consummation of the Acquisition and any of their respective Affiliates other than any portfolio companies (collectively, the " Equity Investor ") and (ii) any Person that forms a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) with the Equity Investor; provided that the Equity Investor (x) owns a majority of the voting power and (y) controls a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings.

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        " Standard Securitization Undertakings " means representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and guarantees of performance entered into by Holdings or any Subsidiary thereof which Holdings has determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Financing including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Receivables Subsidiary, it being understood that any Receivables Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.

        " Stated Maturity " means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

        " Subordinated Indebtedness " means (a) with respect to an Issuer, any Indebtedness of the Issuer which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the notes, and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

        " Subsidiary " means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

        " Subsidiary Guarantee " means any guarantee of the obligations of the Issuers under the indenture and the notes by any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of the indenture.

        " Subsidiary Guarantor " means any Subsidiary that Incurs a Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the indenture, such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor.

        " Tax Distributions " means any distributions described in clause (12) of the covenant entitled "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments."

        " Term Loan Facility " means the term loan agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, by and among Holdings, as borrower, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, including any guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications or restatements thereof.

        " TIA " means the Trust indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the indenture.

        " Total Assets " means the total consolidated assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of Holdings, without giving effect to any amortization of the amount of intangible assets since December 31, 2011, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any subsequent acquisition or disposition of a Person or business.

        " Transactions " means the transactions described under "Summary—Recent Events—The Acquisition Transactions."

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        " Treasury Rate " means, as of the applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuers, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to September 1, 2017; provided , however , that if the period from such redemption date to September 1, 2017, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

        " Trust Officer " means:

        " Trustee " means the party named as such in the indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

        " Unrestricted Subsidiary " means:

        Holdings may designate any Subsidiary of Holdings (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, Holdings or any other Subsidiary of Holdings that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided , however , that the Subsidiary to be so designated and its Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have and do not thereafter Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than pursuant to customary Liens on related arrangements under any oil and gas royalty trust or master limited partnership); provided , further , however , that either:

        Holdings may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that immediately after giving effect to such designation:

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        Any such designation by Holdings shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof of Holdings giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

        " U.S. Government Obligations " means securities that are:

which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

        " Volumetric Production Payments " means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertaking and obligations in connection therewith.

        " Voting Stock " of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

        " Weighted Average Life to Maturity " means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (2) the sum of all such payments.

        " Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary " is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

        " Wholly Owned Subsidiary " of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares or shares required pursuant to applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

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BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM

        Except as set forth below, the exchange notes will initially be issued in registered, global notes in global form without coupons ("Global Notes"). Each Global Note shall be deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for, and registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or a nominee thereof. The initial notes to the extent validly tendered and accepted and directed by their holders in their letters of transmittal, will be exchanged through book-entry electronic transfer for the global note.

        Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole but not in part, solely to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for notes in certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below.

The Global Notes

        We expect that, pursuant to procedures established by DTC, (i) upon the issuance of the Global Notes, DTC or its custodian will credit, on its internal system, the principal amount at maturity of the individual beneficial interests represented by such Global Notes to the respective accounts of persons who have accounts with such depositary ("participants") and (ii) ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to interests of participants) and the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). Such accounts initially will be designated by or on behalf of the initial purchasers and ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be limited to participants or persons who hold interests through participants. Holders may hold their interests in the Global Notes directly through DTC if they are participants in such system, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such system.

        So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner or holder of the notes, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by such Global Notes for all purposes under the indentures. No beneficial owner of an interest in the Global Notes will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with DTC's procedures, in addition to those provided for under the indentures with respect to the notes.

        Payments of the principal of, and premium (if any) and interest (including additional interest, if any) on, the Global Notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner thereof. None of the issuer, the Trustee or any paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interest.

        We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, and premium (if any) and interest (including additional interest, if any) on the Global Notes, will credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global Notes as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.

        Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary way through DTC's same-day funds system in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same-day funds. If a holder requires physical delivery of a Certificated Security, such holder must transfer its interest in a Global Note, in accordance with the normal procedures of DTC and with the procedures set forth in the indentures.

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        DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes (including the presentation of notes for exchange as described below) only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account the DTC interests in the Global Notes are credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of notes as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an event of default under the indentures, DTC will exchange the Global Notes for Certificated Securities, which it will distribute to its participants and which will include legends with applicable transfer restrictions for such notes.

        DTC has advised us as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under New York banking law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York banking law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity, corporate and municipal debt issues that participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between participants' accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to indirect participants such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

        Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Notes among participants of DTC, it is under no obligation to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of us, the Trustee or any paying agent will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Certificated Securities

        A Global Note is exchangeable for certificated notes in fully registered form without interest coupons ("Certificated Securities") only in the following limited circumstances:

        Certificated Securities may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in any Global Note unless the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in the indentures) to the effect that such transfer will comply with the appropriate transfer restrictions applicable to such notes.

        The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer the notes will be limited to such extent.

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        Subject to the limitations and qualifications set forth herein (including Exhibit 8.1 hereto), this discussion is the opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, our U.S. federal income tax counsel. The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to the exchange of initial notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer and the ownership and disposition of exchange notes acquired by U.S. Holders and non-U.S. Holders (each as defined below and collectively referred to as "Holders") pursuant to the exchange offer, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations. This summary is based on the Code, Treasury Regulations issued thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as of the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change (perhaps with retroactive effect).

        This summary does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to Holders in light of their particular circumstances. In addition, it does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to Holders that are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, individual retirement and other tax deferred accounts, dealers or traders in securities or currencies, life insurance companies, partnerships or other passthrough entities (or investors therein), tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, non-U.S. trusts and estates that have U.S. beneficiaries, persons holding notes as a hedge or hedged against currency risk, in an integrated or conversion transaction, as a position in a constructive sale or straddle, or U.S. Holders whose "functional currency" is other than the U.S. dollar. This summary does not address U.S. federal tax consequences other than U.S. federal income tax consequences (such as estate or gift taxes), the recently enacted Medicare tax on certain investment income, the alternative minimum tax or the consequences under the tax laws of any foreign, state or local jurisdiction. The discussion deals only with notes held as "capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. We have not requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") on the tax consequences of owning the notes. As a result, the IRS could disagree with portions of this discussion.

        For purposes of this discussion, a "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a note that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

        For purposes of this discussion, the term "non-U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a note that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an individual, corporation, trust, or estate and that is not a U.S. Holder.

        If an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds notes, the tax treatment of a partner in such an entity will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the entity. Partners in such entities that are considering exchanging initial notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer should consult their own tax advisors.

        Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of exchanging initial notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer

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and owning and disposing exchange notes acquired pursuant to the exchange offer, as well as the consequences arising under other federal tax laws and the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

Possible Alternative Treatment

        We may be obligated to pay amounts in excess of the stated interest or principal on the exchange notes, including as described under "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes—Optional Redemption," "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes—Optional Redemption," "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Optional Redemption," "Description of Senior 2020 Exchange Notes—Change of Control," "Description of Senior 2022 Exchange Notes—Change of Control" and "Description of Senior Secured Exchange Notes—Change of Control." These potential payments may implicate the provisions of Treasury Regulations relating to "contingent payment debt instruments." According to the applicable Treasury Regulations, certain contingencies will not cause a debt instrument to be treated as a contingent payment debt instrument if such contingencies, as of the date of issuance, are remote or incidental. We intend to take the position that the foregoing contingencies are remote or incidental, and, accordingly, we do not intend to treat the exchange notes as contingent payment debt instruments. Our position that such contingencies are remote or incidental is binding on a Holder, unless such Holder discloses its contrary position in the manner required by applicable Treasury Regulations. Our position is not, however, binding on the IRS, and if the IRS were to successfully challenge this position, a Holder might be required to accrue ordinary interest income on the exchange notes at a rate in excess of the stated interest rate, and to treat as ordinary interest income any gain realized on the taxable disposition of an exchange note. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the exchange notes will not be treated as contingent payment debt instruments. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the contingent payment debt instrument rules to the exchange notes.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders

        Exchanging an initial note for an exchange note pursuant to the exchange offer should not be treated as a taxable exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Consequently, U.S. Holders should not recognize gain or loss upon receipt of an exchange note. The holding period for an exchange note should include the holding period for the initial note and the initial basis in an exchange note should be the same as the adjusted basis in the initial note.

        Absent an election to the contrary (see "—Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount (Constant Yield Method)," below), any stated interest payments on an exchange note to a U.S. Holder will be taxable as ordinary interest income at the time they accrue or are received, in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of tax accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

        Market Discount.     If a U.S. Holder purchased an initial note (which will be exchanged for an exchange note pursuant to the exchange offer) for an amount that is less than its "revised issue price," the amount of the difference should be treated as market discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any market discount applicable to an initial note should carry over to the exchange note received in exchange therefor. The amount of any market discount will be treated as de minimis and disregarded if it is less than one-quarter of one percent of the revised issue price of the initial note, multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity. For this purpose, the "revised issue price" of an initial note equals the issue price of the initial note. The "issue price" of a note is the first price at

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which a substantial amount of the notes is sold for cash to investors other than to bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers. The rules described below do not apply to a U.S. Holder if such holder purchased an initial note that has de minimis market discount.

        Under the market discount rules, a U.S. Holder is required to treat any principal payment on, or any gain on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of, an exchange note as ordinary income to the extent of any accrued market discount (on the initial note or the exchange note) that has not previously been included in income. If a U.S. Holder disposes of an exchange note in an otherwise nontaxable transaction (other than certain specified nonrecognition transactions), such holder will be required to include any accrued market discount as ordinary income as if such holder had sold the exchange note at its then fair market value. In addition, such holder may be required to defer, until the maturity of the exchange note or its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry the initial note or the exchange note received in exchange therefor.

        Market discount accrues ratably during the period from the date on which such holder acquired the initial note through the maturity date of the exchange note (for which the initial note was exchanged), unless such holder makes an irrevocable election to accrue market discount under a constant yield method. Such holder may elect to include market discount in income currently as it accrues (either ratably or under the constant yield method), in which case the rule described above regarding deferral of interest deductions will not apply. If such holder elects to include market discount in income currently, such holder's adjusted basis in an exchange note will be increased by any market discount included in income. An election to include market discount currently will apply to all market discount obligations acquired during or after the first taxable year in which the election is made, and the election may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. If a U.S. Holder makes the election described below in "—Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount (Constant Yield Method)" for a market discount note, such holder would be treated as having made an election to include market discount in income currently under a constant yield method, as discussed in this paragraph.

        Bond Premium.     If a U.S. Holder purchased an initial note (which will be exchanged for an exchange note pursuant to the exchange offer) for an amount in excess of the principal amount of the initial note, the excess will be treated as bond premium. Any bond premium applicable to an initial note should carry over to the exchange note received in exchange therefor. A U.S. Holder may elect to reduce the amount required to be included in income each year with respect to interest on its note by the amount of amortizable bond premium allocable to that year, based on the exchange note's yield to maturity. However, because the exchange notes may be redeemed by us prior to maturity at a premium, special rules apply that may reduce or eliminate the amount of premium that a U.S. Holder may amortize with respect to an exchange note. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors about these special rules, including whether it would be advisable to elect to treat all interest on the exchange notes as original issue discount (see "—Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount (Constant Yield Method)," below), which would result in a U.S. Holder not being subject to these special rules. If a U.S. Holder makes the election to amortize bond premium, it will apply to all debt instruments (other than debt instruments the interest on which is excludible from gross income) that the U.S. Holder holds at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies or thereafter acquires, and the election may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. See also "—Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount (Constant Yield Method)," below.

        A U.S. Holder may elect to include in gross income all "interest" (as defined below) that accrues on its exchange note using the constant-yield method described below. For purposes of this election,

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"interest" will include stated interest, market discount and de minimis market discount, as reduced by any amortizable bond premium (described in "—Bond Premium," above). A U.S. Holder that makes this election will be required to include interest in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as it accrues (regardless of its method of tax accounting), which may be in advance of receipt of the cash attributable to that income.

        Although this election applies only to the exchange note for which a U.S. Holder makes it, an electing U.S. Holder will be deemed to have made the election described in "—Bond Premium," above, to apply amortizable bond premium against interest for all debt instruments with amortizable bond premium (other than debt instruments the interest on which is excludible from gross income) that it holds at the beginning of the taxable year to which the election applies or any taxable year thereafter. Additionally, if a U.S. Holders makes this election for a market discount note, such holder will be treated as having made the election discussed above under "—Market Discount and Bond Premium—Market Discount" to include market discount in income currently over the life of all debt instruments that the U.S. holder hold at the time of the election or acquire thereafter. A U.S. Holder may not revoke an election to apply the constant-yield method to all interest on an exchange note without the consent of the IRS.

        If a U.S. Holder makes this election for its exchange note, then no payments on the exchange note will be treated as payments of QSI, and the annual amounts of interest includible in income by the U.S. Holder will equal the sum of the "daily portions" of the interest with respect to the exchange note for each day on which the U.S. Holder owns the exchange note during the taxable year. The U.S. Holder determines the daily portions of interest by allocating to each day in an "accrual period" a pro rata portion of the interest that is allocable to that accrual period. The term "accrual period" means an interval of time with respect to which the accrual of interest is measured and which may vary in length over the term of an exchange note provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or interest occurs on either the first or last day of an accrual period. For purposes of this election, the "issue date" of the exchange note is the date the U.S. Holder purchases the exchange note.

        The amount of interest allocable to an accrual period will equal the product of the "adjusted issue price" of the exchange note at the beginning of the accrual period and its "yield to maturity." The adjusted issue price of an exchange note at the beginning of the first accrual period is the purchase price, and, on any day thereafter, it is the sum of the issue price and the amount of interest previously included in gross income, reduced by the amount of any payment previously made on the exchange note. If all accrual periods are of equal length except for a shorter initial or final accrual period, the U.S. Holder can compute the amount of interest allocable to the initial period using any reasonable method; however, the interest allocable to the final accrual period will always be the difference between the amount payable at maturity and the adjusted issue price at the beginning of the final accrual period.

        A sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of an exchange note will result in taxable gain or loss to a U.S. Holder equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized on the disposition (excluding amounts attributable to any accrued and unpaid stated interest, which will be taxed as ordinary income to the extent not previously so taxed) and the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the exchange note. The amount realized will equal the sum of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received on the disposition. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in an exchange note should equal the cost of such exchange note to such Holder, increased by any market discount previously included in gross income and reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of any amortizable bond premium taken into account with respect to the exchange note. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the exchange note (or the

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initial note exchanged therefor) is held for more than one year. Certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be eligible for preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax in respect of long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Certain U.S. Federal Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders

        Non-U.S. Holders should not recognize gain or loss upon receipt of an exchange note in exchange for an initial note pursuant to the exchange offer.

        Subject to the discussion below of backup withholding, U.S. federal income or withholding tax will not apply to a non-U.S. Holder in respect of any payment of interest on the exchange notes, provided that such payment is not effectively connected with such non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business and such non-U.S. Holder:

either (a) such non-U.S. Holder provides identifying information (i.e., name and address) to us on IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor form), and certifies, under penalty of perjury, that such non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person or (b) a financial institution holding the exchange notes on behalf of such non-U.S. Holder certifies, under penalty of perjury, that it has received such a certification from the beneficial owner and, when required, provides us with a copy.

        If a non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest made to such non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless such Holder provides us with a properly executed (1) applicable IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under an applicable income tax treaty or (2) IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form) stating that interest paid on the exchange note is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with such Holder's conduct of a trade or business in the United States (in which case such interest will be subject to tax as discussed below).

        Any gain realized on the sale, exchange, retirement, redemption or other taxable disposition of an exchange note by a non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax (except to the extent attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, which will be taxable as described above) unless (1) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by such non-U.S. Holder (in which case such gain will be subject to regular graduated U.S. tax rates as described above) or (2) such non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition and certain other conditions are met (in which case such gain, net of certain U.S.-source losses, if any, will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a flat rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty)).

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        If a non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a trade or business in the United States and interest on the exchange notes or gain from the disposition of the exchange notes is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business, such non-U.S. Holder will, subject to any applicable income tax treaty, be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest or gain on a net income basis in the same manner as if such non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. Holder. In addition, if such non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

        A U.S. Holder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (currently at the rate of 28%, and scheduled to increase to 31% in 2013) with respect to payments of stated interest and payments of the gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition (including a retirement or redemption) of an exchange note. Certain U.S. Holders (including corporations) are not subject to information reporting and backup withholding. A U.S. Holder will be subject to backup withholding if such U.S. Holder is not otherwise exempt and such U.S. Holder:

        A non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to backup withholding (currently at the rate of 28%, and scheduled to increase to 31% in 2013) with respect to payments of interest to such non-U.S. Holder if we have received from such non-U.S. Holder the statement described above under "—Certain U.S. Federal Tax Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders—Interest" or the non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption, provided that we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person. A non-U.S. Holder may, however, be subject to information reporting requirements with respect to payments of interest on the exchange notes.

        Proceeds from the sale, exchange, retirement, redemption or other taxable disposition of the exchange notes made to or through a foreign office of a foreign broker without certain specified connections to the United States will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. A non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding and/or information reporting with respect to the proceeds of the sale, exchange, retirement, redemption or other taxable disposition of an exchange note within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the payer receives the statement described above under "—Certain U.S. Federal Tax Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders—Interest" and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, or such non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption.

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        Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against a Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, and may entitle a Holder to a refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        Until 90 days after the date of this prospectus, all dealers effecting transactions in the exchange notes, whether or not participating in this distribution, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

        Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it (i) has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with the Issuer or an affiliate of the Issuer to distribute such exchange notes and (ii) will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for initial notes where such initial notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the expiration date of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until                    , 2012, all dealers effecting transactions in the exchange notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.

        We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of exchange notes by broker-dealers. The exchange notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the exchange notes or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such exchange notes. Any broker-dealer that resells exchange notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such exchange notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of exchange notes and any commission or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

        For a period of 180 days after the expiration date of the exchange offer, we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the letter of transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer (including the expenses of one counsel for holders of the notes), other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers, and will indemnify the holders of the notes, including any broker-dealers, against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the exchange notes and the enforceability of obligations under the exchange notes and guarantees being issued were passed upon for us by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, New York.


EXPERTS

Independent registered public accounting firm

        The consolidated financial statements of EP Energy Corporation at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, appearing in this prospectus and registration statement, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report thereon appearing herein. Such financial statements, except as they relate to Four Star Oil & Gas Company have been so included in reliance on the report of such independent registered public accounting firm given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The audited financial statements of Four Star Oil & Gas Company as of December 31, 2011 and for the year ended December 31, 2011, not separately presented in this prospectus, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report thereon appears herein. The audited financial statements of EP Energy Corporation, to the extent they relate to Four Star Oil & Gas Company, have been so included in reliance on the report of such independent registered public accounting firm given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

        The financial statements of Everest Acquisition LLC at April 30, 2012, and for the period March 23, 2012 (inception) to April 30, 2012, appearing in this prospectus and registration statement have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Independent Petroleum Engineers

        Estimates of our oil, NGL and natural gas reserves, related future net cash flows and the present values thereof as of December 31, 2011 included in this prospectus were based in part upon reserve information that was audited by independent petroleum engineers, Ryder Scott Company, L.P. We have included these estimates in reliance on the authority of Ryder Scott Company, L.P. as experts in such matters.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We will be required to file annual and quarterly reports and other information with the SEC after the registration statement described below is declared effective by the SEC. You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C., 20549. Please call 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Our filings will also be available to the public through our internet website at www.epenergy.com or on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Information on our website does not constitute part of this prospectus and should not be relied upon in connection with making any decision with respect to the exchange offer. Our reports and other information that we have filed, or may in the future file, with the SEC are not incorporated by reference into and do not constitute part of this prospectus.

        We have filed a registration statement on Form S-4 to register with the SEC the exchange notes to be issued in exchange for the initial notes. This prospectus is part of that registration statement. As

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allowed by the SEC's rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. You should note that where we summarize in this prospectus the material terms of any contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, the summary information provided in the prospectus is less complete than the actual contract, agreement or document. You should refer to the exhibits filed to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or document.

        We have not authorized anyone to give you any information or to make any representations about us or the transactions we discuss in this prospectus other than those contained in this prospectus. If you are given any information or representations about these matters that is not discussed in this prospectus, you must not rely on that information. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities anywhere or to anyone where or to whom we are not permitted to offer or sell securities under applicable law.

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GLOSSARY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS TERMS

        The terms defined in this section are used throughout this prospectus:

        " /d. " per day.

        " Basin. " A large natural depression on the earth's surface in which sediments generally brought by water accumulate.

        " Bbl. " One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used herein in reference to crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.

        " Bcf. " One billion cubic feet of natural gas.

        " Bcfe. " One billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent, determined by using a ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or natural gas.

        " Boe ." Barrel of oil equivalent, a standard convention used to express oil and gas volumes on a comparable oil equivalent basis. Gas equivalents are determined under the relative energy content method by using the ratio of 6.0 Mcf of gas to 1.0 Bbl of oil or NGLs.

         "Btu." British Thermal units, a measure of heating value.

        " Completion. " The process of treating a drilled well followed by the installation of permanent equipment for the production of natural gas or oil, or in the case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the appropriate agency.

        " Developed acreage. " The number of acres that are allocated or assignable to productive wells or wells capable of production.

        " Development well. " A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or natural gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

        " Dry hole. " Exploratory or development well that does not produce oil or natural gas in economically producible quantities.

        " Exploratory well. " A well drilled to find a new field or to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or natural gas in another reservoir.

        " Farm-in or farm-out. " An agreement under which the owner of a working interest in an oil or natural gas lease assigns the working interest or a portion of the working interest to another party who desires to drill on the leased acreage. Generally, the assignee is required to drill one or more wells in order to earn its working interest in the acreage. The assignor usually retains a royalty or reversionary interest in the lease. The working interest received by an assignee is a "farm-in" while the working interest transferred by the assignor is a "farm-out."

        " Field. " An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on, or related to, the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition. The field name refers to the surface area, although it may refer to both the surface and the underground productive formations.

        " Formation. " A layer of rock which has distinct characteristics that differ from nearby rock.

        " Gross acreage or gross wells ." The total acres or wells, as the case may be, in which a working interest is owned.

        " Horizontal drilling. " A drilling technique used in certain formations where a well is drilled vertically to a certain depth and then drilled at a right angle within a specified interval.

        " MBbl. " One thousand barrels of crude oil, condensate or NGLs.

        " MBoe ." One thousand Boes.

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        " Mcf. " One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

        " Mcfe. " One thousand cubic feet equivalent, determined by using a ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one bbl of crude oil, condensate or NGLs.

        " MMBbl. " One million barrels of crude oil, condensate or NGLs.

        " MMBtu. " One million British thermal units.

        " MMcfe. " One million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent, determined by using a ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or NGLs.

        " Net Revenue Interest ." The interest in and to all hydrocarbons produced, saved and sold from or allocated to an oil and/or gas property after giving effect to all royalties, overriding royalties, production payments, carried interests, net profits interests, reversionary interests and other burdens upon, measured by or payable out of such hydrocarbon production.

        " NGLs. " Natural gas liquids. Hydrocarbons found in natural gas that may be extracted as liquefied petroleum gas and natural gasoline.

        " NYMEX. " The New York Mercantile Exchange.

        " Net acres. " The percentage of total acres an owner has out of a particular number of acres, or a specified tract. An owner who has 50% interest in 100 acres has 50 net acres.

        " Productive well. " A well that is found to be capable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of the production exceed production expenses and taxes.

        " Proved developed reserves. " Reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well and through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.

        " Proved reserves. " The estimated quantities of oil, natural gas and NGLs which geoscience and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions.

        " Proved undeveloped ("PUD") reserves. " Proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

        " Recompletion. " The process of re-entering an existing wellbore that is either producing or not producing and completing new reservoirs in an attempt to establish or increase existing production.

        " Reservoir. " A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or natural gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is individual and separate from other reservoirs.

        " Spacing. " The distance between wells producing from the same reservoir. Spacing is often expressed in terms of acres, e.g., 40-acre spacing, and is often established by regulatory agencies.

        " Standardized measure. " Discounted future net cash inflows estimated by applying year-end prices to the estimated future production of year-end proved reserves. Future cash inflows are reduced by estimated future production and development costs based on period-end costs to determine pre-tax cash inflows. Future income taxes, if applicable, are computed by applying the statutory tax rate to the excess of pre-tax cash inflows over our tax basis in the oil and natural gas properties. Future net cash inflows after income taxes are discounted using a 10% annual discount rate.

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        " Tcfe. " One trillion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent, determined by using a ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or natural gas.

        " Undeveloped acreage. " Acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities of oil and natural gas, regardless of whether such acreage contains proved reserves.

        " Unit. " The joining of all or substantially all property interests in a particular spacing or development area tract or section, to provide for development and operation of all such separate property interests. Also, the area covered by a unitization agreement or pooling order.

        " Wellbore. " The hole drilled by the bit that is equipped for natural gas production on a completed well. Also called well or borehole.

        " Working interest. " The right granted to the lessee of a property to explore for and to produce and own oil, natural gas or other minerals. The working interest owners bear the exploration, development and operating costs on either a cash, penalty or carried basis.

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

       

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for (i) the successor period from March 23, 2012 (inception) to June 30, 2012 and (ii) predecessor periods from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012 and the six month period ended June 30, 2011

    F-2  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for (i) the successor period from March 23, 2012 (inception) to June 30, 2012 and (ii) predecessor periods from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012 and the six month period ended June 30, 2011

    F-3  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2012 (successor) and December 31, 2011 (predecessor)

    F-4  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the successor period from March 23, 2012 (inception) to June 30, 2012 and predecessor periods from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2011

    F-6  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes of Equity for the successor period from March 23, 2012 to June 30, 2012 and predecessor period from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012

    F-7  

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-8  

Audited Financial Statements (Successor)

       

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    F-32  

Balance Sheet as of April 30, 2012

    F-33  

Statement of Income (loss) for the Period from March 23, 2012 to April 30, 2012

    F-34  

Statement of Cash Flows for the Period from March 23, 2012 to April 30, 2012

    F-35  

Notes to Financial Statements

    F-36  

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements (Predecessor)

       

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    F-39  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    F-40  

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

    F-41  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

    F-42  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010

    F-43  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

    F-45  

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

    F-46  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-47  

Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Operations (Unaudited)

    F-78  

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

    F-89  

F-1


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 
  Year-to-Date Periods  
 
  Successor    
  Predecessor  
 
  March 23
(inception)
to June 30,
2012
   
  January 1 to
May 24,
2012
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2011
 

Operating Revenues

                       

Oil and condensate

  $ 77       $ 322   $ 236  

Natural gas

    61         262     497  

NGL

    5         29     28  

Financial derivatives

    57         365     24  
                   

Total operating revenues

    200         978     785  
                   

Operating expenses

                       

Transportation costs

    14         45     38  

Lease operating expenses

    21         96     100  

General and administrative expenses

    209         75     98  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    34         319     280  

Impairments/Ceiling test charges

    1         62      

Exploration expense

    6              

Taxes, other than income taxes

    12         45     49  
                   

Total operating expenses

    297         642     565  
                   

Operating income

    (97 )       336     220  

(Loss) earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

    (1 )       (5 )   (1 )

Other (expense) income

    1         (3 )    

Interest expense

                       

Third party

    (53 )       (14 )   (2 )

Affiliated

                (4 )
                   

Income before income taxes

    (150 )       314     213  

Income tax expense

            136     61  
                   

Net income (loss)

  $ (150 )     $ 178   $ 152  
                   

   

See accompanying notes.

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Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 
  Year-to-Date Periods  
 
  Successor    
  Predecessor  
 
  March 23
(inception)
to June 30,
2012
   
  January 1 to
May 24,
2012
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2011
 

Net (loss) income

  $ (150 )     $ 178   $ 152  
                   

Net gains from cash flow hedging activities:

                       

Reclassification adjustment(1)

            3     4  
                   

Other comprehensive gains

            3     4  
                   

Comprehensive (loss) income

  $ (150 )     $ 181   $ 156  
                   

(1)
Reclassification adjustments are stated net of tax. Taxes recognized for the predecessor periods from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012 and six months ending June 30, 2011 of $2 million for both periods.

   

See accompanying notes.

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Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

 
   
 
 
  Successor
June 30, 2012
  Predecessor
December 31, 2011
 

Current assets

             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 55   $ 25  

Accounts receivable

             

Customer, net of allowance of less than $1 in 2012 and 2011

    163     135  

Affiliates

        132  

Other, net of allowance of $2 for 2012 and $7 for 2011

    30     39  

Materials and supplies

    29     28  

Derivatives

    278     272  

Prepaid assets

    43     12  

Other

        15  
           

Total current assets

    598     658  
           

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

             

Oil and natural gas properties, of which $481 was excluded from amortization for 2011

    6,927     21,923  

Other property, plant and equipment

    89     147  
           

    7,016     22,070  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

    34     18,003  
           

Total property, plant and equipment, net

    6,982     4,067  
           

Other assets

             

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

    236     346  

Derivatives

    200     9  

Deferred income taxes

    6     7  

Unamortized debt issue cost

    139     8  

Other

    5     4  
           

    586     374  
           

Total assets

  $ 8,166   $ 5,099  
           

   

See accompanying notes.

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Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(In millions, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 
   
 
 
  Successor
June 30, 2012
  Predecessor
December 31, 2011
 

Current liabilities

             

Accounts payable

             

Trade

  $ 107   $ 140  

Affiliates

        47  

Other

    268     258  

Derivatives

        7  

Accrued taxes other than income

    30     33  

Accrued interest

    52      

Deferred income taxes

        91  

Current reserves

    23      

Other

    25     13  
           

Total current liabilities

    505     589  
           

Long-term debt

    4,243     851  

Other long-term liabilities

             

Derivatives

    18     73  

Asset retirement obligations

    226     148  

Deferred income taxes

        291  

Other

    16     47  
           

Total non-current liabilities

    4,503     1,410  
           

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

             

Members'/Stockholder's equity

             

Common stock, par value $1 per share; 1,000 shares authorized and outstanding at December 31, 2011

         

Additional paid-in capital

        4,580  

Accumulated deficit

        (1,476 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

        (4 )

Members' equity

    3,158      
           

Total members'/stockholder's equity

    3,158     3,100  
           

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 8,166   $ 5,099  
           

   

See accompanying notes.

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EP ENERGY LLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 
  Year-to-Date Periods  
 
  Successor    
  Predecessor  
 
  March 23
(Inception)
to June 30,
2012
   
  January 1
to May 24,
2012
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2011
 

Cash flows from operating activities

                       

Net income (loss)

  $ (150 )     $ 178   $ 152  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities

                       

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    34         319     280  

Deferred income tax expense

    1         199     58  

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates, adjusted for cash distributions

    2         12     27  

Impairments/Ceiling test charges

    1         62      

Amortization of equity compensation expense

    8              

Other non-cash income items

    3         7     3  

Asset and liability changes

                       

Accounts receivable

    (18 )       132     (28 )

Accounts payable

    (6 )       (56 )   25  

Affiliate income taxes

            4     16  

Derivatives

    (15 )       (201 )   117  

Accrued interest

    52         (1 )    

Other asset changes

    (26 )       (7 )   11  

Other liability changes

    22         (68 )   2  
                   

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

    (92 )       580     663  
                   

Cash flows from investing activities

                       

Capital expenditures

    (150 )       (636 )   (675 )

Net proceeds from the sale of assets

    22         9     24  

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (7,126 )       (1 )   (1 )
                   

Net cash used in investing activities

    (7,254 )       (628 )   (652 )
                   

Cash flows from financing activities

                       

Proceeds from long term debt

    4,323         215     925  

Repayment of long term debt

    (80 )       (1,065 )   (825 )

Contributed member equity

    3,300              

Contribution from El Paso Corporation

            960      

Change in note payable with El Paso Corporation

                (145 )

Debt issuance costs

    (142 )            

Other

                (6 )
                   

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    7,401         110     (51 )
                   

Change in cash and cash equivalents

    55         62     (40 )

Cash and cash equivalents

                       

Beginning of period

            25     74  
                   

End of period

  $ 55       $ 87   $ 34  
                   

   

See accompanying notes

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Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(In millions, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 
  Shares   Common
Stock
  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
deficit)
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
  Total
Stockholder's/
Members'
Equity
 

Predecessor

                                     

Balance at December 31, 2011

    1,000   $   $ 4,580   $ (1,476 ) $ (4 ) $ 3,100  

Contribution from parent

              1,481             1,481  

Other

              12         3     15  

Net income

                  178         178  

Elimination of predecessor stockholder's equity

    (1,000 )       (6,073 )   1,298     1     (4,774 )
                           

Balance at May 24, 2012

      $   $   $   $   $  
                           

Successor

                                     

Balance at March 23, 2012 (inception)

      $   $   $   $   $  

Member contributions

                        3,300  

Equity compensation expense

                        8  

Net loss

                        (150 )
                           

Balance at June 30, 2012

      $   $   $   $   $ 3,158  
                           

   

See accompanying notes.

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Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

        EP Energy LLC (the successor and formerly known as Everest Acquisition LLC) was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on March 23, 2012 by Apollo Global Management LLC (Apollo) and other private equity investors (collectively, the Sponsors). On May 24, 2012, the Sponsors acquired EP Energy Global LLC, (formerly known as EP Energy Corporation and EP Energy, L.L.C. after its conversion into a Delaware limited liability company) and subsidiaries for approximately $7.2 billion in cash as contemplated by the merger agreement among El Paso Corporation (El Paso) and Kinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI) which is further described in Note 2. The entities acquired are engaged in the exploration for and the acquisition, development, and production of oil, natural gas and NGL primarily in the United States, with other activities in Brazil and Egypt and together constituted the oil and natural gas operations of El Paso. Hereinafter, the acquired entities are referred to as the predecessor for financial accounting and reporting purposes.

        The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles as it applies to interim financial statements. Because this is an interim period report presented using a condensed format, it does not include all of the disclosures required by United States generally accepted accounting principles. You should read this interim report along with the December 31, 2011 financial statements of the predecessor, which contain a summary of significant accounting policies and other disclosures. The financial statements as of June 30, 2012 and for each of the predecessor and successor periods presented are unaudited. The consolidated predecessor balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 has been derived from the audited balance sheet in the 2011 audited predecessor financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments which are of a normal, recurring nature to fairly present these interim period results are reflected. We have evaluated subsequent events through September 11, 2012, the date of issuance of the financial statements. Due to the seasonal nature of our businesses, information for interim periods may not be indicative of our results of operations for the entire year. Predecessor periods reflect reclassifications to conform to EP Energy LLC's financial statement presentation.

Significant Accounting Policies

        Other than as described below, there were no changes in significant accounting policies as described in the 2011 audited financial statements of the predecessor and no material accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted as of June 30, 2012.

        Accounting for Oil and Natural Gas Activities.     On May 25, 2012, in conjunction with the purchase of EP Energy, L.L.C., we began applying the successful efforts method of accounting (our accounting policy) for oil and natural gas exploration and development activities. Prior to the acquisition date, the predecessor applied the full cost method of accounting for its oil and natural gas exploration and development activities.

        Under the successful efforts method, (i) lease acquisition costs and all development costs are capitalized and exploratory drilling costs are capitalized until results are determined, (ii) other non-drilling exploratory costs, including certain geological and geophysical costs such as seismic costs and delay rentals, are expensed as incurred, (iii) internal costs directly identified with the acquisition, successful drilling of exploratory wells and development activities are capitalized, and (iv) interest costs

F-8


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

related to financing oil and natural gas projects actively being developed are capitalized until the projects are evaluated or substantially complete and ready for their intended use if the projects were evaluated as successful.

        The provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization is determined on a basis identified by common geological structure or economic aggregation applied to total capitalized costs, plus future abandonment costs net of salvage value, using the unit of production method with lease acquisition costs amortized over total proved reserves and other exploratory drilling and developmental costs amortized over proved developed reserves. Impairments of capitalized costs are assessed on a basis identified by common geological structure or economic aggregation periodically (at least annually) or upon a triggering event to determine if impairment of such properties is necessary based on estimates of the future cash flows for all proved developed (producing and non-producing) and proved undeveloped reserves and related market factors. Unproved properties are also reviewed annually or upon an event that may indicate impairment (trigger) to determine if the market value is less than the carrying value, with any such impairment charged to expense in the period.

2. Acquisitions and Divestitures

        Acquisitions.     On May 24, 2012, Apollo and other investors acquired EP Energy Global LLC for approximately $7.2 billion. We also paid approximately $330 million in transaction, advisory, and other fees, of which $142 million was capitalized as debt issue costs and $15 million as prepaid costs in other assets on our balance sheet and the remaining $173 million expensed in our income statement. The acquisition was funded with approximately $3.3 billion in equity contributions and the issuance of approximately $4.25 billion of debt. In conjunction with the sale, a portion of the proceeds were also used to repay approximately $960 million outstanding under predecessor's revolving credit facility at that time. See Note 7 for additional discussion of debt. The purchase transaction was accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting which requires, among other items, that assets and liabilities acquired assumed be recognized on the balance sheet at their fair values as of the acquisition date. Our consolidated balance sheet presented as of June 30, 2012, reflects the preliminary purchase price allocation based on available information. We expect to complete final purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2012. The following is the preliminary allocation of the adjusted purchase to specific assets and liabilities assumed based on estimates of fair values and costs. There was no goodwill associated with the transaction.

Allocation of purchase price
  May 24, 2012  
 
  (In millions)
 

Current assets

  $ 586  

Non-current assets

    444  

Property, plant and equipment

    6,887  

Current liabilities

   
(420

)

Non-current liabilities

    (284 )
       

Total purchase price

  $ 7,213  
       

F-9


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

2. Acquisitions and Divestitures (Continued)

        The unaudited pro forma information below for the six month periods ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011 has been derived from the historical consolidated financial statements and has been prepared as though the acquisition occurred as of the beginning of January 1, 2011. The unaudited pro forma information does not purport to represent what our results of operations would have been if such transactions had occurred on such date.

 
  Six months ended
June 30, 2012
  Six months ended
June 30, 2011
 
 
  (In millions)
 

Operating Revenues

  $ 1,178   $ 785  

Net Income

    235     431  

        Divestitures.     In June 2012, we sold our interests in Egypt for approximately $22 million and did not record a gain or loss on the sale. The sale represents an exit from the Egyptian exploration activities. In addition, we received approximately $9 million for the sale of domestic oil and natural gas properties that closed in December 2011. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we received approximately $24 million for the sale of domestic oil and natural gas properties. In July 2012, we sold oil and natural gas properties located in the Gulf of Mexico for a gross purchase price of approximately $103 million. Proceeds net of purchase price adjustments, were approximately $79 million. We did not record a gain or loss on the sale.

3. Impairments/Ceiling Test Charges

        Under the full cost method of accounting, the predecessor conducted quarterly ceiling tests of capitalized costs in each of the full cost pools. During the first quarter of 2012, a non-cash ceiling test charge of approximately $62 million was recorded as a result of the decision to end exploration and development activities in Egypt. The charge principally relates to unevaluated costs in that country and included approximately $2 million related to equipment. No full cost ceiling test charges were recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2011, and no impairments were recorded of oil and natural gas properties under the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties in the successor period through June 30, 2012. Due to current natural gas prices, the fair value of our oil and natural gas properties could decline in the future and we may be required to record an impairment of the carrying value.

4. Income Taxes

        Prior to its acquisition, the predecessor was party to a tax accrual policy with El Paso whereby they filed U.S. and certain state returns on the predecessor's behalf. Under its policy, the predecessor recorded federal and state income taxes on a separate return basis and reflected current and deferred income taxes in the financial statements through the acquisition date. In conjunction with the acquisition, all domestic federal and state current and deferred income taxes were settled with El Paso through a non-cash contribution. As of May 25, 2012, we are only subject to foreign income taxes, and as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had net foreign income tax asset balances of $6 million and $7 million, respectively.

F-10


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

4. Income Taxes (Continued)

        Income Tax Expense (Benefit).     The components of the predecessor's income tax expense (benefit) were as follows:

 
  Predecessor  
 
  January 1 to
May 24, 2012
  Six months
ended June 30,
2011
 
 
  (In millions)
 

Components of Income Tax Expense

             

Current

             

Federal

  $ (61 ) $ 9  

State

    (3 )   1  

Foreign

    1     (7 )
           

    (63 )   3  
           

Deferred

             

Federal

    188     55  

State

    11     3  
           

    199     58  
           

Total income tax expense

  $ 136   $ 61  
           

        Effective Tax Rate.     Interim period income taxes for the predecessor were computed by applying an anticipated annual effective tax rate to year-to-date income or loss, except for significant unusual or infrequently occurring items, which were recorded in the period in which they occurred. Changes in tax laws or rates were recorded in the period of enactment. The effective tax rate was affected by items such as income attributable to dividend exclusions on earnings from unconsolidated affiliates where receipt of dividends was anticipated, the effect of state income taxes (net of federal income tax effects), and the effect of foreign income which was taxed at different rates.

        Effective tax rates for the predecessor periods from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012 and six months ended June 30, 2011, were 43 percent and 29 percent, respectively. For the predecessor periods from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012, the effective tax rate was significantly higher than the statutory rate primarily due to the impact of an Egyptian ceiling test charge without a corresponding tax benefit. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the effective tax rate of the predecessor was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to the favorable resolution of tax matters, dividend exclusions on earnings from unconsolidated affiliates where we anticipated receiving dividends, and foreign income taxed at different rates.

5. Property, Plant, and Equipment

        Unproved oil and natural gas properties.     As of June 30, 2012, we have approximately $3.0 billion of property, plant, and equipment associated with unproven oil and natural gas properties primarily a result of the purchase price allocation in conjunction with the acquisition of the predecessor. Unproved properties are reviewed annually or upon an event that may indicate impairment (trigger) to determine if the market value is less than the carrying value, with any such impairment charged to expense in the

F-11


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

5. Property, Plant, and Equipment (Continued)

period. Due to current natural gas prices, the fair value of our oil and natural gas properties could decline in the future and we may be required to record an impairment to the carrying value. As of June 30, 2012, we did not have any material suspended well costs.

        Asset Retirement Obligations.     We have legal obligations associated with the retirement of our oil and natural gas wells and related infrastructure. We have obligations to plug wells when production on those wells is exhausted, when we no longer plan to use them or when we abandon them. We accrue a liability on those legal obligations when we can estimate the timing and amount of their settlement and include obligations where we will be legally required to replace, remove or retire the associated assets. In estimating the liability associated with our asset retirement obligations, we utilize several assumptions, including a credit-adjusted risk-free rate of 7 percent and a projected inflation rate of 2.5 percent. Changes in estimate represent changes to the expected amount and timing of payments to settle our asset retirement obligations. Typically, these changes primarily result from obtaining new information about the timing of our obligations to plug our oil and natural gas wells and the costs to do so. The net asset retirement liability is reported on our balance sheet in other current and non-current liabilities. Changes in the net liability from December 31, 2011 through June 30, 2012 (reflecting both predecessor and successor periods) were as follows:

 
  2012  
 
  (In millions)
 

Net asset retirement liability at January 1

  $ 153  

Liabilities settled

    (8 )

Accretion expense(1)

    7  

Liabilities incurred

    7  

Changes in estimate (predecessor)

    42  

Fair value adjustment related to acquisition

    34  
       

Net asset retirement liability at June 30(2)

  $ 235  
       

(1)
Includes approximately $5 million of accretion expense related to the predecessor period from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012.

(2)
Includes approximately $64 million of asset retirement liability for the Gulf of Mexico oil and natural gas properties sold in July 2012.

        Capitalized Interest.     Interest expense is reflected net of capitalized interest for the period from March 23, 2012 (inception) to June 30, 2012 of $2 million, and for the predecessor periods from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012 and six months ending June 30, 2011 of $4 million and of $6 million.

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Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

6. Financial Instruments

        The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our financial instruments:

 
  Successor
June 30, 2012
  Predecessor
December 31, 2011
 
 
  Carrying
Amount
  Fair
Value
  Carrying
Amount
  Fair
Value
 
 
  (In millions)
 

Short-term debt

  $ 1   $ 1   $   $  

Long-term debt

    4,243     4,282     851     765  
                   

Derivatives

  $ 460   $ 460   $ 201   $ 201  
                   

        As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable represent fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. As of June 30, 2012, we hold short term and long term debt obligations with various terms, our debt obligations are discussed further in Note 7. We estimated the fair value of debt (representing a Level 2 fair value measurement) primarily based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issuances, including consideration of our credit risk related to those instruments.

        Oil and natural gas derivatives.     We attempt to mitigate a portion of our commodity price risk and stabilize cash flows associated with forecasted sales of oil and natural gas production through the use of oil and natural gas swaps, basis swaps and option contracts. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we have oil and natural gas derivatives on 33,706 MBbl and 14,530 MBbl of oil and 304 TBtu and 105 TBtu of natural gas, respectively. None of these contracts are designated as accounting hedges.

        In July and August of 2012, we added 730 MBbls of oil fixed price swaps, 1,829 MBbls of costless three-way oil collars and 29 TBtu of natural gas fixed price swaps.

        Interest Rate Derivatives.     During July 2012, we entered into interest rate swaps on $600 million related to our reserves based lending credit facility (RBL). These interest rate derivatives start in November 2012 extending through April 2017 and attempt to reduce our variable interest rate exposure. None of these contracts are designated as accounting hedges.

        Fair Value Measurements.     We use various methods to determine the fair values of our financial instruments. The fair value of a financial instrument depends on a number of factors, including the availability of observable market data over the contractual term of the underlying instrument. We separate the fair values of our financial instruments into three levels (Levels 1, 2 and 3) based on our assessment of the availability of observable market data and the significance of non-observable data used to determine fair value. As of June 30, 2012, all of our financial instruments were classified as Level 2, which are based on pricing data representative of quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets (or identical assets and liabilities in less active markets). Our assessment of an instrument within a level can change over time based on the maturity or liquidity of the instrument, which could result in a change in the classification of our financial instruments between other levels, which are described below:

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EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

6. Financial Instruments (Continued)

        During the six months ended June 30, 2012, there have been no changes to the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value, the types of instruments, or the levels in which they are classified. On certain derivative contracts recorded as assets in the table below we are exposed to the risk that our counterparties may not perform or post the required collateral.

        Financial Statement Presentation.     The following table presents the fair value associated with derivative financial instruments as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Derivative assets and liabilities are netted with counterparties where we have a legal right of offset and classify our derivatives as either current or non-current assets or liabilities based on their anticipated settlement date.

 
  Level 2  
 
  Successor   Predecessor  
 
  June 30, 2012   December 31, 2011  
 
  (In millions)
 

Assets

             

Oil and natural gas derivatives

  $ 525   $ 304  

Impact of master netting arrangements

    (47 )   (23 )
           

Total net assets

    478     281  
           

Liabilities

             

Oil and natural gas derivatives

    (65 )   (103 )

Impact of master netting arrangements

    47     23  
           

Total net liabilities

    (18 )   (80 )
           

Total

  $ 460   $ 201  
           

        The following table presents realized and unrealized net gains on financial derivatives and previously dedesignated cash flow hedges included in accumulated other comprehensive income (in millions):

 
  Year-to-Date Periods  
 
  Successor    
  Predecessor  
 
  March 23
(inception)
to June 30,
2012
   
  January 1 to
May 24,
2012
  Six
Months
Ended
June 30,
2011
 

Realized and unrealized gains

  $ 57       $ 365   $ 24  
                   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

  $       $ 5   $ 6  
                   

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EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

7. Debt and Available Credit Facility

        In conjunction with the acquisition of the predecessor for approximately $7.2 billion, during April and May we issued or obtained approximately $4.25 billion of debt and repaid amounts outstanding under the predecessor's existing revolving credit facility. Listed below are additional details related to each of these debt obligations:

 
   
  Successor   Predecessor  
 
  Interest Rate   June 30, 2012   December 31, 2011  
 
   
  (In millions)
 

$1 billion revolving credit facility—due June 2, 2016(1)

  Variable   $   $ 850  

Senior notes—due June 1, 2013

  7.75%     1     1  

$2 billion RBL credit facility—due May 24, 2017

  Variable     750      

$750 million term loan—due April 24, 2018(2)

  Variable     743      

$750 million senior secured note—due May 1, 2019(3)

  6.875%     750      

$2.0 billion senior unsecured note—due May 1, 2020

  9.375%     2,000      
               

Total

      $ 4,244   $ 851  
               

(1)
Prior to the acquisition, the predecessor maintained a $1 billion revolving credit facility. The amounts outstanding under this facility were repaid in conjunction with the acquisition as an equity contribution from El Paso.

(2)
The Term Loan carries a specified margin over the LIBOR of 5.25%, with a minimum LIBOR floor of 1.25%.

(3)
Each of the term loan and secured notes are secured by a second priority lien on all of the collateral securing the RBL credit facility, and effectively rank junior to any existing and future first lien secured indebtedness of the Company.

        $2.0 Billion Reserve-based Loan (RBL).     We have a $2.0 billion credit facility in place which allows us to borrow funds or issue letters of credit (LCs). We enter into letters of credit and issue surety bonds in the ordinary course of our operating activities. As of June 30, 2012, the aggregate amount of borrowings outstanding under the credit facility was $750 million. In addition, we had $8 million of letters of credit outstanding as of June 30, 2012. This facility is collateralized by certain of our oil and natural gas properties. The initial borrowing base for this facility was established at $2.0 billion, with semi-annual redeterminations beginning in April 2013. Amounts outstanding under the $2.0 billion RBL bear interest at specified margins over the LIBOR of between 1.50% and 2.50% for Eurodollar loans or at specified margins over the ABR of between 0.50% and 1.50% for ABR loans. Such margins will fluctuate based on the utilization of the facility. Listed below is a further description of our credit facility including remaining capacity under the facility as of June 30, 2012:

Credit Facility
  Maturity
Date
  Interest
Rate
  Commitment fees   Remaining Capacity as
of June 30, 2012(1)

$2.0 billion RBL

  May 24, 2017   LIBOR + 1.75%(1)
1.75% for LCs
  0.375% commitment fee on
unused capacity
  $1.25 billion

(1)
Based on June 30, 2012 borrowing level.

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EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

7. Debt and Available Credit Facility (Continued)

        On August 8, 2012, we issued $350 million of senior unsecured notes, which are set to mature September 1, 2022. The notes were issued at par, with a 7.75% coupon and the proceeds were used primarily to repay a portion of our RBL facility. In addition, on August 21, 2012, we re-priced our $750 term loan note from 6.5% to 5.0%.

        Guarantees.     Our obligations under the RBL, term loan, secured and unsecured notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Company's present and future direct and indirect wholly owned material domestic subsidiaries. Our foreign wholly-owned subsidiaries are not parties to the guarantees. As of June 30, 2012, foreign subsidiaries that will not guarantee the notes held approximately 2% of our consolidated assets and had no outstanding indebtedness, excluding intercompany obligations. For the period from March 23, 2012 (inception) to June 30, 2012 these non-guarantor subsidiaries generated approximately 8% of our revenue including the impacts of financial derivatives.

        Restrictive Provisions/Covenants.     The availability of borrowings under our credit agreements and our ability to incur additional indebtedness is subject to various financial and non-financial covenants and restrictions. Our most restrictive financial covenant requires that EP Energy LLC's debt to adjusted EBITDAX, as defined in the credit agreement, must not exceed 5.0 to 1.0 during the current period. Certain other covenants and restrictions, among other things, also limit our ability to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; make any restricted payments or pay any dividends on equity interests or redeem, repurchase or retire parent entities' equity interests or subordinated indebtedness; sell assets; make investments; create certain liens; prepay debt obligations; engage in transactions with affiliates; and enter into certain hedge agreements. As of June 30, 2012, we were in compliance with our debt covenants.

8. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings and Other Contingencies

        We and our subsidiaries and affiliates are named defendants in numerous legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. There are also other regulatory rules and orders in various stages of adoption, review and/or implementation. For each of these matters, we evaluate the merits of the case or claim, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. If we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty and there are still uncertainties related to the costs we may incur, based upon our evaluation and experience to date, we believe we have established appropriate reserves. It is possible, however, that new information or future developments could require us to reassess our potential exposure related to these matters and adjust our accruals accordingly, and these adjustments could be material. As of June 30, 2012, we had approximately $23 million accrued for all outstanding legal proceedings and other contingent matters, including $22 million of sales tax reserves.

        Sales Tax Audits.     As a result of sales and use tax audits during 2010, the state of Texas has asserted additional taxes plus penalties and interest for the audit period 2001-2008 for two of our operating entities. We believe amounts reserved are adequate. We are currently contesting the assessments and the ultimate outcomes are still uncertain. We are indemnified by KMI if and to the

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EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

8. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

extent the ultimate outcomes exceed the reserves. During the period ending June 30, 2012, the Louisiana audit was settled.

Environmental Matters

        We are subject to existing federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental air, land and water quality. The environmental laws and regulations to which we are subject also require us to remove or remedy the effect on the environment of the disposal or release of specified substances at current and former operating sites. As of June 30, 2012, we had accrued less than $1 million for related environmental remediation costs associated with onsite, offsite and groundwater technical studies and for related environmental legal costs. Our accrual represents a combination of two estimation methodologies. First, where the most likely outcome can be reasonably estimated, that cost has been accrued. Second, where the most likely outcome cannot be estimated, a range of costs is established and if no one amount in that range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the expected range has been accrued. Our exposure could be as high as $1 million. Our environmental remediation projects are in various stages of completion. The liabilities we have recorded reflect our current estimates of amounts that we will expend to remediate these sites. However, depending on the stage of completion or assessment, the ultimate extent of contamination or remediation required may not be known. As additional assessments occur or remediation efforts continue, we may incur additional liabilities.

        Climate Change and other Emissions.     The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and several state environmental agencies have adopted regulations to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Although the EPA has adopted a tailoring rule to regulate GHG emissions, at this time we do not expect a material impact to our existing operations until 2016. There have also been various legislative and regulatory proposals and final rules at the federal and state levels to address emissions from power plants and industrial boilers. Although such rules and proposals will generally favor the use of natural gas over other fossil fuels such as coal, it remains uncertain what regulations will ultimately be adopted and when they will be adopted. In addition, any regulations regulating GHG emissions would likely increase our costs of compliance by potentially delaying the receipt of permits and other regulatory approvals; requiring us to monitor emissions, install additional equipment or modify facilities to reduce GHG and other emissions; purchase emission credits; and utilize electric-driven compression at facilities to obtain regulatory permits and approvals in a timely manner.

        Air Quality Regulations.     In August 2010, the EPA finalized a rule that mandates emission reductions of hazardous air pollutants from reciprocating internal combustion engines and requires us to install emission controls on engines across our operations. Engines subject to the regulations must comply by October 2013. We currently estimate approximately $3 million in capital expenditures in 2013 to complete the required modifications and testing. Recently, in June 2012, EPA published proposed amendments to the rule. We are reviewing these amendments which may result in a reduction to the estimated $3 million capital requirement.

        In August 2012, EPA finalized New Source Performance Standard OOOO regulations to reduce various air pollutants from the oil and natural gas industry. These regulations will limit emissions from the hydraulic fracturing of certain natural gas wells and equipment including compressors, storage

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EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

8. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

vessels and natural gas processing plants. We do not anticipate a material impact associated with compliance to these new requirements.

        In the State of Utah we are currently obtaining or amending air quality permits for a number of small oil and natural gas production facilities. As part of this permitting process we anticipate the installation of tank emission controls that will require approximately $2 million capital expenditures starting in 2013 and extending through the first half of 2014.

        Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations.     We use hydraulic fracturing extensively in our operations. Various regulations have been adopted and proposed at the federal, state and local levels to regulate hydraulic fracturing operations. These regulations range from banning or substantially limiting hydraulic fracturing operations, requiring disclosure of the hydraulic fracturing fluids and requiring additional permits for the use, recycling and disposal of water used in such operations. In addition, various agencies, including the EPA, the Department of Interior and Department of Education are reviewing changes in their regulations to address the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing operations. Until such regulations are implemented, it is uncertain what impact they might have on our operations.

        Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Matters.     As part of our environmental remediation projects, we have received notice that we could be designated, or have been asked for information to determine whether we could be designated as a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) with respect to the Casmalia Remediation site located in California under the CERCLA or state equivalents. As of June 30, 2012, we have estimated our share of the remediation costs at this site to be less than $1 million. Because the clean-up costs are estimates and are subject to revision as more information becomes available about the extent of remediation required, and in some cases we have asserted a defense to any liability, our estimates could change. Moreover, liability under the federal CERCLA statute may be joint and several, meaning that we could be required to pay in excess of our pro rata share of remediation costs. Our understanding of the financial strength of other PRPs has been considered, where appropriate, in estimating our liabilities. Accruals for these matters are included in the environmental reserve discussed above.

        It is possible that new information or future developments could require us to reassess our potential exposure related to environmental matters. We may incur significant costs and liabilities in order to comply with existing environmental laws and regulations. It is also possible that other developments, such as increasingly strict environmental laws, regulations, and orders of regulatory agencies, as well as claims for damages to property and the environment or injuries to employees and other persons resulting from our current or past operations, could result in substantial costs and liabilities in the future. As this information becomes available, or other relevant developments occur, we will adjust our accrual amounts accordingly. While there are still uncertainties related to the ultimate costs we may incur, based upon our evaluation and experience to date, we believe our reserves are adequate.

9. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

        We hold investments in two unconsolidated affiliates, Four Star Oil & Gas Company (Four Star) and Black Warrior Transmission Corporation, which are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Our income statement typically reflects (i) our share of net earnings directly attributable to

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EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

9. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates (Continued)

these unconsolidated affiliates, and (ii) other adjustments, such as the amortization of the excess of our investment relative to the underlying equity in the net assets related to Four Star.

        As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our investment in unconsolidated affiliates was $236 million and $346 million ($281 million net of deferred income taxes). Included in these amounts was approximately $129 million and $272 million ($207 million net of deferred income taxes) related to the excess of our investment in Four Star relative to the underlying equity in the net assets of Four Star. In conjunction with the acquisition and purchase price allocation, we adjusted our basis in Four Star to approximately $232 million on the date of acquisition. We amortize the excess of our investment in Four Star over the underlying equity in the net assets using the unit-of-production method over the life of our estimate of Four Star's oil and natural gas reserves.

        Due to current natural gas prices, the fair value of our investment in Four Star could decline as a result of lower natural gas prices and we may be required to record an impairment of the carrying value in the future if the loss is determined to be other than temporary.

        We received no dividends from Four Star for the predecessor periods from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012 and six months ending June 30, 2011 we received dividends of $8 million and $26 million and for the successor period March 23, 2012 to June 30, 2012 we did not receive any dividends.

 
  Successor    
  Predecessor  
 
  March 23
(inception) to
June 30, 2012
   
  January 1 to
May 24, 2012
  Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
 
 
  (In millions)
 

Operating results:

                       

Operating revenues

  $ 9       $ 75   $ 130  

Operating expenses

    13         58     82  

Net (loss) income(1)

    (2 )       11     32  

(1)
Proportionate share does not reflect amortization of our investment in Four Star of $12 million and $18 million for the predecessor periods from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012 and six months ending June 30, 2011 and $1 million for the successor period of March 23, 2012 to June 30, 2012.

10. Long-Term Incentive Compensation / Post-Employment Benefits

        Equity Awards Outstanding Prior to Acquisition.     Prior to the closing of the merger between KMI and El Paso, certain of our employees held vested and unvested stock options, restricted shares and performance shares granted under El Paso's equity plan. Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement between El Paso and KMI, each outstanding El Paso stock option, restricted share and performance share automatically vested upon completion of the merger. In the case of outstanding performance shares, performance was deemed to be attained at target. On the merger date, each outstanding stock option, restricted share and performance share was converted into the right to receive either cash or a mixture of cash and shares of Class P common stock of KMI for all shares subject to such awards (in the case of stock options, less the aggregate exercise price), pursuant to the terms of the El Paso/KMI merger agreement. Each holder also received warrants as part of the merger

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EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

10. Long-Term Incentive Compensation / Post-Employment Benefits (Continued)

consideration in respect of such equity awards. Through the merger date, the predecessor recorded as general and administrative expense in the income statements, amounts billed directly by El Paso for compensation expense related to certain stock-based compensation awards granted directly to our employees, as well as our proportionate share of El Paso's corporate compensation expense. However, compensation cost associated with the acceleration of vesting as a result of the merger between El Paso and KMI was assumed by El Paso and KMI and are not reflected in these financial statements.

        EP Energy LLC Long Term Incentive Compensation Programs.     Upon the closing of the acquisition, we adopted new long term incentive (LTI) programs, including an annual performance-based cash incentive payment program and certain long-term equity based programs:

    Cash-Based Long Term Incentive.   In addition to annual bonus payments, we provide a cash-based long term incentive program to certain of our employees linking annual performance-based cash incentive payments to the financial performance of the company as approved by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Managers and individual performance for the year. Cash-based LTI awards are expected to be granted annually with a three-year vesting schedule (50% vesting in the first year, and 25% vesting in each of the succeeding two years). We recognize compensation cost in our financial statements as general and administrative expense on these awards over the requisite service period for each separately vesting tranche of the award, net of estimates for forfeitures. For accounting purposes, these performance based cash incentive awards were treated as liability awards with a fair value on the grant date of approximately $23 million. For the periods ended March 23, 2012 to June 30, 2012, and April 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012 we recorded approximately $1 million for both periods related to these awards.

    Long Term Equity Incentive Awards.   We provide certain individuals with two forms of long term equity incentive awards as follows:

    Class A "Matching" Grants.     In conjunction with the acquisition by our Sponsors whereby the Sponsors contributed approximately $3.3 billion and received Class A units, certain of our employees purchased a total of approximately 24,000 Class A units (capital interests) in our parent company (at a purchase price of $1,000 per Class A unit) shortly following the closing of the sale. In connection with their purchase of these units, our parent awarded (i) "matching" Class A unit grants in an amount equal to 50% of the Class A units purchased (approximately 12,000 units) and (ii) a "guaranteed cash bonus" to be paid in early 2013 equivalent to the amount of the "matching" Class A unit grant. Matching units are subject to forfeiture in the event of certain termination scenarios. For accounting purposes, we treated the "guaranteed bonus" amounts as liability awards to be settled in cash and the "matching" Class A unit grants as compensatory equity awards. Both of these awards had a fair value of approximately $12 million each on the grant date based on 50 percent of the amount purchased by the participating officer and management group. For the "guaranteed cash bonus", we will recognize the fair value as compensation cost in general and administrative expense over the period from the date of grant (May 24, 2012) through the anticipated cash payout date in early 2013. For the "matching" Class A unit grant, we will recognize the fair value as compensation cost in general and administrative expense ratably over the four year period from the date of grant through the period over

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EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

10. Long-Term Incentive Compensation / Post-Employment Benefits (Continued)

        which the requisite service is provided and the time period at which certain transferability restrictions are removed. For the periods from March 23, 2012 to June 30, 2012, and April 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012, we recognized approximately $1.9 million related to both of these awards.

      Management Incentive Units.     In addition to the Class A "matching" awards described above, our parent issued approximately 808,000 Management Incentive Units ("MIPs") to certain of our employees. These MIPs are intended to constitute profits interests. The MIPs vest ratably over 5 years subject to certain forfeiture provisions based on continued employment with the company and become payable based on the achievement of certain predetermined performance measures, including, without limitation, the occurrence of certain specified threshold capital transactions. The MIPs were issued at no cost and have value only to the extent the value of the company increases. For accounting purposes, these profits interests were treated as compensatory equity awards. We determined a grant date fair value of approximately $70 million using an option pricing model. We recognize compensation cost in our financial statements as general and administrative expense on these awards. Compensation cost, net of forfeitures, will be recognized on an accelerated basis for each tranche of the award, over the five year requisite service period considering certain termination provisions limiting recipients to the receipt of 75 percent of the vested portion of such awards prior to a specified threshold capital transaction. For the periods from March 23, 2012 to June 30, 2012, and April 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012, we recognized approximately $7.8 million related to these awards.

        Post Employment Benefits.     We sponsor a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan for a broad-based group of employees. We make matching contributions (dollar for dollar up to 6% of eligible compensation) and non-elective employer contributions (5% of eligible compensation) to the defined contribution plan, and individual employees, are eligible to contribute to the defined contribution plan. We do not sponsor a defined benefit pension plan or a postretirement welfare benefit plan.

11. Related Party Transactions

        Transaction Fee Agreement.     In connection with the acquisition of EP Energy Global LLC, we were subject to a transaction fee agreement with certain of our Sponsors (the "Service Providers") for the provision of certain structuring, financial, investment banking and other similar advisory services. Included in the transaction and other costs paid at the time of the acquisition as further described in Note 2, we paid one-time transaction fees of $71.5 million (recorded as general and administrative expense in our income statement) to the Service Providers in the aggregate in exchange for services rendered in connection with structuring, arranging the financing and performing other services. In the event of any future transactions (including any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets or equity interests resulting in a change of control of the equity and voting securities, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets or which is in connection with one or more public offerings, each as further defined in the Transaction Fee Agreement), we would pay an additional transaction fee equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the aggregate enterprise value paid or provided and (ii) $100,000,000.

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EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

11. Related Party Transactions (Continued)

        Management Fee Agreement.     We entered into a management fee agreement with certain of our Sponsors for the provision of certain management consulting and advisory services. Under the agreement, we pay a non-refundable annual management fee of $25 million. In 2012, we prepaid approximately $15 million for these services through the end of 2012 and through June 30, 2012, have expensed $2 million in general and administrative expense.

        Related Party Transactions Prior to the Acquisition.     In conjunction with the acquisition, El Paso made total contributions of approximately $1.5 billion to the predecessor including a non-cash contribution of approximately $0.5 billion to satisfy its current and deferred income tax balances at that time and a cash contribution to facilitate repayment of approximately $960 million of outstanding debt of the predecessor under its revolving credit facility. Additionally, prior to the completion of the acquisition, the predecessor entered into transactions during the ordinary course of conducting its business with affiliates of El Paso, primarily related to the sale, transportation and hedging of its oil, natural gas and NGL production. Other than continuing transition services agreements with KMI, the agreements noted below ceased on the date of acquisition and included the following services:

    General.   El Paso billed the predecessor directly for certain general and administrative costs and allocated a portion of its general and administrative costs. The allocation was based on the estimated level of resources devoted to its operations and the relative size of its earnings before interest and taxes, gross property and payroll. These expenses were primarily related to management, legal, financial, tax, consultative, administrative and other services, including employee benefits, pension benefits, annual incentive bonuses, rent, insurance, and information technology. El Paso also billed the predecessor directly for compensation expense related to certain stock-based compensation awards granted directly to the predecessor's employees, and allocated to the predecessor a proportionate share of El Paso's corporate compensation expense.

    Pension and Retirement Benefits.    El Paso maintained a primary pension plan, the El Paso Corporation Pension Plan, a defined benefit plan covering substantially all of our employees prior to the acquisition and providing benefits under a cash balance formula. El Paso also maintained a defined contribution plan covering all of our employees prior to the acquisition. El Paso matched 75 percent of participant basic contributions up to 6 percent of eligible compensation and made additional discretionary matching contributions. El Paso was responsible for benefits accrued under these plans and allocated related costs.

    Other Post-Retirement Benefits.     El Paso provided limited post-retirement life insurance benefits for current and retired employees prior to the acquisition. El Paso was responsible for benefits accrued under its plan and allocated the related costs to its affiliates.

    Marketing.   Prior to the completion of the acquisition, the predecessor sold natural gas primarily to El Paso Marketing at spot market prices. Substantially all of the affiliated accounts receivable at December 31, 2011 related to sales of natural gas to El Paso Marketing. The predecessor was also a party to a hedging contract with El Paso Marketing. Realized gains and losses on these hedges were included in operating revenues.

    Transportation and Related Services.   Prior to the completion of the acquisition, the predecessor also contracted for services with El Paso's regulated interstate pipelines that provided

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EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

11. Related Party Transactions (Continued)

      transportation and related services for natural gas production. At December 31, 2011, contractual deposits were $8 million associated with El Paso's regulated interstate pipelines.

        The following table shows revenues and charges to/from affiliates for the following predecessor periods:

 
  January 1, 2012
to
May 24, 2012
  Six months
ended
June 30, 2011
 
 
  (In millions)
 

Operating revenues

  $ 143   $ 322  

Operating expenses

    44     58  

Reimbursements of operating expenses

        1  
    Income Taxes.   Prior to the acquisition, El Paso filed consolidated U.S. federal and certain state tax returns which included the predecessor's taxable income. See Note 4 for additional information on income tax related matters.

        Cash Management Program.     Prior to the acquisition, our predecessor participated in El Paso's cash management program which matched short-term cash surpluses and needs of its participating affiliates, thus minimizing total borrowings from outside sources.

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

        As discussed in Note 7, our secured and unsecured notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Company's present and future direct and indirect wholly owned material domestic subsidiaries. Our foreign wholly-owned subsidiaries are not parties to the guarantees (the "Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries"). The following reflects condensed consolidating financial information of the issuer, guarantor subsidiaries, non-guarantor subsidiaries, eliminating entries (to combine the entities) and consolidated results as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Also presented are condensed consolidating statements of operations and cash flows for the successor for the period from March 23, 2012 (inception) to June 30, 2012 and for the predecessor for the period from January 1, 2012 to May 24, 2012.

F-23


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)

EP ENERGY LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 23, 2012 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2012
(In millions)

 
  Successor  
 
  Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Operating Revenues

                               

Oil and condensate

  $   $ 69   $ 8   $   $ 77  

Natural gas

        53     8         61  

NGL

        5             5  

Financial derivatives

    28     29             57  
                       

Total operating revenues

    28     156     16         200  
                       

Operating expenses

                               

Transportation costs

        14             14  

Lease operating expenses

        16     5         21  

General and administrative expenses

    183     24     2         209  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

        33     1         34  

Impairments

        1             1  

Exploration expense

        6             6  

Taxes, other than income taxes

        10     2         12  
                       

Total operating expenses

    183     104     10         297  
                       

Operating (loss) income

    (155 )   52     6         (97 )

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates

        (1 )           (1 )

Other income

            1         1  

Interest expense

    (54 )   1             (53 )
                       

Income (loss) before earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

    (209 )   52     7         (150 )
                       

Earnings (loss) from consolidated subsidiaries

    59     7         (66 )    
                       

Net (loss) income

  $ (150 ) $ 59   $ 7   $ (66 ) $ (150 )
                       

F-24


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)


EP ENERGY LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2012 TO MAY 24, 2012
(In millions)

 
  Predecessor  
 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Operating Revenues

                         

Oil and condensate

  $ 310   $ 12   $   $ 322  

Natural gas

    228     34         262  

NGL

    29             29  

Financial derivatives

    365             365  
                   

Total operating revenues

    932     46         978  
                   

Operating expenses

                         

Transportation costs

    45             45  

Lease operating expenses

    80     16         96  

General and administrative expenses

    69     6         75  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization          

    307     12         319  

Ceiling test charges

        62         62  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    31     14         45  
                   

Total operating expenses

    532     110         642  
                   

Operating income

    400     (64 )       336  

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates

    (5 )           (5 )

Other income (expense)

    1     (4 )       (3 )

Interest expense

                         

Third party

    (14 )           (14 )

Affiliated

    2     (2 )        
                   

Income (loss) before income taxes

    384     (70 )       314  

Income tax expense

    135     1         136  
                   

Income (loss) before earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

    249     (71 )       178  
                   

(Loss) Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

    (71 )       71      
                   

Net income (loss)

  $ 178   $ (71 ) $ 71   $ 178  
                   

F-25


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)

EP ENERGY LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2011
(In millions)

 
  Predecessor  
 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Operating Revenues

                         

Oil and condensate

  $ 217   $ 19   $   $ 236  

Natural gas

    464     33         497  

NGL

    28             28  

Financial derivatives

    24             24  
                   

Total operating revenues

    733     52         785  
                   

Operating expenses

                         

Transportation costs

    38             38  

Lease operating expenses

    80     20         100  

General and administrative expenses

    91     7         98  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    266     14         280  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    42     7         49  
                   

Total operating expenses

    517     48         565  
                   

Operating income

    216     4         220  

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates

    (1 )           (1 )

Other (expense) income

    (1 )   1          

Interest expense

                         

Third party

    (4 )       2     (2 )

Affiliated

    (2 )       (2 )   (4 )
                   

Income before income taxes

    208     5         213  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    69     (8 )       61  
                   

Income before earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

    139     13         152  
                   

Earnings (loss) from consolidated subsidiaries

    13         (13 )    
                   

Net income (loss)

  $ 152   $ 13   $ (13 ) $ 152  
                   

F-26


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)

EP ENERGY LLC
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF JUNE 30, 2012
(In millions)

 
  Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

ASSETS

                               

Current assets

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 1   $ 42   $ 12   $   $ 55  

Accounts receivable

                               

Customer, net of allowance of less than $1             

    3     133     27         163  

Affiliates

    21     4         (25 )    

Other, net of allowance of $2

        29     1         30  

Materials and supplies

        29             29  

Derivatives

    95     183             278  

Prepaid assets

    13     20     10         43  
                       

Total current assets

    133     440     50     (25 )   598  
                       

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

                               

Oil and natural gas properties

        6,824     103         6,927  

Other property, plant and equipment

        87     2         89  
                       

        6,911     105         7,016  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

        33     1         34  
                       

Total property, plant and equipment, net             

        6,878     104         6,982  
                       

Other assets

                               

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

        236             236  

Investment in consolidated affiliate

    7,018     77         (7,095 )    

Derivatives

    174     26             200  

Deferred income taxes

            6         6  

Unamortized debt issue cost

    139                 139  

Other

        5             5  
                       

    7,331     344     6     (7,095 )   586  
                       

Total assets

  $ 7,464   $ 7,662   $ 160   $ (7,120 ) $ 8,166  
                       

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

                               

Current liabilities

                               

Accounts payable

                               

Trade

  $   $ 107   $   $   $ 107  

Affiliates

        21     4     (25 )    

Other

        226     42         268  

Accrued taxes other than income

        22     8         30  

Accrued interest

    52                 52  

Current reserves

        23             23  

Other

        25             25  
                       

Total current liabilities

    52     424     54     (25 )   505  
                       

Long-term debt

    4,243                 4,243  

Other long-term liabilities

                               

Derivatives

    11     7             18  

Asset retirement obligations

        204     22         226  

Other

        9     7         16  
                       

Total non-current liabilities

    4,254     220     29         4,503  
                       

Commitments and contingencies

                               

Members' equity

    3,158     7,018     77     (7,095 )   3,158  
                       

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 7,464   $ 7,662   $ 160   $ (7,120 ) $ 8.166  
                       

F-27


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)

EP ENERGY LLC
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2011

 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

ASSETS

                         

Current assets

                         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 6   $ 19   $   $ 25  

Accounts receivable

                         

Customer, net of allowance of less than $1

    119     16         135  

Affiliates

    132             132  

Other, net of allowance of $7

    38     1         39  

Materials and supplies

    21     7         28  

Derivatives

    272             272  

Prepaid assets

    4     8         12  

Other

    14     1         15  
                   

Total current assets

    606     52         658  
                   

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

                         

Oil and natural gas properties

    20,670     1,253         21,923  

Other property, plant and equipment

    143     4         147  
                   

    20,813     1,257         22,070  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

    17,026     977         18,003  
                   

Total property, plant and equipment, net

    3,787     280         4,067  
                   

Other assets

                         

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

    346             346  

Investment in consolidated affiliate

    2         (2 )    

Derivatives

    9             9  

Deferred income taxes

        7         7  

Unamortized debt issue cost

    259         (251 )   8  

Other

    4             4  
                   

    620     7     (253 )   374  
                   

Total assets

  $ 5,013   $ 339   $ (253 ) $ 5,099  
                   

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

                         

Current liabilities

                         

Accounts payable

                         

Trade

  $ 140   $   $   $ 140  

Affiliates

    47             47  

Other

    210     48         258  

Derivatives

    7             7  

Accrued taxes other than income

    24     9         33  

Deferred income taxes

    91             91  

Other

    13             13  
                   

Total current liabilities

    532     57         589  
                   

Long-term debt

    851             851  

Non-current note payable to unconsolidated affiliate

        251     (251 )    

Other long-term liabilities

                         

Derivatives

    73             73  

Asset retirement obligations

    126     22         148  

Deferred income taxes

    291             291  

Other

    40     7         47  
                   

    1,381     280     (251 )   1,410  
                   

Commitments and contingencies

                         

Stockholder's equity

                         

Common stock, par value $1 per share; 1,000 shares authorized and outstanding

        381     (381 )    

Preferred stock

        4     (4 )    

Additional paid-in capital

    4,580     393     (393 )   4,580  

Accumulated deficit

    (1,476 )   (776 )   776     (1,476 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (4 )           (4 )
                   

Total stockholder's equity

    3,100     2     (2 )   3,100  
                   

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 5,013   $ 339   $ (253 ) $ 5,099  
                   

F-28


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)

EP ENERGY LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 23, 2012 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2012
(In millions)

 
  Successor  
 
  Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Cash flows from operating activities

                               

Net (loss) income

  $ (150 ) $ 59   $ 6   $ (65 ) $ (150 )

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash from operating activities

                               

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

        33     1         34  

Deferred income tax expense

            1         1  

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates, adjusted for cash distributions

        2             2  

Earnings from consolidated affiliates

    (59 )   (6 )       65      

Impairments

        1             1  

Amortization of equity compensation expense

    8                 8  

Other non-cash income items

    2     1             3  

Asset and liability changes

                               

Accounts receivable

    (3 )   (4 )   (12 )   1     (18 )

Accounts payable

        (10 )   5     (1 )   (6 )

Derivatives

    (25 )   10             (15 )

Accrued interest

    52                 52  

Other asset changes

    (13 )   (13 )           (26 )

Other liability changes

        23     (1 )       22  
                       

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities            

    (188 )   96             (92 )
                       

Cash flows from investing activities

                               

Capital expenditures

        (150 )           (150 )

Net proceeds from the sale of assets

        22             22  

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (7,213 )           87     (7,126 )
                       

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities            

    (7,213 )   (128 )         87     (7,254 )
                       

Cash flows from financing activities

                               

Proceeds from long term debt

    4,323                 4,323  

Repayment of long term debt

    (80 )               (80 )

Contributed member equity

    3,300                 3,300  

Debt issuance costs

    (142 )               (142 )
                       

Net cash provided by financing activities            

    7,401                 7,401  
                       

Change in cash and cash equivalents

   
   
(32

)
 
   
87
   
55
 

Cash and cash equivalents

                               

Beginning of period

        75     12     (87 )    
                       

End of period

  $   $ 43   $ 12   $   $ 55  
                       

F-29


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)


EP ENERGY LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2012 TO MAY 24, 2012
(In millions)

 
  Predecessor  
 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Cash flows from operating activities

                         

Net income (loss)

  $ 178   $ (71 ) $ 71   $ 178  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities

                         

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    307     12         319  

Deferred income tax expense

    199             199  

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates, adjusted for cash distributions

    12             12  

Earnings from consolidated affiliates

    71         (71 )    

Ceiling test charges

        62         62  

Other non-cash income items

    7             7  

Asset and liability changes

                         

Accounts receivable

    132     2     (2 )   132  

Accounts payable

    (54 )   (4 )   2     (56 )

Affiliate income taxes

    3     1         4  

Derivatives

    (201 )           (201 )

Accrued interest

    (1 )           (1 )

Other asset changes

    (7 )           (7 )

Other liability changes

    (66 )   (2 )       (68 )
                   

Net cash provided by operating activities            

    580             580  
                   

Cash flows from investing activities

                         

Capital expenditures

    (628 )   (8 )       (636 )

Net proceeds from the sale of assets

    9             9  

Change in note receivable with affiliates

    (1 )       1      

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (1 )           (1 )
                   

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities            

    (621 )   (8 )   1     (628 )
                   

Cash flows from financing activities

                         

Proceeds from long term debt

    215             215  

Repayment of long term debt

    (1,065 )           (1,065 )

Contribution from El Paso Corporation

    960             960  

Change in note payable with affiliate

        1     (1 )    
                   

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities            

    110     1     (1 )   110  
                   

Change in cash and cash equivalents

    69     (7 )       62  

Cash and cash equivalents

                         

Beginning of period

    6     19         25  
                   

End of period

  $ 75   $ 12   $   $ 87  
                   

F-30


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)


EP ENERGY LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2011
(In millions)

 
  Predecessor  
 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Cash flows from operating activities

                         

Net income (loss)

  $ 152   $ 13   $ (13 ) $ 152  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities

                         

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    266     14         280  

Deferred income tax expense

    58             58  

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, adjusted for cash distributions

    27             27  

Loss from consolidated affiliates

    (13 )       13      

Other non-cash income items

    2     1         3  

Asset and liability changes

                         

Accounts receivable

    (21 )   (7 )       (28 )

Accounts payable

    24     1         25  

Income taxes

    16             16  

Derivatives

    117             117  

Other asset changes

    9     2         11  

Other liability changes

    7     (5 )       2  
                   

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities            

    644     19         663  
                   

Cash flows from investing activities

                         

Capital expenditures

    (661 )   (14 )       (675 )

Net proceeds from the sale of assets

    24             24  

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (1 )           (1 )

Investment in affiliate

    (6 )       6      

Change in note receivable with affiliate

    (5 )       5      
                   

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities            

    (649 )   (14 )   11     (652 )
                   

Cash flows from financing activities

                         

Proceeds from borrowing under revolving credit facility

    925             925  

Repayment of amounts borrowed under revolving credit facility

    (825 )           (825 )

Change in note payable with affiliate

    (145 )   5     (5 )   (145 )

Contribution from parent

        6     (6 )    

Other

    (6 )           (6 )
                   

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities            

    (51 )   11     (11 )   (51 )
                   

Change in cash and cash equivalents

    (56 )   16         (40 )

Cash and cash equivalents

                         

Beginning of period

    67     7         74  
                   

End of period

  $ 11   $ 23   $   $ 34  
                   

F-31


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Managers of
Everest Acquisition LLC:

        We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Everest Acquisition LLC as of April 30, 2012, and the related statements of income (loss) and cash flows for the period March 23, 2012 (inception) to April 30, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

        We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Everest Acquisition LLC as of April 30, 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period March 23, 2012 (inception) to April 30, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

                        /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Houston, Texas
September 11, 2012

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EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC
BALANCE SHEET
(In thousands)

 
  April 30, 2012  

ASSETS

       

Current assets

       

Cash

  $ 5,864  

Restricted cash

    2,878,956  
       

Total current assets

    2,884,820  
       

Total assets

  $ 2,884,820  
       

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY

       

Current liabilities

       

Accrued liabilities

  $ 25,051  

Interest payable

    4,794  
       

Total current liabilities

    29,845  
       

Long-term debt obligations

    2,750,000  
       

Commitments and contingencies

       

Members' Equity

    104,975  
       

Total liabilities and members' equity

  $ 2,884,820  
       

   

See accompanying notes.

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EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC
STATEMENT OF INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands)

 
  March 23, 2012
(inception) to
April 30, 2012
 

Costs and expenses:

       

General and administrative expenses

  $ 25,051  

Interest expense

    4,794  
       

Operating loss

    29,845  
       

Net loss

  $ 29,845  
       

   

See accompanying notes.

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EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

 
  March 23, 2012
(inception)
to
April 30, 2012
 

Cash flows from operating activities

       

Net (loss)

  $ (29,845 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities

       

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

       

Accrued liabilities

    25,051  

Interest payable

    4,794  
       

Net cash provided by operating activities

     
       

Cash flows from investing activities

       

Increase in restricted cash

    (2,878,956 )
       

Net cash provided by investing activities

    (2,878,956 )
       

Cash flows from financing activities

       

Proceeds from debt borrowings

    2,750,000  

Proceeds from members' contributions

    134,820  
       

Net cash provided by financing activities

    2,884,820  
       

Change in cash

    5,864  

Cash

       

Beginning of period

     
       

End of period

  $ 5,864  
       

   

See accompanying notes.

F-35



EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

    Basis of Presentation and Description of the Company

        Everest Acquisition LLC (the "Company," "we," "our") was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on March 23, 2012 by Apollo Global Management, LLC ("Apollo") and other private equity investors (collectively, the "Sponsors"). The company was established along with Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc. On April 24, 2012, we and Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc. co-issued approximately $2.75 billion in private placement notes.

        On May 24, 2012, the Sponsors acquired EP Energy Global LLC, (formerly known as EP Energy Corporation and EP Energy, L.L.C. after its conversion into a Delaware limited liability company) and subsidiaries for approximately $7.2 billion in cash (exclusive of approximately $330 million of transaction fees and expenses) using the $2.75 billion in private placement notes noted above, $750 million borrowed pursuant to a reserve based lending facility ("RBL Facility") entered into in May 2012, proceeds from a $743 million senior secured term loan and approximately $3.3 billion provided by the Sponsors. Following these transactions, Everest Acquisition LLC was renamed EP Energy LLC. As a result of the acquisition, EP Energy LLC owns 100% in each of EP Energy Global LLC and Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc.

        Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. We have evaluated subsequent events through September 11, 2012, the date of issuance of our financial statements.

    Cash and Restricted Cash

        We consider short-term investments with an original maturity of less than three months to be cash equivalents. As of April 30, 2012 we had approximately $2.88 billion of restricted cash held in escrow to fund the acquisition of EP Energy Global LLC (classified as current assets on our balance sheet). These amounts consisted of $2.75 billion in proceeds received from debt borrowings and approximately $130 million contributed by the members (see Note 4).

2. Long-Term Debt

        On April 24, 2012, we issued long-term debt as follows:

 
  Interest Rate   Amount  
 
   
  (In Millions)
 

$750 million senior secured note—due May 1, 2019

    6.875 % $ 750  

$2 billion senior secured note—due May 1, 2020

    9.375 %   2,000  
             

Total

        $ 2,750  
             

        Pursuant to the terms of the note agreements, the proceeds from these borrowings were required to be placed into escrow and subject to certain call features in the event the acquisition were not to occur. As a result of the acquisition discussed above closing on May 24, 2012, the proceeds were released from escrow and as such we have reflected this borrowing as long-term debt in our balance sheet.

        As of April 30, the fair value of our debt obligations approximates their carrying value. We estimated the fair value of debt (representing a Level 2 fair value measurement) primarily based on

F-36



EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Long-Term Debt (Continued)

quoted market prices for the same or similar issuances, including consideration of our credit risk related to those instruments. Level 2 instruments are based on pricing data representative of quoted prices for similiar assets and liabilities in active markets (or identical assets and liabilities in less active markets).

        Our ability to incur additional indebtedness is subject to various covenants and restrictions. Certain of these covenants and restrictions, among other things, limit our ability to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; make any restricted payments or pay any dividends on equity interests or redeem, repurchase or retire parent entities' equity interests or subordinated indebtedness; sell assets; make investments; create certain liens; prepay debt obligations; engage in transactions with affiliates; and enter into certain hedge agreements. As of April 30, 2012, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants.

        During the period from March 23, 2012 (inception) through April 30, 2012, we accrued interest expense of $4.8 million on our senior notes issued in late April 2012. Interest is payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year.

        In May 2012, in conjunction with the acquisition, we entered into a $750 million term loan—due April 24, 2018, and a $2 billion reserve based lending (RBL) credit facility due May 24, 2017. In August 2012, we issued $350 million of additional senior unsecured notes, which are set to mature September 1, 2022. The notes were issued at par, with a 7.75% coupon and the proceeds were used primarily to repay a portion of our RBL facility. In addition, in August 2012 we re-priced our $750 million term loan from 6.5% to 5.0%.

3. Transaction Fees

        During the period from March 23, 2012 (inception) to April 30, 2012, we accrued approximately $25 million in certain initial legal and advisory, rating, printing and other expenses associated with the acquisition of EP Energy Global LLC and the related financing transactions. In conjunction with and prior to the acquisition of EP Energy Global LLC and the related financing transactions, we incurred certain legal and advisory, rating agency, printing, and other fees totaling approximately $330 million, of which approximately $173 million was not capitalizable. During the period from March 23, 2012 (our inception) to April 30, 2012, we had accrued approximately $25 million of these costs which had been incurred as of April 30, 2012 and which were not contingent on the closing of the acquisition.

4. Members' Equity

        In April 2012, our members contributed approximately $134.8 million, of which approximately $130 million was maintained in an escrow account prior to the May 24, 2012 acquisition of EP Energy Global LLC as further described in Note 1. In May 2012, these amounts in escrow were released to our members at which time they contributed a total of $3.3 billion to complete the acquisition of EP Energy Global LLC. During the periods from March 23, 2012 (inception) to April 30, 2012 we recorded a net loss of approximately $29.8 million.

5. Acquisition of EP Energy Global LLC

        The purchase transaction described in Note 1 was accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting which requires, among other items, that assets and liabilities

F-37



EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

5. Acquisition of EP Energy Global LLC (Continued)

acquired and assumed be recognized on the balance sheet at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The following is the allocation of the adjusted purchase to specific assets and liabilities assumed based on estimates of fair values and costs. There was no goodwill associated with the transaction.

Allocation of purchase price
   
 
 
  (In millions)
 

Current assets

  $ 586  

Non-current assets

    444  

Property, plant and equipment

    6,887  

Current liabilities

   
(420

)

Non-current liabilities

    (284 )
       

Total purchase price

  $ 7,213  
       

F-38


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholder of
EP Energy Corporation:

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of EP Energy Corporation (the Company) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and stockholder's equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits. The financial statements of Four Star Oil & Gas Company (a corporation in which the Company has a 49 percent interest), have been audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, insofar as it relates to the amounts included from Four Star Oil & Gas Company, is based solely on the report of other auditors. In the consolidated financial statements, the Company's investments in unconsolidated affiliates includes approximately $70 million from Four Star Oil & Gas Company as of December 31, 2011, and the Company's earnings from unconsolidated affiliates includes approximately $29 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, from Four Star Oil & Gas Company.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of EP Energy Corporation at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

        As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective December 31, 2009 the Company has changed its reserve estimates and related disclosures as a result of adopting new oil and gas reserve estimation and disclosure requirements.

                        /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Houston, Texas
March 7, 2012,
except for Note 12, as to which the date is
September 11, 2012

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and the Stockholders of
Four Star Oil & Gas Company:

        In our opinion, the consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of income, of stockholders' equity and of cash flows (not presented separately herein) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Four Star Oil & Gas Company and its subsidiary (the "Company") at December 31, 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        As described in Notes 4 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has significant transactions with affiliated companies. Because of these relationships, it is possible that the terms of these transactions are not the same as those that would result from transactions among wholly unrelated parties.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

February 24, 2012
Houston, Texas

F-40


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In millions)

 
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Operating revenues

                   

Oil and natural gas sales

                   

Third parties

  $ 948   $ 634   $ 552  

Affiliates

    634     746     545  

Realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives

    284     390     687  

Other

    1     19     44  
               

    1,867     1,789     1,828  
               

Operating expenses

                   

Cost of products

        15     31  

Transportation costs

    85     73     66  

Operation and maintenance

    418     383     392  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    612     477     440  

Ceiling test charges

    152     25     2,123  

Impairment of inventory and other assets

    6         25  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    91     85     68  
               

    1,364     1,058     3,145  
               

Operating income (loss)

    503     731     (1,317 )

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates

    (7 )   (7 )   (30 )

Other (expense) income

    (2 )   3     (1 )

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest of $13 in 2011, $9 in 2010 and $7 in 2009

                   

Third parties

    (9 )   (16 )   (21 )

Affiliates

    (3 )   (5 )   (4 )
               

Income (loss) before income taxes

    482     706     (1,373 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

    220     263     (462 )
               

Net income (loss)

  $ 262   $ 443   $ (911 )
               

   

See accompanying notes.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)

 
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Net income (loss)

  $ 262   $ 443   $ (911 )
               

Net gains (losses) from cash flow hedging activities:

                   

Reclassification adjustments for amounts recognized during the period (net of income taxes of $4 in 2011 and 2010 and $147 in 2009)

    7     7     (259 )
               

Other comprehensive gain (loss)

    7     7     (259 )
               

Comprehensive income (loss)

  $ 269   $ 450   $ (1,170 )
               

   

See accompanying notes.

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Table of Contents


EP ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)

 
  December 31,  
 
  2011   2010  

ASSETS

             

Current assets

             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 25   $ 74  

Accounts receivable

             

Customer, net of allowance of less than $1 in 2011 and 2010

    135     78  

Affiliates

    132     170  

Other, net of allowance of $7 in 2011 and 2010

    39     38  

Materials and supplies

    28     39  

Income tax receivable from affiliates

    6     89  

Assets from price risk management activities

    272     247  

Other

    21     25  
           

Total current assets

    658     760  
           

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

             

Oil and natural gas properties

             

Proved properties-full cost method

    21,442     20,771  

Unevaluated costs excluded from amortization

    481     785  

Other

    147     136  
           

    22,070     21,692  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

    18,003     17,968  
           

Total property, plant and equipment, net

    4,067     3,724  
           

Other assets

             

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

    346     399  

Assets from price risk management activities

    9     29  

Deferred income taxes

    7     19  

Other

    12     11  
           

    374     458  
           

Total assets

  $ 5,099   $ 4,942  
           

   

See accompanying notes.

F-43


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(In millions, except share amounts)

 
  December 31,  
 
  2011   2010  

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

             

Current liabilities

             

Accounts payable

             

Trade

  $ 140   $ 118  

Affiliates

    47     139  

Other

    258     187  

Income tax payable

    4     4  

Liabilities from price risk management activities

    7     14  

Asset retirement obligations

    5     34  

Deferred income taxes

    91     37  

Other

    37     29  
           

Total current liabilities

    589     562  
           

Long-term debt

    851     301  

Note payable to affiliate

        781  

Other long-term liabilities

             

Liabilities from price risk management activities

    73     25  

Asset retirement obligations

    148     101  

Deferred income taxes

    291     49  

Other

    47     56  
           

Total non-current liabilities

    1,410     1,313  
           

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

             

Stockholder's equity

             

Common stock, par value $1 per share; 1,000 shares authorized and outstanding

         

Additional paid-in capital

    4,580     4,816  

Accumulated deficit

    (1,476 )   (1,738 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (4 )   (11 )
           

Total stockholder's equity

    3,100     3,067  
           

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 5,099   $ 4,942  
           

   

See accompanying notes.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

 
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Cash flows from operating activities

                   

Net income (loss)

  $ 262   $ 443   $ (911 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities

                   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    612     477     440  

Ceiling test charges

    152     25     2,123  

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

    304     320     (550 )

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates, adjusted for cash distributions

    53     57     75  

Other non-cash income items

    10     5     31  

Asset and liability changes

                   

Accounts receivable

    (20 )   (17 )   102  

Materials and supplies

    5     10     18  

Change in price risk management activities, net

    47     (99 )   150  

Accounts payable

    (67 )   90     (55 )

Income taxes

    83     (172 )   140  

Other asset changes

    7     6     (27 )

Other liability changes

    (22 )   (78 )   37  
               

Net cash provided by operating activities

    1,426     1,067     1,573  
               

Cash flows from investing activities

                   

Capital expenditures

    (1,591 )   (1,238 )   (1,115 )

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (22 )   (51 )   (131 )

Net proceeds from the sale of assets

    612     155     93  

Increase in note receivable with affiliate

    (236 )        

Other

        4     (3 )
               

Net cash used in investing activities

    (1,237 )   (1,130 )   (1,156 )
               

Cash flows from financing activities

                   

Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility

    2,030     500     100  

Repayment of amounts borrowed under revolving credit facility

    (1,480 )   (1,034 )   (180 )

(Decrease) increase in note payable with affiliate

    (781 )   489     (256 )

Other

    (7 )   (1 )    
               

Net cash used in financing activities

    (238 )   (46 )   (336 )
               

Change in cash and cash equivalents

    (49 )   (109 )   81  

Cash and cash equivalents

                   

Beginning of period

    74     183     102  
               

End of period

  $ 25   $ 74   $ 183  
               

Supplemental cash flow information

                   

Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized

  $ 9   $ 7   $ 19  

Income tax (refunds) payments

    (158 )   105     (52 )

   

See accompanying notes.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(In millions, except share amounts)

 
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount  

Common stock, $1.00 par value:

                                     

Balance at beginning of year

    1,000   $     1,000   $     1,000   $  
                           

Balance at end of year

    1,000         1,000         1,000      
                           

Additional paid-in capital:

                                     

Balance at beginning of year

          4,816           4,725           4,723  

Contribution from parent

                    91           2  

Distribution to parent

          (236 )                    
                                 

Balance at end of year

          4,580           4,816           4,725  
                                 

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

                                     

Balance at beginning of year

          (1,738 )         (2,178 )         (1,267 )

Other

                    (3 )          

Net income (loss)

          262           443           (911 )
                                 

Balance at end of year

          (1,476 )         (1,738 )         (2,178 )
                                 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:

                                     

Balance at beginning of year

          (11 )         (18 )         241  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

          7           7           (259 )
                                 

Balance at end of year

          (4 )         (11 )         (18 )
                                 

Total equity at end of year

    1,000   $ 3,100     1,000   $ 3,067     1,000   $ 2,529  
                           

   

See accompanying notes.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

    Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

        We are a Delaware corporation formed in 1999 as a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of El Paso Corporation (El Paso). We engage in the exploration for and the acquisition, development, and production of oil, natural gas and NGLs in the United States, Brazil and Egypt. During 2011, we changed our name to EP Energy Corporation from El Paso Exploration and Production Company.

        Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and include the accounts of all consolidated subsidiaries after the elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. We have evaluated subsequent events through March 7, 2012, the date of issuance of our financial statements.

        On October 16, 2011, El Paso announced a definitive merger agreement with Kinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI) whereby KMI will acquire El Paso in a transaction that valued El Paso at approximately $38 billion (based on the KMI stock price at that date), including the assumption of debt. In conjunction with the merger, KMI has announced that they intend to sell our assets. The merger agreement has been approved by El Paso's and KMI's board of directors. The completion of the merger is subject to satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions including, among others, customary regulatory approvals, approval by El Paso's stockholders and approval of the issuance of KMI stock and warrants by KMI's stockholders. A voting agreement has been executed by certain stockholders of KMI, holding approximately 75 percent of the voting power of KMI, in which such stockholders have agreed to vote in favor of the merger and issuance of KMI stock and warrants. The completion of the merger will constitute a change of control for El Paso that may trigger change in control provisions in certain agreements including those related to (i) debt and other financing agreements, (ii) severance agreements and (iii) incentive compensation plan agreements that will result in an immediate acceleration of all unvested stock based compensation awards upon closing of the merger. We have obtained consent that the KMI acquisition does not trigger a change in control for our revolving credit facility covenants, however when our assets are sold, we will need to either amend our debt agreements or obtain waivers of those covenants at that time.

        On February 24, 2012, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement to sell all of our assets to an affiliate of Apollo Global Management, LLC (Apollo) and certain other parties for $7.15 billion subject to certain adjustments for items such as contributions or distributions, incurrence of debt and title defects. The sale is contemplated by the merger agreement with KMI. The closing of the sale is conditioned upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement with KMI. Both transactions are expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2012. The purchase and sale agreement contains customary representations and warranties relating to our assets and operations. Additionally, El Paso has entered into a performance guarantee in favor of Apollo, under which El Paso guarantees the performance of all of our obligations under the purchase and sale agreement. Pursuant to the merger agreement with KMI, KMI is required to indemnify El Paso from any and all costs incurred by El Paso arising from or relating to the sale of our assets.

        We consolidate entities when we have the ability to control the operating and financial decisions of the entity or when we have a significant interest in the entity that gives us the ability to direct the activities that are significant to that entity. The determination of our ability to control, direct or exert significant influence over an entity involves the use of judgment. We apply the equity method of accounting where we can exert significant influence over, but do not control or direct the policies,

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

decisions and activities of an entity. We use the cost method of accounting where we are unable to exert significant influence over the entity.

    Use of Estimates

        The preparation of our financial statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts we report as assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and our disclosures in these financial statements. Actual results can, and often do, differ from those estimates.

    Revenue Recognition

        Our revenues are derived primarily through the physical sale of oil, condensate, natural gas and NGLs. Revenues from sales of these products are recorded upon delivery and the passage of title using the sales method, net of any royalty interests or other profit interests in the produced product. Revenues related to products delivered, but not yet billed, are estimated each month. These estimates are based on contract data, commodity prices and preliminary throughput and allocation measurements. When actual sales volumes exceed our entitled share of sales volumes, an overproduced imbalance occurs. To the extent the overproduced imbalance exceeds our share of the remaining estimated proved natural gas reserves for a given property, we record a liability. Costs associated with the transportation and delivery of production are included in transportation costs. Our revenue from El Paso Marketing, L.P. (El Paso Marketing) represents 34 percent, 41 percent and 30 percent of our total revenues in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. We have no other customers whose revenue exceeds 10 percent of our total revenues in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

    Cash and Cash Equivalents

        We consider short-term investments with an original maturity of less than three months to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had less than $1 million of restricted cash in other current assets to cover escrow amounts required for leasehold agreements in our domestic operations.

    Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

        We establish provisions for losses on accounts receivable and for natural gas imbalances with other parties if we determine that we will not collect all or part of the outstanding balance. We regularly review collectibility and establish or adjust our allowance as necessary using the specific identification method.

    Oil and Natural Gas Properties

        We use the full cost method to account for our oil and natural gas properties. Under the full cost method, substantially all costs incurred in connection with the acquisition, development and exploration of oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized on a country-by-country basis. These capitalized amounts include the costs of unproved properties, internal costs directly related to acquisition, development and exploration activities, asset retirement costs and capitalized interest. Under the full cost method, both dry hole costs and geological and geophysical costs are capitalized into the full cost pool, which is subject to amortization and periodically assessed for impairment through a ceiling test calculation discussed below.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        Capitalized costs associated with proved reserves are amortized over the life of the proved reserves using the unit of production method. Conversely, capitalized costs associated with unproved properties are excluded from the amortizable base until these properties are evaluated or it is determined that the costs are impaired. On a quarterly basis, we transfer unproved property costs into the amortizable base when properties are determined to have proved reserves. If costs are determined to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is transferred to the full cost pool if an oil or natural gas reserve base exists, or is expensed if a reserve base has not yet been created. The amortizable base includes future development costs; dismantlement, restoration and abandonment costs, net of estimated salvage values; and geological and geophysical costs incurred that cannot be associated with specific unevaluated properties or prospects in which we own a direct interest.

        Our capitalized costs in each country, net of related deferred income taxes, are limited to a ceiling based on the present value of future net revenues from proved reserves less estimated future capital expenditures, discounted at 10 percent, plus the cost of unproved oil and natural gas properties not being amortized, less related income tax effects. We perform this ceiling test calculation each quarter. Prior to December 31, 2009, we utilized end of period spot prices to determine future net revenues. As a result of our adoption of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)'s final rule on the Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting, effective December 31, 2009, we utilize a 12-month average price (calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the price on the first day of each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period) when performing the ceiling test. We are also required to hold prices constant over the life of the reserves, even though actual prices of oil and natural gas are volatile and change from period to period. If total capitalized costs exceed the ceiling, we are required to writedown our capitalized costs to the ceiling. Any required write-down is included as a ceiling test charge on our income statement and as an increase to accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization on our balance sheet. The present value of future net revenues used for our ceiling test calculations excludes the impact of derivatives and the estimated future cash outflows associated with asset retirement liabilities related to proved developed reserves.

        When we sell or convey interests in our oil and natural gas properties, we reduce our oil and natural gas reserves for the amount attributable to the sold or conveyed interest. We do not recognize a gain or loss on sales of our oil and natural gas properties, unless those sales would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves. We treat sales proceeds on non-significant sales as an adjustment to the cost of our properties.

    Property, Plant and Equipment (Other than Oil and Natural Gas Properties)

        Our property, plant and equipment, other than our assets accounted for under the full cost method, is recorded at its original cost of construction or, upon acquisition, at the fair value of the assets acquired. We capitalize the major units of property replacements or improvements and expense minor items. We depreciate our property, plant and equipment using the straight-line method over the useful lives of the assets which range from three to 15 years.

    Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations

        We record a liability for legal obligations associated with the replacement, removal or retirement of our long-lived assets in the period the obligation is incurred and estimable. Our asset retirement liabilities are initially recorded at their estimated fair value with a corresponding increase to property,

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

plant and equipment. This increase in property, plant and equipment is then depreciated over the useful life of the asset to which that liability relates. An ongoing expense is recognized for changes in the value of the liability as a result of the passage of time, which we record as depreciation, depletion and amortization expense in our income statement.

    Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

        We measure all employee stock-based compensation awards at fair value on the date the awards are granted to employees and recognized compensation cost in our financial statements over the requisite service period. For a further discussion of our stock-based compensation awards, see Note 9.

    Environmental Costs and Other Contingencies

        Environmental Costs.     We record environmental liabilities at their undiscounted amounts on our balance sheet in other current and long-term liabilities when our environmental assessments indicate that remediation efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of our environmental liabilities are based on current available facts, existing technology and presently enacted laws and regulations, taking into consideration the likely effects of other societal and economic factors, and include estimates of associated legal costs. These amounts also consider prior experience in remediating contaminated sites, other companies' clean-up experience and data released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or other organizations. Our estimates are subject to revision in future periods based on actual costs or new circumstances. We capitalize costs that benefit future periods and we recognize a current period charge in operation and maintenance expense when clean-up efforts do not benefit future periods.

        We evaluate any amounts paid directly or reimbursed by government sponsored programs and potential recoveries or reimbursements of remediation costs from third parties, including insurance coverage, separately from our liability. Recovery is evaluated based on the creditworthiness or solvency of the third party, among other factors. When recovery is assured, we record and report an asset separately from the associated liability on our balance sheet.

        Other Contingencies.     We recognize liabilities for other contingencies when we have an exposure that indicates it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Where the most likely outcome of a contingency can be reasonably estimated, we accrue a liability for that amount. Where the most likely outcome cannot be estimated, a range of potential losses is established and if no one amount in that range is more likely than any other to occur, the low end of the range is accrued.

    Price Risk Management Activities

        We enter into derivative contracts on our oil and natural gas products primarily to stabilize cash flows and reduce the risk and financial impact of downward commodity price movements on commodity sales.

        Our derivatives are reflected on our balance sheet at their fair value as assets and liabilities from price risk management activities. We classify our derivatives as either current or non-current assets or liabilities based on their anticipated settlement date. We net derivative assets and liabilities on counterparties where we have a legal right of offset.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        All of our derivatives are marked-to-market each period and changes in their fair value, as well as any realized amounts, are reflected as operating revenues.

        In our cash flow statement, cash inflows and outflows associated with the settlement of our derivative instruments are recognized in operating cash flows. In our balance sheet, receivables and payables resulting from the settlement of our derivative instruments are reported as either trade or affiliate receivables and payables. See Note 5 for a further discussion of our price risk management activities.

    Income Taxes

        Our operations have been included in El Paso's U.S. federal and certain state returns. We record income taxes on a separate return basis as if we had filed separate income tax returns under our existing structure for the periods presented in accordance with the tax sharing agreement between us and El Paso. El Paso maintains a tax accrual policy to record both regular and alternative minimum taxes for companies included in its consolidated federal and state income tax returns. The policy provides, among other things, that (i) each company in a taxable income position will accrue a current expense equivalent to its federal and state income taxes, and (ii) each company in a tax loss position will accrue a benefit to the extent that its deductions, including general business credits, can be utilized in El Paso's consolidated returns. In certain states, we file and pay directly to the state taxing authorities. El Paso pays all consolidated U.S. federal and state income tax directly to the appropriate taxing jurisdictions and, under a separate tax billing agreement, El Paso bills or refunds us for our portion of these income taxes.

        We record current income taxes based on our current taxable income and provide for deferred income taxes to reflect estimated future tax payments and receipts. Deferred taxes represent the tax impacts of differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities and carryovers at each year end. We account for tax credits under the flow-through method, which reduces the provision for income taxes in the year the tax credits first become available.

        The realization of our deferred tax assets depends on recognition of sufficient future taxable income in specific tax jurisdictions during periods in which those temporary differences are deductible. We reduce deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance when, based on our estimates, it is more likely than not that a portion of those assets will not be realized in a future period. The estimates utilized in recognition of deferred tax assets are subject to revision, either up or down, in future periods based on new facts or circumstances. Under the tax sharing agreement, in evaluating our valuation allowances, we consider the reversal of existing temporary differences, the existence of taxable income in prior carryback years, tax-planning strategies and future taxable income for each of our taxable jurisdictions, the latter two of which involve the exercise of significant judgment. Changes to our valuation allowances could materially impact our results of operations.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Acquisitions and Divestitures

        Acquisitions.     During 2011, 2010 and 2009, we acquired the following assets:

 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  (In millions)
 

Domestic oil and natural gas properties(1)

  $   $ 51   $ 92  

Other

    22         39  
               

Total

  $ 22   $ 51   $ 131  
               

(1)
Includes producing properties of approximately $87 million located primarily in Utah during 2009.

        Divestitures.     During 2011, 2010 and 2009, we sold assets receiving proceeds as follows:

 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  (In millions)
 

Domestic oil and natural gas properties

  $ 612   $ 29   $ 93  

Processing plants, dehydration facility and gathering systems

        126      
               

Total

  $ 612   $ 155   $ 93  
               

        In 2011, we sold non-core oil and natural gas properties located in Alabama, Texas and Wyoming in several transactions from which we received proceeds that totaled approximately $596 million. In addition, we received approximately $16 million for the sale of oil and natural gas properties located primarily in Utah that closed in December of 2010. In 2010, we sold our Altamont and Bluebell processing plants and related gathering systems in Utah and our Crystal Gas gathering system, Holly dehydration facility in North Louisiana, and our Camino Real gathering system under construction in Texas to a Midstream affiliate for cash proceeds of approximately $126 million. These properties had a net asset book value of approximately $48 million, estimated asset retirement obligations of approximately $5 million and environmental remediation liabilities of approximately $4 million. Due to the affiliated nature of the sale, no gain or loss was recognized and the difference was reflected as an additional paid-in capital of $91 million. In 2011, we reacquired the Crystal Gas gathering system and the Holly dehydration facility in north Louisiana from the Midstream affiliate for approximately $22 million.

3. Ceiling Test Charges

        We are required to conduct quarterly ceiling tests of our capitalized costs in each of our full cost pools. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, we recorded the following ceiling test charges:

 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  (In millions)
 

Full cost pool:

                   

U.S. 

  $   $   $ 2,031  

Brazil

    152         58  

Egypt

        25     34  
               

Total

  $ 152   $ 25   $ 2,123  
               

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

3. Ceiling Test Charges (Continued)

        During 2011, our non-cash Brazilian ceiling test charge was driven, in part, by the release of certain unevaluated costs into the Brazilian full cost pool primarily as a result of the denial of a necessary environmental permit and the completion of our evaluation of two exploratory wells drilled in 2009 and 2010 without any additions to our proved reserves. See Note 6 for further discussion. We may incur additional ceiling test charges in Brazil in the future depending on the value of our proved reserves, which are subject to change as a result of factors such as prices, costs and well performance. In the future, we may incur ceiling test charges in Egypt depending on the results of our activities and political unrest in that country. We continue to evaluate the commerciality of these areas. The non-cash ceiling test charges recorded in 2009 were primarily due to a decline in commodity prices.

        Current natural gas prices are significantly below the 12-month average price used to determine our domestic proved reserves at December 31, 2011. A sustained period of low domestic natural gas prices will over time result in a downward revision of proved reserves and a corresponding reduction in the discounted future net cash flows from our proved reserves, which could result in ceiling test charges on our domestic full cost pool.

4. Income Taxes

        Pretax Income (Loss) and Income Tax Expense (Benefit).     The tables below show our pretax income (loss) and the components of income tax expense (benefit) for each of the three years ended December 31:

 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  (In millions)
 

Pretax Income (Loss)

                   

U.S. 

  $ 635   $ 736   $ (1,260 )

Foreign

    (153 )   (30 )   (113 )
               

  $ 482   $ 706   $ (1,373 )
               

Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

                   

Current

                   

Federal

  $ (77 ) $ (71 ) $ 82  

State

    1     3     3  

Foreign

    (8 )   11     3  
               

    (84 )   (57 )   88  
               

Deferred

                   

Federal

    284     314     (526 )

State

    19     12     (23 )

Foreign

    1     (6 )   (1 )
               

    304     320     (550 )
               

Total income tax expense (benefit)

  $ 220   $ 263   $ (462 )
               

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4. Income Taxes (Continued)

        Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation.     Our income taxes included in net income differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 35 percent for the following reasons for each of the three years ended December 31:

 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  (In millions, except
rates)

 

Income taxes at the statutory federal rate of 35%

  $ 169   $ 247   $ (481 )

Increase (decrease)

                   

State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect

    12     10     (12 )

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates where we received or will receive dividends

    (8 )   (9 )   (5 )

Valuation allowances

    23     6     75  

Foreign income (loss) taxed at different rates

    24     9     (35 )

Other

            (4 )
               

Income tax expense (benefit)

  $ 220   $ 263   $ (462 )
               

Effective tax rate

    46 %   37 %   34 %
               

        In 2011, our effective tax rate was higher than the statutory rate primarily due to the impact of the Brazilian non-cash ceiling test charge without a corresponding U.S. or Brazilian tax benefit offset by dividend exclusions on earnings from unconsolidated affiliates where we received dividends and the favorable resolution of certain tax matters.

        Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities.     The following are the components of our net deferred tax liability as of December 31:

 
  2011   2010  
 
  (In millions)
 

Deferred tax liabilities

             

Property, plant and equipment

  $ 495   $ 78  

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

    67     80  

Price risk management activities

    73     55  
           

Total deferred tax liabilities

    635     213  
           

Deferred tax assets

             

Net operating loss and tax credit carryovers

    458     328  

Asset retirement obligation, legal and other reserves

    112     106  

Other

    3     2  

Valuation allowance

    (313 )   (290 )
           

Total deferred tax assets

    260     146  
           

Net deferred tax liabilities

  $ 375   $ 67  
           

        Unrecognized Tax Benefits.     We are subject to taxation in the U.S. and various states and foreign jurisdictions. With a few exceptions, we are no longer subject to state, local or foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2001 and U.S. income tax examinations for years prior

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4. Income Taxes (Continued)

to 2007. For years in which our returns are still subject to review, our unrecognized tax benefits could increase or decrease our income tax expense and effective income tax rates as these matters are finalized. We are currently unable to estimate the range of potential impacts the resolution of any contested matters could have on our financial statements. The following table shows the change in our unrecognized tax benefits during the year:

 
  2011   2010  
 
  (In millions)
 

Amount at January 1

  $ 30   $ 22  

Tax positions taken in current year

        7  

Foreign currency fluctuations

    (1 )   1  

Settlements with taxing authorities

    (1 )    
           

Amount at December 31

  $ 28   $ 30  
           

        As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, approximately $21 million and $24 million (net of federal tax benefits) of unrecognized tax benefits and associated interest and penalties would affect our income tax expense and our effective income tax rate if recognized in future periods. We believe it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits (including interest and penalty) could decrease by as much as $18 million over the next 12 months as a result of the anticipated favorable resolution of certain tax matters.

        We classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income taxes in our financial statements. We recognized in our consolidated statements of income ($7) million for 2011 and less than $1 million in 2010 and 2009 for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had $2 million and $9 million, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties in our consolidated balance sheets.

        Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryovers.     The table below presents the details of our federal and state net operating loss carryover periods as of December 31, 2011 (in millions):

 
  Carryover Period  
 
  2012 - 2024   2025 - 2031   Total  

U.S. federal net operating loss

  $ 355   $ 461   $ 816  

State net operating loss

    197     143     340  

        We also have U.S. federal alternative minimum tax credits of $26 million that carry over indefinitely. We have foreign net operating loss carryovers of $332 million and capital loss carryovers of $89 million. The losses related to Brazil are carried over indefinitely and can be utilized up to 30 percent of taxable income and the losses related to Egypt will expire after a five-year carryover period following the start of production. Use of our federal carryover is subject to the limitations provided under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code as well as separate return limitation year rules of IRS regulations.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4. Income Taxes (Continued)

        Our intent is to indefinitely reinvest in foreign operations the cumulative undistributed earnings from our foreign subsidiaries. Therefore, we do not record deferred tax liabilities for any U.S. taxes or foreign withholding taxes that may be applicable upon actual or deemed repatriation. At December 31, 2011, we did not have any cumulative undistributed earnings from these investments on which we have not recorded U.S. income taxes.

        Valuation Allowances.     The realization of our deferred tax assets depends on recognition of sufficient future taxable income in specific tax jurisdictions during periods in which those temporary differences are deductible. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts we believe are more likely than not to be recovered. In evaluating our valuation allowances, we consider the reversal of existing temporary differences, the existence of taxable income in prior carryback years, tax planning strategies and future taxable income for each of our taxable jurisdictions, the latter two of which involve the exercise of significant judgment. Changes to our valuation allowances could materially impact our results of operations.

        As of December 31, 2011, our valuation allowance relates to deferred tax assets recorded on foreign net operating losses and temporary differences. The valuation allowance related to our Brazilian and Egyptian net operating losses was initially established primarily as a result of changes in worldwide economic conditions that created uncertainty in our outlook as to future taxable income in those particular tax jurisdictions. In 2011, our valuation allowance increased by $23 million on deferred tax assets associated with Brazil and Egypt net operating losses and ceiling test charges. In 2010, our valuation allowance increased by $6 million on deferred tax assets associated with Brazil and Egypt net operating losses and ceiling test charges. In 2009, we provided a valuation allowance of $75 million on deferred tax assets primarily associated with Brazil net operating losses and ceiling test charges. We believe it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of our deferred tax assets, net of existing valuation allowances, after considering the factors discussed above as well as the tax accrual policy with El Paso, as discussed further in Note 1.

        Affiliated Taxes.     We are a party to a tax accrual policy with El Paso whereby El Paso files U.S. and certain state returns on our behalf. See Note 11 for further discussion.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

5. Financial Instruments

        The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial instruments as of December 31:

 
  2011   2010  
 
  Carrying
Amount
  Fair
Value
  Carrying
Amount
  Fair
Value
 
 
  (In millions)
 

Long-term debt

  $ 851   $ 765   $ 301   $ 293  
                   

Note payable to affiliate

  $   $   $ 781   $ 781  
                   

Net assets (liabilities) from price risk management activities

                         

Derivatives with third parties

  $ 199   $ 199   $ 243   $ 243  

Derivatives with affiliate

    2     2     (6 )   (6 )
                   

Net assets from price risk management activities

  $ 201   $ 201   $ 237   $ 237  
                   

        For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable represent fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, substantially all of the long-term debt balance was attributable to variable rate debt. We estimated the fair value of debt based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issuances, including consideration of our credit risk related to these instruments.

        Oil and natural gas derivatives.     We attempt to mitigate a portion of our commodity price risk and stabilize cash flows associated with forecasted sales of oil and natural gas production through the use of oil and natural gas swaps, basis swaps and option contracts. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, we have oil and natural gas derivatives on 14,530 MBbl and 12,240 MBbl of oil and 105 TBtu and 283 TBtu of natural gas, respectively.

        During February and March of 2012, we entered into the following derivative contracts:

 
  2012   2013   2014  
 
  Volumes(1)   Average
Price(1)
  Volumes(1)   Average
Price(1)
  Volumes(1)   Average
Price(1)
 

Natural Gas

                                     

Fixed Price Swaps

    77   $ 2.88     64   $ 3.61     37   $ 3.96  

Oil

                                     

Fixed Price Swaps

    675   $ 108.95     7,429   $ 104.83     4,015   $ 98.66  

(1)
Volumes presented are TBtu for natural gas and MBbl for oil. Prices presented are per MMBtu of natural gas and per Bbl of oil.

        We use various methods to determine the fair values of our financial instruments. The fair value of a financial instrument depends on a number of factors, including the availability of observable market data over the contractual term of the underlying instrument.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

5. Financial Instruments (Continued)

        We separate the fair values of our financial instruments into three levels (Levels 1, 2 and 3) based on our assessment of the availability of observable market data and the significance of non-observable data used to determine fair value. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, all of our financial instruments were classified as Level 2, which are based on pricing data representative of quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets (or identical assets and liabilities in less active markets).

        Our assessment of an instrument within a level can change over time based on the maturity or liquidity of the instrument, which could result in a change in the classification of our financial instruments between other levels, which are described below:

    Level 1 instruments' fair values are based on quoted prices in actively traded markets.

    Level 3 instruments' fair values are partially calculated using pricing data that is similar to Level 2 instruments, but also reflect adjustments for being in less liquid markets or having longer contractual terms.

        Financial Statement Presentation.     The following table presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments at December 31. We net our derivative assets and liabilities for counterparties where we have a legal right of offset and classify our derivatives as either current or non-current assets or liabilities based on their anticipated settlement date.

 
  Level 2  
 
  2011   2010  
 
  (In millions)
 

Assets

             

Oil and natural gas derivatives

  $ 304   $ 373  

Impact of master netting arrangements

    (23 )   (97 )
           

Total net assets

    281     276  
           

Liabilities

             

Oil and natural gas derivatives

    (103 )   (136 )

Impact of master netting arrangements

    23     97  
           

Total net liabilities

    (80 )   (39 )
           

Total

  $ 201   $ 237  
           

        For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we recognized realized and unrealized net gains on our financial derivatives of $284 million, $390 million and $687 million respectively. As of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the amount of our previously de-designated cash flow hedges included in accumulated other comprehensive income consisted of unrealized losses of $7 million for each of the years 2011 and 2010 and unrealized gains of $259 million for 2009, net of income taxes.

        Credit Risk.     We are subject to the risk of loss on our financial instruments that we would incur as a result of non-performance by counterparties pursuant to the terms of their contractual obligations. We maintain credit policies with regard to our counterparties to minimize overall credit risk. These policies require (i) the evaluation of potential counterparties' financial condition (including credit rating) and (ii) the use of master netting agreements that allow for the netting of positive and negative exposures of various contracts associated with a single counterparty. Our assets from price risk

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

5. Financial Instruments (Continued)

management activities at December 31, 2011 represent derivative instruments from eight counterparties; all of which are financial institutions that have an "investment grade" (minimum Standard & Poor's rating of A or better) credit rating. We enter into derivatives directly with third parties and are not currently required to post collateral or other security for credit risk. Subject to the terms of our $1 billion revolving credit facility, collateral or other securities are not exchanged in relation to price risk management activities with the parties in the revolving credit facility.

6. Property, Plant and Equipment

        Unevaluated Capitalized Costs.     Unevaluated capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties were as follows:

 
  December 31  
 
  2011   2010  
 
  (In millions)
 

U.S.

             

Acquisition

  $ 301   $ 407  

Exploration

    98     130  
           

Total U.S. 

    399     537  
           

Egypt & Brazil

             

Acquisition

    36     45  

Exploration

    46     203  
           

Total Egypt & Brazil

    82     248  
           

Worldwide

  $ 481   $ 785  
           

        During 2011, we released approximately $86 million of our unevaluated capitalized costs to our Brazilian full cost pool upon completing our evaluation of certain exploratory wells drilled in 2009 and 2010 and also released approximately $94 million related to a Brazilian development project where we were denied a necessary environmental permit. These actions contributed to a ceiling test charge recorded on the Brazilian full cost pool during 2011. See Note 3 for a further discussion. At December 31, 2011, we have total oil and natural gas capitalized costs of approximately $74 million and $205 million in Egypt and Brazil, of which $74 million and $8 million are unevaluated capitalized costs.

        Asset Retirement Obligations.     We have legal obligations associated with the retirement of our oil and natural gas wells and related infrastructure. We have obligations to plug wells when production on those wells is exhausted, when we no longer plan to use them or when we abandon them. We accrue a liability on those legal obligations when we can estimate the timing and amount of their settlement and include obligations where we will be legally required to replace, remove or retire the associated assets.

        In estimating the liability associated with our asset retirement obligations, we utilize several assumptions, including credit-adjusted risk-free rates ranging from 5 to 12 percent and a projected inflation rate of 2.5 percent. Changes in estimate represent changes to the expected amount and timing of payments to settle our asset retirement obligations. Typically, these changes primarily result from obtaining new information about the timing of our obligations to plug our oil and natural gas wells and the costs to do so. The net asset retirement liability as of December 31 reported on our balance sheet

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

6. Property, Plant and Equipment (Continued)

in other current and non-current liabilities, and the changes in the net liability for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

 
  2011   2010  
 
  (In millions)
 

Net asset retirement liability at January 1

  $ 135   $ 169  

Liabilities settled

    (11 )   (26 )

Accretion expense

    13     16  

Liabilities incurred

    2     2  

Liabilities transferred to affiliate

    1     (5 )

Changes in estimate

    13     (21 )
           

Net asset retirement liability at December 31

  $ 153   $ 135  
           

7. Debt and Available Credit Facilities

        Our long-term debt and available credit facilities consisted of the following at December 31:

 
   
   
  Amount
Outstanding
 
 
  Interest Rate    
 
Description
  Term   2011   2010  
 
   
   
  (In millions)
 

$1 billion revolving credit facility

  Variable   June 2, 2016   $ 850   $  

$1 billion revolving credit facility

  Variable   September 7, 2012         300  

Senior notes

  7.75%   June 1, 2013     1     1  
                   

Total

          $ 851   $ 301  
                   

        $1 Billion Revolving Credit Facility.     As of December 31, 2011, we had $150 million of available capacity under this facility. Based on December 31, 2011 borrowing levels, we pay interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% on our borrowings and a commitment fee of 0.50% on any unused capacity. This facility is collateralized by certain of our oil and natural gas properties. The credit agreement is subject to a borrowing base redetermination on a semiannual basis. Subsequent to December 31, 2011, we borrowed an additional $110 million under our revolving credit facility.

        The availability of borrowings under the facilities is subject to various conditions, which include compliance with the financial covenants and ratios required by the facilities, absence of default under the facilities, and the continued accuracy of the representations and warranties contained in the facilities. The financial coverage ratios under the facilities require that our EBITDA (as defined in the facilities) to interest expense ratio not be less than 2.0 to 1.0 and our debt (as defined in the facilities) to EBITDA ratio not to exceed 4.0 to 1.0. For the year ended December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with our debt-related covenants.

        A downward revision of our oil and natural gas reserves due to future declines in commodity prices, performance revisions or otherwise, could require a redetermination of the borrowing base and could negatively impact our ability to borrow funds from such facilities in the future.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

7. Debt and Available Credit Facilities (Continued)

        We have obtained consent that the KMI acquisition does not trigger a change in control for our revolving credit facility covenants, however when our assets are sold, we will need to either amend our debt agreements or obtain waivers of those covenants at that time.

8. Commitments and Contingencies

    Legal Proceedings and Other Contingencies

        We and our subsidiaries and affiliates are named defendants in numerous legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. There are also other regulatory rules and orders in various stages of adoption, review and/or implementation. For each of these matters, we evaluate the merits of the case or claim, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. If we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty and there are still uncertainties related to the costs we may incur, based upon our evaluation and experience to date, we believe we have established appropriate reserves. It is possible, however, that new information or future developments could require us to reassess our potential exposure related to these matters and adjust our accruals accordingly, and these adjustments could be material. As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately $5 million accrued for all outstanding legal proceedings and other contingent matters, not including sales tax reserves.

        Cash Balance Plan Lawsuit.     In December 2004, a purported class action lawsuit entitled Tomlinson, et al. v. El Paso Corporation and El Paso Corporation Pension Plan was filed in U.S. District Court for Denver, Colorado. The lawsuit alleges various violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act as a result of our change from a final average earnings formula pension plan to a cash balance pension plan. In 2010, a District Court dismissed all of the claims in this matter. The plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of the case and in August 2011 the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the District Court's decision. Plaintiffs filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court to review the case, which was denied. The matter is now resolved with no liability on the part of El Paso or the El Paso Corporation Pension Plan.

        Sales Tax Audits.     As a result of a sales and use tax audit during 2010, the State of Texas has asserted additional taxes for the audit period 2001-2008 for two of our operating entities. We have recorded reserves of approximately $22 million of which approximately $12 million is being asserted by the state and approximately $10 million is related to interest, penalties and professional fees as of December 31, 2011. We are currently contesting the assessment and the ultimate outcome is still uncertain. These reserves are reported on our balance sheet in other current liabilities.

    Environmental Matters

        We are subject to existing federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental quality, pollution control and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The environmental laws and regulations to which we are subject also require us to remove or remedy the effect on the environment of the disposal or release of specified substances at current and former operating sites. As of December 31, 2011, we had accrued less than $1 million for related environmental remediation costs associated with onsite, offsite and groundwater technical studies and for related environmental legal

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

8. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

costs. Our accrual represents a combination of two estimation methodologies. First, where the most likely outcome can be reasonably estimated, that cost has been accrued. Second, where the most likely outcome cannot be estimated, a range of costs is established and if no one amount in that range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the expected range has been accrued. Our exposure could be as high as $1 million. Our environmental remediation projects are in various stages of completion. The liabilities we have recorded reflect our current estimates of amounts that we will expend to remediate these sites. However, depending on the stage of completion or assessment, the ultimate extent of contamination or remediation required may not be known. As additional assessments occur or remediation efforts continue, we may incur additional liabilities.

        Climate Change and other Emissions.     The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and several state environmental agencies have adopted regulations to regulate GHG emissions. Although the EPA has adopted a tailoring rule to regulate GHG emissions, it is not expected to materially impact our existing operations until 2016. However, the tailoring rule is subject to judicial reviews and such reviews could result in the EPA being required to regulate GHG emissions at lower levels that could subject many of our larger facilities to regulation prior to 2016. There have also been various legislative and regulatory proposals and final rules at the federal and state levels to address emissions from power plants and industrial boilers. Although such rules and proposals will generally favor the use of natural gas over other fossil fuels such as coal, it remains uncertain what regulations will ultimately be adopted and when they will be adopted. In addition, any regulations regulating GHG emissions would likely increase our costs of compliance by potentially delaying the receipt of permits and other regulatory approvals; requiring us to monitor emissions, install additional equipment or modify facilities to reduce GHG and other emissions; purchase emission credits; and utilize electric-driven compression at facilities to obtain regulatory permits and approvals in a timely manner.

        Air Quality Regulations.     In August 2010, the EPA finalized a rule that impacts emissions of hazardous air pollutants from reciprocating internal combustion engines and requires us to install emission controls on engines across our operations. Engines subject to the regulations have to be in compliance by October 2013. We plan to execute the required modifications and testing in 2013. Our current estimated impact is approximately $4 million in capital expenditures in 2013. In July 2011, the EPA proposed regulations that would subject oil and gas operations to new source performance standards for volatile organic compound emissions. If adopted, these regulations would require oil and gas operators to employ "green completion" technology to reduce methane emissions during the completion of hydraulically fractured wells.

        Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations.     We use hydraulic fracturing extensively in our operations. Various regulations have been adopted and proposed at the federal, state and local levels to regulate hydraulic fracturing operations. These regulations range from banning or substantially limiting hydraulic fracturing operations, requiring disclosure of the hydraulic fracturing fluids and requiring additional permits for the use, recycling and disposal of water used in such operations. In addition, various agencies, including the EPA, the Department of Interior and Department of Education are reviewing changes in their regulations to address the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing operations. Until such regulations are implemented, it is uncertain what impact they might have on our operations.

        Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Matters.     As part of our environmental remediation projects, we have received notice that we could be designated,

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

8. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

or have been asked for information to determine whether we could be designated as a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) with respect to one active site under the CERCLA or state equivalents. We have sought to resolve our liability as a PRP at this site through indemnification by third parties and settlements which provide for payment of our allocable share of remediation costs. As of December 31, 2011, we have estimated our share of the remediation costs at this site to be less than $1 million. Because the clean-up costs are estimates and are subject to revision as more information becomes available about the extent of remediation required, and in some cases we have asserted a defense to any liability, our estimates could change. Moreover, liability under the federal CERCLA statute may be joint and several, meaning that we could be required to pay in excess of our pro rata share of remediation costs. Our understanding of the financial strength of other PRPs has been considered, where appropriate, in estimating our liabilities. Accruals for these matters are included in the environmental reserve discussed above.

        It is possible that new information or future developments could require us to reassess our potential exposure related to environmental matters. We may incur significant costs and liabilities in order to comply with existing environmental laws and regulations. It is also possible that other developments, such as increasingly strict environmental laws, regulations, and orders of regulatory agencies, as well as claims for damages to property and the environment or injuries to employees and other persons resulting from our current or past operations, could result in substantial costs and liabilities in the future. As this information becomes available, or other relevant developments occur, we will adjust our accrual amounts accordingly. While there are still uncertainties related to the ultimate costs we may incur, based upon our evaluation and experience to date, we believe our reserves are adequate.

    Lease Obligations

        We lease office space and various equipment under operating lease agreements. As of December 31, 2011, the annual minimum lease payments under non-cancelable future operating lease commitments are approximately $3 million for each of the years 2012 and 2013 and approximately $2 million for 2014 and thereafter. These amounts exclude minimum annual commitments paid by El Paso, which are allocated to us through an overhead allocation. Rental expense for operating leases, including the overhead allocation, is approximately $2 million for each year ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

    Other Commercial Commitments

        At December 31, 2011, we have various commercial commitments totaling $679 million primarily related to commitments associated with volume and transportation, drilling rig, completion and seismic activities. Our annual obligations under these arrangements are $145 million in 2012, $66 million in 2013, $65 million in 2014, $63 million in 2015, $78 million in 2016 and $262 million thereafter.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

9. Stock-Based Compensation

        Overview.     Certain employees of the Company (direct employees) participate in El Paso's stock-based compensation plans. The plan permits the granting of various types of awards including, but not limited to non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, performance units and other stock-based awards. Pursuant to the merger agreement with KMI, on closing of the merger, all unvested stock-based compensation awards will immediately vest and become exercisable, with performance shares vesting at 100 percent of targeted shares. At that time, all unrecognized stock-based compensation expense will accelerate. The disclosures and tables that follow are based on the existing terms of our stock-based compensation awards and do not reflect any impacts of the merger agreement with KMI.

        We are charged by El Paso for stock-based compensation expense related to our direct employees. El Paso also charges us for the allocated costs of certain indirect employees of El Paso (including stock-based compensation) who provide general and administrative services on our behalf and may become our employees in the future. Information presented herein is limited to stock-based compensation associated with our direct employees. Accordingly, the amounts presented are not necessarily indicative of future performance and do not necessarily reflect the results we would have experienced as an independent company for the periods presented.

        Stock based compensation expense is recorded over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award, net of estimates of forfeitures. If forfeitures differ from estimates, additional adjustments to compensation expense will be required in future periods. For the years ended 2011, 2010, and 2009, total stock-based compensation expense included in operation and maintenance expense was approximately $21 million, $18 million, and $19 million, amounts capitalized as part of fixed assets were $6 million, $5 million and $6 million, and we generated $7 million, $6 million and $7 million of income tax benefits. Total unrecognized stock based compensation cost at December 31, 2011 was approximately $20 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 10 months. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, options exercised had a total intrinsic value of $19 million, $2 million and less than $1 million, respectively, and the fair value of restricted shares vested was $15 million, $12 million, and $5 million, respectively.

        Non-Qualified Stock Options.     El Paso grants non-qualified stock options to our employees at an exercise price equal to the market value of El Paso's stock on the grant date. The stock option awards have contractual terms of 10 years and generally have vested in equal amounts over three years from the grant date. Dividends are not paid on unexercised options. Proceeds upon exercise are paid directly

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

9. Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

to El Paso by our employees. A summary of stock option transactions for the year ended December 31, 2011 is presented below:

 
  # Shares
Underlying
Options
  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price per
Share
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(In years)
  Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(In
millions)
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

    8,218,613   $ 14.25              

Granted

    441,347   $ 18.07              

Exercised

    (2,243,840 ) $ 11.69              

Forfeited or canceled

    (349,873 ) $ 9.74              

Expired

    (548,350 ) $ 53.67              
                         

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

    5,517,897   $ 11.94     6.87   $ 81  
                         

Vested at December 31, 2011 or expected to vest in the future

    5,397,318   $ 11.96     6.84   $ 79  
                         

Exercisable at December 31, 2011

    3,106,320   $ 12.59     5.86   $ 44  
                         

        Fair Value Assumptions.     The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on several assumptions. These assumptions are based on El Paso management's best estimate at the time of grant. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 the weighted average grant date fair value per share of options granted was $7.26, $4.54 and $2.96.

        Listed below is the weighted average of each assumption based on grants in each fiscal year:

 
  2011   2010   2009  

Expected Term in Years

    6.0     6.0     6.0  

Expected Volatility

    40 %   40 %   54 %

Expected Dividends

    0.5 %   0.5 %   1.5 %

Risk-Free Interest Rate

    2.5 %   2.9 %   2.0 %

        The expected volatility estimates are based on an analysis of implied volatilities from traded options on El Paso's common stock and from their historical stock price volatility over the expected term. The estimated expected term of the option awards are based on the vesting period and average remaining contractual term, referred to as the "simplified method." This method is used to provide a reasonable basis for estimating the expected term based on insufficient historical data prior to 2006 primarily due to significant changes in the composition of employees receiving stock-based compensation awards.

        Restricted Stock.     El Paso grants shares of restricted common stock, which carry voting and dividend rights, to our employees. Sale or transfer of these shares is restricted until they vest. The fair value of the restricted shares is determined on the grant date and these shares generally have vested in

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

9. Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

equal amounts over three years from the date of the grant. A summary of the changes in non-vested restricted shares for the year ended December 31, 2011 is presented below:

Nonvested Shares
  # Shares   Weighted Average Grant Date
Fair Value per Share
 

Nonvested at December 31, 2010

    1,768,577   $ 9.87  

Granted

    1,411,140   $ 18.17  

Vested

    (796,972 ) $ 10.28  

Forfeited

    (205,189 ) $ 12.82  
             

Nonvested at December 31, 2011

    2,177,556   $ 14.82  
             

        The weighted average grant date fair value per share for restricted stock granted during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $18.17, $11.09 and $6.49, respectively.

        Performance Shares.     Beginning in 2011, El Paso granted approximately 130,000 performance shares to our officers. The number of performance shares ultimately earned will vary between zero and 200 percent of targeted shares depending on the level of El Paso's total shareholder return ("TSR") relative to that of El Paso's peer group of companies. The performance shares carry dividend rights and cannot be sold or transferred until they vest. The fair value of the performance-based shares granted is estimated on the day of grant using a Monte-Carlo simulation. Of the awards granted, fifty percent vest at the end of a two year performance period beginning January 1, 2011 with a grant date fair value per share of $27.93 and the remaining fifty percent vest at the end of a three year performance period beginning January 1, 2011 with a grant date fair value per share of $27.64. At December 31, 2011, the number of shares that El Paso would issue under the 2011 performance grants, assuming the awards were vested and relative TSR performance was determined at that date, would be approximately 260,000 shares.

10. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

        Four Star Oil & Gas Company (Four Star).     We account for our investment using the equity method of accounting and report our share of Four Star's earnings as earnings from unconsolidated affiliates on our income statement, net of amortization of the excess of our underlying equity in the net assets. We hold an approximate 49 percent ownership investment in Four Star. We amortize our investment in excess of our underlying equity in the net assets of Four Star using the unit-of-production method over the life of our estimate of Four Star's oil and natural gas reserves. We recorded $34 million, $38 million and $48 million during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 to amortize our investment in excess of the underlying equity in the net assets of the investment. Our investment in Four Star was greater than our equity in the net assets by $272 million and $306 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010. We received dividends of $46 million, $50 million and $45 million from Four Star in 2011, 2010 and 2009. Below is summarized financial information of the financial

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

10. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates (Continued)

position and operating results of Four Star as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 
  For the year ended
December 31,
 
 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  (In millions)
 

Operating results data:

                   

Operating revenues

  $ 252   $ 245   $ 205  

Operating expenses

    163     147     148  

Net income

    59     63     38  

 

 
  As of
December 31,
 
 
  2011   2010  
 
  (In millions)
 

Financial position data:

             

Current assets

  $ 68   $ 76  

Non-current assets

    286     305  

Current liabilities

    64     52  

Non-current liabilities

    147     150  

Equity in net assets

    143     179  

        Due to current natural gas prices, the fair value of our investment in Four Star could decline as a result of lower natural gas prices and we may be required to record an impairment of the carrying value in the future if the loss is determined to be other than temporary.

11. Related Party Transactions

        Cash Management Program.     Subject to limitations in our credit facility, we participate in El Paso's cash management program, which matches short-term cash surpluses and needs of its participating affiliates, thus minimizing total borrowings from outside sources by El Paso. At December 31, 2010, we had a note payable due to El Paso in the amount of $781 million pursuant to the cash management program. During 2011, we repaid this amount in full and advanced El Paso an additional $236 million in the form of a note receivable. On December 31, 2011, the note receivable was settled in the form of a noncash equity distribution to El Paso. The balance outstanding under the cash management program at December 31, 2011 was zero. The program remains in place and available to us in 2012.

        The basis for the interest rate under the cash management program is LIBOR plus 2.25% for 2011, and LIBOR plus 1.25% for 2010 and 2009. The interest rate under the cash management program was 2.52%, 1.52% and 1.48% as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

        Other Affiliated Transactions.     During the ordinary course of conducting our business, we enter into transactions with affiliates primarily related to the sale, transport and hedging of our oil, natural gas

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

11. Related Party Transactions (Continued)

and NGL production. The following table shows revenues and charges to/from our affiliates for the years ended December 31:

 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  (In millions)
 

Operating revenues

  $ 634   $ 746   $ 545  

Operating expenses

    138     132     92  

Reimbursements of operating expenses

    3     2     2  
    El Paso Marketing.   We sell our natural gas primarily to El Paso Marketing at spot market prices. Substantially all of our affiliated accounts receivable at December 31, 2011 and 2010 related to sales of natural gas to El Paso Marketing. We are also a party to a hedging contract with El Paso Marketing. Realized gains and losses on these hedges are included in our operating revenues.

    El Paso.   El Paso bills us directly for certain general and administrative costs and allocates a portion of its general and administrative costs to us. This allocation is based on the estimated level of resources devoted to our operations and the relative size of our earnings before interest and taxes, gross property and payroll. These expenses are primarily related to management, legal, financial, tax, consultative, administrative and other services, including employee benefits, pension benefits, annual incentive bonuses, rent, insurance, and information technology. El Paso currently bills us directly for compensation expense related to certain stock-based compensation awards granted to our direct employees, and allocates to us our proportionate share of El Paso's corporate compensation expense. General and administrative costs are included in our operation and maintenance expenses.

    El Paso Pipelines.   We contract for services with El Paso's regulated interstate pipelines that provide transportation and related services for our natural gas production. At December 31, 2011 and 2010 we had contractual deposits of $8 million and $7 million with El Paso's regulated interstate pipelines.

        Taxes.     We are party to a tax accrual policy with El Paso whereby El Paso files U.S. and certain state tax returns on our behalf, as further described in Note 1. At December 31, 2011, we had federal income tax receivables of $6 million, state income taxes payable of $2 million and foreign income taxes payable of $2 million. At December 31, 2010, we had federal income tax receivable of $89 million, state income taxes payable of $1 million and foreign income taxes payable of $3 million. These assets and liabilities are recorded as current assets and current liabilities on our balance sheets. The majority of these balances will become payable to or receivable from El Paso under the tax accrual policy.

        Pension and Retirement Benefits.     El Paso maintains a primary pension plan, the El Paso Corporation Pension Plan that is a defined benefit plan that covers substantially all of our employees and provides benefits under a cash balance formula. El Paso also maintains a defined contribution plan covering all of our employees. El Paso matches 75 percent of participant basic contributions up to 6 percent of eligible compensation and can also make additional discretionary matching contributions. El Paso is responsible for benefits accrued under these plans and allocates our related costs to us.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

        On May 24, 2012, Apollo Global Management LLC ("Apollo") and other private equity investors (collectively, the Sponsors) acquired EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation) for approximately $7.2 billion. The acquisition was funded with approximately $3.3 billion in equity contributions from the Sponsors and the issuance of approximately $4.25 billion of debt (including secured and unsecured notes issued by EP Energy LLC, who is the parent company of EP Energy Global LLC (subsequent to the acquisition). In conjunction with the sale, a portion of the proceeds were also used to repay approximately $960 million outstanding under EP Energy Corporation's revolving credit facility at that time. The secured and unsecured notes issued in conjunction with the acquisition are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by EP Energy LLC's present and future direct and indirect wholly owned material domestic subsidiaries. EP Energy LLC's foreign wholly-owned subsidiaries are not parties to the guarantees (the "Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries"). The following reflects condensed consolidating financial information on a basis consistent with the described debt structure for the guarantor subsidiaries, non-guarantor subsidiaries, and eliminating entries (to combine the entities), as well as consolidated results as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for the three years ended December 31, 2011.

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)


EP ENERGY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
(In millions)

 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Operating Revenues

                         

Oil and natural gas sales

                         

Third parties

  $ 837   $ 111   $   $ 948  

Affiliates

    634             634  

Realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives

    284             284  

Other

    1             1  
                   

Total operating revenues

    1,756     111         1,867  
                   

Operating expenses

                         

Transportation costs

    85             85  

Operation and maintenance

    363     55         418  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    581     31         612  

Ceiling test charges

    24     128         152  

Impairment of inventory and other assets          

    6             6  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    76     15         91  
                   

Total operating expenses

    1,135     229         1,364  
                   

Operating income (loss)

    621     (118 )       503  

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates

    (7 )           (7 )

Other income (expense)

    1     (3 )       (2 )

Interest (expense) income

                         

Third party

    (10 )       1     (9 )

Affiliated

    8     (10 )   (1 )   (3 )
                   

Income (loss) before income taxes

    613     (131 )       482  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    228     (8 )       220  
                   

Income (loss) before earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

    385     (123 )       262  
                   

(Loss) earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

    (123 )       123      
                   

Net income (loss)

  $ 262   $ (123 ) $ 123   $ 262  
                   

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)


EP ENERGY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
(In millions)

 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Operating Revenues

                         

Oil and natural gas sales

                         

Third parties

  $ 549   $ 85   $   $ 634  

Affiliates

    746             746  

Realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives

    390             390  

Other

    19             19  
                   

Total operating revenues

    1,704     85         1,789  
                   

Operating expenses

                         

Cost of products

    15             15  

Transportation costs

    73             73  

Operation and maintenance

    332     51         383  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization          

    450     27         477  

Ceiling test charges

        25         25  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    73     12         85  
                   

Total operating expenses

    943     115         1,058  
                   

Operating income (loss)

    761     (30 )       731  

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates

    (7 )           (7 )

Other income

    1     2         3  

Interest (expense) income

                         

Third party

    (17 )       1     (16 )

Affiliated

    (3 )   (1 )   (1 )   (5 )
                   

Income (loss) before income taxes

    735     (29 )       706  

Income tax expense

    253     10         263  
                   

Income (loss) before earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

    482     (39 )       443  
                   

(Loss) earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

    (39 )       39      
                   

Net income (loss)

  $ 443   $ (39 ) $ 39   $ 443  
                   

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)


EP ENERGY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
(In millions)

 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Operating Revenues

                         

Oil and natural gas sales

                         

Third parties

  $ 527   $ 25   $   $ 552  

Affiliates

    545             545  

Realized and unrealized gains on financial derivatives

    687             687  

Other

    44             44  
                   

Total operating revenues

    1,803     25         1,828  
                   

Operating expenses

                         

Cost of products

    31             31  

Transportation costs

    66             66  

Operation and maintenance

    356     36         392  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization          

    430     10         440  

Ceiling test charges

    2,047     76         2,123  

Impairment of inventory and other assets          

    25             25  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    61     7         68  
                   

Total operating expenses

    3,016     129         3,145  
                   

Operating loss

    (1,213 )   (104 )       (1,317 )

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates

    (30 )           (30 )

Other income (expense)

    4     (5 )       (1 )

Interest (expense) income

                         

Third party

    (22 )       1     (21 )

Affiliated

    (3 )       (1 )   (4 )
                   

Loss before income taxes

    (1,264 )   (109 )       (1,373 )

Income tax benefit

    (462 )           (462 )
                   

Loss before earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

    (802 )   (109 )       (911 )
                   

(Loss) earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

    (109 )       109      
                   

Net (loss) income

  $ (911 ) $ (109 ) $ 109   $ (911 )
                   

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)

EP ENERGY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2011
(In millions)

 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

ASSETS

                         

Current assets

                         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 6   $ 19   $   $ 25  

Accounts receivable

                         

Customer, net of allowance of less than $1

    119     16         135  

Affiliates

    132             132  

Other, net of allowance of $7

    38     1         39  

Income tax receivable from affiliate

    6             6  

Materials and supplies

    21     7         28  

Assets from price risk management activities

    272             272  

Other

    12     9         21  
                   

Total current assets

    606     52         658  
                   

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

                         

Oil and natural gas properties

                         

Proved property—full cost method

    20,271     1,171         21,442  

Unevaluated costs excluded from amortization

    400     81         481  

Other property, plant and equipment

    142     5         147  
                   

    20,813     1,257         22,070  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

    17,026     977         18,003  
                   

Total property, plant and equipment, net

    3,787     280         4,067  
                   

Other assets

                         

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

    346             346  

Investment in consolidated affiliate

    2         (2 )    

Assets from price risk management activities

    9             9  

Deferred income taxes

        7         7  

Unamortized debt issue cost

    259         (251 )   8  

Other

    4             4  
                   

    620     7     (253 )   374  
                   

Total assets

  $ 5,013   $ 339   $ (253 ) $ 5,099  
                   

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

                         

Current liabilities

                         

Accounts payable

                         

Trade

  $ 140   $   $   $ 140  

Affiliates

    47             47  

Other

    210     48         258  

Income tax payable

    4             4  

Liabilities from price risk management activities

    7             7  

Asset retirement obligation

    5             5  

Deferred income taxes

    91             91  

Other

    28     9         37  
                   

Total current liabilities

    532     57         589  
                   

Long-term debt

    851             851  

Non-current note payable to unconsolidated affiliate

        251     (251 )    

Other long-term liabilities

                         

Liabilities from price risk management activities

    73             73  

Asset retirement obligations

    126     22         148  

Deferred income taxes

    291             291  

Other

    40     7         47  
                   

Total non-current liabilities

    1,381     280     (251 )   1,410  
                   

Commitments and contingencies

                         

Stockholder's equity

                         

Common stock, par value $1 per share; 1,000 shares authorized and outstanding

        381     (381 )    

Preferred stock

        4     (4 )    

Additional paid-in capital

    4,580     393     (393 )   4,580  

Accumulated deficit

    (1,476 )   (776 )   776     (1,476 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (4 )           (4 )
                   

Total stockholder's equity

    3,100     2     (2 )   3,100  
                   

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 5,013   $ 339   $ (253 ) $ 5,099  
                   

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)

EP ENERGY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2010
(In millions)

 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

ASSETS

                         

Current assets

                         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 67   $ 7   $   $ 74  

Accounts receivable

                         

Customer, net of allowance of less than $1

    64     14         78  

Affiliates

    170             170  

Other, net of allowance of $7

    37     1         38  

Materials and supplies

    32     7         39  

Income tax receivable from affiliate

    89             89  

Assets from price risk management activities

    247             247  

Other

    14     11         25  
                   

Total current assets

    720     40         760  
                   

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

                         

Oil and natural gas properties

                         

Proved property—full cost method

    19,780     991         20,771  

Unevaluated costs excluded from amortization

    546     239         785  

Other property, plant and equipment

    133     3         136  
                   

    20,459     1,233         21,692  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

    17,149     819         17,968  
                   

Total property, plant and equipment, net

    3,310     414         3,724  
                   

Other assets

                         

Investment in consolidated affiliate

    (149 )       149      

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

    399             399  

Assets from price risk management activities

    29             29  

Deferred income taxes

    11     8         19  

Notes receivable from affiliate

    504         (504 )    

Other

    7     4         11  
                   

    801     12     (355 )   458  
                   

Total assets

  $ 4,831   $ 466   $ (355 ) $ 4,942  
                   

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

                         

Current liabilities

                         

Accounts payable

                         

Trade

  $ 118   $   $   $ 118  

Affiliates

    139             139  

Other

    118     69         187  

Income tax payable

    4             4  

Liabilities from price risk management activities

    14             14  

Asset retirement obligations

    34             34  

Deferred income taxes

    37             37  

Other

    23     6         29  
                   

Total current liabilities

    487     75         562  
                   

Long-term debt

    301             301  

Notes payable to affiliate

    781     504     (504 )   781  

Other long-term liabilities

                         

Liabilities from price risk management activities

    25             25  

Asset retirement obligations

    81     20         101  

Deferred income taxes

    49             49  

Other

    40     16         56  
                   

Total non-current liabilities

    1,277     540     (504 )   1,313  
                   

Commitments and contingencies

                         

Stockholder's equity

                         

Common stock, par value $1 per share; 1,000 shares authorized and outstanding

        381     (381 )    

Preferred stock

        4     (4 )    

Additional paid-in capital

    4,816     118     (118 )   4,816  

Accumulated deficit

    (1,738 )   (652 )   652     (1,738 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (11 )           (11 )
                   

Total stockholder's equity

    3,067     (149 )   149     3,067  
                   

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 4,831   $ 466   $ (355 ) $ 4,942  
                   

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Table of Contents


EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)

EP ENERGY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
(In millions)

 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Cash flows from operating activities

                         

Net income (loss)

  $ 262   $ (123 ) $ 123   $ 262  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities

                         

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    581     31         612  

Ceiling test charges

    24     128         152  

Deferred income tax expense

    303     1         304  

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, adjusted for cash distributions

    53             53  

Earnings from consolidated affiliates

    123         (123 )    

Other non-cash income items

    10             10  

Asset and liability changes

                         

Accounts receivable

    (18 )   (2 )       (20 )

Materials and supplies

    5             5  

Change in price risk management activities, net

    47             47  

Accounts payable

    (61 )   (6 )       (67 )

Income taxes

    83             83  

Other asset changes

    2     5         7  

Other liability changes

    (15 )   (7 )       (22 )
                   

Net cash provided by operating activities

    1,399     27         1,426  
                   

Cash flows from investing activities

                         

Capital expenditures

    (1,555 )   (36 )       (1,591 )

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (21 )   (1 )       (22 )

Net proceeds from the sale of assets

    612             612  

Investment in subsidiary

    (6 )       6      

Increase in note receivable with affiliate

    (252 )       16     (236 )
                   

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

    (1,222 )   (37 )   22     (1,237 )
                   

Cash flows from financing activities

                         

Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility

    2,030             2,030  

Repayment of amounts borrowed under revolving credit facility

    (1,480 )           (1,480 )

Contributions from parent

        6     (6 )    

(Decrease) increase in note payable with affiliate

    (781 )   16     (16 )   (781 )

Other

    (7 )           (7 )
                   

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (238 )   22     (22 )   (238 )
                   

Change in cash and cash equivalents

    (61 )   12         (49 )

Cash and cash equivalents

                         

Beginning of period

    67     7         74  
                   

End of period

  $ 6   $ 19   $   $ 25  
                   

F-75


Table of Contents


EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)

EP ENERGY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
(In millions)

 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Cash flows from operating activities

                         

Net income (loss)

  $ 443   $ (39 ) $ 39   $ 443  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities

                         

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    450     27         477  

Ceiling test charges

        25         25  

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

    328     (8 )       320  

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, adjusted for cash distributions

    57             57  

Earnings from consolidated affiliates

    39         (39 )    

Other non-cash income items

    5             5  

Asset and liability changes

                         

Accounts receivable

    (16 )   (1 )       (17 )

Materials and supplies

    10             10  

Change in price risk management activities, net

    (99 )           (99 )

Accounts payable

    105     (15 )       90  

Income taxes

    (172 )           (172 )

Other asset changes

    1     5         6  

Other liability changes

    (92 )   14         (78 )
                   

Net cash provided by operating activities

    1,059     8         1,067  
                   

Cash flows from investing activities

                         

Capital expenditures

    (1,161 )   (77 )       (1,238 )

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (51 )           (51 )

Net proceeds from the sale of assets

    155             155  

Increase in note receivable with affiliate

    (50 )       50      

Investment in subsidiary

    (17 )       17      

Other

    4             4  
                   

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

    (1,120 )   (77 )   67     (1,130 )
                   

Cash flows from financing activities

                         

Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility

    500             500  

Repayment of amounts borrowed under revolving credit facility

    (1,034 )           (1,034 )

Increase (decrease) in note payable with affiliate

    489     50     (50 )   489  

Other

    (1 )   17     (17 )   (1 )
                   

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (46 )   67     (67 )   (46 )
                   

Change in cash and cash equivalents

    (107 )   (2 )       (109 )

Cash and cash equivalents

                         

Beginning of period

    174     9         183  
                   

End of period

  $ 67   $ 7   $   $ 74  
                   

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EP ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)

EP ENERGY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
(In millions)

 
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Cash flows from operating activities

                         

Net income (loss)

  $ (911 ) $ (109 ) $ 109   $ (911 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities

                         

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    430     10         440  

Ceiling test charges

    2,047     76         2,123  

Deferred income tax benefit

    (550 )           (550 )

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, adjusted for cash distributions

    75             75  

Earnings from consolidated affiliates

    109         (109 )    

Other non-cash income items

    31             31  

Asset and liability changes

                         

Accounts receivable

    110     (8 )       102  

Materials and supplies

    25     (7 )       18  

Change in price risk management activities, net

    150             150  

Accounts payable

    (77 )   22         (55 )

Income taxes

    140             140  

Other asset changes

    (22 )   (5 )       (27 )

Other liability changes

    28     9         37  
                   

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    1,585     (12 )       1,573  
                   

Cash flows from investing activities

                         

Capital expenditures

    (880 )   (235 )       (1,115 )

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (92 )   (39 )       (131 )

Net proceeds from the sale of assets

    89     4         93  

Investment in subsidiary

    (193 )       193      

(Decrease) increase in note receivable with affiliate

    (81 )       81      

Other

    (3 )           (3 )
                   

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

    (1,160 )   (270 )   274     (1,156 )
                   

Cash flows from financing activities

                         

Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility

    100             100  

Repayment of amounts borrowed under revolving credit facility

    (180 )           (180 )

Contributions from parent

        193     (193 )    

(Decrease) increase in note payable with affiliate

    (256 )   81     (81 )   (256 )
                   

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (336 )   274     (274 )   (336 )
                   

Change in cash and cash equivalents

    89     (8 )       81  

Cash and cash equivalents

                         

Beginning of period

    84     18         102  
                   

End of period

  $ 173   $ 10   $   $ 183  
                   

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Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Operations (Unaudited)

        EP Energy Corporation is engaged in the exploration for, and the acquisition, development and production of oil, natural gas and NGL, in the United States (U.S.), Brazil and Egypt.

        Capitalized Costs.     Capitalized costs relating to oil and natural gas producing activities and related accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization were as follows at December 31 (in millions):

 
  U.S.   Brazil and
Egypt(1)
  Worldwide  

2011 Consolidated:

                   

Oil and natural gas properties:

                   

Costs subject to amortization

  $ 20,156   $ 1,284   $ 21,440  

Costs not subject to amortization

    399     82     481  
               

    20,555     1,366     21,921  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

    16,837     1,087     17,924  
               

Net capitalized costs

  $ 3,718   $ 279   $ 3,997  
               

2011 Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star(2):

                   

Oil and natural gas properties

  $ 628   $   $ 628  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

    489         489  
               

Net capitalized costs

  $ 139   $   $ 139  
               

2010 Consolidated:

                   

Oil and natural gas properties:

                   

Costs subject to amortization

  $ 19,676   $ 1,091   $ 20,767  

Costs not subject to amortization

    537     248     785  
               

    20,213     1,339     21,552  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

    16,993     902     17,895  
               

Net capitalized costs

  $ 3,220   $ 437   $ 3,657  
               

2010 Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star(2):

                   

Oil and natural gas properties

  $ 614   $   $ 614  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

    466         466  
               

Net capitalized costs

  $ 148   $   $ 148  
               

(1)
Capitalized costs for Egypt were $74 million and $66 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, included in costs not subject to amortization. During 2011, we recorded a ceiling test charge of $152 million in our Brazilian full cost pool. During 2010, we recorded a ceiling test charge of $25 million in our Egyptian full cost pool.

(2)
Amounts represent our approximate 49 percent equity interest in the underlying oil and gas assets of Four Star. Four Star applies the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil and gas properties.

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        Total Costs Incurred.     Costs incurred in oil and natural gas producing activities, whether capitalized or expensed, were as follows for the year ended December 31 (in millions):

 
  U.S.   Brazil and
Egypt(1)
  Worldwide  

2011 Consolidated:

                   

Property acquisition costs

                   

Proved properties

  $   $   $  

Unproved properties

    45         45  

Exploration costs

    858     15     873  

Development costs

    694     12     706  
               

Costs expended

    1,597     27     1,624  

Asset retirement obligation costs

    25         25  
               

Total costs incurred

  $ 1,622   $ 27   $ 1,649  
               

2011 Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star(2):

                   

Development costs expended

  $ 12   $   $ 12  
               

2010 Consolidated:

                   

Property acquisition costs

                   

Proved properties

  $ 51   $   $ 51  

Unproved properties

    269         269  

Exploration costs

    600     58     658  

Development costs

    276     28     304  
               

Costs expended

    1,196     86     1,282  

Asset retirement obligation costs

    7         7  
               

Total costs incurred

  $ 1,203   $ 86   $ 1,289  
               

2010 Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star(2):

                   

Development costs expended

  $ 20   $   $ 20  
               

2009 Consolidated:

                   

Property acquisition costs

                   

Proved properties

  $ 87   $   $ 87  

Unproved properties

    89     51     140  

Exploration costs

    355     67     422  

Development costs

    324     118     442  
               

Costs expended

    855     236     1,091  

Asset retirement obligation costs

    36     6     42  
               

Total costs incurred

  $ 891   $ 242   $ 1,133  
               

2009 Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star(2):

                   

Development costs expended

  $ 10   $   $ 10  
               

(1)
Costs incurred for Egypt were $8 million, $20 million and $81 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

(2)
Amounts represent our approximate 49 percent equity interest in the underlying costs incurred by Four Star.

        Pursuant to the full cost method of accounting, we capitalize certain general and administrative expenses directly related to property acquisition, exploration and development activities and interest

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costs incurred and attributable to unproved oil and natural gas properties and major development projects of oil and natural gas properties. The table above includes capitalized internal general and administrative costs incurred in connection with the acquisition, development and exploration of oil and natural gas reserves of $81 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and $80 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. We also capitalized interest of $13 million, $9 million and $7 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

        In our December 31, 2011 reserve report, the amounts estimated to be spent in 2012, 2013 and 2014 to develop our consolidated worldwide proved undeveloped reserves are $1,003 million, $1,009 million and $1,329 million, respectively.

        Unevaluated Capitalized Costs.     We exclude capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties from amortization that are in various stages of evaluation or are part of a major development project. We expect these costs to be included in the amortization calculation in the next three to five years.

        Presented below is an analysis of the capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties by year of expenditure that are not being amortized as of December 31, 2011 pending determination of proved reserves (in millions):

 
   
  Costs Excluded
for Years Ended
December 31(1)
   
 
 
  Cumulative
Balance
December 31,
2011
  Cumulative
Balance
January 1,
2009
 
 
  2011   2010   2009  

U.S.

                               

Acquisition

  $ 301   $ 20   $ 206   $ 29   $ 46  

Exploration

    98     80     4     10     4  
                       

Total U.S.(2)

    399     100     210     39     50  
                       

Egypt & Brazil

                               

Acquisition

    36     1         32     3  

Exploration

    46     8     20     10     8  
                       

Total Egypt & Brazil(3)

    82     9     20     42     11  
                       

Worldwide

  $ 481   $ 109   $ 230   $ 81   $ 61  
                       

(1)
Includes capitalized interest of $2 million, $6 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

(2)
Includes $155 million related to the Wolfcamp Shale and $94 million related to the Eagle Ford Shale at December 31, 2011.

(3)
Includes $8 million related to Brazil at December 31, 2011.

        During 2011 we were informed that our environmental permit request for the Pinauna Field in the Camamu Basin was denied. As a result, we released $94 million of unevaluated capitalized costs related to this field into the Brazilian full cost pool. Additionally, during 2011, we released approximately $86 million of unevaluated capitalized costs into the Brazilian full cost pool related to the ES-5 block in the Espirito Santo Basin upon the completion of our evaluation of exploratory wells drilled in 2009 and 2010 without any additions to our proved reserves. We will continue to pursue alternatives for the hydrocarbons discovered in these areas. See Note 3 for further discussion.

        Oil and Natural Gas Reserves.     Net quantities of proved developed and undeveloped reserves of natural gas, oil and condensate and NGL and changes in these reserves at December 31, 2011 presented in the tables below are based on our internal reserve report. Net proved reserves exclude royalties and interests owned by others and reflect contractual arrangements and royalty obligations in

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effect at the time of the estimate. Our 2010 consolidated proved reserves were consistent with estimates of proved reserves filed with other federal agencies in 2011 except for differences of less than five percent resulting from actual production, acquisitions, property sales, necessary reserve revisions and additions to reflect actual experience.

        Ryder Scott Company, L.P. (Ryder Scott), conducted an audit of the estimates of the proved reserves prepared by us as of December 31, 2011. In connection with its audit, Ryder Scott reviewed 86 percent of the properties associated with our proved reserves on a natural gas equivalent basis, representing 87 percent of the total discounted future net cash flows of these proved reserves. Ryder Scott also conducted an audit of the estimates we prepared of the proved reserves of Four Star as of December 31, 2011. In connection with the audit of these proved reserves, Ryder Scott reviewed 87 percent of the properties associated with Four Star's total proved reserves on a natural gas equivalent basis, representing 91 percent of the total discounted future net cash flows. For the reviewed properties, our overall proved reserves estimates are within 10 percent of Ryder Scott's estimates.

 
   
   
   
  Oil and Condensate   NGL    
 
 
  Natural Gas (in Bcf)   (in MBbls)   (in MBbls)    
 
 
  Equivalent
Volumes
(in Bcfe)
 
 
  U.S.   Brazil   Worldwide   U.S.   Brazil   Worldwide   U.S.  

Consolidated:

                                                 

January 1, 2009

    2,091     47     2,138     23,910     3,180     27,090     4,159     2,325  

Revisions due to prices

    (138 )   (2 )   (140 )   13,336     (380 )   12,956     (3,552 )   (84 )

Revisions other than price

    (36 )   (6 )   (42 )   3,477     (640 )   2,837     1,511     (16 )

Extensions and discoveries(1)

    380     70     450     18,089     2,136     20,225     16     572  

Purchases of reserves in place(1)

    19         19     7,343         7,343         63  

Sales of reserves in place(1)

    (49 )       (49 )   (1,328 )       (1,328 )   (260 )   (59 )

Production

    (215 )   (4 )   (219 )   (3,978 )   (100 )   (4,078 )   (1,570 )   (252 )
                                   

December 31, 2009

    2,052     105     2,157     60,849     4,196     65,045     304     2,549  
                                   

Revisions due to prices

    108     3     111     8,719     88     8,807     105     164  

Revisions other than price

    (58 )   (13 )   (71 )   7,873     (1,246 )   6,627     6,977     11  

Extensions and discoveries(2)

    506         506     28,141         28,141     3,088     693  

Purchases of reserves in place(2)

    25         25     3,045         3,045         43  

Sales of reserves in place(2)

    (21 )       (21 )   (1,024 )       (1,024 )       (27 )

Production

    (216 )   (10 )   (226 )   (4,363 )   (384 )   (4,747 )   (1,423 )   (263 )
                                   

December 31, 2010

    2,396     85     2,481     103,240     2,654     105,894     9,051     3,170  
                                   

Revisions due to prices

    (9 )       (9 )   713     3     716         (5 )

Revisions other than price

    44     6     50     (1,630 )   (34 )   (1,664 )   (1,124 )   34  

Extensions and discoveries(3)

    519         519     90,128         90,128     7,525     1,105  

Purchases of reserves in place(3)

                13         13          

Sales of reserves in place(3)

    (153 )       (153 )   (8,983 )       (8,983 )   (139 )   (207 )

Production

    (231 )   (10 )   (241 )   (5,680 )   (354 )   (6,034 )   (1,068 )   (284 )
                                   

December 31, 2011

    2,566     81     2,647     177,801     2,269     180,070     14,245     3,813  
                                   

Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star:

                                                 

January 1, 2009

    176         176     2,199         2,199     5,518     222  

Revisions due to prices

    (9 )       (9 )   23         23     (40 )   (9 )

Revisions other than price

    10         10     100         100     456     13  

Extensions and discoveries

    1         1     4         4     8     1  

Production

    (20 )       (20 )   (419 )       (419 )   (678 )   (26 )
                                   

December 31, 2009

    158         158     1,907         1,907     5,264     201  
                                   

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  Oil and Condensate   NGL    
 
 
  Natural Gas (in Bcf)   (in MBbls)   (in MBbls)    
 
 
  Equivalent
Volumes
(in Bcfe)
 
 
  U.S.   Brazil   Worldwide   U.S.   Brazil   Worldwide   U.S.  

Revisions due to prices

    8         8     44         44     87     9  

Revisions other than price

    6         6     36         36     (325 )   4  

Extensions and discoveries

                            5      

Production

    (17 )       (17 )   (364 )       (364 )   (573 )   (22 )
                                   

December 31, 2010

    155         155     1,623         1,623     4,458     192  
                                   

Revisions due to prices

    (5 )       (5 )   31         31     (28 )   (5 )

Revisions other than price

    2         2     221         221     1,034     9  

Extensions and discoveries

                                 

Production

    (17 )       (17 )   (306 )       (306 )   (556 )   (22 )
                                   

December 31, 2011

    135         135     1,569         1,569     4,908     174  
                                   

Total Combined:

                                                 

December 31, 2009

    2,210     105     2,315     62,756     4,196     66,952     5,568     2,750  
                                   

December 31, 2010

    2,551     85     2,636     104,863     2,654     107,517     13,509     3,362  
                                   

December 31, 2011

    2,701     81     2,782     179,370     2,269     181,639     19,153     3,987  
                                   

Consolidated:

                                                 

Proved developed reserves:

                                                 

January 1, 2011

    1,559     75     1,634     38,278     2,403     40,681     6,096     1,914  

December 31, 2011

    1,488     81     1,569     46,797     2,269     49,066     5,168     1,895  

Proved undeveloped reserves:

                                                 

January 1, 2011

    837     10     847     64,962     251     65,213     2,955     1,256  

December 31, 2011

    1,078         1,078     131,004         131,004     9,077     1,918  

Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star:

                                                 

Proved developed reserves:

                                                 

January 1, 2011

    129         129     1,574         1,574     3,483     159  

December 31, 2011

    116         116     1,520         1,520     4,066     150  

Proved undeveloped reserves:

                                                 

January 1, 2011

    26         26     49         49     975     32  

December 31, 2011

    19         19     49         49     842     24  

Total Combined:

                                                 

Proved developed reserves:

                                                 

January 1, 2011

    1,688     75     1,763     39,852     2,403     42,255     9,579     2,074  

December 31, 2011

    1,604     81     1,685     48,317     2,269     50,586     9,234     2,045  

Proved undeveloped reserves:

                                                 

January 1, 2011

    863     10     873     65,011     251     65,262     3,930     1,288  

December 31, 2011

    1,097         1,097     131,053         131,053     9,919     1,942  

(1)
In 2009, of the 572 Bcfe of extensions and discoveries, 301 Bcfe related to the Central division, of which, 208 Bcfe related to the Haynesville Shale and 70 Bcfe related to the Holly/Kingston fields. We also had 147 Bcfe of extensions and discoveries related to Altamont in the Western division and 83 Bcfe related to the Camarupim Field in Brazil. In addition, 41 Bcfe of extensions and discoveries related to the Gulf Coast division, of which, 14 Bcfe related to Eugene Island 364/365 in the Gulf of Mexico and 12 Bcfe related to the Wilcox area in South Texas. In 2009, we acquired interests in domestic oil and natural gas producing properties located in the Western division. We also sold domestic natural gas producing properties located in the Central and Western divisions.

(2)
In 2010, of the 693 Bcfe of extensions and discoveries, 452 Bcfe related to the Central division, of which, 425 Bcfe related to the Haynesville Shale area. There were 238 Bcfe of extensions and discoveries in the Gulf Coast division with 187 Bcfe of that coming from the Eagle Ford Shale. The Western division

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    accounted for 3 Bcfe of extensions and discoveries and there were no extensions and discoveries in the International division.

(3)
In 2011, of the 1,105 Bcfe of extensions and discoveries, 428 Bcfe related to the Central division, of which, 389 Bcfe related to the Haynesville Shale area. There were 592 Bcfe of extensions and discoveries in the Southern division with 479 Bcfe of that coming from the Eagle Ford Shale and 113 coming from the Wolfcamp Shale. The Western division accounted for 85 Bcfe of extensions and discoveries and there were no extensions and discoveries in the International division.

        Beginning December 31, 2009, in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X, Rule 4-10 as amended, we use the 12-month average price calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the spot price on the first day of each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period. The first day 12-month average U.S. price used to estimate our proved reserves at December 31, 2011 was $4.12 per MMBtu for natural gas and $96.19 per barrel of oil. The prices used for our International assets were contractually defined. The aggregate International price used to estimate our proved reserves at December 31, 2011 was $5.31 per MMBtu for natural gas and $109.29 per barrel of oil.

        All estimates of proved reserves are determined according to the rules prescribed by the SEC in existence at the time estimates were made. These rules require that the standard of "reasonable certainty" be applied to proved reserve estimates, which is defined as having a high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered. A high degree of confidence exists if the quantity is much more likely to be achieved than not, and, as more technical and economic data becomes available, a positive or upward revision or no revision is much more likely than a negative or downward revision. Estimates are subject to revision based upon a number of factors, including many factors beyond our control such as reservoir performance, prices, economic conditions and government restrictions. In addition, as a result of drilling, testing and production subsequent to the date of an estimate may justify revision of that estimate. Reserve estimates are often different from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered. Estimating quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves is a complex process that involves significant interpretations and assumptions and cannot be measured in an exact manner. It requires interpretations and judgment of available technical data, including the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, and engineering data. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is highly dependent on the quality of available data, the accuracy of the assumptions on which they are based upon economic factors, such as oil and natural gas prices, production costs, severance and excise taxes, capital expenditures, workover and remedial costs, and the assumed effects of governmental regulation. In addition, due to the lack of substantial, if any, production data, there are greater uncertainties in estimating proved undeveloped reserves, proved developed non-producing reserves and proved developed reserves that are early in their production life. As a result, our reserve estimates are inherently imprecise.

        The meaningfulness of reserve estimates is highly dependent on the accuracy of the assumptions on which they were based. In general, the volume of production from oil and natural gas properties we own declines as reserves are depleted. Except to the extent we conduct successful exploration and development activities or acquire additional properties containing proved reserves, or both, our proved reserves will decline as reserves are produced. Subsequent to December 31, 2011, there have been no major discoveries or other events, favorable or otherwise, that may be considered to have caused a significant change in our estimated proved reserves at December 31, 2011. Current natural gas prices are significantly below the 12-month average price used to determine our domestic proved reserves at December 31, 2011. A sustained period of low domestic natural gas prices will over time result in a downward revision of proved reserves and a corresponding reduction in the discounted future net cash flows from our proved reserves.

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        Results of Operations.     Results of operations for oil and natural gas producing activities by fiscal year were as follows at December 31 (in millions):

 
  U.S.   Brazil
and Egypt
  Worldwide  

2011 Consolidated:

                   

Net Revenues(1)

                   

Sales to external customers

  $ 837   $ 111   $ 948  

Affiliated sales

    634         634  
               

Total

    1,471     111     1,582  

Cost of products and services

    (91 )   (5 )   (96 )

Production costs(2)

    (245 )   (53 )   (298 )

Ceiling test charges(3)

        (152 )   (152 )

Depreciation, depletion and amortization(4)

    (563 )   (32 )   (595 )
               

    572     (131 )   441  

Income tax expense

    (207 )       (207 )
               

Results of operations from producing activities

  $ 365   $ (131 ) $ 234  
               

Depreciation, depletion and amortization ($/Mcfe)(4)

  $ 2.08   $ 2.60   $ 2.10  
               

2011 Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star (5):

                   

Net Revenues—Sales to external customers(1)

  $ 123   $   $ 123  
               

Cost of products and services

    (4 )       (4 )

Production costs(2)

    (49 )       (49 )

Depreciation, depletion and amortization(6)

    (27 )       (27 )
               

    43         43  

Income tax expense

    15         15  
               

Results of operations from producing activities

  $ 28   $   $ 28  
               

Depreciation, depletion and amortization ($/Mcfe)(6)

  $ 1.20   $   $ 1.20  
               

2010 Consolidated:

                   

Net Revenues(1)

                   

Sales to external customers

  $ 551   $ 86   $ 637  

Affiliated sales

    743         743  
               

Total

    1,294     86     1,380  

Cost of products and services

    (81 )   (5 )   (86 )

Production costs(2)

    (218 )   (46 )   (264 )

Ceiling test charges(3)

        (25 )   (25 )

Depreciation, depletion and amortization(4)

    (432 )   (28 )   (460 )
               

    563     (18 )   545  

Income tax expense

    (204 )       (204 )
               

Results of operations from producing activities

  $ 359   $ (18 ) $ 341  
               

Depreciation, depletion and amortization ($/Mcfe)(4)

  $ 1.72   $ 2.33   $ 1.75  
               

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  U.S.   Brazil
and Egypt
  Worldwide  

2010 Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star (5):

                   

Net Revenues—Sales to external customers(1)

  $ 119   $   $ 119  
               

Cost of products and services

    (4 )       (4 )

Production costs(2)

    (36 )       (36 )

Depreciation, depletion and amortization(6)

    (28 )       (28 )

Asset impairment

    (4 )       (4 )
               

    47         47  

Income tax expense

    (17 )       (17 )
               

Results of operations from producing activities

  $ 30   $   $ 30  
               

Depreciation, depletion and amortization ($/Mcfe)(6)

  $ 1.24   $   $ 1.24  
               

 

 
  U.S.   Brazil
and Egypt
  Worldwide  

2009 Consolidated:

                   

Net Revenues(1)

                   

Sales to external customers

  $ 534   $ 25   $ 559  

Affiliated sales

    538         538  
               

Total

    1,072     25     1,097  

Cost of products and services

    (72 )   (5 )   (77 )

Production costs(2)

    (226 )   (26 )   (252 )

Ceiling test charges(3)

    (2,031 )   (92 )   (2,123 )

Depreciation, depletion and amortization(4)

    (415 )   (9 )   (424 )
               

    (1,672 )   (107 )   (1,779 )

Income tax benefit

    605         605  
               

Results of operations from producing activities

  $ (1,067 ) $ (107 ) $ (1,174 )
               

Depreciation, depletion and amortization ($/Mcfe)(4)

  $ 1.67   $ 2.13   $ 1.68  
               

2009 Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star (5):

                   

Net Revenues—Sales to external customers(1)

  $ 100   $   $ 100  
               

Cost of products and services

    (6 )       (6 )

Production costs(2)

    (37 )       (37 )

Depreciation, depletion and amortization(6)

    (29 )       (29 )
               

    28         28  

Income tax expense

    (10 )       (10 )
               

Results of operations from producing activities

  $ 18   $   $ 18  
               

Depreciation, depletion and amortization ($/Mcfe)(6)

  $ 1.09   $   $ 1.09  
               

(1)
Excludes the effects of oil and natural gas derivative contracts.

(2)
Production costs include lease operating costs and production related taxes, including ad valorem and severance taxes.

(3)
Includes $152 million related to Brazil for the year ended December 31, 2011 and $25 million and $34 million related to Egypt for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.

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(4)
Includes accretion expense on asset retirement obligations of $13 million or $0.05/Mcfe in 2011 and $16 million or $0.06/Mcfe in 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(5)
Results do not include amortization of $34 million, $38 million and $48 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 related to cost in excess of our equity interest in the underlying net assets of Four Star.

(6)
Includes accretion expense on asset retirement obligations of $2 million or $0.10/Mcfe in 2011, $1 million or $0.06/Mcfe in 2010 and $2 million or $0.06/Mcfe in 2009.

        Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows.     The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to our consolidated proved oil and natural gas reserves at December 31 is as follows (in millions):

 
  U.S.   Brazil   Worldwide  

2011 Consolidated :

                   

Future cash inflows(1)

  $ 26,079   $ 768   $ 26,847  

Future production costs

    (5,840 )   (415 )   (6,255 )

Future development costs

    (6,343 )   (34 )   (6,377 )

Future income tax expenses

    (4,086 )   (23 )   (4,109 )
               

Future net cash flows

    9,810     296     10,106  

10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows

    (4,793 )   (97 )   (4,890 )
               

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $ 5,017   $ 199   $ 5,216  
               

2011 Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star(2) :

                   

Future cash inflows(1)

  $ 938   $   $ 938  

Future production costs

    (348 )       (348 )

Future development costs

    (66 )       (66 )

Future income tax expenses

    (201 )       (201 )
               

Future net cash flows

    323         323  

10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows

    (129 )       (129 )
               

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $ 194   $   $ 194  
               

2010 Consolidated:

                   

Future cash inflows(1)

  $ 17,145   $ 659   $ 17,804  

Future production costs

    (4,768 )   (325 )   (5,093 )

Future development costs

    (3,249 )   (67 )   (3,316 )

Future income tax expenses

    (2,403 )   (9 )   (2,412 )
               

Future net cash flows

    6,725     258     6,983  

10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows

    (2,905 )   (77 )   (2,982 )
               

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $ 3,820   $ 181   $ 4,001  
               

2010 Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star(2) :

                   

Future cash inflows(1)

  $ 943   $   $ 943  

Future production costs

    (404 )       (404 )

Future development costs

    (34 )       (34 )

Future income tax expenses

    (192 )       (192 )
               

Future net cash flows

    313         313  

10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows

    (131 )       (131 )
               

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $ 182   $   $ 182  
               

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  U.S.   Brazil   Worldwide  

2009 Consolidated:

                   

Future cash inflows(1)

  $ 10,058   $ 714   $ 10,772  

Future production costs

    (3,531 )   (339 )   (3,870 )

Future development costs

    (1,698 )   (108 )   (1,806 )

Future income tax expenses

    (511 )   (17 )   (528 )
               

Future net cash flows

    4,318     250     4,568  

10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows

    (1,744 )   (82 )   (1,826 )
               

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $ 2,574   $ 168   $ 2,742  
               

2009 Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star(2):

                   

Future cash inflows(1)

  $ 855   $   $ 855  

Future production costs

    (394 )       (394 )

Future development costs

    (32 )       (32 )

Future income tax expenses

    (157 )       (157 )
               

Future net cash flows

    272         272  

10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows

    (110 )       (110 )
               

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $ 162   $   $ 162  
               

(1)
The company had no commodity-based derivative contracts designated as accounting hedges at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. Amounts also exclude the impact on future net cash flows of derivatives not designated as accounting hedges.

(2)
Amounts represent our approximate 49 percent equity interest in Four Star.

        For the calculations in the preceding table, estimated future cash inflows from estimated future production of proved reserves as of December 31, 2011 were computed using a first day 12-month average U.S. price of $4.12 per MMBtu for natural gas and $96.19 per barrel of oil. The aggregate international price used to estimate our proved reserves at December 31, 2011 was $5.31 per MMBtu for natural gas and $109.29 per barrel of oil.

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        Changes in Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows.     The following are the principal sources of change in our consolidated worldwide standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows (in millions):

 
  Years Ended December 31,(1)  
 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  (In millions)
 

Consolidated:

                   

Sales and transfers of oil and natural gas produced net of production costs

  $ (1,200 ) $ (1,042 ) $ (779 )

Net changes in prices and production costs

    1,057     1,734     (1,455 )

Extensions, discoveries and improved recovery, less related costs

    2,140     986     646  

Changes in estimated future development costs

    (415 )   (226 )   45  

Previously estimated development costs incurred during the period

    601     199     186  

Revision of previous quantity estimates

    49     315     (94 )

Accretion of discount

    430     220     310  

Net change in income taxes

    (599 )   (934 )   246  

Purchases of reserves in place

        73     121  

Sales of reserves in place

    (587 )   (47 )   (79 )

Change in production rates, timing and other

    (261 )   (19 )   199  
               

Net change

  $ 1,215   $ 1,259   $ (654 )
               

Unconsolidated Affiliate—Four Star:

                   

Sales and transfers of oil and natural gas produced net of production costs

  $ (74 ) $ (83 ) $ (137 )

Net changes in prices and production costs

    62     70     (351 )

Extensions, discoveries and improved recovery, less related costs

        1     1  

Changes in estimated future development costs

    (14 )   (1 )   22  

Revision of previous quantity estimates

    6     16     5  

Accretion of discount

    22     18     57  

Net change in income taxes

    (9 )   (16 )   137  

Change in production rates, timing and other

    19     15     32  
               

Net change

  $ 12   $ 20   $ (234 )
               

(1)
This disclosure reflects changes in the standardized measure calculation excluding the effects of hedging activities.

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SCHEDULE II

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

(In millions)

Description
  Balance at
Beginning of
Period
  Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
  Deductions   Charged to
Other
Accounts
  Balance at
End of
Period
 

2011

                               

Allowance for doubtful accounts

                               

Customer

  $   $   $   $   $  

Other

    8         (1 )       7  

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

    290     23 (1)           313  

Legal reserves

    6         (1 )       5  

Environmental reserves

        1             1  

2010

                               

Allowance for doubtful accounts

                               

Customer

  $ 3   $ (1 ) $ (1 ) $ (1 ) $  

Other

    7     1             8  

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

    284     6 (2)           290  

Legal reserves

    3     4     (1 )       6  

Environmental reserves

    4             (4 )    

2009

                               

Allowance for doubtful accounts

                               

Customer

  $ 1   $   $   $ 2   $ 3  

Other

    7     1     (1 )       7  

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

    209     75 (1)           284  

Legal reserves

    4             (1 )   3  

Environmental reserves

    5         (1 )       4  

(1)
Amounts reflect valuation allowances primarily associated with Brazil and Egypt net operating losses and ceiling test charges.

(2)
Amounts reflect valuation allowances primarily associated with Brazil and Egypt net operating losses.

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EP Energy LLC

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.



LOGO




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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 20.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

(a) Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. and EPE Nominee Corp. are incorporated under the laws of Delaware.

        Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") permits each corporation organized thereunder the power to indemnify any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of being or having been in any such capacity, if (i) he acted in good faith in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and (ii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

        Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL enables a corporation in its certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders of monetary damages for violations of the directors' fiduciary duty of care, except (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section174 of the DGCL (providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions) or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit.

        The bylaws of each of the registrants incorporated in Delaware provide that each company will indemnify to the fullest extent of the law every director and officer of the company, or directors and officers of other entities serving at the company's request, against expenses incurred, provided (i) such indemnifiable party acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the company, and (ii) with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. However, with respect to proceedings brought by the company, under the bylaws of the company, no indemnification will be made in respect of any claim as to which an indemnifiable party has been adjudged to be liable to the company unless the court in which such action was brought determines that, despite adjudication of liability, such indemnifiable party is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court deems proper. Any indemnification will be made by the company only as authorized by (i) its board of directors, (ii) independent legal counsel if the board of directors cannot obtain a quorum or so directs, or (iii) by the stockholders. Expenses incurred in defending or investigating a threatened or pending action will be paid by the company in advance of the final disposition of such action upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that such party is not entitled to be indemnified by the company.

(b) EP Energy LLC, EP Energy Global LLC, EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C., EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C., MBOW Four Star, L.L.C., EP Energy Management, L.L.C., EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C., EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C., and Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C. are each organized as limited liability companies under the laws of Delaware.

        Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act permits a Delaware limited liability company to indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager of the limited liability company from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.

        The limited liability company agreement of each of the registrants formed in Delaware indemnifies the sole member and the officers of the company to the fullest extent of the law, provided, that such reimbursement and/or advancement of indemnification amounts will only be provided upon receipt by

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the company of an undertaking by such indemnifiable party that if it is finally judicially determined that such indemnifiable party is not entitled to the indemnification, then such indemnifiable party will promptly repay the company for any reimbursed or advanced expenses.

        The limited liability company agreement of EP Energy LLC provides that no indemnification will be made with respect to liability which results from an indemnifiable party's own fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct.

        The limited liability company agreement of each of EP Energy Global LLC, EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C., EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C., MBOW Four Star, L.L.C., EP Energy Management, L.L.C., EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C., EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C. and Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C. provides that no indemnification will be made if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to an indemnifiable party establishes that such party's conduct did not meet the then applicable minimum statutory standards of conduct. Indemnification with respect to settlements and non-adjudicated dispositions is subject to the prior consent of the company.

(c) EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. is organized as a limited partnership under the laws of Delaware.

        Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the "Act") permits a limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.

        The agreement of limited partnership of EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. does not contain provisions addressing indemnification.

Item 21.    Exhibits and Financial Schedules.

(a)   Exhibits

        See the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature pages included in this Registration Statement.

(b)   Financial Statement Schedules

        Schedules for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, are as follows:

         Schedule II—Consolidated valuation and qualifying accounts.

         Schedule I, III, IV, and V are not applicable and have therefore been omitted.

Item 22.    Undertakings.

(a)
Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes:

(1)
to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i)
to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii)
to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; and

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      (iii)
      to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.

    (2)
    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

    (3)
    To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

    (4)
    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows: That prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this Registration Statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other Items of the applicable form;

    (5)
    The registrant undertakes that every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (h)(1) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of section 10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the Registration Statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

    (6)
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(b)
Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of Form S-4 within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of responding to the request.

(c)
Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction ,and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the Registration Statement when it became effective.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, EP Energy LLC has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, State of Texas, on the 11th day of September, 2012.

    EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
President & Chief Executive Officer


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman and Dane E. Whitehead, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
  President & Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
  September 11, 2012

/s/ DANE E. WHITEHEAD

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Executive Vice President & Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ FRANCIS C. OLMSTED III

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President & Controller (Principal
Accounting Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ GREGORY BEARD

Gregory Beard

 

Manager, EPE Acquisition, LLC

 

September 11, 2012

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Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ JOSHUA J. HARRIS

Joshua J. Harris
  Manager, EPE Acquisition, LLC   September 11, 2012

/s/ CHANG-SEOK JEONG

Chang-Seok Jeong

 

Manager, EPE Acquisition, LLC

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ PIERRE F. LAPEYRE, JR.

Pierre F. Lapeyre, Jr.

 

Manager, EPE Acquisition, LLC

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ DAVID LEUSCHEN

David Leuschen

 

Manager, EPE Acquisition, LLC

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ SAM OH

Sam Oh

 

Manager, EPE Acquisition, LLC

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik

 

Manager, EPE Acquisition, LLC

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ DONALD A. WAGNER

Donald A. Wagner

 

Manager, EPE Acquisition, LLC

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ RAKESH WILSON

Rakesh Wilson

 

Manager, EPE Acquisition, LLC

 

September 11, 2012

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, State of Texas, on the 11th day of September, 2012.

    EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
President & Chief Executive Officer


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman and Dane E. Whitehead, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
  President, Chief Executive Officer & Director (Principal Executive Officer)   September 11, 2012

/s/ DANE E. WHITEHEAD

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ FRANCIS C. OLMSTED III

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President & Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ GREGORY BEARD

Gregory Beard

 

Director

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ SAM OH

Sam Oh

 

Director

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ RAKESH WILSON

Rakesh Wilson

 

Director

 

September 11, 2012

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, EP Energy Global LLC has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, State of Texas, on the 11th day of September, 2012.

    EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
President


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman and Dane E. Whitehead, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
  President & Director (Principal Executive Officer)   September 11, 2012

/s/ DANE E. WHITEHEAD

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Director (Principal Financial Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ FRANCIS C. OLMSTED III

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President & Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, State of Texas, on the 11th day of September, 2012.

    EP ENERGY BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
President


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman and Dane E. Whithead, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
  President (Principal Executive Officer)   September 11, 2012

/s/ DANE E. WHITEHEAD

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ FRANCIS C. OLMSTED III

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President & Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

Sole Managing Member

 

September 11, 2012

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK


 

 

 

 
    Name:   Brent J. Smolik        
    Title:   President        

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, State of Texas, on the 11th day of September, 2012.

    EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS
COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
President


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman and Dane E. Whitehead, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
  President (Principal Executive Officer)   September 11, 2012

/s/ DANE E. WHITEHEAD

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ FRANCIS C. OLMSTED III

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President & Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

Sole Managing Member

 

September 11, 2012

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK


 

 

 

 
    Name:   Brent J. Smolik        
    Title:   President        

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, MBOW Four Star, L.L.C. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, State of Texas, on the 11th day of September, 2012.

    MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
President


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman and Dane E. Whitehead, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agent[s, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
  President (Principal Executive Officer)   September 11, 2012

/s/ DANE E. WHITEHEAD

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ FRANCIS C. OLMSTED III

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President & Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

Sole Managing Member

 

September 11, 2012

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK


 

 

 

 
    Name:   Brent J. Smolik        
    Title:   President        

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, EP Energy Management, L.L.C. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, State of Texas, on the 11th day of September, 2012.

    EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
President


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman and Dane E. Whitehead, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
  President (Principal Executive Officer)   September 11, 2012

/s/ DANE E. WHITEHEAD

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ FRANCIS C. OLMSTED III

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President & Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

Sole Managing Member

 

September 11, 2012

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK


 

 

 

 
    Name:   Brent J. Smolik        
    Title:   President        

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, State of Texas, on the 11th day of September, 2012.

    EP ENERGY RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
President


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman and Dane E. Whitehead, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
  President (Principal Executive Officer)   September 11, 2012

/s/ DANE E. WHITEHEAD

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ FRANCIS C. OLMSTED III

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President & Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

 

Sole Managing Member

 

September 11, 2012

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK


 

 

 

 
    Name:   Brent J. Smolik        
    Title:   President        

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, State of Texas, on the 11th day of September, 2012.

    EP ENERGY GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
President


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman and Dane E. Whitehead, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
  President (Principal Executive Officer)   September 11, 2012

/s/ DANE E. WHITEHEAD

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ FRANCIS C. OLMSTED III

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President & Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

EP ENERGY RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

Sole Managing Member

 

September 11, 2012

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK


 

 

 

 
    Name:   Brent J. Smolik        
    Title:   President        

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, State of Texas, on the 11th day of September, 2012.

    EP ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
President


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman and Dane E. Whitehead, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agent[s, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
  President (Principal Executive Officer)   September 11, 2012

/s/ DANE E. WHITEHEAD

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ FRANCIS C. OLMSTED III

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President & Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

 

General Partner

 

September 11, 2012

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK


 

 

 

 
    Name:   Brent J. Smolik        
    Title:   President        

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, EPE Nominee Corp. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, State of Texas, on the 11th day of September, 2012.

    EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
President


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman and Dane E. Whitehead, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 
Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 

 
  /s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
  President & Director (Principal Executive Officer)   September 11, 2012

 

/s/ DANE E. WHITEHEAD

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Director (Principal Financial Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

 

/s/ FRANCIS C. OLMSTED III

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President & Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

II-17


Table of Contents


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, State of Texas, on the 11th day of September, 2012.

    CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
President


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman and Dane E. Whitehead, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK

Brent J. Smolik
  President (Principal Executive Officer)   September 11, 2012

/s/ DANE E. WHITEHEAD

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

/s/ FRANCIS C. OLMSTED III

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President & Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

September 11, 2012

EP ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

Sole Managing Member

 

September 11, 2012

By:

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRENT J. SMOLIK


 

 

 

 
    Name:   Brent J. Smolik        
    Title:   President        

II-18


Table of Contents


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.   Exhibit Description
  2.1   Purchase and Sale Agreement among EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., as sellers, and EPE Acquisition, LLC, as purchaser, dated as of February 24, 2012

 

2.2

 

Amendment No. 1 to Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2012, among EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation), EP Energy Holding Company, El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. and EPE Acquisition, LLC

 

2.3

 

Amendment No. 2 to Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation), EP Energy Holding Company, El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., EP Production International Cayman Company, EPE Acquisition, LLC and solely for purposes of Sections 2 and 5 thereunder, El Paso LLC

 

3.1

 

Certificate of Formation of EP Energy LLC

 

3.2

 

Limited Liability Company Agreement of EP Energy LLC

 

3.3

 

Certificate of Formation of Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

3.4

 

Bylaws of Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

3.5

 

Certificate of Formation of EP Energy Global LLC

 

3.6

 

Limited Liability Company Agreement of EP Energy Global LLC

 

3.7

 

Certificate of Formation of EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.

 

3.8

 

Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.

 

3.9

 

Certificate of Formation of EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C.

 

3.10

 

Limited Liability Company Agreement of EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C.

 

3.11

 

Certificate of Formation of MBOW Four Star, L.L.C.

 

3.12

 

Limited Liability Company Agreement of MBOW Four Start, L.L.C.

 

3.13

 

Certificate of Formation of EP Energy Management, L.L.C.

 

3.14

 

Limited Liability Company Agreement of EP Energy Management, L.L.C.

 

3.15

 

Certificate of Formation of EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

3.16

 

Limited Liability Company Agreement of EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

3.17

 

Certificate of Formation of EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

3.18

 

First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

3.19

 

Certificate of Limited Partnership of EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.

 

3.20

 

Seventh Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.

 

3.21

 

Certificate of Incorporation of EPE Nominee Corp.

 

3.22

 

Bylaws of EPE Nominee Corp.

 

3.23

 

Certificate of Formation of Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

3.24

 

Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

Table of Contents

Exhibit No.   Exhibit Description
  4.1   Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012, between EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC) and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as Co-Issuers, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, in respect of 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

 

4.2

 

Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012, between EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC) and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as Co-Issuers, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, in respect of 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020

 

4.3

 

Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2012, between EP Energy LLC and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as Co-Issuers, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, in respect of 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022

 

4.4

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, between EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers, in respect of 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

 

4.5

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, between EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers, in respect of 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020

 

4.6

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 13, 2012, between EP Energy LLC, Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representative of the several initial purchasers, in respect of 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022

 

5.1

 

Opinion of Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison LLP

 

8.1

 

Opinion of Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison LLP

 

10.1

 

Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among EPE Holdings, LLC, as Holdings, EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), as the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the other parties party thereto

 

10.2

 

Guarantee Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among EPE Holdings LLC, the Domestic Subsidiaries of the Borrower signatory thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as collateral agent for the Secured Parties referred to therein

 

10.3

 

Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among EPE Holdings LLC, EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), each Subsidiary of EP Energy LLC identified therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

10.4

 

Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), each Subsidiary of EP Energy LLC identified therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

10.5

 

Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., as Pledgor, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

10.6

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and Applicable First Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Term Facility Agent, Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and Applicable Second Lien Agent, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, EP Energy LLC and the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC named therein

 

10.7

 

Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as Co-Lead Arrangers

Table of Contents

Exhibit No.   Exhibit Description
  10.8   Guarantee Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, by and between Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as Guarantor, and Citibank, N.A., as collateral agent for the Secured Parties referred to therein

 

10.9

 

Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), each Subsidiary of EP Energy LLC identified therein and Citibank, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

10.10

 

Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), each Subsidiary of EP Energy LLC identified therein and Citibank, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

10.11

 

Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.), as Pledgor, and Citibank, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

10.12

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Agreement, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as the Initial Other Authorized Representative and each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto

 

10.13

 

Transaction Fee Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among EP Energy Global LLC, EPE Acquisition, LLC, Apollo Global Securities, LLC, Riverstone V Everest Holdings, L.P., Access Industries, Inc. and Korea National Oil Corporation

 

10.14

 

Management Fee Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among EP Energy Global LLC, EPE Acquisition, LLC, Apollo Management VII, L.P., Apollo Commodities Management, L.P., With Respect to Series I, Riverstone V Everest Holdings, L.P., Access Industries, Inc. and Korea National Oil Corporation

 

10.15

 

Amendment, dated as of August 17, 2012, to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among EPE Holdings LLC, EP Energy LLC, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent

 

10.16

 

Amendment No. 1, dated as of August 21, 2012, to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, among EP Energy LLC, the lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent

 

10.17

 

Joinder Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2012, among Citibank, N.A., as Additional Tranche B-1 Lender, EP Energy LLC and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent

 

10.18

 

Employment Agreement dated May 24, 2012 for Clayton A. Carrell

 

10.19

 

Employment Agreement dated May 24, 2012 for John D. Jensen

 

10.20

 

Employment Agreement dated May 24, 2012 for Brent J. Smolik

 

10.21

 

Employment Agreement dated May 24, 2012 for Dane E. Whitehead

 

10.22

 

Employment Agreement dated May 24, 2012 for Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

 

10.23

 

Senior Executive Survivor Benefit Plan adopted as of May 24, 2012

 

10.24

 

2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

10.25

 

Management Incentive Plan Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, between EPE Acquisition, LLC and EPE Employee Holdings, LLC

 

10.26

 

Form of EPE Employee Holdings, LLC Management Incentive Unit Agreement

 

10.27

 

Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EPE Employee Holdings, LLC dated as of May 24, 2012

Table of Contents

Exhibit No.   Exhibit Description
  10.28   Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EPE Management Investors, LLC dated as of May 24, 2012

 

10.29

 

Amended and Restated Subscription Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, between EPE Acquisition, LLC and EPE Management Investors, LLC

 

12.1

 

Statement regarding Computation of Ratios

 

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC

 

23.1

 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm

 

23.2

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm

 

23.3

 

Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1)

 

23.4

 

Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.

 

24.1

 

Powers of Attorney of the Directors and Officers of the Registrants (included in signature pages)

 

25.1

 

Form T-1 (Wilmington Trust, National Association)

 

99.1

 

Form of Letter of Transmittal

 

99.2

 

Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

 

99.3

 

Form of Letter to Brokers

 

99.4

 

Form of Letter to Clients

 

99.5

 

Ryder Scott Company, L.P. reserve report for El Paso Production Company as of December 31, 2011



Exhibit 2.1

 

Execution Version

 


 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

AMONG

 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION,

 

EP ENERGY HOLDING COMPANY

 

AND

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.,

 

AS SELLERS,

 

AND

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC,

 

AS PURCHASER

 

DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 24, 2012

 


 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Article 1

PURCHASE AND SALE

1

 

 

 

Section 1.1.

Purchase and Sale

1

Section 1.2.

Certain Definitions

2

Section 1.3.

Excluded Assets

17

 

 

 

Article 2

PURCHASE PRICE

17

 

 

 

Section 2.1.

Purchase Price

17

Section 2.2.

Allocation of Purchase Price

17

Section 2.3.

Adjustments to Purchase Price

19

Section 2.4.

Closing Payment and Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustments

21

Section 2.5.

Withholding Rights

22

 

 

 

Article 3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS

23

 

 

 

Section 3.1.

Sellers

23

Section 3.2.

The Companies

24

Section 3.3.

Company Subsidiaries and the JV Entity

25

Section 3.4.

Financial Statements

27

Section 3.5.

No Undisclosed Liabilities

27

Section 3.6.

Labor Matters

27

Section 3.7.

Employee Benefits

27

Section 3.8.

Accuracy of Data

29

Section 3.9.

Litigation

29

Section 3.10.

Taxes and Assessments

29

Section 3.11.

Environmental Laws

31

Section 3.12.

Compliance with Laws

32

Section 3.13.

Company Contracts

32

Section 3.14.

Preferential Purchase Rights

32

Section 3.15.

Liability for Brokers’ Fees

32

Section 3.16.

Outstanding Capital Commitments

33

Section 3.17.

Absence of Certain Changes

33

Section 3.18.

Governmental Authorizations; Permits

33

Section 3.19.

Assets of the E&P Business

33

Section 3.20.

Insurance

33

Section 3.21.

Intellectual Property

34

Section 3.22.

Oil and Gas Matters

34

Section 3.23.

Royalties

35

Section 3.24.

Qualification

35

Section 3.25.

Affiliate Transactions

36

Section 3.26.

Anti-Corruption Laws; Certain Regulatory Matters

36

Section 3.27.

Limitations

37

 

 

 

Article 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

39

 

 

 

Section 4.1.

Existence and Qualification

39

Section 4.2.

Power

39

Section 4.3.

Authorization and Enforceability

39

Section 4.4.

No Conflicts

40

Section 4.5.

Consents, Approvals or Waivers

40

Section 4.6.

Litigation

40

 

i



 

Section 4.7.

Financing

40

Section 4.8.

Investment Intent

41

Section 4.9.

Independent Investigation

41

Section 4.10.

Liability for Brokers’ Fees

42

 

 

 

Article 5

COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

42

 

 

 

Section 5.1.

Access

42

Section 5.2.

Press Releases

43

Section 5.3.

Operation of Business

43

Section 5.4.

Conduct of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries

45

Section 5.5.

Indemnity Regarding Access

48

Section 5.6.

Reasonable Best Efforts; Further Action

49

Section 5.7.

Intercompany Indebtedness

50

Section 5.8.

Third Person Indebtedness

51

Section 5.9.

Hedges

51

Section 5.10.

Further Assurances

52

Section 5.11.

Employee Matters

52

Section 5.12.

Transition Committee and Transition Services Agreement

55

Section 5.13.

Replacement of Bonds, Letters of Credit and Guarantees; Insurance

55

Section 5.14.

Surviving Agreements

57

Section 5.15.

Preferential Purchase Rights; Consents

57

Section 5.16.

Transfer of Certain Assets Not Held by the Companies or Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries

59

Section 5.17.

Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification

59

Section 5.18.

Title Matters

60

Section 5.19.

Financing

60

Section 5.20.

Confidentiality

65

Section 5.21.

Release

65

Section 5.22.

Seismic Transfer

66

 

 

 

Article 6

CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

66

 

 

 

Section 6.1.

Conditions of Sellers to Closing

66

Section 6.2.

Conditions of Purchaser to Closing

67

 

 

 

Article 7

CLOSING

68

 

 

 

Section 7.1.

Time and Place of Closing

68

Section 7.2.

Obligations of Sellers at Closing

68

Section 7.3.

Obligations of Purchaser at Closing

69

 

 

 

Article 8

TAX MATTERS

70

 

 

 

Section 8.1.

Liability for Taxes

70

Section 8.2.

Preparation and Filing of Company or Company Subsidiary Tax Returns

72

Section 8.3.

Tax Sharing Agreement

73

Section 8.4.

Access to Information

73

Section 8.5.

Contest Provisions

74

Section 8.6.

Post-Closing Actions Which Affect Sellers’ Tax Liability

74

Section 8.7.

Refunds

75

Section 8.8.

No Duplication

75

Section 8.9.

Cooperation

75

Section 8.10.

Intended U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of Transaction

75

Section 8.11.

Section 754 Election

76

 

ii



 

Section 8.12.

Conflict

76

 

 

 

Article 9

TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT

76

 

 

 

Section 9.1.

Termination

76

Section 9.2.

Effect of Termination

77

 

 

 

Article 10

INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATIONS

80

 

 

 

Section 10.1.

Indemnification

80

Section 10.2.

Indemnification Actions

84

Section 10.3.

Casualty and Condemnation

85

Section 10.4.

Limitation on Actions

86

 

 

 

Article 11

MISCELLANEOUS

87

 

 

 

Section 11.1.

Counterparts

87

Section 11.2.

Notices

88

Section 11.3.

Sales or Use Tax, Recording Fees and Similar Taxes and Fees

88

Section 11.4.

Expenses

89

Section 11.5.

Company Records

89

Section 11.6.

Name Change

90

Section 11.7.

Governing Law

90

Section 11.8.

Dispute Resolution

90

Section 11.9.

Captions

91

Section 11.10.

Waivers

91

Section 11.11.

Assignment

91

Section 11.12.

Entire Agreement

92

Section 11.13.

Amendment

92

Section 11.14.

No Third-Person Beneficiaries

92

Section 11.15.

Guarantees

92

Section 11.16.

Headings

92

Section 11.17.

References

92

Section 11.18.

Construction

93

Section 11.19.

Time of Essence

93

Section 11.20.

Non-Recourse

93

 

iii



 

EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A

Form of Parent Guarantee

 

 

Exhibit B

Form of El Paso Guarantee

 

 

Exhibit C

Form of Transition Services Agreement

 

Exhibit A

IT Services

 

Exhibit B

Payroll Administration

 

Exhibit C

Human Resources Services

 

Exhibit D

Benefits Administration

 

Exhibit E

Legal, Corporate Secretary and Related Services

 

Exhibit F

Tax Services

 

Exhibit G

Telephone Services

 

Exhibit H

Data Subscription Services

 

Exhibit I

Access to Travis Place

 

Exhibit J

Consulting Services

 

Exhibit K

Marketing Services

 

Exhibit L

Brazilian Power Services

 

Exhibit M

Company Group Consulting Services

 

Schedule 2.3(b)

Approved Third Party Providers

 

Schedule 4.1

Payment Instructions

 

Schedule 8.4

Insurance Coverage

 

 

 

Exhibit D

Form of Lease

 

 

Exhibit A

Floor Plan for Leased Premises

 

Exhibit B

Additional Leasehold Improvements and Tenant Finish

 

Exhibit C

Rules and Regulations

 

Exhibit D

Parking

 

Exhibit E

Letter Confirming Commencement Date

 

Exhibit F

Operating Expenses

 

Exhibit G

Insurance Requirements

 

Exhibit H

Renewal, Expansion and Contraction Options

 

Exhibit I

Lease Memorandum

 

Exhibit J

Building Access and Visitor Desk

 

Exhibit K

Tenant Property

 

 

 

Exhibit E

Form of Personal Property Assignment

 

Exhibit A

List of Equipment

 

Exhibit B

List of Contracts

 

 

 

ANNEX:

 

 

 

Annex 1

Title Matters

 

 

 

Exhibit C-1, Part 1

Wells

 

Exhibit C-1, Part 2

Michigan Undeveloped Leases

 

Exhibit C-2

Payment Accounts

 

 

 

Annex 2

Transition Committee Provisions

 

iv



 

SCHEDULES:

 

Schedule 1.2(n)

Capital Expenditure Plans

Schedule 1.2(tt)

Financial Statements

Schedule 1.2(oooo)

Service Employees

Schedule 1.3

Excluded Assets

Schedule 2.4(e)

Bank Account Information

Schedule 3.1(d)

Consents

Schedule 3.2(e)

The Shares

Schedule 3.3

Company Subsidiaries and the JV Entity

Schedule 3.3(f)

Certain Stock Ownership

Schedule 3.5

No Undisclosed Liabilities

Schedule 3.6

Labor Matters

Schedule 3.7

Employee Benefits

Schedule 3.7(e)

Payments Under Benefit Plans

Schedule 3.9(a)

Litigation

Schedule 3.10

Taxes and Assessments

Schedule 3.11

Environmental Laws

Schedule 3.12

Compliance with Laws

Schedule 3.13

Company Contracts Disclosure

Schedule 3.14

Preferential Purchase Rights

Schedule 3.16

Outstanding Capital Commitments

Schedule 3.17

Absence of Certain Changes

Schedule 3.19

Assets of the E&P Business

Schedule 3.20

Insurance

Schedule 3.21(a)

Intellectual Property

Schedule 3.22(b)

Major Midstream Assets

Schedule 3.22(d)

Imbalances

Schedule 3.22(f)

Brazil Concessions

Schedule 3.25

Affiliate Transactions

Schedule 3.27(c)

Sellers Knowledge Persons

Schedule 5.3

Operation of the E&P Business

Schedule 5.4

Conduct of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries

Schedule 5.8(b)

Certain Third Person Indebtedness

Schedule 5.9

Hedges

Schedule 5.11(b)

Business Employees

Schedule 5.11(c)

Severance Plans

Schedule 5.13

Guarantees, Bonds and Letters of Credit to be Replaced

Schedule 5.14

Surviving Agreements

Schedule 5.15

Preference Rights; Consents

Schedule 5.16

Certain Personal Property

Schedule 6.1(d)

Governmental Consents

 

v



 

Index of Defined Terms

 

Term

 

Section

2008-2010 Audited Financials

 

1.2(tt)

2011 Unaudited Financials

 

1.2(tt)

Accounting Principles

 

1.2(a)

Action

 

1.2(b)

Adjustment Notice

 

2.4(b)

Affiliate

 

1.2(c)

Affiliated Apollo Persons

 

1.2(c)

Affiliated Riverstone Persons

 

1.2(c)

Affiliate Transaction

 

3.25

Agreed Rate

 

1.2(d)

Agreement

 

Preamble (pg. 1)

Alleged Required Consent

 

5.15(c)

Allocated Value

 

Annex 1

Alternate Debt Commitment Letter

 

5.19(c)

Alternate Financing

 

5.19(c)

ANP

 

1.2(e)

Antitrust Laws

 

5.6(a)

Anti-Corruption Laws

 

1.2(f)

Asset Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocations

 

2.2(a)

Audited Reserve Report

 

3.8

Bank Execution Date

 

1.2(g)

Bond Escrow Date

 

1.2(h)

Bond Interests Costs

 

1.2(i)

BrazilCo

 

Recitals (pg. 1)

BrazilCo Shares

 

3.2(e)(iv)

BrazilCos

 

Recitals (pg. 1)

Brazil Concession Contracts

 

3.22(f)

Brazil Concessions

 

1.2(j)

Brazil Holdings

 

Recitals (pg. 1)

Brazil Holdings Shares

 

3.2(e)(iii)

Brazil O&G

 

Recitals (pg. 1)

Brazil O&G Shares

 

3.2(e)(iv)

Brazil Tax Loss

 

1.2(k)

Brazilian Shares

 

1.1

Business Day

 

1.2(l)

Business Employees

 

1.2(m)

Capital Expenditure Plan

 

1.2(n)

Claim

 

10.2(b)

Claim Notice

 

10.2(b)

Closing

 

7.1

Closing Date

 

7.1

Closing Payment

 

2.4(a)

Closing Settlement Statement

 

2.4(a)

Code

 

1.2(o)

Companies

 

1.2(p)

Companies Employee Plans

 

3.7(a)

Company

 

1.2(p)

Company Contract

 

1.2(q)

 

vi



 

Term

 

Section

Company Equipment

 

1.2(r)

Company Mineral Interests

 

1.2(s)

Company Properties

 

1.2(t)

Company Records

 

1.2(u)

Company Representative

 

1.2(v)

Company Subsidiary

 

1.2(w)

Company Wells

 

1.2(x)

Compliant

 

1.2(y)

Confidentiality Agreement

 

5.1(a)

Consent Claim Notice

 

1.2(z)

Consent Notice

 

5.15(c)

Consent Period

 

5.15(e)

Contract

 

1.2(aa)

Controlled Group Liability

 

1.2(bb)

Covered Persons

 

11.20

Damages

 

10.1(d)

Data Room

 

1.2(cc)

Debt Commitment Letter

 

4.7(a)(ii)

Debt Financing

 

4.7(a)(ii)

Debt Financing Expenses

 

1.2(dd)

Debt Payoff Amount

 

1.2(ee)

Debt Payoff Letters

 

1.2(ff)

Debt Providers

 

4.7(a)(ii)

Defensible Title

 

Annex 1

Derivatives

 

1.2(gg)

Determination Date

 

2.4(b)(ii)

Dispute Auditor

 

2.4(b)(ii)

Due Date

 

8.2(d)

E&P Business

 

1.2(hh)

Effective Time

 

1.2(ii)

Effective Time Net Working Capital

 

1.2(jj)

EgyptCos

 

1.2(kk)

Egypt Production

 

1.2(ll)

El Paso

 

6.1(e)

El Paso Guarantee

 

11.15

El Paso Guarantor

 

11.15

Employee Plans

 

1.2(mm)

End Date

 

9.1

Environmental Laws

 

3.11

EP Brazil

 

Preamble (pg. 1)

EP E&P Management

 

1.2(m); 8.10(a)

EP Energy

 

Preamble (pg. 1)

EP Egypt

 

Recitals (pg. 1)

EP Egypt Shares

 

3.2(e)(v)

EP Preferred Holding LLC

 

8.10(a)

EP Revolver

 

1.2(nn)

EPC Insurance Policies

 

5.13(d)

EPE LLC

 

Recitals (pg. 1); 8.10(a)

EPE LLC Membership Interests

 

3.2(e)(i)

Equity Financing

 

4.7(a)(i)

 

vii



 

Term

 

Section

Equity Funding Letters

 

4.7(a)(i)

Equity Interests

 

3.3(d)

Equity Providers

 

4.7(a)(i)

ERISA

 

1.2(oo)

ERISA Affiliate

 

1.2(pp)

Exchange Act

 

1.2(qq)

Excluded Assets

 

1.3

Excluded Company Records

 

1.2(u)(iv)

Execution Date

 

Preamble (pg. 1)

Existing Business

 

3.19

FCPA

 

1.2(f)

FCPA Government Official

 

1.2(rr)

FCPA Governmental Authority

 

1.2(ss)

Final Section 2.2(b) Schedule

 

2.2(b)

Financial Guaranties

 

5.13(a)

Financial Statements

 

1.2(tt)

Financing

 

4.7(a)(ii)

Financing Letters

 

4.7(a)(ii)

FMLA

 

1.2(m)

Foreign Loans

 

5.7

Funding Failure

 

1.2(uu)

Gathering and Transportation Contracts

 

1.2(nnn)(ii)

GIC

 

1.2(c)

Government Official

 

1.2(vv)

Governmental Authority

 

1.2(ww)

Governmental Authorizations

 

1.2(xx)

Hart-Scott-Rodino Act

 

1.2(yy)

Holly Gathering System

 

1.2(zz)

Hydrocarbons

 

1.2(aaa)

Impaired Reserve Asset

 

Annex 1

Income Tax

 

1.2(bbb)

Indebtedness

 

1.2(ccc)

Indemnified Person

 

10.2(a)

Indemnifying Person

 

10.2(a)

Independent Appraiser

 

2.2(b)

Intellectual Property

 

1.2(ddd)

Investment Grade

 

5.13(b)

IRS

 

1.2(eee)

JV Entity

 

1.2(fff)

Kinder Morgan

 

6.1(e)

Kinder Morgan Merger

 

1.2(ggg)

Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement

 

6.1(e)

KM Transaction Costs and Expenses

 

1.2(hhh)

Laws

 

1.2(iii)

Lease

 

7.2(e)

Liability

 

1.2(jjj)

LIBOR

 

1.2(kkk)

Liens

 

1.2(lll)

Loan(s)

 

2.3(c)

Major Midstream Assets

 

3.22(b)

 

viii



 

Term

 

Section

Marketing Period

 

1.2(mmm)

Material Adverse Effect

 

3.27(f)

Material Contract

 

1.2(nnn)

Merger EPE

 

8.10(a)

Michigan Undeveloped Leases

 

Annex 1

Multiemployer Plan

 

1.2(ooo)

Net Mineral Acre(s)

 

1.2(ppp); Annex 1

New EPE

 

Preamble (pg. 1)

Non-Income Tax

 

1.2(qqq)

Non-U.S. Employee Plans

 

3.7(a)

Obligors

 

5.13(b)

Occurrence Based Policies

 

5.13(c)

Operating and Development Agreements

 

1.2(nnn)(v)

Order

 

1.2(rrr)

Organizational Documents

 

1.2(sss)

Other Real Property Interests

 

Annex 1

Owned Intellectual Property

 

3.21(a)

Parent Guarantee

 

11.15

Parties

 

Preamble (pg. 1)

Party

 

Preamble (pg. 1)

PBGC

 

1.2(ttt)

Permit

 

1.2(uuu)

Permitted Encumbrances

 

Annex 1

Permitted Liens

 

1.2(vvv)

Person

 

1.2(www)

Personal Property Assignment

 

5.16

Post-Closing Period

 

1.2(xxx)

Post-Closing Statement

 

2.4(b)

Post-Effective Time Period

 

1.2(yyy)

Post-Execution Date Returns

 

5.4(m)

Pre-Closing Income Taxes

 

8.1(a)(i)

Pre-Closing Period

 

1.2(zzz)

Pre-Effective Time Non-Income Taxes

 

8.1(a)(ii)

Pre-Effective Time Period

 

1.2(aaaa)

Preliminary Section 2.2(b) Schedule

 

2.2(b)

Purchase Price

 

2.1

Purchaser

 

Preamble (pg. 1)

Purchaser Employee Plans

 

5.11(e)

Purchaser Fundamental Representations

 

1.2(bbbb)

Purchaser Guarantors

 

11.15

Purchaser Indemnified Taxes

 

8.1(b)(i)

Purchaser Parties

 

1.2(cccc)

Purchaser Termination Fee

 

1.2(dddd)

RE Permitted Encumbrances

 

1.2(eeee)

Representatives

 

5.19(d)

Requested Swaps

 

5.9(a)

Required Amount

 

4.7(b)

Required Consent

 

5.15(e)

Required Consent Adjustment Amount

 

5.15(e)

Required Consent Dispute

 

5.15(d)

 

ix



 

Term

 

Section

Required Information

 

1.2(ffff)

Reserve Assets

 

Annex 1

Reserve Reports

 

5.19(d)(v)

Revolving Credit Facility

 

1.2(gggg)

Rights of Way

 

1.2(hhhh)

SEC

 

1.2(iiii)

Securities Act

 

1.2(jjjj)

Seller

 

Preamble (pg. 1)

Seller Employee Plans

 

3.7(a)

Seller Fundamental Representations

 

1.2(kkkk)

Seller Fundamental Tax Covenants

 

1.2(llll)

Seller Fundamental Tax Representations

 

1.2(mmmm)

Seller Termination Fee

 

1.2(nnnn)

Sellers

 

Preamble (pg. 1)

Sellers Indemnified Taxes

 

8.1(a)(ii)

Sellers Knowledge Person

 

3.27(c)

Sellers Knowledge Persons

 

3.27(c)

Service Employees

 

1.2(oooo)

Severance Plans

 

5.11(c)

Share Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocation

 

2.2(a)

Shares

 

1.1; 1.3

Straddle Income Period

 

1.2(pppp)

Straddle Non-Income Period

 

1.2(qqqq)

Subsidiary

 

1.2(rrrr)

Surviving Agreements

 

5.14

Tax

 

1.2(ssss)

Tax Actions

 

5.4(o)

Tax Affidavits

 

6.2(f)

Tax Audit

 

8.5(a)

Tax Indemnified Person

 

8.5(a)

Tax Indemnified Purchaser Parties

 

8.1(a)

Tax Indemnified Purchaser Party

 

8.1(a)

Tax Indemnified Seller Party

 

8.1(b)

Tax Loss

 

8.1(a)

Tax Losses

 

8.1(a)

Tax Return

 

8.2(a)

Tax Sharing Agreement

 

8.3

Third-Party Loans

 

1.2(tttt)

Title Arbitrator

 

Annex 1

Title Assets

 

Annex 1

Title Benefit

 

Annex 1

Title Benefit Amount

 

Annex 1

Title Claim Date

 

Annex 1

Title Deductible

 

Annex 1

Title Defect

 

Annex 1

Title Defect Amount

 

Annex 1

Title Defect Notice

 

Annex 1

Title Threshold

 

Annex 1

Transaction Costs and Expenses

 

1.2(uuuu)

Transfer Taxes

 

11.3

 

x



 

Term

 

Section

Transition Committee

 

Annex 2

Transition Services Agreement

 

7.2(e)

Treasury Regulations

 

1.2(vvvv)

Unadjusted Purchase Price

 

2.1

U.S. Employee Plans

 

3.7(a)

UnoPaso

 

Recitals (pg. 1)

UnoPaso Shares

 

3.2(e)(ii)

Unreleased Financial Guaranties

 

5.13(b)

WARN Act

 

1.2(wwww)

Well

 

Annex 1

Wells

 

Annex 1

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary

 

1.2(xxxx)

Willful and Material Breach

 

1.2(yyyy)

Willful and Material Breach Fee

 

9.2(d)

 

xi


 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

This Purchase and Sale Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of February 24, 2012 (the “ Execution Date ”), by and among EP Energy Corporation, a corporation organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (“ EP Energy ”), EP Energy Holding Company, a corporation organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (“ New EPE ”), El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (“ EP Brazil ” and together with EP Energy and New EPE, “ Sellers ” and each a “ Seller ”), and EPE Acquisition, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (“ Purchaser ”). Sellers, on the one hand, and Purchaser, on the other hand, are referred to collectively as the “ Parties ” and individually as a “ Party .”

 

RECITALS

 

A.            New EPE desires, after giving effect to the actions contemplated by Section 8.10 , to sell, and Purchaser desires to purchase (a) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy, LLC, a limited liability company to be organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware resulting from the conversion of EP Energy to a limited liability company in accordance with Section 8.10 (“ EPE LLC ”) and (b) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company, a company incorporated under the Laws of the Cayman Islands (“ EP Egypt ”).

 

B.            EP Brazil desires to sell, and Purchaser desires to purchase (a) all of the issued and outstanding quotas of (i) UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda., a company incorporated under the Laws of Brazil (“ UnoPaso ”) and (ii) El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda., a company incorporated under the Laws of Brazil (“ Brazil O&G ”) and (b) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso Brazil Holdings Company, a company incorporated under the Laws of the Cayman Islands (“ Brazil Holdings ” and, together with UnoPaso and Brazil O&G, the “ BrazilCos ” and each a “ BrazilCo ”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual promises, representations, warranties, covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Article 1
PURCHASE AND SALE

 

Section 1.1.            Purchase and Sale .  On the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, Sellers agree to sell, assign, transfer and convey to Purchaser, and Purchaser agrees to purchase, accept and pay for (i) in the case of New EPE as Seller, the EPE LLC Membership Interests and the EP Egypt Shares, and (ii) in the case of EP Brazil as Seller, the UnoPaso Shares, the Brazil Holdings Shares and the Brazil O&G Shares (the UnoPaso Shares, the Brazil Holdings Shares and the Brazil O&G Shares, collectively, the “ Brazilian Shares ” and together with the EPE LLC Membership Interests and the EP Egypt Shares, the “ Shares ”). For the avoidance of doubt, through its acquisition of the Shares hereunder, Purchaser shall also acquire (and Sellers shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure that Purchaser does acquire) one hundred percent (100%) of the Derivatives (as the same may be impacted by Section 5.9 ) held by any of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries or otherwise held in respect of the E&P Business; provided, however that the foregoing shall not impose any independent obligation to provide funding from the Sellers.

 

1



 

Section 1.2.            Certain Definitions .  Capitalized terms set forth in this Agreement have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.2 or in the Sections referenced in the “Index of Defined Terms” at the front of this Agreement. As used herein:

 

(a)                     “ Accounting Principles ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(b)                     “ Action ” means any action, complaint, suit, arbitration or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or otherwise, at law or in equity, in each case, instituted by or pending before any Governmental Authority.

 

(c)                     “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, a Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person, with control in such context (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) meaning the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by Contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the term “Affiliate” shall not include (i) (A) any investment fund controlled or managed by any affiliate of Purchaser other than Apollo Investment Fund VII, L.P. and (B) any entities owned, managed or controlled by Apollo Investment Fund VII, L.P., any other investment fund Affiliated with Apollo Investment Fund VII, L.P. or any portfolio company or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, other than those entities that directly or indirectly own equity in Purchaser (the “ Affiliated Apollo Persons ”), (ii) (A) any investment fund controlled or managed by any affiliate of Purchaser other than Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund V, L.P. and (B) any entities owned, managed or controlled by Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund V, L.P., other than those entities that directly or indirectly own equity in Purchaser (the “ Affiliated Riverstone Persons ”) or (iii) any Person that controls Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd (“ GIC ”) or that, solely by virtue of its control by GIC, would be considered under common control with GIC.

 

(d)                     “ Agreed Rate ” means the lesser of (i) LIBOR plus two percentage points (LIBOR + two percent (2%)) and (ii) the maximum rate allowed by applicable Laws.

 

(e)                     ANP ” means Agência National do Petróleo, Gas Natural e Biocombustiveis of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

 

(f)                      “ Anti-Corruption Laws ” means all Laws relating to anti-bribery or anti-corruption (governmental or commercial) that apply to the E&P Business, including Laws that prohibit the payment, offer, promise or authorization of the payment or transfer of anything of value (including gifts or entertainment), directly or indirectly, to any government official, government employee or commercial entity to obtain a business advantage, including under the relevant laws of Brazil and Egypt, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended from time to time (the “ FCPA ”) and all other Laws that apply to the E&P Business enacted to implement the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Officials in International Business Transactions.

 

(g)                    “ Bank Execution Date ” means the date on which both (i) a definitive form of credit agreement in respect of the bank lending component of the Debt Financing has been agreed by or on behalf of the parties to the Debt Commitment Letter as being in final form for execution by Purchaser and (ii) Purchaser has provided notice to Sellers of such agreement.

 

(h)                     “ Bond Escrow Date ” means the date on which any proceeds from the bond offering component of the Debt Financing are placed into escrow.

 

2



 

(i)                      “ Bond Interest Costs ” means if, and only if, proceeds from the bond component of the Debt Financing have been funded into escrow, the amount of interest paid in connection with the escrow thereof on the applicable bonds prior to the redemption thereof that are funded into such escrow, minus (A) any such interest that is actually released from escrow back to the party or parties that pre-funded such interest and not paid to the holders of the applicable bonds and (B) any net interest or other net earnings on the funds deposited into the applicable escrow.

 

(j)                      “ Brazil Concessions ” means the Concessions set forth on Schedule 3.22(f) .

 

(k)                     “ Brazil Tax Loss ” means any Tax Loss attributable to a claim for indemnity pursuant to Section 8.1(a)(ii)  to the extent that such Tax Loss relates to a Tax imposed by any Governmental Authority of Brazil.

 

(l)                      “ Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which either the SEC or banks are closed for business in New York, New York, United States of America.

 

(m)                    “ Business Employees ” means individuals who are (i) employed as common law employees by El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc. to be converted into a limited liability company prior to Closing in accordance with Section 8.10(a)  (“ EP E&P Management ”), Brazil O&G or Egypt Production or (ii) Service Employees, in each case including any such employees who are not actively at work on the Closing Date due to a leave of absence covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (“ FMLA ”) or any other authorized leave of absence.

 

(n)                     “ Capital Expenditure Plan ” means the Capital Expenditure Forecast for 2012 set forth in Schedule 1.2(n) .

 

(o)                     “ Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(p)                     “ Companies ” means, collectively, EPE LLC, the BrazilCos and the EgyptCos (and, each, a “ Company ”).

 

(q)                     “ Company Contract ” means any Contract, agreement or instrument to which any Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which any of their respective assets or properties are bound, provided that the defined term “Company Contract” shall not include any Right of Way or any lease, exploration license, concession, risk service or technical service Contract, development lease or license, or production sharing Contract included in the Company Mineral Interests and other instruments constituting any Company’s or Company Subsidiary’s chain of title to the Company Mineral Interests.

 

(r)                      “ Company Equipment ” means all equipment, machinery, vehicles, materials, platforms, wellhead equipment, pumping units, flowlines, tanks, buildings, injection facilities, water disposal facilities, processing and separating facilities, compression facilities, gathering systems, platforms, casing, rods, tanks, boilers, tubing, pumps, motors, machinery, monitoring equipment, fixtures, pipe, tubular goods, equipment inventory, fixtures and other tangible personal property and improvements located on the Company Properties or Rights of Way or used or held for use in connection with the ownership and/or operation of the Company Properties or Rights of Way or the production of Hydrocarbons from the Company Properties.

 

3



 

(s)                     “ Company Mineral Interests ” means all of the Companies’ or the Company Subsidiaries’ rights, titles, and interests in and to all Hydrocarbon leases and subleases; production sharing Contracts, risk service or technical service Contracts, exploration or production concessions, development leases or licenses, and any rights or interests issued thereunder or in connection therewith; royalties, overriding royalties, net profit interests, mineral fee interests, mineral interests and carried interests; other rights to Hydrocarbons in place; Hydrocarbon entitlements, rights to explore for, appraise, and/or produce Hydrocarbons or receive a share of (or payment with respect to) Hydrocarbons produced pursuant thereto; mineral servitudes, and all other mineral fee, Hydrocarbon leasehold or other interests in any lands, including (i) all pooled, communitized or unitized acreage which includes all or a part of any such interests or other rights and (ii) all tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances belonging thereto.

 

(t)                      “ Company Properties ” means the Company Mineral Interests and the Company Wells and all surface fee interests, easements, permits, licenses, servitudes, rights-of-way (including Rights of Way), surface leases and other surface rights or interests appurtenant to, and used or held for use in connection therewith.

 

(u)                    “ Company Records ” means all data, information, software, books, files and records of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries that relate to any period of time prior to the Closing, including all production records, operating records, correspondence, lease records, well logs and other records, and division order records; prospect files; title records (including abstracts of title, title opinions and memoranda, and title curative documents); Contract files; and geological and seismic data (including interpretive data), maps, electric logs, core data, pressure data and decline curves; excluding, however:

 

(i)            any data, information, software and records to the extent disclosure or change in ownership in connection with a sale of Shares is prohibited, other than pursuant to any Contract with Sellers or any of their Affiliates, or subjected to payment of a fee or other consideration by any license agreement or other agreement with a Person other than Affiliates of Sellers, or by applicable Law, and for which no consent to transfer has been received or for which Purchaser has not agreed in writing to pay the fee or other consideration, as applicable;

 

(ii)           all legal records and legal files of Sellers including all work product of and attorney-client communications with any Seller’s legal counsel (other than title opinions and Sellers’ legal records and legal files for litigation, claims or proceedings (including insurance claims) involving or relating to any Company, any Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity or assets of the E&P Business, including any files or records necessary or useful to defend or prosecute any such lawsuit or claim);

 

(iii)          data and records relating to the sale of the Shares, any of the Companies or Company Subsidiaries, or any assets of the E&P Business to the extent the data and records pertain to a proposed sale where there is no Contract of sale by any Seller or any of its Affiliates imposing any current or future obligations on, or providing for any current or future benefits or rights of, any Company or Company Subsidiary, including bids received from and records of negotiations with third Persons; and

 

(iv)          those original data, information, software and records retained by any Seller pursuant to Section 11.5(b)  (the records referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) above, the “ Excluded Company Records ”).

 

(v)                     “ Company Representative ” means any Company, Company Subsidiary, Seller or other Affiliate of a Company, as well as any director, officer, agent, employee, representative, consultant, or agent for any of the foregoing (individually and collectively).

 

4



 

(w)                    “ Company Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of any of the Companies.

 

(x)                     “ Company Wells ” means any and all oil, gas, water, CO2, water disposal or injection wells located on any of the Company Mineral Interests or on the pooled, communitized or unitized acreage that includes all or any part of the Company Mineral Interests.

 

(y)                     “ Compliant ” means, with respect to the Required Information, that such Required Information (other than projections, interpretations and other forward-looking information, and information of a general economic or industry-specific nature) does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make such Required Information not materially misleading under the circumstances.

 

(z)                     “ Consent Claim Notice ” means a notice from (or on behalf of) any Person to the effect that the consent of such Person is or may be (or was or may have been) required with respect to any of the Company Mineral Interests, Company Wells or Rights of Way as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(aa)                   “ Contract ” means any agreement, contract, obligation, commitment, franchise, indenture, lease, license or other undertaking or legally binding arrangement, whether written or oral.

 

(bb)                  “ Controlled Group Liability ” means all Liabilities (i) under Section 302 of ERISA, (ii) under Title IV of ERISA, (iii) under Sections 412 or 4971 of the Code, in the case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), that are imposed on the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries under or in respect of an Employee Plan solely by reason of the treatment of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries as a single employer with another Person as a result of the application of Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or by reason of the treatment of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries as under common control with another Person as a result of the application of Section 4001(b) of ERISA, and (iv) in respect of a Multiemployer Plan that are imposed on the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries on a so-called “controlled group” basis, including under Section 414 of the Code.

 

(cc)                   “ Data Room ” means the electronic data room established by or on behalf of Sellers and made available to Purchaser, but solely to the extent of the contents thereof on February 23, 2012, a date prior to the Execution Date.

 

(dd)                  “ Debt Financing Expenses ” means an amount equal to (i) the sum of all documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of Purchaser in connection with the Debt Financing other than the Bond Interest Costs plus (ii) the Bond Interest Costs.

 

(ee)                   “ Debt Payoff Amount ” means, with respect to any of the Companies and the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date, the amount set forth in each corresponding Debt Payoff Letter in connection with the payment and discharge of all Third-Party Loans referenced in such Debt Payoff Letter as contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(ff)                    “ Debt Payoff Letters ” means customary payoff letters, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Purchaser, from each lender (or the agent for one or more lenders) of a Third-Party Loan (other than any Loan set forth on Schedule 5.8(b) ) setting forth (i) the aggregate amount, including interest, breakage costs, premiums, prepayment penalties, and other fees and related expenses, required to be paid to satisfy fully all Third-Party Loans owed to such lender (or the agent for one or more lenders) as of the anticipated Closing Date (other than any existing letters of credit relating to

 

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the E&P Business that, pursuant to Section 5.13(a) ), are being cash collateralized, backstopped by a third Person or replaced by the Closing in a manner that permits the applicable Debt Payoff Letter to be received), and a per diem amount for each day thereafter and (ii) wire transfer instructions for such lender. Each Debt Payoff Letter shall provide that, if such amount is paid to such lender (or the agent for one or more lenders) or counterparty on the Closing Date, then such lender or counterparty will automatically release any and all Liens securing such Third-Party Loan that it may have with respect to any Seller’s, any Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s assets (other than cash collateral that is not prohibited pursuant to Section 5.3 or 5.4 ) and will take all actions necessary to effect such release, including executing and delivering all reasonably necessary documentation and forms suitable for filing with all appropriate Governmental Authorities.

 

(gg)                  “ Derivatives ” means futures, options, swaps and other derivatives.

 

(hh)                  “ E&P Business ” means the oil and gas exploration and production business and operations, including gathering, treating, pumping, processing and marketing operations related thereto, conducted on the Execution Date by the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries, but excluding such business and operations of the JV Entity and any other Subsidiary of any Seller that is not a Company or Company Subsidiary.

 

(ii)                     “ Effective Time ” means 7:00 a.m., local time at the respective location of the assets of the E&P Business, on January 1, 2012.

 

(jj)                     “ Effective Time Net Working Capital ” means a negative amount equal to $100,657,908.87.

 

(kk)                   “ EgyptCos ” means all or any of (i) El Paso Egypt S. Alamein Company, a company incorporated under the Laws of the Cayman Islands; (ii) El Paso Egypt Tanta Company, a company incorporated under the Laws of the Cayman Islands; (iii) Egypt Production; and (iv) EP Egypt.

 

(ll)                     “ Egypt Production ” means El Paso Egypt Production Company, a company incorporated under the Laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

(mm)                 “ Employee Plans ” means any employee benefit plans, programs, arrangements and agreements (whether or not written), including (i) all retirement, savings and other pension plans; (ii) all health, severance, insurance, disability and other employee welfare plans and (iii) all employment, incentive, deferred compensation, equity compensation, perquisites, severance, employment, change of control, vacation and other similar plans, programs, practices or agreements, whether or not subject to ERISA and whether covering one person or more than one person.

 

(nn)                  “ EP Revolver ” means the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 27, 2011, among El Paso Corporation, El Paso Natural Gas Company, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and as collateral agent.

 

(oo)                  “ ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

(pp)                  “ ERISA Affiliate ” means any other Person that is required to be treated as a single employer with any Seller or any Company under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

 

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(qq)                  “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(rr)                    “ FCPA Government Official ” means (i) any official, officer, employee, or representative of, or any Person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of, any FCPA Governmental Authority, (ii) any political party official or candidate for political office or (iii) any company, business, enterprise or other entity owned or controlled by any Person described in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii).

 

(ss)                   “ FCPA Governmental Authority ” means (i) any national, federal, state, county, municipal, local, or foreign government or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, taxing, or administrative functions of a governmental nature, (ii) any public international organization, (iii) any agency, division, bureau, department, or other political subdivision of any government, entity or organization described in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii), (iv) any company, business, enterprise, or other entity owned or controlled by any government, entity, or organization described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) or (v) any political party.

 

(tt)                    “ Financial Statements ” means (i) EP Energy’s audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, cash flows, retained earnings and capitalization as of and for the fiscal years ended as of December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 prepared in a manner to comply with Regulation S-X (the “ 2008-2010 Audited Financials ”) and (ii) EP Energy’s unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 and related statements of income, cash flows, retained earnings and capitalization for the twelve (12) month period then ended prepared in a manner to comply with Section 3-05 of Regulation S-X (the “ 2011 Unaudited Financials ”), each attached as Schedule 1.2(tt) .

 

(uu)                  “ Funding Failure ” means Purchaser’s inability or failure for any reason to make (or obtain funds sufficient to make) the Closing Payment if (i) all conditions precedent to Purchaser’s obligations to make such payment under Section 6.2 are satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (other than those conditions precedent which by their terms can only be satisfied simultaneously with the Closing but which are capable of being satisfied at the Closing); provided , that if the Marketing Period has not ended at such time, no Funding Failure will exist unless such inability or failure continues to exist at the time provided in Section 7.1 for the occurrence of the Closing, and (ii) Sellers stand ready, willing and able to close.

 

(vv)                  “ Government Official ” means (i) any official, officer, employee, or representative of, or any Person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of, any Governmental Authority or (ii) any political party official or candidate for political office.

 

(ww)                 “ Governmental Authority ” means (i) any national, federal, state, county, municipal, local, or foreign government or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, taxing, or administrative functions of a governmental nature or (ii) any agency, division, bureau, department, or other political subdivision of any government, entity or organization described in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii).

 

(xx)                     Governmental Authorizations ” means any governmental licenses, permits, franchises, orders, exemptions, variances, waivers, authorizations, certificates, consents, rights, privileges and applications therefor issued by, or submitted to, any Governmental Authority.

 

(yy)                  “ Hart-Scott-Rodino Act ” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

 

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(zz)                                                            Holly Gathering System ” means the gathering system described on Schedule 3.22(b) .

 

(aaa)                                                    Hydrocarbons ” means oil, gas, condensate or any other gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons or any combination or constituents thereof, including sulphur and other constituents extracted therefrom.

 

(bbb)                                                 Income Tax ” means any U.S. federal or state income Tax, excluding any such Taxes assessed or imposed on Black Warrior Methane Corporation, Black Warrior Transmission Corporation, and Four Star Oil & Gas Company.

 

(ccc)                                                    Indebtedness ” means, of any Person at any date and without duplication, (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, whether current, short-term or long-term and whether secured or unsecured, including loans, deferred consideration for the purchase of assets, ownership interests, businesses or other property or services (other than deferred consideration for the purchase of assets, ownership interests, businesses or other property or services or other obligations that would be included as current liabilities in accordance with the Accounting Principles) and any lease obligations that are required to be capitalized under the Accounting Principles, (ii) any other indebtedness of such Person which is evidenced by a bond (other than surety, performance, bid, appeal and other similar types of bonds), promissory note, debenture or similar instrument (including a deed of trust or mortgage given in connection with the acquisition of, or exchange for, any property or assets), (iii) all indebtedness of the type referred to in the clauses (i) or (ii) of third Persons guaranteed, directly or indirectly, by such Person or as to which such Person has an obligation, contingent or otherwise (other than a guarantee held in connection with the operation of the E&P Business in the ordinary course), including but not limited to bank debt, bank fees, shareholder debt and vendor debt, that is substantially the economic equivalent of a guarantee, including, in each case above, any interest accrued thereon and prepayment or similar penalties and expenses which would be payable if such liability were paid in full as of the Closing Date, (iv) any amendment, renewal, extension, revision or refunding of any of the foregoing Indebtedness, or (v) net obligations of such Person under any Derivative as of any date of determination that would be payable by such Person were such Derivative terminated on such date (after giving effect to any netting agreements).

 

(ddd)                                                 Intellectual Property ” means any of the following, as they exist anywhere in the world, whether registered or unregistered: (i) patents, patentable inventions and other patent rights (including any divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, reexaminations and interferences thereof); (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, taglines, brand names, logos and corporate names and all goodwill related thereto; (iii) copyrights, mask works and designs; (iv) trade secrets, know-how, inventions, processes, procedures, databases, confidential business information and other proprietary information and rights; (v) computer software programs, including all source code, object code, specifications, designs and documentation related thereto and (vi) domain names, Internet addresses and other computer identifiers.

 

(eee)                                                    IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service and any successor thereto.

 

(fff)                                                          JV Entity ” means Four Star Oil & Gas Company, a Delaware corporation.

 

(ggg)                                                 Kinder Morgan Merger ” means the Second Merger as contemplated by and defined in the Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement.

 

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(hhh)                “ KM Transaction Costs and Expenses ” means all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses actually incurred by or on behalf of Kinder Morgan in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement with the Purchaser (without duplication of any Transaction Costs and Expenses actually incurred by or on behalf of Sellers or any Affiliate thereof).

 

(iii)                    “ Laws ” means all laws, statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, orders, writs, injunctions, decrees, requirements, judgments and codes of Governmental Authorities, including obligations arising under the common law.

 

(jjj)                    “ Liability ” means any liability, debt, obligation, loss, damage, claim, cost or expense (including costs of investigation and defense and attorney’s fees, costs and expenses), in each case, whether direct or indirect, known or unknown and whether accrued or contingent.

 

(kkk)                 “ LIBOR ” means, for each applicable day, the rate stated in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal published on such day as the one (1) month London Interbank Offered Rate; and if The Wall Street Journal is not published on such day, then the aforesaid rate in the most recent edition of The Wall Street Journal preceding such day shall be utilized for such day; provided , however , if The Wall Street Journal ceases publication of the one (1) month London Interbank Offered Rate, the rate appearing on BBAM of Bloomberg Financial Markets Information Service (or on any successor or substitute page of such service, or any successor to or substitute for such service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service, for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London Interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the applicable day, as the rate for dollar deposits with a maturity of one (1) month. In the event that such rate is not available from the publications described above for any reason, any data vendor or publication licensed by the British Banker’s Association may be substituted.

 

(lll)                    “ Liens ” means any lien, pledge, claim, charge, security interest or other encumbrance, option, title defect or other rights of any third Person with respect to the applicable property.

 

(mmm)              “ Marketing Period ” means the first period of twenty-five (25) consecutive calendar days after the Execution Date (i) throughout and at the end of which Purchaser shall have (and the Debt Providers shall have) access to the Required Information and (ii) throughout and at the end of which the conditions set forth in Section 6.2 (other than those conditions that by their nature were to have been satisfied by actions taken at the Closing or during the Marketing Period, which conditions were, at the time of any termination of this Agreement, capable of being satisfied if the Closing had occurred at such times) shall be satisfied and nothing has occurred and no condition exists that would cause any of the conditions set forth in Section 6.2 to fail to be satisfied assuming the Closing were to be scheduled for any time during such twenty-five (25) consecutive calendar day period; provided that such twenty-five (25) consecutive calendar day period shall not include July 2 through July 6, 2012 and shall be completed entirely prior to August 24, 2012 or entirely after September 3, 2012. Notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, (x) the Marketing Period shall end on any earlier date prior to the expiration of the twenty-five (25) consecutive calendar day period described above if the Debt Financing is consummated on such earlier date and (y) the Marketing Period shall not commence or be deemed to have commenced if, after the date hereof and prior to the completion of such twenty-five (25) consecutive calendar day period: (A) any of the Companies or Sellers has publicly announced its intention to, or determines that it must, restate any historical financial statements or other financial information included in the Required Information or any such restatement is under active consideration, in which case, the Marketing Period shall not commence unless and until such restatement has been completed and the

 

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applicable Required Information has been amended and updated or the Companies or the Sellers have publicly announced, or informed Purchaser, that they have concluded no such restatement is required, (B) the applicable independent accountants of the Companies shall have withdrawn any audit opinion with respect to any financial statements contained in the Required Information for which they have provided an opinion, in which case the Marketing Period shall not be deemed to commence unless and until, at the earliest, a new unqualified audit opinion is issued with respect to such financial statements of the Companies for the applicable periods by the applicable independent accountants or another independent public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Purchaser, (C) the financial statements included in the Required Information that is available to Purchaser on the first day of any such twenty-five (25) consecutive calendar day period would be required to be updated under Regulation S-X in order to be sufficiently current on any day during such twenty-five (25) consecutive calendar day period to permit a registration statement using such financial statements to be declared effective by the SEC on the last day of such twenty-five (25) consecutive calendar day period, in which case, the Marketing Period shall not be deemed to commence unless and until, at the earliest, receipt by Purchaser of updated Required Information that would be required under of Regulation S-X to permit a registration statement using such financial statements to be declared effective by the SEC on the last day of such new twenty-five (25) consecutive calendar day period or (D) any such Required Information shall cease to be Compliant or any such information ceases to meet the requirement of Required Information, in which case the Marketing Period shall not be deemed to commence unless and until, at the earliest, such Required Information is updated or supplemented so that it is Compliant.

 

If Sellers shall in good faith reasonably believe that they have delivered the Required Information, they may deliver to Purchaser written notice to that effect (stating when they believe they completed the applicable delivery), in which case the Required Information shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of the applicable notice, in each case unless Purchaser in good faith reasonably believes that Sellers have not completed delivery of the Required Information and, within five (5) Business Days after its receipt of such notice from Sellers, Purchaser delivers a written notice to Sellers to that effect (stating with specificity the Required Information that has not been delivered).

 

(nnn)                “ Material Contract ” means any Company Contract which is of one or more of the following types:

 

(i)            Contracts for the purchase, sale or exchange of oil, gas or other Hydrocarbons reasonably expected, as of the Execution Date, to result in the purchase, sale or exchange of more than $25,000,000 of Hydrocarbons in any twelve (12) month period, which Contract is not terminable without penalty upon sixty (60) days’ or less notice by any Company or Company Subsidiary, as applicable;

 

(ii)           Contracts for the gathering, treating, processing, handling, storing or transporting of Hydrocarbons (such Contracts, collectively, “ Gathering and Transportation Contracts ”) reasonably expected, as of the Execution Date, to result in the gathering, treating, processing, handling, storing or transporting in any twelve (12) month period of more than either (A) 3,650,000 MCF of gaseous Hydrocarbons or (B) 750,000 barrels of liquid hydrocarbons;

 

(iii)          Contracts for the use of drilling rigs and other Contracts relating to the drilling, completion or hydraulic fracturing of wells including sand supply Contracts reasonably expected, as of the Execution Date, to result in expenditures in excess of $25,000,000 in any twelve (12) month period;

 

(iv)          purchase and sale agreements, farmin and farmout agreements, exploration agreements, participation agreements, and similar agreements entered into on or after January 

 

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1, 2009 and either (A) providing for the purchase, sale, earning or other acquisition or disposition of assets or equity interests, individually, or (if part of a series of related transactions), in the aggregate, for more than $25,000,000 or (B) covering more than 10,000 Net Mineral Acres;

 

(v)           to the extent the same will be binding on the Company Mineral Interests after Closing, any operating agreements, joint development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unit agreements and unit operating agreements (all such agreements, collectively, “ Operating and Development Agreements ”) covering more than 10,000 Net Mineral Acres;

 

(vi)          master seismic licenses or agreements;

 

(vii)         Contracts for the construction and installation of Company Equipment reasonably expected, as of the Execution Date, to result in expenditures in excess of $25,000,000 in any twelve (12) month period;

 

(viii)        any Contract (other than any Gathering and Transportation Contracts and Operating and Development Agreements, or Contracts of the type described in another subsection of this Section 1.2(lll) , without regard to Dollar, acreage, date or volume limitations in such subsections) which would reasonably be expected, as of the Execution Date, to result in expenditures by or revenues to any Company or Company Subsidiary in excess of $25,000,000 in any twelve (12) month period;

 

(ix)           any partnership, joint venture or similar agreement(other than any Operating and Development Agreements);

 

(x)            any Contract (A) relating to the license, disposition or acquisition (directly or indirectly) by any Company or Company Subsidiary of assets other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (B) pursuant to which any Company or Company Subsidiary will acquire any material interest in any other Person;

 

(xi)           any Contract relating to Derivatives, including any and all confirmations under any such Contract;

 

(xii)          to the extent relating to Company Mineral Interests existing as of the Closing, any Contract which limits or otherwise restricts or limits in any material respect the right of any Company or Company Subsidiary to engage or compete in any line of business, in any county, parish or similar (local or foreign) geographic location in which any Company Mineral Interest is located or with any Person;

 

(xiii)         any Contract that would prevent, materially delay or materially impede consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (disregarding for purposes of this clause (xiii) any consent or approval requirement that may be contained in any Contract);

 

(xiv)        any indenture, loan, note, credit or similar Contract (excluding any such Contract filed in the real property records of a county or parish) under which any Company or Company Subsidiary has borrowed any money or issued any note, bond, indenture or other evidence of Indebtedness for borrowed money, sold and leased back assets or guaranteed Indebtedness for others and which imposes any current or future obligation on any Company or Company Subsidiary;

 

(xv)         any guarantee by any Company or Company Subsidiary of any obligation of another Person other than another Company or Company Subsidiary;

 

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(xvi)        any lease for office space rented by any Company or Company Subsidiary;

 

(xvii)       any Tax partnership to which any of the Company Mineral Interests are subject;

 

(xviii)      any employment or similar Contract with any officer, employee or consultant (to the extent any such Contract with a consultant is not terminable without penalty by any Company or Company Subsidiary, as applicable, upon ninety (90) days’ notice or less) of any Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

(xix)         any Contract governing an Affiliate Transaction;

 

(xx)          any Contract (other than a geophysical or seismic license or Contract) (i) pursuant to which the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries use any licensed Intellectual Property or (ii) pursuant to which the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries have granted to a third-party any right in or to any Owned Intellectual Property; and

 

(xxi)         any Contract the expiration or termination of which would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and is not of a type required to be disclosed (without regard to Dollar, acreage, date or volume limitations therein) pursuant to clauses (i) through (xx) above.

 

(ooo)                “ Multiemployer Plan ” means a multiemployer plan, within the meaning of 3(37) and Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

(ppp)                “ Net Mineral Acre ” has the meaning set forth in Annex 1 .

 

(qqq)                “ Non-Income Tax ” means any Tax other than an Income Tax.

 

(rrr)                   “ Order ” means any award, writ, assessment, injunction, judgment, order, ruling or decree entered, issued, made, or rendered by any Governmental Authority, excluding, however, any Law, regulation, authorization, permit, franchise, field or statewide order or other ruling or order of general applicability.

 

(sss)                 “ Organizational Documents ” means (i) the articles or certificate of incorporation and bylaws of a corporation; (ii) the certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement of a limited liability company; (iii) the limited partnership agreement and a certificate of limited partnership of a limited partnership; (iv) any charter or similar document adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation, or organization of any Person and (v) any amendment to any of the foregoing.

 

(ttt)                   “ PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

 

(uuu)                “ Permit ” means any approval, permit or license of any Governmental Authority.

 

(vvv)                “ Permitted Liens ” means (i) any RE Permitted Encumbrance, (ii) Liens with respect to an obligation or liability that is not yet due or delinquent or that may thereafter be paid without penalty, or the validity or amount of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate reserves have been established, or securing the performance of

 

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bids, trade contracts, leases or statutory obligations (including workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security legislation) incurred or made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (iii) any Lien created pursuant to any lease of property, real or personal, the obligations under which are capitalized on the relevant entity’s financial statements and which does not materially detract from the value of or materially interfere with the occupancy, use (or use contemplated by the Companies or Company Subsidiaries) or present or contemplated operation (if contemplated by the Companies or Company Subsidiaries) of the applicable property in the ordinary course of the E&P Business, (iv) any Lien created to secure purchase money indebtedness incurred or made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (v) any other Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money, (vi) Liens to secure indebtedness pursuant to the Revolving Credit Facility and (vii) any “Permitted Lien” as such term is defined in the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

(www)                                           Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, estate, Governmental Authority or any other entity.

 

(xxx)                   Post-Closing Period ” means any Tax period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date.

 

(yyy)                                                 Post-Effective Time Period ” means any Tax period (or portion thereof) beginning after December 31, 2011.

 

(zzz)                   Pre-Closing Period ” means any Tax period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date.

 

(aaaa)                                              Pre-Effective Time Period ” means any Tax period (or portion thereof) ending on or before December 31, 2011.

 

(bbbb)                                          Purchaser Fundamental Representations ” means those representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.1 through 4.3 , Sections 4.4(i) , (iii)  and (iv) , Section 4.8 and Section 4.10 .

 

(cccc)                                              Purchaser Parties ” means, collectively, Purchaser, the Purchaser Guarantors, the Equity Providers, the Debt Providers and any of their respective current, former or future directors, officers, general or limited partners, stockholders, members, managers, partners, controlling persons, Affiliates, agents, employees or Representatives.

 

(dddd)                                          Purchaser Termination Fee ” means $200,000,000; provided , however , that in the event of any Funding Failure due to a failure of the Equity Financing to be funded, the Purchaser Termination Fee shall instead be an amount equal to one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the foregoing.

 

(eeee)                                              RE Permitted Encumbrances ” means (i) Liens for Taxes or assessments not yet delinquent or, if delinquent, being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and for which appropriate reserves have been established on the Financial Statements in accordance with the Accounting Principles; (ii) materialman’s, mechanic’s, repairman’s, employee’s, contractor’s, operator’s and other similar liens or charges arising in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet delinquent (including any amounts being withheld as provided by Law), or if delinquent, being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and for which appropriate reserves have been established on the Financial Statements in accordance with the Accounting Principles; (iii) any state of facts which an accurate on-the-ground survey would show and that, individually and in the aggregate, does not materially detract from

 

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the value of or materially interfere with the occupancy, use (or use contemplated by the Companies or Company Subsidiaries) or present or contemplated operation (if contemplated by the Companies or Company Subsidiaries) of the applicable property in the ordinary course of the E&P Business; (iv) any Liens, easements, rights of way, restrictions, rights, leases and other encumbrances affecting title, whether recorded or not, that, individually or in the aggregate, do not materially detract from the value of or materially interfere with the occupation, use (or use contemplated by the Companies or Company Subsidiaries) or present or contemplated operation (if contemplated by the Companies or Company Subsidiaries) of the applicable property in the ordinary course of the E&P Business; (v) legal highways and zoning and building Laws that do not materially interfere with the occupancy, use (or use contemplated by the Companies or Company Subsidiaries) or present or contemplated operation (if contemplated by the Companies or Company Subsidiaries) of the applicable property by the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of the E&P Business; (vi) Liens based solely on a lack of information in Sellers’, any Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s files; (vii) Liens based on alleged defects in the authorization, execution, delivery, acknowledgment or approval of any instrument, unless Purchaser provides evidence that such defect results in a third Person’s superior claim of title to the relevant Company Property; (viii) Liens based on the failure to recite marital status in documents or omissions or lack of heirship, succession or probate proceedings, unless Purchaser provides evidence that such defects or irregularities results in a third Person’s superior claim of title; (ix) Liens arising solely out of lack of survey, overlapping survey or lack of metes and bounds descriptions, unless one is required by Law; (x) Liens that have been cured by applicable Laws of limitations or prescription, including adverse possession, the doctrine of laches and deemed marketable record title; (xi) Liens arising from any change in applicable Laws after the Execution Date; (xii) Liens with respect to which the true owner of the applicable Company Property is another Company or Company Subsidiary; (xiii) Liens based on a claim that none of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries has title to any Company Property if any of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries has a valid right to use such Company Property for the purposes for which it is being used; (xiv) Liens based solely on Sellers’ failure to have a title insurance policy or survey on any Company Property; (xv) Liens arising out of mortgages of liens that are unenforceable under applicable statutes of limitations; (xvi) all rights of first refusal, preferential purchase rights and similar rights with respect to the Company Properties; (xvii) all third party consent requirements and similar restrictions; (xviii) all rights to consent, required notices to, filings with or other actions by Governmental Authorities in connection with the sale or conveyance of properties (or rights or interests therein) if they are customarily obtained subsequent to the sale or conveyance of assets and properties similar to the applicable Company Property; (xix) all rights of reassignment arising upon final intention to abandon or release the Company Properties or any of them; (xx) all rights reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authorities to control or regulate any of the Company Properties in any manner or to assess Tax with respect to any of the Company Properties, the ownership, use or operation of any of the Company Properties, or the revenue, income or capital gains with respect thereto, and all obligations and duties under all applicable Laws of any such Governmental Authority or under any franchise, grant, license or permit issued by any Governmental Authority; (xxi) all Liens on or affecting the Company Properties which are expressly waived (by Purchaser), assumed, bonded or paid at or prior to Closing or which is disregarded at or prior to Closing (in each case, at no cost to the Companies or any Company Subsidiary); (xxii) any Lien or trust arising in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, pension or employment Laws and (xxiii) any Lien resulting from the failure to record leases issued by any Governmental Authority in the real property, conveyance or other records of the county or parish in which such leases are located.

 

(ffff)                                                      Required Information ” means (i) such pertinent and customary (as compared to other transactions of this size and nature) information (other than financial information, which is covered by clause (ii) below), to the extent reasonably available to Sellers, any Company or any Company Subsidiary, regarding any Company or any Company Subsidiary as may be reasonably determined by Purchaser to be necessary in order to consummate the arrangement and borrowings of the

 

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oil and gas reserve-based credit facility and loans, the bridge loan commitments and loans and offerings of debt securities contemplated by the Debt Financing and (ii) all financial statements, financial data, audit reports, production data, reserves information and other financial information regarding the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries (A) of the type required in registration statements on Form S-1 by Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K under the Securities Act (subject to exceptions customary for private placements pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act) and of the type and form customarily included in private placements of debt securities under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, to consummate the offering(s) of debt securities contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter, assuming that such offering(s) were consummated at the same time during the Companies’ fiscal year as such offering(s) of debt securities will be made and (B) such other financial or other information as otherwise reasonably required in connection with the Debt Commitment Letter or as otherwise necessary in order to assist in receiving customary “comfort” (including as to “negative assurance” comfort and change period) from the Companies’ independent accountants (which “comfort” letters such accountants shall have confirmed they are prepared to issue) and customary reserve engineers’ “comfort” from independent nationally-recognized petroleum engineers, in each case in connection with offering(s) of debt securities and the syndication of such reserve-based credit facility contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter.

 

(gggg)                                          Revolving Credit Facility ” means that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 2, 2011, among El Paso Exploration & Production Company (n/k/a EP Energy Corporation), El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and the lenders and other parties thereto, as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

(hhhh)                                          Rights of Way ” means the rights of way, permits, licenses, easements and other authorizations and rights in real property comprising the land rights upon or under which any Company or any Company Subsidiary operates gathering, pipeline or other midstream assets and the Contracts creating such rights.

 

(iiii)                                                          SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(jjjj)                                                          Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(kkkk)                                              Seller Fundamental Representations ” means those representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.1(a)  through 3.1(c), 3.1(d)(i) , 3.2(a)  (other than clause (i) thereof), 3.2(b)(i) , 3.2(d)  and (e) , 3.3(a)  (other than clause (i) thereof), 3.3(b)(i) , 3.3(d)  and (e)  and 3.15 .

 

(llll)                                                          Seller Fundamental Tax Covenants ” means those covenants and agreements set forth in Sections 5.4(m)  through 5.4(q) , 8.3 , 8.10(c)  and 8.11 .

 

(mmmm)                                  Seller Fundamental Tax Representations ” means (i) those representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.10(f) , 3.10(i)  and 3.10(l)  through 3.10(o)  and (ii) those representations and warranties set forth in the other subsections of Section 3.10 (but only, in the case of this clause (ii) to the extent such representations and warranties relate to an Income Tax).

 

(nnnn)                                          Seller Termination Fee ” means an amount equal to $400,000,000.

 

(oooo)                                          Service Employees ” means the individuals employed by El Paso or any of its Subsidiaries, other than the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries, who are listed on Schedule 1.2(oooo) .

 

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(pppp)                                          Straddle Income Period ” means any Tax period that begins on or before the Closing Date and ends after the Closing Date.

 

(qqqq)                                          Straddle Non-Income Period ” means any Tax period that begins on or before December 31, 2011 and ends after December 31, 2011.

 

(rrrr)                                                      Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (a) a corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person and/or by one or more other subsidiaries of such Person, (b) a partnership of which such Person, or one or more other subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, is the general partner and has the power to direct the policies, management and affairs of such partnership, (c) a limited liability company of which such Person and/or one or more other subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, is the managing member and has the power to direct the policies, management and affairs of such company and (d) any other Person (other than a corporation, partnership or limited liability company) in which such Person, and/or one or more other subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority ownership and power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereof.

 

(ssss)                                              Tax ” means (i) any tax, assessment, unclaimed property, escheat obligation, fee or other governmental charge imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any foreign, federal, state or local income tax, surtax, remittance tax, presumptive tax, net worth tax, special contribution, production tax, pipeline transportation tax, freehold mineral tax, value added tax, withholding tax, gross receipts tax, windfall profits tax, environmental tax (including taxes under Section 59A of the Code), profits tax, severance tax, personal property tax, real property tax, sales tax, license tax, goods and services tax, service tax, transfer tax, use tax, excise tax, premium tax, stamp tax, motor vehicle tax, entertainment tax, insurance tax, capital stock tax, franchise tax, occupation tax, payroll tax, employment tax, social security (or similar) tax, unemployment tax, disability tax, alternative or add-on minimum tax, estimated tax or other tax of any kind whatsoever, (ii) any interest, fine, penalty or additions to tax imposed by a Governmental Authority in connection with any item described in clause (i) and (iii) any liability in respect of any item described in clauses (i) or (ii) above, that arises by reason of a Contract, assumption, transferee or successor liability, operation of Law, Treasury Regulation §1.1502-6 (or any predecessor or successor thereof or any analogous provision under state, local or other Law) or otherwise, and whether any item described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) is disputed or not.

 

(tttt)                                                      Third-Party Loans ” means all Loans owing by the Companies or Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries to Persons other than a Seller or its Affiliates.

 

(uuuu)                                          Transaction Costs and Expenses ” means all reasonable and documented out of pocket costs and expenses actually incurred by or on behalf of either Party in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement with the other Party.

 

(vvvv)                                          Treasury Regulations ” means the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended.

 

(wwww)                                  WARN Act ” means the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, 29 U.S.C. § 2109 et seq. and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(xxxx)                 Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” means any Person in which all issued and outstanding equity interests of such Person are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Companies.

 

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(yyyy)                                          Willful and Material Breach ” means (i) a deliberate act or a deliberate failure to act, which act or failure to act constitutes in and of itself a material breach of this Agreement (including, in the case of Purchaser and with respect to Sections 5.5 and 5.19 , any such act or failure to act by its Affiliates) and which was undertaken with the knowledge that such act or failure to act would be, or would reasonably be expected to cause, a material breach of this Agreement or (ii) the failure by any Party to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement after all conditions to such Party’s obligations in Article 6 have been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (other than those conditions precedent which by their terms can only be satisfied simultaneously with the Closing but which are capable of being satisfied at the Closing); provided , that in the case of Purchaser, if the Marketing Period has not ended at such time, no Willful and Material Breach will exist under clause (ii) unless such inability or failure continues to exist at the time provided in Section 7.1 ; notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of Purchaser, it shall not constitute a Willful and Material Breach if Purchaser is unable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as a result of the failure of either of the Debt Financing or the Equity Financing to fund where either such failure to fund did not result from the breach by Purchaser of any covenant in this Agreement.

 

Section 1.3.                                    Excluded Assets .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article 1 or elsewhere in this Agreement, the “ Shares ” shall not include any rights with respect to any of the assets of the E&P Business set forth in Schedule 1.3 (the “ Excluded Assets ”) which, if owned by any Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the applicable Seller shall cause such Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to transfer or distribute to the applicable Seller or any of its Affiliates via one or more steps, pursuant to instruments reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser, prior to the Closing, in each case at Sellers’ sole cost and expense (which instruments shall in any event provide that any such transfer or distribution shall be made without any representation or warranty on an “AS IS WHERE IS” basis and the assignee thereunder assumes all obligations and liabilities with respect to the Excluded Assets).

 

Article 2
PURCHASE PRICE

 

Section 2.1.                                    Purchase Price .  The purchase price for the Shares shall be $7,150,000,000 (the “ Unadjusted Purchase Price ”), adjusted as provided in Section 2.3 (as so adjusted, the “ Purchase Price ”).

 

Section 2.2.                                    Allocation of Purchase Price .

 

(a)                                                                The Unadjusted Purchase Price shall be allocated as follows: (i) first, among the Shares of each of the Companies (such allocation, the “ Share Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocation ”) and (ii) thereafter, the portion of the Unadjusted Purchase Price so allocated to the Shares of any Company (other than EP Egypt) shall be allocated among (A) the classes of assets of such Company and (B) with respect to EP Egypt and the BrazilCos, each of the exploration and production concessions of such Company (such allocations, the “ Asset Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocations ”). If any adjustment is made to the Unadjusted Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.3 , then the Share Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocation and the Asset Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocations shall each be revised to reflect such adjustment; provided that, in making any such revisions, proper account shall be given to the Company or the specific asset to which such adjustment relates.

 

(b)                                                               Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, Sellers shall prepare and deliver to Purchaser, using and based upon the best information available to Sellers, a schedule (the “ Preliminary Section 2.2(b) Schedule ”), along with reasonably detailed supporting documentation, setting forth the following items:

 

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(i)                                      the Share Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocation and the Asset Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocations;

 

(ii)                                   the liabilities of each Company and the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries as of the Closing (as required for the allocations described in clause (iii) below), excluding any insurance liabilities insured by the Sellers’ captive insurance company; and

 

(iii)                                with respect to each Seller, an allocation among (A) the classes of assets of the Company or Companies to be sold by such Seller pursuant to this Agreement and (B) with respect to EP Brazil, its exploration and production concessions, in each case, of the sum of (x) the portion of the Unadjusted Purchase Price allocated to the Shares to be sold by such Seller pursuant to this Agreement (as reflected in the Share Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocation) and (y) the aggregate amount of liabilities described in the preceding clause (ii) that are includable in such Seller’s amount realized; provided that such allocation shall be consistent with the Asset Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocations and shall be made in accordance with Section 1060 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and any similar provisions of state, local or foreign Law, as appropriate).

 

Sellers shall at Purchaser’s request make reasonable documentation available to support the proposed allocation. As soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than forty-five (45) days following receipt of Sellers’ proposed allocation schedule, Purchaser shall deliver to Sellers a written report containing any changes that Purchaser proposes to be made in such schedule (and specifying the reasons therefor in reasonable detail). The Parties shall undertake to agree on a final schedule no later than fifteen (15) Business Days subsequent to the receipt by Sellers of Purchaser’s proposed changes.

 

Within thirty (30) days after the later of the determination of the Purchase Price under Section 2.4(b)  and the agreement on the schedule described above in this Section 2.2(b) , such schedule shall be amended by Sellers and delivered to Purchaser to reflect the Purchase Price following final adjustments. Purchaser shall cooperate with Sellers in the preparation of the amended schedule in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 8.4 . If Sellers’ amendments to the schedule to reflect the Purchase Price following the final adjustments are not objected to by Purchaser (by written notice to Sellers specifying the reasons therefor in reasonable detail) within thirty (30) days after delivery of Sellers’ adjustments to the schedule, it shall be deemed agreed upon by the Parties and shall constitute the “ Final Section 2.2(b) Schedule .” In the event that the Parties cannot reach an agreement within twenty (20) days after Sellers receive notice of any objection by Purchaser, then, any Party may refer the matters in dispute to KPMG LLP or another mutually acceptable independent appraiser (the “ Independent Appraiser ”) to assist in determining the matters in dispute with respect to the allocation of the Purchase Price. Should KPMG LLP fail or refuse to agree to serve as Independent Appraiser within twenty (20) days after written request from any Party to serve, and the Parties fail to agree in writing on a replacement Independent Appraiser within ten (10) days after the end of that twenty (20) day period, or should no replacement Independent Appraiser agree to serve within forty-five (45) days after the original written request pursuant to this sentence, the Independent Appraiser shall be appointed by the Houston, Texas office of the American Arbitration Association. In connection with the engagement of the Independent Appraiser, each of Sellers and Purchaser shall execute such engagement, indemnity and other agreements as the Independent Appraiser shall require as a condition to such engagement. The Independent Appraiser shall be instructed to deliver to Purchaser and Sellers a written determination of the valuation and any revisions to the Preliminary Section 2.2(b) Schedule within thirty (30) days after the date of referral thereof to the Independent Appraiser. Purchaser and Sellers agree to accept the Independent Appraiser’s determinations as to the matters in dispute and the appropriate adjustments to the schedule to reflect those determinations, which as so adjusted shall constitute the Final Section 2.2(b) Schedule. The Independent Appraiser may determine the issues in dispute following such procedures and the provisions of this Agreement, as it reasonably deems appropriate in the circumstances and with reference to the amounts in

 

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issue. The Parties do not intend to impose any particular procedures upon the Independent Appraiser, it being the desire and direction of the Parties that any such disagreement shall be resolved as expeditiously and inexpensively as reasonably practicable. The Independent Appraiser shall act as an expert for the limited purpose of determining the specific disputed aspects of the allocation schedule submitted by any Party and may not award damages, interest, or penalties to any Party with respect to any matter. Each Seller and Purchaser shall bear its own legal fees and costs of presenting its case. Sellers shall bear one half and Purchaser shall bear one half of the costs and expenses of the Independent Appraiser.

 

The allocations set forth in the Final Section 2.2(b) Schedule shall be used by Sellers, Purchaser and the Companies and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries as the basis for reporting asset values and other items for purposes of all Tax Returns. The allocations set forth in the Final Section 2.2(b) Schedule shall also be used by Sellers and Purchaser in preparing IRS Form 8594, Asset Acquisition Statement, and other required forms. Such Form 8594 shall be completed by such Parties as soon as practicable after the Closing but in no event later than fifteen (15) days prior to the date such form is required to be filed. Sellers and Purchaser agree not to assert, and will cause their Affiliates not to assert, in connection with any audit or other proceeding with respect to Taxes, any asset values or other items inconsistent with the amounts set forth in the Final Section 2.2(b) Schedule unless otherwise required by a determination under Section 1313(a) of the Code.

 

Section 2.3.                                    Adjustments to Purchase Price .  The Unadjusted Purchase Price shall be adjusted as of the Closing pursuant to Section 2.4(a)  and, after the Closing, pursuant to Section 2.4(b) , but only with respect to matters identified in the Closing Settlement Statement, the Post-Closing Statement or an Adjustment Notice, in accordance with the following:

 

(a)                                                                (i) decreased by the amount of cash or cash equivalents of the Companies or any of their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries distributed from and after the Effective Time until Closing to any Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Companies and their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries) or (ii) increased by the amount of any cash or cash equivalents contributed to the Companies or the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (including intercompany debt of a Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is capitalized in accordance with Section 5.7 ) from and after the Effective Time until Closing by any Seller or any Person who, directly or indirectly, owns an equity interest in any Seller;

 

(b)                                                               decreased by the amount (if the Effective Time Net Working Capital is negative, the absolute value) of the Effective Time Net Working Capital;

 

(c)                                                                decreased by the principal amount of all Indebtedness (for this purpose, ignoring clause (v) of the definition thereof) owing by the Companies and any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to any Person other than a Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of any Company (“ Loans ”) at the Effective Time and all interest that has accrued and that accrues through the Closing Date on the principal amount of such Loans outstanding as of the Effective Time and all prepayment penalties, premiums, fees and other similar costs and expenses due and owing in connection with the repayment of Loans in accordance with the Debt Payoff Letters;

 

(d)                                                               increased by any amounts (other than in respect of Taxes) paid by any Seller (or any Person who, directly or indirectly, owns an equity interest in any Seller) on behalf of any of the Companies or any of their Subsidiaries, including the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, from and after the Effective Time and prior to Closing, including any payments by any such Person to satisfy Loans or other obligations pursuant to Section 5.7 , Section 5.8 or Section 5.9 (other than, in any such case, any amounts that, based on historical practice, are included in the applicable corporate allocation of shared services from any Affiliate of any Seller to any Seller);

 

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(e)                                                                increased or decreased, as appropriate, in accordance with Section 1.5 of Annex 1 ;

 

(f)                                                                  increased by the amount of interest accrued on the Unadjusted Purchase Price from the Effective Time until the Closing Date at a rate of interest equal to the Agreed Rate; provided , that interest on that portion of the Unadjusted Purchase Price that is equal to the (i) portion of the bond offering component of the Debt Financing that is funded into escrow (in the event proceeds therefrom are deposited into escrow) shall only accrue from the Effective Time until the later of (x) the Bond Escrow Date applicable to the portion so funded and (y) the date that is ninety (90) calendar days after the Execution Date and (ii) bank lending component of the Debt Financing shall only accrue from the Effective Time until the later of (x) the Bank Execution Date and (y) the date that is ninety (90) calendar days after the Execution Date, at a rate of interest equal to the Agreed Rate;

 

(g)                                                               decreased by all amounts incurred by or (to the extent such amounts are subject to Section 2.3(d) ) on behalf of any Company or any Company Subsidiary (net to Sellers’ indirect interest) (including (to the extent such amounts are subject to Section 2.3(d) ) all amounts incurred by Sellers or any of their Affiliates) after the Effective Time until Closing in connection with curing or attempting to cure (i) any Title Defect or (ii) any breach of any representation or warranty set forth in Article 3 whether or not such breach of representation or warranty is claimed by Purchaser, but:

 

(A)                               in the case of clause (i) with respect to amounts incurred to cure or attempt to cure any Title Defect, decreased only to the extent the Unadjusted Purchase Price would have been decreased pursuant to Section 2.3(e)  if such Title Defect had not been cured (and, if the amounts incurred to cure and attempt to cure such Title Defect with respect to any Title Asset are not applied to reduce the Unadjusted Purchase Price pursuant to this Section 2.3(g) , then the aggregate of (x) such amounts plus (y) the portion of the Title Defect Amount associated with the uncured portion of the Title Defect pertaining to such Title Asset and asserted by Purchaser in accordance with Annex 1 shall (if such aggregate amount of clauses (x) and (y) exceeds the Title Threshold) be applied dollar for dollar to reduce the Title Deductible); provided , however , that costs incurred by (or on behalf of) any Company or Company Subsidiary to cure or to attempt to cure any Title Defect after the Title Claim Date shall not be subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.3(g)  (and, for the avoidance of doubt, such costs shall not be applied to reduce the Unadjusted Purchase Price) unless Purchaser has delivered a Title Defect Notice with respect to such Title Defect prior to the expiration of the Title Claim Date; and

 

(B)                                 in the case of clause (ii) with respect to any breach of any such representation or warranty, decreased only to the extent Sellers would owe an indemnification payment under Article 10 if the representation and warranty had not been cured (after taking into account the limitations on indemnification under Sections 10.1(d)(iv)  and 10.4(c) ) and assuming Purchaser had timely asserted a claim for indemnification under Article 10 ) (and to the extent the amounts incurred to cure and attempt to cure any such breach of any such representation or warranty are not applied to reduce the Unadjusted Purchase Price pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)  as a result of the application of the limitations on indemnification under Section 10.4(c) , then such amounts shall be applied to reduce on a dollar for dollar basis the two percent (2%) deductible referred to in Section 10.4(c) ; and

 

(h)                                                               decreased by an amount equal to the Allocated Value of each Company Property set forth on Exhibit C-1 to Annex 1 that is sold (or otherwise disposed of) by any Company or Company Subsidiary (or any of their Affiliates) prior to the Effective time (and, where only a portion of any such Company Property is so sold or disposed of, decreased by the portion of such Allocated Value attributable to such portion so sold or otherwise disposed of).

 

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In calculating the adjustment to the Unadjusted Purchase Price pursuant to this Section 2.3 , no adjustment may be accounted for in more than one of the paragraphs (a) through (h) above. For clarity, (i) no payment by any Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary pursuant to Section 5.7 shall be deemed to have been distributed to any Seller or its Affiliates for purposes of Section 2.3(a) , (ii) no payment by any Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Companies and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries) pursuant to Section 5.7 shall be deemed to have been contributed to the Companies or the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries for purposes of Section 2.3(a) , (iii) any Loan amount that is capitalized in accordance with Section 5.7 shall be deemed to have been contributed to the Companies or the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries for purposes of Section 2.3(a) , (iv) no payment received or made in respect of any ordinary course sale of goods or services, respectively, by any Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Companies and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries), on the one hand, from or to, respectively, any Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, on the other hand, shall adjust the Unadjusted Purchase Price pursuant to this Section 2.3 and (v) distributions to any Seller or its Affiliates in respect of amounts that would be owed to Sellers pursuant to Section 8.7 if such amounts were received after the Closing shall not adjust the Unadjusted Purchase Price pursuant to this Section 2.3 . For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties acknowledge and agree that no adjustments shall be made to the Effective Time Net Working Capital.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, there shall be no adjustments made (i) pursuant to Section 2.3(c)  with respect to any of the obligations described in item 2 of Schedule 3.5 or (ii) pursuant to any provision of this Section 2.3 with respect to any actions taken between the Execution Date and the Closing with respect to such obligations pursuant to Section 5.7 or Section 8.10(a)  or as described in Schedule 3.5 .

 

Section 2.4.                                    Closing Payment and Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustments .

 

(a)                                                                Not later than five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Sellers shall prepare and deliver to Purchaser a settlement statement (the “ Closing Settlement Statement ”) calculating the amount equal to the Unadjusted Purchase Price as adjusted to give effect to Sellers’ good faith estimate of the adjustments provided for in Section 2.3 (or, if then determinable, the final amounts thereof). Purchaser shall have three (3) Business Days to review the settlement statement from Purchaser’s receipt thereof. On the day following expiration of such three (3) Business Day review period, Purchaser shall submit a written report containing any changes Purchaser proposes to be made to the settlement statement. Sellers and Purchaser shall agree on a final settlement statement no later than one (1) Business Day prior to Closing; provided , however , if Sellers and Purchaser are unable to agree, then, subject to Section 2.4(b) , Sellers’ determination shall be used for purposes of the payment to be made at the Closing. The calculation delivered by Sellers in accordance with this Section 2.4(a) , as adjusted in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, if applicable, shall constitute the dollar amount to be paid by Purchaser to Sellers at the Closing (the “ Closing Payment ”).

 

(b)                                                               As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing but not later than the later of the ninetieth (90th) day following the Closing Date and the day on which all Title Defects, Title Benefits, Title Defect Amounts and Title Benefit Amounts (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any Required Consent Dispute) have been finally determined in accordance with Section 1.5(i) of Annex 1 , Purchaser shall prepare and deliver to Sellers a draft statement (the “ Post-Closing Statement ”) setting forth the final calculation of the Purchase Price taking into account any adjustments pursuant to Section 2.3 (and any Title Defects finally resolved pursuant to Section 1.5 of Annex 1 after the Closing). As soon as reasonably practicable but not later than the sixtieth (60th) Business Day following receipt of Purchaser’s statement hereunder, Seller shall deliver to Purchaser a written report (an “ Adjustment Notice ”) containing any changes (other than with respect to Title Defects) Sellers propose be made in such statement. Sellers shall be deemed to have accepted and agreed to all items in the Post-Closing Statement other than such matters that are proposed to be changed in the Adjustment Notice and other

 

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than Title Defects. The Parties shall undertake to agree on the final Purchase Price no later than ten (10) Business Days after delivery of the Post-Closing Statement. If the final Purchase Price is:

 

(i)                                      mutually agreed upon in writing by Sellers and Purchaser during such ten (10) Business Day period, the final Purchase Price shall be conclusive and binding on the Parties; or

 

(ii)                                   not mutually agreed upon by Sellers and Purchaser during such ten (10) Business Day period, then KPMG LLP (the “ Dispute Auditor ”) shall resolve any disagreements (other than with respect to Title Defects). Should KPMG LLP fail or refuse to agree to serve as Dispute Auditor within ten (10) days after written request from any Party to serve, and the Parties fail to agree in writing on a replacement Dispute Auditor within five (5) days after the end of that ten (10) day period, or should no replacement Dispute Auditor agree to serve within fifteen (15) days after the original written request pursuant to this sentence, the Dispute Auditor shall be appointed by the Houston, Texas office of the American Arbitration Association. In connection with the engagement of the Dispute Auditor, each of Sellers and Purchaser shall execute such engagement, indemnity and other agreements as the Dispute Auditor shall require as a condition to such engagement. The Dispute Auditor shall determine as promptly as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) days after the selection of the Dispute Auditor, based solely on written submissions provided by Purchaser and Sellers to the Dispute Auditor (and without independent investigation on the part of the Dispute Auditor) within ten (10) days following the Dispute Auditor’s selection, whether and to what extent (if any) Purchaser’s statement requires adjustment. In resolving any disputed item, the Dispute Auditor shall act as an expert and not an arbitrator, and shall resolve only the items set forth in the Adjustment Notice that are still in dispute and may not assign a value to any item greater than the highest value for such item claimed by either Party or less than the lowest value for such item claimed by either Party. The fees and expenses of the Dispute Auditor shall be paid by the Parties in inverse proportion to the relative success of their claims. The determination of the Dispute Auditor shall be final, conclusive and binding on Purchaser and Sellers. The date on which the final Purchase Price is finally determined in accordance with this Section 2.4(b)  is referred to as the “ Determination Date .”

 

(c)                                                                Any difference in the Closing Payment and the final Purchase Price shall be paid by the owing Party to the owed Party within ten (10) Business Days of the Determination Date. Any post-Closing payment pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall bear interest from the Closing Date to the date of payment at the Agreed Rate.

 

(d)                                                               Sellers shall assist Purchaser in preparation of the Post-Closing Statement of the Purchase Price under Section 2.4(b)  by furnishing invoices, receipts, reasonable access to personnel and such other assistance as may be requested by Purchaser to facilitate such process post-Closing.

 

(e)                                                                All payments made or to be made under this Agreement to Sellers shall be made by electronic transfer of immediately available funds to New EPE, acting as representative of Sellers, at the account set forth in Schedule 2.4(e) , for the credit of the applicable Sellers, or to such other bank and account as may be specified by New EPE in writing. All payments made or to be made hereunder to Purchaser shall be by electronic transfer or immediately available funds to a bank and account specified by Purchaser in writing to New EPE, for the credit of Purchaser.

 

Section 2.5.                                    Withholding Rights .  Purchaser shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as Purchaser is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax Laws. To the extent that such amounts are so withheld by Purchaser, such withheld

 

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and deducted amounts will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holders of the Shares in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by Purchaser.

 

Article 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS

 

Subject to the provisions of this Article 3 , Sellers, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to Purchaser the matters set out in Section 3.1 through Section 3.27 .

 

Section 3.1.            Sellers .

 

(a)                     Existence and Qualification . Each of New EPE and EP Energy is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. EP Brazil is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware.

 

(b)                     Power . Each Seller has the corporate or limited liability company, as applicable, power and authority to enter into, deliver and perform this Agreement (and all documents required to be executed and delivered by such Seller pursuant hereto) and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (and such documents).

 

(c)                     Authorization and Enforceability . Each Seller’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement (and all documents required to be executed and delivered by each Seller pursuant hereto), and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited liability company, as applicable, action on the part of such Seller and no other corporate or limited liability company, as applicable, proceedings are necessary in connection therewith. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Seller (and all documents required to be executed and delivered by each Seller pursuant hereto shall be duly executed and delivered by such Seller), and this Agreement constitutes, and at the Closing such documents shall constitute, the valid and binding obligations of each Seller, enforceable in accordance with their terms.

 

(d)                     No Conflicts . Each Seller’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement (and all documents required to be executed and delivered at Closing by each Seller pursuant hereto), and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, shall not (i) violate any provision of the Organizational Documents of such Seller, (ii) except for (A) any consent described in Schedule 3.1(d) , (B) any consent covering (or created under) any of the Company Mineral Interests or any Contract relating to the licensing of seismic or geophysical data and (C) any preferential purchase right requirement described in Schedule 3.14 , result in default (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) or the creation of any Lien or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under any asset, Contract, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, or other financing instrument to which such Seller is a party or by which it is bound, (iii) except for (A) any consent described in Schedule 3.1(d) , (B) any consent covering (or created under) any of the Company Mineral Interests and (C) any preferential purchase right requirement described in Schedule 3.14 , require any authorization, consent or approval of, or notice to, any Person or Governmental Authority (except for the applicable requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and any other applicable Antitrust Laws), (iv) violate any Order applicable to such Seller as a party in interest or (v) assuming that the consents of the applicable Governmental Authorities contemplated in clause (iii) above are obtained, violate any Laws applicable to such Seller, except any matters described in clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 3.2.            The Companies .

 

(a)                     Existence and Qualification . Each Company is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction where it is incorporated (as set forth in the recitals to this Agreement). Each Company is (i) duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation, limited liability company or partnership, as applicable, in, and is in good standing under the Laws of, each jurisdiction where such qualification is required and (ii) authorized and has all requisite corporate, limited liability company or partnership, as applicable, power to conduct business, own, lease and operate its material properties and assets as such are now being conducted, in each case except where the lack of such qualification, authorization or good standing has not or would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                     No Conflicts . The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not (i) violate any provision of the Organizational Documents of any Company, (ii) except for (A) any consent described in Schedule 3.1(d) , (B) any consent covering (or created under) any of the Company Mineral Interests or any Contract relating to the licensing of seismic or geophysical data and (C) any preferential purchase right requirement described in Schedule 3.14 , result in default (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both), the creation of any Lien or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under any asset, Company Contract, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, or other financing instrument to which such Company is a party or by which it is bound, (iii) except for (A) any consent described in Schedule 3.1(d) , (B) any consent covering (or created under) any of the Company Mineral Interests and (C) any preferential purchase right requirement described in Schedule 3.14 , require any authorization, consent or approval of, or notice to, any Person or Governmental Authority (except for the applicable requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and any other applicable Antitrust Laws), (iv) violate any Order applicable to any Company as a party in interest or (v) assuming that the consents of the applicable Government Authority contemplated in clause (iii) above are obtained, violate any Laws applicable to any Company, except any matters described in clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)                     Organizational Documents . Sellers have delivered to Purchaser via the Data Room true, complete and correct copies of the Organizational Documents, each as amended to date, of the Companies and have made available to Purchaser for inspection the true, complete and correct ownership interest certificates, if any, and transfer books, and the minute books, of the Companies.

 

(d)                    Title to the Shares . Sellers have good and valid title to the Shares, as applicable, in each case, free and clear of Liens of any kind other than restrictions on transfer that may be imposed by applicable securities Laws. Other than this Agreement, the Shares are not subject to any voting agreement or other Contract, including any Contract restricting or otherwise relating to the voting, dividend rights or disposition of Shares. Upon delivery to Purchaser at the Closing of certificates representing the Shares held by such Seller, good and valid title to such Shares will pass to Purchaser, free and clear of Liens of any kind, other than restrictions on transfer that may be imposed by applicable securities Laws or the Organizational Documents of the issuer of the Shares.

 

(e)                     The Shares . Schedule 3.2(e)  sets forth the names of the holders of the shares, quotas or units, as applicable, the number of shares, quotas or units, as applicable, held by each such holder, and the number of shares, quotas, or units, as applicable, authorized, of (i) the capital stock of EP Energy (any issued and outstanding capital stock of EP Energy set forth on Schedule 3.2(e)  as converted into limited liability company interests of EPE LLC in connection with the actions contemplated by Section 8.10 , the “ EPE LLC Membership Interests ”); (ii) the issued and outstanding

 

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capital stock of UnoPaso (any issued and outstanding quotas of UnoPaso set forth on Schedule 3.2(e) , the “ UnoPaso Shares ”); (iii) the capital stock of Brazil Holdings (any issued and outstanding common stock of Brazil Holdings set forth on Schedule 3.2(e) , the “ Brazil Holdings Shares ”); (iv) the capital stock of Brazil O&G (any issued and outstanding quotas of Brazil O&G set forth on Schedule 3.2(e) , the “ Brazil O&G Shares ” and, together with the UnoPaso Shares and the Brazil Holdings Shares, the “ BrazilCo Shares ”); and (v) the issued and outstanding capital stock of EP Egypt (any issued and outstanding common stock of EP Egypt after giving effect to the actions contemplated by Section 8.10 , the “ EP Egypt Shares ”). The Shares are duly authorized and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid, non-assessable and have not been issued in violation of any preemptive rights. Except for the Shares, there are no shares of capital stock, membership interests or other equity interests in any Company issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding, or any contractual arrangements giving any Person a right to receive any benefits or rights similar to the rights enjoyed by or accruing to the holders of any Shares of any Company. Other than pursuant to this Agreement, there are no outstanding warrants, options, rights, convertible or exchangeable securities or other commitments pursuant to which any Seller or a Company is or may become obligated to issue or sell any shares of capital stock, membership interests or other equity interest in such Company. There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or similar rights with respect to any Company. No Company has an obligation to repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire shares of its capital stock or other equity interests. No outstanding holders of Indebtedness of any Company have any right to vote (or to convert into, exchange or subscribe for or acquire securities having the right to vote) with the equity holders of any Company on any matter. No Person has any right of first offer, right of first refusal, consent right or preemptive right in connection with any offer, sale or issuance of the capital stock of any Company (including with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement). There is no obligation to make any loan or capital contribution to any Company Subsidiary.

 

Section 3.3.            Company Subsidiaries and the JV Entity .

 

(a)                     Existence and Qualification . Each Company Subsidiary and the JV Entity is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or formation as set forth on Schedule 3.3 . Each Company Subsidiary and the JV Entity is (i) duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation, limited liability company or partnership, as applicable, in, and is in good standing under the Laws of, each jurisdiction where such qualification is required and (ii) authorized and has all requisite corporate, limited liability company or partnership, as applicable, power to conduct business, own, lease and operate its material properties and assets as such are now being conducted, in each case except where the lack of such qualification, authorization or good standing has not or would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                     No Conflicts . The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not (i) violate any provision of the Organizational Documents of any Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity, (ii) except for (A) any consent described in Schedule 3.1(d) , (B) any consent covering (or created under) any of the Company Mineral Interests or any Contract relating to the licensing of seismic or geophysical data and (C) any preferential purchase right requirement described in Schedule 3.14 , result in default (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) the creation of any Lien or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under any asset, Contract, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, or other financing instrument to which any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound, (iii) except for (A) any consent described in Schedule 3.1(d) , (B) any consent covering (or created under) any of the Company Mineral Interests and (C) any preferential purchase right requirement described in Schedule 3.14 , require any authorization, consent or approval of, or notice to, any Person or Governmental Authority (except for the applicable requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and any other applicable Antitrust Laws), (iv) violate any Order applicable to any Company

 

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Subsidiary or the JV Entity as a party in interest or (v) assuming that the consents of the applicable Government Authority contemplated in clause (iii) above are obtained, violate any Laws applicable to any Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity, except any matters described in clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)                     Organizational Documents . Sellers have delivered to Purchaser via the Data Room true, complete and correct copies of the Organizational Documents, each as amended to date, of each Company Subsidiary and the JV Entity and have made available to Purchaser for inspection the ownership interest certificates, if any, and transfer books, and the minute books, of each Company Subsidiary.

 

(d)                     Title to Equity Interests of the Company Subsidiaries and the JV Entity . The issued and outstanding shares, membership interests or partnership interests, as appropriate, in each Company Subsidiary and the JV Entity are owned of record as described in Schedule 3.3 . In the case of such issued and outstanding shares of capital stock owned of record by a Company, any Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity as shown on Schedule 3.3 (the “ Equity Interests ”), (i) each applicable owner has good and valid title to such shares, membership interests or partnership interests, as appropriate and (ii) such shares or interests are also owned beneficially and free and clear of any Liens of any kind, other than restrictions on transfers that may be imposed by applicable federal or state securities laws. Other than this Agreement, the Equity Interests are not subject to any voting agreement, proxies, stockholder agreements or other Contract relating to the voting, dividend rights or disposition of the Equity Interests.

 

(e)                     The Equity Interests . The names of the holders of the Equity Interests and the number of shares, quotas or units, as applicable, held by each such holder are set forth on Schedule 3.3 . All the Equity Interests are duly authorized and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid, non-assessable (except, in the case of Company Subsidiaries that are limited liability companies, as expressly authorized by the terms of the applicable Organizational Documents of such Company Subsidiaries) and have not been issued in violation of any preemptive rights. Except for the Equity Interests shown on Schedule 3.3 , there are no shares, units or other equity interests in any Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding, or any contractual arrangements giving any Person a right to receive any benefits or rights similar to the rights enjoyed by or accruing to the holders of any Equity Interests. Other than pursuant to this Agreement, there are no outstanding warrants, options, rights, convertible or exchangeable securities or other commitments pursuant to which any Company, any Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity is or may become obligated to issue or sell any capital stock, membership interests or other equity interests in such Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity. There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or similar rights with respect to any Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity. No Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity has an obligation to repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire shares of its capital stock or other equity interest. No outstanding holders of Indebtedness of any Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity have any right to vote (or to convert into, exchange or subscribe for or acquire securities having the right to vote) with the equity holders of any Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity on any matter. No Person has any right of first offer, right of first refusal, consent right or preemptive right in connection with any offer, sale or issuance of the capital stock of any Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity (including with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement).

 

(f)                      Other than as set forth in Schedule 3.3(f), and other than the capital stock or other equity interests that any Company owns of its respective Company Subsidiaries and the JV Entity, no Company owns, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other equity interests of any other Person. No Company, Company Subsidiary or the JV Entity is obligated to make any investment in or capital contribution to any Person.

 

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Section 3.4.            Financial Statements .  The Financial Statements (i) are compliant with Regulation S-X, (ii) present fairly in all material respects in accordance with the Accounting Principles, applied consistently during the periods involved, the combined financial position of the Companies together with their respective consolidated Company Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and the combined results of operations, cash flows and shareholders’ equity of the Companies together with their respective consolidated Company Subsidiaries for the periods covered thereby and (iii) are prepared in accordance with the books of account and records of the Companies and their respective consolidated Company Subsidiaries in all material respects. The accounting controls of the Companies have been and are sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (a) all transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (b) all transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the accurate preparation of financial statements in accordance with the Accounting Principles and to maintain proper accountability for items. Without limiting the foregoing, the Financial Statements provide an accurate statement of the Companies’ asset retirement obligations based on presently available information and the Accounting Principles to the extent that they are required to be disclosed in the Financial Statements in accordance with the Accounting Principles.

 

Section 3.5.            No Undisclosed Liabilities .  There are no Liabilities of or with respect to any of the Companies or any of the Company Subsidiaries that would be required by the Accounting Principles to be disclosed on a balance sheet other than (a) Liabilities disclosed on Schedule 3.5 , (b) Liabilities disclosed in the Financial Statements, (c) Liabilities for performance under (but not Liabilities for breach of) the Material Contracts listed on Schedule 3.13 or any other Contracts not required to be disclosed on Schedule 3.13 or (d) Liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, since December 31, 2010, that, individually or in the aggregate, are not, and would not reasonably be expected to be, material to the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

Section 3.6.            Labor Matters .  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.6 , none of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement or other labor agreement with any labor union, works council or organization and no consent, approval or authorization from any labor organization is required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Sellers and/or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) (x) no labor organization or group of the Business Employees has made a demand for recognition or certification as a union or other labor organization with respect to any of the Business Employees and (y) there are no representation or certification proceedings or petitions seeking a representation proceeding presently pending or, to any Seller’s knowledge, threatened to be brought or filed with the National Labor Relations Board or any U.S. or non-U.S. labor relations tribunal or authority with respect to any of such employees, (ii) there are no organizing activities, (iii) there are no (and during the two (2) year period preceding the date of this Agreement, there have not been any) strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, arbitrations, grievances or other labor disputes pending or, to any Seller’s knowledge, threatened, involving the Business Employees, (iv) the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries are in compliance with all collective bargaining and union Contracts, (v) there is no unfair labor practice charge or complaint against the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries pending or, to any Seller’s knowledge, threatened before the National Labor Relations Board or any similar state agency and (vi) none of the Companies or any of the Company Subsidiaries has incurred any Liability or obligation under the WARN Act or any similar state or local Law that remains unsatisfied.

 

Section 3.7.            Employee Benefits .

 

(a)                     Part A of Schedule 3.7 lists all of the Employee Plans (i) under which any Business Employee has any present or future right to benefits that is maintained, sponsored or contributed to by Sellers or any of their ERISA Affiliates or (ii) with respect to which Sellers or any of their ERISA Affiliates has any present or future liability in respect of the Business Employees (the “ Seller

 

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Employee Plans ”). The Seller Employee Plans maintained, sponsored or contributed to by Sellers or their ERISA Affiliates that are organized in the United States shall hereinafter be referred to as “U.S. Employee Plans” and the Seller Employee Plans which are not U.S. Employee Plans shall hereinafter be referred to as “ Non-U.S. Employee Plans .” Part A of Schedule 3.7 separately indicates those Seller Employee Plans that are sponsored or maintained solely by the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries (the “ Companies Employee Plans ”).

 

(b)                     The El Paso Corporation Retirement Savings 401(k) Plan and any related trust agreement that is intended to qualify as tax exempt under Code Section 501(a) have received a favorable determination letter from the IRS that has not been revoked, and, to the knowledge of any Seller, nothing has occurred since the date of such determination letter or letters from the Internal Revenue Service that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of the El Paso Corporation Retirement Savings 401(k) Plan or any related trust agreement.

 

(c)                     With respect to each U.S. Employee Plan that is subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 or 4971 of the Code, (i) Sellers and their ERISA Affiliates have complied with the minimum funding requirements of Sections 412, 430 and 431 of the Code and Sections 302, 303 and 304 of ERISA, whether or not waived and (ii) there is no Controlled Group Liability, and no event has occurred, and to the knowledge of any Seller, no condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result in any Controlled Group Liability being imposed on Purchaser, the Companies or any of their ERISA Affiliates, except, in each case of (i) and (ii), as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Companies and the Company Subsidiaries (i) do not have any Liability with respect to any Seller Employee Plan or other arrangement that provides for post-retirement or other post-employment medical or life insurance benefits (other than health care continuation coverage as required by applicable Laws) and (ii) have complied in all material respects with the notice and continuation coverage requirements, and all other requirements, of Section 4980B of the Code and Parts 6 and 8 of Title I of ERISA, and the regulations thereunder, except, in each case of (i) and (ii), as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)                     Except as set forth on Part D of Schedule 3.7 , no non-exempt “prohibited transaction” or “reportable event” has occurred within the meaning of the applicable provisions of ERISA or the Code with respect to any Seller Employee Plan and no “fiduciary” (as defined in ERISA Section 3(21)) has committed any breach of duty that could subject the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries to liability under Title I or ERISA or to Tax under Code Section 4975, except, in each case, as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e)                     Except as set forth on Schedule 3.7(e)  or as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or as specifically contemplated by this Agreement, neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will cause or result in (either alone or in combination with another event): (i) any payment, compensation or benefit becoming due, or any increase in the amount of any payment, compensation or benefit due, or the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting or in any funding (through a grantor trust or otherwise) of compensation or benefits to any Business Employee or (ii) the payment of any amount to any Business Employee that could, individually or in combination with any other such payment, constitute an “excess parachute payment,” as defined in Code Section 280G(b)(1). Except as set forth on Part E of Schedule 3.7 , no “disqualified individual” (within the meaning of Code Section 280G(c)) who is also a Business Employee is entitled to receive any additional payment from the Companies or any of the Company Subsidiaries or any other Person in the event that the excise Tax required by Code Section 4999(a) is imposed on such “disqualified individual.”

 

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Section 3.8.            Accuracy of Data .  Except for any matters that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and excluding title information, the factual, non-interpretative data provided by any Seller or any Affiliate of any Seller to Ryder Scott Company, L.P. in connection with the preparation of its report dated as of December 31, 2011 (the “ Audited Reserve Report ”) that was material to Ryder Scott Company, L.P.’s estimates of the proved oil and gas reserves set forth in the Audited Reserve Report was, as of the issuance of the Audited Reserve Report, accurate in all respects, and to any Seller’s knowledge there were no errors in the assumptions and estimates provided by any Seller or any Affiliate of any Seller to Ryder Scott Company, L.P. in connection with the preparation of the Audited Reserve Report.

 

Section 3.9.            Litigation .

 

(a)                     Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.9(a)  or as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, there are no Actions, inquiries or investigations pending or, to any Seller’s knowledge, threatened, involving any Seller, any of the Companies or, with respect to the E&P Business, any of their respective Affiliates. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9(a) , none of the Companies, nor the Company Subsidiaries are subject to any outstanding settlement or other similar agreement or Order that would reasonably be expected to result, or has resulted, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                     There are no bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings involving claims or Actions by or against any of the Companies or any of the Company Subsidiaries, nor, to any Seller’s knowledge, are any such claims or Actions threatened.

 

(c)                     This Section 3.9 shall not apply in respect of environmental matters, which are exclusively covered by Section 3.11 .

 

Section 3.10.          Taxes and Assessments .  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.10 :

 

(a)                     Each Company and each Company Subsidiary has properly prepared and timely filed all material Tax Returns that it was required to file, and all such Tax Returns were correct and complete in all material respects;

 

(b)                     Each Company and each Company Subsidiary has timely paid (or, in the case of Taxes not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith, adequately reserved against in the Financial Statements) all Taxes shown on the Tax Returns described in Section 3.10(a)  and all other material Taxes due from or with respect to it;

 

(c)                     (i) No action, suit, Governmental Authority proceeding or audit is now in progress or pending or has been threatened in writing with respect to any Company or any Company Subsidiary for and (ii) no Company or Company Subsidiary has received written notice of any pending claim against it (which remains outstanding) from any applicable Governmental Authority for, assessment or deficiency of material Taxes, and no such claim has been threatened in writing;

 

(d)                     No Company or Company Subsidiary has waived any statute of limitations in respect of any Taxes that is currently in effect or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency that is currently in effect; there are no agreements or waivers currently in effect providing for an extension of time with respect to the filing of any Tax Returns of any Company or any Company Subsidiary, and no request for any such waiver or extension is pending;

 

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(e)                     Except for deficiencies being contested in good faith, all deficiencies for Taxes asserted or assessed in writing against any Company or Company Subsidiary have been fully and timely paid, settled or properly reflected in the Financial Statements;

 

(f)                      No Company or Company Subsidiary is a party to any agreement relating to Taxes with any Governmental Authority that would be terminated or adversely affected as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(g)                     No Company or Company Subsidiary has (i) participated in any reportable transaction within the meaning of Section 6707A(c)(1) of the Code or Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b) (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Laws) or (ii) taken any reporting position on a Tax Return, which reporting position (A) if not sustained would be reasonably likely, absent disclosure, to give rise to a penalty for substantial understatement of federal income Tax under Section 6662 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Tax Laws) and (B) has not adequately been disclosed on such Tax Return in accordance with Section 6662(d)(2)(B) of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Tax Laws);

 

(h)                     No Company or Company Subsidiary (i) has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return (other than a group the common parent of which was El Paso) or (ii) has any liability for the Taxes of any Person other than such Company or Company Subsidiary under Treasury Regulation §§ 1.1502-6 or 1.1502-78 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract, or otherwise;

 

(i)                      There are no Liens for material Taxes upon the assets or properties of any Company or Company Subsidiary, except for statutory Liens for current Taxes not yet due;

 

(j)                      Since December 31, 2004, no Company or Company Subsidiary has constituted a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of shares qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code;

 

(k)                     No Company or Company Subsidiary will be required to include in a Post-Closing Period taxable income attributable to income that accrued in a Pre-Closing Period but was not recognized for Tax purposes in such Pre-Closing Period (or to exclude from taxable income in a Post-Closing Period any deduction the recognition of which was accelerated from such Post-Closing Period to a Pre-Closing Period) as a result of the installment method of accounting, the completed contract method of accounting, the long-term contract method of accounting, the cash method of accounting, Section 481 of the Code or Section 108(i) of the Code or comparable provisions of state, local or foreign Tax Laws;

 

(l)                      Since January 1, 2009, and, prior to such time, to Sellers’ knowledge, no Company or Company Subsidiary has executed or entered into a closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Laws, and no Company or Company Subsidiary is subject to any private letter ruling of the IRS or comparable ruling of any other Governmental Authority;

 

(m)                    Since January 1, 2009, each Company’s and Company Subsidiary’s property that is subject to property Tax has been properly listed and described on the property tax rolls of the appropriate taxing jurisdictions for all periods prior to Closing and no portion of any Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s property constitutes omitted property for property Tax purposes;

 

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(n)                     As of the Closing Date, each Company (other than EP Egypt) and Wholly-Owned Subsidiary will be treated as an entity disregarded from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and

 

(o)                    Neither the quotas nor the assets of the BrazilCos constitute a “United States real property interest” as defined in Section 897(c)(1) of the Code.

 

Section 3.11.          Environmental Laws .  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.11 or as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(a)                     each Company Subsidiary is and, within the relevant time period specified under all applicable statutes of limitation, has been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws;

 

(b)                     each Company and Company Subsidiary possesses or has obtained all Governmental Authorizations required for operation of the E&P Business, the operation of their facilities and the use of their respective assets pursuant to applicable Environmental Law, all such Governmental Authorizations are in effect, and, to any Seller’s knowledge, there is no actual or alleged proceeding to revoke, modify or terminate any of such Governmental Authorizations;

 

(c)                     there has been no pollution or contamination of groundwater, surface water, subsurface strata or soil on the Company Properties or adjacent property resulting from any Company’s or Company Subsidiary’s activities or, to any Seller’s knowledge, at any other property or location for which any Company or Company Subsidiary is or would be liable to remediate under applicable Environmental Laws on or before the date of this Agreement but which has not been remediated; and

 

(d)                     there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending, or, to any Seller’s knowledge, threatened by or before any Governmental Authority or arbitrator alleging violations of or Liability under Environmental Laws by any Company or Company Subsidiary or by any of their properties or operations, or claiming remediation obligations of any Company or Company Subsidiary under applicable Environmental Laws, nor have any of the Companies or Company Subsidiaries received a written complaint from any third-party asserting that any Company or Company Subsidiary has caused or is otherwise responsible for material damage to their property or material contamination of their water supply.

 

Purchaser acknowledges that naturally occurring radioactive material, asbestos, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, drilling fluids and chemicals, and produced waters and Hydrocarbons that may be present in or on the Company Properties in quantities or concentrations that do not violate, and that do not give rise to any remediation obligations under Environmental Laws shall not in and of itself constitute a breach of this Section 3.11 . For purposes of this Agreement, “ Environmental Laws ” means all Laws pertaining to prevention of pollution, remediation of contamination, or protection of human health or the environment (including natural resources), including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.; the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.; the Hazardous Materials Transportation Authorization Act, 49 U.S.C. § 5101 et seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 through 2629; the Oil Pollution Act, 33 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq.; the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C. § 11001 et seq.; and the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300f through 300j, in each case as amended to the Execution Date, and all similar Laws as of the Execution Date of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the property in question and all regulations implementing the foregoing.

 

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Section 3.12.          Compliance with Laws .  Except (a) with respect to Environmental Laws, which are exclusively addressed in Section 3.11 , (b) with respect to Anti-Corruption Laws, which are exclusively addressed in Section 3.26 and (c) as set forth on Schedule 3.12 , the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries have been and are in compliance with all applicable Laws, except such failures to comply as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries have received any written notice or, to any Seller’s knowledge, oral notice, from any Governmental Authority or any other Person regarding any actual, alleged, possible, or potential violation of, or failure to comply with, any Law, other than such violation or failure that would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.13.          Company Contracts .  Except (a) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) for confirmations under any Contract relating to Derivatives and (c) for Contracts (x) set forth on Schedule 3.13 and noted with an asterisk (*) and (y) seismic licenses and other similar Contracts the disclosure of the existence of which is prohibited or conditioned (the aggregate number of which is set forth on Schedule 3.13 ), there are no Material Contracts except as set forth on Schedule 3.13 . The applicable Seller, Company or Company Subsidiary party thereto or subject thereto has (i) to any Seller’s knowledge, performed all obligations under each Material Contract and (ii) not received written notice of its being in breach or default under any Material Contract, in each case, except as disclosed in Schedule 3.13 and except for such breaches or defaults as would not have a Material Adverse Effect. All Material Contracts are valid and binding upon the applicable Seller, Company or Company Subsidiary party thereto or subject thereto, and to any Seller’s knowledge, in full force and effect and enforceable against the other parties thereto, except such failures to be in full force and effect as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. No event has occurred with respect to any Material Contract that, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default by any Seller, Company or Company Subsidiary party thereto or, to any Seller’s knowledge, any other party thereto that would have a Material Adverse Effect. Except for Contracts (x) set forth on Schedule 3.13 and noted with an asterisk (*) and (y) seismic licenses and other similar Contracts, the disclosure of which is prohibited or conditioned (the aggregate number of which is set forth on Schedule 3.13 ), true, complete and correct copies of the Material Contracts in existence as of the execution hereof have been included in the Data Room. No notice of default or breach has been received or delivered by any Seller, Company or Company Subsidiary under any Material Contract, or other Contract disclosed in Schedule 3.13 , the resolution of which is currently outstanding, and no currently effective notices have been received by any Seller, Company or Company Subsidiary of the exercise of any premature termination, price redetermination, market-out or curtailment of any Material Contract or other Contract disclosed in Schedule 3.13 . Sellers shall be permitted to update Schedule 3.13 to reflect any changes between the Execution Date and Closing that are made in compliance with Sellers’ obligations under Section 5.3 and Section 5.4 , and Schedule 3.13 , as so updated, shall be deemed to have been included as Material Contracts thereon on the Execution Date.

 

Section 3.14.          Preferential Purchase Rights .  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.14 and except as would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, there is no preferential purchase right which may be applicable in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 3.15.          Liability for Brokers’ Fees .  Purchaser and the Companies shall not directly or indirectly have any responsibility, liability or expense, as a result of undertakings or agreements of Sellers, the Companies or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or any of its or their Affiliates or Kinder Morgan prior to Closing, for brokerage fees, finder’s fees, agent’s commissions or other similar forms of compensation to an intermediary in connection with the negotiation, execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or transaction contemplated hereby.

 

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Section 3.16.          Outstanding Capital Commitments .  Except as described in Schedule 3.16 , as of the Execution Date there is no outstanding authorization for expenditure or other commitment for capital expenditure which is binding on any Company or Company Subsidiary and which any Seller reasonably anticipates will require expenditure by any Company or Company Subsidiary after the Closing Date in excess of $5,000,000, individually, or in the case of any Well, on a Well-by-Well basis.

 

Section 3.17.          Absence of Certain Changes .  Since September 30, 2011, except as set forth in Schedule 3.17 or as provided in Section 8.10(a) , the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries (a) have, in all material respects, conducted their business and operated their properties in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (b) have not taken any action or failed to take any action that, if taken after the date hereof, would have resulted in a breach of Section 5.3 or Section 5.4 or would require the consent of Purchaser pursuant to Section 5.3 or Section 5.4 , except with regard to compliance with the Capital Expenditure Plans, which the Parties agree apply only to the period between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012.

 

Section 3.18.          Governmental Authorizations; Permits .  Except with respect to Environmental Laws, which are exclusively addressed in Section 3.11 and except as may be required to effectuate the actions contemplated by Section 8.10 , each Company and Company Subsidiary has obtained and is maintaining all Governmental Authorizations and Permits that are necessary or required for the lawful ownership and operation of the E&P Business as currently owned and operated by such Person, except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. There has not occurred any default under any such Governmental Authorization or Permit, nor will one result from the execution of this Agreement or the Closing, except to the extent that such default would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Since January 1, 2010, no Company or Company Subsidiary has received any written notice, or to any Seller’s knowledge, oral notice, from any Governmental Authority that such Governmental Authority intends to revoke, not renew, or adversely modify any such Governmental Authorization or Permit in a manner that would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.19.          Assets of the E&P Business .  Except (a) as set forth in Schedule 3.19 , (b) for any defects or deficiencies in title in any Company Properties, (c) for any defect in title with respect to any of the assets and properties of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries described in Sections 3.22(b)  and 3.22(c)  and (d) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries (or, to Sellers’ knowledge, the operator of any applicable Company Property) own or have the valid right to use all equipment, material, Contracts, data, records, rights, interests and other property and assets, tangible and intangible, necessary (together with the services to be provided pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement and the Business Employees required to be transferred pursuant to Section 5.11(a) ) for the conduct of the E&P Business as conducted as of the date hereof (the “ Existing Business ”) in all material respects. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19 , no property, right or interest material to the continued operation of the Existing Business is being retained by or transferred to any Seller or Affiliate of any Seller (other than any Company or Company Subsidiary).

 

Section 3.20.          Insurance .  Set forth in Schedule 3.20 is a true, complete and correct list of (a) all Company or Company Subsidiary insurance policies currently in effect and (b) all “Occurrence Form” policies of insurance in force, owned, held by or maintained for the benefit of any Company, any Company Subsidiary or the E&P Business, in each case for this clause (b) within the four (4) year period prior to the Execution Date. The policies set forth in Schedule 3.20 that are listed as current are in full force and effect in all material respects and satisfy all requirements of applicable Laws and, other than as have not had or would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, any Contracts to which any Company or Company Subsidiary is a party. All known incidents and claims reportable

 

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under any claims-made policies have been reported. As of the Execution Date, the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries maintain, or are entitled to the benefits of, and subject to actions taken in compliance with Section 5.3 or Section 5.4 , immediately prior to Closing will maintain, or will be entitled to the benefits of, insurance covering their properties, operations, personnel and business in amounts customary for the E&P Business. Except as would not have reasonably been expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, none of Sellers (or any of their controlled Affiliates), the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries has received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that substantial capital improvements or other expenditures will have to be made in order to continue such insurance.

 

Section 3.21.          Intellectual Property .

 

(a)                     Schedule 3.21(a)  sets forth a true, complete and correct list of (i) all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by any Company or Company Subsidiary (the “ Owned Intellectual Property ”) that is registered, issued or the subject of a pending application and (ii) all material unregistered Owned Intellectual Property. All of the registrations, issuances and applications set forth on Schedule 3.21(a)  are valid, in full force and effect and have not expired or been cancelled, abandoned or otherwise terminated, and payment of all renewal and maintenance fees, costs and expenses in respect thereof, and all filings related thereto, have been duly made.

 

(b)                     To any Seller’s knowledge, the conduct of the E&P Business does not infringe or otherwise violate any Intellectual Property of any other Person in any material respect. To the knowledge of any Seller, no Person is infringing or otherwise violating any Owned Intellectual Property or any rights of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries in any licensed Intellectual Property in any material respect, other than with respect to any geophysical or seismic licenses.

 

Section 3.22.          Oil and Gas Matters .

 

(a)                     Company Properties . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all proceeds from the sale of Hydrocarbons produced from Company Properties are being received by a Company or Company Subsidiary in a timely manner and are not being held in suspense.

 

(b)                     Major Midstream Assets . Subject to the RE Permitted Encumbrances, the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries have good and defensible title to the Rights of Way and other real property interests used in their ownership and/or operation of the Holly Gathering System (as owned and/or operated as of the Execution Date) (the “ Major Midstream Assets ”), except for such failures to have good and defensible title to the Rights of Way and other real property interests used in such ownership and/or operation of the Holly Gathering System that would not be materially adverse to the value, ownership, use, or operation of the Major Midstream Assets. The Major Midstream Assets are located within or on property covered by such Rights of Way or other real property interests, except with respect to those instances in which the failure of such Major Midstream Assets to be located within or on such property would not be materially adverse to the value, ownership, use or operation of the applicable Major Midstream Asset. The Rights of Way and other real property interests used in the ownership and/or operation of the Major Midstream Assets as owned and/or operated as of the Execution Date constitute continuous land rights, except for gaps which would not be materially adverse to the value, ownership, use or operation of the applicable Major Midstream Asset. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no representation or warranty is given pursuant to this Section 3.22(b)  with respect to the Title Assets.

 

(c)                     Company Equipment . The Companies and Company Subsidiaries (or, to Sellers’ knowledge, the applicable operator) have good and defensible title to, or a valid leasehold

 

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interest in, the Company Equipment, free and clear of any Liens, except such imperfections of title as, individually or in the aggregate, do not or would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)                     Imbalances . There are no production imbalances with respect to Company Mineral Interests operated by any Company or Company Subsidiary, or to Sellers’ knowledge with respect to any Company Mineral Interests operated by any third party, as of November 1, 2011, except as set forth in Schedule 3.22(d)  or except as would not exceed $100,000 on a well by well basis. There are no pipeline, transportation or processing imbalances existing with respect to the Company Mineral Interests as of November 1, 2011 that exceed $100,000, except as set forth on Schedule 3.22(d) . In making this representation and warranty with respect to Company Properties operated by third Persons, Sellers shall be entitled to rely upon imbalance statements rendered by such operators as of November 1, 2011.

 

(e)                     Production . Other than gas balancing obligations, no Company or Company Subsidiary is obligated by virtue of a take or pay payment, advance payment or other similar payment (other than royalties and similar arrangements established in the Company Mineral Interests) to deliver Hydrocarbons, or proceeds from the sale thereof, attributable to any Company’s or Company Subsidiary’s interest in the Company Properties at some future time without receiving payment therefor at or after the time of delivery.

 

(f)                      Brazil Concessions . One or more of the BrazilCos own (directly or indirectly) the interests set forth on Schedule 3.22(f)  in each Brazil Concession. Schedule 3.22(f)  lists all exploration and production concessions granted by ANP for the exploration and production of Hydrocarbons in which any Company or Company Subsidiary holds a participating interest (directly or indirectly). None of Sellers, the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries have received any written notice or, to any Seller’s knowledge, oral notice, from any Governmental Authority or any other Person regarding any actual, alleged, possible or potential material violation, material breach or default of, or material failure to comply with, any of the Contracts creating the applicable Company’s or Company Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in and to the Brazil Concessions (such Contracts, the “ Brazil Concession Contracts ”). The applicable Seller, Company or Company Subsidiary party to (or guarantor with respect to) the Brazil Concession Contracts has performed all material obligations under each Brazil Concession Contract. All of the Brazil Concession Contracts are valid and binding upon the applicable Company or Company Subsidiary party thereto or subject thereto and, to Seller’s knowledge, in full force and effect and enforceable, in each case, in all material respects, against the other parties thereto. No event has occurred with respect to any Brazil Concession Contract that, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a material default by any Seller, Company or Company Subsidiary party thereto or subject thereto or, to any Seller’s knowledge, any other party thereto. True, complete and correct copies of the Brazil Concession Contracts in existence as of the execution hereof have been included in the Data Room. No notice of default or breach has been delivered by any Seller, Company or Company Subsidiary under any Brazil Concession Contract, the resolution of which is currently outstanding.

 

Section 3.23.          Royalties .  All rentals, delay rentals, shut-ins, royalties and other payments due under the Company Mineral Interests operated by any Company or Company Subsidiary, and to Sellers’ knowledge, all rentals, delay rentals, shut-ins, royalties and other payments due under the Company Mineral Interests operated by any third party, have been promptly and fully paid, except (a) to the extent such failure has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and (b) for amounts that are being held in suspense.

 

Section 3.24.          Qualification .  The Companies and the Company Subsidiaries that own Company Mineral Interests, rights of way and other rights issued by the United States government or

 

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other Governmental Authorities are qualified under applicable Laws to hold such Company Mineral Interests, rights of way and other rights, except for such non-compliance as may result from the actions contemplated by Section 8.10 and which non-compliance is cured on or before Closing.

 

Section 3.25.          Affiliate Transactions .  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.25 , there are no Contracts or arrangements relating to transactions (other than related to continuing employment and benefit matters) between any Company or any Company Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any Seller, equity holder, manager or executive officer thereof or any member of such executive officer’s, director’s or stockholder’s immediate family, or any Affiliate or Person controlled by such executive officer, director or stockholder on the other hand (other than agreements related to their employment) (an “ Affiliate Transaction ”).

 

Section 3.26.          Anti-Corruption Laws; Certain Regulatory Matters .

 

(a)                     In connection with the E&P Business, no Company, Company Subsidiary, Seller or other Affiliate of a Company, or any director, officer, or employee of any of the foregoing, nor, to the Sellers’ knowledge, any agent, representative or consultant of any Company, Company Subsidiary, Seller or other Affiliate of a Company, has either (i) in the past five (5) years violated in any material respect any Anti-Corruption Laws or (ii) offered, paid, promised to pay, or authorized the payment of any money, or offered, given, promised to give, or authorized the giving of anything of value, including but not limited to cash, checks, wire transfers, tangible and intangible gifts, favors, services, and those entertainment and travel expenses that go beyond what is reasonable and customary and of modest value:

 

(i)            to any FCPA Government Official, whether directly or through any other Person, for the purpose of: (A) influencing any act or decision of a FCPA Government Official in his or her official capacity; (B) inducing a FCPA Government Official to do or omit to do any act in violation of his or her lawful duties; (C) securing any improper advantage; (D) inducing a FCPA Government Official to influence or affect any act or decision of any FCPA Governmental Authority or (E) assisting any Company Representative in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any Person; or

 

(ii)           to any Person in a manner which would constitute or have the purpose or effect of public or commercial bribery, or the acceptance of or acquiescence in extortion, kickbacks, or other unlawful or improper means of obtaining business or any improper advantage.

 

(b)                    No Company, Company Subsidiary, Seller or other Affiliate of a Company, or any director, officer, or employee of any of the foregoing, nor, to the Sellers’ knowledge, any agent, representative or consultant of any Company, Company Subsidiary, Seller or other Affiliate of a Company, has, in connection with the E&P Business, either (i) (A) conducted or initiated any review, audit, or internal investigation or (B) made a voluntary, directed, or involuntary disclosure to any Governmental Authority responsible for enforcing Anti-Corruption Laws, in each case with respect to any alleged act or omission arising under or relating to noncompliance with any Anti-Corruption Law or (ii) received any notice, request, or citation from any Person alleging noncompliance with any Anti-Corruption Law.

 

(c)                     To Sellers’ knowledge, no officer, director, or employee of any Company or any Company Subsidiary is a FCPA Government Official.

 

(d)                     Each Company and each Company Subsidiary has maintained complete and accurate books and record of any payments to or other expenses involving agents,

 

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consultants, representatives, customer employees, and FCPA Government Officials in accordance with the Accounting Principles.

 

(e)                     No Company or Company Subsidiary owns or operates any facility that is subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulation Commission under the Natural Gas Act, Natural Gas Policy Act, Interstate Commerce Act or the Public Utility Holding Company Act.

 

Section 3.27.          Limitations .

 

(a)                     Except as and to the extent expressly set forth in this Article 3 , in the certificate of Sellers to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.2(b) , in any other agreement or document required to be executed and delivered at Closing pursuant to Article 7 or in any certificate delivered by Sellers pursuant to Section 1.2(c)(v) of Annex 1 , (i) Sellers make no representations or warranties, express or implied, with respect to the Companies, the Company Subsidiaries, the E&P Business or the transactions contemplated hereby and (ii) Sellers expressly disclaim all liability and responsibility for any representation, warranty, statement or information made or communicated (orally or in writing) to Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, employees, agents, consultants or representatives (including any opinion, information, projection or advice that may have been provided to Purchaser by any officer, director, employee, agent, consultant, representative or advisor of any Seller or any of their Affiliates).

 

(b)                     EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY REPRESENTED OTHERWISE IN THIS ARTICLE 3 , IN THE CERTIFICATE OF SELLERS TO BE DELIVERED AT CLOSING PURSUANT TO SECTION 7.2(b) , IN ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT REQUIRED TO BE EXECUTED AND DELIVERED AT THE CLOSING PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 7 OR IN ANY CERTIFICATE DELIVERED BY SELLERS PURSUANT TO SECTION 1.2(C)(V) OF ANNEX 1 , WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, SELLERS (1) MAKE NO AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO (I) TITLE TO ANY OF THE ASSETS OF THE E&P BUSINESS, (II) THE CONTENTS, CHARACTER OR NATURE OF ANY DESCRIPTIVE MEMORANDUM, OR ANY REPORT OF ANY PETROLEUM ENGINEERING CONSULTANT, OR ANY GEOLOGICAL OR SEISMIC DATA OR INTERPRETATION, RELATING TO THE ASSETS OF THE E&P BUSINESS, (III) THE QUANTITY, QUALITY OR RECOVERABILITY OF HYDROCARBONS IN OR FROM THE ASSETS OF THE E&P BUSINESS, (IV) THE EXISTENCE OF ANY PROSPECT, RECOMPLETION, INFILL OR STEP-OUT DRILLING OPPORTUNITIES, (V) ANY ESTIMATES OF THE VALUE OF THE ASSETS OF THE E&P BUSINESS OR FUTURE REVENUES GENERATED BY THE ASSETS OF THE E&P BUSINESS, (VI) THE PRODUCTION OF HYDROCARBONS FROM THE ASSETS OF THE E&P BUSINESS, OR WHETHER PRODUCTION HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS, OR IN PAYING QUANTITIES, OR ANY PRODUCTION OR DECLINE RATES, (VII) THE MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, CONDITION, QUALITY, SUITABILITY, DESIGN OR MARKETABILITY OF THE ASSETS OF THE E&P BUSINESS, (VIII) INFRINGEMENT OF ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT OR (IX) ANY OTHER MATERIALS OR INFORMATION THAT MAY HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE OR COMMUNICATED TO PURCHASER OR ITS AFFILIATES, OR ITS OR THEIR EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, CONSULTANTS, REPRESENTATIVES OR ADVISORS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DISCUSSION OR PRESENTATION RELATING THERETO AND (2) FURTHER DISCLAIM ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR CONFORMITY TO MODELS OR SAMPLES OF MATERIALS OR ANY EQUIPMENT, IT BEING EXPRESSLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY THE PARTIES THAT, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN ANNEX 1 AND EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY REPRESENTED OTHERWISE IN THIS ARTICLE 3 , IN THE CERTIFICATE OF SELLERS TO BE DELIVERED AT CLOSING PURSUANT TO SECTION 7.2(b) , IN ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR

 

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DOCUMENT REQUIRED TO BE EXECUTED AND DELIVERED AT THE CLOSING PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 7 OR IN ANY CERTIFICATE DELIVERED BY SELLERS PURSUANT TO SECTION 1.2(C)(V) OF ANNEX 1 , THE ASSETS OF THE E&P BUSINESS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED “AS IS, WHERE IS,” WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, AND THAT PURCHASER HAS MADE OR CAUSED TO BE MADE SUCH INSPECTIONS AS PURCHASER DEEMS APPROPRIATE. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY REPRESENTED OTHERWISE IN SECTION 3.11 , IN THE CERTIFICATE OF SELLERS TO BE DELIVERED AT CLOSING PURSUANT TO SECTION 7.2(b) , IN ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT REQUIRED TO BE EXECUTED AND DELIVERED BY SELLERS AT CLOSING PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 7 OR IN ANY CERTIFICATE DELIVERED BY SELLERS PURSUANT TO SECTION 1.2(C)(V) OF ANNEX 1 , SELLERS HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY REGARDING ANY MATTER OR CIRCUMSTANCE RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES, THE RELEASE OF MATERIALS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT OR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN HEALTH, SAFETY, NATURAL RESOURCES OR THE ENVIRONMENT, OR ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF THE ASSETS OF THE E&P BUSINESS, AND PURCHASER SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE TAKING THE ASSETS OF THE E&P BUSINESS “AS IS, WHERE IS” FOR PURPOSES OF THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION.

 

(c)                     Any representation or warranty qualified by the phrase “to the knowledge of any Seller,” the phrase “to any Seller’s knowledge” or by any other phrase referring to the knowledge of one or more of Sellers, is limited to matters within the actual knowledge of the individuals set forth on Schedule 3.27(c)  and the individuals (if any) who hereafter have substantially the same responsibilities as the individuals listed on Schedule 3.27(c)  (all such individuals, collectively, the “ Sellers Knowledge Persons ” and each, individually, a “ Sellers Knowledge Person ”). For the avoidance of doubt, the actual knowledge of each Sellers Knowledge Person shall be imputed to each of the other Sellers Knowledge Persons and the actual knowledge of any Seller shall be imputed to each of the other Sellers.

 

(d)                     Inclusion of a matter on a Schedule attached hereto shall not be deemed an indication that such matter is, or may be, material or does, or may, have a Material Adverse Effect. Schedules may include matters not required by the terms of the Agreement to be listed on the Schedule, which additional matters are disclosed for purposes of information only, and inclusion of any such matter does not mean that all such matters not required to be disclosed are included.

 

(e)                     For purposes of the representations and warranties of Sellers contained in this Agreement, disclosure of any matter in any one of the Schedules shall be deemed to be a disclosure of such matter with respect to any other Schedule calling for disclosure of such information, if it is readily apparent on its face from such first Schedules. All matters of fact and of opinion disclosed by El Paso Corporation (relating directly or indirectly to the E&P Business) in publicly-available filings with the SEC, and all exhibits and schedules thereto, shall be deemed to be incorporated in the Schedules attached hereto and shall be exceptions to any representation or warranty to which it is readily apparent on its face from such document that such disclosure is applicable, in each case, to the extent such matters were disclosed in filings on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to January 1, 2012, but excluding all disclosures under the heading “Risk Factors,” “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” or similar headings and excluding all general cautionary statements customarily included under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” regardless of whether such general cautionary statements are included under those headings or elsewhere in the disclosure.

 

(f)                      As used herein, “ Material Adverse Effect ” means a change, event, circumstance, development, state of facts, or condition that has or would reasonably be expected to (A) materially impair, prevent or delay any Seller’s timely consummation of the transaction contemplated

 

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hereby or (B) have a material adverse effect on the E&P Business or the ownership, assets, operations or financial condition of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided , however , that, for purposes of clause (B), Material Adverse Effect shall not include material adverse effects resulting from: (i) changes in the prices of Hydrocarbons; (ii) any declines in Company Well performance that do not result from the gross negligence of any Seller, Company, or Company Subsidiary; (iii) general changes in the industry in which the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries participate or in which the E&P Business is engaged; (iv) general changes in economic or political conditions, or financial markets; (v) changes in conditions or developments generally applicable to the oil and gas industry in any area or areas where the E&P Business is located; (vi) failure alone to meet internal or analyst projections or forecasts or estimates of revenues, earnings or other financial metrics for any period ( provided , that the underlying reasons for such failure shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect); (vii) acts of God, including hurricanes and storms, acts or failures to act of Governmental Authorities (where not caused by the willful or negligent acts of Sellers, Companies, the Company Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates); (viii) civil unrest or similar disorder; terrorist acts; (ix) changes in applicable Laws or interpretations thereof by any Governmental Authority, including any changes in the deductibility of drilling completion or operating costs or other taxes; (x) any reclassification or recalculation of reserves in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (xi) effects or changes that are cured ( provided that, except to the extent they would generate a downward adjustment to the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.3(g)  or reduce the two percent (2%) deductible referred to in Section 10.4(c) , the costs of the cure to the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect) or no longer exist by the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article 9 , (xii) performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including compliance with covenants set forth herein or (xiii) changes resulting from the announcement of the transactions contemplated hereby or the Kinder Morgan Merger. Notwithstanding the foregoing (1) for purposes of Sections 3.1(d)(ii) , 3.1(d)(iii) , 3.2(b)(ii) , 3.2(b)(iii) , 3.3(b)(ii) , 3.3(b)(iii)  and 3.14 , “Material Adverse Effect” shall be determined without giving effect to clause (xii) of the definition thereof and (2) changes, events, circumstances, developments, states of facts, and conditions referred to in clauses (iii), (iv), (v) and (ix) in the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” shall be considered for purposes of determining whether there has been (or would reasonably be expected to be) a “Material Adverse Effect” if, and only to the extent, such change, event, circumstance, development, state of facts, or condition has had (or would reasonably be expected to have) a disproportionate adverse effect on the E&P Business or the ownership, assets, operations or financial condition of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries, as opposed to other companies (and businesses) operating in the industries in which such Persons (and the E&P Business) operates.

 

Article 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

 

Purchaser represents and warrants to Sellers the following:

 

Section 4.1.            Existence and Qualification .  Purchaser is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 4.2.            Power .  Purchaser has the limited liability company power to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement (and all documents required to be executed and delivered by Purchaser pursuant hereto) and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (and such documents).

 

Section 4.3.            Authorization and Enforceability .  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement (and all documents required to be executed and delivered by Purchaser pursuant hereto),

 

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and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action on the part of Purchaser. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Purchaser (and all documents required to be executed and delivered by Purchaser pursuant hereto will be duly executed and delivered by Purchaser) and this Agreement constitutes, and at the Closing such documents will constitute, the valid and binding obligations of Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their terms.

 

Section 4.4.            No Conflicts .  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Purchaser, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will not (i) violate any provision of the Organizational Documents of Purchaser, (ii) result in a material default (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) or the creation of any Lien or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under any asset, Contract, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, or other financing instrument to which such Company is a party or by which it is bound, (iii) violate any Order applicable to Purchaser as a party in interest or (iv) violate any Law applicable to Purchaser, except any matters described in clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv) above which would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on Purchaser or its properties.

 

Section 4.5.            Consents, Approvals or Waivers .  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Purchaser will not be subject to any consent, approval or waiver from any Governmental Authority or other third Person except for the approval and waiting period requirements under the Antitrust Laws.

 

Section 4.6.            Litigation .  There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending, or to Purchaser’s knowledge, threatened in writing before any Governmental Authority or arbitrator against Purchaser or any Affiliate of Purchaser which are reasonably likely to impair or delay Purchaser’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

Section 4.7.            Financing .

 

(a)                     Purchaser has delivered to Sellers correct and complete copies of:

 

(i)            executed commitment letters dated as of the date hereof (including all exhibits, schedules and annexes thereto, collectively, the “ Equity Funding Letters ”) from the parties set forth therein (collectively, the “ Equity Providers ”) pursuant to which the Equity Providers have committed, subject to the terms and conditions therein, to invest the amounts set forth therein (the “ Equity Financing ”); and

 

(ii)           an executed commitment letter dated as of the date hereof (as the same may be amended or replaced pursuant to Section 5.19(a)  and including any executed commitment letter (or similar agreement) for Alternate Financing, in each case, pursuant to Section 5.19(c) , including all exhibits, schedules and annexes thereto, collectively, the “ Debt Commitment Letter ” and, together with the Equity Funding Letters, the “ Financing Letters ”) from the financial institutions identified therein (including any Affiliates thereof, the “ Debt Providers ”) pursuant to which, and subject to the terms and conditions therein, the Debt Providers have committed to provide or cause to be provided the debt financing in the amounts set forth therein (collectively, the “ Debt Financing ,” and together with the Equity Financing collectively referred to as the “ Financing ”).

 

(b)                     As of the date hereof, none of the Financing Letters have been amended or modified in any respect, and the respective obligations and commitments contained in such letters have not been withdrawn or rescinded in any respect. Purchaser has fully paid or has caused to be fully paid any and all commitment fees or other fees in connection with the Financing Letters that are

 

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payable on or prior to the date hereof. Assuming (i) the Financing is funded in accordance with the Financing Letters, (ii) the accuracy of the representations and warranties set forth in Article 3 and (iii) the performance by Sellers and the Companies of the covenants contained in this Agreement, the net cash proceeds contemplated by the Financing Letters will, together with available cash of Purchaser and cash on hand of the Companies, if any, on the Closing Date , in the aggregate be sufficient for Purchaser to pay the following (the “ Required Amount ”): the aggregate amounts required to be paid by Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.1 , and all fees, costs and expenses required to be paid by Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and by the Financing.

 

(c)                     The Financing Letters are in full force and effect and are the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of Purchaser and, to the knowledge of Purchaser, the other parties thereto, except as such enforceability may be (i) limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws of general application relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and (ii) subject to general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties set forth in Article 3 and the performance by Sellers, the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries of their obligations contained in this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement, no event has occurred which, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would or would reasonably be expected to constitute a default or breach on the part of Purchaser or, to the knowledge of Purchaser, any other parties thereto, under the Financing Letters. As of the date of this Agreement, Purchaser is not aware of any fact, occurrence or condition that makes any of the assumptions or statements set forth in the Financing Letters inaccurate in any material respect or that would cause any of the commitments provided in the Financing Letters to be terminated or ineffective or, assuming satisfaction of the condition precedent set forth in Section 6.2(a) , any reason to believe that any of the conditions precedent set forth therein will not be met. The Financing Letters contain all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of the parties thereunder to make the Financing available to Purchaser on the terms therein, and there are no other conditions related to the funding of the full amount of the Financing. As of the date hereof, there are no side letters or other contracts, arrangements or understandings to which Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries or the Equity Providers are a party related to the funding or investing, as applicable, of the full amount of the Financing (other than the Financing Letters), except for any customary fee, fee credit and engagement letters in respect of the Debt Financing (in each case, which shall not reduce, or contemplate the reduction of, the full amount of the Debt Financing below the amount of the Required Amount, after taking into account other sources of funds, including the Equity Financing and available cash of Purchaser).

 

(d)                     In no event shall the receipt or availability of any Financing by Purchaser or any of its Affiliates be a condition to any of Purchaser’s obligations hereunder.

 

Section 4.8.            Investment Intent .  Purchaser is acquiring the Shares for its own account and not with a view to their sale or distribution in violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the rules and regulations thereunder, any applicable state blue sky Laws, or any other applicable securities Laws.

 

Section 4.9.            Independent Investigation .  Purchaser is (or its advisors are) experienced and knowledgeable in the oil and gas business and aware of the risks of that business. Except for the representations and warranties expressly made by Sellers in Article 3 , in the certificate to be delivered to Purchaser pursuant to Section 7.2(b) , in any other agreement or document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or in any certificate delivered by Sellers pursuant to Section 1.2(c)(v) of Annex 1 , Purchaser acknowledges that there are no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the financial condition, assets, liabilities, equity, operations, business or prospects of the Companies, the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or any Affiliate thereof, and that in making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, Purchaser has relied solely upon the

 

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representations and warranties expressly made in Article 3 , in the certificate to be delivered to Purchaser pursuant to Section 7.2(b) , in any other agreement or document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or in any certificate delivered by Sellers pursuant to Section 1.2(c)(v) of Annex 1 , its own independent investigation, verification, analysis and evaluation.

 

Section 4.10.          Liability for Brokers’ Fees .  Sellers, and, prior to Closing, the Companies, shall not directly or indirectly have any responsibility, liability or expense, as a result of undertakings or agreements of Purchaser, for brokerage fees, finder’s fees, agent’s commissions or other similar forms of compensation to an intermediary in connection with the negotiation, execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or transaction contemplated hereby.

 

Article 5
COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

 

Section 5.1.            Access .

 

(a)                     On and after the Execution Date to the Closing Date, Sellers will give Purchaser and its representatives reasonable access to the E&P Business (and to personnel and representatives of Sellers, Companies, the Company Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates responsible for the E&P Business at such times as Purchaser may reasonably request) and reasonable access to and the right to copy, at Purchaser’s expense, the Company Records in Sellers’, the Companies’, the Company Subsidiaries’ and/or their respective Affiliates’ possession or readily available to any of them at immaterial cost or expense, for the purpose of conducting a due diligence review of the E&P Business, the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries and for transition and integration planning. Such reasonable access by Purchaser shall be limited to Sellers’ normal business hours, and Purchaser’s investigation shall be conducted in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with the operation of the E&P Business or the other businesses of Sellers or their Affiliates. Purchaser’s right of access shall not entitle Purchaser to operate Company Equipment to conduct intrusive or environmental testing or sampling, and prior to the Closing Purchaser shall not operate Company Equipment or conduct intrusive or environmental testing or sampling. Purchaser shall provide Sellers with prior notice before the E&P Business is accessed pursuant to this Section 5.1 , along with a description of the activities Purchaser intends to undertake. All information obtained by Purchaser and its representatives under this Section 5.1 shall be subject to the terms of that certain confidentiality agreement between El Paso and an Affiliate of Purchaser, dated as of November 3, 2011 (the “ Confidentiality Agreement ”), and any applicable privacy Laws regarding personal information.

 

(b)                     Section 5.1(a)  shall not require Sellers to permit any access, or to disclose any information, that in the reasonable, good faith judgment (after consultation with outside counsel) would reasonably be expected to result in violation of any Contract to which any Seller or any of Sellers’ Affiliates is a party or applicable Laws, including the Antitrust Laws, or is subject to or would cause any privilege (including attorney-client privilege) which any Seller or any of Sellers’ Affiliates would be entitled to assert to be undermined with respect to such information and such undermining of such privilege could in any such Seller’s or such Seller’s Affiliates’ good faith judgment (after consultation with counsel) adversely affect in any material respect such Seller’s or such Seller’s Affiliates’ position in any pending, or what any such Seller’s or such Seller’s Affiliates’ believes in good faith (after consultation with counsel) could be, future litigation; provided , however , that the Parties shall cooperate in seeking to find a way to allow disclosure of such information to the extent doing so would not reasonably be likely (in the good faith belief of the Party (or its Affiliate) disclosing such information) to result in the violation of any such Contract or Law or reasonably be likely to cause such privilege to be undermined with respect to such information or could reasonably (in the good faith belief of the Party (or its Affiliate) disclosing such information) be managed through the use of customary “clean-room”

 

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arrangements pursuant to which non-employee representatives of the other Party shall be provided access to such information; provided , further , that the Party being requested to disclose the information shall (i) notify the other Party that such disclosures are reasonably likely to violate its or its Affiliate’s obligations under any such Contract or Law or are reasonably likely to cause such privilege to be undermined, (ii) communicate to the other Party in reasonable detail the facts giving rise to such notification and the subject matter of such information (to the extent it is able to do so in accordance with the immediately preceding proviso) and (iii) in the case where such disclosures are reasonably likely to violate its or its Affiliate’s obligations under any Contract, use reasonable commercial efforts to seek consent from the applicable third Person to any such Contract with respect to the disclosures prohibited thereby (to the extent not otherwise expressly prohibited by the terms of such Contract).

 

Section 5.2.            Press Releases .  Neither Sellers nor Purchaser, nor an Affiliate of any of them, shall make any press release or other public announcement regarding the existence of this Agreement, the contents hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written consent of the other Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided , however , that the foregoing shall not restrict disclosures to the extent (i) necessary for a Party to perform this Agreement (including disclosure to a Governmental Authority or any third Persons holding preferential rights to purchase any of the assets of the E&P Business, rights of consent or other rights that are applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as reasonably necessary to provide notices, seek waivers, amendments or termination of such rights, or seek such consents), (ii) required (upon advice of counsel) by applicable securities or other applicable Laws or regulations or the applicable rules of any stock exchange having jurisdiction over such Party or its respective Affiliates or (iii) subject to the Confidentiality Agreement, such Party has given the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review such disclosure prior to its release and no objection is raised; provided , further , that, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), each Party shall use its reasonable efforts to consult with the other Party regarding the contents of any such release or announcement prior to making such release or announcement.

 

Section 5.3.            Operation of Business .  Except as (i) required by applicable Law, (ii) provided in the Capital Expenditure Plans, (iii) set forth on Schedule 5.3 or 5.4 or (iv) required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, until the Closing, Sellers shall cause the Companies and the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries to each operate the E&P Business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and not engage in any business other than the E&P Business, and shall (w) use their commercially reasonable efforts to keep available the services of their directors, officers and key employees, (x) use their commercially reasonable efforts to maintain in effect all Company Contracts and preserve the present relationships with their customers, suppliers, lenders and other Persons having material business relationships with them, (y) manage their working capital in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (z) use commercially reasonable efforts to implement the drilling program and other activities in accordance with and as contemplated by the Capital Expenditure Plans. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, from the date hereof until the Closing, except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 5.3 or 5.4 , Sellers shall not permit the Companies or the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries to, and shall cause the Companies and the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries not to, do any of the following without the prior written consent of Purchaser:

 

(a)                     acquire, lease, transfer, sell, hypothecate, encumber, relinquish or otherwise dispose of any assets of the E&P Business, except for (i) sales and dispositions of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) sales of assets of the E&P Business not to exceed $25,000,000 individually or $100,000,000 in the aggregate, (iii) other sales and dispositions of surplus, worn-out or obsolete Company Equipment in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice not exceeding, in the aggregate, $10,000,000, (iv) Company Mineral Interests which have expired in accordance with the terms thereof, (v) reductions or forfeitures of interest due to non-consent elections made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,

 

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interests earned by non-consent parties after non-consent payouts, and other interests subject to earnout, back-in interests, net profits interests or similar contingent payout or interests provisions in Company Contracts in effect on the Execution Date, (vi) sales of assets of the E&P Business set forth in Schedule 5.3 , (vii) acquisitions of oil and gas properties in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, (viii) purchases of inventory and equipment in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ix) acquisition of seismic, geophysical and similar data and (x) (A) materialman’s, mechanic’s, repairman’s, employee’s, contractor’s, operator’s and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet delinquent (including any amounts being withheld as provided by Law), or if delinquent, being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and (B) Liens constituting Permitted Liens;

 

(b)                    terminate, materially amend (or waive any material rights), extend, violate, breach or default under any Material Contracts set forth on Schedule 3.13 (or enter into any Contract that would be a Material Contract if in existence on the Execution Date), other than those Material Contracts relating to Derivatives that are terminated or entered into in accordance with Section 5.9 , in each case, except (i) in case of an emergency that, in Seller’s good faith determination, presents a reasonable likelihood of material property or environmental damage and/or any risk to human health or safety; (ii) in connection with terminations of employment or services in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; or (iii) Material Contracts in express furtherance of the Capital Expenditure Plans;

 

(c)                     (i) fail to maintain insurance coverage on the assets of the E&P Business in the amounts and of the types currently in force or, upon renewal thereof, in similar amounts and types to the extent then available on commercially reasonable terms and prices or (ii) arrange, enter into or agree to acquire director and officer “tail” insurance coverage for any current or former directors or officers of any of the Companies;

 

(d)                     fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain all material Government Authorizations in effect on the Execution Date and necessary or required for the ownership and operation of the E&P Business;

 

(e)                     waive, compromise, or settle (i) any material claim involving or against any of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries, (ii) any stockholder Action against any Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective officers or directors, if such waiver, compromise or settlement would result in any liability on the part of any Company or Company Subsidiary, (iii) any Action that relates to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or (iv) any Action that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect ownership, operation or value of any material Company Mineral Interests, to the extent that any of the foregoing could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect any Company, Company Subsidiary, or the Company Mineral Interests, taken as a whole;

 

(f)                      grant or create any material consent or preference right with respect to any material Company Mineral Interests;

 

(g)                     with respect to any material Company Property or Company Well, voluntarily resign or transfer operatorship, except in connection with the disposition of such Company Property or Company Well pursuant to the change of control provisions under any Company Contract or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

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(h)                     terminate or voluntarily relinquish any material Governmental Authorization necessary for the conduct of the E&P Business except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or in connection with the actions contemplated in Section 8.10 ;

 

(i)                      make any capital expenditure that is not permitted pursuant to the Capital Expenditure Plan and that is in excess of $100,000,000 (excluding any cost overruns with respect to operations conducted by third Persons and in which the applicable Seller, Company, or Company Subsidiary is bound to participate), individually or in the aggregate, except in case of an emergency that Sellers in good faith believe presents a reasonable likelihood of material property or environmental damage and/or any risk to human health or safety; or

 

(j)                      agree to do any of the foregoing.

 

For purposes of clarity, to the extent that the Capital Expenditure Plan directly conflicts with any of the restrictions set forth in this Section 5.3 or Section 5.4 , the Capital Expenditure Plan shall govern. Requests for approval of any action restricted by this Section 5.3 shall be delivered to the following individual, who shall have full authority to grant or deny such requests for approval on behalf of Purchaser:

 

EPE Acquisition, LLC
c/o Apollo Management, L.P.
9 West 57th Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Sam Oh
Telephone: (212) 822-0629
Telecopy: (646) 417-6651

 

Purchaser’s approval of any action set forth in Sections 5.3(c) , 5.3(d) , 5.3(e)  and 5.3(h)  above may be granted or withheld in its sole discretion and Purchaser’s approval of any action set forth in Sections 5.3(a) , 5.3(b) , 5.3(f) , 5.3(g) , 5.3(i)  and 5.3(j)  (but, with respect to Section 5.3(j) , only to the extent applicable to the other clauses designated in this sentence) above, shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and shall be considered granted within fifteen (15) days (unless a shorter time is required in an applicable operating agreement, unit agreement, unit operating agreement, or similar agreement, or authority for expenditure or operations notice from a third party, or a rig is onsite and is incurring, or, absent such consent, will incur, standby or similar charges, in which case such shorter time requirement shall be specified in Sellers’ notice to Purchaser but shall not be fewer than two (2) days) of Sellers’ notice to Purchaser requesting such consent. Purchaser acknowledges that the Companies and their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries may own undivided interests in certain assets or entities, and Purchaser agrees that (i) the acts or omissions by any Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary in its capacity as general partner or manager (or similar capacity) of another entity that is listed on Schedule 5.3 shall not be restricted by this Section 5.3 and (ii) the acts or omissions of third Persons shall not constitute a violation of the provisions of this Section 5.3 , nor shall any action required by a vote of working or equity interest or the owners of capital stock constitute such a violation so long as Sellers, the Companies and the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, in each case, have each voted all of their respective working or equity interest or shares of capital stock in a manner consistent with this Section 5.3 , except to the extent that such vote would be inconsistent with such Sellers’, Companies’ or Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries’ fiduciary duties, if any, to such underlying entities or the beneficial owners thereof.

 

Section 5.4.            Conduct of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries .  Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 5.3 , except as set forth on Schedule 5.4 , from the date hereof until the Closing, Sellers shall not permit the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries to, and shall cause

 

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the Companies and the Companies Subsidiaries not to, do any of the following without the prior written consent of Purchaser:

 

(a)                     amend its Organizational Documents other than in connection with the actions contemplated in Section 8.10 ;

 

(b)                     split, combine, reclassify, issue, deliver, sell, redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock or issue any option, warrant, commitments, subscriptions, rights to purchase or other right relating to its capital stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of capital stock, declare, set aside or pay any stock-split, dividend or any other payment or distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) to any Seller or other Affiliate or amend in any respect any of the terms of any such capital stock outstanding on the date hereof, except, in the case of the declaration or payment of dividends, to the extent otherwise contemplated in Section 2.2(a) ;

 

(c)                     incur, create, assume, suffer to exist or otherwise be liable with respect to any Indebtedness (excluding (i) accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) the incurrence of Indebtedness and reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility, (iii) Indebtedness existing as of the date hereof, (iv) Indebtedness described in clause (v) of the definition of Indebtedness and (v) inter-company Indebtedness owed to Sellers or any of their Affiliates subject to, where applicable, Section 5.7 );

 

(d)                     make an equity investment in or capital contribution to(i) any of the EgyptCos or (ii) any other Person (except investments in another Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary other than the Egypt Cos) in excess of, in the case of clause (ii), $10,000,000 individually or $50,000,000 in the aggregate;

 

(e)                     make any change in any method of accounting or accounting principles other than those required by the Accounting Principles;

 

(f)                      merge or consolidate with any other entity or purchase capital stock or other equity interests of any Person other than in connection with the actions contemplated in Section 8.10 ;

 

(g)                     acquire the assets of any Person for total consideration in excess of $25,000,000 individually or $100,000,000 in the aggregate;

 

(h)                    make any loan or advance to any Person (excluding (i) loans to Affiliates (excluding the EgyptCos but otherwise including Affiliates that are not other Companies or Company Subsidiaries) that bear an interest rate equal to or greater than LIBOR plus two percentage points (LIBOR plus two percent (2%)), (ii) accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (iii) advances or cash call payments to the operator as required under applicable operating agreements, (iv) advances as operator on behalf of co-owners for costs under applicable operating agreements, (v) loans to another Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (other than the EgyptCos) or (vi) other loans, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, to any Person (other than to any of the EgyptCos, Sellers or any of Sellers’ Affiliates (other than any Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary));

 

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(i)                      guarantee or otherwise provide any credit support on behalf of any of the EgyptCos;

 

(j)                      except as required under any Employee Plan, as required by applicable Law (including to avoid the imposition of any penalty taxes under Section 409A of the Code), or as set forth in Schedule 5.4 , (i) establish, adopt, enter into, materially amend or terminate any material Companies Employee Plans, (ii) materially increase or decrease the benefits or compensation payable to or for Business Employees under any Seller Employee Plans (excluding any Companies Employee Plan), except for changes generally affecting all employees of Seller and its ERISA Affiliates, (iii) enter into any negotiation in respect of any collective bargaining agreement solely covering Business Employees, (iv) pay or agree to pay any material pension, material retirement allowance or other material employee benefit not contemplated by any Employee Plan to any Business Employee, (v) materially increase the compensation or fringe benefits of any Business Employee, except for changes generally affecting all employees of Sellers and its ERISA Affiliates, (vi) grant any severance or termination pay to any Business Employees not provided for under any Employee Plan or (vii) enter into any employment, consulting or material severance agreement or arrangement with any Business Employee (except for at will offers of employment in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice);

 

(k)                     hire or terminate (other than for cause) any employee who is, or would upon hire, be classified both as a Business Employee and senior managerial personnel;

 

(l)                      plan, announce, implement or effect any reduction in force, lay-off, early retirement program or other program or effort concerning the termination of employment of any Business Employee that would constitute a “mass layoff” or “plant closing” (as defined in the WARN Act or similar state and local Laws);

 

(m)                    fail to prepare, in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice (except as otherwise required by applicable Law), and timely file all Tax Returns that are true, correct and complete in all material respects and fully and timely pay all Taxes shown on such Tax Returns, in each case, required to be filed by it on or before the Closing Date (“ Post-Execution Date Returns ”);

 

(n)                     fail to consult with Purchaser with respect to all material Post-Execution Date Returns and deliver drafts of such Post-Execution Date Returns to Purchaser no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the date (including extensions) on which such Post-Execution Date Returns are required to be filed;

 

(o)                     fail to promptly notify Purchaser of any material federal, state, local or foreign income or franchise tax, suit, claim, action, investigation, proceeding or audit (collectively, “ Tax Actions ”) pending or threatened in writing against or with respect to it in respect of any material Tax matter, including (without limitation) material Tax liabilities and refund claims, and not settle or compromise any such material Tax matter or material Tax Action without Purchaser’s consent;

 

(p)                     make, modify or revoke any material election with regard to Taxes or file any material amended Tax Returns or make any material change in any Tax accounting method, except as may be appropriate to conform to changes in Tax Laws or in connection with the actions described in Section 8.10 , waive any statute of limitations in respect of any material Taxes or agree to any extension of time with respect to a material Tax assessment or deficiency;

 

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(q)                     take any action that is inconsistent with the intended U.S. federal income tax classification of the Companies and Company Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date, as described in Section 8.10(b) ;

 

(r)                      modify the allocation of costs with respect to, or increase the costs of, in each case, any intercompany services provided by any of Sellers or any of their Affiliates (other than any Company or Company Subsidiary) to any Company or Company Subsidiary;

 

(s)                     incur, create, assume, suffer to exist or otherwise be liable with respect to any Derivatives, other than as required or permitted pursuant to Section 5.9 (it being understood that fluctuations in the value of any Derivatives permitted or required to be implemented pursuant to Section 5.9 shall not be violations of this clause (s)); or

 

(t)                      agree to do any of the foregoing.

 

Requests for approval of any action restricted by this Section 5.4 shall be delivered to the following individual, who shall have full authority to grant or deny such requests for approval on behalf of Purchaser:

 

EPE Acquisition, LLC
c/o Apollo Management, L.P.
9 West 57th Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Sam Oh
Telephone: (212) 822-0629
Telecopy: (646) 417-6651

 

Purchaser’s approval of any action set forth in Sections 5.4(a) , 5.4(b) , 5.4(c) , 5.4(e) , 5.4(i) , 5.4(l) , 5.4(m) , 5.4(n) , 5.4(o) , 5.4(p)  and 5.4(q)  above may be granted or withheld in its sole discretion and Purchaser’s approval of any action set forth in Sections 5.4(d) , 5.4(f) , 5.4(g) , 5.4(h) , 5.4(j) , 5.4(k)  and 5.4(r)  (but, with respect to Section 5.4(r) , only to the extent applicable to the other clauses designated in this sentence) above, shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and shall be considered granted within fifteen (15) days (unless a shorter time is required in an applicable operating agreement, unit agreement, unit operating agreement, or similar agreement, or authority for expenditure or operations notice from a third party, or a rig is onsite and is incurring, or, absent such consent, will incur, standby or similar charges, in which case such shorter time requirement shall be specified in Sellers’ notice to Purchaser but shall not be fewer than two (2) days) of Sellers’ notice to Purchaser requesting such consent. Purchaser acknowledges that the Companies and their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries may own undivided interests in certain assets or entities, and Purchaser agrees that (i) the acts or omissions by any Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary in its capacity as a general partner or manager (or similar capacity) of another entity not directly or indirectly wholly-owned by another Company shall not be restricted by this Section 5.4 and (ii) the acts or omissions of third Persons shall not constitute a violation of the provisions of this Section 5.4 , nor shall any action required by a vote of working or equity interest or the owners of capital stock constitute such a violation so long as Sellers, the Companies and the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, in each case in this clause (ii), have each voted all of their respective working or equity interest or shares of capital stock in a manner consistent with this Section 5.4 , except to the extent that such vote would be inconsistent with such Sellers’, Companies’ or Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries’ fiduciary duties, if any, to such underlying entities or the beneficial owners thereof.

 

Section 5.5.            Indemnity Regarding Access .  Purchaser agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Sellers, their Affiliates (including until Closing the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries),

 

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the other owners of interests in the Company Properties (and operating Affiliates conducting operations thereof, or with respect thereto), and all such Persons’ directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses (including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees), including claims, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses attributable to personal injury, death, or property damage, caused by access to the E&P Business prior to the Closing by Purchaser, its Affiliates, or its or their directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives, EVEN IF CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT), STRICT LIABILITY OR LEGAL FAULT OF ANY INDEMNIFIED PERSON (BUT NOT SUCH PERSON’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT) .

 

Section 5.6.            Reasonable Best Efforts; Further Action .

 

(a)                     Except with respect to efforts to obtain the Financing, which are exclusively addressed in Section 5.19 , Sellers and Purchaser shall use their reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all appropriate action, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary or reasonably advisable under applicable Laws to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including using their reasonable best efforts to obtain, or cause to be obtained, all waivers, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and Orders of all Governmental Authorities and officials and parties to Contracts with the Companies that may be or become necessary for the performance of obligations pursuant to this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and all Parties will cooperate fully with the other Parties in promptly seeking to obtain all such waivers, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and Orders. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, each Party agrees to make any appropriate filings, if necessary, pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act or other applicable foreign, federal, state or supranational antitrust, competition, fair trade or similar Laws (collectively, the “ Antitrust Laws ”) with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable and to supply as promptly as practicable and advisable to the appropriate Governmental Authorities any additional information and documentary material that may be requested, necessary, proper or advisable pursuant to the Antitrust Laws. All antitrust filings to be made shall be made in substantial compliance with the requirements of the Antitrust Laws. Purchaser shall be solely responsible for the payment of any and all filing fees due under any of the Antitrust Laws with respect to all antitrust filings.

 

(b)                     The Parties shall cooperate and assist one another in connection with all actions to be taken pursuant to Section 5.6(a) , including the preparation and making of the filings referred to therein and, if requested, amending or furnishing additional information hereunder. Each Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to provide or cause to be provided promptly to the other Party all necessary information and assistance as any Governmental Authority may from time to time require in connection with obtaining the relevant waivers, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications, Orders or expiration of waiting periods in relation to these filings or in connection with any other review or investigation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by a Governmental Authority. The Parties shall consult with each other prior to taking any material substantive position with respect to the filings under the Antitrust Laws, in any written submission to, or, to the extent practicable, in any discussions with, any Governmental Authority. Each Party shall permit the other Party to review and discuss in advance, and shall consider in good faith the views of the other Party in connection with, any analyses, presentations, memoranda, briefs, written arguments, opinions, written proposals or other materials to be submitted to the Governmental Authorities with respect to such filings. Each Party shall keep the other apprised of the material content and status of any material communications with, and material communications from, any Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including promptly notifying the other of any material communication it receives from any Governmental Authority relating to any review or investigation of the transactions

 

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contemplated by this Agreement under the Antitrust Laws. The Parties shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to use their reasonable best efforts to, provide each other with copies of all material, substantive correspondence, filings or communications between them or any of their respective representatives, on the one hand, and any Governmental Authority or members of its staff, on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided , however , that materials may be redacted (i) to remove references concerning the valuation of the Companies; (ii) as necessary to comply with contractual arrangements or applicable Laws and (iii) as necessary to address reasonable attorney-client or other privilege or confidentiality concerns.

 

(c)                     Purchaser shall, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to, use their reasonable best efforts to take any and all steps necessary to avoid or eliminate each and every legal impediment under any applicable Antitrust Law that may be asserted by any antitrust or competition Governmental Authority or any other Party so as to enable the Parties hereto to close the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable, and in any event prior to the End Date, including, proposing, negotiating, committing to and effecting, by consent decree, hold separate orders, or otherwise, the sale, divestiture or disposition of their assets, properties or businesses, and the entrance into such other arrangements, as are necessary or reasonably advisable in order to avoid the entry of, and the commencement of litigation seeking the entry of, or to effect the dissolution of, any injunction, temporary restraining order or other Order in any suit or proceeding, which would otherwise have the effect of materially delaying or preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, Purchaser shall, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to, defend through litigation on the merits any claim asserted in court or administrative or other tribunal by any Person (including any Governmental Authority) in order to avoid entry of, or to have vacated or terminated, any decree, Order or judgment (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that would prevent the Closing prior to the End Date; provided , however , that such litigation in no way limits the obligations of the Parties to comply with their reasonable best efforts obligations under the terms of this Section 5.6 . Purchaser shall have the sole and exclusive right to direct and control any litigation, negotiation or other action, with counsel of its own choosing, and Sellers agree to cooperate with Purchaser with respect thereto; provided , however , that Purchaser shall consult in advance with Sellers and in good faith take Sellers’ views into account regarding the overall strategic direction of the defense of any such litigation and consult with Sellers prior to taking any material substantive positions, making dispositive motions or other material substantive filings or entering into any negotiations concerning such litigation.

 

(d)                     Purchaser shall, to the extent practicable and permitted by the relevant Governmental Authority, give Sellers (through their counsel) the opportunity to attend and participate in all substantive meetings, telephone calls or discussions in respect of any filings, investigation (including settlement of the investigation), litigation or other inquiry.

 

Section 5.7.            Intercompany Indebtedness .  At or prior to Closing, Sellers and their Affiliates (other than the Companies and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries) shall (i) either capitalize or cause each Company and Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to repay by cash payment any Loans of such Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary from Sellers or any other Affiliates and (ii) repay any loans (together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon) of Sellers or any such Affiliate from any Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any such loan outstanding between (x) EP Brazil and Brazil O&G, (y) EP Brazil and El Paso Maritime BV or (z) EP Brazil and UnoPaso (as such Loans are further described in Schedule 3.5 ) (collectively, the “ Foreign Loans ”), upon Purchaser providing written notice to Sellers (such notice to be provided no later than thirty (30) days before the Closing Date), Sellers and their Affiliates (other than the Companies and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries) shall capitalize all or a portion of such Foreign Loans to the equity of the relevant obligor, as stipulated in such written notice. To the extent all or a portion of such Foreign Loans are not capitalized pursuant to the preceding sentence Purchaser shall purchase the non-capitalized portion of such Foreign Loans from EP

 

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Brazil for an amount equal to the principal amount of each Foreign Loan as of the Closing. Nothing to the contrary in this Agreement withstanding, the purchase or capitalization of the Foreign Loans pursuant to this Section 5.7 will have no impact on the Unadjusted Purchase Price and will not result in any adjustments pursuant to Section 2.3 ; however, to the extent the Foreign Loans are purchased by Purchaser a portion of the Purchase Price equal to the amount paid for such Foreign Loans will be allocated to the Foreign Loans pursuant to Section 2.2(b) .

 

Section 5.8.            Third Person Indebtedness .

 

(a)                     Sellers shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver a draft Debt Payoff Letter from each payee of a Third-Party Loan to the applicable payor Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary at least two (2), but no more than five (5), Business Days prior to the Closing Date, copies of which shall be promptly delivered to Purchaser.

 

(b)                     At or prior to Closing, except as set forth in Schedule 5.8(b) , Sellers shall have paid or caused the Companies and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries to pay all amounts payable as set forth in any applicable Debt Payoff Letter. Purchaser, each Seller and each Company shall cooperate in arranging for such Lien releases as of Closing.

 

Section 5.9.            Hedges .

 

(a)                     As soon as reasonably practicable after the Execution Date and in consultation with Purchaser, Sellers shall cause the Companies and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries to enter into new swaps so that the commodity price risk associated with the anticipated future production of the Companies and Wholly Owned Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 5.9 for the calendar years of 2012 and 2013 will be hedged at market prices prevailing at the time of entering into such swaps. Sellers shall consult with Purchaser concerning the counterparties to such hedges and the quantities to be hedged. As such hedges are entered into, Sellers shall promptly notify Purchaser of the counterparty to the transaction, the product involved, the quantity hedged, the hedge price under the new hedge, any premiums or other payments made or received to enter into any new hedge and all other details of the transaction and provide Purchaser copies of the confirmations and other documentation evidencing such transactions. Purchaser may request that Sellers enter into new swaps so that the commodity price risk associated with the anticipated future production of the Companies and the Wholly Owned Subsidiaries for calendar year 2012 or 2013 will be hedged to a greater percentage level than the levels set forth on Schedule 5.9 , or that commodity price risk associated with the anticipated future production of the Companies and the Wholly Owned Subsidiaries for calendar years 2014 and 2015 will be hedged at specified percentage levels (the “ Requested Swaps ”). Sellers shall (and shall cause the Companies and Company Subsidiaries to) reasonably cooperate with Purchaser to accommodate such request and implement the Requested Swaps, as permitted under the Revolving Credit Facility. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event shall Sellers, the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries be required to (i) enter into any transaction relating to Derivatives that would constitute a breach of, or default under, the Revolving Credit Facility or the EP Revolver or (ii) enter into any transactions relating to Requested Swaps unless Purchaser has agreed to pay and/or post (and does pay and/or post) any required premium, fee or other cost or expense associated with, or collateral required by, such transaction prior to its consummation.

 

(b)                     If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article 9 , Sellers shall have the right to terminate any Requested Swaps by giving Purchaser written notice thereof on or before ten (10) Business Days after such termination. To the extent Sellers elect to terminate a Requested Swap, Purchaser shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Sellers and their Affiliates (including, until termination of this Agreement, the Companies and Company Subsidiaries) from and against any and all

 

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direct fees, losses and expenses resulting from actions taken by such Persons at Purchaser’s request with respect to such terminated Requested Swap. To the extent Sellers do not elect to terminate such Requested Swap, Sellers shall promptly refund any required premium, fee or other cost or expense paid by or on behalf of Purchaser with respect to the applicable terminated Requested Swap.

 

Section 5.10.          Further Assurances .  After Closing, each of Sellers and Purchaser agree to take such further actions and to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such further documents as are reasonably requested by the other for carrying out the purposes of this Agreement or of any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Section 5.11.          Employee Matters .

 

(a)                     Prior to Closing, Sellers and their Affiliates shall cause each of the Business Employees to be employed by either EP E&P Management, Brazil O&G or Egypt Production, subject to exceptions due only to terminations and resignations, in each case, in the ordinary course, consistent with Sellers’ and their Affiliates’ past employment practices.

 

(b)                     Schedule 5.11(b) , which is subject to changes due only to hirings, terminations and resignations, in each case, in the ordinary course, consistent with the Companies’ and the Company Subsidiaries’ past employment practices, lists, as of the Execution Date, the Business Employees by reference to their employee identification number and job category, Sellers acknowledging and agreeing that contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, Sellers have provided a corresponding list of the names of such Business Employees and their date of hire, rate of base salary or hourly wage, annual bonus, active employee status and job description, which will not be listed on Schedule 5.11(b) . At Closing, Sellers shall deliver to Purchaser a revised Schedule 5.11(b)  that lists the Business Employees and the information in the preceding sentence with respect to each such employee as of ten (10) days prior to the Closing (Sellers acknowledging and agreeing that contemporaneously with the delivery of the revised Schedule 5.11(b) , Sellers shall provide a corresponding list of the names of such Business Employees and their dates of hire, rate of base salary or hourly wage, annual bonus, active employee status and job description, which will not be listed on Schedule 5.11(b) ), provided , that, any revisions to Schedule 5.11(b)  shall be due only to hirings, terminations and resignations, in each case in the ordinary course, consistent with the Companies’ and the Company Subsidiaries’ past employment practices. Commencing on the Closing Date and continuing through the date that is twelve (12) months following the Closing Date, Purchaser shall provide or cause to be provided to each Business Employee, other than any such Business Employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement, levels of base pay and annual cash bonus opportunities that are no less favorable than those provided to such Business Employee as of the Closing Date, and employee benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided to such Business Employee as of the Closing Date (in all cases without regard to any equity-based incentive compensation, defined benefit pension plan, any retiree medical or other post-retirement welfare plan, or benefits under any frozen employee benefit plan; provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser shall be required to take the value of such compensation and benefits into account as part of Purchaser’s obligation to provide employee benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate).

 

(c)                     With respect to each of the Business Employees, Purchaser agrees to (i) assume and perform the obligations of El Paso and its Affiliates under the severance plans set forth in Schedule 5.11(c)  (the “ Severance Plans ”) from and after the Closing Date, in the same manner, and to the same extent that El Paso and its Affiliates would be required to perform if the transactions contemplated by this Agreement had not taken place and (ii) if the Kinder Morgan Merger is consummated, treat the Closing as a “Change in Control” event for purposes of each of the Severance Plans. Purchaser’s obligations under this Section 5.11(c)  shall continue until at least the end of the Continuation Period (as

 

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defined in the Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement) or such longer period as may be required under any Severance Plan in effect as of the Execution Date; provided , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 5.11(c) , Purchaser shall be solely responsible for any severance payments and benefits under the Severance Plans which may be payable to any Business Employees as a result of any termination of employment deemed to have occurred under the Severance Plans on or following the Closing Date and Sellers shall be solely responsible for any severance payments or benefits under the Severance Plans which may be payable to any Business Employee as a result of any termination of employment deemed to have occurred under the Severance Plans prior to the Closing Date (without any action of Purchaser). No later than five (5) days prior to the Closing Date, Sellers shall provide Purchaser with the aggregate amount of all severance obligations under the Severance Plans in respect of Business Employees (assuming for such purpose that their termination of employment occurred on the day after the Closing Date).

 

(d)                     Effective as of the Closing Date, all Business Employees shall cease to be active participants in all Seller Employee Plans (other than Companies Employment Plans) and shall cease to accrue additional benefits under such plans for any periods after the Closing Date; provided that if the Closing Date occurs prior to the consummation of the Kinder Morgan Merger, the Business Employees shall be deemed to have remained employed through the date of the consummation of the Kinder Morgan Merger for purposes of any rights such Business Employees may have to any accrued benefits and accelerated vesting under the Seller Employee Plans as contemplated by the Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement. Effective as of the Closing Date, each of EP E&P Management, Brazil O&G and Egypt Production shall cease to be a participating employer in all Seller Employee Plans, other than the Companies Employee Plans.

 

(e)                     As of the Closing Date, all Business Employees shall be eligible to participate in and, if elected, shall commence participation in each of the employee benefit plans (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA), programs, policies, fringe benefits, or arrangements (whether written or unwritten) of Purchaser or its Affiliates (collectively, “ Purchaser Employee Plans ”). Purchaser shall (i) to the extent within Purchaser’s control and ability under any Purchaser Employer Plan waive, or use commercially reasonable efforts to cause any third-party insurance carriers to waive, all limitations as to pre-existing condition exclusions and waiting periods with respect to Business Employees and their spouses and dependents, if applicable, under any Purchaser Employee Plan which is a welfare benefit plan and (ii) cause each Purchaser Employee Plan to provide, to the extent within Purchaser’s control and ability under any Purchaser Employee Plan, or use commercially reasonable efforts to cause any third-party insurance carriers to provide, each Business Employee with credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid prior to the Closing Date in satisfying any deductible or out of pocket requirements under Purchaser Employee Plans for the plan year in which the Closing Date occurs.

 

(f)                      Purchaser shall accept or cause to be accepted transfers from Sellers’ or any ERISA Affiliate’s health care flexible spending account plan of each Business Employee’s account balance as of the Closing Date and credit such employee with such amounts under the applicable Purchaser Employee Plan. On and after the Closing Date, Business Employees shall have no further claim for reimbursement under Sellers’ or any ERISA Affiliate’s health care flexible spending account and all claims must be submitted under the applicable Purchaser Employee Plan, including expenses incurred prior to the Closing Date.

 

(g)                     Purchaser shall cause to be provided to each Business Employee credit for prior service with any Seller or its Affiliates to the extent such service would be recognized if it had been performed as an employee of Purchaser or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates for all purposes (including vesting, eligibility, benefit accrual and/or level of benefits) in all Purchaser Employee Plans (but not for benefit accruals under any defined benefit pension plan, any retiree medical or other post-retirement

 

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welfare plan, or benefits under any frozen employee benefit plan), including fringe benefit plans, vacation and sick leave policies, severance plans or policies, defined contribution pension plans and matching contributions under defined contribution plans maintained or provided by Purchaser or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates in which such Business Employees are eligible to participate after the Closing Date; provided , however , that, such service need not be recognized to the extent that such recognition would result in any duplication of benefits for the same period of service.

 

(h)                     During the calendar year in which the Closing occurs, Purchaser or its Affiliates shall maintain Sellers’ vacation policy with respect to each Business Employee and shall credit each such individual with all earned but unused vacation as of the Closing Date with respect to any year prior to 2012, as determined under any and all of Sellers’ time off policies. Each Business Employee shall be entitled in 2012 to the greater of (i) such Business Employee’s previously earned but unused vacation, determined as of the Closing Date under Sellers’ vacation policy or (ii) the number of vacation days with respect to calendar year 2012 to which such Business Employee is entitled under Purchaser’s vacation policy, less any 2012 vacation days used by such Business Employee prior to the Closing Date. No Business Employee will be allowed to carry forward any unused vacation time beyond 2012 unless allowed under Purchaser’s vacation policy. With respect to each year after 2012, Purchaser shall consider each Business Employee’s prior full-time service with Sellers in determining the amount of vacation the Business Employee will be eligible for under Purchaser’s vacation policy.

 

(i)                      To the extent allowable by Law, Purchaser shall take any and all necessary action to cause the trustee of a defined contribution plan of Purchaser or one of its Affiliates, if requested to do so by a Business Employee, to accept a “direct rollover” pursuant to Section 401(a)(31) of the Code of all or a portion of such employee’s “eligible rollover distribution” (as defined in Section 402(c)(4) of the Code) from the El Paso Corporation Retirement Savings 401(k) Plan; provided , however , that Purchaser shall be required to accept a rollover of a Business Employee’s plan loans only if such Business Employee rolls over one hundred percent (100%) of such Business Employee’s distribution from such plan. Except for plan loans, all “direct rollovers” shall be made in cash and shall be subject to such administrative terms determined by Purchaser, including with respect to timing of any such “direct rollover.”

 

(j)                      With respect to each Business Employee who is not actively at work and who is, as of the Closing Date, receiving any form of pay/wage continuation (including short-term sickness, short-term disability, military leave or vacation pay) or unpaid leave (including Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 leave or military leave), Sellers or the appropriate ERISA Affiliate shall be responsible for any such payments due prior to the Closing Date and Purchaser shall be responsible for any payments due on or after the Closing Date.

 

(k)                     If a plant closing or a mass layoff occurs or is deemed to occur with respect to the Business Employees at any time on or after the Closing, Purchaser shall be solely responsible for providing all notices required under the WARN Act and for taking all remedial measures, including the payment of all amounts, penalties, liabilities, costs and expenses if such notices are not provided. On the Closing Date, Sellers shall provide Purchaser with a schedule of all Business Employees whose employment was terminated by Sellers in the ninety (90) day period prior to the Closing Date and their dates of termination.

 

(l)                      None of Purchaser, the Companies, the Company Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates, shall assume or retain any Seller Employee Plans or any Liability whatsoever related to Seller Employee Plans (other than the Companies Employee Plans and, as contemplated by Section 5.11(c) , the Severance Plans), and Sellers shall retain sole responsibility for all

 

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Liabilities, claims, rights and payments under each Seller Employee Plan (other than the Companies Employee Plans and, as contemplated by Section 5.11(c) , the Severance Plans).

 

(m)                    Sellers shall provide, or cause to be provided, to Purchaser, on a timely basis, all pertinent and requisite information reasonably requested by Purchaser to effect the transactions contemplated by this Section 5.11 and to facilitate the transition of the employment of Business Employees with Purchaser or its Affiliates.

 

(n)                     Except as expressly provided in this Section 5.11 , the Parties acknowledge and agree that no provision of this Agreement shall be construed to: (i) create any right to any compensation or benefits whatsoever on the part of any Business Employee or other future, present or former employee of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries, Purchaser or its Affiliates; (ii) guarantee employment for any period of time or preclude the ability of Purchaser to terminate any employee, independent contractor or Business Employee for any reason at any time; (iii) require Purchaser to continue any Purchaser Employee Plan, or other employee compensation or benefit plans or arrangements, or prevent the amendment, modification or termination thereof after the Closing Date or (iv) constitute an amendment to any Seller Employee Plan, Purchaser Employee Plan, or other employee benefit or compensation plan or arrangements.

 

(o)                     Nothing in this Section 5.11 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to make any current or former employee, officer, director or independent contractor or any other individual associated therewith (including any beneficiary or dependent thereof) a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.

 

Section 5.12.          Transition Committee and Transition Services Agreement .  Sellers and Purchaser agree to (i) as promptly as practicable after the date hereof, establish a transition committee to take certain actions, each as further set forth on Annex 2 and (ii) prior to Closing, cooperate in good faith to design and implement a mutually agreeable transition plan with respect to the services listed on the schedules to the Transition Services Agreement.

 

Section 5.13.          Replacement of Bonds, Letters of Credit and Guarantees; Insurance .

 

(a)                     The Parties understand that none of the bonds, letters of credit and guarantees, if any, posted by Sellers or any other Affiliate of the Companies (including the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries to the extent Sellers or their Affiliates (except the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries) provide credit support for any such bonds, letters of credit or guarantees) with any Governmental Authority or third Person and relating to the E&P Business are to be transferred to Purchaser. On or before the Closing, Purchaser shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) obtain, or cause to be obtained in the name of Purchaser, replacements for the bonds, letters of credit and guarantees identified in Schedule 5.13 (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall contain letters of credit that are exclusive to the Companies or Company Subsidiaries only, and not letters of credit that are shared between or among the Companies or Company Subsidiaries and El Paso or any subsidiary other than the Companies or Company Subsidiaries) and such other bonds, letters of credit and guarantees posted (or supported) by Sellers or such Affiliates that may arise between the Execution Date and Closing in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice that are disclosed in writing by Sellers to Purchaser at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date (collectively, the “ Financial Guaranties ”) (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall contain letters of credit that are exclusive to the Companies or Company Subsidiaries only, and not letters of credit that are shared between or among the Companies or Company Subsidiaries and El Paso or any subsidiary other than the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries) and (ii) cause, effective as of the Closing, the cancellation or return to Sellers of the Financial Guaranties, and Sellers shall provide reasonable cooperation to Purchaser in connection

 

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therewith. Purchaser may also provide evidence that such replacements are not necessary as a result of existing bonds, letters of credit or guarantees that Purchaser has previously posted as long as such existing bonds, letters of credit or guarantees are adequate to secure the release of those posted (or supported) by Sellers. Schedule 5.13 identifies the bonds, letters of credit and guarantees posted (or supported) by Sellers or any other Affiliate of the Companies (including the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries to the extent Sellers or their Affiliates (except the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries) provide credit support for any such bonds, letters of credit or guarantees) with respect to the E&P Business as of the date noted on such Schedule, which Sellers may update through the Closing to include Financial Guaranties entered into after the date hereof in compliance with Sections 5.3 and 5.4 . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, (i) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall be responsible for any collateral currently provided by Sellers under any shared insurance program and (ii) with respect to letters of credit outstanding under any Third Party Loan facilities, Purchaser shall take such action to replace, cash collateralize or provide third Person backstops so as to enable a Debt Payoff Letter with respect the applicable Third Party Loan to be received prior to Closing.

 

(b)                     If, as of the Closing, any one or more Financial Guaranties has neither been released nor expired in accordance with its terms (the “ Unreleased Financial Guaranties ”), then Purchaser shall, at Closing, execute and deliver to Sellers for the benefit of Sellers and their Affiliates (to the extent Sellers and such Affiliates are obligors under the Unreleased Financial Guaranties (the “ Obligors ”)) an indemnity agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Sellers pursuant to which Purchaser, the Companies and the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries agree to indemnify the Obligors from and against all of their obligations arising under the Unreleased Financial Guaranties except to the extent such obligations are otherwise subject to Section 10.1(b) . If all Unreleased Financial Guaranties have not been so released or expired on or before one (1) year from the Closing Date, or should the indemnitor under any indemnity agreement delivered in connection with this Section 5.13(b)  not have and maintain a minimum investment grade rating on all of its outstanding senior unsecured long-term debt of at least BBB-, as determined by Standard & Poor’s Rating Agency Group, or Baa3, as determined by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or, in each case, any nationally-recognized successor thereto (“ Investment Grade ”), Purchaser shall (i) cause an Affiliate of Purchaser or other third Person that, in each case, has, and for the previous five (5) years has maintained, an Investment Grade senior unsecured long-term debt rating, to provide a guarantee in favor of Sellers that is in form and substance substantially similar to the indemnity agreement provided by Purchaser at Closing pursuant to this Section 5.13 or (ii) provide, or cause to be provided, such other security for the obligations under the indemnity agreements that is in form, substance, and amount reasonably satisfactory to Sellers. No such provision of an indemnity agreement shall relieve any Purchaser or any other Person providing an indemnity, guarantee, or other form of surety or security of its obligations thereunder. Purchaser agrees that Sellers will not have an adequate remedy at Law if Purchaser violates (or threatens to violate) any of the terms of this Section 5.13 . In such event, Sellers shall have the right, in addition to any other they may have, to obtain injunctive relief to restrain any breach or threatened breach of the terms of this Section 5.13 .

 

(c)                     Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that, effective upon the Closing, all insurance coverage provided with respect to the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries pursuant to “claims made” or “claims first made” based policies maintained by Sellers (or any of their Affiliates, other than any Company or Company Subsidiary) shall not be available to the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries under such policies but (subject to the terms of any relevant policy or arrangement) without prejudice to any claims or accrued claims which any Company or Company Subsidiary may have at or prior to the Closing or based upon wrongful acts committed or alleged to be committed by any Company or Company Subsidiary prior to the Closing. Each Company and Company Subsidiary shall retain the benefit of each “occurrence” based policy, which is underwritten and/or issued by any Person under which any Company or any Company Subsidiary is an insured, hereinafter referred to as “ Occurrence Based Policies ,” in relation to events occurring prior to Closing in respect of claims for

 

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which it may have coverage thereunder, it being understood and agreed that such coverage shall be without prejudice to the rights of Sellers ( provided , however that Sellers shall not, and shall cause their Affiliates not to, terminate or amend or waive any of its rights under the Occurrence Based Policies), and other current or former Affiliates (other than the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries) to access and continue to retain the benefit of such Occurrence Based Policies at and after the Closing as such policies were in effect on the date prior to the Closing Date. From and after the Effective Date, at the request of Purchaser, Sellers shall, and shall cause the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries to, cooperate in the procurement of such named windstorm insurance coverage with respect to the Companies, the Company Subsidiaries and/or the E&P Business as may be requested by Purchaser; provided, however that none of Sellers, the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries shall be required to make any payment of any premium for such named windstorm coverage prior to June 1, 2012. Promptly following any termination of this Agreement, if at all, Purchaser shall reimburse Sellers for one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of any actual and reasonable out of pocket costs incurred by Sellers under the preceding sentence of this Section 5.13(c) .

 

(d)                     Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that, following the Closing, El Paso insurance coverage as set forth on Schedule 3.20 (less and except any Company or Company Subsidiary policies in effect) (the “ EPC Insurance Policies ”) shall be terminated or modified to exclude coverage of all or any portion of the Companies or Company Subsidiaries by the Sellers, and, as a result, Purchaser will need to, at or before Closing, obtain at its sole cost and expense replacement insurance, including insurance required by any third party to be maintained by any of the Companies or Company Subsidiaries. Purchaser further acknowledges and agrees that Purchaser will need to provide to certain Governmental Authorities and third parties evidence of such replacement or substitute insurance coverage for the continued operations of the businesses of the Companies or Company Subsidiaries following Closing. For avoidance of doubt, the Companies and Company Subsidiaries, as applicable, shall have the right to pursue claims or losses under such EPC Insurance Policies.

 

Section 5.14.          Surviving Agreements .  At or prior to the Closing, the applicable Seller (or Affiliate of such Seller), on the one hand, and the applicable Company (or applicable Company Subsidiary), on the other hand, shall terminate all Affiliate Transactions pursuant to termination agreements in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Purchaser, other than those agreements (the “ Surviving Agreements ”) set forth in Schedule 5.14 .

 

Section 5.15.          Preferential Purchase Rights; Consents .

 

(a)                     Promptly after the Execution Date, Sellers shall prepare and send (i) notices to the holders of any consents that are set forth in Schedule 5.15 requesting consents to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) notices to the holders of any applicable preferential rights to purchase, rights of first negotiation or similar rights in compliance with the terms of such rights and requesting waivers of such rights. Prior to Closing, the Parties shall reasonably cooperate to cause such consents and waivers of preferential rights to purchase or similar rights (or the exercise thereof) to be obtained and delivered prior to Closing; provided, however that Sellers and their Affiliates shall not be required to make payments or undertake obligations to or for the benefit of the holders of such consent rights in order to obtain such consents and waivers.

 

(b)                     Should the holder of any preferential purchase right set forth in Schedule 3.14 validly exercise the same (whether before or after Closing), then:

 

(i)            the Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary owning the applicable asset of the E&P Business shall transfer such asset to the holder of the preferential purchase right on the terms and provisions set out in the applicable preferential purchase right provision; and

 

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(ii)           such Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall be entitled to the consideration paid by such holder.

 

(c)                     Purchaser may, pursuant to a notice substantially in the form of a Title Defect Notice (a “ Consent Notice ”), delivered on or before the Title Claim Date, allege that the consents identified thereon (that are not set forth on Schedule 5.15 ), if not obtained or waived, would impair (or cause a defect in) any Company’s or Company Subsidiary’s title to any Company Mineral Interest, Company Well or Right of Way (each such consent, an “ Alleged Required Consent ”). With respect to any Alleged Required Consent, Sellers may, pursuant to written notice to Purchaser on or before the date that is ten (10) Business Days after their receipt of a Consent Notice with respect thereto, agree or disagree that such Alleged Required Consent, if not obtained or waived, would so impair or cause a defect in such title ( provided that, if Sellers do not respond within such period, they shall be deemed to have disagreed that such Alleged Required Consent, if not obtained or waived, would so impair or cause a defect in such title). In the event that any consent has not been raised by Purchaser pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.15(c) , this Section 5.15 (other than Section 5.15(h) ) shall no longer apply thereto, and such consent shall be solely and exclusively covered by Sections 5.15(h) , 10.1(a)(iii)  and 10.1(b)(iv) .

 

(d)                     All disputes as to whether an Alleged Required Consent would, if not obtained or waived, impair (or cause a defect in) any Company’s or Company Subsidiary’s title to any Company Mineral Interest, Company Well or Right of Way, or whether, and to what extent, the rights of the holder of a Required Consent have been barred under applicable Law (each such dispute, a “ Required Consent Dispute ”), shall be determined by a Title Arbitrator pursuant to Section 1.5(i) of Annex 1 .

 

(e)                     In the event any (i) consent set forth on Schedule 5.15 , (ii) Alleged Required Consent that Sellers and Purchaser have agreed in writing would, if not obtained or waived, impair (or cause a defect in) any Company’s or Company Subsidiary’s title to any Company Mineral Interest, Company Well or Right of Way or (iii) Alleged Required Consent that a Title Arbitrator has finally determined, would, if not obtained or waived, impair (or cause a defect in) any Company’s or Company Subsidiary’s title to any Company Mineral Interest, Company Well or Right of Way (each consent described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (ii), a “ Required Consent ”) is not obtained (in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Purchaser) on or before the end of the Consent Period and the rights of the holder of such Required Consent are not otherwise barred pursuant to applicable Law, then Sellers shall pay to Purchasers promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days after the end of the Consent Period for the relevant Required Consent) an amount equal to (x) in the case of a Company Mineral Interest or Company Well, the Allocated Value thereof (or portion thereof affected by the Required Consent), or (y) in the case of a Right of Way, the Damages actually incurred or suffered by the Companies or Company Subsidiaries with respect to such Required Consent (such amount, the “ Required Consent Adjustment Amount ”). For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Title Threshold nor the Title Deductible, nor either of the limitations set forth in Sections 10.1(d)(iv)  and 10.4(c)  shall apply to the determination of the Required Consent Adjustment Amount. As used herein, the term “ Consent Period ” means, with respect to each Required Consent, the later of (x) the date that is nine (9) months after the Closing Date and (y) the date on which the Title Arbitrator finally resolves Required Consent Dispute (if any) with respect to such Required Consent in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.5(i) of Annex 1 ; provided, however , that, if a lawsuit, arbitration or other proceeding is pending with respect to any Required Consent, the Consent Period with respect to such Required Consent may, at Sellers’ option, be extended until the end of one (1) month after the final disposition of the same at Sellers’ sole cost, risk, and expense.

 

(f)                      Except as set forth in Section 5.15(g) , Section 10.1(a)(iii)  and Section 10.1(b)(iv)  shall be the sole and exclusive remedy for all consent and alleged consent requirements covering (or created under) a Company Mineral Interest, Company Well or Right of Way that are not

 

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Required Consents. This Section 5.15 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Purchaser with respect to Required Consents.

 

(g)                     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any consent right that provides it may not be unreasonably withheld, shall not be subject to this Section 5.15 , Section 10.1(a)(iii)  or Section 10.1(b)(iv) .

 

(h)                     Purchaser hereby covenants and agrees to bear fifty percent (50%) of each dollar of any Damages attributable to a claim for indemnity pursuant to Section 10.1(b)(iv) , until the total amount of such Damages (measured in the aggregate and not as to the fifty percent (50%) for which Purchaser is liable pursuant to this Section 5.15(h) ) exceeds $15,000,000.

 

Section 5.16.          Transfer of Certain Assets Not Held by the Companies or Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries .  At Closing, Sellers or any of their Affiliates, as applicable, shall assign to Purchaser (or its designee) certain personal property set forth in Schedule 5.16 (as may be modified by the agreement of the Parties to reflect any matters that the Parties agree to between the Execution Date and Closing) pursuant to an assignment substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit E (the “ Personal Property Assignment ”). EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE PERSONAL PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT, THE ASSIGNMENT OF SUCH PERSONAL PROPERTY SHALL BE “AS IS, WHERE IS” WITH ALL FAULTS, AND ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF CONDITION, QUALITY, SUITABILITY, DESIGN, MARKETABILITY, INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR CONFORMITY TO MODELS OR SAMPLES OF MATERIALS ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED.

 

Section 5.17.          Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification .

 

(a)                     After Closing, the Organizational Documents of the Companies and the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries shall contain provisions no less favorable with respect to indemnification than are set forth in their respective Organizational Documents immediately prior to Closing and set forth in any indemnification agreement currently in effect between any Seller, Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and any current or former officer or director of any Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or any current or former Business Employee, which provisions shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six (6) years from the Closing Date in any manner that would affect adversely the rights thereunder of individuals who, at or prior to the Closing Date, were directors, officers, fiduciaries or agents of any Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or Business Employees; provided , that, in the event that any claim for indemnification is asserted or made within such six (6) year period, all rights to indemnification in respect of such claim shall continue until the final disposition of such claim.

 

(b)                     This Section 5.17 is intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, present or former directors and officers of each Company and Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, their respective heirs and personal representatives and shall be binding on Purchaser and its successors and assigns. In the event that Purchaser or any of its successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and is not the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person (including by dissolution), then, and in each such case, Purchaser shall cause proper provision to be made so that the successors and assigns of Purchaser assume and honor the obligations set forth in this Section 5.17 . The agreements and covenants contained herein shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any other rights to which any such present or former director or officer is entitled, whether pursuant to Law, Contract or otherwise. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to, shall be construed to or shall release, waive or impair any rights to directors’ and officers’ insurance claims under any policy that is or has been

 

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in existence with respect to any Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or their respective officers and directors and Business Employees, it being understood and agreed that the indemnification provided for in this Section 5.17 is not prior to or in substitution for any such claims under any such policies.

 

Section 5.18.          Title Matters .  The Parties shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Annex 1 and hereby agree that the rights and remedies of Purchaser set forth in Annex 1 represent Purchaser’s sole and exclusive rights and remedies with respect to any defect in title with respect to the Company Properties.

 

Section 5.19.          Financing .

 

(a)                     Purchaser shall use reasonable best efforts (taking into account the expected timing of the Marketing Period) to take all actions and to do or cause to be done all things necessary, proper or advisable to obtain the proceeds of the Financing on the terms and conditions described in the Financing Letters ( provided , that Purchaser may (i) amend the Debt Commitment Letter to add lenders, lead arrangers, bookrunners, syndication agents or similar entities who had not executed the Debt Commitment Letter as of the date of this Agreement so long as such Persons are reasonably acceptable to Sellers or (ii) otherwise replace or amend the Debt Commitment Letter so long as such action would not reasonably be expected to delay or prevent the Closing and the terms are not materially less beneficial to Purchaser, with respect to conditionality, than those in the Debt Commitment Letter as in effect on the date of this Agreement). Purchaser shall not permit any amendment or modification to be made to, or any waiver of any provision under, the Financing Letters without the prior written consent of Sellers if such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver:

 

(i)            with respect to the Financing Letters, reduces the aggregate amount of the Financing (including by increasing the amount of fees to be paid or original issue discount as compared to such fees and original issue discount contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter and related fee letters in effect on the date hereof unless the Debt Financing or the Equity Financing is increased by such amount);

 

(ii)           (A) imposes new or additional conditions or (B) otherwise adversely expands, amends or modifies any of the conditions precedent to the Financing, or otherwise expands, amends or modifies any other provision of the Financing Letters, in the case of clause (B), in a manner that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the ability of Purchaser to consummate the Closing on the Closing Date; or

 

(iii)          would otherwise materially adversely impact the ability of Purchaser to enforce its rights against other parties to the Financing Letters or otherwise to timely consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Purchaser shall promptly deliver to Sellers copies of any such amendment, modification, waiver or replacement. For purposes of this Agreement, references to “Financing” or “Debt Financing,” as applicable, shall include the financing contemplated by the Financing Letters as permitted to be amended, modified or replaced by this Section 5.19(a)  or 5.19(c)  and references to “Debt Commitment Letter” shall include such documents as permitted to be amended, modified or replaced by this Section 5.19(a)  or 5.19(c) .

 

(b)                     Purchaser shall use reasonable best efforts to:

 

(i)            maintain in effect the Financing Letters;

 

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(ii)           negotiate and enter into definitive agreements (which with respect to the bridge facility documentation shall not be required until reasonably necessary in connection with the funding of the Financing), and provide Sellers with copies of all substantially final drafts of documents with respect to the Debt Financing on the terms and conditions contained in the Debt Commitment Letter (including the “flex” provisions contained in any related fee letter) or on other terms in the aggregate materially no less favorable to Purchaser, as to conditionality, than the terms and conditions in the Debt Commitment Letter; provided , that in no event shall any such definitive agreement contain terms (other than those included in the Debt Commitment Letter) that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the Closing;

 

(iii)          satisfy (or, if deemed advisable by Purchaser, seek the waiver of) on a timely basis all conditions applicable to Purchaser that are within its control as set forth in the Financing Letters and to comply with all of its material obligations pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letter;

 

(iv)          upon satisfaction of such conditions, cause the funding of the Debt Financing at or prior to Closing (together with other sources of funds, including the Equity Financing, with respect to amounts required to pay the Required Amounts);

 

(v)           enforce all of its rights under the Debt Commitment Letter (including, for the avoidance of doubt, by instituting litigation in respect thereof); provided that all of the conditions to Purchaser’s obligations under Section 6.2 (except those to be satisfied at the Closing) have been satisfied or waived; and

 

(vi)          give Sellers prompt notice of any material breach by any party to the Debt Commitment Letters of which Purchaser has become aware or any termination of any of the Commitment Letters. Purchaser shall keep the Company apprised of material developments relating to the Financing and shall give the Company prompt notice of any material adverse change with respect to such Financing. Without limiting the foregoing, Purchaser agrees to notify Sellers promptly if at any time any financing source that is a party to the Debt Commitment Letter notifies Purchaser that such source no longer intends to provide financing on the terms set forth therein.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing contained in this Section 5.19(b)  shall require, and in no event shall the reasonable best efforts of Purchaser be deemed or construed to require, Purchaser or any Affiliate thereof to (i) seek the Equity Financing from any source other than those counterparty to, or in any amount in excess of that contemplated by, the Equity Funding Letter or (ii) pay any material fees in excess of those contemplated by the Financing Letters (including pursuant to the “flex” provisions contained in any fee letter relating to the Debt Financing).

 

(c)                     If any portion of the Debt Financing becomes unavailable on the terms and conditions contemplated in the Debt Commitment Letter or the Debt Commitment Letter is terminated or modified in a manner materially adverse to Purchaser for any reason, Purchaser shall promptly notify Sellers in writing and shall use its reasonable best efforts to arrange to obtain alternative financing from alternative sources for such portion as promptly as practicable following such event on terms no less favorable to Purchaser in any material respect as those contained in the Debt Commitment Letter and in an amount sufficient, together with the Equity Financing and cash on hand of the Companies, if any, to fund the Required Amount (the “ Alternate Financing ”) and, if obtained, will provide Sellers with a copy of, a new financing commitment that provides for at least the same amount of financing as provided under the Debt Commitment Letter originally issued, to the extent needed to fund the Required Amount, and on terms and conditions (including all terms, termination rights, flex provisions and funding conditions) no less favorable in any material respect to Purchaser than those included in the Debt Commitment Letter (an “ Alternate Debt Commitment Letter ”). Purchaser shall use

 

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its reasonable best efforts (taking into account the expected timing of the Marketing Period) to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and things necessary, proper or advisable to arrange promptly and consummate the Alternate Financing on the terms and conditions described in any Alternate Debt Commitment Letter, including by complying with its obligations under clause (b) above as though the references therein to Debt Commitment Letter and Debt Financing were instead references to the Alternate Financing and the Alternate Debt Commitment Letter.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Purchaser may enter discussions regarding, and may enter into arrangements and agreements relating to the Financing to add other equity providers, so long as in respect of any such arrangements and agreements, the following conditions are met: (i) the aggregate amount of the Equity Financing is not reduced; (ii) the arrangements and agreements, in the aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to delay or prevent the Closing and (iii) the arrangements and agreements would not diminish or release the pre-closing obligations of the parties to the Equity Funding Letter, adversely affect the rights of Purchaser to enforce its rights against the other parties to the Equity Funding Letter, or otherwise constitute a waiver or reduction of Purchaser’s rights under the Equity Funding Letter.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that (i) all or any portion of the Debt Financing contemplated to be raised in lieu of the bridge financing contemplated under the Debt Commitment Letter has not been consummated and (ii) the conditions set forth in Article 6 have been satisfied or waived (and which are, to the extent not satisfied or waived, at the time of the termination of this Agreement, capable of being satisfied if the Closing were to occur at such time) and (iii) all of the conditions set forth in the Debt Commitment Letters have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions which by their nature are to be satisfied at Closing, but subject to the satisfaction of those conditions), Purchaser shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the proceeds of the bridge facility contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letters to be used to cause the Closing to occur in accordance with the terms and conditions hereunder.

 

(d)                     Prior to the Closing Date or as expressly provided for in subclause (vi) below, Sellers shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to provide, and shall cause each Company and each Company Subsidiary to use reasonable best efforts to provide, and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause its respective directors, officers, employees, consultants, agents, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants or other representatives (collectively, “ Representatives ”) to use reasonable best efforts to provide, to Purchaser such cooperation as may be reasonably requested by Purchaser; provided , that such requested cooperation does not materially and adversely interfere with the E&P Business. Such cooperation shall include:

 

(i)            as promptly as reasonably practical, (x) furnishing Purchaser and Purchaser’s financing sources and their respective Representatives with the Required Information; provided that Sellers shall provide to Purchaser, or shall cause to be provided to Purchaser, the audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Companies and Company Subsidiaries for 2011 no later than March 15, 2012 and (y) inform Purchaser if the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries shall have knowledge of any facts that would likely require the restatement of such financial statements for such financial statements to comply with the Accounting Principles;

 

(ii)           participating in a reasonable number of meetings, presentations, road shows, due diligence sessions, drafting sessions and sessions with rating agencies in connection with the Financing and assisting Purchaser in obtaining ratings as contemplated by the Debt Financing;

 

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(iii)          assisting with the preparation of materials for rating agency presentations, offering documents, private placement memoranda, bank information memoranda, prospectuses and similar documents required in connection with the Financing, including the execution and delivery of customary representation letters in connection with bank information memoranda and reviewing and commenting on Purchaser’s draft of a business description and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” of Seller’s financial statements to be included in offering documents contemplated by the Debt Financing;

 

(iv)          providing to Purchaser upon request a copy of each semi-annual proved oil and gas reserves report, which may be prepared internally by petroleum engineers who are employees of each Company and each Company Subsidiary, for the periods ended December 31, 2011, together with audit reports prepared by third-party independent petroleum engineering firms reasonably acceptable to Purchaser and the debt financing sources in respect of any such reports prepared as of December 31 of each year and six (6) months thereafter, and including consents from such independent petroleum engineering firms to inclusion of such reports in any offering documents, private placement memoranda, bank information memoranda, prospectuses and similar documents in connection with the Financing;

 

(v)           (A) using reasonable best efforts to obtain and provide customary (x) reserve engineers’ “comfort” for Rule 144A high-yield offerings, internal and audited oil and gas reserves reports and such other engineering reports required to be provided by the Debt Financing (such reports, collectively, the “ Reserve Reports ”) and (y) accountants’ comfort letters, and (B) using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and provide appraisals, and surveys, and using reasonable best efforts to permit and/or facilitate environmental and other inspections (including providing reasonable access to Purchaser and its Representative to all properties of proved oil and gas reserves included in the Reserve Reports and other owned or leased real property for such purposes), title information, and other documentation and items relating to the Debt Financing, as contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter or reasonably requested by Purchaser and, if requested by Purchaser, to cooperate with and assist Purchaser in obtaining such documentation and items, with the understanding that depending on the specific properties represented and the timing of the Closing Date, additional technical work may be required before post-dated “comfort” can be provided;

 

(vi)          both before the Closing and, to the extent reasonably necessary to allow Purchaser or any of its Affiliates to consummate a securities offering or comply with SEC requirements, after the Closing, providing appropriate representations in connection with the preparation of financial statements and other financial data of each Company and each Company Subsidiary and requesting accountants’ consents in connection with the use of each Company’s and each Company Subsidiary’s financial statements in offering documents, prospectuses, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other documents to be filed with the SEC;

 

(vii)         using reasonable best efforts to assist Purchaser in connection with the preparation of pro forma financial information and financial statements to the extent required by SEC rules and regulations or necessary (or reasonably required by Purchaser’s financing sources) to be included in any offering documents; provided that Purchaser shall have provided Sellers or the Companies with information relating to the proposed debt and equity capitalization that is required for such pro forma financial information in financial reports;

 

(viii)        using reasonable best efforts to (x) provide monthly financial statements (excluding footnotes) within fifteen (15) Business Days of the end of each month prior to the Closing Date and (y) providing quarterly financial statements within forty-five (45) days of the end of each fiscal quarter prior to the Closing Date;

 

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(ix)           executing and delivering as of the Closing any pledge and security documents, other definitive financing documents, or other certificates, legal opinions or documents as may be reasonably requested by Purchaser (including a certificate of the chief financial officer of any of the Companies or Company Subsidiaries with respect to solvency matters in the form set forth as an annex to the Debt Commitment Letter and otherwise facilitating the pledging of collateral (including cooperation in connection with the pay-off of existing Indebtedness to the extent contemplated by this Agreement and the release of related Liens and termination of security interest);

 

(x)            using reasonable best efforts to assist Purchaser in obtaining waivers, consents, estoppels and approvals from other parties to material leases, other than leases constituting Company Mineral Interests, rights of way and other encumbrances and Company Contracts to which any Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party and to arrange discussions among Purchaser, the Equity Providers and the Debt Providers and their respective Representatives with other parties to material leases, rights of way and other encumbrances and Contracts as of the Closing;

 

(xi)           taking all commercially reasonable actions necessary to (A) permit the prospective lenders involved in the Debt Financing (through any Debt Provider) and the Debt Providers to evaluate the Companies’ and the Company Subsidiaries’ current assets, cash management and accounting systems, policies and procedures relating thereto for the purposes of establishing collateral arrangements as of the Closing and to assist with other collateral audits and due diligence examinations reasonable and customary for oil and gas industry reserve-based financing) and (B) establish bank and other accounts and blocked account agreements and lock box arrangements to the extent necessary in connection with the Debt Financing;

 

(xii)          taking all corporate actions, subject to the occurrence of the Closing, reasonably requested by Purchaser that are necessary or customary to permit the consummation of the Debt Financing, including any high yield financing, and to permit the proceeds thereof, together with the cash at each Company and each Company Subsidiary, if any (not needed for other purposes), to be made available on the Closing Date to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

 

(xiii)         providing all documentation and other information about the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries as is required by applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations including without limitation the USA PATRIOT Act to the extent reasonably requested at least five (5) Business Days prior to the anticipated Closing Date;

 

provided , that no obligation of any Company or any Company Subsidiary, or any Lien on any of their respective assets, in connection with the Financing shall be effective until the Closing; no Company or any Company Subsidiary or any Representatives of any of the foregoing shall be required to pay any commitment or other fee or incur any other liability in connection with the Financing prior to the Closing; and no director or officer of any Company or any Company Subsidiary shall be required to execute any agreement, certificate, document or instrument with respect to the Financing that would be effective prior to the Closing.

 

(e)                     Sellers shall, and shall cause the Companies to, use reasonable best efforts to periodically update any Required Information provided to Purchaser as may be necessary so that such Required Information is (i) Compliant, (ii) meets the applicable requirements set forth in the definition of “Required Information” and (iii) would not, after giving effect to such update(s), result in the Marketing Period to cease to be deemed to have commenced. For the avoidance of doubt, Purchaser may, to most effectively access the financing markets, require the cooperation of any Company under Section 5.19(d)  at any time, and from time to time and on multiple occasions, between the date hereof and the Closing.; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Marketing Period shall not be applicable as to

 

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each attempt to access the markets. El Paso shall timely (taking into account any extensions permitted by the applicable SEC rules) file SEC documents and other materials with the SEC to the extent required by the SEC in accordance with Law to the extent such SEC documents relate specifically to any Company or any Company Subsidiary. In addition, if, in connection with a marketing effort contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter, Purchaser reasonably requests Sellers to file a Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Exchange Act that contains material non-public information with respect to each Company and each Company Subsidiary, which Purchaser reasonably determines (in consultation with Sellers) to include in a customary offering memorandum for the Debt Financing, then, upon Sellers’ review of and reasonable satisfaction with such filing, Sellers shall file such Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

(f)                      Sellers hereby consent to the use of their logos in connection with the Financing; provided , that such logos are used solely in a manner that is not intended to or reasonably likely to harm or disparage Sellers or the reputation or goodwill of Sellers.

 

(g)                     Purchaser shall promptly, upon request by Sellers, reimburse Sellers, the Company or any Company Subsidiary, as applicable, for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by such Person in connection with its cooperation contemplated by this Section 5.19 .

 

(h)                     Purchaser shall indemnify and hold harmless Sellers, the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs or expenses suffered or incurred by any of them in connection with the Financing (other than information provided in writing specifically for use by or on behalf of any Seller, any Company or any Company Subsidiary), in each case other than to the extent any of the foregoing arises from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of, or material breach of this Agreement by, any of the Companies, any of the Company Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates and Representatives.

 

Section 5.20.          Confidentiality .  After the Closing, each Seller shall hold and shall cause each of its Affiliates to hold, and each Seller shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its and its Affiliates’ respective Representatives to hold, in confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process, Order or by other requirements of Law, all confidential documents and information concerning each Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, except to the extent that such information (a) was or is in the public domain through no fault of such Seller or its Affiliate, (b) was or is later lawfully acquired by such Seller from sources other than those related to its prior ownership of any of the Companies or any of the Company Subsidiaries or (c) is permitted to be disclosed pursuant to Section 5.2 .

 

Section 5.21.          Release .  Effective as of the Closing, (i) each Seller, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Affiliates and their respective heirs, estate, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably releases and waives any claims that such Seller or any of its Affiliates has or may in the future have, in its capacity as an equity holder, member, manager, director, officer, employee or similar capacity, against any of the Companies, their subsidiaries, the JV Entity or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, Affiliates or equity holders, in each case arising out of, resulting from or relating to actions, omissions, facts or circumstances occurring, arising or existing at or prior to the Closing, in each case, other than with respect to claims under this Agreement or any Surviving Agreement and (ii) Purchaser shall cause each Company, each of its subsidiaries, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Affiliates or their respective heirs, estate, executors, administrators and the JV Entity, successors and assigns, to unconditionally release and waive any claims that such Company or any of its subsidiaries or the JV Entity has or may in the future have against any Seller or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, Affiliates or equity holders in such Seller’s capacity as an equity

 

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holder, member, manager or similar capacity of any Company, in each case arising out of, resulting from or relating to actions, commissions, facts or circumstances occurring, arising or existing at or prior to the Closing, in each case, other than with respect to claims under this Agreement or any Surviving Agreement.

 

Section 5.22.          Seismic Transfer .  Until a date that is one hundred eighty (180) days after the Closing, Sellers and Purchaser shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain replacement licenses in the name of Purchaser (or its designee), or approval for transfer of the existing licenses, for seismic data relating solely to the Company Properties which Sellers, the Companies, or the Company Subsidiaries hold under license and the transfer of which is prohibited or subjected to payment of a fee or other consideration in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. All costs of such replacement licenses or license transfers shall be borne by Purchaser. Purchaser and Sellers shall reasonably cooperate with each other in this effort; provided , however , that Sellers (and, until the Closing, Companies and Company Subsidiaries) shall not be required to pay any fee, or undertake any obligations for the benefit of any third Person pursuant to the foregoing.

 

Article 6
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

 

Section 6.1.            Conditions of Sellers to Closing .  The obligations of Sellers to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject, at the option of Sellers, to the satisfaction on or prior to Closing of each of the following conditions:

 

(a)                     Representations . The representations and warranties of Purchaser set forth in Article 4 shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Execution Date and as of the Closing Date (other than representations and warranties that refer to a specified date, which need only be true and correct on and as of such specified date) as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except for any failures that would not be expected to have more than an immaterial adverse impact on Sellers or their benefit of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(b)                     Performance . Purchaser shall have performed and observed all covenants and agreements to be performed or observed by it under this Agreement prior to or on the Closing Date, except for any such failures as are not material in the aggregate in the context of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(c)                     No Order or Law . On the Closing Date, no injunction, Order or Law restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been issued and remain in force;

 

(d)                     Governmental Consents . All consents and approvals of any Governmental Authority that are set forth on Schedule 6.1(d)  shall have been granted without condition and any waiting periods (including those required under the Antitrust Laws) applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby shall have expired (or the early termination thereof shall have been granted); and

 

(e)                     Kinder Morgan Merger . Either (A) (i) all of the conditions to closing set forth in Article VI of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 16, 2011 (the “ Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement ”), among Kinder Morgan, Inc. (“ Kinder Morgan ”), Sherpa Merger Sub, Inc., Sherpa Acquisition, LLC, Sirius Holdings Merger Corporation, Sirius Merger Corporation and El Paso Corporation (“ El Paso ”) shall have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing of the Kinder Morgan Merger) (ii) Kinder Morgan is and has irrevocably confirmed in writing to El Paso that it is ready, willing and able to close the Kinder Morgan

 

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Merger immediately following the Closing and (iii) Kinder Morgan and its Financing Source (as defined in the Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement) have irrevocably committed in writing to El Paso to effect the closing of the Kinder Morgan Merger immediately following the Closing or (B) the consummation of the Kinder Morgan Merger shall have occurred; provided , however , that the condition set forth in this Section 6.1(e)  shall no longer be applicable if Sellers properly waive the automatic termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(ii) .

 

Section 6.2.            Conditions of Purchaser to Closing .  The obligations of Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject, at the option of Purchaser, to the satisfaction on or prior to Closing of each of the following conditions:

 

(a)                     Representations . The representations and warranties of Sellers (i) set forth in Article 3 (other than Seller Fundamental Representations) shall be true and correct as of the Execution Date and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (other than representations and warranties that refer to a specified date, which need only be true and correct on and as of such specified date), except for such breaches, if any, of representations and warranties as would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (except to the extent such representation or warranty is qualified by its terms by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, such qualification in its terms shall be inapplicable for purposes of this Section 6.2(a) ) and (ii) set forth in Article 3 that are Seller Fundamental Representations shall be true and correct as of the Execution Date and as of the Closing Date (other than representations and warranties that refer to a specified date, which need only be true and correct on and as of such specified date), except for any failures that would not be expected to have more than an immaterial adverse impact on Purchaser or its benefit of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement(except to the extent such representation or warranty is qualified by its terms by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, such qualification in its terms shall be inapplicable for purposes of this Section 6.2(a) );

 

(b)                     Performance . Sellers shall have performed and observed all covenants and agreements to be performed or observed by them under this Agreement prior to or on the Closing Date, except for any such failures as are not material in the aggregate in the context of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(c)                     No Order or Law . On the Closing Date, no injunction, Order or Law restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been issued and remain in force;

 

(d)                     Governmental Consents . All consents and approvals of any Governmental Authority that are set forth on Schedule 6.1(d)  shall have been granted without condition and any waiting periods (including those required under the Antitrust Laws) applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby shall have expired (or the early termination thereof shall have been granted);

 

(e)                     Debt Payoff Letters . Each payee (or agent or trustee therefor) of a Third-Party Loan (other than any Loan that, in accordance with Section 5.8(b) , is not required to be repaid by the Closing) shall have executed and delivered a Debt Payoff Letter to the applicable payor Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and the Debt Payoff Amount stated in each Debt Payoff Letter so delivered;

 

(f)                      FIRPTA Affidavits . New EPE shall have delivered to Purchaser a non-foreign affidavit dated as of the Closing Date, sworn under penalty of perjury and in form and substance required under Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Section 1445 of the Code stating that New EPE is not a “foreign person” as defined in Section 1445 of the Code, and Sellers shall have caused EP Production International Cayman Company to have delivered to Purchaser an affidavit dated as of the

 

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Closing Date in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Purchaser stating that neither the quotas nor the assets of the BrazilCos constitute a “United States real property interest” as defined in Section 897(c)(1) of the Code (together the “ Tax Affidavits ”);

 

(g)                     Restructuring . Sellers shall have effected the restructuring steps described in Section 8.10(a)  and shall have provided evidence, reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser, that such restructuring steps have been effected; and

 

(h)                     No Material Adverse Effect . Since December 31, 2010, no change, event, circumstance, development, state of facts, or condition has occurred (or existed, as applicable), that would, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect

 

Article 7
CLOSING

 

Section 7.1.            Time and Place of Closing .  The consummation of the purchase and sale of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Closing ”) shall, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by Purchaser and Sellers, take place at a law firm located in New York, New York, as mutually agreed upon by the Parties or, if the Parties cannot mutually agree, at the office of Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP, located at 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York (a) at such time as may be mutually agreed by the Parties on a date after May 9, 2012 that all conditions set forth in Article 6 have been satisfied or waived, which time shall be immediately prior to the consummation of the Kinder Morgan Merger if the condition in Section 6.1(e)  remains in effect (but not prior to the third (3rd) Business Day after the date that all conditions set forth in Article 6 have been satisfied or waived, other than those that, by their nature, are to be satisfied only on the Closing Date, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions on the Closing Date), subject to the provisions of Article 9 ; provided , that if the Marketing Period has not ended at the time of the satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions set forth in Article 6 (other than those that by their nature are to be satisfied or waived at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver in writing of those conditions), notwithstanding the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions, Purchaser shall not be required to effect the Closing until the earlier of (i) a date during the Marketing Period specified by Purchaser on not less than two (2) Business Days’ notice to Sellers and (ii) the third (3rd) Business Day immediately following the final day of the Marketing Period (subject, in each case, to the satisfaction or waiver in writing of all of the conditions set forth in Article 6 as of the date determined pursuant to this proviso), or (b) at such other time and date as shall be agreed upon in writing between Purchaser and Sellers. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to herein as the “ Closing Date .”

 

Section 7.2.            Obligations of Sellers at Closing .  At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, and subject to the simultaneous performance by Purchaser of its obligations pursuant to Section 7.3 , Sellers shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Purchaser the following:

 

(a)                     valid instruments of assignment of the Shares(in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Purchaser) to Purchaser, free and clear of all Liens, duly executed by the applicable Sellers;

 

(b)                     a certificate duly executed by an authorized corporate officer of each Seller, dated as of the Closing, certifying on behalf of each Seller that the conditions set forth in Section 6.2(a)  and Section 6.2(b)  have been fulfilled;

 

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(c)                     a certificate duly executed by the secretary or any assistant secretary of each Seller, dated as of the Closing, (i) attaching and certifying on behalf of such Seller complete and correct copies of (A) the Organizational Documents of such Seller, each as in effect as of the Closing, (B) the resolutions of the Board of Directors or other governing body of such Seller authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance by such Seller of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (C) any required approval by the stockholders or members, as applicable, of such Seller of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (ii) certifying on behalf of such Seller the incumbency of each officer of such Seller executing this Agreement or any document delivered in connection with the Closing;

 

(d)                     where notices of approval are received by any Seller pursuant to a filing or application under Section 5.6 , copies of those notices of approval;

 

(e)                     counterparts of (i) a transition services agreement by and among Sellers, Purchaser and the other parties thereto substantially in the form attached here to as Exhibit C (the “ Transition Services Agreement ”), duly executed by the Sellers and (ii) a lease agreement by and among EPEC Realty, Inc. and EP Energy in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the “ Lease ”), duly executed by EPEC Realty, Inc.;

 

(f)                      counterparts of the Personal Property Assignment, duly executed by Sellers and/or any Affiliates of Sellers (other than any Company or Company Subsidiary ) ;

 

(g)                     the Tax Affidavits, duly executed by an authorized corporate officers of New EPE and EP Production International Cayman Company; and

 

(h)                     all other documents and instruments reasonably requested by Purchaser from Sellers to transfer the Shares to Purchaser.

 

Section 7.3.            Obligations of Purchaser at Closing .  At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, and subject to the simultaneous performance by Sellers of their obligations pursuant to Section 7.2 , Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Sellers the following:

 

(a)                     a wire transfer of the Closing Payment in same day funds to New EPE for the account of Sellers;

 

(b)                     a certificate by an authorized corporate officer of Purchaser, dated as of the Closing, certifying on behalf of Purchaser that the conditions set forth in Section 6.1(a)  and Section 6.1(b)  have been fulfilled;

 

(c)                     a certificate duly executed by the secretary or any assistant secretary of Purchaser, dated as of the Closing, (i) attaching and certifying on behalf of Purchaser complete and correct copies of (A) the Organizational Documents of Purchaser, each as in effect as of the Closing, (B) the resolutions of the Board of Directors or other governing body of Purchaser authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (C) any required approval by the stockholders of Purchaser of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (ii) certifying on behalf of Purchaser the incumbency of each officer of Purchaser executing this Agreement or any document delivered in connection with the Closing;

 

(d)                     where notices of approval are received by Purchaser pursuant to a filing or application under Section 5.6 , copies of those notices of approval;

 

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(e)                     evidence of replacement bonds, guarantees and letters of credit pursuant to Section 5.13 , to the extent obtained prior to the Closing;

 

(f)                      counterparts of (i) the Transition Services Agreement, duly executed by Purchaser and (ii) the Lease, duly executed by EP Energy; and

 

(g)                     counterparts of the Personal Property Assignment, duly executed by the Purchaser and/or any of its Affiliates (including any of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries).

 

Article 8
TAX MATTERS

 

Section 8.1.            Liability for Taxes .

 

(a)                     Tax Indemnification by Sellers . Subject to Section 8.1(d) , Section 8.8 and Section 10.4(d) , from and after Closing, Sellers shall be liable for, and shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold harmless Purchaser, the Companies, the Company Subsidiaries, and their respective Affiliates (each a “ Tax Indemnified Purchaser Party ” and collectively, the “ Tax Indemnified Purchaser Parties ”) from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses, interest, awards, judgments and penalties (including, without limitation, reasonable fees for outside counsel, outside consultants and outside accountants) (each a “ Tax Loss ” and collectively, the “ Tax Losses ”) incurred by a Tax Indemnified Purchaser Party arising out of (without duplication) (i) any Income Taxes imposed on, relating to, or incurred by any Company or Company Subsidiary attributable to a Pre- Closing Period (“ Pre-Closing Income Taxes ”); (ii) any Non-Income Taxes imposed on, relating to, or incurred by any Company or Company Subsidiary attributable to a Pre-Effective Time Period (“ Pre-Effective Time Non-Income Taxes ,” and together with Pre-Closing Income Taxes, “ Sellers Indemnified Taxes ”); (iii) any Taxes of a Person other than a Company or Company Subsidiary for which any Company or Company Subsidiary is liable by virtue of any affiliation, merger or other event occurring prior to the Closing (including pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.1502-6 or 1.1502-78 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. law)); (iv) any breach of a Seller Fundamental Tax Representation or Seller Fundamental Tax Covenant ( provided , that (A) for purposes of this Section 8.1(a)(iv)  only, any breach of any such Seller Fundamental Tax Representation or Seller Fundamental Tax Covenant shall be determined without reference to any materiality qualifier with respect thereto , and (B) to the extent that a breach of any covenant or agreement set forth in Section 5.4(m)  gives rise to a Post-Effective Time Period Non-Income Tax, the Tax Loss relating to such Post-Effective Time Period Non-Income Tax shall be reduced by the amount that such Post-Effective Time Period Non-Income Tax would have been had no such breach occurred); (v) the restructuring steps described in Section 8.10(a)  or the actions of Sellers or their Affiliates pursuant to Section 5.7 ; and (vi) any withholding Taxes relating to the sale of the Brazilian Shares hereunder. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Sellers shall have no obligation to indemnify the Tax Indemnified Purchaser Parties from and against, and Purchaser hereby waives any claims against, and releases, Sellers from any Tax Losses relating to, or suffered or incurred by, any EgyptCo. Subject to Section 8.1(d) , Section 8.8 and Section 10.4(d) , Sellers shall pay the Tax Indemnified Purchaser Parties with respect to a Tax Loss under this Section 8.1(a)  promptly in cleared funds no later than the later of (i) two (2) Business Days before the date on which the relevant Taxes (if applicable) are required to be paid and (ii) five (5) Business Days after Sellers’ receipt of notice and supporting work papers (or other appropriate documentation) from Purchaser of Sellers’ liability therefor.

 

(b)                     Tax Indemnification by Purchaser . Subject to Section 8.8 , from and after Closing, Purchaser shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Companies and Company Subsidiaries) (each, a “ Tax Indemnified Seller Party ”) from and against all Tax Losses incurred by a Tax Indemnified Seller Party arising out of (i) any Income

 

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Taxes imposed on, relating to, or incurred by a Company or Company Subsidiary and attributable to any Post-Closing Period and any Non-Income Taxes imposed on, relating to, or incurred by a Company or Company Subsidiary and attributable to any Post-Effective Time Period (in each case, other than any such Taxes (A) for which such Company or Company Subsidiary is liable by virtue of any affiliation, merger or other event occurring prior to the Closing (including pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.1502-6 or 1.1502-78 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. law)), (B) that result from a breach of a Seller Fundamental Tax Representation or a Seller Fundamental Tax Covenant ( provided , that for purposes of this Section 8.1(b)(i)(B)  only, any breach of any such Seller Fundamental Tax Representation or Seller Fundamental Tax Covenant shall be determined without reference to any materiality qualifier with respect thereto), (C) that result from the restructuring steps described in Section 8.10(a)  or (D) that are withholding Taxes relating to the sale of the Brazilian Shares hereunder)) (“ Purchaser Indemnified Taxes ”) and (ii) any Transfer Taxes required to be borne by Purchaser pursuant to Section 11.3 . Subject to Section 8.8 , Purchaser shall pay Sellers or their Affiliates with respect to a Tax Loss under this Section 8.1(b)  promptly in cleared funds no later than the later of (i) two (2) Business Days before the date on which the relevant Taxes (if applicable) are required to be paid and (ii) five (5) Business Days after Purchaser’s receipt of notice and supporting work papers (or other appropriate documentation) from Sellers of Purchaser’s liability therefor.

 

(c)                     Straddle Period Taxes . Whenever it is necessary for purposes of this Agreement to determine the portion of any Taxes of or with respect to any Company or Company Subsidiary for a Straddle Income Period which is allocable to the Pre-Closing Period or the Post- Closing Period or for a Straddle Non-Income Period which is allocable to the Pre-Effective Time Period or the Post-Effective Time Period, as the case may be, the determination shall be made as if each of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries was not a member of its respective Seller’s consolidated, affiliated, combined or unitary group for Tax purposes. Any Income Taxes attributable to a Straddle Income Period will be allocated between the Pre-Closing Period and the Post-Closing Period based on an interim closing of the books (such Taxes allocable to the Pre-Closing Period being determined as if such taxable period ended as of the Closing Date). Any Non-Income Taxes attributable to a Straddle Non-Income Period will be allocated between the Pre-Effective Time Period and the Post-Effective Time Period based upon the number of days in the applicable period falling on or before, or after, December 31, 2011. To the extent necessary, a Seller shall estimate Taxes based on Seller’s liability for Taxes with respect to the same or similar Tax item in the immediately preceding year. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) any franchise Tax paid or payable with respect to each Company or Company Subsidiary shall be allocated to the taxable period during which the income, operations, assets or capital comprising the base of such Tax is measured, regardless of whether the right to do business for another taxable period is obtained by the payment of such franchise Tax, (ii) any ad valorem or property Taxes paid or payable with respect to the assets of the E&P Business shall be allocated to the taxable period applicable to the ownership of the assets of the E&P Business regardless of when such Taxes are assessed and (iii) any severance, production and similar Taxes based upon or measured by the quantity of or the value of the production of Hydrocarbons shall be apportioned between Sellers and Purchaser based on the number of units or value of production actually produced and subject to Tax, as applicable, on or before, and after, December 31, 2011 and any such Taxes shall be deemed attributable to the period during which the relevant production occurred.

 

(d)                     Survival of Tax Indemnification . The right to assert an indemnification claim pursuant to this Section 8.1 shall survive Closing and remain in full force and effect until the date which is sixty (60) days after the date upon which liability to which any such claim may relate is barred by all applicable statutes of limitations (including all periods of extension, whether automatic or permissive).

 

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Section 8.2.            Preparation and Filing of Company or Company Subsidiary Tax Returns .

 

(a)                     Subject to Section 8.2(b) , with respect to each Tax return, declaration, report, claim for refund or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof (a “ Tax Return ”) that is required to be filed for, by or with respect to a Company or Company Subsidiary after the Closing Date, Purchaser shall cause such Tax Return to be prepared and, subject to Sellers’ obligations under Section 8.1 , shall cause each Company to file timely such Tax Return with the appropriate Governmental Authority and pay timely the amount of Taxes shown to be due on such Tax Return. Subject to Section 8.8 , Sellers shall pay Purchaser or its designee in cleared funds an amount equal to all Sellers Indemnified Taxes due in respect of such Tax Returns no later than the later of (i) three (3) Business Days prior to the due date (including extensions) for such Tax Returns and (ii) five (5) Business Days after Sellers’ receipt of notice and supporting work papers (or other appropriate documentation) from Purchaser of Sellers’ liability therefor).

 

(b)                     With respect to each Tax Return relating to Income Taxes that is required to be filed after the Closing Date for, by or with respect to any consolidated, combined or unitary group of which a Company or Company Subsidiary is a member (but the parent thereof is not a Company or Company Subsidiary), Sellers shall cause such Tax Return to be prepared and shall cause such Tax Return to be timely filed with the appropriate Governmental Authority and pay timely the amount of Taxes shown to be due on such Tax Return.

 

(c)                     Any Tax Return to be prepared pursuant to Section 8.2(a)  in respect of a Pre-Effective Time Period (or, in the case of a Tax Return relating to Income Taxes, in respect of a Pre-Closing Period) and any Tax Return to be prepared pursuant to Section 8.2(b)  shall, in each case, shall be prepared in a manner consistent with practices, elections, and methods of accounting followed in prior years with respect to similar Tax Returns for the applicable entity, except for changes required by applicable Law, subject to the return preparer’s ethical and legal obligations under applicable Laws.

 

(d)                     With respect to Tax Returns of a Company or Company Subsidiary for a Pre-Effective Time Period or Pre-Closing Period to be filed after the Closing Date, if Sellers may be liable for any portion of the Tax payable in connection with such Tax Return, Purchaser shall prepare and deliver to Sellers a copy of such return and any schedules, work papers and other documentation then available that are relevant to the preparation of the portion of such return for which Sellers are or may be liable under this Agreement not later than forty-five (45) days before the date on which the Tax Return is due to be filed (taking into account any valid extensions) (the “ Due Date ”) (or, in the case of ad valorem property Taxes, within thirty (30) days of receipt of the bill for such ad valorem property Taxes from the applicable Governmental Authority) or, in the case of any such Tax Returns due within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, as soon as reasonably practicable. Purchaser shall not file such return or cause such return to be filed until the earlier of either the receipt of written notice from Sellers indicating Sellers’ consent thereto, or the Due Date. If Sellers dispute any item on such Tax Return, they shall notify Purchaser of such disputed item (or items) and the basis for their objection. The Parties shall act in good faith to resolve any such dispute prior to the date on which such Tax Return is required to be filed. If the Parties cannot resolve any disputed item, the item in question shall be resolved by an independent accounting firm mutually acceptable to Sellers and Purchaser. The fees and expenses of such accounting firm shall be borne equally by Sellers and Purchaser.

 

(e)                     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Purchaser and its Affiliates shall be entitled to prepare and file all Tax Returns, and to conduct all Tax audits, adjustments, claims, examinations, assessments or other proceedings, with respect to their operations, assets, and activities for any Tax period beginning after the Closing Date or with respect to

 

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any consolidated, combined or unitary group of which Purchaser or any of its Affiliates is a member in such manner as Purchaser may determine in Purchaser’s sole discretion; provided , however , that this Section 8.2 shall not limit Purchaser’s liability under this Agreement for breaches of covenants or agreements contained in Sections 2.2(b) , 8.7 or 10.1(h) .

 

Section 8.3.            Tax Sharing Agreement .  Effective as of December 31, 2011 (in respect of Non-Income Taxes) and the Closing Date (in respect of Income Taxes), any tax indemnity, sharing, allocation or similar agreement or arrangement (a “ Tax Sharing Agreement ”) that may be in effect between or among a Company or Company Subsidiary, on the one hand, and its Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries), on the other hand, shall be extinguished in full as the Tax Sharing Agreement relates to such Company or Company Subsidiary, and any liabilities or rights existing under any such agreement or arrangement by or with respect to a Company or Company Subsidiary shall cease to exist and shall no longer be enforceable as to all past, present and future taxable periods.

 

Section 8.4.            Access to Information .

 

(a)                     From and after Closing, each Seller shall grant to Purchaser (or its designees) reasonable access at all reasonable times to the information, books and records relating to a Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary within the possession of such Seller (including work papers and correspondence with taxing authorities), and shall afford Purchaser (or its designees) the right (at Purchaser’s expense) to take extracts therefrom and to make copies thereof, to the extent reasonably necessary to permit Purchaser (or its designees) to prepare Tax Returns, to conduct negotiations with Tax authorities, and to implement the provisions of, or to investigate or defend any claims between the Parties arising under, this Agreement.

 

(b)                     From and after Closing, Purchaser shall grant to Sellers (or Sellers’ designees) reasonable access at all reasonable times to the information, books and records relating to the Companies or Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries within the possession of Purchaser, the Companies or Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (including work papers and correspondence with taxing authorities, but excluding work product of and attorney-client communications with any of Purchaser’s legal counsel and personnel files), and shall afford Sellers (or Sellers’ designees) the right (at Sellers’ expense) to take extracts therefrom and to make copies thereof, to the extent reasonably necessary to permit Sellers (or Sellers’ designees) to prepare Tax Returns, to conduct negotiations with, or contest deficiencies asserted by, Tax authorities, and to implement the provisions of, or to investigate or defend any claims between the Parties arising under, this Agreement.

 

(c)                     Each of the Parties hereto will preserve and retain all schedules, work papers and other documents within the Party’s possession relating to any Tax Returns of or with respect to Taxes of the Companies or Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or to any claims, audits or other proceedings affecting the Companies or Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries until the expiration of the statute of limitations (including extensions) applicable to the taxable period to which such documents relate or until the final determination of any controversy with respect to such taxable period, and until the final determination of any payments that may be required with respect to such taxable period under this Agreement.

 

(d)                     At either Purchaser’s or Sellers’ request, the other Party shall provide reasonable access to Purchaser’s or Sellers’, as the case may be, and their respective Affiliates’ (including the Companies’ and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries’) personnel who have knowledge of the information described in this Section 8.4 . In addition, at Sellers’ request, Purchaser shall provide to Sellers in a timely manner such information and assistance as Purchaser may reasonably request (including pro forma Tax Returns and supporting information and documentation related thereto) so as to permit Sellers to

 

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accurately prepare and timely file any Tax Returns of Sellers or their Affiliates that include tax attributes of any Company or Company Subsidiary.

 

(e)                     In the case of any Tax Return to be prepared pursuant to the provisions of this Article 8 , if the Party that is not preparing the Tax Return (or any of its Affiliates) is required to pay any Taxes shown on the Tax Return, then the Party preparing the Tax Return shall provide the Party not preparing the Tax Return with appropriate documentation and computations reasonably requested by such latter Party supporting the determinations made by the Party preparing the Tax Return as to the amount of Tax so due by the Party not preparing the Tax Return (or any of its Affiliates).

 

(f)                      Any information obtained under this Section 8.4 or Section 8.9 shall be kept confidential, except as may be otherwise necessary in connection with the filing of Tax Returns or in the conduct of a Tax Audit or other Tax proceeding.

 

Section 8.5.            Contest Provisions .

 

(a)                     From and after Closing, each of Purchaser, on the one hand, and Sellers, on the other hand (the “ Tax Indemnified Person ”), shall notify the chief tax officer (or other appropriate person) of New EPE or Purchaser, as the case may be, in writing within fifteen (15) days of receipt by the Tax Indemnified Person of written notice of any pending or threatened audits, adjustments, claims, examinations, assessments or other proceedings with respect to a Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (a “ Tax Audit ”) which are likely to affect the liability for Taxes of such other Party. If the Tax Indemnified Person fails to give such timely notice to the other Party, it shall not be entitled to indemnification for any Taxes arising in connection with such Tax Audit to the extent such failure to give notice actually and materially adversely affects the other Party.

 

(b)                     If such Tax Audit relates solely to Taxes for which Purchaser is indemnified under Section 8.1(a) , Sellers shall, at their expense, conduct and control the defense and settlement of such Tax Audit, but Purchaser shall have the right to participate in such Tax Audit at its own expense, and Sellers shall not be able to settle, compromise and/or concede any portion of such Tax Audit that is reasonably likely to affect the Tax liability of Purchaser, a Company or a Company Subsidiary for any post-Closing Period without the consent of Purchaser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned; provided , that if Sellers fail to assume control of the conduct of any such Tax Audit within a reasonable period following the receipt by Sellers of notice of such Tax Audit, Purchaser shall have the right to assume control of such Tax Audit and shall be able to settle, compromise and/or concede such Tax Audit in its sole discretion. If such Tax Audit relates to Taxes for which Purchaser is indemnified under Section 8.1(a)  and Taxes for which Purchaser is not indemnified under Section 8.1(a) , Purchaser shall control the conduct of such Tax Audit, but Sellers shall have the right to participate in such Tax Audit at their own expense, and Purchaser shall not settle, compromise and/or concede such Tax Audit without the consent of Sellers, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. If such Tax Audit relates solely to Taxes for which Purchaser is not indemnified under Section 8.1(a) , Purchaser shall conduct and control the defense and settlement of such Tax Audit.

 

Section 8.6.            Post-Closing Actions Which Affect Sellers’ Tax Liability .  Except to the extent required by applicable Laws, neither Purchaser, on the one hand, nor Sellers, on the other hand, shall and they shall not permit their respective Affiliates, including the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries, to amend any Tax Return of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries with respect to a Pre-Effective Time Period without the prior written consent of the other (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) if such amended Tax Return would materially increase the amount of Taxes for which the other Party is responsible.

 

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Section 8.7.            Refunds .  Purchaser agrees to pay to Sellers any refund received together with any interest thereon from a Governmental Authority after the Closing by Purchaser or its Affiliates, including the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries in respect of any Non-Income Taxes of any Company or Company Subsidiary for a Pre-Effective Time Period and any Income Taxes of any Company or Company Subsidiary for a Pre-Closing Period (in both cases, other than any refund resulting from the carryback of a net operating loss or other Tax attribute from a period beginning after the Closing Date to a period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, which refund shall be for the account of Purchaser) to the extent not taken into account in determining the Effective Time Net Working Capital. Any such refund received by Purchaser, its Affiliates, a Company or Company Subsidiary shall be paid to Sellers, reduced by any Taxes imposed thereon and net of any reasonable costs or expenses incurred by Purchaser or its Affiliates in procuring such refund, within thirty (30) days after such refund is received. Purchaser agrees to notify Sellers within ten (10) days upon receipt of any such refund. Purchaser shall be entitled to any refund received (whether by payment, credit, offset or otherwise, and together with any interest thereon), with respect to or relating to any of the Companies or Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, other than those to which Sellers are entitled pursuant to this Section 8.7 .

 

Section 8.8.            No Duplication .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 8 , (i) Sellers shall not have any liability for, and shall not be required to pay to Purchaser, any amounts pursuant to this Article 8 in respect of any Taxes to the extent such Taxes were taken into account in determining the Effective Time Net Working Capital and (ii) Purchaser shall not have any liability for, and shall not be required to pay to Sellers, any amounts pursuant to this Article 8 in respect of any Taxes to the extent such Taxes were taken into account in determining any adjustments to the Unadjusted Purchase Price described in Section 2.3 , in each case, as ultimately determined pursuant to Article 2 .

 

Section 8.9.            Cooperation .

 

(a)                     Each Party shall provide the other Party with such cooperation and information as it reasonably may request with respect to the Companies and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries in filing any Tax Return, amended Tax Return or claim for refund, determining a liability for Taxes or a right to a refund of Taxes or participating in or conducting any audit or other proceeding in respect of Taxes. Each Party shall bear its own expenses in complying with the foregoing provisions.

 

(b)                     Purchaser and Sellers further agree, upon request, to use their reasonable efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Governmental Authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed (including with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby).

 

Section 8.10.          Intended U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of Transaction .

 

(a)                     Prior to Closing, (i) EP Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation, formed New EPE, as a direct wholly owned Subsidiary, (ii) New EPE formed El Paso EPE Merger Company, a Delaware corporation (“ Merger EPE ”), (iii) Merger EPE merged with and into EP Energy Corporation with EP Energy Corporation surviving (and shares of EP Energy Corporation stock previously held by El Paso were converted into shares of New EPE), (iv) EP Energy Corporation then converted into a Delaware limited liability company (referred to in this Agreement as “ EPE LLC ”) and became a disregarded entity for United States federal Tax purposes and corresponding state income Tax laws, (v) El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation, converted into a Delaware limited liability company and became a disregarded entity for United States federal Tax purposes and corresponding state income Tax laws (referred to in this Agreement as “ EP E&P Management ”), (vi) MBOW Four Star Corporation, a Delaware corporation, converted into a Delaware limited liability company and became a disregarded entity for United States federal Tax purposes and

 

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corresponding state income Tax laws, (vii) El Paso Preferred Holdings Company, a Delaware corporation, converted into a Delaware limited liability company and became a disregarded entity for United States federal Tax purposes and corresponding state income Tax laws (“ EP Preferred Holding LLC ”), (viii) EP Preferred Holdings LLC distributed its preferred shares in EP Production International Cayman Company and EP Egypt to EPE LLC, (ix) EPE LLC distributed its common and preferred shares in EP Production International Cayman Company and EP Egypt and distributed all intercompany receivables associated with the Brazil and Egypt projects to New EPE (as further described on Schedule 3.5 ) and (x) EP Brazil, each of the BrazilCos and each of the EgyptCos (other than EP Egypt) has previously made a check-the-box election to be a disregarded entity for United States federal Tax purposes.

 

(b)                     Accordingly, the Parties intend for the United States federal Tax purposes and for relevant state income Tax purposes, (i) EPE LLC and each of its United States Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries that is classified as a corporation for United States federal Tax purposes will be treated as completely liquidated in a nontaxable transaction pursuant to Sections 332 and 337 of the Code, (ii) the purchase and sale hereunder of the EPE LLC Membership Interests as a single-member limited liability company will be treated as a taxable sale by New EPE of the assets of EPE LLC and its United States Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries to Purchaser, and the purchase of such assets by Purchaser from New EPE, for the applicable portion of the Purchase Price and the assumption of liabilities allocable to the EPE LLC Membership Interests, (iii) this Agreement is a plan of complete liquidation of EPE LLC and each of its United States Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries that is classified as a corporation for United States federal Tax purposes pursuant to Section 332 of the Code, (iv) the purchase and sale hereunder of the BrazilCos Shares for United States federal income Tax purposes will be treated as a taxable sale by EP Production International Cayman Company (a controlled foreign corporation wholly-owned by New EPE) of the assets of the BrazilCos and the purchase of such assets by Purchaser from EP Production International Cayman Company for the applicable portion of the Purchase Price and the assumption of liabilities allocable to the BrazilCos Shares and (v) the purchase and sale hereunder of the EP Egypt Shares for United States federal income tax purposes will be treated as a taxable sale by New EPE of the EP Egypt Shares.

 

(c)                     The Parties agree not to take any position inconsistent with such intended Tax consequences.

 

Section 8.11.          Section 754 Election .  The parties agree to cause each subsidiary of a Company or Company Subsidiary that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes to make a valid election under Section 754 of the Code for the taxable year which includes the Closing Date.

 

Section 8.12.          Conflict .  In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Article 8 and any other provision of this Agreement, this Article 8 shall control.

 

Article 9
TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT

 

Section 9.1.            Termination .  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to Closing:

 

(i)            by the mutual prior written consent of the Parties;

 

(ii)           without any additional action by any Party at the end of the tenth (10th) Business Day following termination of the Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement unless Sellers elect to waive such automatic termination by providing Purchaser with written notice of such election before the expiration of such ten (10) Business Day period;

 

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(iii)          by Sellers (other than in the case of a Funding Failure) or Purchaser, by written notice to Purchaser or Sellers, respectively, if Purchaser or if any Seller, respectively, is in breach of any representation or covenant in this Agreement, which breach would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Article 6 to be satisfied and is incapable of being cured, or is not cured, by such breaching Party within the earlier of (A) thirty (30) days following receipt of written notice from the non-breaching Party of such breach or such longer period reasonably required to cure such breach and (B) the End Date;

 

(iv)          by Sellers or Purchaser, by written notice to the other Party, if Closing has not occurred on or before the End Date;

 

(v)           by Sellers or Purchaser, by written notice to the other Party, pursuant to the terms of Section 1.7 of Annex 1 ; or

 

(vi)          by Sellers, by written notice to Purchaser, if a Funding Failure shall have occurred;

 

provided , however , that (A) neither Sellers nor Purchaser shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement under Section 9.1(iii)  or 9.1(iv)  if, in the case of Section 9.1(iii) , at the time such termination right arises, or, in the case of Section 9.1(iv) , the Closing has failed to occur, in each case, such Party is in breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants in this Agreement and such breach would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Article 6 to be satisfied and (B) no one Seller may terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1 unless all of Sellers terminate this Agreement (and elect to exercise such right to terminate this Agreement). As used in this Agreement, the term “ End Date ” means October 1, 2012; provided , however , that if the Marketing Period has commenced prior to the End Date and has not been completed by the End Date, the End Date shall be extended to the third (3rd) Business Day after the date on which the Marketing Period is completed, and, in the event of such an extension, such date shall be the “End Date” for purposes of the foregoing; provided , further , however , that, if all of the conditions to Closing set forth in Section 6.1(a) , 6.1(b) , 6.1(c)  and 6.1(d)  have been satisfied, and the Closing shall not have occurred as of such time, Purchaser shall have the right to elect to extend the End Date until the termination date set forth in the Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement (including as such termination date may be further extended thereunder), and in the event of such an execution, such date shall be the “End Date” for purposes of the foregoing.

 

Section 9.2.            Effect of Termination .

 

(a)                     If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.1 , this Agreement shall become void and of no further force or effect (except for the provisions of Section 1.2 , Section 3.15 , Section 4.10 , Section 5.2 , Section 5.5 , Section 5.9 , Article 9 , Section 11.1 , Section 11.2 , Section 11.4 , Section 11.7 , Section 11.8 , Section 11.9 , Section 11.10 , Section 11.11 , Section 11.12 , Section 11.13 , Section 11.14 , Section 11.15 , Section 11.16 , Section 11.17 , Section 11.18 , Section 11.19 and Section 11.20 and of the Confidentiality Agreement, all of which shall continue in full force and effect). In such event, no Party shall have any liability except as expressly provided in this Section 9.2 .

 

(b)                     Certain Termination Fees Payable by Purchaser . In the event this Agreement is terminated:

 

(i)            by Sellers pursuant to Section 9.1(iii) , then Purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid (x) to Sellers an amount equal to the total Transaction Costs and Expenses incurred by Sellers and (y) to Kinder Morgan an amount equal to the KM Transaction Costs and Expenses; or

 

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(ii)           by Sellers pursuant to Section 9.1(vi) , then Purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid, to Sellers the Purchaser Termination Fee.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall Purchaser be required to pay the amount of any Transaction Costs and Expenses incurred by Sellers, the KM Transaction Costs and Expenses, the amount of the Purchaser Termination Fee, or any amounts under Section 9.2(d)  as applicable, on more than one occasion or be required to pay any amounts under more than one of Sections 9.2(b)(i) , 9.2(b)(ii)  or 9.2(d) . Payment of the amount of any Transaction Costs and Expenses incurred by Sellers, or the amount of the Purchaser Termination Fee, as applicable, by Purchaser shall be made by wire transfer of same day funds promptly after termination of this Agreement (and, in any event, within five (5) Business Days thereof) to the account or accounts designated by Sellers.

 

(c)                     Certain Termination Fees Payable by Kinder Morgan . In the event this Agreement is terminated:

 

(i)            pursuant to Section 9.1(ii) , then Kinder Morgan shall pay, or cause to be paid, to Purchaser, substantially simultaneously with such termination, an amount equal to the Seller Termination Fee by wire transfer of same day funds to the account or accounts designated by Purchaser;

 

(ii)           by Purchaser pursuant to Section 9.1(iii) , then Kinder Morgan shall, jointly and severally, pay, or cause to be paid, to Purchaser an amount equal to the Debt Financing Expenses plus the total amount of all Transaction Costs and Expenses incurred by Purchaser, by wire transfer of same day funds promptly after termination of this Agreement (and, in any event, within five (5) Business Days thereof) to the account or accounts designated by Purchaser;

 

(iii)          by either Party pursuant to Section 9.1(iv) , then, if, at the time of such termination all of the conditions to Closing set forth in Sections 6.1(a) , 6.1(b) , 6.1(c)  and 6.1(d)  have been satisfied and Purchaser stands ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing, then Kinder Morgan shall pay, or cause to be paid, to Purchaser an amount equal to the Seller Termination Fee by wire transfer of same day funds promptly after termination of this Agreement (and, in any event, within five (5) Business Days thereof) to the account or accounts designated by Purchaser; or

 

(iv)          by either Party pursuant to Section 9.1(v) , then Kinder Morgan shall, jointly and severally, pay, or cause to be paid, to Purchaser an amount equal to the Debt Financing Expenses plus the total Transaction Costs and Expenses incurred by Purchaser, by wire transfer of same day funds promptly after termination of this Agreement (and, in any event, within five (5) Business Days thereof) to the account or accounts designated by Purchaser.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall Kinder Morgan be required to pay the Seller Termination Fee (or, if applicable, the amount of Transaction Costs and Expenses incurred by Purchaser or the Debt Financing Expenses) or any amounts under Section 9.2(d)  on more than one occasion or be required to pay any amounts under more than one of Sections 9.2(c)(i) , 9.2(c)(ii) , 9.2(c)(iii) , 9.2(c)(iv)  or 9.2(d) .

 

(d)                     Willful and Material Breaches . In lieu of the payment of the amounts owed pursuant to Section 9.2(b)  or 9.2(c) , as applicable, as a result of the termination of this Agreement contemplated by Sections 9.2(b)  and 9.2(c) , as applicable, Purchaser or Sellers may assert a claim for Willful and Material Breach in accordance with the definition thereof by the other Party(ies), and, solely in the case of a final determination of a Willful and Material Breach by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Party that has successfully asserted such Willful and Material Breach shall be paid by the Party that has committed such Willful and Material Breach, an amount equal to $200,000,000 (which shall not

 

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constitute liquidated damages or place any other limitation on full recovery of monetary damages set forth below, subject to Section 9.2(e) ) ( plus , if the demanding Party is Purchaser, an amount equal to the Debt Financing Expenses) (the “ Willful and Material Breach Fee ”), in which case, such Party shall in addition be entitled to pursue all legal remedies available to it at law to recover from the Party that has committed such Willful and Material Breach all actual damages incurred by it with respect to such Willful and Material Breach less the amount of the Willful and Material Breach Fee previously paid to the Party that successfully asserted such Willful and Material Breach, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9.2(e)  below.

 

(e)                     Effect of Payment; Limitations .

 

(i)            Except for the Purchaser Guarantors (but only to the extent set forth in the Parent Guarantees), no current, former or future directors, officers, general or limited partners, stockholders, members, managers, partners, controlling persons, Affiliates, agents, employees or Representatives of Purchaser (or any Affiliates of any of the foregoing) shall have any liability for any obligation or liability of the Parties or for any claim for any loss suffered as a result of any breach of this Agreement, the Parent Guarantees or the Financing Letters (including any Willful and Material Breach or any Funding Failure), or the failure of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby to be consummated, or in respect of any oral representation made or alleged to have been made in connection herewith or therewith, whether in equity or at Law, in contract, in tort or otherwise.

 

(ii)           The maximum aggregate monetary liability of the Purchaser Parties for any loss suffered by Sellers as a result of any breach of this Agreement that causes this Agreement to terminate, the Parent Guarantees or the Financing Letters (including any Funding Failure), the failure of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby to be consummated or in respect of any oral representation made or alleged to have been made in connection herewith or therewith, whether in equity or at Law, in contract, in tort or otherwise, shall, in each case, be limited to an amount equal to (I) in circumstances where a termination fee under Section 9.2(b)  is elected, (A) the amount set forth in Section 9.2(b) , plus (B) the amount of any payment obligations pursuant to Sections 5.5 , 5.9 , 5.13(c)  or 5.19(g)   plus (C) the amount of all court costs and attorneys’ fees of Sellers incurred to recover any such amount or (II) in circumstances where a Willful and Material Breach has been finally determined to have occurred pursuant to Section 9.2(d) , an amount equal to $3,000,000,000 (subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Parent Guarantees). In no event shall any Seller seek to recover any money damages (including consequential, indirect or punitive damages) in excess of such respective foregoing amounts.

 

(iii)          If the amount determined pursuant to Section 9.2(e)(ii)  has been paid, then neither Purchaser nor the Purchaser Guarantors (nor any other Purchaser Party) shall have any further liability or obligation relating to or arising out of this Agreement, the Parent Guarantees or the Financing Letters, or the failure of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby to be consummated, or in respect of any oral representation made or alleged to have been made in connection herewith or therewith, whether in equity or at Law, in contract, in tort or otherwise, and in such event, no Seller nor any of its Representatives or Affiliates shall seek to recover (or shall obtain) any money damages (including consequential, indirect or punitive damages, or damages on account of a Willful and Material Breach, if applicable) or obtain any equitable relief from any Purchaser Party.

 

(iv)          Except for the El Paso Guarantor (but only to the extent set forth in the El Paso Guarantee), no current, former or future directors, officers, general or limited partners, stockholders, members, managers, partners, controlling persons, Affiliates (other than Sellers themselves), agents, employees or Representatives of a Seller shall have any liability for any obligation or liability of the other Parties or for any claim for any loss suffered as a result of any breach of this Agreement (including any Willful and Material Breach), or the failure of the transactions contemplated

 

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hereby to be consummated, or in respect of any oral representation made or alleged to have been made in connection herewith or therewith, whether in equity or at Law, in contract, in tort or otherwise.

 

(v)           The maximum aggregate monetary liability of Sellers and the El Paso Guarantor for any loss suffered by Purchaser as a result of any breach of this Agreement that causes this Agreement to terminate or the El Paso Guarantee, the failure of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby to be consummated or in respect of any oral representation made or alleged to have been made in connection herewith or therewith, whether in equity or at Law, in contract, in tort or otherwise, shall, in each case, be limited to an amount equal to (I) in circumstances where a termination fee under Section 9.2(c)  is elected, (A) the amount set forth in Section 9.2(c)   plus (B) the amount of all court costs and attorneys’ fees of Purchaser incurred to recover any such amount or (II) in circumstances where a Willful and Material Breach has been finally determined to have occurred pursuant to Section 9.2(d) , an amount equal to $3,000,000,000 (subject, if applicable, to the terms and conditions set forth in the El Paso Guarantee). In no event shall Purchaser seek to recover any money damages (including consequential, indirect or punitive damages) in excess of such respective foregoing amounts.

 

(vi)          If the amount determined pursuant to Section 9.2(e)(v) , along with any court costs and attorneys’ fees of Purchaser incurred to recover any such amount, has been paid, then neither Sellers nor the El Paso Guarantor shall have any further liability or obligation relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the failure of the transactions contemplated hereby to be consummated, or in respect of any oral representation made or alleged to have been made in connection herewith or therewith, whether in equity or at Law, in contract, in tort or otherwise, and in such event, neither Purchaser nor any of its Representatives of Affiliates shall seek to recover (or shall obtain) any money damages (including consequential, indirect or punitive damages) or obtain any equitable relief from any Seller or the El Paso Guarantor.

 

Article 10
INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATIONS

 

Section 10.1.          Indemnification .

 

(a)                     From and after Closing, Purchaser shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Sellers and their current and former Affiliates (other than the Companies and any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) and its and their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, members, partners and agents from and against all Damages incurred or suffered by such Persons:

 

(i)            caused by or arising out of or resulting from Purchaser’s breach of any of Purchaser’s covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement;

 

(ii)           caused by or arising out of or resulting from any breach of any representation or warranty made by Purchaser contained in this Agreement or the failure of any representation or warranty made by Purchaser contained in this Agreement to be true and correct as of the Closing (other than any representation or warranty that refers to a specified date, which need only be true and correct on and as of such specified date); or

 

(iii)          resulting from Purchaser’s breach of its obligations set forth in Section 5.15(h) .

 

but excepting in each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, Damages against which any Seller would be required to indemnify Purchaser under Section 10.1(b)  at the time the claim notice is presented by Purchaser.

 

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(b)                     From and after Closing, Sellers shall, jointly and severally, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Purchaser, its current and former Affiliates (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries) and its and their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, members, partners and agents against and from all Damages incurred or suffered by such Persons:

 

(i)            caused by or arising out of or resulting from any Seller’s breach of any of such Seller’s covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement;

 

(ii)           caused by or arising out of or resulting from any breach of any representation or warranty made by any Seller contained in this Agreement (other than the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.10 ), or the failure of any representation or warranty made by any Seller (except as they may relate to the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.10 ) to be true and correct as of the Closing (other than any representation or warranty that refers to a specified date, which need only be true and correct on and as of such specified date);

 

(iii)          with respect to any Excluded Asset;

 

(iv)          subject to Section 10.4(c) , with respect to any consent (other than any Required Consent) referred to in any Consent Claim Notice received by either Party, any Company, any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective Affiliates on or prior to the date that is nine (9) months after the Closing Date; or

 

(v)           with respect to the failure of Sellers to obtain any consent from ANP that is necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Sellers have no obligation to indemnify Purchaser, its current and former Affiliates and its and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents against and from, and Purchaser hereby waives any claims against, and releases, Sellers from, any liability, loss, cost, expense, claim, award or judgment suffered or incurred by any EgyptCo, except to the extent any Damages related thereto are suffered or incurred by any Company or any Subsidiary of any Company thereof other than any EgyptCo.

 

(c)                     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement (other than Article 8 ), from and after Closing, Sellers’ and Purchaser’s exclusive remedy for money damages against each other with respect to breaches of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in Article 3 , Article 4 and Article 5 , the affirmations of such representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in the certificates delivered by each Party at Closing pursuant to Section 7.2(b)  or Section 7.3(b) , as applicable, and any consent referred to in any Consent Claim Notice referred to in Sections 10.1(a)(iii)  and 10.1(b)(iv) , is set forth in this Article 10 ; provided , however , that with respect to a claim for indemnification for the breach of any representation or warranty set forth in Article 3 that resulted from intentional fraud on the part of any Seller (A) the limitation set forth in clause (iv) of the final sentence of the definition of “Damages” shall not be applicable, (B) the limitation on the time period for asserting an indemnification claim as set forth in Section 10.4(a)  shall not be applicable, (C) the limitation set forth in Section 10.4(b)  shall not be applicable, (D) the limitation set forth in Section 10.4(c)  shall not be applicable and (E) the limitation set forth in Section 10.4(e)  shall not be applicable. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, (i) Purchaser agrees that from and after Closing its only remedy with respect to any Seller’s breach of its representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in Article 3 and Article 5 shall be the indemnities of Sellers in Section 10.1(b) , as limited by the terms of this Article 10 and (ii) each Seller agrees that from and after the Closing its only remedy with respect to Purchaser’s breach of its

 

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representations and warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in Article 4 and Article 5 shall be the indemnities of Purchaser in Section 10.1(a) , as limited by the terms of this Article 10 .

 

(d)                     “ Damages ” means the amount of any actual liability, loss, cost, expense, claim, award, judgment, settlement, obligation, damage, injury, Tax, fine, lien, penalty or deficiency incurred or suffered by any Indemnified Person arising out of or resulting from the indemnified matter, whether attributable to personal injury or death, property damage, Contract claims, torts or otherwise, including reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys, consultants, accountants or other agents and experts reasonably incident to matters indemnified against, and the costs of investigation and/or monitoring of such matters, and the costs of enforcement of the indemnity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser and Sellers shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 10.1 for, and Damages shall not include, (i) Tax Losses; (ii) loss of profits, whether actual or consequential, or other consequential damages suffered by the Party claiming indemnification, or any punitive damages (other than loss of profits, consequential damages or punitive damages suffered by third Persons for which responsibility is allocated between the Parties); (iii) any liability, loss, cost, expense, claim, award or judgment to the extent resulting from or increased by the actions of any Indemnified Person after the Closing; (iv) only in the case of claims under Section 10.1(b)(ii)  (other than with respect to the Seller Fundamental Representations), any liability, loss, cost, expense, claim, award, judgment, settlement, obligation, damage, injury, Tax, fine, lien, penalty or deficiency that does not individually exceed $1,000,000 ( less any amount in respect of any individual item that is incurred as described in Section 2.3(g)  in connection with curing or attempting to cure the applicable breach of representation of warranty) and (v) any effects of a breach of representation or warranty in this Agreement that have been cured at the time of Closing for which there is no continuing Damage.

 

(e)                     Any claim for indemnity under this Section 10.1 by any current or former Affiliate, director, officer, employee or agent must be brought and administered by the applicable Party to this Agreement. No Indemnified Person other than Sellers and Purchaser shall have any rights against any Seller or Purchaser under the terms of this Section 10.1 except as may be exercised on its behalf by Purchaser or Sellers, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 10.1(e) . Each of Sellers and Purchaser may elect to exercise or not exercise indemnification rights under this Section 10.1(e)  on behalf of the other Indemnified Persons affiliated with it in its sole discretion and shall have no liability to any such other Indemnified Person for any action or inaction under this Section 10.1(e) .

 

(f)                      The conduct of any environmental investigation, material remediation or other response action (and communication or negotiation with any Governmental Authority regarding same) with respect to any claimed Damages under this Section 10.1 or relating to a breach of Sellers’ representation or warranty pursuant to Section 3.11 or any Claim relating to the subject matter of such representation or warranty shall be subject to the following:

 

(i)            Sellers and Purchaser agree that no environmental investigation, material remediation or other response action with respect to any claimed Damages shall be undertaken unless required by Environmental Laws, a Governmental Authority, a Contract in effect as of the Closing or as otherwise agreed to by the Parties;

 

(ii)           Sellers and Purchaser agree to take all reasonable actions to avoid and minimize damages that would otherwise be subject to indemnification under this Section 10.1 , including not causing, soliciting or importuning any Governmental Authority to require any environmental action, investigation, monitoring or remediation not required by Environmental Laws;

 

(iii)          From and following the Closing, Purchaser shall not conduct (or have conducted on its behalf) any environmental investigation, material remediation or other response action

 

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that includes invasive testing or could reasonably be expected to result in a claim for damages without first giving Sellers notice of such action with reasonable detail at least thirty (30) days prior thereto (or such shorter period of time as shall be required by any Governmental Authority or as may be necessary to address an emergency that Purchaser in good faith believes presents a reasonably likelihood of material property damage and/or any risk to human health of safety). Sellers shall have the option to observe such investigation, remediation, or response operations. With respect to any investigation, remediation or other response action subject to the provisions of this Section 10.1(f) , Purchaser agrees to provide Sellers with copies of all reports submitted to the overseeing Governmental Authority and all results of sampling and analysis activities after such results have been subject to reasonable quality assurance and quality control; provided , however , that, with respect to any samples taken, Purchaser shall take split samples and provide one of such samples, properly labeled and identified, to Sellers free of charge.

 

(iv)          Any remediation activities undertaken with respect to the assets of the E&P Business for which any Seller may have responsibility shall be reasonable in extent and cost effective and shall be designed or implemented in such a manner as to achieve the least stringent risk-based closure or remediation standard applicable to the property in question under Environmental Laws, subject to the approval of any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such remediation activities, and to the extent either Party has legal capacity to do so, Purchaser and the applicable Seller agree to impose reasonable environmental deed or use restrictions that reduce the cost of any such remediation activities; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 10.1(f)(iv)  shall be construed to require a closure or remediation standard that would pose an ongoing risk or hazard to any operator or occupant of the affected property, that would violate the terms of any existing agreement pertaining to the property, or that would cause Purchaser to be subject to a materially increased risk of a claim by a third-party for Damages; and

 

(v)           No Indemnifying Person shall have any obligation to indemnify any Indemnified Person under this Section 10.1 for any Damages constituting costs of any remedial, removal or other response action taken in order to meet a more stringent cleanup standard (in comparison to the standard in effect as of the Closing Date) triggered by a change by any Indemnified Person in land use from such use in effect as of the Closing Date (unless such change in use was required by any agreement in effect as of the Closing Date), or from a change in applicable Environmental Law after the Closing Date. In connection with any remedial, removal or other response action required in connection with any such change in use not already required as of the Closing Date, the Indemnifying Person shall be responsible for Damages to achieve the original standard in effect as of the Closing Date and the Indemnified Person shall be responsible for all incremental additional Damages, if any, necessary to achieve the more stringent standard.

 

(g)                     After becoming aware of any fact, event, circumstance or condition that has given rise to or would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Damages, the Indemnified Persons shall use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate damages, for which efforts such Indemnified Persons are entitled or may be entitled to indemnification under this Section 10.1 . In connection with each Indemnified Person’s obligation to use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate Damages, none of the Parties shall knowingly or intentionally take any action that would be expected to provoke a Governmental Authority or other Person to take any action that would materially exacerbate any damages, taking into consideration the situation as a whole.

 

(h)                     The Parties shall treat, for Tax purposes, any amounts paid under Article 8 or this Article 10 as an adjustment to the Purchase Price, which adjustment shall be reflected in the Share Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocation and applicable Asset Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocation(s) in the same manner as provided in Section 2.2 .

 

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Section 10.2.          Indemnification Actions .  All claims for indemnification under Section 10.1 shall be asserted and resolved as follows:

 

(a)                     For purposes of this Article 10 , the term “ Indemnifying Person ” when used in connection with particular Damages means the Person having an obligation to indemnify another Person or Persons with respect to such Damages pursuant to this Article 10 and the term “ Indemnified Person ” when used in connection with particular Damages means a Person having the right to be indemnified with respect to such Damages pursuant to this Article 10 (including those Persons identified in Section 10.1(e) ).

 

(b)                     To make a claim for indemnification under Section 10.1 , an Indemnified Person shall notify the Indemnifying Person of its claim, including the reasonably specific details of and reasonably specific basis under this Agreement for its claim (the “ Claim Notice ”). In the event that the claim for indemnification is based upon a claim by a third Person against the Indemnified Person (a “ Claim ”), the Indemnified Person shall provide its Claim Notice promptly after the Indemnified Person has actual knowledge of the Claim and shall enclose a copy of all papers (if any) served with respect to the Claim; provided that the failure of any Indemnified Person to give notice of a Claim as provided in this Section 10.2 shall not relieve the Indemnifying Person of its obligations under Section 10.1 except to the extent such failure actually prejudices the Indemnifying Person’s ability to defend against the Claim. In the event that the claim for indemnification is based upon an inaccuracy or breach of a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement, the Claim Notice shall specify the representation, warranty, covenant or agreement that was inaccurate or breached.

 

(c)                     In the case of a claim for indemnification based upon a Claim, the Indemnifying Person shall have thirty (30) days from its receipt of the Claim Notice to notify the Indemnified Person whether it admits or denies its obligation to defend the Indemnified Person against such Claim under this Article 10 . The Indemnified Person may, during such thirty (30) day period and upon ten (10) days prior written notice to the Indemnifying Person, file any motion, answer or other pleading that it shall deem necessary or appropriate to protect its interests or those of the Indemnifying Person and that is not prejudicial to the Indemnifying Person.

 

(d)                     If the Indemnifying Person admits its obligation, it shall have the right and obligation to defend, at its sole cost and expense, and with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person, the Claim. The Indemnifying Person shall have full control of such defense and proceedings, including any compromise or settlement thereof (subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 10.2(d) ) and, in the event the Indemnified Person settles any claim over the objection of the Indemnifying Person, the Indemnified Person shall be deemed to have waived any right to indemnity therefor. If requested by the Indemnifying Person, the Indemnified Person agrees to reasonably cooperate, at the Indemnifying Person’s sole cost and expense, in contesting any Claim which the Indemnifying Person elects to contest ( provided , however , that the Indemnified Person shall not be required to bring any counterclaim or cross-complaint against any Person). The Indemnified Person may participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement of any Claim controlled by the Indemnifying Person pursuant to this Section 10.2(d) . Notwithstanding an Indemnifying Person’s election to assume the defense of a Claim, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in the defense of such Claim, and the Indemnifying Person shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if: (i) the use of such counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Person to represent the Indemnified Person would present such counsel with a conflict of interest; (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such claim include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person, and the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Person (in which case the Indemnifying Person shall not have the right to assume the defense of such claim on the

 

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Indemnified Person’s behalf); (iii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such claim or (iv) the Indemnifying Person shall authorize the Indemnified Party to employ separate counsel at the Indemnifying Party’s expense. An Indemnifying Person shall not, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, settle any Claim or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect thereto that (i) does not result in a final resolution of the Indemnified Person’s liability with respect to the Claim (including, in the case of a settlement, an unconditional written release of the Indemnified Person from all further liability in respect of such Claim) or (ii) provides for relief other than monetary damages that are to be paid in full by the Indemnifying Person or (iii) includes or contains a finding or admission of any violation of Law or has any effect on any other Claims that may be made against the Indemnified Person. In the event an Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a claim, such Indemnifying Party shall defend such claim vigorously and in good faith.

 

(e)                     If the Indemnifying Person does not admit its obligation or admits its obligation but fails to defend or settle the Claim, then the Indemnified Person shall have the right to defend against the Claim (at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Person, if the Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification hereunder), with counsel of the Indemnified Person’s choosing, subject to the right of the Indemnifying Person to admit its obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Person and assume the defense of the Claim at any time prior to settlement or final determination thereof. If the Indemnifying Person has not yet admitted its obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Person, the Indemnified Person shall send written notice to the Indemnifying Person of any proposed settlement and the Indemnifying Person shall have the option for ten (10) days following receipt of such notice to (i) admit in writing its obligation for indemnification with respect to such Claim and (ii) if its obligation is so admitted, assume the defense of the Claim, including the power to reject and accept the obligation with respect to the proposed settlement. If the Indemnified Person settles any Claim over the objection of the Indemnifying Person after the Indemnifying Person has timely admitted its obligation for indemnification in writing and assumed (and continues) the defense of the Claim, the Indemnified Person shall be deemed to have waived any right to indemnity therefor.

 

(f)                      In the case of a claim for indemnification not based upon a Claim, the Indemnifying Person shall have thirty (30) days from its receipt of the Claim Notice to (i) fully cure the Damages complained of, if such Damages are capable of being fully cured within such period, (ii) admit its obligation to provide indemnification with respect to such Damages or (iii) dispute the claim for such Damages. If the Indemnifying Person does not notify the Indemnified Person within such thirty (30) day period that it has fully cured the Damages or that it disputes the claim for such Damages, the Indemnifying Person shall be conclusively deemed obligated to provide indemnification hereunder.

 

Section 10.3.          Casualty and Condemnation .  If, after the Execution Date but prior to the Closing Date, any portion of the assets of the E&P Business is destroyed or damaged by fire or other casualty or is expropriated or taken in condemnation or under right of eminent domain, Purchaser shall nevertheless be required to comply with the covenants in Article 7 and attend the Closing if all conditions to Closing set forth in Section 6.2 are satisfied. In the event of any such casualty or taking after the Execution Date but prior to the Closing Date, the applicable Seller shall cause to be transferred to the applicable Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary all sums paid to such Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Companies or their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries) by third Persons by reason of the casualty or taking of such assets of the E&P Business, including any sums paid pursuant to any policy or agreement of insurance or indemnity, and shall assign, transfer and set over unto such Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary all of the rights, title and interest of Sellers or its Affiliates (other than the Companies or their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries) in and to any claims, causes of action, unpaid proceeds or other payments from third Persons, including any policy or agreement of insurance or indemnity, arising out of such casualty or taking.

 

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Section 10.4.          Limitation on Actions .

 

(a)                     The right to assert an indemnification claim pursuant to Section 10.1 with respect to the representations and warranties of Sellers and Purchaser in Article 3 and Article 4 and the corresponding representations and warranties given in the certificates delivered at Closing pursuant to Section 7.2(b)  or Section 7.3(b) , as applicable, shall survive the Closing for twelve (12) months except that (i) the right to assert an indemnification claim pursuant to Section 10.1 with respect to Seller Fundamental Representations or the Purchaser Fundamental Representations, as applicable, shall survive the Closing without time limit and (ii) there shall be no post-Closing right to indemnification pursuant to Section 10.1 with respect to the diminution or loss of value in the EgyptCos or the EP Egypt Shares arising as a result of a breach of the representations and warranties of Sellers relating to the EP Egypt Shares or E&P Business of the EgyptCos. The right to assert an indemnification claim pursuant to Section 10.1 for the breach of (x) covenants requiring performance on or prior to the Closing shall survive the Closing for twelve (12) months and (y) covenants requiring performance after the Closing shall survive the Closing for twelve (12) months following the date on which any such covenant expires in accordance with its terms or after the applicable statute of limitations period, if shorter.

 

Representations, warranties, covenants and agreements shall be of no further force and effect after the date of the expiration of a right to assert an indemnification claim with respect thereto, provided that there shall be no termination of any claim asserted pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement prior to the applicable expiration date.

 

(b)                    The indemnities in Section 10.1(a)(i) , Section 10.1(a)(ii) , Section 10.1(b)(i)  and Section 10.1(b)(ii)  shall terminate as of the termination date of each respective representation, warranty, covenant or agreement that is subject to indemnification, except in each case as to matters for which a specific written claim for indemnity has been delivered to the Indemnifying Person on or before such termination date. The indemnities in Sections 10.1(a)(iii)  and 10.1(b)(iv)  shall survive the Closing for a period of nine (9) months, except with respect to any Damages with respect to any of the consents referred to in any Consent Claim Notice received by any Party, any Company or any Company Subsidiary prior to the date that is nine (9) months after the Closing Date, with respect to which such indemnities shall survive until such matters are fully and finally resolved. Section 10.1(b)(v)  shall survive the Closing without time limit.

 

(c)                     No Seller shall have any liability for any indemnification under Section 10.1(b)(ii)  (other than with respect to the Seller Fundamental Representations) until and unless the aggregate amount of the liability for all Damages for which Claim Notices are delivered by Purchaser exceed two percent (2.0%) of the Unadjusted Purchase Price, and then only to the extent such Damages exceed two percent (2.0%) of the Unadjusted Purchase Price. Sellers shall be required to bear (and indemnify Purchaser from and against) (i) fifty percent (50%) of each dollar of any Damages attributable to a claim for indemnity pursuant to Section 10.1(b)(iv ) until the total amount of such Damages exceeds $15,000,000, in the aggregate and (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of any Damages suffered or incurred by the Companies and/or the Company Subsidiaries and attributable to claims for indemnity pursuant to Section 10.1(b)(iv)  after the Companies and/or the Company Subsidiaries have suffered or incurred an amount equal to $7,500,000 with respect to such Damages.

 

(d)                     No Seller shall have any liability for any Brazil Tax Loss until and unless the aggregate amount of the liability for all Brazil Tax Losses exceeds $15,000,000, and then only to the extent such aggregate amount exceeds $15,000,000.

 

(e)                     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement, no Seller shall be required to indemnify Purchaser under Section 10.1(b)(ii)  (other than with

 

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respect to the Seller Fundamental Representations and the indemnity in Section 10.1(b)(iv) ) for aggregate Damages in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Unadjusted Purchase Price.

 

(f)                      For purposes of determining Damages subject to indemnification pursuant to this Article 10 (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of determining whether any representation and warranty has been breached or is true and correct, other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.5 ( No Undisclosed Liabilities ) and Section 3.12 ( Compliance with Laws , but solely to the extent arising out of or related to compliance with Laws that are in existence on the Execution Date), in each case, for which the representations and warranties contained therein shall be deemed to have been made, for purposes of indemnification pursuant to this Article 10 , without any qualifications as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect, specified dollar thresholds or similar qualifications for purposes of determining whether any such representation or warranty has been breached or is true and correct), the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to have been made without any qualifications as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect, specified dollar thresholds or similar qualifications; provided , however , that for purposes of determining whether a representation or warranty in Section 3.6 ( Labor Matters ), Section 3.7 ( Employee Benefits ), Section 3.9 ( Litigation ), Section 3.11 ( Environmental Laws ) or Section 3.19 ( Assets of the E&P Business ) has been breached or is true and correct as of the Closing for purposes of indemnification pursuant to this Article 10 , any reference in such representation or warranty to “Material Adverse Effect” shall instead be deemed to be a reference to an adverse effect on the E&P Business or the ownership, assets, operations or financial condition of the Company and Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that would result in Damages of at least $62,500,000; provided , further , however , that for purposes of determining whether a representation or warranty in Section 3.8 ( Accuracy of Data ) has been breached or is true and correct as of the Closing for purposes of indemnification pursuant to this Article 10 , any reference in such representation or warranty to “Material Adverse Effect” shall instead be deemed to be a reference to an adverse effect on the E&P Business or the ownership, assets, operations or financial condition of the Company and Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that would result in Damages of at least $25,000,000.

 

(g)                     The amount of any Damages for which an Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnity under this Article 10 shall be reduced by the amount of insurance proceeds actually realized by the Indemnified Person or its Affiliates with respect to such Damages (net of any collection costs and associated premium increases, and excluding the proceeds of any insurance policy issued or underwritten by the Indemnified Person or its Affiliates, any retrospective insurance policies and any captive insurance policies). In the event that an Indemnified Person is entitled to any insurance, indemnification or other recovery from any third Person with respect to any Damages for which such Indemnified Person seeks indemnification, such Indemnified Person shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any such indemnification or recovery, as the case may be. In the event that any insurance proceeds or other amounts from any third Person are actually recovered or realized by an Indemnified Person subsequent to receipt by such Indemnified Person of any indemnification payment hereunder in respect of the claims to which such insurance proceeds or other amounts relate, a portion of such indemnification payment equal to the net amounts so recovered or realized shall promptly be refunded to the Indemnifying Person.

 

Article 11
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 11.1.          Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart signature page by facsimile is as effective as executing and delivering this Agreement in the presence of the other Parties to this Agreement.

 

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Section 11.2.          Notices .  All notices that are required or may be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be sufficient in all respects if given in writing, in English and delivered personally, by telecopy or by recognized courier service, as follows:

 

If to any Seller:

EP Energy Holding Company

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

Attention: General Counsel

 

Telecopy: (713) 420-5043

 

 

with a copy to:

Locke Lord LLP

 

600 Travis, Suite 2800

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

Attention: Joe Perillo

 

Telephone: (713) 226-1284

 

Telecopy: (713) 229-2610

 

 

If to Purchaser:

EPE Acquisition, LLC

 

c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

 

9 West 57th Street

 

New York, New York 10019

 

Attention: Sam Oh

 

Telephone: (212) 822-0629

 

Telecopy: (646) 417-6651

 

 

with a copy to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

 

1285 Avenue of Americas

 

New York, NY 10019-6064

 

Attention: John M. Scott

 

Telephone: (212) 373-3574

 

Telecopy: (212) 492-0574

 

 

with a further copy to:

Vinson & Elkins LLP

 

666 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor

 

New York, NY 10103-0040

 

Attention: James J. Fox

 

Telephone: (212) 237-0131

 

Telecopy: (917) 849-5328

 

Either Party may change its address for notice by notice to the other in the manner set forth above. All notices shall be deemed to have been duly given at the time of receipt by the Party to which such notice is addressed.

 

Section 11.3.          Sales or Use Tax, Recording Fees and Similar Taxes and Fees .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article 8 , Purchaser shall be solely responsible for any and all sales, use, excise, real property transfer, registration, documentary, stamp or transfer Taxes, recording fees and similar Taxes and fees incurred and imposed upon, or with respect to, the property transfers to Purchaser contemplated hereby (other than Section 1.3 ), except to the extent incurred as a result of the restructuring steps described in Section 8.10(a)  (“ Transfer Taxes ”). Should any Seller, Company or Affiliate of any of them pay prior to Closing, or should any Seller or any continuing Affiliate of any Seller pay after Closing, any amount for which Purchaser is liable under this Section 11.3 , Purchaser

 

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shall, promptly following Closing and receipt of such Seller’s invoice, reimburse the amount paid. Sellers shall provide reasonable assistance to Purchaser in establishing the applicability of any exemption from sales, use, real property transfer or any other Transfer Taxes that is based wholly or partially on facts and information related to Sellers, including, providing Purchaser and taxing authorities access to books and records establishing the lack of prior similar sales activity and the ability of a particular Seller to separately establish income and expenses attributable to assets being transferred to Purchaser.

 

Section 11.4.          Expenses .  Except as provided in Section 5.6 , Section 5.19 and Section 11.3 , all expenses incurred by Sellers (or by any Company or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) in connection with or related to the authorization, preparation or execution of this Agreement, and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto and thereto, and all other matters related to the Closing, including all fees and expenses of counsel, accountants and financial advisers employed by Sellers, shall be borne solely and entirely by Sellers, and all such expenses incurred by Purchaser shall be borne solely and entirely by Purchaser.

 

Section 11.5.          Company Records .

 

(a)                     As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, each Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Purchaser any Company Records that are in its possession (or under its control), subject to Section 11.5(b) .

 

(b)                     Sellers may retain the Excluded Company Records and the originals of those Company Records relating to Tax and accounting matters and provide Purchaser with copies of such Company Records that pertain to (i) Non-Income Tax matters solely related to the Companies or (ii) non-unitary state Income Tax Returns to the extent such Tax Returns are reasonably necessary to satisfy Purchaser’s Tax Return filing obligations under Section 8.2 . Sellers may retain copies of any other Company Records.

 

(c)                     Purchaser, for a period of seven (7) years following the Closing (and subject to Purchaser’s additional obligations under Section 8.4 ) shall:

 

(i)            retain copies of the Company Records;

 

(ii)           provide Sellers, their Affiliates, and their respective officers, employees and representatives with access to the Company Records during normal business hours for review and copying at Sellers’ expense; and

 

(iii)          provide Sellers, their Affiliates, and their respective officers, employees and representatives with access, during normal business hours, to materials received or produced after Closing relating to:

 

(A)          Sellers’ obligations under Article 8 (including to prepare Tax Returns and to conduct negotiations with Tax Authorities); or

 

(B)           The facts concerning the existence of any claim for indemnification made under Section 10.1 of this Agreement (excluding, however, attorney work product and attorney-client communications with respect to any such claim being brought by Purchaser under this Agreement);

 

for review and copying at Sellers’ expense and to the Companies’ and their Affiliates’ personnel for the purpose of discussing any such matter or claim.

 

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Section 11.6.          Name Change .  On the Closing Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, Purchaser shall make the filings required in each Company’s and Wholly-Owned Subsidiary’s jurisdiction of organization to eliminate the name “El Paso” and any variant thereof from the name of each Company and Wholly-Owned Subsidiary. As promptly as practicable, but in any case within two hundred and seventy (270) days after the Closing Date, Purchaser shall (i) make all other filings (including assumed name filings) required to reflect the change of name in all applicable records of Governmental Authorities and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to eliminate the use of the name “El Paso” and any variant thereof from the assets of the E&P Business and the E&P Business, and, except with respect to such grace period for eliminating existing usage, shall have no right to use any logos, trademarks or trade names belonging to any Seller or any of its Affiliates. Purchaser shall be solely responsible for any direct or indirect costs or expenses resulting from the change in use of name, and any resulting notification or approval requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 11.6 , the use by Purchaser and its Affiliates (which for the avoidance of doubt shall include any Company and any Company Subsidiary) of “EP Resources” or “EP Energy” shall not be restricted hereunder.

 

Section 11.7.          Governing Law .  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE LEGAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PARTIES (INCLUDING ANY CLAIMS MADE IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THAT WOULD DIRECT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

Section 11.8.          Dispute Resolution .

 

(a)                     The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that each of the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware). Each Party consents to personal jurisdiction in any action brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery (or, if jurisdiction is not available in the Delaware Court of Chancery, to personal jurisdiction in any action brought in the state or federal courts located in the State of Delaware) with respect to any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or in relation to or in connection with this Agreement (including any claims made in Contract, tort or otherwise relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby), and each of the Parties agrees that any action instituted by it against the other with respect to any such dispute, controversy or claim (except to the extent a dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or in relation to or in connection with the allocation of the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.2(b)  or the determination of the final Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.4(b)  is referred to an expert pursuant to those Sections and subject to the provisions of Annex 1 ) will be instituted exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery (or, if jurisdiction is not available in the Delaware Court of Chancery, then exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the State of Delaware). The Parties hereby waive trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim brought by any Party against another in any matter whatsoever arising out of or in relation to or in connection with this Agreement.

 

(b)                     Limitation on Suits Against Financing Providers . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the Parties agrees that it will not bring or support any action, cause of action, claim, cross-claim or third-party claim of any kind or description, whether in Law or in

 

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equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against the Equity Providers or the Debt Providers and their respective current, former or future directors, officers, general or limited partners, stockholders, members, managers, controlling persons, Affiliates, employees or Representatives in any way relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any dispute arising out of or relating in any way to the Financing Letters or the performance thereof, in any forum other than the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, or, if under applicable law exclusive jurisdiction is vested in the federal courts, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (and appellate courts thereof). Each of the Parties irrevocably agrees to waive trial by jury in any action, cause of action, claim, cross-claim or third-party claim referred to in this paragraph.

 

(c)                     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Sellers shall be entitled to specific performance to cause Purchaser to draw down the Equity Financing or to consummate the Closing only if:

 

(i)            all conditions in Section 6.2 (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to those conditions being capable of being satisfied) have been satisfied;

 

(ii)           Purchaser has failed to complete the Closing by the date the Closing is required to occur pursuant to Section 7.1 ;

 

(iii)          the Debt Financing has been funded or is expected to be funded at the Closing if the Equity Financing is funded at the Closing ( provided , that Purchaser shall not be required to draw down the Equity Financing or to consummate the Closing if the Debt Financing is not in fact funded at the Closing); and

 

(iv)          Sellers have irrevocably confirmed in writing to Purchaser that if specific performance is granted and the Equity Financing and Debt Financing are funded, then the Closing will occur.

 

(d)                     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Sellers shall be entitled to specific performance to cause Purchaser to draw down the Debt Financing (or any Alternate Financing) only if the Closing will occur substantially simultaneously with such draw down.

 

Section 11.9.          Captions .  The captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.10.        Waivers .  Any failure by any Party to comply with any of its obligations, agreements or conditions herein contained may be waived by the Party to whom such compliance is owed by an instrument signed by the Party to whom compliance is owed and expressly identified as a waiver, but not in any other manner. No waiver of, or consent to a change in, any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of, or consent to a change in, other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.

 

Section 11.11.        Assignment .  No Party shall assign or otherwise transfer all or any part of this Agreement, nor shall any Party delegate any of its rights or duties hereunder, without the prior written consent of the other Party and any transfer or delegation made without such consent shall be void; provided , however , that each Party shall have the right to assign its rights under this Agreement to any of its Affiliates or as collateral to any lender (or agent or trustee therefor) in connection with any bona fide financing arrangement, including in the case of Purchaser the Debt Financing; provided, further, however ,

 

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that no such assignment shall relieve such Party of its obligations hereunder in the event of the failure of performance by such assignee. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

 

Section 11.12.        Entire Agreement .  The Confidentiality Agreement, this Agreement and the documents to be executed hereunder (including the Transition Services Agreement, the Lease and the Personal Property Assignment) and the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto constitute the entire agreement among the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 11.13.        Amendment .  This Agreement may be amended or modified only by an agreement in writing signed by Sellers and Purchaser and expressly identified as an amendment or modification.

 

Section 11.14.        No Third-Person Beneficiaries .  Nothing in this Agreement shall entitle any Person other than Purchaser and Sellers to any claim, cause of action, remedy or right of any kind, except the rights expressly provided to the Persons described in Section 5.17 , Section 9.2 and Section 11.20 and except that the Debt Providers and their respective current, former or future directors, officers, general or limited partners, stockholders, members, managers, controlling persons, Affiliates, employees or Representatives shall be third party beneficiaries of Sections 9.2 , 11.7 , 11.8(a) , 11.8(b) , 11.8(d)  and this Section 11.14 .

 

Section 11.15.        Guarantees .  Simultaneously with execution of this Agreement, (i) Purchaser has caused those certain entities party thereto (the “ Purchaser Guarantors ”) to deliver to Sellers guarantees each in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (each a “ Parent Guarantee ”) and (ii) Sellers have caused El Paso (the “ El Paso Guarantor ”) to deliver to Purchaser a guarantee in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “ El Paso Guarantee ”).

 

Section 11.16.        Headings .  Headings have been provided for the sections of this Agreement, the Schedules and Exhibits for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.17.        References .  In this Agreement:

 

(a)                     references to any gender includes a reference to all other genders;

 

(b)                     references to the singular includes the plural, and vice versa;

 

(c)                     reference to any Article or Section means an Article or Section of this Agreement;

 

(d)                     reference to any Exhibit or Schedule means an Exhibit or Schedule to this Agreement, all of which are incorporated into and made a part of this Agreement;

 

(e)                     unless expressly provided to the contrary, “hereunder,” “hereof,” “herein” and words of similar import are references to this Agreement as a whole and not any particular Section or other provision of this Agreement;

 

(f)                      unless expressly provided to the contrary, the word “or” is not exclusive;

 

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(g)                                                               references to “$” or “Dollars” means United States Dollars; and

 

(h)                                                               “include” and “including” means include or including without limiting the generality of the description preceding such term.

 

Section 11.18.                        Construction .  Purchaser is capable of making such investigation, inspection, review and evaluation of the assets of the E&P Business as a prudent purchaser would deem appropriate under the circumstances, including with respect to all matters relating to the assets of the E&P Business and their value, operation and suitability. Each of Sellers and Purchaser has had the opportunity to exercise business discretion in relation to the negotiation of the details of the transaction contemplated hereby. This Agreement is the result of arm’s-length negotiations from equal bargaining positions. It is expressly agreed that this Agreement shall not be construed against any Party, and no consideration shall be given or presumption made, on the basis of who drafted this Agreement or any particular provision thereof; it being further understood and agreed that nothing in this Section 11.18 shall limit any representation, warranty, covenant or indemnity contained herein or in any certificate delivered pursuant hereto.

 

Section 11.19.                        Time of Essence .  This Agreement contains a number of dates and times by which performance or the exercise of rights is due, and the Parties intend that each and every such date and time be the firm and final date and time, as agreed. For this reason, each Party hereby waives and relinquishes any right it might otherwise have to challenge its failure to meet any performance or rights election date applicable to it on the basis that its late action constitutes substantial performance, to require the other Party to show prejudice, or on any equitable grounds. Without limiting the foregoing, time is of the essence in this Agreement. If the date specified in this Agreement for giving any notice or taking any action is not a Business Day (or if the period during which any notice is required to be given or any action taken expires on a date which is not a Business Day), then the date for giving such notice or taking such action (and the expiration date of such period during which notice is required to be given or action taken) shall be the next day which is a Business Day.

 

Section 11.20.                        Non-Recourse .  None of Kinder Morgan (except with respect to its obligations under Section 9.2(c)(i)  or Section 9.2(c)(iii) ) (or its current or future Affiliates, other than Sellers, the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries), the Purchaser Guarantors (or any of their respective Affiliates, other than Purchaser), any of the Affiliated Apollo Persons (or any of their respective Affiliates, other than Purchaser) or any of the Affiliated Riverstone Persons (or any of their respective Affiliates, other than Purchaser) (the foregoing described persons, the “ Covered Persons ”), nor any past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, agent, attorney or representative of any of the Covered Persons or, other than Purchaser and Sellers, any member, partner or stockholder of any of the Covered Persons, shall have any liability (whether in contract or in tort) for any obligations or liabilities arising under, in connection with or related to this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 11.20 shall limit (i) any liability of the Parties for breaches of this Agreement, (ii) any liability of the Purchaser Guarantors provided for in the Parent Guarantee or (iii) any liability of the El Paso Guarantor provided for in the El Paso Guarantee.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been signed by each of the Parties as of the Execution Date.

 

 

SELLER:

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

SELLER:

EP ENERGY HOLDING COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

SELLER:

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

PURCHASER:

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Signature Page to Purchase and Sale Agreement

 



 

THE UNDERSIGNED IS EXECUTING THIS
AGREEMENT SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF
SECTION 9.2(c)  AND ARTICLE XI AND FOR
NO OTHER PURPOSE.

 

 

 

KINDER MORGAN, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Signature Page to Purchase and Sale Agreement

 



 

ANNEX 1
TITLE MATTERS

 

Section 1.1                                       Title . The rights and remedies of Purchaser set forth in (i) this Annex 1 , (ii)  Sections , 3.10 , 3.12 , 3.13 , 3.14 , 3.22 and 3.23 of the Agreement (and the indemnities related thereto), (iii)  Section 2.3(h)  of the Agreement with respect to any of the matters described therein and (iv)  Section 5.15 of the Agreement and the indemnity set forth in Section 10.1(b)(iv)  of the Agreement, shall be Purchaser’s sole and exclusive rights and remedies with respect to any defect in title with respect to the Company Properties, including with respect to the Companies’ or the Company Subsidiaries’, as applicable, title to the wells, recompletions, proved undeveloped locations, probable undeveloped locations, possible undeveloped locations and other undeveloped acreage shown on Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 (each, a “ Well ” and, collectively, the “ Wells ”), the leases and other interests listed on Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 (the “ Michigan Undeveloped Leases ” and together with the Wells, the “ Reserve Assets ”) and all of the Companies’ and Company Subsidiaries’ other real property interests used in connection with the ownership, development or operation of, or the marketing, transportation or other disposition of production from, the Company Properties, other than the Major Midstream Assets (the “ Other Real Property Interests ” and together with the Reserve Assets, the “ Title Assets ”); provided , however , that, for the avoidance of doubt, this Annex 1 shall not cover the Major Midstream Assets, and any defect or deficiency in title with respect thereto (or the right of use thereof) shall not be the basis for, or otherwise contribute to, any Title Defect or Title Defect Amount pursuant to this Annex 1 . Capitalized terms used, but not defined, in this Annex 1 shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012, between EP Energy Holding Company, EP Energy Corporation, El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. and EPE Acquisition, LLC, to which this Annex 1 is annexed.

 

Section 1.2                                       Definition of Defensible Title .

 

(a)                                   As used in this Annex 1 , the term “ Defensible Title ” means that title (other than to the Major Midstream Assets) of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries, which, subject to the Permitted Encumbrances (with respect to Company Properties other than Other Real Property Interests) or RE Permitted Encumbrances (with respect to the Other Real Property Interests), as applicable, as of the Execution Date:

 

(i)                                      entitles the Companies and/or the Company Subsidiaries, as applicable, to receive, in the case of any Well (after satisfaction of all royalties, overriding royalties, nonparticipating royalties, net profits interests or similar burdens on or measured by production of Hydrocarbons), not less than the applicable net revenue interest share shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 of all Hydrocarbons produced, saved and marketed from such Well (from the formation(s) denoted for such Well in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 if a formation(s) is listed in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 with respect to such Well) throughout the duration of the productive life of such Well, or, in the case of any Michigan Undeveloped Lease (after satisfaction of all royalties, overriding royalties, nonparticipating royalties, net profits interests or similar burdens on or measured by production of Hydrocarbons), not less than the net revenue interest share set forth in Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 for such Michigan Undeveloped Lease of all Hydrocarbons produced, saved and marketed from the lands covered by such Michigan Undeveloped Lease throughout the duration of the productive life of such Michigan Undeveloped Lease, in each case, except (A) decreases in connection with those operations in which the Companies or any Company Subsidiary may elect after the Execution Date to be a nonconsenting co-owner, (B) decreases resulting from reversions of interests to co-owners with respect to operations in which such co-owners elect, after the Execution Date, not to consent, (C) decreases resulting from pooling or unitization after the Execution Date and (D) decreases required to allow other working interest owners to make up past underproduction or pipelines to make up past under deliveries;

 

Annex 1 - 1



 

(ii)                                   as to any Well, obligates the Companies and/or the Company Subsidiaries, as applicable, to bear a percentage of the costs and expenses for the maintenance and development of, and operations relating to, such Well throughout the duration of the productive life of such Well not greater than the working interest shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 for such Well (with respect to the formation(s) denoted for such Well in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 if a formation(s) is listed in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 with respect to such Well) without increase, except (A) as expressly stated in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 or Exhibit C-2 , (B) increases resulting from contribution requirements with respect to defaults by co-owners after the Execution Date and (C) increases that are accompanied by at least a proportionate increase in the Companies’ or Company Subsidiaries’, as applicable, applicable net revenue interest in such Well above that shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 for such Well;

 

(iii)                                as to any Michigan Undeveloped Lease, covers a number of Net Mineral Acres not less than the number of Net Mineral Acres specified therefor in the “Net Ac” column in Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 ;

 

(iv)                               (A) as to any Michigan Undeveloped Lease and any other lease related to the Wells listed on Exhibit C-1 that is not held by production or held by operations, the primary term of such Michigan Undeveloped Lease or other lease, (1) if stated on Exhibit C-1 or Exhibit C-2 , as applicable, is correct or (2) will expire after September 30, 2012 and (B) as to any Title Asset, title to which is pursuant to a seismic option or other option to acquire any lease, the end of the period of time in which such option may be exercised (1) if stated on Exhibit C-1 or Exhibit C-2 , as applicable, is correct or (2) will expire after September 30, 2012;

 

(v)                                  as to any Other Real Property Interest, is good and indefensible record title or is a lease or other similar agreement in favor of a Company or a Company Subsidiary that is in full force and effect in all material respects and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the owner of the property covered thereby; and

 

(vi)                               as to any Title Asset, is free and clear of all Liens.

 

(b)                                  As used in this Annex 1 :

 

(i)                                      the term “ Title Defect ” means any Lien, charge, encumbrance, obligation or defect affecting any Title Asset (including, with respect to a Reserve Asset, a discrepancy in net revenue interest or working interest) that causes the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries not to have Defensible Title to such Title Asset;

 

(ii)                                   the term “ Title Benefit ” means (A) any right, circumstance or condition that operates to increase the applicable net revenue interest in any Reserve Asset above that shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 or Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 , respectively, for such Reserve Asset, without causing a greater than proportionate increase in the working interest in any such Reserve Asset that is a Well above that shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 , for such Well or (B) any increase in the number of Net Mineral Acres covered by any Michigan Undeveloped Lease above the number of Net Mineral Acres set forth for such Michigan Undeveloped Lease in the “Net Ac” column in Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 ; and

 

(iii)                                the term “ Net Mineral Acres ” means, with respect to any Michigan Undeveloped Lease, the total number of surface acres covered by such Michigan Undeveloped Lease multiplied by the fractional or percentage interest in the minerals underlying such surface acreage covered by such Michigan Undeveloped Lease multiplied by the undivided interest of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries, as applicable, in such Michigan Undeveloped Lease.

 

Annex 1 - 2



 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not be considered Title Defects:

 

(i)                                      defects based solely on a lack of information in Sellers’, any Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s files;

 

(ii)                                   alleged defects in the authorization, execution, delivery, acknowledgment or approval of any instrument, unless Purchaser provides evidence that such defect results in a third Person’s superior claim of title to the relevant Company Property;

 

(iii)                                with respect to Company Mineral Interests from any Governmental Authority (which, for the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of this Annex 1 , includes any tribal authority and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, the Minerals Management Service and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or any successor agency thereto), defects based on a gap in any chain of title in the records of any such Person if the applicable chain of title is reflected in the applicable county or parish;

 

(iv)                               defects or irregularities in the chain of title consisting of the failure to recite marital status in documents or omissions or lack of heirship, succession or probate proceedings, unless Purchaser provides evidence that such defects or irregularities results in a third Person’s superior claim of title;

 

(v)                                  with respect to (i) Wells that have been producing and in “pay” status (other than interruptions in the ordinary course of business arising from the transfer in ownership thereof) since January 1, 2002 and (ii) non-producing Title Assets that have common title with any such producing Wells, defects based on alleged gaps in production from such Wells that occurred prior to January 1, 2002; provided that, upon request of Purchaser, in each case, Sellers have provided to Purchaser a certificate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Parties, representing and warranting that, as of the date thereof, no claim has been made or threatened by any third Person with respect thereto, which such representation and warranty shall survive for a period of twelve (12) months after Closing (it being understood and agreed that any breach of such representation or warranty shall be subject to the Title Threshold and Title Deductible as though such breach constituted a Title Defect with respect to the applicable Title Asset);

 

(vi)                               defects arising solely out of lack of survey, overlapping survey, or lack of metes and bounds descriptions, unless one is required by Law;

 

(vii)                            defects that have been cured by applicable Laws of limitations or prescription, including adverse possession, the doctrine of laches, and deemed marketable record title;

 

(viii)                         defects arising from any change in applicable Laws after the Execution Date;

 

(ix)                                 defects arising from prior expired oil and gas leases that are not surrendered or released of record;

 

(x)                                    defects with respect to which the true owner of the applicable Company Property is another Company or Company Subsidiary;

 

Annex 1 - 3



 

(xi)                                 defects based on Purchaser’s change (or desired change) in the surface or bottom hole location, borehole or drainhole path, well or operational plan, operational technique (including completion or stimulation technique) of any Title Asset;

 

(xii)                              defects arising out of production payments that have expired of their own terms;

 

(xiii)                           defects based on a claim that none of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries has title to a Company Property (other than a Reserve Asset), if any of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries has a valid right to use such Company Property for the purposes for which it is being used;

 

(xiv)                          defects based solely on Sellers’ failure to have a title insurance policy or survey on any Company Property;

 

(xv)                             defects based upon an Impaired Reserve Asset to the extent the basis on which such defect is asserted is any defect or deficiency with respect to the Major Midstream Assets; and

 

(xvi)                          defects arising out of mortgages or liens that are unenforceable under applicable statutes of limitations.

 

(d)                                  The Parties acknowledge and agree that any reference in this Annex 1 to the net revenue interest of any Michigan Undeveloped Lease as set forth in Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 shall be a reference to a percentage (expressed as a decimal) equal to the product of (i) one hundred percent (100%) minus the sum (expressed as a percentage) of the amounts set forth in the “Royalty Burden” column and “ORRI Burden” column on Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 for such Michigan Undeveloped Lease, as applicable, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number set forth in the “NET AC” column in Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 for such Michigan Undeveloped Lease and the denominator of which is the number set forth in the “GR AC” column in Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 for such Michigan Undeveloped Lease.

 

Section 1.3                                       Definition of Permitted Encumbrances . As used in this Annex 1 , the term “ Permitted Encumbrances ” means any or all of the following:

 

(a)                                   all Lessors’ royalties and any overriding royalties, reversionary interests, net profits interests, production payments and other burdens to the extent that they do not, individually or in the aggregate, reduce the applicable net revenue interest in any Reserve Asset below that shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 or Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 , respectively, for such Reserve Asset, or increase the working interest in any Reserve Asset that is a Well above that shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 , for such Well, without a corresponding increase in the applicable net revenue interest in such Well above that shown in Exhibit C-1 for such Well;

 

(b)                                  all leases, unit agreements, pooling agreements, operating agreements, farmout agreements, production sales contracts, division orders and other contracts, agreements and instruments applicable to the Company Properties, including provisions for penalties, suspensions or forfeitures contained therein, to the extent that they do not, in the absence of non-consent elections or default, individually or in the aggregate, reduce the applicable net revenue interest in any Reserve Asset below that shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 or Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 , respectively, for any Reserve Asset, or increase the working interest in any Reserve Asset that is a Well above that shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 , for such Well, without a corresponding increase in the applicable net revenue interest in such Well above that shown in Exhibit C-1 for such Well;

 

Annex 1 - 4



 

(c)                                   all rights of first refusal, preferential purchase rights and similar rights with respect to the Company Properties;

 

(d)                                  all third-party consent requirements and similar restrictions;

 

(e)                                   all liens for Taxes or assessments not yet delinquent or, if delinquent, that are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and for which appropriate reserves have been established on the applicable Company’s or Company Subsidiary’s financial statements in accordance with the Accounting Principles;

 

(f)                                     all materialman’s, mechanic’s, repairman’s, employee’s, contractor’s, operator’s and other similar liens or charges arising in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet delinquent (including any amounts being withheld as provided by Law), or if delinquent, that are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and for which appropriate reserves have been established on the applicable Company’s or Company Subsidiary’s financial statements in accordance with the Accounting Principles;

 

(g)                                  all rights to consent, required notices to, filings with, or other actions by Governmental Authorities in connection with the sale or conveyance of oil and gas leases or rights or interests therein if they are customarily obtained subsequent to the sale or conveyance of assets and properties similar to the Title Assets;

 

(h)                                  all rights of reassignment arising upon final intention to abandon or release the Company Properties or any of them;

 

(i)                                      all easements, rights-of-way, covenants, servitudes, permits, surface leases and other rights in respect of surface operations to the extent they do not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) reduce the applicable net revenue interest in any Reserve Asset below that shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 or Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 , respectively, for any Reserve Asset, or increase the working interest in any Reserve Asset that is a Well above that shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 , for such Well, without a corresponding increase in the net revenue interest in such Well above that shown in Exhibit C-1 for such Well or (ii) materially detract from the value of or materially interfere with the use, ownership or operation of the Company Properties subject thereto or affected thereby as currently used, owned or operated;

 

(j)                                      all calls on production; provided that the holder of such right must pay an index-based price that adjusts on a monthly (or more frequent) basis for any production purchased by virtue of such call on production;

 

(k)                                   all rights reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authorities to control or regulate any of the Company Properties in any manner or to assess Tax with respect to any of the Company Properties, the ownership, use or operation of any of the Title Assets, or the revenue, income or capital gains with respect thereto, and all obligations and duties under all applicable Laws of any such Governmental Authority or under any franchise, grant, license or permit issued by any Governmental Authority, provided that none of the foregoing have the effect, individually or in the aggregate, of reducing the applicable net revenue interest in any Reserve Asset below that shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 or Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 , respectively, for such Reserve Asset, or increasing the working interest in any Reserve Asset that is a Well above that shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 , for such Well, without a corresponding increase in the applicable net revenue interest in such Well above that shown in Exhibit C-1 for such Well;

 

Annex 1 - 5



 

(l)                                      all Liens on or affecting the Company Properties which are expressly waived (by Purchaser), assumed, bonded or paid at or prior to Closing or which is discharged at or prior to Closing (in each case, at no cost to the Companies or any Company Subsidiary);

 

(m)                                any Lien or trust arising in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, pension or employment Laws;

 

(n)                                  any failure to record leases issued by any Governmental Authority in the real property, conveyance, or other records of the county or parish in which such leases are located or, in the case of Reserve Assets located in the United States Outer Continental Shelf, the county or parish to which such Reserve Assets are adjacent;

 

(o)                                  any matters specifically shown on Exhibit C-1 or C-2 or Schedule 3.9(a) ;

 

(p)                                  “most favored nations” and similar clauses that have not been triggered prior to Closing (and are not triggered by the Closing);

 

(q)                                  legal highways and zoning and building Laws, which (i) affect Other Real Property Assets and (ii) do not materially interfere with the use by the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries of the applicable Other Real Property Asset in the ordinary course of the E&P Business; and

 

(r)                                     any other Liens (i) that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially detract from the value of or materially interfere with the ownership, use (or use contemplated by the Companies or Company Subsidiaries) or present or contemplated operation (if contemplated by the Companies or Company Subsidiaries) of the Company Properties subject thereto or affected thereby and (ii) that would be accepted by a reasonably prudent purchaser engaged in the business of owning and operating oil and gas properties similar to the Company Properties.

 

Section 1.4                                       Allocated Values . The “ Allocated Value ” for (a) any Well shall be equal to the portion of the Unadjusted Purchase Price allocated to such Well on Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 and (b) for each Michigan Undeveloped Lease shall be equal to the number of Net Mineral Acres covered by such Lease as set forth in Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 , multiplied by $300. Sellers have accepted such Allocated Values for purposes of this Annex 1 , but make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of such value.

 

Section 1.5                                       Notice of Title Defects; Defect Adjustments .

 

(a)                                   To assert a Title Defect, Purchaser must deliver a claim notice or notices to Sellers with respect thereto on or before the date that is seventy-five (75) days following the Execution Date (the “ Title Claim Date ”); provided that Purchaser agrees to use reasonable efforts to provide Sellers with periodic (but in no event less frequently than once every two (2) weeks) updates in writing concerning the progress of Purchaser’s title due diligence. Each notice of Title Defect shall be in writing and shall include (each such notice, a “ Title Defect Notice ”):

 

(i)                                      a reasonably detailed description of the alleged Title Defect(s);

 

(ii)                                   the Title Asset(s) affected;

 

(iii)                                the Allocated Values of the Title Asset(s) subject to or affected by the alleged Title Defect(s); and

 

Annex 1 - 6



 

(iv)                               the amount by which Purchaser reasonably believes the Allocated Values of those Title Assets are reduced by the alleged Title Defect(s) and the computations and information upon which Purchaser’s belief is based.

 

Purchaser shall provide Sellers documentation available to Purchaser supporting Purchaser’s asserted Title Defect(s). Purchaser shall be deemed to have waived all defects in title to the Company Properties (other than as described in Section 1.1 of this Annex 1 ) of which Sellers have not been given written notice from Purchaser on or before the Title Claim Date.

 

(b)                                  Should Purchaser discover any Title Benefit on or before the Title Claim Date, Purchaser shall deliver to Sellers on or before the Title Claim Date a written notice including:

 

(i)                                      a description of the Title Benefit;

 

(ii)                                   the Title Asset(s) affected;

 

(iii)                                the Allocated Values of the Title Asset(s) subject to such Title Benefit; and

 

(iv)                               the amount by which Purchaser reasonably believes the Allocated Value of those Title Assets is increased by the Title Benefit(s) and the computations and information upon which Purchaser’s belief is based.

 

Sellers shall have the right, but not the obligation, to deliver to Purchaser an equivalent notice on or before the date that is the Title Claim Date with respect to each Title Benefit discovered by Sellers. Sellers shall be deemed to have waived all Title Benefits of which no Party has given notice on or before the Title Claim Date, except to the extent Purchaser has failed to give a written notice which it was obligated to give under this Section 1.5(b) . If Sellers deliver such notice to Purchaser, Sellers shall provide Purchaser documentation available to Sellers supporting Sellers’ asserted Title Benefit(s).

 

(c)                                   Sellers shall have the right, but not the obligation, to attempt, at Sellers’ sole cost, to cure or remove on or before sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, any Title Defects of which Sellers have been advised by Purchaser. Purchaser shall reasonably cooperate with Sellers in Sellers’ efforts to cure Title Defects during such period; provided , however that, the Parties agree that the foregoing shall not require Purchaser (or, after Closing, any Company or Company Subsidiary) to incur any costs or expenses (or waive any rights it may have) with respect thereto. No reduction shall be made in the Unadjusted Purchase Price with respect to a Title Defect for purposes of Closing if Sellers have provided written notice to Purchaser of Sellers’ intent to attempt to cure such Title Defect on or before the Closing Date. If the Title Defect is not cured as agreed by Sellers and Purchaser or if Sellers and Purchaser cannot agree, and it is determined by the Title Arbitrator that such Title Defect is not cured at the end of the sixty (60) day post-Closing period, the adjustment to the Unadjusted Purchase Price required under this Annex 1 shall be made pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Agreement. Sellers’ election to attempt to cure a Title Defect shall not constitute a waiver of Sellers right to dispute the existence, nature or value of, the Title Defect.

 

(d)                                  With respect to each Title Asset affected by a Title Defect reported under Section 1.5(a) , the Unadjusted Purchase Price shall be reduced by an amount (the “ Title Defect Amount ”) equal to the reduction in the Allocated Value for such Title Asset(s) caused by such Title Defects, as determined pursuant to Sections 1.5(g)  and 1.5(i) . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.5(d) , no adjustment to the Unadjusted Purchase Price shall be made with respect to any Title Defect that is cured within sixty (60) days after the Closing.

 

Annex 1 - 7



 

(e)                                   With respect to each Title Asset affected by a Title Benefit reported under Section 1.5(b)  (or which Purchaser should have reported under Section 1.5(b) ), the Unadjusted Purchase Price shall be increased by an amount (the “ Title Benefit Amount ”) equal to the increase in the Allocated Value for such Title Asset caused by such Title Benefits, as determined pursuant to Sections 1.5(h)  and 1.5(i) ; provided , however that, in no event will the aggregate adjustments to the Unadjusted Purchase Price as a result of Title Benefits exceed the aggregate adjustments to the Unadjusted Purchase Price due to Title Defects.

 

(f)                                     This Annex 1 , Sections 3.9 , 3.10 , 3.12 , 3.13 , 3.14 , 3.22 and 3.23 of the Agreement (and the indemnities related thereto), Section 2.3(h)  of the Agreement with respect to any of the matters described therein and Section 5.15 of the Agreement and the indemnity set forth in Section 10.1(b)(iv)  of the Agreement, shall be the sole and exclusive right and remedy of Purchaser with respect to any defect in title with respect to any of the Company Properties; provided , however , that Section 3.22(b)  shall be the sole and exclusive right and remedy of Purchaser with respect to the Major Midstream Assets. In this regard and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, if any Title Defect with respect to any of the Company Properties results from any matter which could also result in the breach of any representation or warranty of a Seller as set forth in Article 3 of the Agreement (other than Sections 3.9 , 3.10 , 3.12 , 3.13 , 3.14 , 3.22 and 3.23 of the Agreement), then Purchaser shall only be entitled to assert such matter prior to the Title Claim Date as a Title Defect to the extent permitted by this Annex 1 and shall be precluded from also asserting such matter as the basis of the breach of any such representation or warranty. Except as provided in this Annex 1 (and Sections 3.9 , 3.10 , 3.12 , 3.13 , 3.14 , 3.22 and 3.23 of the Agreement (and the indemnities related thereto), Section 2.3(h)  of the Agreement with respect to any of the matters described therein and Section 5.15 of the Agreement and the indemnity set forth in Section 10.1(b)(iv)  of the Agreement), Purchaser releases, remises and forever discharges Sellers and their current and former Affiliates and all such parties’ stockholders, officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors and representatives from any and all suits, legal or administrative proceedings, claims, demands, damages, losses, costs, liabilities, interest or causes of action whatsoever, in law or in equity, known or unknown, which Purchaser might now or subsequently may have, based on, relating to or arising out of, any Title Defect, or other deficiency in title with respect to any of the Company Properties.

 

(g)                                  The Title Defect Amount (calculated in the case of a Title Defect that affects multiple Title Assets, as a single aggregate amount for all Title Assets affected thereby and not as a separate amount of each of the individual Title Assets affected thereby) resulting from a Title Defect shall be determined as follows:

 

(i)                                      if Purchaser and Sellers agree on the Title Defect Amount, that amount shall be the Title Defect Amount;

 

(ii)                                   if the Title Defect is a lien, encumbrance, or other charge which is undisputed and liquidated in amount, then the Title Defect Amount shall be the amount necessary to be paid to remove the Title Defect from the relevant Company’s or Company Subsidiary’s interest in the affected Title Asset;

 

(iii)                                if the Title Defect represents a discrepancy between (A) the net revenue interest for any Reserve Asset and (B) the net revenue interest for such Reserve Asset shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 or Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 , respectively, then the Title Defect Amount shall be the product of the Allocated Value of such Reserve Asset multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is such net revenue interest decrease and the denominator of which is the net revenue interest for such Reserve Asset shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 or Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 , respectively, provided that if the Title Defect does not

 

Annex 1 - 8



 

affect such Reserve Asset throughout its entire productive life, the Title Defect Amount determined under this Section 1.5(g)(iii)  shall be reduced to take into account the applicable time period only;

 

(iv)                               if the Title Defect results from the failure of any of the Companies or the Company Subsidiaries to have title to the number of Net Mineral Acres set forth in the “Net Ac” column in Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 for any Michigan Undeveloped Lease, then the Title Defect Amount shall be $300 per Net Mineral Acre multiplied by the amount of such Net Mineral Acre shortfall;

 

(v)                                  if the Title Defect represents an obligation, encumbrance, burden or charge upon or other defect in title to the affected Title Asset of a type not described in subsections (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, then the Title Defect Amount shall be determined by taking into account the Allocated Value of the Title Asset(s) so affected, the portion of the relevant Company’s or Company Subsidiary’s interest in the Title Asset(s) affected by the Title Defect, the legal effect of the Title Defect, the potential economic effect of the Title Defect over the life of the affected Title Asset or Title Assets, the age of the factual matters causing or constituting the alleged Title Defect, and such other factors as are necessary to make a proper evaluation;

 

(vi)                               notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Annex 1 , (A) a claim for a Title Defect for which notice is given prior to the Title Claim Date shall only generate an adjustment to the Unadjusted Purchase Price if the Title Defect Amount (calculated in the case of a Title Defect that affects multiple Title Assets, as a single aggregate amount for all Title Assets affected thereby and not as a separate amount for each Title Asset affected thereby) with respect thereto exceeds $1,000,000 (the “ Title Threshold ”), (B) the aggregate Title Defect Amounts attributable to the effects of all Title Defects upon any given Title Asset shall not exceed the Allocated Value of such Title Asset (it being understood that in the case of a Title Defect affecting multiple Title Assets, the Title Defect Amount will be allocated among affected Title Assets in a fair and equitable manner) and (C) there shall be no adjustment to the Unadjusted Purchase Price for Title Defects unless and until the aggregate amount of all Title Defect Amounts for which an adjustment to the Unadjusted Purchase Price would be permitted pursuant to Section 1.5(g)(vi)(A)  exceeds $85,000,000 (the “ Title Deductible ”), and then only to the extent that such aggregate amount of all such Title Defect Amounts exceeds the Title Deductible;

 

(vii)                            if the Title Defect affects an Other Real Property Interest and the loss of such Other Real Property Interest will materially and adversely affect the development, operation or production of one or more Reserve Assets (each an “ Impaired Reserve Asset ”), then such Title Defect shall be considered to affect the applicable Impaired Reserve Assets and the Title Defect Amount shall take into account the decrease in the Allocated Value for the applicable Impaired Reserve Assets; and

 

(viii)                         without limitation of Purchaser’s right to aggregate all Title Defect Amounts attributable to the same Title Defect for purposes of determining if the Title Threshold has been met with respect to such Title Defect, the Title Defect Amount with respect to a Title Defect shall be determined without duplication of any costs or losses included in another Title Defect Amount hereunder, or for which Purchaser otherwise receives credit in the calculation of the Purchase Price.

 

(h)                                  The Title Benefit Amount for any Title Benefit shall be: (i) in the case of a Title Benefit affecting any Title Asset, the product of the Allocated Value of the affected Title Asset multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the net revenue interest increase and the denominator of which is the applicable net revenue interest in such Title Asset shown in Exhibit C-1 , Part 1 or Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 , respectively and (ii) in the case of a Title Benefit affecting a Michigan Undeveloped Lease, $300 multiplied by the amount of the increase in the number of Net Mineral Acres for such Michigan Undeveloped Lease above the number of Net Mineral Acres set forth for such Michigan Undeveloped Lease in Exhibit C-1 , Part 2 , provided that, in each case above, (x) if a Title Benefit affects multiple Title

 

Annex 1 - 9


 

Assets, then the Title Benefit Amount shall be calculated as a single aggregate amount for all Title Assets affected thereby and not as a separate amount for each Title Asset affected thereby and (y) if the Title Benefit does not affect a Title Asset throughout the entire life of the Title Asset, then the Title Benefit Amount determined under this Section 1.5(h)  shall be reduced to take into account the applicable time period only. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Annex 1 , an individual claim for a Title Benefit which is reported under Section 1.5(b)  (or which Purchaser should have reported under Section 1.5(b) ) prior to the Title Claim Date shall only generate an adjustment to the Unadjusted Purchase Price if the aggregate of all Title Benefit Amounts with respect to all Title Assets affected thereby exceeds the Title Threshold.

 

(i)            Sellers and Purchaser shall attempt to agree on all (i) Title Defects, Title Benefits, Title Defect Amounts and Title Benefit Amounts within thirty (30) days after the Title Claim Date and (ii) Alleged Required Consents within thirty (30) days after the delivery of the Consent Notice with respect thereto (which such thirty (30) day period, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be inclusive of the ten (10) Business Day period described in Section 5.15(c)  of the Agreement). The Title Defects, Title Benefits, Title Defect Amounts and Title Benefit Amounts that Sellers and Purchaser are unable to agree with respect to by such date, and all Required Consent Disputes submitted to arbitration pursuant to Section 5.15(d)  of the Agreement, shall be exclusively and finally resolved by arbitration pursuant to this Section 1.5(i) , and, if the Closing Date occurs prior to the final resolution of any such matters, then, to the extent such unresolved matters relate to a Title Defect, Title Benefit, Title Defect Amount or Title Benefit Amount, Sellers’ good faith estimate shall be used to determine the Closing Payment pursuant to Section 2.4(a)  of the Agreement. During the ten (10) day period following the expiration of the applicable thirty (30) day period, all Title Defects, Title Benefits, Title Defect Amounts and Title Benefit Amounts in dispute, or, if applicable, all Required Consent Disputes, shall be submitted (a) with respect to any disputes regarding Title Defects, Title Benefits, Title Defect Amounts or Title Benefit Amounts, to a title attorney with at least ten (10) years’ experience in oil and gas titles in the state or other jurisdiction in which the Title Assets with the largest aggregate Allocated Value of all of the Title Assets in question are located ( provided , however , for this purpose, the Title Assets located in the United States outer continental shelf shall be deemed to be located in the state adjacent to which the applicable Title Assets are located, determined pursuant to the currently-existing administrative boundaries for the Gulf of Mexico Region of the Outer Continental Shelf published by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management), as selected by mutual agreement of Purchaser and Sellers or absent such agreement during the ten (10) day period, by the Houston office of the American Arbitration Association or (b) with respect to any Required Consent Dispute, to a title attorney with at least ten (10) years’ experience in oil and gas titles as selected by mutual agreement of Purchaser and Sellers or absent such agreement during the ten (10) day period, by the Houston office of the American Arbitration Association (each title attorney selected with respect to each of the foregoing described disputes, a “ Title Arbitrator ”). Likewise, if by the end of the sixty (60) day post-Closing cure period under Section 1.5(c) , Sellers have failed to cure any Title Defects which it provided notice prior to Closing that it would attempt to cure, and Sellers and Purchaser have been unable to agree on the Title Defect Amounts for such Title Defects, the Title Defect Amounts in dispute shall be submitted to the applicable Title Arbitrator. No Title Arbitrator shall have worked as an employee or outside counsel for either Party or its Affiliates during the five (5) year period preceding the arbitration or have any financial interest in the dispute. In connection with the engagement of a Title Arbitrator, each of Sellers and Purchaser shall execute such engagement, indemnity and other agreements as such Title Arbitrator shall require as a condition to such engagement. The arbitration proceeding shall be held in Houston, Texas and shall be conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, to the extent such rules do not conflict with the terms of this Section 1.5(i) . Each Title Arbitrator’s determination shall be made within forty-five (45) days after submission of the matters in dispute and shall be final and binding upon the Parties, without right of appeal. In making his determination, each Title Arbitrator shall be bound by (y) with respect to any disputes regarding Title Defects, Title Benefits, Title Defect Amounts or Title Benefit Amounts, the rules 

 

Annex 1 - 10



 

set forth in this Annex 1 and (z) with respect to any Required Consent Dispute, the provisions of Section 5.15 of the Agreement, and, in each case, may consider such other matters as in the opinion of such Title Arbitrator are necessary or helpful to make a proper determination. Additionally, each Title Arbitrator may consult with and engage disinterested third Persons to advise the arbitrator, including title attorneys from other states and petroleum engineers. Each Title Arbitrator shall act as an expert for the limited purpose of determining the specified disputed matters submitted to it pursuant to this Section 1.5(i)  (or, with respect to any Required Consent Dispute, pursuant to Section 5.15 of the Agreement) and, except in the case of any Required Consent Dispute, may not award damages, interest or penalties to any Party with respect to any matter. Sellers and Purchaser shall each bear its own legal fees and other costs of presenting its case to a Title Arbitrator. Purchaser shall bear one-half of the costs and expenses of each Title Arbitrator, and Sellers shall be responsible for the remaining one-half of the costs and expenses of each Title Arbitrator. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein (or in the Agreement), (1) if any lawsuit, arbitration or other proceeding with respect to any Required Consent is pending at the time such Required Consent becomes the subject of a Required Consent Dispute or (2) if during the determination by any Title Arbitrator of any Required Consent Dispute the Required Consent that is the subject matter of such Required Consent Dispute becomes the subject matter of any lawsuit, arbitration or other proceeding, then, the provisions of this Section 1.5(i)  shall, in the situation described in clause (1), not apply to such Required Consent Dispute and, in the situation described in clause (2), immediately cease to apply to such Required Consent Dispute, in each case, until such time as such lawsuit, arbitration or other proceeding is finally determined.

 

Section 1.6             Limitations on Applicability . The right of Purchaser or Sellers to assert a Title Defect or Title Benefit, respectively, under this Agreement shall terminate on the Title Claim Date; provided there shall be no termination of Purchaser’s or Sellers’ rights under Section 1.5 with respect to any bona fide Title Defect or Title Benefit claim properly reported on or before the Title Claim Date (or which should have been reported by Sellers or Purchaser pursuant to Sections 1.5(a)  or 1.5(b) , respectively).

 

Section 1.7             Termination . The Agreement, including this Annex 1 , may be terminated prior to Closing by either Purchaser or Sellers, upon written notice to the other Party, in the event that the sum of the Title Defect Amounts properly asserted by Purchaser in good faith less the sum of all Title Benefit Amounts, after giving effect to the Title Threshold and the Title Deductible, as may be applicable thereto, equal or exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the Unadjusted Purchase Price.

 

Annex 1 - 11



 

ANNEX 2
TRANSITION COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

 

1.             The Parties hereby establish a transition committee (the “ Transition Committee ”) consisting of the following persons (or their reasonably appropriate designees or replacements):

 

Sellers’ Transition Committee Members:

 

Purchaser’s Transition Committee Members:

 

 

 

1. James E. Street

 

1. Faye L. Stallings

2. Henry Neumann

 

2. Delaney Bellinger

3. Richard Burnett

 

3. Joan Gallagher

4. Deb Witges

 

4. Francis C. Olmsted

 

The Transition Committee shall continue to exist until the earlier of the Closing and the termination of this Agreement.

 

2.             The Transition Committee shall meet periodically, but no less than monthly, on a Business Day at the offices of EP Energy Holding Company (or such other place as the Parties may mutually agree) at such time as the Parties may mutually agree to review and discuss:

 

(a)           (i) progress and performance with respect to the E&P Business, including drilling, completion and production operations and costs and revenues related thereto, (ii) comparisons of the foregoing against the E&P Business plans (including the Capital Expenditure Plans) and projections previously provided to (or discussed with) Purchaser or the Transition Committee and (iii) the E&P Business plans and projections applicable to the next sixty (60) day period;

 

(b)           development of a joint migration plan, including the allocation of internal resources and personnel, to support the IT transition activities of each party; and implementation progress of the IT migration plans of each party;

 

(c)           plans to transition other Shared Services required to support the E&P Business to as of Closing; and

 

(d)           such other matters with respect to the Companies and/or the Company Subsidiaries as Purchaser may reasonably request.

 

3.             The Transition Committee shall not have any approval or veto rights.

 

Annex 2 - 1




Exhibit 2.2

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDMENT NO. I TO PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), dated as of April 16, 2012 (the “ Effective Date” ), is entered into by and among EP Energy, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware and formerly known as EP Energy Corporation (“ EPE LLC” ), EP Energy Holding Company, a corporation organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (‘‘ New EPE” ), El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (“ EP Brazil ” and together with EPE LLC and New EPE, “ Sellers ” and each a “ Seller’ ’), and EPE Acquisition, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (“Purchaser”). Sellers, on the one hand, and Purchaser, on the other hand, are referred to collectively as the “ Parties ” and individually as a “ ”.

 

WHEREAS,  the Parties entered into that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012 (the “Purchase and Sale Agreement”), whereby (i) New EPE agreed, after giving effect to the actions contemplated by Section 8.I 0 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, to sell, and Purchaser agreed to purchase (a) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EPE LLC and (b) all of the issued and outstanding shares of EP Egypt and (ii) EP Brazil agreed to sell, and Purchaser agreed to purchase all ofthe issued and outstanding quotas (or, in the case ofEl Paso Brazil Holding Company, all of the issued and outstanding shares) of the BrazilCos;

 

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend the Purchase and Sale Agreement in certain respects as more specifically set forth below; and

 

WHEREAS,  capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the

Purchase and Sale Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration ofthe agreements herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

I.            Amendments.      The Parties agree that the Purchase and Sale Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

 

(a)                                Section 5.9(a) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“(a)      As soon as reasonably practicable after the Execution Date and in consultation with Purchaser, Sellers shall cause the Companies and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries to enter into new swaps so that the commodity price risk associated with the anticipated future production of the Companies and Wholly Owned Subsidiaries for the calendar years of 2012 and 2013 will be hedged to the volumes set forth on Schedule 5.9 at market prices prevailing at the time of entering into such swaps. Sellers shall consult with Purchaser concerning the counterparties to such hedges and the quantities to be hedged. As such hedges are entered into, Sellers shall promptly notify Purchaser of the counterparty to the transaction, the product involved, the quantity hedged, the hedge price under the new hedge, any premiums or other payments made or received to enter into any new hedge and all other details of the transaction and provide Purchaser copies of the confirmations and other documentation evidencing such transactions. Purchaser may request that Sellers enter into new swaps so that the commodity price risk associated with the anticipated future production of the Companies and the Wholly Owned Subsidiaries for calendar year 2012 or 2013 will be hedged to volumes greater than the volumes set forth on Schedule or that commodity price risk associated with the anticipated future production of the Companies and the Wholly Owned Subsidiaries for calendar years 2014 and 2015 will be hedged at specified percentage

 



 

levels (the “ Requested Swaps” ). Sellers shall (and shall cause the Companies and Company Subsidiaries to) reasonably cooperate with Purchaser to accommodate such request and implement the Requested Swaps, as permitted under the Revolving Credit Facility. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event shall Sellers, the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries be required to (i) enter into any transaction relating to Derivatives that would constitute a breach of, or default under, the Revolving Credit Facility or the EP Revolver or (ii) enter into any transactions relating to Requested Swaps unless Purchaser has agreed to pay and/or post (and does pay and/or post) any required premium, fee or other cost or expense associated with, or collateral required by, such transaction prior to its consummation.”.

 

(b)             Schedule 5.9 (Hedges) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement is hereby replaced its entirety with Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

(c)             Exhibit D (Form of Lease) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with Exhibit B attached hereto.

 

2.            Ratification. Except as expressly amended hereby, all other terms and provisions of the Purchase and Sale Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The Parties acknowledge that the Purchase and Sale Agreement, as amended hereby, is ratified and confirmed to be in full force and effect and that all rights, powers and duties created thereunder or existing thereby are ratified and confirmed in all respects.

 

3.            Execution in Counterparts. For the convenience of the Parties, this Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

4.            Governing Law. THIS AMENDMENT AND THE LEGAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PARTIES (INCLUDING ANY CLAIMS MADE IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THAT WOULD DIRECT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(Signature Page Follows]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment on the date first written above.

 

 

 

SELLER:

EP ENERGY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Authorized Person

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

SELLER:

EP ENERGY HOLDING COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Authorized Person

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELLER:

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Name:

Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

PURCHASER:

EPE ACQUISITION,  LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Authorized Person

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 




Exhibit 2.3

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDMENT N0. 2 TOPURCHASEANDSALEAGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), dated as of May 24, 2012 (the “ Effective Date” ), is entered into by and among EP Energy, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware and formerly known as EP Energy Corporation (“ EPE LLC” ), EP Energy Holding Company, a corporation organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (“New EPE”), El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (“EP Brazil”), EP Production International Cayman Company, a company incorporated under the Laws of the Cayman Islands (“EPPI”), EPE Acquisition, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (“ Purchaser” ) and solely for purposes of Sections 2 and 5 hereunder, and El Paso LLC, a limited liability company organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware and formerly known as El Paso Corporation (“El Paso” ).  EPE LLC, New EPE, EP Brazil, EPPI and Purchaser are referred to collectively as the “Parties” and each, individually, as a “ ”.

 

WHEREAS,  EPE LLC, New EPE, EP Brazil and Purchaser entered into that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012 (as amended, the “ Purchase and Sale Agreement” ), whereby (i) New EPE agreed, after giving effect to the actions contemplated by Section 8.10 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, to sell, and Purchaser agreed to purchase (a) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EPE LLC and (b) all of the issued and outstanding shares of EP Egypt and (ii) EP Brazil agreed to sell, and Purchaser agreed to purchase all of the issued and outstanding quotas (or, in the case of El Paso Brazil Holdings Company, all of the issued and outstanding shares) of the BrazilCos;

 

WHEREAS, (i) EPE LLC, New EPE, EP Brazil and Purchaser desire to amend the Purchase and Sale Agreement in certain respects as more specifically set forth below and (ii) EPPI desires to (and the other Parties desire that EPPI) become a party to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date, as though it were originally a party thereto by executing this Amendment; and

 

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used herein, but not defined herein, shall have the meanings given to them in the Purchase and Sale Agreement

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.             Amendments.   The Parties agree that the Purchase and Sale Agreement IS hereby amended as follows:

 

(a)           The definition of the term “Sellers” is hereby amended to include EPPI, and exclude EP Brazil.

 

(b)           Recital B is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“EP Production International Cayman Company, a company incorporated under the Laws of the Cayman Islands (“EPPI”) desires, after giving effect to the actions contemplated by Section 8.1 0, to sell, and Purchaser desires to purchase, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Brazil, which owns (a) all ofthe issued and outstanding quotas of(i)  UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda., a company incorporated under the Laws of Brazil (“ UnoPaso” ) and (ii) El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda., a company incorporated under the Laws of Brazil (“ Brazil O&G” ) and (b) all of the issued

 



 

and outstanding shares of El Paso Brazil Holdings Company, a company incorporated under the Laws of the Cayman Islands (“ Brazil Holdings ” and, together with UnoPaso and Brazil O&G, the “BrazilCos”).”

 

(c)                                 Section 1.1(ii) is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“(ii) in the case of EPPI as Seller, the Brazilian Membership Interests (together with the EPE LLC Membership Interests and the EP Egypt Shares, the “Shares”).”

 

(d)                                Sections 1.2(k) through are each hereby advanced one letter and the following is added as a new Section 1.2(k):

 

“(k)         “ Brazil Tax Basis Shortfall ” means the excess of (i) the aggregate amount allocated to the quotas of UnoPaso pursuant to Section 2.2 over (ii)  the aggregate tax basis of the quotas of UnoPaso as determined for Brazilian nonresident capital gains tax purposes as of the Closing Date as adjusted by actions taken after the Closing pursuant to Section 8.13.”.

 

(e)                                 Section 1.2(1) (formerly Section 1.2(k)) is hereby amended by adding the following sentence at the end of the definition:

 

“For the avoidance of doubt, the defined term “Brazil Tax Loss” shall not include any Tax Losses described in Sections 8. l(a)(v)  through (viii).”

 

(f)                                    Section 1.2(g)  (formerly Section 1.2(p) ) is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

““ Companies ” means, collectively, EPE LLC, EP Brazil, the BrazilCos and the EgyptCos (and, each, a “Company”).”.

 

(g)                                   Section 2.2(a) is hereby amended by deleting the first sentence in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

“(a) The Unadjusted Purchase Price shall be allocated as follows: (i) first, among the Shares of each of the Companies (other than the BrazilCos) (such allocation, together with the allocation among the shares/quotas of each of the BrazilCos described in clause (ii)  below, the “ Share Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocation” ) and (ii) thereafter, the portion of the Unadjusted Purchase Price so allocated to the Shares of each such Company shall be allocated among the classes of assets (including each of the exploration and production concessions of EP Egypt and the BrazilCos) of each such Company (for the avoidance of doubt, including among the shares/quotas of each BrazilCo) (such allocations, other than the allocation among the shares/quotas of each of the BrazilCos, the “Asset Unadjusted Purchase Price Allocations”).”.

 

(h)                                  Section 2.2Cb)(iii)  is hereby amended by deleting the reference to “EP Brazil” and replacing it with a reference to “EPPI”.

 

(i)                                      Section 3.l(a)   is hereby amended by deleting the second sentence in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

 

“EPPI is a company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the Cayman Islands.”

 

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G)                                    Schedule 3.l(d) (Consents) is hereby amended to read in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

(k)                                Section 3.2(e)  is hereby amended by deleting clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) from the first grammatical sentence thereof and replaced with the following:

 

“(ii) the limited liability company interests ofEP Brazil (any issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Brazil set forth on Schedule 3.2(e) , the “Brazilian Membership Interests”); and (iii) the issued and outstanding capital stock of EP Egypt (any issued and outstanding common stock of EP Egypt after giving effect to the actions contemplated by Section 8.10, the “EP Egypt Shares”).”.

 

(l)                                      Schedule 3.2(e)   (The Shares)  is hereby amended to read in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto.

 

(m)                              Schedule 3.3 (Company Subsidiaries and the N Entity) is hereby amended to read in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit C attached hereto.

 

(n)                                  Section 6.2<0 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

 

“(f)          FIRPTA Affidavits . New EPE shall have delivered to Purchaser a nonforeign affidavit dated as of the Closing Date, sworn under penalty of perjury and in form and substance required under Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Section 1445 of the Code stating that New EPE is not a “foreign person” as defined in Section 1445 of the Code, and EPPI shall have delivered to Purchaser an affidavit dated as of the Closing Date in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Purchaser stating that none of the Brazilian Membership Interests, the Brazilian Shares or the assets ofEP Brazil or the BraziiCos constitute a “United States real property interest” as defined in Section 897(c)(l) of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations (together, the “ Tax Affidavits” );”

 

(o)                                  Section 7.2(e)  is hereby amended by (i) replacing clause (i) thereof in its entirety with the following:  “(i) the transition services agreement by and among Sellers, Purchaser and the other parties thereto substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C. Part l (the “ Transition Services Agreement ”), duly executed by the Sellers”,  (ii) deleting the word “and” before clause (ii) thereof and (iii) adding the following at the end thereof: “and (iii) a transition services agreement with respect to certain transition services to be rendered in Brazil by and among Sellers, Purchaser, and the other parties thereto substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C. Part 2 (the “ Brazil Transition Services Agreement”), duly executed by the counterparty thereto.”

 

(p)                                  Section 7.3(0) is hereby amended by (i) deleting the word “and”  before clause (ii) thereof and (ii) adding the following at the end thereof:

 

“and (iii) Brazil Transition Services Agreement, duly executed by the counterparty thereto.”.

 

(q)                                  Section 8.1(a)  is hereby amended by deleting the word “and”  before clause (vi) thereof and adding the following new clauses (vii) and (viii):

 

“(vii) the actions described in Section 8.13 and (viii) any Taxes imposed by any Governmental Authority of Brazil on a direct or indirect sale of the quotas of UnoPaso by EP Brazil (or an Affiliate thereof) (without duplication) to the extent attributable to the Brazil Tax Basis Shortfall.”.

 

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(r)                                     Sections 8.l(a)  and 8.1(b)  are hereby amended by deleting the references to ‘‘the sale of the Brazilian Shares hereunder” and replacing them with references to ‘‘the sale of the Brazilian Membership Interests hereunder (including any deemed sale of the Brazilian Shares thereby).”

 

(s)                                    Section 8.10(a)  is hereby amended by adding a reference to EPPI in clause (x) thereof.

 

(t)                                     Sections 8.1O(a) and 8.1 O(b)  are hereby amended by deleting the references to “EP Production International Cayman Company” and replacing them with references to “EPPI.”

 

(u)                                  Section 8.1 O(a)  is hereby amended by (i) deleting the word “and”  before clause (x) thereof, (ii) adding the following new clause (xi) at the end thereof and (iii) adding a new Schedule 8.1O(a)(xi) , attached hereto as Exhibit D:

 

“and (xi) the noncash contributions of intercompany receivables set forth on Schedule 8.1O(a)(xi).”

 

(v)                                  Section 8.10(b)  is hereby amended by deleting clause (iv) and replacing it with the following:

 

“(iv) the purchase and sale hereunder of the Brazilian Membership Interests for United States federal income Tax purposes will be treated as a sale by EPPI (a controlled foreign corporation wholly-owned by New EPE) of all of the assets of EPPI, including the assets of the BrazilCos, and the purchase of such assets by Purchaser from EPPI for the applicable portion of the Purchase Price and the assumption of liabilities allocable to the Brazilian Membership Interests and.”

 

(w)                              The following is added as a new Section 8.13:

 

“Section 8.13.       Brazil Tax Basis.   Prior to the Closing Date, Sellers and their Affiliates will use their reasonable best efforts to take any and all steps necessary to increase the Brazilian tax basis in the quotas of UnoPaso through the capitalization of earnings of UnoPaso and/or the capitalization of interest on net equity in favor of the quota holders of UnoPaso.   If the actions required by the proceeding sentence cannot be completed prior to the Closing Date, Purchaser and its Affiliates will use their reasonable best efforts to cooperate with Sellers and their respective Affiliates so that such actions can be completed as soon as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date.”.

 

(x)           Schedule 5.16 is hereby amended by deleting item number I thereon in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

 

“See Annexes L-1, L-2, L-3 and L-4; provided however that any licenses, services agreements and other contracts listed on Annex L-3 or Annex L-4 which are not assignable or transferrable without the consent of any Person (other than Sellers, any Affiliate of Sellers or EPE LLC) shall be excluded from Annex L-3 or L-4 (as applicable) to the extent that such consent remains outstanding as of the Closing Date; provided, further, however that each Seller (and, if applicable, its Affiliates) shall have the continuing obligation for twelve (12) months after the Closing Date to use its (or their, as applicable) commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with EPE LLC to obtain all necessary consents to the assignment of such licenses, services agreements and other contracts and, upon obtaining the requisite third party consent(s) with respect to any such license, services agreement or other contract which is not assigned on the Closing Date, such license, services agreement or other contract shall automatically, and without further action by any Party or any of its Affiliates, be assigned by the applicable Seller (or its Affiliate, if

 

4



 

applicable)  to EPE LLC (or, if applicable, its Affiliate) as provided in the Personal Property Assignment.”.

 

(y)                                  Exhibit C i s hereby replaced in its entirety with Exhibit E attached hereto.

 

(z)                                   Schedules 1.2(oooo) (Service Employees) and 5.11{b) (Business Employees) are hereby amended to delete the person identified by employee number 702333 therefrom.

 

(aa)                           Schedule 3.5 is hereby amended by deleting the phrase ‘‘will distribute the receivable to New EPE pursuant to Section 8.10(a) of the Agreement and New EPE” from item 2E thereof.

 

(bb)                           Section 8.10(a) is hereby amended by deleting the phrase “and Egypt” from clause (ix) thereof.

 

2.             Indemnity.   From and after the Closing, Sellers shall, jointly and severally, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Purchaser, its current and former Affiliates (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Companies (as such definition is amended hereby) and the Company Subsidiaries (as such definition is amended hereby)) and any of its and their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, members, partners and agents (each, the “Purchase Indemnified Party”) from and against all Damages incurred or suffered by such Persons and caused by or arising out of or resulting from (a) the amendments to the Purchase and Sale Agreement set forth in Section I hereunder (other than clauses (m), (n), (v) and (w)) hereof and (b) the joinder of EPPI to the Purchase and Sale Agreement pursuant to Section 3 hereof.  The provisions of Article I 0 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement (other than the provisions of Sections IO.I(dXiv), I0.4(c), 10.4(d) and I0.4(e)) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement) shall apply to any claim for indemnity made by any Purchaser Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 2.

 

3.             EPPI as Party.   EPPI shall, by its signature hereof, join and agree to be a Party to and bound by all of the terms and provisions of the Purchase and Sale Agreement as if it were originally a Seller party thereto. EPPI ratifies all actions taken by EP Brazil prior to the date of this Amendment.

 

4.             Capitalization of Certain Intercompany Indebtedness.   Notwithstanding anything to . the contrary in the Purchase and Sale Agreement, prior to Closing, Sellers shall (a) capitalize, or cause to be capitalized, all of the Indebtedness set forth in Sections 2A., 2B., 2C., and 2E. of Schedule 3.5 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement and (b) distribute all of the Indebtedness set forth in Section 20.  of Schedule 3.5 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement to New EPE as per Section 8.10(a)(ix) of the Purchase Agreement.

 

5.             Ratification.   Except as expressly amended hereby, all other terms and provisions of the Purchase and Sale Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The Parties acknowledge that the Purchase and Sale Agreement, as amended hereby, is ratified and confirmed to be in full force and effect and that all rights, powers and duties created thereunder or existing thereby are ratified and confirmed in all respects. El Paso hereby acknowledges that it shall guarantee the Sellers’ additional obligations under Section 2 hereunder in the same manner and to the same extent as it is liable for the Sellers’ obligations under the El Paso Guarantee.

 

6.             Execution in Counterparts.   For the convenience of the Parties, this Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

5



 

7.          Governing Law.      TIDS AMENDMENT AND THE LEGAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PARTIES (INCLUDING ANY CLAIMS MADE IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THAT WOULD DIRECT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

6



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Amendment on the Effective Date.

 

 

SELLER:

EP ENERGY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John Hopper

 

 

Name:

John Hopper

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

SELLER:

EP ENERGY HOLDING COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John Hopper

 

 

Name:

John Hopper

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

SELLER:

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio de Pinho

 

 

Name:

Antonio de Pinho

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

SELLER:

EP PRODUCTION INTERNATIONAL CAYMAN COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Francis Olmsted III

 

 

Name:

Francis Olmsted III

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

PURCHASER:

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Name:

Sam Oh

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

[Signatures continued on the following page]

 

 

Signature page to Amendment No. 2 to the PSA

 



 

 

THE UNDERSIGNED IS EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 2 AND 5 AND FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE.

 

 

 

ELPASOLLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John Hopper

 

Name:

John Hopper

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

Signature page to Amendment No. 2 to the PSA

 




Exhibit 3.1

 

Delaware

 

The first State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED ARE TRUE AND CORRECT COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS ON FILE OF “EP ENERGY LLC” AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE.

 

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED:

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION, FILED THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 2012, AT 5:35 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC” TO “EP ENERGY LLC”, FILED THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 9:28 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATES ARE THE ONLY CERTIFICATES ON RECORD OF THE AFORESAID LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, “EP ENERGY LLC”.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

5129536      8100H

120919677

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

AUTHENTICATION:

 

DATE:

 

9768587

 

08-09-12

 

1



 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 05:35 PM 03/23/2012

 

 

FILED 05:35 PM 03/23/2012

 

 

SRV 120350646 - 5129536 FILE

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

OF

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

The undersigned, an authorized natural person, for the purpose of forming a limited liability company, under the provisions and subject to the requirements of the State of Delaware (particularly Title 6, Chapter 18 of the Delaware Code and the acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, and known, identified, and referred to as the “ Delaware Limited Liability Company Act ”), hereby certifies that:

 

FIRST : The name of the limited liability company (hereinafter called the “ limited liability company ”) is Everest Acquisition LLC.

 

SECOND : The address of the registered office of the limited liability company in the State of Delaware is c/o the Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware, 19808.

 

THIRD : The name and address of the registered agent required to be maintained by Section 18-104 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act is the Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware, 19808.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Formation on March 23, 2012.

 



 

 

/s/ Jaime A. Madell

 

Name:

Jaime A. Madell

 

Title:

Authorized Person

 

Signature Page to Certificate of Formation of Everest Acquisition LLC

 



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 09:33 AM 05/24/2012

 

 

FILED 09:28 AM 05/24/2012

 

 

SRV 120623632 - 5129536 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO THE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

OF

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Formation of Everest Acquisition LLC (the “LLC”), pursuant to the provisions of Section 18-202 of the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST:

The name of the LLC is:

 

 

 

Everest Acquisition LLC

 

 

SECOND:

The article numbered “FIRST” of the Certificate of Formation of the LLC shall be amended as follows:

 

 

 

FIRST : The name of the limited liability company (hereinafter called the “ limited liability company ”) is EP Energy LLC .”

 

 

THIRD:

This Amendment to the Certificate of Formation shall be effective on the date and at the time filed.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Formation on this 24 th  day of May, 2012.

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Name:

Sam Oh

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 




Exhibit 3.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

THIS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of March 29, 2012, of EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), is adopted and entered into by the sole member of the Company, EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Sole Member ”), pursuant to and in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. C. § 18-101, et seq. ), as amended from time to time (the “ Act ”), and the terms of this Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore been formed as a limited liability company under the Act pursuant to a Certificate of Formation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 23, 2012;

 

WHEREAS, the Sole Member agrees that membership in and management of the Company shall be governed by the terms hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements herein made and other good and valuable consideration, the Sole Member hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.                                        Name . The name of the Company is “EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC”.

 

2.                                        Formation . The Company was formed upon the execution of the Certificate of Formation of the Company by Jaime A. Madell and the filing of such Certificate of Formation on March 23, 2012 with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, Jaime A. Madell being authorized to take such actions.

 

3.                                        Purpose . The Company is formed for the object and purpose of, and the nature of the business to be conducted and promoted by the Company is, engaging in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Act and engaging in any and all activities necessary or incidental to the foregoing. The Company shall have the authority to take all actions necessary or convenient to accomplish its purposes and operate its business as described in this Section 3.

 

4.                                        Registered Office and Registered Agent . The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware, 19808, and the name of its registered agent at such address is the Corporation Service Company. The Sole Member may change the registered office and registered agent of the Company from time to time.

 



 

5.                                        Principal Place of Business . The principal place of business of the Company is c/o Apollo Management VII, L.P., 9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor, New York, NY 10019. The Sole Member may change the office locations of the Company from time to time.

 

6.                                        Sole Member . The name and business address of the Sole Member is: EPE Holdings LLC, c/o Apollo Management VII, L.P., 9 West 57 th  Street, New York, New York 10019. The initial ownership interest of the Sole Member is 100%.

 

7.                                        Management .

 

(a)                                   Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, the Company shall be managed by the Sole Member in accordance with Section 18-402 of the Act. The Sole Member shall be deemed to be a “manager” for the purposes of applying the Act, unless the context otherwise requires, and shall have and be subject to all of the duties and liabilities of a “manager” provided in the Act and, except as otherwise limited herein, have all powers, statutory or otherwise, possessed by a manager under the laws of the State of Delaware. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any action to be taken in the name and on behalf of the Company shall require the prior approval of the Sole Member and the actions of the Sole Member shall bind the Company. The Sole Member may take any and all actions (including, without limitation, executing, delivering and performing on behalf of the Company any and all contracts, agreements, certificates, undertakings or other documents or instruments) and do any and all things necessary, desirable, convenient or incidental to carry on the business and purposes of the Company. The Sole Member may execute any contract, agreement, certificate, undertaking or other document or instrument as a “Managing Member”, a “Member”, a “Manager” or an “Authorized Person”. The Sole Member may delegate any responsibility or authority to any officer, employee or agent of the Company.

 

(b)                                  The Sole Member may from time to time, in its sole discretion, appoint any person as an officer of the Company, holding such titles and having such duties as determined by the Sole Member. Each officer of the Company shall be subject to removal with or without cause at any time by the Sole Member. Each of the individuals set forth on Schedule 1 hereto shall initially serve in the offices set forth opposite the name of such individual until the earlier of his retirement, removal, death or disability. Schedule 1 shall be amended to reflect any changes to any officers of the Company. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the action of any officer (including, without limitation, the execution and delivery by any officer, on behalf of the Company, of any and all contracts, agreements, certificates, undertakings or other documents or instruments) pursuant to authority granted by the Sole Member shall bind the Company.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Sections 7(a) and 7(b), any officer of the Company is empowered and authorized to take actions in the name and on behalf of the Company that are purely ministerial and administrative in nature, including, without limitation, to execute, file and record or cause

 

2



 

to be executed, filed and recorded all such certificates and documents, including amendments to the Certificate of Formation, and to do or cause to be done such other acts as may be appropriate to comply with all requirements for the formation, continuation and operation of a limited liability company, the ownership of property, the establishment and opening of one or more bank accounts and the conduct of business under the laws of the State of Delaware and any other jurisdiction in which the Company may own property or conduct business.

 

(d)                                  Any person dealing with the Company may rely upon a certificate signed by the Sole Member or any officer of the Company as to: (i) the identity of the Sole Member or any officer of the Company; and (ii) the person or persons who are authorized to execute and deliver any contract, agreement, certificate, undertaking or other document or instrument on behalf of the Company.

 

8.                                        Capital Contributions .

 

(a)                                   The Sole Member shall have no obligation to make any capital contributions to the Company, but may make such capital contributions to the Company as it may deem necessary or advisable in connection with the business of the Company from time to time.

 

(b)                                  The provisions of this Section 8 are intended solely to benefit the Sole Member and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be construed as conferring any benefit upon any creditor of the Company other than the Sole Member (and no such creditor of the Company shall be a third party beneficiary of this Agreement). The Sole Member shall not have a duty or obligation to any creditor of the Company to make any contribution to the Company or to issue any call for capital pursuant to this Section 8.

 

9.                                        Allocations of Profits and Losses . The Company’s profits and losses shall be allocated 100% to the Sole Member.

 

10.                                  Allocations of Profits and Losses for Tax Purposes . For federal income tax purposes, all items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit for any year shall be allocated in accordance with the manner in which such items of income, gain, deduction or loss affected the amounts which were either credited or charged to the capital account of the Sole Member during such year.

 

11.                                  Tax Matters . The Sole Member and the Company intend that the Company be treated as an entity disregarded from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and will file such necessary and appropriate forms in furtherance thereof.

 

12.                                  Distributions . Distributions shall be made to the Sole Member at the times and in the aggregate amounts determined by the Sole Member.

 

13.                                  Restrictions on Transfer . The Sole Member may offer, sell, assign, mortgage, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of or encumber, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly (“ Transfer ”), its interest in the Company at any time in its

 

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sole discretion. In the event of any such Transfer (other than in the case of a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of interest in the Company), the transferee shall as a condition to such Transfer execute a counterpart to this Agreement pursuant to which it agrees to be bound by the terms hereof, and any representation letter requested by the Sole Member to assure compliance with applicable laws (including the absence of any registration requirement or other obligation imposed on the Company or the Sole Member as a result of such Transfer).

 

14.                                  Admission of Additional or Substitute Member . Additional members and a substitute Sole Member may be admitted to the Company at any time with the prior written consent of the Sole Member. Prior to the admission of any such additional members of the Company, the Sole Member shall amend this Agreement to make such changes as the Sole Member shall determine to reflect the fact that the Company shall have more than one member and each additional member shall execute and deliver a counterpart of this Agreement, as amended.

 

15.                                  Liability of Sole Member and Officers .

 

(a)                                   Neither the Sole Member, any officer of the Company nor any of their respective affiliates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and used herein, “ Affiliates ”) shall be liable to the Company, any member of the Company, any officer of the Company or any of their respective Affiliates for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Sole Member, such officer or any of their respective Affiliates in good faith and with the belief that such action or omission was in the best interest of the Company, so long as such action or omission is not in violation of the provisions hereof and does not constitute fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct. Neither the Sole Member, any officer of the Company nor any of their respective Affiliates shall be liable to the Company, any member of the Company, any officer of the Company or any of their respective Affiliates for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any other member of the Company, any other officer of the Company or any of their respective Affiliates nor shall the Sole Member or any officer of the Company (in the absence of fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct by either Member or such officer, as the case may be) be liable to the Company, any member of the Company or any officer of the Company for any action or omission of any employee or agent of the Company.

 

(b)                                  The Sole Member shall not be obligated to restore by way of capital contribution or otherwise any deficit in its capital account (if such deficit occurs).

 

16.                                  Limited Liability of Members . Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein or in the Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and the Sole Member shall not be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a member.

 

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17.                                  Indemnification .

 

(a)                                   Indemnification of Protected Persons . To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless, protect and defend the Sole Member and each officer of the Company (each, a “ Protected Person ”) against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, including legal fees and expenses incurred in investigating or defending against any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, and any amounts expended in settlement of any claims approved by the Sole Member (collectively, “ Liabilities ”), to which any Protected Person may become subject:

 

(i)                                      by reason of any act or omission or alleged act or omission (even if negligent) performed or omitted to be performed in connection with the activities of the Company;

 

(ii)                                   by reason of the fact that it is or was acting in connection with the activities of the Company in any capacity or that it is or was serving at the request of the Company as a member, partner, shareholder, director, officer, employee or agent of any person; or

 

(iii)                                by reason of any other act or omission or alleged act or omission arising out of or in connection with the activities of the Company;

 

unless , in each case, such Liability results from such Protected Person’s own fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

(b)                                  Reimbursement of Expenses . The Company shall promptly reimburse (and/or advance to the extent reasonably required) each Protected Person for reasonable legal or other expenses (as incurred) of each Protected Person in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any claim, lawsuit or other proceeding relating to any Liabilities for which the Protected Person may be indemnified pursuant to this Section 17; provided , that such Protected Person executes a written undertaking to repay the Company for such reimbursed or advanced expenses if it is finally judicially determined that such Protected Person is not entitled to the indemnification provided by this Section 17.

 

(c)                                   Survival of Protection . The provisions of this Section 17 shall continue to afford protection to each Protected Person regardless of whether such Protected Person remains in the position or capacity pursuant to which such Protected Person became entitled to indemnification under this Section 17 and regardless of any subsequent amendment to this Agreement; provided , that no such amendment shall reduce or restrict the extent to which these indemnification provisions apply to actions taken or omissions made prior to the date of such amendment.

 

18.                                  Dissolution . The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up upon a decision to dissolve the Company made at any time by the Sole Member. In the absence of such a decision, the Company shall be dissolved and its affairs

 

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wound up upon the bankruptcy or dissolution of the Sole Member or as otherwise specifically required by the Act.

 

19.                                  Liquidation . Upon a dissolution pursuant to Section 18, the Company’s business and assets shall be liquidated in an orderly manner. The Sole Member shall designate a person to be the liquidator to wind up the affairs of the Company. In performing its duties, the liquidator is authorized to sell, distribute, exchange or otherwise dispose of Company assets in accordance with the Act in any manner that the liquidator shall determine.

 

20.                                  Amendments . This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by the Sole Member; provided , however , that Schedule 1 may be amended in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

21.                                  Benefits of Agreement . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditor of the Company, any creditor of the Sole Member or any creditor of any officer of the Company.

 

22.                                  Conflicts of Interest; Transactions with Affiliates . (a) The Sole Member and the Officers of the Company at any time and from time to time may engage in and possess interests in other business ventures of any and every type and description, independently or with others, including ones in competition with the Company, with no obligation to offer to the Company or the Sole Member or other officer the right to participate therein. The Sole Member and the officers of the Company may invest in, or provide services to, any person that directly or indirectly competes with the Company and shall have no obligation to present any business opportunity to the Company or the Sole Members, even if the opportunity is one that the Company might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so. The Sole Member and the officers of the Company shall not be liable to the Company or the Sole Member for breach of any fiduciary or other duty solely by reason of the fact that the Sole Member or such officers pursue or acquire such business opportunity, direct such business opportunity to another person or fail to present such business opportunity to the Company.

 

(b)                                  Transactions with Affiliates of the Company shall not be void, voidable or subject to change if made on terms that the Sole Member in good faith determines are no less favorable in the aggregate to the Company than would be obtainable on an arm’s-length basis from an unaffiliated third party. No party to such a transaction shall be obligated to obtain a fairness opinion concerning that transaction (for the avoidance of doubt, except to the extent, if at all, expressly set forth otherwise in any contract or binding agreement entered into by the Company). Nonetheless, an opinion provided by an independent third party valuation or similar firm to the effect that such a transaction is fair to the Company shall conclusively establish the fairness of that transaction.

 

23.                                  Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound hereby, has duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

SOLE MEMBER :

 

 

 

EPE HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Name:

Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Title:

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

Signature Page to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Everest Acquisition LLC

 



 

SCHEDULE 1

 

OFFICERS

 

(as of March 29, 2012)

 

President

Gregory Beard

 

 

Vice President

Sam Oh

 

 

Vice President & Secretary

John J. Suydam

 

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

Wendy F. Dulman

 

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

Katherine G. Newman

 

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

Cindy Z. Michel

 

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

Jessica L. Lomm

 




Exhibit 3.3

 

Delaware

 

The first State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED ARE TRUE AND CORRECT COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS ON FILE OF “EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC. “ AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE.

 

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED:

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, FILED THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 2012, AT 5:34 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATES ARE THE ONLY CERTIFICATES ON RECORD OF THE AFORESAID CORPORATION, “EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.”.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

5129542      8100H

120919702

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768605

DATE:

 

08-09-12

 

 

 

 

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State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 05:34 PM 03/23/2012

 

 

FILED 05:34 PM 03/23/2012

 

 

SRV 120350668 - 5129542 FILE

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

FIRST: The name of this corporation shall be Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

SECOND: Its registered office in the State of Delaware is to be located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware, 19808, and the name of its registered agent at such address is the Corporation Service Company.

 

THIRD: The purpose or purposes of the corporation shall be to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock which this corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000, all of which are without par value. All such shares are of one class and are shares of Common Stock.

 

FIFTH: The name and mailing address of the incorporator are as follows:

 

Name

 

Mailing Address

Jaime A. Madell

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019-6064

 

SIXTH: The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws.

 

SEVENTH: The personal liability of the directors of the corporation is hereby eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of paragraph (7) of subsection (b) of §102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same may be amended and supplemented.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the incorporator herein before named, has executed, signed and acknowledged this Certificate of Incorporation this 23 rd  day of March, 2012.

 

 

 

/s/ Jaime A. Madell

 

Jaime A. Madell

 

Incorporator

 

 

Signature Page to Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. Certificate of Incorporation

 




Exhibit 3.4

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

Section 1.     REGISTERED OFFICES. The registered office shall be in Wilmington, Delaware, or such other location as the Board of Directors may determine or the business of the corporation may require.

 

Section 2.     OTHER OFFICES. The corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

 

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1.     PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place within or outside the State of Delaware as designated by the Board of Directors. In the absence of any such designation, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.

 

Section 2.     ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year on a date and a time designated by the Board of Directors. At each annual meeting directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be transacted.

 

Section 3.     QUORUM; ADJOURNED MEETINGS AND NOTICE THEREOF. A majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, the holders of which are present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum and the votes present may continue to transact business until adjournment. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, a majority of the voting stock represented in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned

 



 

meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote thereat.

 

Section 4.     VOTING. When a quorum is present at any meeting, in all matters other than the election of directors, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes, or the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, a different vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

 

Section 5.     PROXIES. At each meeting of the stockholders, each stockholder having the right to vote may vote in person or may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing subscribed by such stockholder and bearing a date not more than three years prior to said meeting, unless said instrument provides for a longer period. All proxies must be filed with the Secretary of the corporation at the beginning of each meeting in order to be counted in any vote at the meeting. Each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock having voting power, registered in his name on the books of the corporation on the record date set by the Board of Directors as provided in Article VI, Section 5 hereof.

 

Section 6.     SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, may be called by the President and shall be called by the President or the Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors, or at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority in amount of the entire capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding, and entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.

 

Section 7.     NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which notice shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. The written notice of any meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation.

 

Section 8.     MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF STOCKHOLDER LIST. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the

 

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city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

 

Section 9.     STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or to an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Section 9 to the corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business or to an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

 

ARTICLE III

 

DIRECTORS

 

Section 1.     THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors shall consist of at least one (1) director. The number of directors shall be fixed or changed from time to time by the then appointed directors. The directors need not be stockholders. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article, and the directors elected shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified; provided, however, that unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or by law, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, either with or without cause, from the Board of Directors at any meeting of stockholders by a majority of the stock represented and entitled to vote thereat.

 

Section 2.     VACANCIES. Vacancies on the Board of Directors by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office, or otherwise, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole

 

3



 

remaining director. The directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute.

 

Section 3.     POWERS. The property and business of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities by these Bylaws expressly conferred upon them, the Board may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

Section 4.     PLACE OF DIRECTORS’ MEETINGS. The directors may hold their meetings and have one or more offices, and keep the books of the corporation outside of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 5.     REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

 

Section 6.     SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President on forty-eight hours’ notice to each director, either personally or by mail; special meetings shall be called by the President or the Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of two directors unless the Board consists of only one director; in which case special meetings shall be called by the President or Secretary in like manner or on like notice on the written request of the sole director.

 

Section 7.     QUORUM. At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the authorized number of directors shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum, shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. If only one director is authorized, such sole director shall constitute a quorum.

 

Section 8.     ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

 

Section 9.     TELEPHONIC MEETINGS. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications

 

4



 

equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 10.     COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each such committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the Bylaws of the corporation; and, unless the resolution or the Certificate of Incorporation expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock.

 

Section 11.     MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.

 

Section 12.     COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

OFFICERS

 

Section 1.     OFFICERS. The officers of this corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and shall include a Chairman of the Board of Directors or a President, or both, and a Secretary. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, such other officers as are desired, including a Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, one

 

5



 

or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 hereof. At the time of the election of officers, the directors may by resolution determine the order of their rank, if any. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise provide.

 

Section 2.     ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The Board of Directors, at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders, shall choose the officers of the corporation.

 

Section 3.     SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board.

 

Section 4.     TERM OF OFFICE; REMOVAL AND VACANCIES. The officers of the corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify in their stead. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. If the office of any officer or officers becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.     CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him by the Board of Directors or prescribed by these Bylaws. If there is no President, the Chairman of the Board shall in addition be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in Section 6 of this Article IV.

 

Section 6.     PRESIDENT. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board, if there be such an officer, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. He shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, or if there be none, at all meetings of the Board of Directors. He shall be an ex-officio member of all committees and shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of President and Chief Executive Officer of corporations, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

 

Section 7.     VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors, or if not ranked, the Vice President designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice Presidents shall have such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them, respectively, by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 8.     SECRETARY. The Secretary shall attend all sessions of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all

 

6



 

proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose; and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required by the Board of Directors. He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws. He shall keep in safe custody the seal of the corporation, and when authorized by the Board, affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed it shall be attested by his signature or by the signature of an Assistant Secretary. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the corporation and to attest the affixing by his signature.

 

Section 9.     ASSISTANT SECRETARY. The Assistant Secretary, or if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors, or if there be no such determination, the Assistant Secretary designated by the Board of Directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

Section 10.     CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys, and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation, in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, he shall give the corporation a bond, in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors, for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to the corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the corporation.

 

Section 11.     ASSISTANT TREASURER. The Assistant Treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors, or if there be no such determination, the Assistant Treasurer designated by the Board of Directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

ARTICLE V

 

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

Section 1.     PROCEEDINGS OTHER THAN THOSE BROUGHT BY THE CORPORATION. The corporation shall indemnify to the maximum extent permitted by law any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or

 

7



 

completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

Section 2.     PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT BY THE CORPORATION. The corporation shall indemnify to the maximum extent permitted by law any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

 

Section 3.     INDEMNIFICATION AGAINST EXPENSES. To the extent that a director or officer of the corporation shall be successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article V, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

 

Section 4.     AUTHORIZATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION AGAINST EXPENSES. Any indemnification under Sections 1 and 2 of this Article V (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article V. Such determination shall be made (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders. The corporation, acting through its Board of Directors or otherwise, shall

 

8



 

cause such determination to be made if so requested by any person who is indemnifiable under this Article V.

 

Section 5.     ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the corporation as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this Article V.

 

Section 6.     INDEMNIFICATION OF EXPENSES NOT EXCLUSIVE. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Article V shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

Section 7.     DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS INSURANCE. The Board of Directors may authorize, by a vote of a majority of a quorum of the Board of Directors, the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article V.

 

Section 8.     CORPORATION DEFINED; EFFECTS OF MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION. For the purposes of this Article V, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors or officers so that any person who is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article V with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

Section 9.     OTHER ENTERPRISES DEFINED. For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include service as a director or officer of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.

 

9



 

Section 10.     CESSATION OF DIRECTOR OR OFFICER STATUS. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article V shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

Section 11.     PROCEEDINGS INITIATED BY INDIVIDUAL. The corporation shall be required to indemnify a person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if the action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

 

Section 1.     CERTIFICATES. At the option of the Board of Directors, the stock of the corporation may be (i) uncertificated, evidenced by entries into the corporation’s stock ledger or other appropriate corporate books and records, as the Board of Directors may determine from time to time, or (ii) evidenced by a certificate signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation, certifying the number of shares represented by the certificate owned by such stockholder in the corporation.

 

Section 2.     SIGNATURES ON CERTIFICATES. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section 3.     LOST CERTIFICATES. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

Section 4.     TRANSFERS OF STOCK. Upon surrender to the corporation, or the transfer agent of the corporation, of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the

 

10



 

corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

 

Section 5.     FIXED RECORD DATE. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date which shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date which shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 6.     REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS. The corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim or interest in such share on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, save as expressly provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 1.     DIVIDENDS. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 2.     PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS; DIRECTORS’ DUTIES. Before payment of any dividend there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the directors may abolish any such reserve.

 

Section 3.     CHECKS. All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

 

Section 4.     FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

11



 

Section 5.     CORPORATE SEAL. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.” Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

 

Section 6.     MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE. Whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Notice to directors may also be given by telegram.

 

Section 7.     WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS

 

AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS OR STOCKHOLDERS. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors, when such power is conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation, at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors or at any special meeting of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors. If the power to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws is conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation it shall not divest or limit the power of the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws.

 

* * * * *

 

12




Exhibit 3.5

 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED ARE TRUE AND CORRECT COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS ON FILE OF “EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC” AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE.

 

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED:

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, FILED THE SIXTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1999, AT 10:45 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, FILED THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 2003, AT 1:30 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2003, AT 3:15 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

RESTATED CERTIFICATE, FILED THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2003, AT 3:16 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY” TO “EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY”, FILED THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2005, AT 9:30 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT IS THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2005, AT 10:30 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

3136209      8100H

120919824

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768704

 

 

 

DATE:

 

08-09-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

RESTATED CERTIFICATE, FILED THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY, A.D. 2006, AT 5:36 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP, FILED THE NINTH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2006, AT 8:41 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP IS THE THIRTIETH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2006, AT 9:15 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE TWELFTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 2008, AT 12:20 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP, FILED THE THIRTIETH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2010, AT 3:34 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP IS THE FIRST DAY OF JULY, A.D. 2010.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY” TO “EP ENERGY CORPORATION”, FILED THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF JULY, A.D. 2011, AT 11:47 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE TWELFTH DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 2012, AT 3:42 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

3136209      8100H

120919824

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768704

 

 

 

DATE:

 

08-09-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EP ENERGY CORPORATION” TO “EP ENERGY, L.L.C.”, FILED THE TWELFTH DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 2012, AT 3:43 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION, FILED THE TWELFTH DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 2012, AT 3:43 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EP ENERGY, L.L.C.” TO “EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC”, FILED THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 9:27 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATES ARE THE ONLY CERTIFICATES ON RECORD OF THE AFORESAID LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, “EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC”.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

3136209      8100H

120919824

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768704

 

 

 

DATE:

 

08-09-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3



 

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

 

FILED 10:45 AM 12/06/1999

 

 

991519121 - 3136209

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY

 

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is:

 

El Paso Production Holding Company

 

SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The name of the registered agent at the above address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“GCL”).

 

FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue shall be One Thousand (1,000) shares of Common Stock, par value One Dollar ($1.00) per share.

 

Shares of stock of the Corporation whether with or without par value, of any class or classes hereby or hereafter authorized may be issued by the Corporation from time to time for such consideration permitted by law as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

FIFTH: Unless required by the by-laws, the election of the Board of Directors need not be by written ballot.

 

Upon the filing of the Certificate of Incorporation, the powers of the incorporator shall terminate and the following named individuals, each of whose mailing address is set out beside his name, shall serve as director until the first meeting of the stockholders or until successors are elected and qualified:

 

 

H. Brent Austin

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

 

 

Ralph Eads

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

 

 

John B. Holmes, Jr.

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

 

 

William A. Wise

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 



 

SIXTH: The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, alter, or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation, but the stockholders may make additional by-laws and may alter or repeal any by-law whether or not adopted by them.

 

SEVENTH: The Corporation shall indemnify its officers and directors to the full extent permitted by the GCL, as amended from time to time.

 

EIGHTH: No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, for any act or omission, except that a director may be liable (i) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the GCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the GCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of the directors shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the GCL, as so amended. The elimination and limitation of liability provided herein shall continue after a director has ceased to occupy such position as to acts or omissions occurring during such director’s term or terms of office. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article Eighth shall not adversely affect any right of protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

NINTH: Margaret E. Roark is the sole incorporator and her mailing address is 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

 

 

/s/ Margaret E. Roark

 

Margaret E. Roark, Incorporator

 

 

 

 

Dated: December 6, 1999

 

 

2



 

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

 

FILED 01:30 PM 03/13/2003

 

 

030167801 - 3136209

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

1.                                        A new Article TENTH is hereby added to the Certificate of Incorporation as follows:

 

“TENTH:                                             Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or in the By-Laws to the contrary, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall at all times include at least one Independent Director. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as in effect from time to time, the Independent Director’s fiduciary duty in respect of any decision on any matters referred to in Article ELEVENTH shall be to the Corporation (including its creditors) rather than solely to the Corporation’s shareholders. In furtherance of the foregoing, when voting on matters subject to the vote of the Board of Directors, including those matters specified in Article ELEVENTH, notwithstanding that the Corporation is not then insolvent, the Independent Director shall take into account the interests of the creditors of the Corporation as the interests of the Corporation. The Independent Director may not be removed without the appointment of a successor Independent Director. For purposes of this Article TENTH, (a) “Independent” shall mean, when used with respect to any Person, a Person who (i) is in fact independent, (ii) does not have any direct financial interest or any material indirect financial interest in the Corporation or in any Affiliate of the Corporation, and (iii) is not, and has not been for a period of at least five years immediately preceding the calendar year of the election of such Person as Independent Director, connected as an officer, employee, promoter, underwriter, trustee, partner, director or person performing similar functions with the Corporation, any Affiliate of the Corporation or any Person with a material direct or indirect financial interest in the Corporation; (b) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, unincorporated association, any federal, state, county or municipal government or any bureau, department or agency thereof and any fiduciary acting in such capacity on behalf of any of the foregoing; and (c) “Affiliate” shall mean, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person shall mean the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.”

 

2.                                        A new Article ELEVENTH shall be added to the Certificate of Incorporation as follows:

 

ELEVENTH :                       Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws to the contrary, including, without limitation, Article THIRD and

 



 

Article SIXTH of this Certificate of Incorporation, and any provision of law that otherwise so empowers the Corporation, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote or unanimous written consent of all the members of the Board of Directors (including, in each case, at least one Independent Director), do any of the following:

 

(a)                                   dissolve or liquidate, or take corporate action in furtherance of any such action;

 

(b)                                  consolidate or merge with or into any other entity or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any entity;

 

(c)                                   institute proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, or consent to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against the Corporation, or file a petition seeking the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against the Corporation, or consent to reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law relating to bankruptcy, or consent to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Corporation or of a substantial part of its property, or make any assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or take corporate action in furtherance of any action;

 

(d)                                  delete, amend, supplement or otherwise modify any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation; or

 

(e)                                   delete, amend, supplement or otherwise modify any part of the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

3.                                        In lieu of a meeting and vote of stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote have given unanimous written consent to this Certificate of Amendment in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

4.                                        This Certificate of Amendment was duly authorized and effected in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 228 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY , has caused this certificate to be signed on its behalf by its Vice President, this 13th day of March 2003.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John J. Hopper

 

John J. Hopper

 

Vice President

 

3



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 01:00 PM 05/23/2003

 

 

FILED 03:15 PM 05/23/2003

 

 

SRV 030338252 - 3136209 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

SABINE RIVER INVESTORS VI, L.L.C.

 

and

 

SABINE RIVER INVESTORS IX, L.L.C.

 

with and into

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY

 


 

Pursuant to Section 264 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”)

and Section 18-209 of the

Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”)

 


 

El Paso Production Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for the purpose of merging (the “Merger”) Sabine River Investors VI, L.L.C., and Sabine River Investors IX, L.L.C., each a Delaware limited liability company (the “Subsidiaries”), with and into the Company, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of domicile of each of the constituent entities to the Merger is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Domicile

 

 

 

Sabine River Investors VI, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

Sabine River Investors IX, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

El Paso Red River Holding Company

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: That an Agreement of Merger dated May 23, 2003 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 264(c) of the DGCL and Section 18-209 of the DLLCA.

 

THIRD: That the name of the surviving corporation is El Paso Production Holding Company.

 

FOURTH: That the existing Certificate of Incorporation of the Company shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the surviving corporation.

 

FIFTH: That the effective date of the Merger shall be on May 23, 2003.

 



 

SIXTH: That an executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of business of the surviving corporation, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SEVENTH: That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished by the surviving corporation upon request and without cost to any member of the Subsidiary, or to any stockholder of the Company.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso Production Holding Company has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by David L. Siddall, its Vice President and attested by Margaret E. Roark, its Assistant Secretary, this 23rd day of May 2003.

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

 

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Margaret E. Roark

 

 

 

Margaret E. Roark, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

2


 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 02:11 PM 05/23/2003

 

 

FILED 03:16 PM 05/23/2003

 

 

SRV 030338311 - 3136209 FILE

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY

 

Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

El Paso Production Holding Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

 

1.             The name of the corporation is El Paso Production Holding Company (the “Corporation”). The original certificate of incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 6, 1999.

 

2.             This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and amends the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation and has been adopted and approved in accordance with Section 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Stockholder approval of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was given by unanimous written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

3.             The text of the Certificate of Incorporation, as heretofore amended, is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

 

FIRST:                    The name of the Corporation is El Paso Production Holding Company.

 

SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The name of the registered agent at the above address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“GCL”).

 

FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue shall be One Thousand (1,000) shares of Common Stock, par value One Dollar ($1.00) per share.

 

Shares of stock of the Corporation whether with or without par value, of any class or classes hereby or hereafter authorized may be issued by the Corporation from time to time for such consideration permitted by law as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 



 

FIFTH: Unless required by the by-laws, the election of the Board of Directors need not be by written ballot.

 

SIXTH: The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, alter, or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation, but the stockholders may make additional by-laws and may alter or repeal any by-law whether or not adopted by them.

 

SEVENTH: The Corporation shall indemnify its officers and directors to the full extent permitted by the GCL, as amended from time to time.

 

EIGHTH: No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, for any act or omission, except that a director may be liable (i) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the GCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the GCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of the directors shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the GCL, as so amended. The elimination and limitation of liability provided herein shall continue after a director has ceased to occupy such position as to acts or omissions occurring during such director’s term or terms of office. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article Eighth shall not adversely affect any right of protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY, has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed on its behalf by its Vice President, this 23rd day of May 2003

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 

2



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 09:25 PM 12/28/2005

 

 

FILED 09:30 PM 12/28/2005

 

 

SRV 051069298 - 3136209 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY (the “Company”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), by the written consent of its sole member, filed with the minutes of the Board, adopted a resolution proposing and declaring advisable the following amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company:

 

RESOLVED that it is deemed advisable that effective at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on December 31, 2005, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of this Company (the “Cert. of Inc.”) be amended, and that the Cert. of Inc. be so amended, by changing the Article thereof numbered “FIRST:” so that, as amended, said Article shall be and read as follows:

 

“FIRST: The name of the Corporation is El Paso Exploration & Production Company.”

 

SECOND: That in lieu of a meeting and vote of stockholders, the sole stockholder entitled to vote has given written consent to said amendment in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD: That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 242 and 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

FOURTH: That in accordance with the aforesaid amendment, the effective time and date of this Certificate of Amendment are 10:30 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on December 31, 2005.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY has caused the foregoing Certificate of Amendment to be signed on its behalf by its President and attested by an Assistant Secretary, this 28th day of December 2005.

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION HOLDING COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Margaret E. Roark

 

 

Margaret E. Roark, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

Prod./Pipes Reorg. Step 13 of 18

 

2



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 05:47 PM 02/16/2006

 

 

FILED 05:36 PM 02/16/2006

 

 

SRV 060149604 - 3136209 FILE

 

RESTATED

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

Pursuant to Section 245 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

El Paso Exploration & Production Company, a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify:

 

1.                                        The name of the corporation is El Paso Exploration & Production Company (the “Corporation”). The Corporation was originally incorporated under the name El Paso Production Holding Company. The original certificate of incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 6, 1999.

 

2.                                        This Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been adopted and approved in accordance with Section 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and this Restated Certificate of Incorporation only restates and integrates and does not further amend the provisions of the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Certification as theretofore amended or supplemented.

 

3.                                        The text of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby restated and integrated to read in its entirety as follows:

 

FIRST :     The name of the Corporation is El Paso Exploration & Production Company.

 

SECOND : The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The name of the registered agent at the above address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“GCL”).

 

FOURTH : The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue shall be One Thousand (1,000) shares of Common Stock, par value One Dollar ($1.00) per share. Shares of stock of the Corporation whether with or without par value, of any class or classes hereby or hereafter authorized may be issued by the Corporation from time to time for such consideration permitted by law as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 



 

FIFTH: Unless required by the by-laws, the election of the Board of Directors need not be by written ballot.

 

SIXTH: The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, alter, or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation, but the stockholders may make additional by-laws and may alter or repeal any by-law whether or not adopted by them.

 

SEVENTH : The Corporation shall indemnify its officers and directors to the full extent permitted by the GCL, as amended from time to time.

 

EIGHTH : No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, for any act or omission, except that a director may be liable (i) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the GCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the GCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of the directors shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the GCL, as so amended. The elimination and limitation of liability provided herein shall continue after a director has ceased to occupy such position as to acts or omissions occurring during such director’s term or terms of office. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article Eighth shall not adversely affect any right of protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed by a duly authorized officer this 15th day of February 2006.

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas M. Hart

 

 

Thomas M. Hart

 

 

Vice President

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

 

MERGING

 

MEDICINE BOW ENERGY CORPORATION

 

INTO

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

 


 

(Pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.)

 


 

El Paso Exploration & Production Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for the purpose of merging Medicine Bow Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Subsidiary”), with and into the Company, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST:                               That the name and state of incorporation of each constituent corporation of the merger is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation

 

 

 

Medicine Bow Energy Corporation

 

Delaware

El Paso Exploration & Production Company

 

Delaware

 

SECOND:                That the Company owns all of the outstanding shares of each class of the capital stock of the Subsidiary.

 

THIRD:                           Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of the resolutions adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors dated as of the 31st day of May 2006, pursuant to which the Company determined to merge into itself the Subsidiary on the conditions set forth in such resolutions.

 

FOURTH:               That this Certificate of Ownership and Merger and the merger contemplated hereby shall be effective at 9:15 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on June 30, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

 

Delivered 09:16 PM 06/09/2006

 

 

 

FILED 08:41 PM 06/09/2006

 

 

 

SRV 060562319 - 3136209 FILE

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said El Paso Exploration & Production Company, has caused the foregoing Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be signed by Lisa A. Stewart, its President, and attested by Margaret E. Roark, one of its Assistant Secretaries, this 31st day of May 2006.

 

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

 

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Margaret E. Roark

 

 

 

 

Margaret E. Roark, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

2



 

EXHIBIT A

 

WHEREAS, this Company is the owner of all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Medicine Bow Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Subsidiary”);

 

WHEREAS, effective on June 30, 2006, this Company desires to merge the Subsidiary with and into itself and to possess all of the estate, property, rights, privileges and franchises of the Subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of this Company believes it is in the best interest of this Company to merge the Subsidiary with and into itself;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Company merge the Subsidiary with and into itself, that the separate existence of the Subsidiary cease on the Effective Date (hereafter defined), and that this Company, as the surviving Company of the merger pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), continue to exist by virtue of and be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware (such actions, collectively, being called the “Merger”).

 

RESOLVED that the Merger be, and hereby is, approved.

 

RESOLVED that the Merger shall be effective on June 30, 2006 (such date being referred to herein as the “Effective Date”).

 

RESOLVED that, on the Effective Date, this Company, without further action, as provided by the laws of the State of Delaware, succeed to and possess all the rights, privileges, powers, and franchises, of a public as well as of a private nature, of the Subsidiary; and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due on whatsoever account, including subscriptions to shares, and all other choses in action, and all and every other interest, of or belonging to or due to the Subsidiary shall be vested in this Company without further act or deed; and all property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises, and all and every other interest shall thereafter be as effectively the property of this Company as they were of the Subsidiary, and the title to any real estate, or any interest therein, vested in this Company or the Subsidiary by deed or otherwise shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger. This Company shall thereafter be responsible and liable for all debts, liabilities, and duties of the Subsidiary, which may be enforced against this Company to the same extent as if those debts, liabilities, and duties had been incurred or contracted by this Company. Neither the rights of

 

3



 

creditors nor any liens upon the property of the Subsidiary or this Company shall be impaired by the Merger.

 

RESOLVED that, on the Effective Date, each share of common stock of the Subsidiary be cancelled.

 

RESOLVED that any officer of this Company be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to execute and acknowledge in the name and on behalf of this Company a Certificate of Ownership and Merger setting forth, among other things, a copy of these resolutions and the date of their adoption; and that each such officer is hereby authorized and directed to cause the executed Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and to cause certified copies of that Certificate to be recorded in the Offices of the Recorder of Deeds of the appropriate counties, all in accordance with Sections 103 and 253 of the DGCL.

 

RESOLVED that the proper officers be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and empowered, in the name and on behalf of this Company, or any Subsidiary of this Company, to do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such acts, deeds and things, to make, execute, and deliver, or cause to be made, executed, and delivered, all such agreements, guaranties, notes, evidences of borrowings, undertakings, documents, instruments and certificates as each such officer may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate and carry out fully the purpose and intent of the foregoing resolutions.

 

RESOLVED that at any time prior to the Effective Date, the Board of Directors of this Company may terminate the Merger and if, at the time of such termination, a Certificate of Ownership and Merger has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, any officer of this Company be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to execute and acknowledge in the name and on behalf of this Company a Certificate of Termination.

 

RESOLVED that any and all actions heretofore taken by any officer of this Company, or any Subsidiary of this Company, in connection with the foregoing resolutions be, and hereby are, ratified and approved.

 

4



 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

of

 

EL PASO E&P INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION,

 

a Delaware corporation

 

into

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION  & PRODUCTION COMPANY,

 

a Delaware corporation

 

The undersigned corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST:                               That the name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations of the merger are as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation:

El Paso E&P International Corporation

 

Delaware

El Paso Exploration & Production Company

 

Delaware

 

SECOND:                That an Agreement and Plan of Merger among the parties to the merger has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent corporations in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c) of Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD:                           That the name of the surviving corporation is El Paso Exploration & Production Company.

 

FOURTH:               That the existing certificate of incorporation of El Paso Exploration & Production Company shall be the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation.

 

FIFTH:                              That the executed Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at the principal place of business of the surviving corporation. The address of the principal place of business of the surviving corporation is 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

 

 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

 

Delivered 12:23 PM 11/12/2008

 

 

 

FILED 12:20 PM 11/12/2008

 

 

 

SRV 081109470 - 3136209 FILE

 



 

SIXTH:                            That a copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by the surviving corporation, on request and without cost, to any stockholder of any constituent corporation.

 

SEVENTH:          That this Certificate of Merger shall be effective upon filing.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said El Paso Exploration & Production Company has caused this certificate to be signed by Brent J. Smolik, its President, and attested by Joyce Allen-Dennis, its Assistant Secretary this 7th day of November, 2008.

 

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Brent J. Smolik

 

 

Name:

Brent J. Smolik

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joyce Allen-Dennis

 

 

 

 

Joyce Allen-Dennis, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 


 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 03:39 PM 06/30/2010

 

FILED 03:34 PM 06/30/2010

 

SRV 100705955 - 3136209 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

 

merging

 

EL PASO E&P INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY

 

into

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

 


 

(Pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.)

 


 

El Paso Exploration & Production Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for the purpose of merging El Paso E&P International Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Subsidiary”) with and into this Company, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST:            That the name and state of incorporation of each constituent corporation of the merger is as follows:

 

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso E&P International Holding Company

 

Delaware

 

 

El Paso Exploration & Production Company

 

Delaware

 

 

SECOND:       That the Company owns all of the outstanding shares of each class of the capital stock of the Subsidiary.

 

THIRD:          Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of the resolutions adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors dated as of the 24th day of June 2010, pursuant to which the Company determined to merge into itself the Subsidiary on the conditions set forth in such resolutions.

 

FOURTH:      That this Certificate of Ownership and Merger and the merger contemplated hereby shall be effective on July 1, 2010.

 



 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said El Paso Exploration & Production Company, has caused this certificate to be signed by Francis C. Olmsted III, its Vice President, and attested by Joseph C. James, its Assistant Secretary, this 24th day of June 2010.

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

Vice President

 

 

Attest:

 

 

By:

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

 

Joseph C. James, Assistant Secretary

 

 

2



 

EXHIBIT A

 

WHEREAS, this Company is the owner of all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of El Paso E&P International Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Subsidiary”);

 

WHEREAS, this Company desires to merge the Subsidiary with and into itself and to possess all of the estate, property, rights, privileges and franchises of the Subsidiary; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of this Company believes it is in the best interest of this Company to merge the Subsidiary with and into itself;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Company merge the Subsidiary with and into itself, that the separate existence of the Subsidiary cease on the Effective Date (hereafter defined), and that this Company, as the surviving Company of the merger pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), continue to exist by virtue of and be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware (such actions, collectively, being called the “Merger”).

 

RESOLVED that the Merger be, and hereby is, approved.

 

RESOLVED that the Merger shall be effective on July 1, 2010 (such date being referred to herein as the “Effective Date”).

 

RESOLVED that, on the Effective Date, this Company, without further action, as provided by the laws of the State of Delaware, succeed to and possess all the rights, privileges, powers, and franchises, of a public as well as of a private nature, of the Subsidiary; and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due on whatsoever account, including subscriptions to shares, and all other choses in action, and all and every other interest, of or belonging to or due to the Subsidiary shall be vested in this Company without further act or deed; and all property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises, and all and every other interest shall thereafter be as effectively the property of this Company as they were of the Subsidiary; and the title to any real estate, or any interest therein, vested in this Company or the Subsidiary by deed or otherwise shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger. This Company shall thereafter be responsible and liable for all debts, liabilities, and duties of the Subsidiary, which may be enforced against this Company to the same extent as if those debts, liabilities, and duties had been incurred or contracted by this Company. Neither the rights of creditors nor any liens upon the property of the Subsidiary or this Company shall be impaired by the Merger.

 

RESOLVED that, on the Effective Date, each share of common stock of the Subsidiary be cancelled.

 

RESOLVED that any officer of this Company be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to execute and acknowledge in the name and on behalf of this

 

3



 

Company a Certificate of Ownership and Merger setting forth, among other things, a copy of these resolutions and the date of their adoption; and that each such officer is hereby authorized and directed to cause the executed Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and to cause certified copies of that Certificate to be recorded in the Offices of the Recorder of Deeds of the appropriate counties, all in accordance with Sections 103 and 253 of the DGCL.

 

RESOLVED that the proper officers be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and empowered, in the name and on behalf of this Company, or any Subsidiary of this Company, to do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such acts, deeds and things, to make, execute, and deliver, or cause to be made, executed, and delivered, all such agreements, guaranties, notes, evidences of borrowings, undertakings, documents, instruments and certificates as each such officer may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate and carry out fully the purpose and intent of the foregoing resolutions.

 

RESOLVED that at any time prior to the Effective Date, the Board of Directors of this Company may terminate the Merger and if, at the time of such termination, a Certificate of Ownership and Merger has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, any officer of this Company be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to execute and acknowledge in the name and on behalf of this Company a Certificate of Termination.

 

RESOLVED that any and all actions heretofore taken by any officer of this Company, or any Subsidiary of this Company, in connection with the foregoing resolutions be, and hereby are, ratified and approved.

 

4



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 11:52 AM 07/27/2011

 

FILED 11:47 AM 07/27/2011

 

SRV 110862141 - 3136209 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

El Paso Exploration & Production Company (the “Company”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the Board of Directors of the Company, by the unanimous written consent of its members, filed with the minutes of the Board, adopted a resolution proposing and declaring advisable the following amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company:

 

RESOLVED that it is deemed advisable that the Certificate of Incorporation of this Company be amended, and that said Certificate of Incorporation be so amended, by changing the Article thereof numbered “FIRST:” so that, as amended, said Article shall be and read as follows:

 

FIRST: The name of the corporation is EP Energy Corporation

 

SECOND: That in lieu of a meeting and vote of stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote have given unanimous written consent to said amendment in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD: That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 242 and 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said El Paso Exploration & Production Company has caused this certificate to be signed on its behalf by a Vice President and attested by an Assistant Secretary, this 27 th  day of July 2011.

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

Vice President

 

Attest:

 

 

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

Joseph C. James, Assistant Secretary

 

 


 

 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 03:42 PM 03/12/2012

FILED 03:42 PM 03/12/2012

SRV 120300717 - 3136209 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

between

 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

 

AND

 

EL PASO EPE MERGER COMPANY

 

The undersigned corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST:             That the name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations of the merger are as follows:

 

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation:

 

 

EP Energy Corporation

 

Delaware

 

 

El Paso EPE Merger Company

 

Delaware

 

 

SECOND:        That an Agreement and Plan of Merger among the parties to the merger has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent corporations in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c) of Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD:           That the name of the surviving corporation in the merger is EP Energy Corporation.

 

FOURTH:       That the existing certificate of incorporation of EP Energy Corporation shall be the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation.

 

FIFTH:            That the executed Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at the principal place of business of the surviving corporation. The address of the principal place of business of the surviving corporation is 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SIXTH:            That a copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by the surviving corporation, on request and without cost, to any stockholder of any constituent corporation.

 

SEVENTH:      That this Certificate of Merger shall be effective upon filing with the Delaware Secretary of state in the state of Delaware.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said EP Energy Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by Francis C. Olmsted III, its Vice President this 8 th day of March, 2012.

 

 

EP ENERGY CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Name:

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Title:

Vice President

 



 

 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 03:42 PM 03/12/2012

FILED 03:43 PM 03/12/2012

SRV 120300728 - 3136209 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

FROM A CORPORATION TO A

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

PURSUANT TO SECTION 266

OF THE DELAWARE

GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

AND SECTION 18-214 OF THE

DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT

 

This Certificate of Conversion of EP Energy Corporation (the “Corporation”) effective on March 9, 2012, is being duly executed and filed by an authorized person of the Corporation to convert the Corporation to a Delaware limited liability company in accordance with Section 266 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) and Section 18-214 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”).

 

1.              The name of the Corporation set forth in its original Certificate of Incorporation was:

 

El Paso Production Holding Company

 

2.              The name of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion was:

 

EP Energy Corporation

 

3.              The jurisdiction of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion was:

 

Delaware

 

4.              The jurisdiction where the Corporation was first created is:

 

Delaware

 

5.              The date the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed is:

 

December 6, 1999

 

6.              The name of the limited liability company (the “LLC”) as set forth in its Certificate of Formation is:

 

EP Energy, L.L.C.

 

7.              This conversion has been approved in accordance with the provisions of Section 266 of the DGCL and Section 18-214 of the DLLCA.

 

8.              This Certificate of Conversion shall be effective upon filing with the Delaware Secretary of state in the state of Delaware.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Conversion has been executed by an authorized person of the Corporation on the 9 th  day of March, 2012.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

 

Joseph C. James

 

 

Authorized Person

 

2



 

 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 03:42 PM 03/12/2012

FILED 03:43 PM 03/12/2012

SRV 120300728 - 3136209 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

EP ENERGY, L.L.C.

 

This Certificate of Formation of EP Energy, L.L.C. (the “LLC”) dated as of March 9, 2012, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as an authorized person, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C.§§ 18-101, et . seq.

 

 

FIRST:

 

The name of the LLC formed hereby is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

SECOND:

The address of the registered office of the LLC in the State of Delaware is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporation Trust Center

 

 

 

1209 Orange Street

 

 

 

New Castle County

 

 

 

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

 

 

 

THIRD:

The name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the LLC in the State of Delaware are:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Corporation Trust Company

 

 

 

Corporation Trust Center

 

 

 

1209 Orange Street

 

 

 

New Castle County

 

 

 

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

 

 

 

FOURTH:

The Certificate of Formation shall be effective upon filing with the Delaware Secretary of state in the state of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Certificate of Formation to be executed, this 9 th  day of March, 2012.

 

 

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

Joseph C. James

 

Authorized Person

 



 

 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 09:33 AM 05/24/2012

FILED 09:27 AM 05/24/2012

SRV 120623622 - 3136209 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO THE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

OF

 

EP ENERGY, L.L.C.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Formation of EP Energy, L.L.C. (the “LLC”), pursuant to the provisions of Section 18-202 of the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST:

The name of the LLC is:

 

 

 

EP Energy, L.L.C.

 

 

SECOND:

The article numbered “FIRST” of the Certificate of Formation of the LLC shall be amended as follows:

 

 

 

“FIRST:

The name of the LLC formed hereby is:

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Global LLC”

 

 

THIRD:

This Amendment to the Certificate of Formation shall be effective on the date and at the time filed.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Formation on this 24th day of May, 2012.

 

 

EP ENERGY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

 

Name: Joseph C. James

 

 

Title: Assistant Secretary

 




Exhibit 3.6

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

PREAMBLE

 

This FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT of EP Energy Global LLC (the “Company”) is entered into effective as of the 24th day of May, 2012, by EP Energy LLC (the “Member”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company was formed under the name of EP Energy, L.L.C. as a limited liability company under the Act (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to the filing of the Certificate of Formation (as hereinafter defined) on March 12, 2012, and the execution of that certain Agreement of Limited Liability Company dated as of March 12, 2012, by the Member (the “Original Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, on May 24, 2012, the Company changed its name to EP Energy Global LLC, evidenced by the filing of an Amended Certificate of Formation with the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware; and

 

WHEREAS, Everest Acquisition LLC amended and restated the Original Agreement on May 24, 2012 by entering into the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company (the “Amended and Restated Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, on May 24, 2012, Everest Acquisition LLC changed its name to EP Energy LLC, evidenced by the filing of an Amended Certificate of Formation with the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware; and

 

WHEREAS, EP Energy LLC, as the sole Member (as hereinafter defined) of EP Energy Global LLC, desires to amend and restate the Amended and Restated Limited Company Agreement for the purposes and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants herein contained, EP Energy LLC does hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

 

SECTION 1.01. Definitions . Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

1



 

Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del C. §§ 18-101, et seq., as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding Law).

 

Agreement means this Limited Liability Company Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Board has the meaning given such term in Section 6.01.

 

Capital Contribution means a capital contribution made by the Member pursuant to Section 3.01 or Section 3.02.

 

Certificate of Conversion means the Certificate of Conversion filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware effective as of March 12, 2012, to convert the Company from a Delaware corporation to a Delaware limited liability company pursuant to the Act, as originally executed by Joseph C. James (as an authorized person within the meaning of the Act).

 

Certificate of Formation means the Certificate of Formation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware effective as of March 12, 2012, to form the Company pursuant to the Act, as originally executed by Joseph C. James (as an authorized person within the meaning of the Act) and as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, as the context requires.

 

Claim means any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (joint or several), expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses), judgments, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative), deficiencies, levies, duties, imposts, remediation and cleanup costs and natural resources damages.

 

Director has the meaning given such term in Section 6.02.

 

Distributable Cash means cash (in U.S. dollars) of the Company that the Member determines is available for distribution.

 

Interest means, with respect to any Member the ownership interest in the Company at any time, as set forth on Exhibit A, including the right of the Member to any and all benefits to which the Member may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with the obligations of the Member to comply with all the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

Law means any applicable constitutional provision, statute, act, code (including the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time), law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, decree, ruling, proclamation, notice, resolution, judgment, decision, declaration, policy statement or interpretative or advisory opinion or letter of a Governmental Authority having valid jurisdiction.

 

Member refers to the Member set forth in Exhibit A hereto and any other member or members admitted to the Company in accordance with this Agreement or any amendment or restatement hereof.

 

2



 

Person has the meaning set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally . The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Articles, Sections and Exhibits shall be deemed to be references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”

 

ARTICLE II

FORMATION

 

SECTION 2.01. Name . The name of the Company shall be as set forth in the Preamble hereof. All business of the Company shall be conducted under such name and title to all property, real, personal, or mixed, owned by or leased to the Company shall be held in such name. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Member may change the name of the Company or adopt such trade or fictitious names as it may determine.

 

SECTION 2.02. Formation and Term . The Company was first incorporated as a Delaware corporation under Delaware General Corporation Law on December 6, 1999. By filing the Certificate of Conversion and the Certificate of Formation, the Company has been converted and continued as a Delaware limited liability company under the Act. The term of the Company shall continue until terminated as provided in Article VIII hereof.

 

SECTION 2.03. Principal Place of Business . The principal place of business of the Company shall be located at 1001 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002. The Member may establish other offices at other locations.

 

SECTION 2.04. Agent for Service of Process . The Corporation Trust Company shall be the registered agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The address of such agent within the State of Delaware is: Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801.

 

SECTION 2.05. Purposes of the Company . The Company has been organized to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a Delaware limited liability company may be formed.

 

ARTICLE III

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 3.01. Capital Contribution . The Member made contributions in the amounts shown in the records of the Company.

 

SECTION 3.02. Additional Capital Contributions . If at any time the Member shall determine that additional funds or property are necessary or desirable to meet the obligations or needs of the Company, the Member may make additional Capital Contributions.

 

3



 

SECTION 3.03. Limitation on Liability . The liability of the Member shall be limited to its Interest in the Company, and the Member shall not have any personal liability to contribute money to, or in respect of, the liabilities or the obligations of the Company, except as set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 3.04. Withdrawal of Capital; Interest . The Member may not withdraw capital or receive any distributions, except as specifically provided herein. No interest shall be paid by the Company on any Capital Contributions.

 

ARTICLE IV

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 4.01. Distributions . Except as otherwise provided in the Act, all Distributable Cash of the Company shall be distributed to the Member, or distributions in kind may be made to the Member at such times as the Member shall determine.

 

ARTICLE V

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

SECTION 5.01. Books and Records . The Member shall keep or cause to be kept complete and accurate books of account and records that shall reflect all transactions and other matters and include all documents and other materials with respect to the Company’s business that are usually entered into and maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses. All Company financial statements shall be accurate in all material respects, shall fairly present the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations and Distributable Cash and transactions in its reserve accounts, and shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, subject, in the case of quarterly statements, to year-end adjustments. The books of the Company shall at all times be maintained at the principal office of the Company or at such other location as the Member decides.

 

ARTICLE VI

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

SECTION 6.01. Management by Board of Directors . The business and affairs of the Company shall be fully vested in, and managed by, a Board of Directors (the “Board”) and subject to the discretion of the Board, officers elected pursuant to Section 6.13. The Directors and officers shall collectively constitute “managers” of the Company within the meaning of the Act. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the authority and functions of the Board, on the one hand, and of the officers, on the other hand, shall be identical to the authority and functions of the board of directors and officers, respectively, of a corporation organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The officers shall be vested with such powers and duties as are set forth in Section 6.13 and as are specified by the Board. Accordingly, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board, and the day-to-day activities of the Company shall be conducted on the Company’s behalf by the officers who shall be agents of the Company.

 

4



 

SECTION 6.02. Number; Qualification; Tenure

 

The number of directors constituting the Board shall be no less than two (each a “Director” and, collectively, the “Directors”), and may be fixed from time to time pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Member. A Director need not be a Member. Each Director shall be elected or approved by the Member and shall serve as a Director of the Company for a term of one year (or their earlier death or removal from office) or until their successors are elected and qualified. The initial Directors of the Company shall be Francis C. Olmsted III and Brent J. Smolik.

 

SECTION 6.03. Regular Meetings .

 

Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such time and place as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board. Notice of such regular meetings shall not be required.

 

SECTION 6.04. Special Meetings .

 

A special meeting of the Board may be called at any time at the request of the President or any two Directors.

 

SECTION 6.05. Notice .

 

Written notice of all special meetings of the Board must be given to all Directors at least one business day prior to any special meeting of the Board.

 

All notices and other communications to be given to Directors shall be sufficiently given for all purposes hereunder if in writing and delivered by hand, courier or overnight delivery service or three days after being mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, with appropriate postage prepaid, or when received in the form of a telegram or facsimile, and shall be directed to the address or facsimile number as such Director shall designate by notice to the Company. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board need be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for amendments to this Agreement, as provided herein.

 

Attendance of a Director at a meeting shall constitute waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such Director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the Directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting either before or after such meeting.

 

5



 

SECTION 6.06. Action By Consent of Board or Committee of Board .

 

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, or any committee of the Board, may act without a meeting so long as all members of the Board or committee shall have executed a written consent with respect to any action taken in lieu of a meeting.

 

SECTION 6.07. Conference Telephone Meetings . Directors or members of any committee of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

SECTION 6.08. Quorum .

 

A majority of all Directors, present in person or participating in accordance with Section 6.07, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, all decisions of the Board, or any committee of the Board, shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of all Directors of the Board, or any committee of the Board, respectively. The Directors present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Directors to leave less than a quorum.

 

SECTION 6.09. Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors .

 

Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of Directors shall be filled by the Board in its sole discretion. Any Director so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until his successor shall be duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced.

 

SECTION 6.10. Committees .

 

Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of a provision by the Board or a provision in the rules of such committee to the contrary, a majority of the entire authorized number of members of such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, the vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting at the time of such vote if a quorum is then present shall be the act of such committee, and in other respects such committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board conducts its business. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board from appointing one or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not Directors; provided, however, that no such committee shall have or may exercise any authority of the Board.

 

SECTION 6.11. Removal .

 

Any Director or the entire Board may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Member.

 

6



 

SECTION 6.12. Compensation of Directors .

 

Except as expressly provided in any written agreement between the Company and a Director or by resolution of the Board, no Director shall receive any compensation from the Company for services provided to the Company in its capacity as a Director, except that each Director shall be compensated for attendance at Board meetings at rates of compensation as from time to time established by the Board or a committee thereof; provided, however, that Directors who are also employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof shall receive no compensation for their services as Directors or committee members. In addition, the Directors who are not employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof shall be entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board or committees thereof.

 

SECTION 6.13. Officers . Such of the following officers shall be elected as the Board deems necessary or appropriate: a President, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Controller, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Controllers, and such other officers with such titles and powers and/or duties as the Board shall from time to time determine. Officers may be designated for particular areas of responsibility and simultaneously serve as officers of subsidiaries or divisions. Any officer so elected may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein, no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Company, but the election or appointment of any officer shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any vacancy occurring in any office by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board.

 

(a)           President. The President shall have general control of the business, affairs, operations and property of the Company, subject to the supervision of the Board. He may sign or execute, in the name of the Company, all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other undertakings or instruments, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Board to some other officer or agent of the Company. He shall have and may exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by Law or as are incident to the office of President of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as are assigned from time to time by the Board.

 

(b)           Vice Presidents. Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by Law or as may from time to time be assigned to him, either generally or in specific instances, by the Board or the President. Any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the President at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the President or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

7


 

Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have authority to sign or execute all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Company, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Board to some other officer or agent of the Company.

 

(c)           Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the records of the Company, in books provided for the purpose; he shall be custodian of the seal or seals of the Company; he shall see that the seal is affixed to all documents requiring same, the execution of which, on behalf of the Company, under its seal, is duly authorized, and when said seal is so affixed he may attest same; and, in general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the secretary of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation), and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board or the President or as may be provided by Law. Any Assistant Secretary may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the Secretary at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the Secretary or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(d)           Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds, securities, receipts and disbursements of the Company, and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, in the name of the Company, all moneys or other valuable effects in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall, from time to time, be selected by or under authority of the Board; if required, he shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties, with such surety or sureties as the Board may determine; he shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate records of all receipts and disbursements in books of the Company and shall render to the Board or the President, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of the Company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation); and, in general, he shall perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer of a company, and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board or the President or as may be provided by Law.

 

(e)           Controller. The Controller shall be the chief accounting officer of the Company. He shall keep full and accurate accounts of the assets, liabilities, commitments, receipts, disbursements and other financial transactions of the Company; shall cause regular audits of the books and records of account of the Company and supervise the preparation of the Company’s financial statements; and, in general, he shall perform the duties incident to the office of controller of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board or the President or as may be provided by Law. If no Controller is elected by the Board, the Treasurer shall perform the duties of the office of controller.

 

(f)            Tax Officer. The Tax Officer shall have the authority to sign or execute on behalf of this Company any federal, foreign, Indian, state or local tax return or report, claim for refund of taxes, extension of a statute of limitation, administrative tax appeals filings and any other document relating to this Company’s tax responsibilities.

 

8



 

ARTICLE VII

TRANSFERS OF COMPANY INTERESTS

 

SECTION 7.01. Transfers . The Member may, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its Interest. Any Person acquiring the Member’s Interest shall be admitted to the Company as a substituted Member with no further action being required on the part of the Member.

 

ARTICLE VIII

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

 

SECTION 8.01. Dissolution . The Company shall be dissolved and its business wound up upon the decision made at any time by the Member to dissolve the Company, or upon the occurrence of any event of dissolution under the Act.

 

SECTION 8.02. Liquidation . Upon dissolution, the Company’s business shall be liquidated in an orderly manner. The Member shall wind up the affairs of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and in accordance with the Act, including, without limitation, Section 18-804 thereof.

 

SECTION 8.03. Distribution of Property . If in the discretion of the Member it becomes necessary to make a distribution of Company property in kind in connection with the liquidation of the Company, such property shall be transferred and conveyed to the Member subject to Section 18-804 of the Act.

 

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 9.01. General . Except to the extent expressly prohibited by the Act, the Company shall indemnify each Person made or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, by reason of the fact that such Person or such Person’s testator or intestate is or was a Member, Director or officer of the Company, against Claims incurred in connection with such action or proceeding, or any appeal therefrom; provided that no such indemnification shall be made if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such Person establishes that his conduct did not meet the then applicable minimum statutory standards of conduct; and provided, further, that no such indemnification shall be required in connection with any settlement or other non-adjudicated disposition of any threatened or pending action or proceeding unless the Company has given its prior consent to such settlement or such other disposition, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.02. Reimbursement . The Company shall advance or promptly reimburse, upon request, any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder for all expenses, including attorneys’ fees, reasonably incurred in defending any action or proceeding in advance of the final

 

9



 

disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Person (in form and substance satisfactory to the Company) to repay such amount if such Person is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification or, where indemnification is granted, to the extent the expenses so advanced or reimbursed exceed the amount to which such Person is entitled; provided that such Person shall cooperate in good faith with any request by the Company that common counsel be utilized by the parties to an action or proceeding who are similarly situated unless to do so would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflicts of interest between or among such parties; and provided, further, that the Company shall only advance attorneys’ fees in respect of legal counsel approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.03. Availability . The right to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this provision is intended to be retroactive and shall be available with respect to any action or proceeding which relates to events prior to the effective date of this provision.

 

SECTION 9.04. Indemnification Agreement . The Company is authorized to enter into agreements with any of its members or officers extending rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to such Person to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, but the failure to enter into any such agreement shall not affect or limit the rights of such Person pursuant to this provision.

 

SECTION 9.05. Enforceability . In case any provision in this Article IX shall be determined at any time to be unenforceable in any respect, the other provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and the affected provisions shall be given the fullest possible enforcement in the circumstances, it being the intention of the Company to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to its members and officers, acting in such capacities, to the fullest extent permitted by Law.

 

SECTION 9.06. No Amendments . No amendment or repeal of this provision shall apply to or have any effect on the indemnification of, or advancement of expenses to, the Member or any Director or officer of the Company for, or with respect to, acts or omissions of such Member or officer occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

SECTION  9.07. Not Exclusive . The foregoing shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which the Member or any officer may be entitled as a matter of Law and shall not affect any rights to indemnification to which Company personnel other than the Member or officers may be entitled by contract or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 10.01. Amendments and Consents . This Agreement may be modified or amended only by the Member.

 

SECTION 10.02. Benefits of Agreement . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditor of the Company or the Member.

 

10



 

SECTION 10.03. Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements in connection therewith. No covenant, representation or condition not expressed in this Agreement shall affect, or be effective to interpret, change or restrict, the express provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.04. Headings . The titles of Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be interpreted to limit or amplify the provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.05. Severability . Each provision of this Agreement shall be considered separable and if for any reason any provision or provisions hereof are determined to be invalid and contrary to any existing or future Law, such invalidity shall not impair the operation of or affect those portions of this Agreement, which are valid.

 

SECTION 10.06. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

 

SECTION 10.07. Security . Interest shall constitute “securities” within the meaning of, and governed by, (i) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (including Section 8-102(a)(15) thereof) as in effect from time to time in the State of Delaware and in the State of New York and (ii) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction that now or hereafter substantially includes the 1994 revisions to Article 8 thereof as adopted by the American Law Institute and the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and approved by the American Bar Association on February 14, 1995.

 

11



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Limited Liability Company Agreement has been duly executed by EP Energy LLC, effective as of the 24th day of May, 2012.

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

Vice President

 

12



 

Exhibit A

Interests

 

Member

 

Percentage Interest

EP Energy LLC

 

100%

c/o Apollo Management VII, L.P.

 

 

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

 

 

New York, NY 10019

 

 

 

13




Exhibit 3.7

 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED ARE TRUE AND CORRECT COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS ON FILE OF “EP ENERGY BRAZIL, L.L.C.” AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE.

 

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED:

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION, FILED THE SEVENTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2002, AT 2:30 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION IS THE TENTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2002.

 

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION, FILED THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2002, AT 2:30 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, FILED THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 2002, AT 12 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT IS THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 2002.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 2008, AT 5:14 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

3522643      8100H

120919798

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768679

 

 

 

DATE:

 

08-09-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

FEBRUARY, A.D. 2009, AT 12:17 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, FILED THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 4:40 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT IS THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.” TO “EP ENERGY BRAZIL, L.L.C.”, FILED THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 4:41 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT IS THE FIRST DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2012, AT 12:01 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATES ARE THE ONLY CERTIFICATES ON RECORD OF THE AFORESAID LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, “EP ENERGY BRAZIL, L.L.C”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

3522643      8100H

120919798

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768679

 

 

 

DATE:

 

08-09-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2



 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

FILED 02:30 PM 05/07/2002

 

020291010 - 3522643

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

This Certificate of Formation of El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. (the “LLC”) dated as of May 7, 2002, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as an authorized person, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C.§§ 18-101, et . seq.

 

FIRST:                                                            The name of the LLC formed hereby is:

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.

 

SECOND:                                             The address of the registered office of the LLC in the State of Delaware is:

 

Corporation Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

New Castle County

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

THIRD:                                                        The name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the LLC in the State of Delaware are:

 

The Corporation Trust Company

Corporation Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

New Castle County

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Certificate of Formation to be executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

/s/ Pilar DeAnda

 

Pilar DeAnda

 

Authorized Person

 



 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

FILED 02:30 PM 05/17/2002

 

020317925 - 3522643

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION

FILED TO CORRECT A CERTAIN ERROR IN THE CERTIFICATE OF

FORMATION

 

OF

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE

OF DELAWARE ON MAY 7, 2002.

 

1.                The name of the limited liability company is El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.

 

2.                A Certificate of Formation was filed by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 7, 2002 that requires correction as permitted by Section 18-211 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.

 

3.                The inaccuracy or defect of the Certificate to be corrected is as follows:

 

The FOURTH Article of the Certificate was erroneously omitted and should have included an effective filing date of May 10, 2002.

 

4.                Article Fourth is added to the Certificate to read as follows:

 

FOURTH:    The Certificate of Formation shall be effective on May 10, 2002.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. has caused this Certificate to be signed by Pilar DeAnda, Authorized Person, this 17 th  day of May 2002.

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pilar DeAnda

 

 

Pilar DeAnda

 

 

Authorized Person

 



 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

1.                                        The name of the limited liability company is El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. (“ LLC ”).

 

2.                                        The Certificate of Formation of the limited liability company is hereby amended by adding the following Article:

 

FIFTH: LLC shall be a series limited liability company and the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to a particular series shall be enforceable against the assets of such series only, and not against the assets of LLC generally or assets allocated to another series.

 

3.                                        This Certificate of Amendment shall become effective on the 15 th  day of November, 2002.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Amendment of El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. on this 14th day of November, 2002.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

FILED 12:00 PM 11/14/2002

 

020701946 - 3522643

 


 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 05:23 PM 11/25/2008

 

FILED 05:14 PM 11/25/2008

 

SRV 081146412 - 3522643 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

POTIGUAR I, L.L.C.

 

with and into

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 


 

Pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act

 


 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. (“El Paso Brazil”), a Delaware limited liability company, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of Potiguar I, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, with and into El Paso Brazil, pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”) and submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing:

 

FIRST:  That the name and state of formation of each limited liability company that is to merge is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Formation

 

 

 

Potiguar I, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

SECOND:  That an Agreement of Merger dated as of November 25, 2008 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 18-209 of the DLLCA.

 

THIRD:  That the name of the surviving entity is El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.

 

FOURTH:  That the existing Certificate of Formation of El Paso Brazil shall be the Certificate of Formation of the surviving entity.

 

FIVE:  That the Merger shall be effective upon filing.

 

SIXTH:   That an executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of business of El Paso Brazil, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SEVENTH:  That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request and without cost to any member of, or any person holding an interest in, any entity that is to merge.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by a duly authorized officer this 25th day of November, 2008.

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

By: Its Members

 

 

 

SERIES B (BM-CAL-4) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-CAL-4 Company

 

 

 

SERIES E (BAS-97) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BAS-97 Company

 

 

 

SERIES G (BS-1) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BS-1 Company

 

 

 

SERIES H (BM-POT-11) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-POT-11 Company

 

 

 

SERIES I (BM-POT-13) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-POT-13 Company

 

 

 

SERIES L (BM-CAL-6) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-CAL-6 Company

 

 

 

SERIES M (BM-ES-5) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-ES-5 Company

 

 

 

SERIES N (BM-CAL-5) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-CAL-5 Company

 

 

 

SERIES O SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Production International Cayman Company

 

 

 

SERIES P (CAL-M-312) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman CAL-M-312 Company

 

 

 

SERIES Q (CAL-M-372) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman CAL-M-372 Company

 

 

 

COMMON SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman Brazil Ventures Company

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio de Pinho

 

 

Antonio de Pinho,

 

 

as Director of each of the foregoing

 

 

companies

 

2



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 12:45 PM 02/17/2009

 

FILED 12:17 PM 02/17/2009

 

SRV 090147335 - 3522643 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

POTIGUAR II, L.L.C.

 

and

 

POTIGUAR 4B LLC

 

with and into

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 


 

Pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act

 


 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. (“El Paso Brazil”), a Delaware limited liability company, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of Potiguar II, L.L.C. and Potiguar 4B LLC each a Delaware limited liability company, with and into El Paso Brazil, pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”) and submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing:

 

FIRST:  That the name and state of formation of each limited liability company that is to merge is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Formation

 

 

 

Potiguar II, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

Potiguar 4B LLC

 

Delaware

El Paso Brazil. L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

SECOND:  That an Agreement of Merger dated as of February 16, 2009 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 18-209 of the DLLCA.

 

THIRD:  That the name of the surviving entity is El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.

 

FOURTH:   That the existing Certificate of Formation of El Paso Brazil shall be the Certificate of Formation of the surviving entity.

 

FIVE:  That the Merger shall be effective upon filing.

 

SIXTH:   That an executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of business of El Paso Brazil, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SEVENTH:  That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request and

 



 

without cost to any member of, or any person holding an interest in, any entity that is to merge.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by a duly authorized officer this 16th day of February, 2009.

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

By: Its Members

 

 

 

 

 

SERIES B (BM-CAL-4) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-CAL-4 Company

 

 

 

SERIES E (BAS-97) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BAS-97 Company

 

 

 

SERIES F (BCAM-2) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BCAM-2 Company

 

 

 

SERIES G (BS-1) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BS-1 Company

 

 

 

SERIES H (BM-POT-11) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-POT-11 Company

 

 

 

SERIES I (BM-POT-13) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-POT-13 Company

 

 

 

SERIES K (BM-S-13) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-S-13 Company

 

 

 

SERIES L (BM-CAL-6) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-CAL-6 Company

 

 

 

SERIES M (BM-ES-5) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-ES-5 Company

 

 

 

SERIES N (BM-CAL-5) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman BM-CAL-5 Company

 

 

 

SERIES O SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Production International Cayman Company

 

 

 

SERIES P (CAL-M-312) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman CAL-M-312 Company

 

2



 

 

SERIES Q (CAL-M-372) SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman CAL-M-372 Company

 

 

 

COMMON SERIES REPRESENTATIVE:

 

El Paso Cayman Brazil Ventures Company

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gene T. Waguespack

 

 

Gene T. Waguespack,

 

 

as Director of each of the foregoing

 

 

companies

 

3



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 04:40 PM 05/21/2012

 

FILED 04:40 PM 05/21/2012

 

SRV 120601891 - 3522643 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO THE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

OF

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Formation of El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. (the “LLC”), pursuant to the provisions of Section 18-202 of the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST:                                  The name of the LLC is:

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.

 

SECOND:                 The Certificate of Formation of the limited liability company is hereby amended by deleting the article numbered “FIFTH” in its entirety.

 

THIRD:                              This amendment to the Certificate of Formation shall be effective at on May 24th, 2012.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Formation on this 21st day of May 2012.

 

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

 

Joseph C. James

 

 

Authorized Person

 



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 04:40 PM 05/21/2012

 

FILED 04:41 PM 05/21/2012

 

SRV 120601898 - 3522643 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO THE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

OF

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Formation of El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. (the “LLC”), pursuant to the provisions of Section 18-202 of the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST:                                  The name of the LLC is:

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.

 

SECOND:                 The article numbered “FIRST” of the Certificate of Formation of the Company shall be amended as follows:

 

“FIRST:                   The name of the LLC formed hereby is:

 

EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.”

 

THIRD:                              This amendment to the Certificate of Formation shall be effective at 12:01a.m. Eastern Time on June 1, 2012.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Formation on this 18th day of May 2012.

 

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

 

Joseph C. James

 

 

Authorized Person

 


 



Exhibit 3.8

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

EP ENERGY BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

PREAMBLE

 

This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT of EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C. (the “Company”) is entered into effective as of the 24th day of May, 2012, by EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (the “Member”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company was formed under the name of El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. as a limited liability company under the Act (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to the filing of the Certificate of Formation (as hereinafter defined) on May 7, 2002, and the execution of that certain Agreement of Limited Liability Company dated as of December 18, 2009, by El Paso Cayman BT-PR-4 Company, El Paso Cayman BM-PAMA-1 Company, El Paso Cayman BM-CAL-4 Company, El Paso BPAR-10 Company, El Paso Cayman BAS-97 Company, El Paso Brazil Holdings Company, El Paso Cayman Brazil Ventures Company, each a Cayman Island corporation, (the “Original Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, EP Production International Cayman Company (formerly known as El Paso Cayman BM-CAL-4 Company) is the sole existing member that entered into the Original Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, on May 24, 2012, EP Production International Cayman Company sold its 100% membership interest to EP Energy LLC;

 

WHEREAS, on May 24, 2012, EP Energy LLC contributed its 100% membership interest to EP Energy Global LLC;

 

WHEREAS, EP Energy Global LLC, as the sole Member, desires to amend and restate the First Amended and Restated Limited Company Agreement for the purposes and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants herein contained, EP Energy Global LLC does hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

 

SECTION 1.01. Definitions Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:

 



 

Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del C. §§ 18-101, et seq., as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Agreement means this Limited Liability Company Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Assets means, at any time, any real property and other assets owned or leased by the Company from time to time.

 

Capital Contribution means a capital contribution made by the Member pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.02.

 

Certificate means the Certificate of Formation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on may 17, 2002, to form the Company pursuant to the Act, as originally executed by Pilar DeAnda (as an authorized person within the meaning of the Act) and as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, as the context requires.

 

Company means the limited liability company formed pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Distributable Cash means cash (in U.S. dollars) of the Company that the Member determine is available for distribution.

 

Interest means the ownership interest in the Company at any time, including the right of the Member to any and all benefits to which the Member may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with the obligations of the Member to comply with all the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

Member refers to the Member set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and any other member or members admitted to the Company in accordance with this Agreement or any amendment or restatement hereof.

 

Person has the meaning set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally . The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Articles, Sections and Exhibits shall be deemed to be references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”

 

2



 

ARTICLE II

FORMATION

 

SECTION 2.01. Name . The name of the Company shall be as set forth in the Preamble hereof. All business of the Company shall be conducted under such name and title to all property, real, personal, or mixed, owned by or leased to the Company shall be held in such name. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Member may change the name of the Company or adopt such trade or fictitious names as it may determine.

 

SECTION 2.02. Term . The term of the Company commenced on the date of filing of the Certificate of Formation of the Company in the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware (the “Effective Date”) and, pursuant to Section 18-201(d) of the Act, this Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date. The term of the Company shall continue until terminated as provided in Article VIII hereof.

 

SECTION 2.03. Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business of the Company shall be located at 1001 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002. The Member may establish other offices at other locations.

 

SECTION 2.04. Agent for Service of Process . The Corporation Trust Company shall be the registered agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The address of such agent within the State of Delaware is: Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801.

 

SECTION 2.05. Purposes of the Company . The Company has been organized to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a Delaware limited liability company may be formed.

 

ARTICLE III

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 3.01. Capital Contribution . The Member may contribute cash or other property to the Company as they shall decide, from time to time.

 

SECTION 3.02. Additional Capital Contributions . If at any time the Member shall determine that additional funds or property are necessary or desirable to meet the obligations or needs of the Company, the Member may make additional Capital Contributions.

 

SECTION 3.03. Limitation on Liability . The liability of the Member shall be limited to its Interest in the Company, and the Member shall not have any personal liability to contribute money to, or in respect of, the liabilities or the obligations of the Company, except as set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 3.04. Withdrawal of Capital; Interest . The Member may not withdraw capital or receive any distributions, except as specifically provided herein. No interest shall be paid by the Company on any Capital Contributions.

 

3



 

ARTICLE IV

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 4.01. Distributions . Except as otherwise provided in the Act, all Distributable Cash of the Company shall be distributed to the Member, or distributions in kind may be made to the Member at such times as the Member shall determine.

 

ARTICLE V

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

SECTION 5.01. Books and Records . The Member shall keep or cause to be kept complete and accurate books of account and records that shall reflect all transactions and other matters and include all documents and other materials with respect to the Company’s business that are usually entered into and maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses. All Company financial statements shall be accurate in all material respects, shall fairly present the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations and Distributable Cash and transactions in its reserve accounts, and shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, subject, in the case of quarterly statements, to year-end adjustments. The books of the Company shall at all times be maintained at the principal office of the Company or at such other location as the Member decides.

 

ARTICLE VI

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

SECTION 6.01. Management . The management of the Company shall be under the direction of the Member, who may, from time to time, designate one or more persons to be officers of the Company, with such titles as the Member may determine, including those positions set forth in Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 6.02. Officers . Such of the following officers shall be elected as the Member deems necessary or appropriate: a President, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Controller, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Controllers, and such other officers with such titles and powers and/or duties as the Member shall from time to time determine. Officers may be designated for particular areas of responsibility and simultaneously serve as officers of subsidiaries or divisions. Any officer so elected may resign at any time upon written notice to the Member. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein, no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the Member. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Company, but the election or appointment of any officer shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any vacancy occurring in any office by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Member.

 

4



 

(a)  President . The President shall have general control of the business, affairs, operations and property of the Company, subject to the supervision of the Member. He may sign or execute, in the name of the Company, all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other undertakings or instruments, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Member to some other officer or agent of the Company. He shall have and may exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as are incident to the office of President of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as are assigned from time to time by the Member.

 

(b)  Vice Presidents . Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as may from time to time be assigned to him, either generally or in specific instances, by the Member or the President. Any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the President at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the President or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have authority to sign or execute all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Company, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Member to some other officer or agent of the Company.

 

(c)  Secretary . The Secretary shall keep the records of the Company, in books provided for the purpose; he shall be custodian of the seal or seals of the Company; he shall see that the seal is affixed to all documents requiring same, the execution of which, on behalf of the Company, under its seal, is duly authorized, and when said seal is so affixed he may attest same; and, in general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the secretary of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation), and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law. Any Assistant Secretary may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the Secretary at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the Secretary or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(d)  Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds, securities, receipts and disbursements of the Company, and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, in the name of the Company, all moneys or other valuable effects in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall, from time to time, be selected by or under authority of the Member; if required, he shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties, with such surety or sureties as the Member may determine; he shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate records of all receipts and disbursements in books of the Company and shall render to the Member or the President, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of the Company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation); and, in general, he shall perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer of a company, and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law.

 

5



 

(e)  Controller . The Controller shall be the chief accounting officer of the Company. He shall keep full and accurate accounts of the assets, liabilities, commitments, receipts, disbursements and other financial transactions of the Company; shall cause regular audits of the books and records of account of the Company and supervise the preparation of the Company’s financial statements; and, in general, he shall perform the duties incident to the office of controller of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law. If no Controller is elected by the Member, the Treasurer shall perform the duties of the office of controller.

 

(f)  Tax Officer . The office of Tax Officer shall have the authority to sign or execute on behalf of this Company any federal, foreign, Indian, state or local tax return or report, claim for refund of taxes, extension of a statute of limitation, administrative tax appeals filings and any other document relating to this Company’s tax responsibilities.

 

ARTICLE VII

TRANSFERS OF COMPANY INTERESTS

 

SECTION 7.01. Transfers . Any Member may, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its Interest. Any Person acquiring the Member’s Interest shall be admitted to the Company as a substituted Member with no further action being required on the part of the Member.

 

ARTICLE VIII

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

 

SECTION 8.01. Dissolution . The Company shall be dissolved and its business wound up upon the decision made at any time by the Member to dissolve the Company, or upon the occurrence of any event of dissolution under the Act.

 

SECTION 8.02. Liquidation . Upon dissolution, the Company’s business shall be liquidated in an orderly manner. The Member shall wind up the affairs of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and in accordance with the Act, including, without limitation, Section 18-804 thereof.

 

SECTION 8.03. Distribution of Property . If in the discretion of the Member it becomes necessary to make a distribution of Company property in kind in connection with the liquidation of the Company, such property shall be transferred and conveyed to the Member.

 

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 9.01. General . Except to the extent expressly prohibited by the Act, the Company shall indemnify each Person made or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, by reason of the fact that such Person or such Person’s

 

6



 

testator or intestate is or was a member or officer of the Company, against judgments, fines (including excise taxes assessed on a Person with respect to an employee benefit plan), penalties, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with such action or proceeding, or any appeal therefrom; provided that no such indemnification shall be made if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such Person establishes that his conduct did not meet the then applicable minimum statutory standards of conduct; and provided, further, that no such indemnification shall be required in connection with any settlement or other non-adjudicated disposition of any threatened or pending action or proceeding unless the Company has given its prior consent to such settlement or such other disposition, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.02. Reimbursement . The Company shall advance or promptly reimburse, upon request, any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder for all expenses, including attorneys’ fees, reasonably incurred in defending any action or proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Person (in form and substance satisfactory to the Company) to repay such amount if such Person is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification or, where indemnification is granted, to the extent the expenses so advanced or reimbursed exceed the amount to which such Person is entitled; provided that such Person shall cooperate in good faith with any request by the Company that common counsel be utilized by the parties to an action or proceeding who are similarly situated unless to do so would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflicts of interest between or among such parties; and provided,   further, that the Company shall only advance attorneys’ fees in respect of legal counsel approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.03. Availability . The right to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this provision is intended to be retroactive and shall be available with respect to any action or proceeding which relates to events prior to the effective date of this provision.

 

SECTION 9.04. Indemnification Agreement . The Company is authorized to enter into agreements with any of its Member or officers extending rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to such Person to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, but the failure to enter into any such agreement shall not affect or limit the rights of such Person pursuant to this provision.

 

SECTION 9.05. Enforceability . In case any provision in this Article IX shall be determined at any time to be unenforceable in any respect, the other provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and the affected provisions shall be given the fullest possible enforcement in the circumstances, it being the intention of the Company to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to its Member and officers, acting in such capacities, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 9.06. No Amendments . No amendment or repeal of this provision shall apply to or have any effect on the indemnification of, or advancement of expenses to, the Member or any officer of the Company for, or with respect to, acts or omissions of such Member or officer occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

7



 

SECTION 9.07. Not Exclusive . The foregoing shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which any Member or any officer may be entitled as a matter of law and shall not affect any rights to indemnification to which Company personnel other than the Member or officers may be entitled by contract or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 10.01. Amendments and Consents . This Agreement may be modified or amended only by the Member.

 

SECTION 10.02. Benefits of Agreement . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditor of the Company or the Member.

 

SECTION 10.03. Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements in connection therewith. No covenant, representation or condition not expressed in this Agreement shall affect, or be effective to interpret, change or restrict, the express provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.04. Headings . The titles of Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be interpreted to limit or amplify the provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.05. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument, which may be sufficiently evidenced by one counterpart.

 

SECTION 10.06. Severability . Each provision of this Agreement shall be considered separable and if for any reason any provision or provisions hereof are determined to be invalid and contrary to any existing or future law, such invalidity shall not impair the operation of or affect those portions of this Agreement, which are valid.

 

SECTION 10.07. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

 

SECTION 10.08. Security . For purposes of providing for transfer of, perfection a security interest in, and other relevant matters related to, a membership interest in the Company, each membership interest in the Company shall be deemed to be a ‘security’ subject to the rules set forth in Chapters 8 and 9 of the Texas Uniform Commercial Code and any similar Uniform Commercial Code provision adopted by the States of New York or Delaware or any other relevant jurisdiction.

 

8



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Limited Liability Company Agreement has been duly executed by EP Energy Global LLC, effective as of the 24th day of May 2012.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

Vice President

 

9



 

Exhibit A

Interests

 

Member

 

Percentage Interest

 

EP Energy Global LLC

 

100

%

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

 

Houston, TX 77002

 

 

 

 

10


 



Exhibit 3.9

 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED ARE TRUE AND CORRECT COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS ON FILE OF “EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C.” AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE.

 

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED:

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, FILED THE SEVENTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2002, AT 2:30 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EL PASO PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY” TO “EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C”, FILED THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 4:40 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION IS THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 12:01 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION, FILED THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 4:40 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION IS THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 12:01 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE AFORESAID

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

3522642     8100H

120919836

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768716

 

 

 

DATE:

 

08-09-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

CERTIFICATES ARE THE ONLY CERTIFICATES ON RECORD OF THE AFORESAID LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, “EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C.”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

3522642     8100H

120919836

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768716

 

 

 

DATE:

 

08-09-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2



 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

FILED 02:30 PM 05/07/2002

 

020291002 - 3522642

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

EL PASO PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY

 

FIRST:  The name of the Corporation is:

 

El Paso Preferred Holdings Company

 

SECOND:  The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The name of the registered agent at the above address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

THIRD:  The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“GCL”).

 

FOURTH:  The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue shall be One Thousand (1,000) shares of Common Stock, par value One Dollar ($1.00) per share.

 

Shares of stock of the Corporation whether with or without par value, of any class or classes hereby or hereafter authorized may be issued by the Corporation from time to time for such consideration permitted by law as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

FIFTH:  Unless required by the by-laws, the election of the Board of Directors need not be by written ballot.

 

Upon the filing of the Certificate of Incorporation, the powers of the incorporator shall terminate and the following named individuals, each of whose mailing address is set out beside his name, shall serve as director until the first meeting of the stockholders or until successors are elected and qualified:

 

Brent H. Austin

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

William A. Wise

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

SIXTH:  The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, alter, or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation, but the stockholders may make additional by-laws and may alter or repeal any by-law whether or not adopted by them.

 



 

SEVENTH:  The Corporation shall indemnify its officers and directors to the full extent permitted by the GCL, as amended from time to time.

 

EIGHTH:  No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, for any act or omission, except that a director may be liable (i) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the GCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the GCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of the directors shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the GCL, as so amended. The elimination and limitation of liability provided herein shall continue after a director has ceased to occupy such position as to acts or omissions occurring during such director’s term or terms of office. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article Eighth shall not adversely affect any right of protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

NINTH:  Pilar DeAnda is the sole incorporator and her mailing address is 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

 

 

/s/ Pilar DeAnda

 

Pilar DeAnda, Incorporator

 

 

 

 

Dated: May 7, 2001

 

 

2



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 04:40 PM 05/21/2012

 

FILED 04:40 PM 05/21/2012

 

SRV 120601828 - 3522642 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

FROM A CORPORATION TO A

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

PURSUANT TO SECTION 266

OF THE DELAWARE

GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

AND SECTION 18-214 OF THE

DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT

 

This Certificate of Conversion of El Paso Preferred Holdings Company (the “Corporation”) is being duly executed and filed by an authorized person of the Corporation to convert the Corporation to a Delaware limited liability company in accordance with Section 266 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL’’) and Section 18-214 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”).

 

1.                                        The name of the Corporation set forth in its original Certificate of Incorporation was:

 

El Paso Preferred Holdings Company

 

2.                                        The name of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion was:

 

El Paso Preferred Holdings Company

 

3.                                        The jurisdiction of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion was:

 

Delaware

 

4.                                        The jurisdiction where the Corporation was first created is:

 

Delaware

 

5.                                        The date the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed is:

 

May 7, 2002

 

6.                                        The name of the limited liability company (the “LLC”) as set forth in its Certificate of Formation is:

 

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C.

 

7.                                        This conversion has been approved in accordance with the provisions of Section 266 of the DGCL and Section 18-214 of the DLLCA.

 

8.                                        This Certificate of Conversion shall be effective at 12:01a.m. Eastern Time on May 22, 2012.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Conversion has been executed by an authorized person of the Corporation on the 18th day of May, 2012.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

 

Joseph C. James

 

 

Authorized Person

 

2



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 04:40 PM 05/21/2012

 

FILED 04:40 PM 05/21/2012

 

SRV 120601828 - 3522642 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

This Certificate of Formation of EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C. (the “LLC”) dated as of May 18, 2012, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as an authorized person, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C.§§ 18-101, et . seq.

 

FIRST:                                                                                    The name of the LLC formed hereby is:

 

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C.

 

SECOND:                                        The address of the registered office of the LLC in the State of Delaware is:

 

Corporation Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

New Castle County

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

THIRD:                                                The name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the LLC in the State of Delaware are:

 

The Corporation Trust Company

Corporation Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

New Castle County

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

FOURTH:                                       The Certificate of Formation shall be effective at 12:01a.m. Eastern Time on May 22, 2012.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Certificate of Formation to be executed, this 18th day of May, 2012.

 

 

 

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

Joseph C. James

 

Authorized Person

 


 



Exhibit 3.10

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

PREAMBLE

 

The undersigned member, EP Energy, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sole Member”) hereby forms EP Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C. (the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to and in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. §§ 18-101, et seq. (the “Act”), and hereby declares the following to be the Limited Liability Company Agreement of such limited liability company as of the Effective Date (as defined herein).

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

 

SECTION 1.01.   Definitions Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del C. §§ 18-101, et seq., as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Agreement means this Limited Liability Company Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Assets means, at any time, any real property and other assets owned or leased by the Company from time to time.

 

Capital Contribution means a capital contribution made by the Member pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.02.

 

Certificate means the Certificate of Formation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware effective as of May 22, 2012, to form the Company pursuant to the Act, as originally executed by Joseph C. James (as an authorized person within the meaning of the Act) and as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, as the context requires

 

Company means the limited liability company formed pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Distributable Cash means cash (in U.S dollars) of the Company that the Member determines is available for distribution

 



 

Interest means the ownership interest in the Company at any time, including the right of the Member to any and all benefits to which the Member may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with the obligations of the Member to comply with all the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

Member refers to the Member set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and any other member or members admitted to the Company in accordance with this Agreement or any amendment or restatement hereof.

 

Person has the meaning set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally . The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Articles, Sections and Exhibits shall be deemed to be references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”

 

ARTICLE II

FORMATION

 

SECTION 2.01. Name . The name of the Company shall be as set forth in the Preamble hereof. All business of the Company shall be conducted under such name and title to all property, real, personal, or mixed, owned by or leased to the Company shall be held in such name. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Member may change the name of the Company or adopt such trade or fictitious names as it may determine.

 

SECTION 2.02. Term . The term of the Company commenced on the effective date as stated in the Certificate of Formation of the Company and filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware (the “Effective Date”). The term of the Company shall continue until terminated as provided in Article VIII hereof.

 

SECTION 2.03. Principal Place of Business . The principal place of business of the Company shall be located at 1001 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002. The Member may establish other offices at other locations.

 

SECTION 2.04. Agent for Service of Process . The Corporation Trust Company shall be the registered agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The address of such agent within the State of Delaware is: Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801.

 

SECTION 2.05. Purposes of the Company . The Company has been organized to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a Delaware limited liability company may be formed.

 

2



 

ARTICLE III

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 3.01. Capital Contribution . The Member may contribute cash or other property to the Company as it shall decide, from time to time.

 

SECTION 3.02. Additional Capital Contributions . If at any time the Member shall determine that additional funds or property are necessary or desirable to meet the obligations or needs of the Company, the Member may make additional Capital Contributions.

 

SECTION 3.03. Limitation on Liability . The liability of the Member shall be limited to its Interest in the Company, and the Member shall not have any personal liability to contribute money to, or in respect of, the liabilities or the obligations of the Company, except as set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 3.04. Withdrawal of Capital; Interest . The Member may not withdraw capital or receive any distributions, except as specifically provided herein. No interest shall be paid by the Company on any Capital Contributions.

 

ARTICLE IV

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 4 01. Distributions . Except as otherwise provided in the Act, all Distributable Cash of the Company shall be distributed to the Member, or distributions in kind may be made to the Member at such times as the Member shall determine.

 

ARTICLE V

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

SECTION 5.01. Books and Records . The Member shall keep or cause to be kept complete and accurate books of account and records that shall reflect all transactions and other matters and include all documents and other materials with respect to the Company’s business that are usually entered into and maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses. All Company financial statements shall be accurate in all material respects, shall fairly present the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations and Distributable Cash and transactions in its reserve accounts, and shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, subject, in the case of quarterly statements, to year-end adjustments. The books of the Company shall at all times be maintained at the principal office of the Company or at such other location as the Member decides.

 

3



 

ARTICLE VI

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

SECTION 6.01. Management . The management of the Company shall be under the direction of the Member, who may, from time to time, designate one or more persons to be officers of the Company, with such titles as the Member may determine, including those positions set forth in Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 6.02. Officers . Such of the following officers shall be elected as the Member deems necessary or appropriate: a President, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Controller, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Controllers, and such other officers with such titles and powers and/or duties as the Member shall from time to time determine. Officers may be designated for particular areas of responsibility and simultaneously serve as officers of subsidiaries or divisions. Any officer so elected may resign at any time upon written notice to the Member. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein, no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the Member. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Company, but the election or appointment of any officer shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any vacancy occurring in any office by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Member.

 

(a)  President . The President shall have general control of the business, affairs, operations and property of the Company, subject to the supervision of the Member. He may sign or execute, in the name of the Company, all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other undertakings or instruments, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Member to some other officer or agent of the Company. He shall have and may exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as are incident to the office of President of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as are assigned from time to time by the Member.

 

(b)  Vice Presidents . Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as may from time to time be assigned to him, either generally or in specific instances, by the Member or the President. Any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the President at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the President or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have authority to sign or execute all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Company, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Member to some other officer or agent of the Company.

 

4



 

(c)  Secretary . The Secretary shall keep the records of the Company, in books provided for the purpose; he shall be custodian of the seal or seals of the Company; he shall see that the seal is affixed to all documents requiring same, the execution of which, on behalf of the Company, under its seal, is duly authorized, and when said seal is so affixed he may attest same; and, in general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the secretary of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation), and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law. Any Assistant Secretary may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the Secretary at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the Secretary or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(d)  Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds, securities, receipts and disbursements of the Company, and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, in the name of the Company, all moneys or other valuable effects in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall, from time to time, be selected by or under authority of the Member; if required, he shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties, with such surety or sureties as the Member may determine; he shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate records of all receipts and disbursements in books of the Company and shall render to the Member or the President, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of the Company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation); and, in general, he shall perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer of a company, and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law.

 

(e)  Controller . The Controller shall be the chief accounting officer of the Company. He shall keep full and accurate accounts of the assets, liabilities, commitments, receipts, disbursements and other financial transactions of the Company; shall cause regular audits of the books and records of account of the Company and supervise the preparation of the Company’s financial statements; and, in general, he shall perform the duties incident to the office of controller of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law. If no Controller is elected by the Member, the Treasurer shall perform the duties of the office of controller

 

(f)  Tax Officer . The Tax Officer shall have the authority to sign or execute on behalf of this Company any federal, foreign, Indian, state or local tax return or report, claim for refund of taxes, extension of a statute of limitation, administrative tax appeals filings and any other document relating to this Company’s tax responsibilities.

 

ARTICLE VII

TRANSFERS OF COMPANY INTERESTS

 

SECTION 7.01. Transfers . The Member may, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its Interest. Any Person acquiring the Member’s Interest shall be admitted to the Company as a substituted Member with no further action being required on the part of the Member

 

5



 

ARTICLE VIII

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

 

SECTION 8.01. Dissolution . The Company shall be dissolved and its business wound up upon the decision made at any time by the Member to dissolve the Company, or upon the occurrence of any event of dissolution under the Act.

 

SECTION 8.02. Liquidation . Upon dissolution, the Company’s business shall be liquidated in an orderly manner. The Member shall wind up the affairs of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and in accordance with the Act, including, without limitation, Section 18-804 thereof.

 

SECTION 8.03. Distribution of Property . If in the discretion of the Member it becomes necessary to make a distribution of Company property in kind in connection with the liquidation of the Company, such property shall be transferred and conveyed to the Member, subject to Section 18-804 of the Act.

 

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 9.01. General . Except to the extent expressly prohibited by the Act, the Company shall indemnify each Person made or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, by reason of the fact that such Person or such Person’s testator or intestate is or was a member or officer of the Company, against judgments, fines (including excise taxes assessed on a Person with respect to an employee benefit plan), penalties, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with such action or proceeding, or any appeal therefrom; provided that no such indemnification shall be made if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such Person establishes that his conduct did not meet the then applicable minimum statutory standards of conduct; and provided, further, that no such indemnification shall be required in connection with any settlement or other non-adjudicated disposition of any threatened or pending action or proceeding unless the Company has given its prior consent to such settlement or such other disposition, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.02. Reimbursement . The Company shall advance or promptly reimburse, upon request, any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder for all expenses, including attorneys’ fees, reasonably incurred in defending any action or proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Person (in form and substance satisfactory to the Company) to repay such amount if such Person is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification or, where indemnification is granted, to the extent the expenses so advanced or reimbursed exceed the amount to which such Person is entitled; provided that such Person shall cooperate in good faith with any request by the Company that common counsel be utilized by the parties to an action or proceeding who are similarly situated unless to do so would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflicts of interest between or

 

6



 

among such parties; and provided , further , that the Company shall only advance attorneys’ fees in respect of legal counsel approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.03. Availability . The right to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this provision is intended to be retroactive and shall be available with respect to any action or proceeding which relates to events prior to the effective date of this provision.

 

SECTION 9.04. Indemnification Agreement . The Company is authorized to enter into agreements with any of its members or officers extending rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to such Person to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, but the failure to enter into any such agreement shall not affect or limit the rights of such Person pursuant to this provision.

 

SECTION 9.05. Enforceability . In case any provision in this Article IX shall be determined at any time to be unenforceable in any respect, the other provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and the affected provisions shall be given the fullest possible enforcement in the circumstances, it being the intention of the Company to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to its members and officers, acting in such capacities, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 9.06. No Amendments . No amendment or repeal of this provision shall apply to or have any effect on the indemnification of, or advancement of expenses to, the Member or any officer of the Company for, or with respect to, acts or omissions of such Member or officer occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

SECTION 9.07. Not Exclusive . The foregoing shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which the Member or any officer may be entitled as a matter of law and shall not affect any rights to indemnification to which Company personnel other than the Member or officers may be entitled by contract or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 10.01. Amendments and Consents . This Agreement may be modified or amended only by the Member.

 

SECTION 10.02. Benefits of Agreement. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditor of the Company or the Member.

 

SECTION 10.03. Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements in connection therewith. No covenant, representation or condition not expressed in this Agreement shall affect, or be effective to interpret, change or restrict, the express provisions of this Agreement.

 

7



 

SECTION 10.04. Headings . The titles of Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be interpreted to limit or amplify the provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.05. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument, which may be sufficiently evidenced by one counterpart.

 

SECTION 10.06. Severability . Each provision of this Agreement shall be considered separable and if for any reason any provision or provisions hereof are determined to be invalid and contrary to any existing or future law, such invalidity shall not impair the operation of or affect those portions of this Agreement, which are valid.

 

SECTION 10.07. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

 

SECTION 10.08. Security . For purposes of providing for transfer of, perfection a security interest in, and other relevant matters related to, a membership interest in the Company, each membership interest in the Company shall be deemed to be a ‘security’ subject to the rules set forth in Chapters 8 and 9 of the Texas Uniform Commercial Code and any similar Uniform Commercial Code provision adopted by the States of New York or Delaware or any other relevant jurisdiction.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Limited Liability Company Agreement has been duly executed by EP Energy, L.L.C., effective as of the 22th day of May, 2012.

 

 

EP ENERGY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President

 

8



 

Exhibit A

Percentage Interests

 

Member:

 

Percentage Interest

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy, L.L.C.

 

100

%

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

 

9


 



Exhibit 3.11

 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED ARE TRUE AND CORRECT COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS ON FILE OF “MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C.” AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE.

 

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED:

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, FILED THE SEVENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2004, AT 7:51 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE EIGHTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2004, AT 6:25 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE NINETEENTH DAY OF JULY, A.D. 2004, AT 5:57 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION” TO “MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C”, FILED THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 4:39 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION IS THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 12:01 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION, FILED THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 4:39 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

AUTHENTICATION

:

9768725

 

 

 

 

 

DATE

:

08-09-12

3749729      8100H

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

120919845

 

 

 

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

1



 

THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION IS THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 12:01 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATES ARE THE ONLY CERTIFICATES ON RECORD OF THE AFORESAID LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, “MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C.”.

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

AUTHENTICATION

:

9768725

 

 

 

 

 

DATE

:

08-09-12

3749729      8100H

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

120919845

 

 

 

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

2



 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION

 

THE UNDERSIGNED, A NATURAL PERSON (THE “ SOLE INCORPORATOR ”), FOR THE PURPOSE OF ORGANIZING A CORPORATION TO CONDUCT THE BUSINESS AND PROMOTE THE PURPOSES HEREINAFTER STATED, UNDER THE PROVISIONS AND SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT:

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of the corporation is MBOW Four Star Corporation (the “ Corporation ”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington 19801, County of New Castle. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent in the State of Delaware at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The purposes of the Corporation are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“ DGCL ”).

 

ARTICLE IV

 

The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

 

ARTICLE V

 

SECTION 1. The corporation is authorized to issue one class of stock to be designated, “Common Stock.” The total number of shares of Common Stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,000 shares, par value $0.01 per share.

 

SECTION 2. Each share of Common Stock of the Corporation shall have identical privileges in every respect. Each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote. Dividends may be paid on the Common Stock out of assets legally available for dividends, but only at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Directors shall determine

 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 10:10 PM 01/07/2004

 

FILED 07:51 PM 01/07/2004

 

SRV 040012431 - 3749729 FILE

 

1



 

and declare. Upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by them, respectively.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

SECTION 1.      The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by this Certificate of Incorporation or pursuant to the Bylaws of the Corporation. The number of directors of the Corporation shall not be less than one (1) nor more than nine (9). All directors of the Corporation shall hold office until their resignation or removal or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

 

SECTION 2.     Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws shall so provide. No holders of Common Stock of the Corporation shall have any rights to cumulate votes in the election of directors.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation or adopt new bylaws, without any action on the part of the stockholders; provided , however , that no such adoption, amendment, or repeal shall be valid with respect to Bylaw provisions that have been adopted, amended, or repealed by the stockholders; and further provided , that Bylaws adopted or amended by the Board of Directors and any powers thereby conferred may be amended, altered, or repealed by the stockholders.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

SECTION 1.     A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

If the DGCL is amended after the date hereof to authorize action by corporations organized pursuant to the DGCL to further eliminate or limit the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as amended.

 

2



 

SECTION 2.

 

(a)            Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether formal or informal, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, whether the basis of such Proceeding is an alleged action or inaction in an official capacity or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law, as the same exists or may hereafter exist in the future (but, in the case of any future change, only to the extent that such change permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than the law permitted prior to such change), against all costs, charges, expenses, liabilities and losses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators.

 

(b)            The Corporation shall pay expenses actually incurred by a director or officer in connection with any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided , however , that if Delaware law then requires, the payment of such expenses incurred in advance of the final disposition of a Proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified.

 

(c)            If a claim under paragraph (a) of this Section 2 of this Article VIII is not paid in full by the Corporation within 30 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination that indemnification of the claimant is permissible in the circumstances because the claimant has met the applicable standard of conduct, if any, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct.

 

SECTION 3.          The Corporation may provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law.

 

SECTION 4.          To the extent that any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation is, by reason of such position, or position with another entity at the request of the Corporation, a witness in any Proceeding, he or she shall be indemnified against all costs and expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her on his or her behalf in connection therewith.

 

3



 

SECTION 5.          The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under Delaware law.

 

SECTION 6.          The Corporation may enter into agreements with any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation providing for indemnification to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law.

 

SECTION 7.          Each and every paragraph, sentence, term and provision of this Article VIII is separate and distinct, so that if any paragraph, sentence, term or provision hereof shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or unenforceability of any other paragraph, sentence, term or provision hereof. To the extent required, any paragraph, sentence, term or provision of this Article VIII may be modified by a court of competent jurisdiction to preserve its validity and to provide the claimant with, subject to the limitations set forth in this Article VIII and any agreement between the Corporation and claimant, the broadest possible indemnification permitted under applicable law.

 

SECTION 8.          Each of the rights conferred on directors and officers of the Corporation by Section 1, 2 and 4 of this Article VIII and on employees or agents of the Corporation by Sections 3 and 4 of this Article VIII shall be a contract right and any repeal or amendment of the provisions of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any right hereunder of any person existing at the time of such repeal or amendment with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or amendment and, further, shall not apply to any proceeding, irrespective of when the proceeding is initiated, arising from the service of such person prior to such repeal or amendment.

 

SECTION 9.          The rights conferred in this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, add, alter, change, repeal or adopt any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon the stockholder of the Corporation herein are granted subject to this reservation.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the corporation has caused this Certificate to be signed by Joseph M. Brooker, its Sole Incorporator, on this 7th day of January, 2004.

 

 

By:

/s/ Joseph M. Brooker

 

Name:

Joseph M. Brooker

 

Title:

Sole Incorporator

 

 

Medicine Bow Energy Corporation

 

 

1225 seventeenth street, suite 1900

 

 

Denver, Colorado 80202

 



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 06:25 PM 01/08/2004

 

FILED 06:25 PM 01/08/2004

 

SRV 040013885 - 3749129 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER OF

 

EDISON MISSION ENERGY OIL & GAS

A California Corporation

 

WITH AND INTO

 

MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION

A Delaware Corporation

 

MBOW Four Star Corporation, a Delaware corporation, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS in accordance with Section 252 of the Delaware General Corporation Law:

 

FIRST:            The names of the corporations proposing to merge (the “ Constituent Corporations ”) and the states under which such corporations are incorporated are as follows:

 

 

Name of Corporation

 

State of Incorporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edison Mission Energy Oil & Gas

 

California

 

 

MBOW Four Star Corporation

 

Delaware

 

 

SECOND:      An Agreement and Plan of Merger has been adopted, approved, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the Constituent Corporations in accordance with Section 252 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ Agreement and Plan of Merger ”);

 

THIRD:           The name of the surviving corporation shall be “MBOW Four Star Corporation.”

 

FOURTH:       The executed Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at the office of the surviving corporation located at 1225 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1900, Denver, Colorado 80202.

 

FIFTH:            A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished upon request and without cost to any stockholder of any Constituent Corporations.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]

 

1



 

Executed this 8th day of January, 2004.

 

 

ATTEST:

 

MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Joseph M.Brooker

 

By:

/s/ Mitchell L. Solich

Joseph M.Brooker

 

Name:

Mitchell L. Solich

Assistant Secretary

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:

 

EDISON MISSION ENERGY OIL & GAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Joseph M. Brooker

 

By:

/s/ Mitchell L. Solich

Joseph M. Brooker

 

Name:

Mitchell L. Solich

Assistant Secretary

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

2



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 06:13 PM 07/19/2004

 

FILED 05:57 PM 07/19/2004

 

SRV 040528065 - 3749729 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER OF

 

FRONTSTREET FOURSTAR, LLC

A Delaware Limited Liability Company

 

WITH AND INTO

 

MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION

A Delaware Corporation

 

Pursuant to Title 8, Section 264(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law and Title 6, Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, the undersigned corporation executed the following Certificate of Merger:

 

FIRST:            The name of the surviving corporation is MBOW Four Star Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and the name of the limited liability company being merged into this surviving corporation is FrontStreet FourStar, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

SECOND:      An Agreement and Plan of Merger has been adopted, approved, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the surviving corporation and the merging limited liability company;

 

THIRD:           The name of the surviving corporation is MBOW Four Star Corporation.

 

FOURTH:       The merger is to become effective upon the filing of this Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State.

 

FIFTH:            A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at the office of the surviving corporation located at 1225 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1900, Denver, Colorado 80202 and will be furnished upon request and without cost to any member or stockholder of either MBOW Four Star Corporation or FrontStreet FourStar, LLC.

 

SIXTH:           The Certificate of Incorporation of the surviving corporation shall be its Certificate of Incorporation.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by an authorized Officer this 19 th  day of July, 2004.

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mitchell L. Solich

 

Name:

Mitchell L. Solich

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

1



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 04:39 PM 05/21/2012

 

FILED 04:39 PM 05/21/2012

 

SRV 120602307 - 37 49729 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

FROM A CORPORATION TO A

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

PURSUANT TO SECTION 266

OF THE DELAWARE

GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

AND SECTION 18-214 OF THE

DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT

 

This Certificate of Conversion of MBOW Four Star Corporation (the “Corporation”) is being duly executed and filed by an authorized person of the Corporation to convert the Corporation to a Delaware limited liability company in accordance with Section 266 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) and Section 18-214 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”).

 

1.              The name of the Corporation set forth in its original Certificate of Incorporation was:

 

MBOW Four Star Corporation

 

2.                                        The name of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion was:

 

MBOW Four Star Corporation

 

3.              The jurisdiction of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion was:

 

Delaware

 

4.              The jurisdiction where the Corporation was first created is:

 

Delaware

 

5.              The date the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed is:

 

January 7, 2004

 

6.                                        The name of the limited liability company (the “LLC”) as set forth in its Certificate of Formation is:

 

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C.

 

7.                                        This conversion has been approved in accordance with the provisions of Section 266 of the DGCL and Section 18-214 of the DLLCA.

 

8.                                        This Certificate of Conversion shall be effective at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on May 22, 2012.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Conversion has been executed by an authorized person of the Corporation on the 18th day of May, 2012.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

 

Joseph C. James

 

 

Authorized Person

 

2



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 04:39 PM 05/21/2012

 

FILED 04:39 PM 05/21/2012

 

SRV 120602307 - 3749729 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C.

 

This Certificate of Formation of MBOW Four Star, L.L.C. (the “LLC”) dated as of May 18, 2012, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as an authorized person, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C.§§ 18-101, et . seq.

 

FIRST:

The name of the LLC formed hereby is:

 

 

 

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C.

 

 

SECOND:

The address of the registered office of the LLC in the State of Delaware is:

 

 

 

Corporation Trust Center

 

1209 Orange Street

 

New Castle County

 

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

 

THIRD:

The name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the LLC in the State of Delaware are:

 

 

 

The Corporation Trust Company

 

Corporation Trust Center

 

1209 Orange Street

 

New Castle County

 

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

 

FOURTH:

The Certificate of Formation shall be effective at 12:01a.m. Eastern Time on May 22, 2012.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Certificate of Formation to be executed, this 18th day of May, 2012.

 

 

 

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

Joseph C. James

 

Authorized Person

 




Exhibit 3.12

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C.

 

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

PREAMBLE

 

The undersigned member, EP Energy, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sole Member”) hereby forms MBOW Four Star. L.L.C. (the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to and in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. §§ 18-101, et seq. (the “Act”), and hereby declares the following to be the Limited Liability Company Agreement of such limited liability company as of the Effective Date (as defined herein).

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

 

SECTION 1.01. Definitions Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement

 

Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del C. §§ 18-101. et seq., as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Agreement means this Limited Liability Company Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Assets means, at any time, any real property and other assets owned or leased by the Company from time to time.

 

Capital Contribution means a capital contribution made by the Member pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.02

 

Certificate means the Certificate of Formation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware effective as of May 22, 2012. to form the Company pursuant to the Act, as originally executed by Joseph C. James (as an authorized person within the meaning of the Act) and as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, as the context requires.

 

Company means the limited liability company formed pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Distributable Cash means cash (in U.S. dollars) of the Company that the Member determines is available for distribution.

 



 

Interest means the ownership interest in the Company at any time, including the right of the Member to any and all benefits to which the Member may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with the obligations of the Member to comply with all the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

Member refers to the Member set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and any other member or members admitted to the Company in accordance with this Agreement or any amendment or restatement hereof.

 

Person has the meaning set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally . The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Articles. Sections and Exhibits shall be deemed to be references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”

 

ARTICLE II

FORMATION

 

SECTION 2.01. Name The name of the Company shall be as set forth in the Preamble hereof. All business of the Company shall be conducted under such name and title to all property, real, personal, or mixed, owned by or leased to the Company shall be held in such name. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Member may change the name of the Company or adopt such trade or fictitious names as it may determine.

 

SECTION 2.02. Term . The term of the Company commenced on the date of filing of the Certificate of Formation of the Company in the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware (the “Effective Date”). The term of the Company shall continue until terminated as provided in Article VIII hereof.

 

SECTION 2.03. Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business of the Company shall be located at 1001 Louisiana, Houston. Texas 77002. The Member may establish other offices at other locations.

 

SECTION 2.04. Agent for Service of Process . The Corporation Trust Company shall be the registered agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The address of such agent within the State of Delaware is: Corporation Trust Center. 1209 Orange Street. City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801.

 

SECTION 2.05. Purposes of the Company . The Company has been organized to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a Delaware limited liability company may be formed.

 

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ARTICLE III

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 3.01. Capital Contribution . The Member may contribute cash or other property to the Company as it shall decide, from time to time.

 

SECTION 3.02. Additional Capital Contributions . If at any time the Member shall determine that additional funds or property are necessary or desirable to meet the obligations or needs of the Company, the Member may make additional Capital Contributions.

 

SECTION 3.03. Limitation on Liability . The liability of the Member shall be limited to its Interest in the Company, and the Member shall not have any personal liability to contribute money to, or in respect of, the liabilities or the obligations of the Company, except as set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 3.04. Withdrawal of Capital; Interest . The Member may not withdraw capital or receive any distributions, except as specifically provided herein. No interest shall be paid by the Company on any Capital Contributions.

 

ARTICLE IV

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 4.01. Distributions . Except as otherwise provided in the Act, all Distributable Cash of the Company shall be distributed to the Member, or distributions in kind may be made to the Member at such times as the Member shall determine.

 

ARTICLE V

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

SECTION 5.01. Books and Records . The Member shall keep or cause to be kept complete and accurate books of account and records that shall reflect all transactions and other matters and include all documents and other materials with respect to the Company’s business that are usually entered into and maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses. All Company financial statements shall be accurate in all material respects, shall fairly present the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations and Distributable Cash and transactions in its reserve accounts, and shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, subject, in the case of quarterly statements, to year-end adjustments. The books of the Company shall at all times be maintained at the principal office of the Company or at such other location as the Member decides.

 

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ARTICLE VI

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

SECTION 6.01. Management . The management of the Company shall be under the direction of the Member, who may, from time to time, designate one or more persons to be officers of the Company, with such titles as the Member may determine, including those positions set forth in Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 6.02. Officers . Such of the following officers shall be elected as the Member deems necessary or appropriate: a President, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Controller, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents. Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Controllers, and such other officers with such titles and powers and/or duties as the Member shall from time to time determine. Officers may be designated for particular areas of responsibility and simultaneously serve as officers of subsidiaries or divisions. Any officer so elected may resign at any time upon written notice to the Member. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein, no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the Member. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Company, but the election or appointment of any officer shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any vacancy occurring in any office by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Member.

 

(a)  President . The President shall have general control of the business, affairs, operations and property of the Company, subject to the supervision of the Member. He may sign or execute, in the name of the Company, all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other undertakings or instruments, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Member to some other officer or agent of the Company. He shall have and may exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as are incident to the office of President of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as are assigned from time to time by the Member.

 

(b)  Vice Presidents . Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as may from time to time be assigned to him, either generally or in specific instances, by the Member or the President. Any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the President at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the President or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have authority to sign or execute all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Company, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof

 

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shall have been expressly delegated by the Member to some other officer or agent of the Company.

 

(c)  Secretary . The Secretary shall keep the records of the Company, in books provided for the purpose; he shall be custodian of the seal or seals of the Company; he shall see that the seal is affixed to all documents requiring same, the execution of which, on behalf of the Company, under its seal, is duly authorized, and when said seal is so affixed he may attest same; and, in general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the secretary of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation), and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law. Any Assistant Secretary may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the Secretary at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the Secretary or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(d)  Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds, securities, receipts and disbursements of the Company, and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, in the name of the Company, all moneys or other valuable effects in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall, from time to time, be selected by or under authority of the Member; if required, he shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties, with such surety or sureties as the Member may determine; he shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate records of all receipts and disbursements in books of the Company and shall render to the Member or the President, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of the Company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation); and, in general, he shall perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer of a company, and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law.

 

(e)  Controller . The Controller shall be the chief accounting officer of the Company. He shall keep full and accurate accounts of the assets, liabilities, commitments, receipts, disbursements and other financial transactions of the Company; shall cause regular audits of the books and records of account of the Company and supervise the preparation of the Company’s financial statements; and, in general, he shall perform the duties incident to the office of controller of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law. If no Controller is elected by the Member, the Treasurer shall perform the duties of the office of controller.

 

(f)  Tax Officer . The Tax Officer shall have the authority to sign or execute on behalf of this Company any federal, foreign, Indian, state or local tax return or report, claim for refund of taxes, extension of a statute of limitation, administrative tax appeals filings and any other document relating to this Company’s tax responsibilities.

 

ARTICLE VII

TRANSFERS OF COMPANY INTERESTS

 

SECTION 7.01. Transfers . The Member may, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or am part of its Interest. Any Person

 

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acquiring the Member’s Interest shall be admitted to the Company as a substituted Member with no further action being required on the part of the Member.

 

ARTICLE VIII

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

 

SECTION 8.01. Dissolution . The Company shall be dissolved and its business wound up upon the decision made at any time by the Member to dissolve the Company, or upon the occurrence of any event of dissolution under the Act.

 

SECTION 8.02. Liquidation . Upon dissolution, the Company’s business shall be liquidated in an orderly manner. The Member shall wind up the affairs of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and in accordance with the Act, including, without limitation, Section 18-804 thereof.

 

SECTION 8.03. Distribution of Property . If in the discretion of the Member it becomes necessary to make a distribution of Company property in kind in connection with the liquidation of the Company, such property shall be transferred and conveyed to the Member, subject to Section 18-804 of the Act.

 

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 9.01. General . Except to the extent expressly prohibited by the Act, the Company shall indemnify each Person made or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, by reason of the fact that such Person or such Person’s testator or intestate is or was a member or officer of the Company, against judgments, fines (including excise taxes assessed on a Person with respect to an employee benefit plan), penalties, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with such action or proceeding, or any appeal therefrom; provided that no such indemnification shall be made if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such Person establishes that his conduct did not meet the then applicable minimum statutory standards of conduct; and provided, further, that no such indemnification shall be required in connection with any settlement or other non-adjudicated disposition of any threatened or pending action or proceeding unless the Company has given its prior consent to such settlement or such other disposition, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.02. Reimbursement . The Company shall advance or promptly reimburse, upon request, any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder for all expenses, including attorneys’ fees, reasonably incurred in defending any action or proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Person (in form and substance satisfactory to the Company) to repay such amount if such Person is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification or, where indemnification is granted, to the extent the expenses so advanced or reimbursed exceed the amount to which such Person is entitled: provided that such Person shall cooperate in good faith with any request by the Company that

 

6



 

common counsel be utilized by the parties to an action or proceeding who are similarly situated unless to do so would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflicts of interest between or among such parties: and provided , further , that the Company shall only advance attorneys’ fees in respect of legal counsel approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.03. Availability . The right to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this provision is intended to be retroactive and shall be available with respect to any action or proceeding which relates to events prior to the effective date of this provision.

 

SECTION 9.04. Indemnification Agreement . The Company is authorized to enter into agreements with any of its members or officers extending rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to such Person to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, but the failure to enter into any such agreement shall not affect or limit the rights of such Person pursuant to this provision.

 

SECTION 9.05. Enforceability . In case any provision in this Article IX shall be determined at any time to be unenforceable in any respect, the other provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and the affected provisions shall be given the fullest possible enforcement in the circumstances, it being the intention of the Company to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to its members and officers, acting in such capacities, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 9.06. No Amendments . No amendment or repeal of this provision shall apply to or have any effect on the indemnification of, or advancement of expenses to, the Member or any officer of the Company for, or with respect to, acts or omissions of such Member or officer occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

SECTION 9.07. Not Exclusive . The foregoing shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which the Member or any officer may be entitled as a matter of law and shall not affect any rights to indemnification to which Company personnel other than the Member or officers may be entitled by contract or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 10.01. Amendments and Consents . This Agreement may be modified or amended only by the Member.

 

SECTION 10.02. Benefits of A g reement . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditor of the Company or the Member.

 

SECTION 10.03. Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements in connection therewith. No covenant, representation or condition not expressed in this

 

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Agreement shall affect, or be effective to interpret, change or restrict, the express provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.04. Headings . The titles of Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be interpreted to limit or amplify the provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.05. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument, which may be sufficiently evidenced by one counterpart.

 

SECTION 10.06. Severability . Each provision of this Agreement shall be considered separable and if for any reason any provision or provisions hereof are determined to be invalid and contrary to any existing or future law, such invalidity shall not impair the operation of or affect those portions of this Agreement, which are valid.

 

SECTION 10.07. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

 

SECTION 10.08. Security . For purposes of providing for transfer of, perfection a security interest in, and other relevant matters related to, a membership interest in the Company, each membership interest in the Company shall be deemed to be a ‘security’ subject to the rules set forth in Chapters 8 and 9 of the Texas Uniform Commercial Code and any similar Uniform Commercial Code provision adopted by the States of New York or Delaware or any other relevant jurisdiction.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Limited Liability Company Agreement has been duly executed by EP Energy, L.L.C., effective as of the 22nd day of May, 2012.

 

 

EP ENERGY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President

 

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Exhibit A

Percentage Interests

 

Member:

 

Percentage Interest

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy, L.L.C.

 

100

%

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

 

9




Exhibit 3.13

 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED ARE TRUE AND CORRECT COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS ON FILE OF “EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.” AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE.

 

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED:

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, FILED THE TWENTIETH DAY OF APRIL, A.D. 1964, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP, FILED THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF APRIL, A.D. 1964, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC.” TO “GAS PRODUCING ENTERPRISES, INC.”, FILED THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY, A.D. 1969, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP, FILED THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1977, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “GAS PRODUCING ENTERPRISES, INC.” TO “COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION”, FILED THE SEVENTH DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 1980, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, FILED THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. 1983, AT 3 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

0610204  8100H

 

AUTHENTICATION: 9768670

 

 

 

120919780

 

DATE: 08-09-12

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

1



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP, FILED THE THIRD DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 1984, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, FILED THE SECOND DAY OF APRIL, A.D. 1985, AT 8:30 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP, FILED THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1985, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP, FILED THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1987, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION” TO “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY”, FILED THE NINTH DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 2001, AT 11 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. 2002, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF AUGUST, A.D. 2003, AT 10:19 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF AUGUST, A.D. 2003.

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP, FILED THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

0610204  8100H

 

AUTHENTICATION: 9768670

 

 

 

120919780

 

DATE: 08-09-12

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

2



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

AUGUST, A.D. 2003, AT 10:26 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP IS THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF AUGUST, A.D. 2003.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE TWENTY-SIXTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2003, AT 9:15 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE THIRTIETH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2003.

 

RESTATED CERTIFICATE, FILED THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2004, AT 12:08 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2005, AT 9:27 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2005, AT 9:30 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY” TO “EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.”, FILED THE NINTH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2006, AT 9:08 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

0610204  8100H

 

AUTHENTICATION: 9768670

 

 

 

120919780

 

DATE: 08-09-12

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

3



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT IS THE THIRTIETH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2006, AT 10:45 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE THIRTIETH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2010, AT 5:47 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.” TO “EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.”, FILED THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 4:39 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION IS THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 12:01 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION, FILED THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 4:39 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION IS THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 12:01 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATES ARE THE ONLY CERTIFICATES ON RECORD OF THE AFORESAID LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, “EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

0610204  8100H

 

AUTHENTICATION: 9768670

 

 

 

120919780

 

DATE: 08-09-12

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

4



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

L.L.C.”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

0610204  8100H

 

AUTHENTICATION: 9768670

 

 

 

120919780

 

DATE: 08-09-12

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

5



 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

RECEIVED & FILED

 

APR 20 1964  10 A M

 

 

/s/ Secretary of State

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 

6100-4

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

FIRST. The name of the corporation is COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

SECOND. Its principal office in the State of Delaware is located at No. 100 West Tenth Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of Net Castle. The name and address of its resident agent is The Corporation Trust Company, No. 100 West Tenth Street, Wilmington 99, Delaware.

 

THIRD. The nature of the business, or objects or purposes to be transacted, promoted or carried on are:

 

To buy, sell and operate business establishments and to act as agent for individuals, corporations, business establishments of any kind or character in the purchase or sale of business establishments, including sole proprietor-ships, partnerships, corporations and any other business organization.

 

To manufacture, purchase or otherwise acquire, invest in, own, mortgage, pledge, sell, assign and transfer or otherwise dispose of, trade, deal in and deal with goods, wares and merchandise and personal property of every class and description.

 

To acquire, and pay for in cash, stock or bonds of this corporation or otherwise, the good will, rights, assets and property, and to undertake or assume the whole or any part of the obligations or liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation.

 

To acquire, hold, use, sell, assign, lease, grant licenses in respect of, mortgage or otherwise dispose of

 



 

letters patent of the United States or any foreign country, patent rights, licenses and privileges, inventions, improvements and processes, copyrights, trade-marks and trade names, relating to or useful in connection with any business of this corporation.

 

To acquire by purchase, subscription or otherwise, and to receive, hold, own, guarantee, sell, assign, exchange, transfer, mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of or deal in and with any of the shares of the capital stock, or any voting trust certificates in respect of the shares of capital stock, scrip, warrants, rights, bonds, debentures, notes, trust receipts, and other securities, obligations, choses in action and evidences of indebtedness or interest issued or created by any corporations, joint stock companies, syndicates, associations, firms, trusts or persons, public or private, or by the government of the United States of America, or by any foreign government, or by any state, territory, province, municipality or other political subdivision or by any governmental agency, and as owner thereof to possess and exercise all the rights, powers and privileges of ownership, including the right to execute consents and vote thereon, and to do any and all acts and things necessary or advisable for the preservation, protection, improvement and enhancement in value thereof.

 

To enter into, make and perform contracts of every kind and description with any person, firm, association, corporation, municipality, county, state, body politic or government or colony or dependency thereof.

 

To borrow or raise moneys for any of the purposes of the corporation and, from time to time without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, execute and issue

 

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promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures and other negotiable or non-negotiable instruments and evidences of indebtedness, and to secure the payment of any thereof and of the interest thereon by mortgage upon or pledge, conveyance or assignment in trust of the whole or any part of the property of the corporation, whether at the time owned or thereafter acquired, and to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of such bonds or other obligations of the corporation for its corporate purposes.

 

To loan to any person, firm or corporation any of its surplus funds, either with or without security.

 

To purchase, hold, sell and transfer the shares of its own capital stock; provided it shall not use its funds or property for the purchase of its own shares of capital stock when such use would cause any impairment of its capital except as otherwise permitted by law, and provided further that shares of its own capital stock belonging to it shall not be voted upon directly or indirectly.

 

To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and business and without restriction or limit as to amount to purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, own, mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property of every class and description in any of the states, districts, territories or colonies of the United States, and in any and all foreign countries, subject to the laws of such state, district, territory, colony or country.

 

In general, to carry on any other business in connection with the foregoing, and to have and exercise all the powers conferred by the laws of Delaware upon corporations formed under the General Corporation Law of the State

 

3



 

of Delaware, and to do any or all of the things hereinbefore set forth to the same extent as natural persons might or could do.

 

The objects and purposes specified in the fore-going clauses shall, except where otherwise expressed, be in nowise limited or restricted by reference to, or inference from, the terms of any other clause in this certificate of incorporation, but the objects and purposes specified in each of the foregoing clauses of this article shall be regarded as independent objects and purposes.

 

FOURTH. The total number of shares of stock which the corporation shall have authority to issue is five hundred (500) and the par value of each of such shares is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) amounting in the aggregate to Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).

 

FIFTH. The minimum amount of capital with which the corporation will commence business is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

 

SIXTH. The names and places of residence of the incorporators are as follows:

 

 

NAMES

 

RESIDENCES

 

S. H. Livesay

 

Wilmington, Delaware

 

F. J. Obara, Jr.

 

Wilmington, Delaware

 

A. D. Grier

 

Wilmington, Delaware

 

SEVENTH. The corporation is to have perpetual existence.

 

EIGHTH. The private property of the stockholders shall not be subject to the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.

 

4



 

NINTH. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the board of directors is expressly authorized:

 

To make, alter or repeal the by-laws of the corporation.

 

To authorize and cause to be executed mortgages and liens upon the real and personal property of the corporation.

 

To set apart out of any of the funds of the corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and to abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

By resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, to designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the corporation, which, to the extent provided in the resolution or in the by-laws of the corporation, shall have and may exercise the powers of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be stated in the by-laws of the corporation or as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors.

 

When and as authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding having voting power given at a stockholders’ meeting duly called for that purpose, or when authorized by the written consent of the holders of a majority of the voting stock issued and outstanding, to sell, lease or exchange all

 

5



 

of the property and assets of the corporation, including its good will and its corporate franchises, upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration, which may be in whole or in part shares of stock in, and/or other securities of, any other corporation or corporations, as its board of directors shall deem expedient and for the best interests of the corporation.

 

TENTH. Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this corporation and is creditors or any class of them and/or between this corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof, or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under the provisions of section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under the provisions of section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this corporation as consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the

 

6



 

creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this corporation, as the case may be, and also on this corporation.

 

ELEVENTH. No contract or other transactions between the corporation and any other corporation, firm or individual shall be affected or invalidated by the fact that any one or more of the directors or officers of this corporation is or are interested in or is a director or officer of such other corporation, or a member of such firm, and any director or officer, individually or jointly, may be a party to or may be interested in any contract, or transaction, of this corporation or in which this corporation is interested, and no contract, act or transaction of this corporation with any person or persons, firms or corporations, shall be affected or invalidated by the fact that any director or officer of this corporation is a party to or interested in such contract, act or transaction, or in any way connected with such person or persons, firm or corporation, and each and every person who may become a director or officer of this corporation is hereby relieved from any liability that might otherwise exist from contracting with the corporation for the benefit of himself or any firm or corporation in which he may be in anywise interested.

 

TWELFTH. Meetings of stockholders may be held outside the State of Delaware, if the by-laws so provide. The books of the corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the statutes) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors or in the by-laws of

 

7



 

the corporation. Elections of directors need not be by ballot unless the by-laws of the corporation shall so provide.

 

THIRTEENTH. The corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this certificate of incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

 

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, being each of the incorporators hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, do make this certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly have hereunto set our hands and seals this 20th day of April A.D. 1964.

 

 

/s/ Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8



 

STATE OF DELAWARE

SS.

COUNTY OF NEW CASTLE

 

BE IT REMENBERED that on this 20th day of April A.D. 1964, personally came before me, a Notary Public for the State of Delaware, S. H. Livesay, F. J. Obara, Jr. and A. D. Grier all of the parties to the foregoing certificate of incorporation, known to me personally to be such, and severally acknowledged the said certificate to be the act and deed of the signers respectively and that the facts therein stated are truly set forth.

 

GIVEN under my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid.

 

 

 

/s/ Authorized Notary

 

Notary Public

 

 

9



 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP

 

OF

 

COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC. (TEXAS)

 

MERGING INTO:

 

COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC. (DEL.)

 

 

6102-4

 

RECEIVED & FILED

 

APR 27 1964 10 A.M.

 

 

/s/ Secretary of State

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

 

MERGING

 

COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC., incorporated in Texas

 

INTO

 

COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC., incorporated in Delaware

 

*** *** ***

 

COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That this corporation was incorporated on the 22nd day of April, 1964, pursuant to the Delaware Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

SECOND: That this corporation owns all of the outstanding shares of the common stock of COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC., a corporation incorporated on the 7th day of May, 1962, pursuant to the Texas Corporation Law of the State of Texas.

 

THIRD: That this corporation, by the following resolutions of its Board of Directors, July adopted at a meeting held on the 23rd day of April, 1964, determined to and did merge into itself said COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC., incorporated in Texas:

 

RESOLVED, that COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC., incorporated in Delaware, merge, and it hereby does merge into itself said COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC., incorporated in Texas, and assumes all of its obligations; and

 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the proper officers of this corporation be and they hereby are directed to make and execute, under the corporate seal of this corporation, a Certificate of Ownership and Merger setting forth a copy of the resolutions to merge said COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC., incorporated in Texas, and assume its liabilities and obligations, and the date of adoption thereof, and to cause the same to be filed, in the manner provided by law, and to do all acts and things whatsoever, whether within or without the State of Delaware, which may be in anywise necessary or proper to effect said merger.

 



 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the merger shall be effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of Delaware and upon recording a certified copy in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of New Castle County.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC., incorporated in Delaware, has caused its corporate seal to be affixed and this certificate to be signed by M. T. Arnold, its Vice President, and Ellis M. Brown, its Secretary, this 24th day of April, A. D. 1964.

 

COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC.

Incorporated in Delaware

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ M T. Arnold

 

Vice President

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Ellis M. Brown

 

Secretary

 

 



 

STATE OF TEXAS

$

 

 

COUNTY OF NUECES

$

 

BE IT REMEMBERED that on this 24th day of April, 1964, personally came before me, Authorized Notary, a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, M. T. Arnold, Vice President of COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC., a corporation of the State of Delaware, the corporation described in and which executed the foregoing certificate, known to me personally to be such, and he, the said M T. Arnold as such Vice President, duly executed said certificate before me and acknowledged the said certificate to be his act and deed and the act and deed of said corporation; that the signatures of the said Vice President and of the Secretary of said corporation to said foregoing certificate are in the handwriting of the said Vice President and Secretary of said corporation, respectively, and that the seal affixed to said certificate is the common or corporate seal of said corporation.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid.

 

[SEAL]

/s/ Authorized Notary

Notary Public

 



 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

6102-4

FILED

FEB 13 1969 10 AM

 

 

/s/ Secretary of State

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

* * * * * * * *

 

COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of said corporation, duly held and convened on February 7, 1969, resolutions were adopted proposing and declaring advisable the following amendments to the certificate of incorporation of said corporation:

 

I.

 

RESOLVED: That the Certificate of Incorporation of Coastal States Enterprises, Inc. be amended by changing Article FIRST, so that as so amended said Article FIRST shall be, and read in its entirety, as follows:

 

FIRST . The name of the Corporation is GAS PRODUCING ENTERPRISES, INC.”

 

II.

 

RESOLVED: That the Certificate of Incorporation of COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC. be amended by changing Article THIRD, so that as so amended said Article THIRD shall be, and read in its entirety, as follows:

 

THIRD . The nature of the business or objects or purposes to be transacted, promoted or carried on are:

 

“To mine for, prospect for, drill for, produce, store, buy or in any manner acquire, refine, manufacture into its several products and to sell, market, distribute and transport petroleum and its products and by-products; to mine for, prospect for, drill for, produce, manufacture, store, buy or in any manner acquire, and to market, sell, transport, and distribute natural gas and/or artificial gas and/or liquified petroleum gas and any by-products and residual products thereof, and to own, hold,

 



 

maintain and operate and to sell, exchange, lease, encumber or in any manner dispose of works, buildings, pipe lines, mains, gathering systems, distribution systems, machinery, appliances, apparatus, facilities, rights, privileges, franchises, ordinances and all such real and personal property as may be necessary, useful or convenient in the production, acquisition, manufacture, storage, transportation, sale and marketing of petroleum natural gas and artificial gas, or any of them, and the products or by-products thereof.

 

“To acquire, by purchase or otherwise, construct, lease, let, own, hold, sell, convey, equip, maintain, operate and otherwise deal in and with pipe lines, cars, vessels, tanks, tramways, refineries, reduction plants and any and all other conveyances, appliances and apparatus for storing, transporting, distributing, marketing, manufacturing, distilling, refining, reducing, preparing or otherwise dealing in and with petroleum, gas, gasoline, asphaltum, and any and all other minerals, metals, ores, the products and by-products thereof and mineral substances, products and by-products thereof.

 

“To acquire, own, construct, erect, lay down, manage, maintain, operate, enlarge, alter, work and use all such lands, interests in land, buildings, easements, gas, electric and other works, machinery, plant stock, pipes, lamps, maters, fittings, motors, apparatus, appliances, materials and things, and to supply all such materials, products and things as may be necessary, incident or convenient in connection with the production, use, storage, regulation, purification, measurement, supply and distribution of any of the products of the Corporation.

 

“To obtain the grant of, purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire any concessions, leases, rights, options, patents, privileges, lands and interests therein, rights of way, sites, properties, undertakings or businesses, or any right, option or contract in relation thereto, and to perform, carry out and fulfill the terms and conditions thereof, and to carry the same into effect, and to develop, maintain, lease, sell, transfer, dispose of in whole or in part and otherwise deal with the same.

 

2



 

“To transact any manufacturing or mining business, and to purchase and sell goods, wares and merchandise used for such business.

 

“To store, transport, buy and sell oil, gas, salt, brine and other mineral solutions and liquified minerals; also sand and clay for the manufacture and sale of clay products.

 

“To establish and maintain an oil and gas business with authority to contract for the lease and purchase of the right to prospect for, develop and use coal and other minerals, petroleum and gas; also the right to erect, build and own all necessary oil tanks, cars and pipes necessary for the operation of the business of the same.

 

“To establish and maintain a drilling business, with authority to own and operate drilling rigs, machinery, tools and apparatus necessary in the boring, or otherwise sinking of wells in the production of oil, gas, or water, or either, and the purchase and sale of such goods, wares and merchandise used for such business.

 

“To purchase, take, lease as lessee or otherwise acquire, to own, use, improve and maintain, and to sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease as [ILLEGIBEL] dispose of uranium, vanadium, oil, gas and mineral lands, lands and real estate of all kinds, and the uranium, vanadium, oil, gas and mineral rights and interests in lands; to produce therefrom oil, gas, minerals, elements, deposits and substances of all kinds including solids, liquids and gases and to develop and exploit said lands, rights and interests; to develop such lands, rights and interests by, and to enter into and execute contracts for the drilling of wells and the installation of plants, machinery and equipment, and to dispose of the products therefrom either as a raw product or otherwise; to refine and reduce said products, to prepare said products for market and to manufacture from said products any and all marketable commodities.

 

“To purchase and sell goods, wares and merchandise.

 

“To manufacture, purchase or otherwise acquire, invest in, own, mortgage, pledge, sell, assign and transfer or otherwise dispose of, trade, deal in and deal with goods, wares and merchandise and personal property of every class and description.

 

3



 

“To acquire and pay for in cash, stock or bonds of this corporation or otherwise, the good will, rights, assets and property, and to undertake or assume the whole or any part of the obligations or liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation.

 

“To acquire, hold, use, sell, assign, lease, grant licenses in respect of, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of letters patent of the United States or any foreign country, patent rights, licenses and privileges, inventions, improvements and processes, copyrights, trademarks and trade names, relating to or useful in connection with any business of this corporation.

 

“To acquire by purchase, subscription or otherwise, and to receive, hold, own, guarantee, sell, assign, exchange, transfer, mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of or deal in and with any of the shares of the capital stock, or any voting trust certificates in respect of the shares of capital stock, scrip, warrants, rights, bonds, debentures, notes, trust receipts, and other securities, obligations, choses in action and evidences of indebtedness or interest issued or created by any corporations, joint stock companies, syndicates, associations, firms, trusts or persons, public or private, or by the government of the United States of America, or by any foreign government, or by any state, territory, province, municipality or other political subdivision or by any governmental agency, and as owner thereof to possess and exercise all the rights, powers and privileges of ownership, including the right to execute consents and vote thereon, and to do any and all acts and things necessary or advisable for the preservation, protection, improvement and enhancement in value thereof.

 

“To enter into, make and perform contracts of every kind and description with any person, firm, association, corporation, municipality, county, state, body politic or government or colony or dependency thereof.

 

“To borrow or raise moneys for any of the purposes of the corporation and, from time to time, without limit as to amount to draw, make, accept, endorse, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures and other negotiable or non-negotiable instruments and evidences of indebtedness, and to secure the payment of

 

4



 

any thereof and of the interest thereon by mortgage upon or pledge, conveyance or assignment in trust of the whole or any part of the property of the corporation, whether at the time owned or thereafter acquired, and to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of such bonds or other obligations of the corporation for its corporate purposes.

 

“To loan to any person, firm or corporation any of its surplus funds, either with or without security.

 

“To purchase, hold, sell and transfer the shares of its own capital stock; provided it shall not use its funds or property for the purchase of its own shares of capital stock when such use would cause any impairment of its capital except as otherwise permitted by law, and provided further that shares of its own capital stock belonging to it shall not be voted upon directly or indirectly.

 

“To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and business and without restriction or limit as to amount to purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, own, mortgage, sell, convey, or otherwise dispose of real and personal property of every class and description in any of the States, Districts, Territories or Colonies of the United States, and in any and all foreign countries, subject to the laws of such State, District, Territory, Colony or Country.

 

“In general, to carry on any other business in connection with the foregoing, and to have and exercise all the powers conferred by the laws of Delaware upon corporations formed under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and to do any or all of the things herein-before set forth to the same extent as natural persons might or could do.

 

“The objects and purposes specified in the foregoing clauses shall, except where otherwise expressed, be in nowise limited or restricted by reference to, or inference from, the terms of any other clause in this certificate of incorporation, but the objects and purposes specified in each of the foregoing clauses of this article shall be regarded as independent objects and purposes.”

 

SECOND: That said amendments have been consented to and authorized by the holder of all of the issued and outstanding stock of said Corporation, entitled to vote, by a written consent given in accordance with the provisions

 

5



 

of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, and filed with the permanent records of the corporation.

 

THIRD: That the said amendments were duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 242 and 228 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

FOURTH: That the capital of the corporation will not be reduced under or by reason of said amendments.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC. has caused its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and this certificate to be signed by George L. Brundrett, Jr., its Vice President, and attested by Leroy Taylor, its Secretary, this 7th day of February, 1969.

 

 

 

COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC.

Coastal Enterprises, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Seal

 

 

By

/s/ George L. Brundrett, Jr.

Delaware

 

 

 

Vice President

[SEAL]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Leroy Taylor

 

 

 

 

 

Secretary

 

 

 

 

STATE OF TEXAS

$

 

 

COUNTY OF NUECES

$

 

BE IT REMEMBERED that on this 7th day of February, 1969, personally came before me a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, George L. Brundrett, Jr., Vice President of COASTAL STATES ENTERPRISES, INC., a corporation of the State of Delaware, and he duly executed said certificate before me and acknowledged the said certificate to be his act and deed and the act and deed of said corporation, and that the facts stated therein are true; and that the seal affixed to said certificate and attested by the Secretary of said corporation is the common or corporate seal of said corporation.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid.

 

 

/s/ Authorized Notary

 

Notary Public in and for Nueces County

 

TEXAS

 

My commission expires June 1, 1969

 

[SEAL]

 

Notary Public

County of Nueces, Texas.

 

6



 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

 

OF

 

GAS PRODUCING ENTERPRISES, INC. (DEL.DOM.)

 

MERGING

 

COLORADO OIL COMPANY, INC. (DEL.DOM.)

 

6102-4

FILED

DEC 15 1977 10 AM

 

/s/ Secretary of State

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

 

MERGING

 

COLORADO OIL COMPANY, INC.

 

INTO

 

GAS PRODUCING ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

******

 

GAS PRODUCING ENTERPRISES, INC. a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That this corporation was incorporated on the 20th day of April, 1964, pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

SECOND: That this corporation owns all of the outstanding shares of stock of COLORADO OIL COMPANY, INC., a corporation incorporated on the 12th day of November, 1975, pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD: That this corporation, by the following resolutions of its Board of Directors, duly adopted at a meeting held on the 28th day of November, 1977, determined to merge into itself said COLORADO OIL COMPANY, INC.:

 

RESOLVED, that GAS PRODUCING ENTEPRISES, INC. merge, and it hereby does merge into itself said COLORADO OIL COMPANY, INC., and assumes all of its obligations; and further

 

RESOLVED, that the merger shall become effective at the close of business on December 31, 1977; and further

 



 

RESOLVED, that the proper offices of this corporation be and they hereby are directed to make and execute a Certificate of Ownership and Merger setting forth a copy of the resolutions to merge said COLORADO OIL COMPANY, INC., into this corporation and assume its liabilities and obligations, and the date of adoption thereof, and to cause the same to be filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware and a certified copy recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of New Castle County, Delaware, and to do all acts and things whatsoever, whether within or without the State of Delaware, which may be in anywise necessary or proper to effect said merger.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said GAS PRODUCING ENTERPRISES, INC. has caused this certificate to be signed by AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE, its Vice President and attested by W. J. KNIGHT, JR., its Assistant Secretary, this 7th day of December, 1977.

 

 

GAS PRODUCING ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE

 

 

AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE

 

 

Vice President

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

[SEAL]

 

 

 

By

/s/ W. J. KNIGHT, JR.

 

 

W. J. KNIGHT, JR.

 

 

Assistant Secretary

 

 



 

6102.04

 

FILED

 

MAR 7 1980

 

 

/s/ Secretary of State

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 



 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

GAS PRODUCING ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

Gas Producing Enterprises, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the Board of Directors of said Corporation, at a meeting duly held, adopted a resolution proposing and declaring advisable the following amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of said corporation:

 

RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of Gas Producing Enterprises, Inc. be amended by changing the first Article thereof so that, as amended, said Article shall be and read as follows:

 

“FIRST. The name of the Corporation is

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION.”

 

SECOND: That in lieu of a meeting and vote of stockholders, the sole stockholder has given its written consent to said amendment in accordance with the provisions of section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD: That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of sections 242 and 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 



 

FOURTH: That the capital of the corporation will not be changed under or by reason of said amendment.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said Gas Producing Enterprises, Inc. has caused this certificate to be signed by Austin M. O’Toole, its Vice President and attested by John C. Simons, its Assistant Secretary this 7th day of March, 1980.

 

 

 

GAS PRODUCING ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Austin M. O’Toole

 

 

Austin M. O’Toole, Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John C. Simons

 

 

 

John C. Simons, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 


 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”).

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the Board of Directors of the corporation, by Unamious Consent in Lieu of Special Meeting, dated October 10, 1983, adopted the following resolution:

 

RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the corporation does hereby propose and declare advisable an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation to renumber present Article Thirteenth thereof as Article Fourteenth, and to add a new Article Thirteenth thereto, in the form submitted herewith, and directs that such amendment be submitted for approval by the sole stockholder of the corporation.

 

SECOND: That by Consent of sole stockholder of the corporation dated October 12, 1983, the sole stockholder gave approval to said amendment in the form approved by the Board of Directors and attached hereto as Exhibit A, in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD: That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 228 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

FOURTH: That this Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

 

 

00002

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation, has caused this certificate to be signed by George L. Brundrett, Jr., its Senior Vice President, and attested by Austin M. O’Toole, its Secretary, this 13th day of October, 1983.

 

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SEAL]

By

/s/ George L. Brundrett, Jr.

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Austin M. O’Toole

 

 

Secretary

 

 

 

STATE OF TEXAS

§

 

 

§

 

COUNTY OF HARRIS

§

 

 

Before me, Rose Marie Sanchez, a Notary Public in and for the State of Texas, on this day personally appeared George L. Brundrett, Jr., known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and known to me to be the Senior Vice President of the corporation named therein, and acknowledged to me that he executed said instrument for the purposes and consideration therein expressed, and as the act of said corporation.

 

Given under my hand and seal of office this 13th day of October, 1983.

 

[SEAL]

 

 

 

/s/ Rose Marie Sanchez

 

Notary Public in and for the State of Texas

 

 

 

 

 

 

00003

 

2



 

EXHIBIT A

 

THIRTEENTH. The following additional provisions shall govern the Board of Directors of the corporation:

 

a. Number . The number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be six (6).

 

b. Election and Term . The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes with the term of office of the first class expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1984, of the second class expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1985, and of the third class expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1986.

 

At each annual meeting of stockholders, commencing with the annual meeting of stockholders in 1984, successors to directors of the class whose terms then expire shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified. When the number of directors is changed, any new y-created directorships or any decrease in directorships shall be so apportioned among the classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as possible.

 

c. Removal . Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, for cause only, at a meeting of stockholders, by the holders of a majority of the shares of the corporation then entitled to vote in an election of directors. “Cause” as

 

 

 

00004

 



 

used herein shall mean conduct amounting to fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct. Any vacancy resulting from such action shall be filled at a meeting of stockholders (which may be the same meeting) by the same vote.

 

d. Vacancies . Any vacancy in the Board of Directors, (other than a vacancy resulting from removal for cause pursuant to paragraph c. hereof), whether by death, incapacity, resignation, or otherwise, may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office (even though less than a quorum), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the balance of the term of office of the director who is succeeded.

 

 

 

00005

 

2



 

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

 

 

 

 

 

MERGING

 

 

 

 

 

WESTERN ENTERPRISES, INC.

[SEAL]

 

 

 

 

INTO

 

 

 

 

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

 

* * * * *

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That this corporation was incorporated on the 20th day of April, 1964, pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

SECOND: That this corporation owns all of the outstanding shares (of each class) of the stock of Western Enterprises, Inc., a corporation incorporated on the 18th day of October, 1974, pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD: That this corporation, by the following resolutions of its Board of Directors, duly adopted by the unanimous written consent of its members, filed with the minutes of the board, on the 1st day of December, 1983, determined to and did merge into itself said Western Enterprises, Inc.

 

RESOLVED, that Western Enterprises, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, be merged into the Company, and that the Company shall assume all liabilities and obligations of such subsidiary in connection therewith; and further

 

RESOLVED, that such merger shall be effective upon the date of filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and further

 

RESOLVED, that the officers of the Company, and each of them, are hereby authorized and directed to make and execute a Certificate of Ownership and Merger, setting forth a copy of these resolutions and the date of adoption thereof, and to cause the same to be filed with the Secretary of State of

 

 

 

00002

 



 

Delaware and a certified copy recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of New Castle County, and to do all acts and things whatsoever which may be necessary or proper in the discretion of such officers to effect such merger.

 

FOURTH: Anything herein or elsewhere to the contrary notwithstanding this merger may be amended or terminated and abandoned by the board of directors of Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation at any time prior to the date of filing the merger with the Secretary of State.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by Austin M. O’Toole, its Vice President and Secretary and attested by John C. Simons, its Assistant Secretary, this 23rd day of December, 1983.

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE

[SEAL]

 

 

AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE

 

 

 

Vice President and Secretary

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ JOHN C. SIMONS

 

 

 

 

JOHN C. SIMONS

 

 

 

 

Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

00003

 

2


 

 

FILED

 

APR 2 1985 8:30 AM

 

/s/ Secretary of State

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “corporation”),

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST:   That the Board of Directors of the corporation, by Unanimous Consent in Lieu of Special Meeting, dated February 7, 1985, adopted the following resolution:

 

RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the corporation does hereby propose and declare advisable an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation to delete present Article Thirteenth thereof and renumber present Article Fourteenth thereof as Article Thirteenth, and directs that such amendment be submitted for approval by the sole stockholder of the corporation.

 

SECOND:   That by Consent of Sole Stockholder of the corporation dated February 15, 1985, the sole stockholder gave approval to said amendment in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD:   That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 228 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

FOURTH:   That this Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by George L. Brundrett, Jr., its Senior Vice President, and attested by Austin M. O’Toole, its Secretary, this 27th day of March, 1985.

 

 

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ George L. Brundrett, Jr.

 

 

 

George L. Brundrett, Jr.

 

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Austin M. O’Toole

 

 

Austin M. O’Toole

 

 

Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATE OF TEXAS

§

 

 

 

§

 

 

COUNTY OF HARRIS

§

 

 

 

Before me, Phyllis D. O’Neal, a Notary Public in and for the State of Texas, on this day personally appeared George L. Brundrett, Jr., known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and known to me to be the Senior Vice President of the corporation named therein, and acknowledged to me that be executed said instrument for the purposes and consideration therein expressed, and as the act of said corporation.

 

Given under my hand and seal of office this 27th day of March, 1985.

 

 

 

/s/ Phyllis D. O’Neal

 

Notary Public in and for the State of Texas

 

 

 

 

 

My Commission Expires: 9/16/85

 

 

              00008

 

 

2



 

 

FILED

 

DEC 31 1985 10 AM

 

/s/ Secretary of State

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

MERGING

 

COASTAL CAMEROON ONSHORE, INC.,

 

COASTAL CONGO, INC.,

 

COASTAL INDONESIA, INC.

AND

COASTAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA EXPLORATION, INC.

 

INTO

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST:  That this corporation was incorporated on April 20, 1964, pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

SECOND:  That this corporation owns all of the outstanding shares of stock of COASTAL CAMEROON ONSHORE, INC., a corporation incorporated on December 29, 1977, pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD:  That this corporation owns all of the outstanding shares of stock of COASTAL CONGO, INC., a corporation incorporated on August 3, 1978, pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

FOURTH:  That this corporation owns all of the outstanding shares of stock of COASTAL INDONESIA, INC., a corporation incorporated on November 16, 1977, pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

 

 

000002

 



 

FIFTH:  That this corporation owns all of the outstanding shares of stock of COASTAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA EXPLORATION, INC., a corporation incorporated on January 18, 1980, pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

SIXTH:  That this corporation, by the following resolutions of its Board of Directors, duly adopted by the unanimous written consent of its members, filed with the minutes of the Board on December 27, 1985, determined to and did merge into itself said COASTAL CAMEROON ONSHORE, INC., COASTAL CONGO, INC., COASTAL INDONESIA, INC. and COASTAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA EXPLORATION, INC.

 

RESOLVED, that COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION does hereby merge into itself COASTAL CAMEROON ONSHORE, INC., COASTAL CONGO, INC., COASTAL INDONESIA, INC. and COASTAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA EXPLORATION, INC., and assumes all of their liabilities and obligations; and further

 

RESOLVED, that the merger shall be effective upon the date of filing with the Secretary of State of Delaware; and further

 

RESOLVED, that the proper officers of the Company are authorized and directed to prepare and execute a Certificate of Ownership and Merger setting forth a copy of the resolutions to merge said COASTAL CAMEROON ONSHORE, INC., COASTAL CONGO, INC., COASTAL INDONESIA, INC. and COASTAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA EXPLORATION, INC. into the Company and assume all of their liabilities and obligations, and the date of adoption thereof, and to cause the same to be filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware and a certified copy recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of New Castle County and to do all acts and things whatsoever, whether within or without the State of Delaware, which may be in anywise necessary or proper to effect said merger.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION has caused this certificate to be signed by Austin M. O’Toole, its

 

00003

 

2



 

Senior Vice President, and attested by Francis T. Kelly, its Assistant Secretary, this 27th day of December, 1985.

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

 

By

/s/ Austin M. O’Toole

 

Austin M. O’Toole

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Francis T. Kelly

 

 

 

Francis T. Kelly

 

 

 

Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATE OF TEXAS

)

 

 

 

)

 

 

COUNTY OF HARRIS

)

 

 

 

Before me, Patricia B. Zimmerman, a Notary Public for the State of Texas, on this day personally appeared AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and known to me to be the Senior Vice President of the corporation named herein, and acknowledged to me that he executed said instrument for the purposes and consideration therein expressed, and as the act of said corporation.

 

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL this 27th day of December 1985.

 

 

 

 

/s/ Patricia B. Zimmerman

 

 

Patricia B. Zimmerman

 

 

Notary Public State of Texas

 

 

 

Commission Expires July 10, 1989.

 

 

 

00004

 

3



 

 

FILED

 

Dec 1967

 

/s/ Secretary of State

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

 

MERGING

 

BORDER EXPLORATION COMPANY

 

AND

 

SYRIAN AMERICAN OIL CORPORATION (TEXAS)

 

AND

 

COASTAL URANIUM, INC.

 

INTO

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

* * * *

 

Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST:   That this corporation was incorporated on April 20, 1964, pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

SECOND:   That this corporation owns all of the outstanding shares of the stock of Border Exploration Company, a corporation incorporated on July 7, 1978, pursuant to the Business Corporation Act of the State of Texas.

 

THIRD:   That this corporation owns all of the outstanding shares of the stock, of Syrian American Oil Corporation (Texas), a corporation incorporated on August 9, 1977, pursuant to the Business Corporation Act of the State of Texas.

 

FOURTH:   That this corporation owns all of the outstanding shares of the stock of Coastal Uranium, Inc., a corporation incorporated on July 20, 1979, pursuant to the Business Corporation Act of the State of Texas.

 



 

FIFTH:   That this corporation, by the following resolutions of its Board of Directors, duly adopted by the unanimous written consent of its members, filed with the minutes of the board on the 29th day of December, 1987, determined to and did merge into itself said Border Exploration Company, Syrian American Oil Corporation (Texas), and Coastal Uranium, Inc.:

 

RESOLVED, that Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation shall and it hereby does merge into itself Border Exploration Company, Syrian American Oil Corporation (Texas), and Coastal Uranium, Inc. and assumes all of their obligations; and further

 

RESOLVED, that the merger shall become effective at the close of business on December 31, 1987; and further

 

RESOLVED, that the proper officers of this corporation be and they hereby are authorized to prepare and to execute a Certificate of Ownership and Merger setting forth a copy of the resolutions to merge Border Exploration Company, Syrian American Oil Corporation (Texas), and Coastal Uranium, Inc. and assume their liabilities and obligations, and the date of adoption thereof, and to cause the same to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and a certified copy recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of New Castle County, Delaware and to do all acts and things whatsoever, whether within or without the State of Delaware, which may be in anywise necessary or proper to effect said merger.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by Austin M. O’Toole, its Senior Vice President, and attested by Jay L. Gallia, its Assistant Secretary, this 30th day of December, 1987.

 

 

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Austin M. O’Toole

 

 

 

Austin M. O’Toole

 

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

[SEAL]

ATTEST:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jay L. Gallia

 

 

 

 

Jay L. Gallia

 

 

 

 

Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION (the “Company”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the Board of Directors of the Company, by the unanimous written consent of its members, filed with the minutes of the Board, adopted a resolution proposing and declaring advisable the following amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company:

 

RESOLVED that it is deemed advisable that the Certificate of Incorporation of this Company be amended, and that said Certificate of Incorporation be so amended, by changing the Article thereof numbered “FIRST,” so that, as amended, said Article shall be and read as follows:

 

“FIRST. The name of the corporation is El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company.”

 

SECOND: That in lieu of a meeting and vote of stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote have given unanimous written consent to said amendment in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD: That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 242 and 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION has caused this certificate to be signed on its behalf by a Vice President and attested by an Assistant Secretary, this 9th day of March 2001.

 

 

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

/s/ Margaret E. Roark

 

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

Margaret E. Roark, Assistant Secretary

 

 

FILED 11:00 AM 03/09/2001

 

 

 

010118394 – 0610204

 



 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

FILED 10:00 AM 10/31/2002

 

020670276 – 0610204

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

of

 

COASTAL BORDER GAS SALES, INC.

 

a Texas corporation

 

into

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

a Delaware Corporation

 

The undersigned corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations of the merger are as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation

 

 

 

Coastal Border Gas Sales, Inc.

 

Texas

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: That an Agreement and Plan of Merger among the parties to the merger has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent corporations and their respective members in accordance with the requirements of Section 252 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD: That name of the surviving corporation is El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company.

 

FOURTH: That the existing certificate of incorporation of El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company, a Delaware corporation, shall be the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation.

 

FIFTH: That the executed Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at the principal place of business of the surviving corporation. The address of the principal place of business of the surviving corporation is 1001 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SIXTH: That a copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by the surviving corporation, on request and without cost, to any member of any constituent corporation.

 



 

SEVENTH: That all liabilities and obligations of Coastal Border Gas Sales, Inc., be and they hereby are, assumed by the surviving corporation.

 

EIGHTH: The authorized capital stock of each foreign corporation which is a party to the merger is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized Number

 

Par Value

 

Corporation

 

Class

 

of Shares

 

per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coastal Border Gas Sales, Inc., a Texas corporation

 

Common

 

1,000

 

$

1.00

 

 

NINTH: That this Certificate of Merger shall be effective on the 31st day of October 2002.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Certificate to be executed by its duly executed officer this 31st day of October 2002.

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

 

Vice President

 

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Margaret E. Roark

 

 

 

 

Margaret E. Roark, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 10:26 AM 08/27/2003

 

FILED 10:19 AM 08/27/2003

 

SRV 030556306 – 0610204 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

EL PASO JAVELINA, L.L.C.

 

and

 

EL PASO JAVELINA GP, L.L.C.

 

into

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 


 

Pursuant to Section 264 of the General

Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“GCLD”)

and Section 18-209 of the

Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”)

 


 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for the purpose of merging El Paso Javelina, L.L.C. and El Paso Javelina GP, L.L.C., each a Delaware limited liability company (the “Subsidiaries”) with and into the Company, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of incorporation or formation of each constituent entity of the merger is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation

 

 

 

El Paso Javelina, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

El Paso Javelina GP, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Delaware

 

 

SECOND: An Agreement of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 264(c) of the GCLD and Section 18-209 of the DLLCA.

 

THIRD: The name of the surviving entity is El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company.

 

FOURTH: The existing Certificate of Incorporation of the Company shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the surviving entity.

 



 

FIVE: The effective date of the Merger shall be on August 31, 2003.

 

SIXTH: An executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of business of El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SEVENTH: A copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request and without cost to any member of the Subsidiaries, or to any stockholder of the Company.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company, has caused this certificate to be signed by David L. Siddall, its Vice President, and attested by Stacy J. James, its Assistant Secretary, on this 27th day of August 2003.

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

 

Vice President

 

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Stacy J James

 

 

 

 

Stacy J James, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 10:26 AM 08/27/2003

 

 

FILED 10:26 AM 08/27/2003

 

 

SRV 030556327 – 0610204 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

 

merging

 

EL PASO DRILLING COMPANY

 

into

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

(Pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.)

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for the purpose of merging El Paso Drilling Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Subsidiary”) with and into the Company, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of incorporation of each constituent corporation of the merger is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation

 

 

 

El Paso Drilling Company

 

Delaware

 

 

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: That the Company owns all of the outstanding shares of each class of the capital stock of the Subsidiary.

 

THIRD: Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of the resolutions adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors dated as of the 27th day of August 2003, pursuant to which the Company determined to merge into itself the Subsidiary on the conditions set forth in such resolutions.

 

FOURTH: That this Certificate of Ownership and Merger and the mergers contemplated hereby shall be effective on August 31, 2003.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company, has caused this certificate to be signed by David L. Siddall, its Vice President, and attested by Margaret E. Roark, its Assistant Secretary, this 27th day of August 2003.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 

 

Attest:

 

 

By:

/s/ Margaret E. Roark

 

 

 

Margaret E. Roark, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

WHEREAS, this Company is the owner of all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of El Paso Drilling Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Subsidiary”);

 

WHEREAS, this Company desires to merge the Subsidiary with and into itself and to possess all of the estate, property, rights, privileges and franchises of the Subsidiary; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of this Company believes it is in the best interest of this Company to merge the Subsidiary with and into itself;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Company merge the Subsidiary with and into itself, that the separate existence of the Subsidiary cease on the Effective Date, and that this Company, as the surviving Company of the merger pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), continue to exist by virtue of and be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware (such actions, collectively, being called the “Merger”).

 

RESOLVED that the Merger be, and hereby is, approved.

 

RESOLVED that the Merger shall be effective on August 31, 2003 (such date being referred to herein as the “Effective Date”).

 

RESOLVED that, on the Effective Date, this Company, without further action, as provided by the laws of the State of Delaware, succeed to and possess all the rights, privileges, powers, and franchises, of a public as well as of a private nature, of the Subsidiary; and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due on whatsoever account, including subscriptions to shares, and all other choses in action, and all and every other interest, of or belonging to or due to the Subsidiary shall be vested in this Company without further act or deed; and all property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises, and all and every other interest shall thereafter be as effectively the property of this Company as they were of the Subsidiary; and the title to any real estate, or any interest therein, vested in this Company or the Subsidiary by deed or otherwise shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger. This Company shall thereafter be responsible and liable for all debts, liabilities, and duties of the Subsidiary, which may be enforced against this Company to the same extent as if those debts, liabilities, and duties had been incurred or contracted by

 



 

this Company. Neither the rights of creditors nor any liens upon the property of the Subsidiary or this Company shall be impaired by the Merger.

 

RESOLVED that, on the Effective Date, each share of common stock of the Subsidiary be cancelled.

 

RESOLVED that any officer of this Company be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to execute and acknowledge in the name and on behalf of this Company a Certificate of Ownership and Merger setting forth, among other things, a copy of these resolutions and the date of their adoption; and that each such officer is hereby authorized and directed to cause the executed Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and to cause certified copies of that Certificate to be recorded in the Offices of the Recorder of Deeds of the appropriate counties, all in accordance with Sections 103 and 253 of the DGCL.

 

RESOLVED that the proper officers be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and empowered, in the name and on behalf of this Company, or any subsidiary of this Company, to do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such acts, deeds and things, to make, execute, and deliver, or cause to be made, executed, and delivered, all such agreements, guaranties, notes, evidences of borrowings, undertakings, documents, instruments and certificates as each such officer may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate and carry out fully the purpose and intent of the foregoing resolutions.

 

RESOLVED that at any time prior to the Effective Date, the Board of Directors of this Company may terminate the Merger and if, at the time of such termination, a Certificate of Ownership and Merger has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, any officer of this Company be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to execute and acknowledge in the name and on behalf of this Company a Certificate of Termination.

 

RESOLVED that any and all actions heretofore taken by any officer of this Company or any subsidiary of this Company, in connection with the foregoing resolutions be, and hereby are, ratified and approved.

 



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 09:01 AM 09/26/2003

 

 

FILED 09:15 AM 09/26/2003

 

 

SRV 030619855 – 0610204 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

EL PASO COGR I, L.L.C.

 

and

 

EL PASO COGR IV, L.L.C.

 

into

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 


 

Pursuant to Section 264 of the General

Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“GCLD”)

and Section 18-209 of the

Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”)

 


 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, for the purpose of merging El Paso COGR I, L.L.C., and El Paso COGR IV, L.L.C., each a Delaware limited liability company, with and into the Company, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of incorporation and formation of each constituent entities of the merger is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation

 

 

 

El Paso COGR I, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

El Paso COGR IV, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: An Agreement of Merger dated September 26, 2003 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the constituents entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 264(c) of the GCLD and Section 18-209 of the DLLCA.

 

THIRD: The name of the surviving entity is El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company.

 

FOURTH: The existing Certificate of Incorporation of the Company shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the surviving entity.

 

FIVE: The effective time of the Merger shall be on September 30, 2003.

 



 

SIXTH: An executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of business of El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SEVENTH: A copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request and without cost to any member of the constituent entities or to any stockholder of the Company.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company, has caused this certificate to be signed by David L. Siddall, its Vice President, and attested by Margaret E. Roark, its Assistant Secretary, this 26th day of September 2003.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 

 

Attest:

 

 

By:

/s/ Margaret E. Roark

 

 

 

Margaret E. Roark, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 



 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 01:45 PM 06/17/2004

 

 

FILED 12:08 PM 06/17/2004

 

 

SRV 040447602 – 0610204 FILE

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 


 

Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 


 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

 

1.                                        The name of the Corporation is El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company. The Corporation was originally incorporated on April 20, 1964, under the name Coastal States Enterprises, Inc. The name of the Corporation was changed on February 13, 1969 to Gas Producing Enterprises, Inc. The name was changed on March 7, 1980 to Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation. The Certificate of Incorporation was amended on October 14, 1983 renumbering Article Thirteen to Article Fourteen. The Certificate of Incorporation was amended on April 2, 1985, deleting Article Thirteen and renumbering Article Fourteen to Article Thirteen. The Corporation changed its name on March 9, 2001 to El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company.

 

2.                                        This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and further amends the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation and has been adopted and approved in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Stockholder approval of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation was given by unanimous written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

3.                                        The text of the Certificate of Incorporation, as heretofore amended, is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

 

FIRST:  The name of the corporation is El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company.

 

SECOND:  The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801, and the name of its registered agent at the above address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 



 

THIRD:  The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

FOURTH:  The total number of shares of stock the corporation shall have authority to issue is five hundred (500) shares of common stock with a par value of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per share.

 

Shares of stock of this corporation whether with or without par value, of any class or classes hereby or hereafter authorized, may be issued by this corporation from time to time for such consideration permitted by law as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

FIFTH:  Unless required by the By-laws, the election of the Board of Directors need not be by written ballot.

 

SIXTH:  The Board of Directors of this corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter, or repeal the By-laws of the corporation, but the stockholders may make additional By-laws and may alter or repeal any By-law whether or not adopted by them.

 

SEVENTH:  No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, for any act or omission, except that a director may be liable (i) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of the directors shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as so amended. The elimination and limitation of liability provided herein shall continue after a director has ceased to occupy such position as to acts or omissions occurring during such director’s term or terms of office. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article Seventh shall not adversely affect any right of protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by a duly authorized officer this 17th day of June 2004.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

President

 

3


 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 09:25 PM 12/28/2005

 

 

FILED 09:27 PM 12/28/2005

 

 

SRV 051069281 – 0610204 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

of

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION SERVICE COMPANY,

 

a Delaware corporation

 

with and into

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY,

 

a Delaware corporation

 

The undersigned corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations of the merger are as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation

El Paso Production Service Company

 

Delaware

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: That an Agreement and Plan of Merger among the parties to the merger has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent corporations in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c) of Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD: That the name of the surviving corporation is El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company.

 

FOURTH: That the existing certificate of incorporation of El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company shall be the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation.

 

FIFTH: That the executed Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at the principal place of business of the surviving corporation. The address of the principal place of business of the surviving corporation is 1001 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SIXTH: That a copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by the surviving corporation, on request and without cost, to any stockholder of any constituent corporation.

 



 

SEVENTH: That this Certificate of Merger shall be effective at 9:30 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on December 31, 2005.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company has caused this certificate to be signed by Lisa A. Stewart, its President, and attested by Margaret E. Roark, one of its Assistant Secretaries, this 28th day of December 2005.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

President

 

 

Attest:

 

 

By:

/s/ Margaret E. Roark

 

 

 

Margaret E. Roark, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

2


 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 09:17 PM 06/09/2006

 

 

FILED 09:08 PM 06/09/2006

 

 

SRV 060562343 – 0610204 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY (the “Company”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), by written consent filed with the minutes of the Board, adopted a resolution proposing and declaring advisable the following amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company:

 

RESOLVED that it is deemed advisable that effective at 10:45 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on June 30, 2006, the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of this Company be amended by changing the Article thereof numbered “FIRST:” so that, as amended, said Article shall be and read as follows:

 

“FIRST: The name of the Corporation is El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.”

 

SECOND: That in lieu of a meeting and vote of stockholders, the sole stockholder entitled to vote has given written consent to said amendment in accordance with, the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD: That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 242 and 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

FOURTH: That in accordance with the aforesaid amendment, the effective time and date of this Certificate of Amendment are 10:45 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on June 30, 2006.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY has caused the foregoing Certificate of Amendment to be signed on its behalf by its President and attested by an Assistant Secretary, this 31st day of May, 2006.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

President

 

 

Attest:

 

 

/s/ Margaret E. Roark

 

 

Margaret E. Roark, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

2



 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

of

 

SANDBAR PETROLEUM COMPANY,

 

a Delaware corporation

 

into

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION  & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.,

 

a Delaware corporation

 

The undersigned corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations of the merger are as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation:

Sandbar Petroleum Company

 

Delaware

El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: That an Agreement and Plan of Merger among the parties to the merger has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent corporations in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c) of Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD: That the name of the surviving corporation is El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.

 

FOURTH: That the existing certificate of incorporation of El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc. shall be the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation.

 

FIFTH: That the executed Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at the principal place of business of the surviving corporation. The address of the principal place of business of the surviving corporation is 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 06:10 PM 06/30/2010

 

 

FILED 05:47 PM 06/30/2010

 

 

SRV 100707032 – 0610204 FILE

 



 

SIXTH: That a copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by the surviving corporation, on request and without cost, to any stockholder of any constituent corporation.

 

SEVENTH: That this Certificate of Merger shall be effective on June 30, 2010.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc. has caused this certificate to be signed by Francis C. Olmsted III, its Vice President, and attested by Joyce Allen-Dennis, its Assistant Secretary this 24th day of June, 2010.

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION
MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Name:

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joyce Allen-Dennis

 

 

 

Joyce Allen-Dennis, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 04:39 PM 05/21/2012

 

 

FILED 04:39 PM 05/21/2012

 

 

SRV 120601759 – 0610204 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

FROM A CORPORATION TO A

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

PURSUANT TO SECTION 266

OF THE DELAWARE

GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

AND SECTION 18-214 OF THE

DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT

 

This Certificate of Conversion of El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc. (the “Corporation”) is being duly executed and filed by an authorized person of the Corporation to convert the Corporation to a Delaware limited liability company in accordance with Section 266 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) and Section 18-214 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”).

 

1.             The name of the Corporation set forth in its original Certificate of Incorporation was:

 

Coastal States Enterprises, Inc.

 

2.             The name of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion was:

 

El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.

 

3.                                        The jurisdiction of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion was:

 

Delaware

 

4.             The jurisdiction where the Corporation was first created is:

 

Delaware

 

5.             The date the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed is:

 

April 20, 1964

 

6.                                       The name of the limited liability company (the “LLC”) as set forth in its Certificate of Formation is:

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C.

 

7.                                        This conversion has been approved in accordance with the provisions of Section 266 of the DGCL and Section 18-214 of the DLLCA.

 

8.                                        This Certificate of Conversion shall be effective at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on May 24, 2012.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Conversion has been executed by an authorized person of the Corporation on the 18th day of May, 2012.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

 

Joseph C. James

 

 

Authorized Person

 

2



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 04:39 PM 05/21/2012

 

 

FILED 04:39 PM 05/21/2012

 

 

SRV 120601759 – 0610204 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

 

This Certificate of Formation of EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (the “LLC”) dated as of May 18, 2012, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as an authorized person, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C.§§ 18-101, et . seq.

 

FIRST: The name of the LLC formed hereby is:

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C.

 

SECOND: The address of the registered office of the LLC in the State of Delaware is:

 

Corporation Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

New Castle County

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

THIRD: The name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the LLC in the State of Delaware are:

 

The Corporation Trust Company

Corporation Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

New Castle County

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

FOURTH: The Certificate of Formation shall be effective at 12:01a.m. Eastern Time on May 24, 2012.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Certificate of Formation to be executed, this 18th day of May, 2012.

 

 

 

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

Joseph C. James

 

Authorized Person

 




Exhibit 3.14

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

 

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

PREAMBLE

 

The undersigned member, EP Energy, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sole Member”) hereby forms EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to and in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. §§ 18-101, et seq. (the “Act”), and hereby declares the following to be the Limited Liability Company Agreement of such limited liability company as of the Effective Date (as defined herein).

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

 

SECTION 1.01. Definitions Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del C. §§ 18-101. et seq., as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Agreement means this Limited Liability Company Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Assets means, at any time, any real property and other assets owned or leased by the Company from time to time.

 

Capital Contribution means a capital contribution made by the Member pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.02.

 

Certificate means the Certificate of Formation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware effective as of May 24, 2012, to form the Company pursuant to the Act, as originally executed by Joseph C. James (as an authorized person within the meaning of the Act) and as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, as the context requires

 

Company means the limited liability company formed pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Distributable Cash means cash (in U.S dollars) of the Company that the Member determines is available for distribution.

 



 

Interest means the ownership interest in the Company at any time, including the right of the Member to any and all benefits to which the Member may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with the obligations of the Member to comply with all the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

Member refers to the Member set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and any other member or members admitted to the Company in accordance with this Agreement or any amendment or restatement hereof.

 

Person has the meaning set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally . The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Articles, Sections and Exhibits shall be deemed to be references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”

 

ARTICLE II

FORMATION

 

SECTION 2.01. Name . The name of the Company shall be as set forth in the Preamble hereof. All business of the Company shall be conducted under such name and title to all property, real, personal, or mixed, owned by or leased to the Company shall be held in such name. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Member may change the name of the Company or adopt such trade or fictitious names as it may determine.

 

SECTION 2.02. Term . The term of the Company commenced on the effective date as stated in the Certificate of Formation of the Company and filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware (the “Effective Date”). The term of the Company shall continue until terminated as provided in Article VIII hereof.

 

SECTION 2.03. Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business of the Company shall be located at 1001 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002. The Member may establish other offices at other locations.

 

SECTION 2.04. Agent for Service of Process . The Corporation Trust Company shall be the registered agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The address of such agent within the State of Delaware is: Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801.

 

SECTION 2.05. Purposes of the Company . The Company has been organized to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a Delaware limited liability company may be formed.

 

2



 

ARTICLE III

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 3.01. Capital Contribution . The Member may contribute cash or other property to the Company as it shall decide, from time to time.

 

SECTION 3.02. Additional Capital Contributions . If at any time the Member shall determine that additional funds or property are necessary or desirable to meet the obligations or needs of the Company, the Member may make additional Capital Contributions.

 

SECTION 3.03. Limitation on Liability . The liability of the Member shall be limited to its Interest in the Company, and the Member shall not have any personal liability to contribute money to, or in respect of, the liabilities or the obligations of the Company, except as set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 3.04. Withdrawal of Capital; Interest . The Member may not withdraw capital or receive any distributions, except as specifically provided herein. No interest shall be paid by the Company on any Capital Contributions.

 

ARTICLE IV

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 4.01. Distributions . Except as otherwise provided in the Act, all Distributable Cash of the Company shall be distributed to the Member, or distributions in kind may be made to the Member at such times as the Member shall determine.

 

ARTICLE V

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

SECTION 5.01. Books and Records . The Member shall keep or cause to be kept complete and accurate books of account and records that shall reflect all transactions and other matters and include all documents and other materials with respect to the Company’s business that are usually entered into and maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses. All Company financial statements shall be accurate in all material respects, shall fairly present the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations and Distributable Cash and transactions in its reserve accounts, and shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, subject, in the case of quarterly statements, to year-end adjustments. The books of the Company shall at all times be maintained at the principal office of the Company or at such other location as the Member decides.

 

3



 

ARTICLE VI

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

SECTION 6.01. Management . The management of the Company shall be under the direction of the Member, who may, from time to time, designate one or more persons to be officers of the Company, with such titles as the Member may determine, including those positions set forth in Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 6.02. Officers . Such of the following officers shall be elected as the Member deems necessary or appropriate: a President, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Controller, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Controllers, and such other officers with such titles and powers and/or duties as the Member shall from time to time determine. Officers may be designated for particular areas of responsibility and simultaneously serve as officers of subsidiaries or divisions. Any officer so elected may resign at any time upon written notice to the Member. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein, no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the Member. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Company, but the election or appointment of any officer shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any vacancy occurring in any office by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Member.

 

(a)  President . The President shall have general control of the business, affairs, operations and property of the Company, subject to the supervision of the Member. He may sign or execute, in the name of the Company, all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other undertakings or instruments, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Member to some other officer or agent of the Company. He shall have and may exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as are incident to the office of President of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as are assigned from time to time by the Member.

 

(b)  Vice Presidents . Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as may from time to time be assigned to him, either generally or in specific instances, by the Member or the President. Any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the President at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the President or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have authority to sign or execute all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Company, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Member to some other officer or agent of the Company.

 

4



 

(c)  Secretary . The Secretary shall keep the records of the Company, in books provided for the purpose; he shall be custodian of the seal or seals of the Company; he shall see that the seal is affixed to all documents requiring same, the execution of which, on behalf of the Company, under its seal, is duly authorized, and when said seal is so affixed he may attest same; and, in general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the secretary of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation), and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law. Any Assistant Secretary may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the Secretary at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the Secretary or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(d)  Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds, securities, receipts and disbursements of the Company, and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, in the name of the Company, all moneys or other valuable effects in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall, from time to time, be selected by or under authority of the Member; if required, he shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties, with such surety or sureties as the Member may determine; he shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate records of all receipts and disbursements in books of the Company and shall render to the Member or the President, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of the Company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation); and, in general, he shall perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer of a company, and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law.

 

(e)  Controller . The Controller shall be the chief accounting officer of the Company. He shall keep full and accurate accounts of the assets, liabilities, commitments, receipts, disbursements and other financial transactions of the Company; shall cause regular audits of the books and records of account of the Company and supervise the preparation of the Company’s financial statements; and, in general, he shall perform the duties incident to the office of controller of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law. If no Controller is elected by the Member, the Treasurer shall perform the duties of the office of controller.

 

(f)  Tax Officer . The Tax Officer shall have the authority to sign or execute on behalf of this Company any federal, foreign, Indian, state or local tax return or report, claim for refund of taxes, extension of a statute of limitation, administrative tax appeals filings and any other document relating to this Company’s tax responsibilities.

 

ARTICLE VII

TRANSFERS OF COMPANY INTERESTS

 

SECTION 7.01. Transfers . The Member may, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its Interest. Any Person acquiring the Member’s Interest shall be admitted to the Company as a substituted Member with no further action being required on the part of the Member.

 

5



 

ARTICLE VIII

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

 

SECTION 8.01. Dissolution . The Company shall be dissolved and its business wound up upon the decision made at any time by the Member to dissolve the Company, or upon the occurrence of any event of dissolution under the Act.

 

SECTION 8.02. Liquidation . Upon dissolution, the Company’s business shall be liquidated in an orderly manner. The Member shall wind up the affairs of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and in accordance with the Act, including, without limitation, Section 18-804 thereof.

 

SECTION 8.03. Distribution of Property . If in the discretion of the Member it becomes necessary to make a distribution of Company property in kind in connection with the liquidation of the Company, such property shall be transferred and conveyed to the Member, subject to Section 18-804 of the Act.

 

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 9.01. General . Except to the extent expressly prohibited by the Act, the Company shall indemnify each Person made or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, by reason of the fact that such Person or such Person’s testator or intestate is or was a member or officer of the Company, against judgments, fines (including excise taxes assessed on a Person with respect to an employee benefit plan), penalties, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with such action or proceeding, or any appeal therefrom; provided that no such indemnification shall be made if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such Person establishes that his conduct did not meet the then applicable minimum statutory standards of conduct: and provided, further, that no such indemnification shall be required in connection with any settlement or other non-adjudicated disposition of any threatened or pending action or proceeding unless the Company has given its prior consent to such settlement or such other disposition, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.02. Reimbursement . The Company shall advance or promptly reimburse, upon request, any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder for all expenses, including attorneys’ fees, reasonably incurred in defending any action or proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Person (in form and substance satisfactory to the Company) to repay such amount if such Person is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification or, where indemnification is granted, to the extent the expenses so advanced or reimbursed exceed the amount to which such Person is entitled; provided that such Person shall cooperate in good faith with any request by the Company that common counsel be utilized by the parties to an action or proceeding who are similarly situated unless to do so would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflicts of interest between or

 

6



 

among such parties: and provided , further , that the Company shall only advance attorneys’ fees in respect of legal counsel approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.03. Availability . The right to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this provision is intended to be retroactive and shall be available with respect to any action or proceeding which relates to events prior to the effective date of this provision.

 

SECTION 9.04. Indemnification Agreement . The Company is authorized to enter into agreements with any of its members or officers extending rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to such Person to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, but the failure to enter into any such agreement shall not affect or limit the rights of such Person pursuant to this provision.

 

SECTION 9.05. Enforceability . In case any provision in this Article IX shall be determined at any time to be unenforceable in any respect, the other provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and the affected provisions shall be given the fullest possible enforcement in the circumstances, it being the intention of the Company to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to its members and officers, acting in such capacities, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 9.06. No Amendments . No amendment or repeal of this provision shall apply to or have any effect on the indemnification of, or advancement of expenses to, the Member or any officer of the Company for, or with respect to, acts or omissions of such Member or officer occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

SECTION 9.07. Not Exclusive . The foregoing shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which the Member or any officer may be entitled as a matter of law and shall not affect any rights to indemnification to which Company personnel other than the Member or officers may be entitled by contract or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE  X

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 10.01. Amendments and Consents . This Agreement may be modified or amended only by the Member.

 

SECTION 10.02. Benefits of Agreement . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditor of the Company or the Member.

 

SECTION 10.03. Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements in connection therewith. No covenant, representation or condition not expressed in this Agreement shall affect, or be effective to interpret, change or restrict, the express provisions of this Agreement.

 

7



 

SECTION 10.04. Headings . The titles of Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be interpreted to limit or amplify the provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.05. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument, which may be sufficiently evidenced by one counterpart.

 

SECTION 10.06. Severability . Each provision of this Agreement shall be considered separable and if for any reason any provision or provisions hereof are determined to be invalid and contrary to any existing or future law, such invalidity shall not impair the operation of or affect those portions of this Agreement, which are valid.

 

SECTION 10.07. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

 

SECTION 10.08. Security . For purposes of providing for transfer of, perfection a security interest in, and other relevant matters related to, a membership interest in the Company, each membership interest in the Company shall be deemed to be a ‘security’ subject to the rules set forth in Chapters 8 and 9 of the Texas Uniform Commercial Code and any similar Uniform Commercial Code provision adopted by the States of New York or Delaware or any other relevant jurisdiction.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Limited Liability Company Agreement has been duly executed by EP Energy, L.L.C., effective as of the 24th day of May, 2012.

 

 

EP ENERGY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Vice President

 

8



 

Exhibit A

Percentage Interests

 

Member:

 

Percentage Interest

 

 

 

EP Energy, L.L.C.

 

100%

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

9




Exhibit 3.15

 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED ARE TRUE AND CORRECT COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS ON FILE OF “EP ENERGY RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.” AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE.

 

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED:

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, FILED THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF FEBRUARY, A.D. 1994, AT 4:30 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “COGC RESALE COMPANY” TO “EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY”, FILED THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. 2002, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY” TO “EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C”, FILED THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2009, AT 6:04 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION, FILED THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2009, AT 6:04 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE THIRTIETH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 2010, AT 10:04 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.” TO “EP ENERGY RESALE COMPANY,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

2377052

8100H

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768657

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

120919759

 

DATE:

 

08-09-12

You may verify this certificate online

 

 

 

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

 

 

 

1



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

L.L.C.”, FILED THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 4:26 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT IS THE FIRST DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2012, AT 12:01 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATES ARE THE ONLY CERTIFICATES ON RECORD OF THE AFORESAID LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, “EP ENERGY RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

2377052

8100H

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768657

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

120919759

 

DATE:

 

08-09-12

You may verify this certificate online

 

 

 

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

 

 

 

2



 

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

SECRETARY OF STATE

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

FILED 04:30 PM 02/23/1994

944026617 - 2377052

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

COGC RESALE COMPANY

 

1.             The name of the corporation is:

 

COGC RESALE COMPANY

 

2.             The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

3.             The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

4.             The total number of shares of stock which the corporation shall have authority to issue is One Thousand (1,000) and the par value of each of such shares is One Dollar ($1.00) amounting in the aggregate to One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

 

5.             A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended after approval by the stockholders of this article to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended.

 

Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the stockholders of the corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 



 

6.             The Board of Directors is authorized to make, alter or repeal the bylaws of the corporation. Election of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

7.             The name and mailing address of the incorporator is:

 

 

AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE

 

Coastal Tower

 

Nine Greenway Plaza

 

Houston, Texas 77046-0995

 

I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of Delaware, do make this certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that this is my act and deed and the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly have hereunto set my hand this 23rd day of February, 1994.

 

 

/s/ AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE

 

AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE

 

Incorporator

 

2



 

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

SECRETARY OF STATE

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

FILED 10:00 AM 10/31/2002

020670289 - 2377052

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

COGC Resale Company (the “Company”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST:    That the Board of Directors of the Company, by the unanimous written consent of its members, filed with the minutes of the Board, adopted a resolution proposing and declaring advisable the following amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company:

 

RESOLVED that it is deemed advisable that the Certificate of Incorporation of this Company be amended, and that said Certificate of Incorporation be so amended, by changing the Articles thereof numbered “FIRST:” so that, as amended, said Article shall be and read as follows:

 

FIRST: The name of the corporation is El Paso Production Resale Company

 

SECOND:       That in lieu of a meeting and vote of stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote have given unanimous written consent to said amendment in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD:          That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 242 and 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said COGC Resale Company, has caused this certificate to be signed on its behalf by its Vice President and attested by its Assistant Secretary, this 31st day of October 2002.

 

 

COGC RESALE COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

Attest:

 

 

 

/s/ Margaret E. Roark

 

Margaret E. Roark, Assistant Secretary

 

 



 

 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 06:04 PM 12/18/2009

FILED 06:04 PM 12/18/2009

SRV 091118568 - 2377052 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

FROM A CORPORATION TO A

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

PURSUANT TO SECTION 266

OF THE DELAWARE

GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

AND SECTION 18-214 OF THE

DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT

 

This Certificate of Conversion of El Paso Production Resale Company (the “Corporation”) dated as of December 18 th , 2009, is being duly executed and filed by an authorized officer of the Corporation to convert the Corporation to a Delaware limited liability company in accordance with Section 266 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) and Section 18-214 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”).

 

1.                                        The name of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion, was:

 

El Paso Production Resale Company

 

2.                                        The name of the Corporation set forth in its original Certificate of Incorporation, was:

 

COGC Resale Company

 

3.                                        The jurisdiction of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion was:

 

Delaware

 

4.                                        The jurisdiction where the Corporation was first created is:

 

Delaware

 

5.                                        The date the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed is:

 

February 23, 1994

 

6.                                        The name of the limited liability company (the “LLC”) as set forth in its Certificate of Formation is:

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.

 



 

7.                                        This conversion has been approved in accordance with the provisions of Section 266 of the DGCL and Section 18-214 of the DLLCA.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Conversion has been executed by an authorized officer of the Corporation on the 18 th date of December 2009.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

Vice President

 



 

 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 06:04 PM 12/18/2009

FILED 06:04 PM 12/18/2009

SRV 091118568 - 2377052 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

This Certificate of Formation of El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C. (the “LLC”) dated as of December 18 th  2009, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as an authorized person, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C.§§ 18-101, et . seq.

 

FIRST:

The name of the LLC formed hereby is:

 

 

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

 

SECOND:

The address of the registered office of the LLC in the State of Delaware is:

 

 

 

Corporation Trust Center

 

1209 Orange Street

 

New Castle County

 

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

 

THIRD:

The name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the LLC in the State of Delaware are:

 

 

 

The Corporation Trust Company

 

Corporation Trust Center

 

1209 Orange Street

 

New Castle County

 

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Certificate of Formation to be executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

Joseph C. James

 

Authorized Person

 



 

 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 10:15 AM 11/30/2010

FILED 10:04 AM 11/30/2010

SRV 101129245 - 2377052 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

EL PASO E&P HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

with and into

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 


 

Pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act

 


 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C. (“Resale”), a Delaware limited liability company, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of El Paso E&P Holdings Company, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, with and into Resale, pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”) and submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of formation of each limited liability company that is to merge is as follows:

 

 

Name

 

State of Formation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Holdings Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

 

SECOND: That an Agreement of Merger dated as of November 29, 2010 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 18-209 of the DLLCA.

 

THIRD: That the name of the surviving entity is El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

FOURTH: That the existing Certificate of Formation of Resale shall be the Certificate of Formation of the surviving entity.

 

FIVE: That the Merger shall be effective on November 30, 2010.

 

SIXTH: That an executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of business of Resale, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SEVENTH: That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request and without cost to any member of, or any person holding an interest in, any entity that is to merge.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C. has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by a duly authorized officer this 29th day of November, 2010.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Name:

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

Title:

Vice President

 

2



 

 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 04:40 PM 05/21/2012

FILED 04:26 PM 05/21/2012

SRV 120601857 - 2377052 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO THE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

OF

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Formation of El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C. (the “LLC”), pursuant to the provisions of Section 18-202 of the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST:

The name of the LLC is:

 

 

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

 

SECOND:

The article numbered “FIRST” of the Certificate of Formation of the Company shall be amended as follows:

 

 

 

“FIRST:

The name of the LLC formed hereby is:

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.”

 

 

THIRD:

This amendment to the Certificate of Formation shall be effective at 12:01a.m. Eastern Time on June 1, 2012.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Formation on this 18th day of May, 2012.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

 

Joseph C. James

 

 

Authorized Person

 




Exhibit 3.16

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

PREAMBLE

 

The undersigned member, El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Member”), hereby form El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C. (the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to and in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. §§ 18-101, et seq. (the “Act”), and hereby declare the following to be the Limited Liability Company Agreement of such limited liability company as of the Effective Date (as defined herein).

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

 

SECTION 1.01. Definitions Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del C. §§ 18-101, et seq., as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Agreement means this Limited Liability Company Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Assets means, at any time, any real property and other assets owned or leased by the Company from time to time.

 

Capital Contribution means a capital contribution made by the Members pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.02.

 

Certificate means the Certificate of Formation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 18 th , 2009, to form the Company pursuant to the Act, as originally executed by Joseph C. James (as an authorized person within the meaning of the Act) and as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, as the context requires.

 

Company means the limited liability company formed pmsuant to this Agreement.

 

Distributable Cash means cash (in U.S. dollars) of the Company that the Members determine is available for distribution.

 



 

Interest means the ownership interest in the Company at any time, including the right of the Members to any and all benefits to which the Members may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with the obligations of the Members to comply with all the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

Members means El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc. and any other member or members admitted to the Company in accordance with this Agreement or any amendment or restatement hereof

 

Person has the meaning set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally. The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Articles, Sections and Exhibits shall be deemed to be references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”

 

ARTICLE II

FORMATION

 

SECTION 2.01. Name . The name of the Company shall be as set forth in the Preamble hereof All business of the Company shall be conducted under such name and title to all property, real, personal, or mixed, owned by or leased to the Company shall be held in such name. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Members may change the name of the Company or adopt such trade or fictitious names as it may determine.

 

SECTION 2.02. Term . The term of the Company commenced on the date of filing of the Certificate of Formation of the Company in the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware (the “Effective Date”) and, pursuant to Section 18-201(d) of the Act, this Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date. The term of the Company shall continue until terminated as provided in Article VIII hereof

 

SECTION 2.03. Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business of the Company shall be located at 1001 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002. The Members may establish other offices at other locations.

 

SECTION 2.04. Agent for Service of Process . The Corporation Trust Company shall be the registered agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The address of such agent within the State of Delaware is: Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801.

 

SECTION 2.05. Purposes of the Company . The Company has been organized to engage

 

2



 

in any lawful act or activity for which a Delaware limited liability company may be formed.

 

ARTICLE III

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 3.01. Capital Contribution . The Members may contribute cash or other property to the Company as they shall decide, from time to time.

 

SECTION 3.02. Additional Capital Contributions . If at any time the Members shall determine that additional funds or property are necessary or desirable to meet the obligations or needs of the Company, the Members may make additional Capital Contributions.

 

SECTION 3.03. Limitation on Liability . The liability of the Members shall be limited to its Interest in the Company, and the Members shall not have any personal liability to contribute money to, or in respect of, the liabilities or the obligations of the Company, except as set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 3.04. Withdrawal of Capital; Interest . The Members may not withdraw capital or receive any distributions, except as specifically provided herein. No interest shall be paid by the Company on any Capital Contributions.

 

ARTICLE IV

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 4.01. Distributions . Except as otherwise provided in the Act, all Distributable Cash of the Company shall be distributed to the Members, or distributions in kind may be made to the Members at such times as the Members shall determine.

 

ARTICLE V

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

SECTION 5.01. Books and Records . The Members shall keep or cause to be kept complete and accmate books of account and records that shall reflect all transactions and other matters and include all documents and other materials with respect to the Company’s business that are usually entered into and maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses. All Company financial statements shall be accurate in all material respects, shall fairly present the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations and Distributable Cash and transactions in its reserve accounts, and shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, subject, in the case of quarterly statements, to year-end adjustments. The books of the Company shall at all times be maintained at the principal office of the Company or at such other location as the Members decides.

 

3



 

ARTICLE VI

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

SECTION 6.01. Management . The management of the Company shall be under the direction of the Members, who may, from time to time, designate one or more persons to be officers of the Company, with such titles as the Members may determine, including those positions set forth in Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 6.02. Officers . Such of the following officers shall be elected as the Members deems necessary or appropriate: a President, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Controller, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Controllers, and such other officers with such titles and powers and/or duties as the Members shall from time to time determine. Officers may be designated for particular areas of responsibility and simultaneously serve as officers of subsidiaries or divisions. Any officer so elected may resign at any time upon written notice to the Members. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein, no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the Members. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Company, but the election or appointment of any officer shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any vacancy occurring in any office by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Members.

 

(a)  President . The President shall have general control of the business, affairs, operations and property of the Company, subject to the supervision of the Members. He may sign or execute, in the name of the Company, all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other undertakings or instruments, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Members to some other officer or agent of the Company. He shall have and may exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as are incident to the office of President of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as are assigned from time to time by the Members.

 

(b)  Vice Presidents . Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as may from time to time be assigned to him, either generally or in specific instances, by the Members or the President. Any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the President at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the President or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have authority to sign or execute all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Company, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof

 

4



 

shall have been expressly delegated by the Members to some other officer or agent of the Company.

 

(c)  Secretary . The Secretary shall keep the records of the Company, in books provided for the purpose; he shall be custodian of the seal or seals of the Company; he shall see that the seal is affixed to all documents requiring same, the execution of which, on behalf of the Company, under its seal, is duly authorized, and when said seal is so affixed he may attest same; and, in general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the secretary of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation), and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Members or the President or as may be provided by law. Any Assistant Secretary may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the Secretary at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the Secretary or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(d)  Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds, securities, receipts and disbursements of the Company, and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, in the name of the Company, all moneys or other valuable effects in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall, from time to time, be selected by or under authority of the Members; if required, he shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties, with such surety or sureties as the Members may determine; he shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate records of all receipts and disbursements in books of the Company and shall render to the Members or the President, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of the Company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation); and, in general, he shall perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer of a company, and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Members or the President or as may be provided by law.

 

(e)  Controller . The Controller shall be the chief accounting officer of the Company. He shall keep full and accurate accounts of the assets, liabilities, commitments, receipts, disbinsements and other financial transactions of the Company; shall cause regular audits of the books and records of account of the Company and supervise the preparation of the Company’s financial statements; and, in general, he shall perform the duties incident to the office of controller of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Members or the President or as may be provided by law. If no Controller is elected by the Members, the Treasurer shall perform the duties of the office of controller.

 

(f)  Tax Officer . The office of Tax Officer shall have the authority to sign or execute on behalf of this Company any federal, foreign, Indian, state or local tax return or report, claim for refund of taxes, extension of a statute of limitation, administrative tax appeals filings and any other document relating to this Company’s tax responsibilities.

 

5



 

ARTICLE VII

TRANSFERS OF COMPANY INTERESTS

 

SECTION 7.01. Transfers . Any Member may, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its Interest. Any Person acquiring the Member’s Interest shall be admitted to the Company as a substituted Member with no further action being required on the part of the Members.

 

ARTICLE VIII

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

 

SECTION 8.01. Dissolution . The Company shall be dissolved and its business wound up upon the decision made at any time by the Members to dissolve the Company, or upon the occurrence of any event of dissolution under the Act.

 

SECTION 8.02. Liquidation . Upon dissolution, the Company’s business shall be liquidated in an orderly manner. The Members shall wind up the affairs of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and in accordance with the Act, including, without limitation, Section 18-804 thereof

 

SECTION 8.03. Distribution of Property . If in the discretion of the Members it becomes necessary to make a distribution of Company property in kind in connection with the liquidation of the Company, such property shall be transferred and conveyed to the Members.

 

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 9.01. General . Except to the extent expressly prohibited by the Act, the Company shall indemnify each Person made or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, by reason of the fact that such Person or such Person’s testator or intestate is or was a member or officer of the Company, against judgments, fines (including excise taxes assessed on a Person with respect to an employee benefit plan), penalties, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with such action or proceeding, or any appeal therefrom; provided that no such indemnification shall be made if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such Person establishes that his conduct did not meet the then applicable minimum statutory standards of conduct; and provided, further, that no such indemnification shall be required in connection with any settlement or other non-adjudicated disposition of any threatened or pending action or proceeding unless the Company has given its prior consent to such settlement or such other disposition, which consent shall not be umeasonably withheld.

 

6



 

SECTION 9.02. Reimbursement . The Company shall advance or promptly reimburse, upon request, any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder for all expenses, including attorneys’ fees, reasonably incurred in defending any action or proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Person (in form and substance satisfactory to the Company) to repay such amount if such Person is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification or, where indemnification is granted, to the extent the expenses so advanced or reimbursed exceed the amount to which such Person is entitled; provided that such Person shall cooperate in good faith with any request by the Company that common counsel be utilized by the parties to an action or proceeding who are similarly situated unless to do so would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflicts of interest between or among such parties; and p rovided , further , that the Company shall only advance attorneys’ fees in respect of legal counsel approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.03. Availability . The right to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this provision is intended to be retroactive and shall be available with respect to any action or proceeding which relates to events prior to the effective date of this provision.

 

SECTION 9.04. Indemnification Agreement . The Company is authorized to enter into agreements with any of its Members or officers extending rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to such Person to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, but the failure to enter into any such agreement shall not affect or limit the rights of such Person pursuant to this provision.

 

SECTION 9.05. Enforceability . In case any provision in this Article IX shall be determined at any time to be unenforceable in any respect, the other provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and the affected provisions shall be given the fullest possible enforcement in the circumstances, it being the intention of the Company to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to its members and officers, acting in such capacities, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 9.06. No Amendments . No amendment or repeal of this provision shall apply to or have any effect on the indemnification of, or advancement of expenses to, the Members or any officer of the Company for, or with respect to, acts or omissions of such Members or officer occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

SECTION 9.07. Not Exclusive . The foregoing shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which any Member or any officer may be entitled as a matter of law and shall not affect any rights to indemnification to which Company personnel other than the Members or officers may be entitled by contract or otherwise.

 

7



 

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 10.01. Amendments and Consents . This Agreement may be modified or amended only by the Members.

 

SECTION 10.02. Benefits of Agreement . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditor of the Company or the Members.

 

SECTION 10.03. Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements in connection therewith. No covenant, representation or condition not expressed in this Agreement shall affect, or be effective to interpret, change or restrict, the express provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.04. Headings . The tities of Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be interpreted to limit or amplify the provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.05. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument, which may be sufficiently evidenced by one counterpart.

 

SECTION 10.06. Severability . Each provision of this Agreement shall be considered separable and if for any reason any provision or provisions hereof are determined to be invalid and contrary to any existing or future law, such invalidity shall not impair the operation of or affect those portions of this Agreement, which are valid.

 

SECTION 10.07. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

 

SECTION 10.08. Security . For purposes of providing for transfer of, perfection a security interest in, and other relevant matters related to, a membership interest in the Company, each membership interest in the Company shall be deemed to be a ‘security’ subject to the rules set forth in Chapters 8 and 9 of the Texas Uniform Commercial Code and any similar Uniform Commercial Code provision adopted by the States of New York or Delaware or any other relevant jurisdiction.

 

8



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Limited Liability Company Agreement has been duly executed by El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc., effective as of the 18 th  day of December 2009.

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION

 

MANGEMENT INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

Vice President

 

9




Exhibit 3.17

 

State of Delaware

 

Office of the Secretary of State

 


 

I, EDWARD J. FREEL, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF “COASTAL OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE NINETEENTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 1999, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

 

 

/s/ Edward J. Freel

 

Edward J. Freel, Secretary of State

 

 

 

3044912  8100

AUTHENTICATION:   

9753523

 

 

 

 

 

991199395

DATE:   

05-19-99

 

1



 

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to form a limited partnership pursuant to the Delaware Revised Unifonn Limited Partnership Act, 6 Delaware Code, Chapter 17, do hereby certify as follows:

 

I.              The name of the limited partnership is:

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.

 

II.            The address of the Partnership’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of the Partnership’s registered agent for service of process in the State of Delaware at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

III.           The name and mailing address of the general partner is:

 

NAME

 

MAILING ADDRESS

 

 

 

Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation

 

Nine Greenway Plaza

 

 

Houston, Texas 77046

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Limited Partnership of Coastal Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P., as of the 19th day of May, 1999.

 

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION,
GENERAL PARTNER

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE

 

 

AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE

 

 

Senior Vice President and Secretary

 



 

State of Delaware

 

Office of the Secretary of State

 


 

I, HARRIET SMITH WINDSOR, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF “COASTAL OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.”, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “COASTAL OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.” TO “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF APRIL, A.D. 2001, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

 

 

/s/ Harriet Smith Windsor

 

Harriet Smith Windsor, Secretary of State

 

 

 

3044912  8100

AUTHENTICATION:   

1087930

 

 

 

 

 

010184665

DATE:   

04-19-01

 

1



 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO THE

 

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Limited Partnership of COASTAL OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P., pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST: The name of the Limited Partnership is:

 

Coastal Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P.

 

SECOND: Article “ I .” of the Certificate of Limited Partnership shall be amended as follows:

 

“I. The name of the limited partnership shall be El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P.”

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership on this 16th day of April 2001.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

 

the General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

 

FILED 10:00 A.M 04/17/2001

 

 

010184665 - 3044912

 

 

 



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, HARRIET SMITH WINDSOR, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, WHICH MERGES:

 

“EL PASO PROCESSING PLANTS COMPANY, L.L.C.”, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY,

 

WITH AND INTO “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.” UNDER THE NAME OF “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.”, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AS RECEIVED-AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2005, AT 9:25 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2005, AT 8:20 O’CLOCK A.M..

 

 

 

/s/ Harriet Smith Windsor

 

Harriet Smith Windsor, Secretary of State

 

 

 

3044912  8100M

AUTHENTICATION:   

4411521

 

 

 

 

 

051069264

DATE:   

12-29-05

 

1



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 09:25 PM 12/28/2005

 

 

FILED 09:25 PM 12/28/2005

 

 

SRV 051069264 - 3044912 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

EL PASO PROCESSING PLANTS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

with and into

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.

 


 

Pinsuact to

Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act

and

Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Unifonn Limited Partnership Act

 


 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, hereby certifies to the following focts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of El Paso Processing Plants Company, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, with and into El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P., pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”) and Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (“DRULPA”), and submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of jurisdiction of each entity that is to merge is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Jurisdiction

 

 

 

El Paso Processing Plants Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gafoering, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: That an Agreement of Merger dated aa of Oeoember 2S, 2005 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 18-209 of the DLLCA and Section 17-211 of the DRULPA.

 

THIRD: That the name of the surviving entity is El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P. (“Gathering”).

 

FOURTH: That the existing Certificate of Limited Partnership of Gathering shall be the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the surviving entity.

 

FIFTH: That the Merger shall be effective at 8:20 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on December 31, 2005.

 



 

SIXTH: That an executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file et the place of business of Gathering, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SEVENTH: That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request arul without cost to any partner or member of, or any parson holding an interest in, any entity that is to merge.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P. has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the General Partner this 28th day of December 2005.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.

 

By:

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

 

President

 

Prod./Pipes Reorg. Step 3 of 3

 

2


 

AGREEMENT OF MERGER

 

THIS AGREEMENT OF MERGER (this “Agreement”) dated as of the 31st day of December 2005, pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, between El Paso Processing Plants Company, L.L.C. (“Plants Co.”), a Delaware limited liability company, and El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P. (“Gathering”), a Delaware limited partnership.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, Plants Co. (the “Merging Entity”) desires to merge (the “Merger”) with and into Gathering (the “Survivor” or “Surviving Entity”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties to this Agreement, in consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements and provisions hereinafter contained, do hereby prescribe the terms and conditions of the Merger and mode of carrying the same into effect as follows:

 

FIRST:  The Survivor hereby merges with and into itself the Merging Entity, and the Merging Entity shall be and hereby is merged into the Survivor, which shall be the Surviving Entity.

 

SECOND:  The Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Survivor, as amended, which exists prior to the Merger, shall be the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Surviving Entity.

 

THIRD:  The terms and conditions of the Merger are as follows:

 

(a)               The Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Survivor, as it shall exist on the effective date of this Merger, shall be and remain the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Surviving Entity until the same shall be altered, amended or repealed as therein provided.

 

(b)               This Merger shall become effective at 8:20 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on December 31, 2005.

 



 

(c)               Upon the Merger becoming effective, all the property, rights, privileges, franchises, patents, trademarks, licenses, registrations and other assets of every kind and description of the Merging Entity shall be transferred to, vested in, and devolve upon the Surviving Entity without further act or deed, and all property, rights, and every other interest of the Surviving Entity and the Merging Entity shall be as effectively the property of the Surviving Entity as they were of the Surviving Entity and the Merging Entity, respectively. The Merging Entity hereby agrees from time to time, as and when requested by the Surviving Entity or by its successors or assigns, to execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered all such deeds and instruments, and to take or cause to be taken such further or other action as the Surviving Entity may deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm in the Surviving Entity title to and possession of any property of the Merging Entity acquired or to be acquired by reason of or as a result of the Merger herein provided for and otherwise to carry out the interest and purposes hereof, and the proper officers of the Merging Entity and the proper officers of the Surviving Entity are fully authorized in the name of the Merging Entity or otherwise to take any and all such action.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Agreement of Merger, pursuant to the approval and authority duly given by resolutions adopted by their respective members and partners, have caused these presents to be executed by each party hereto as the respective act, deed and agreement of each of said Entities, as of the 31st day of December 2005.

 

 

EL PASO PROCESSING PLANTS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

By:

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

President

 

 

President

 

Prod./Pipes Reorg. Step 3 of 3

 

2



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, HARRIET SMITH WINDSOR, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2006, AT 12:34 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

 

 

/s/ Harriet Smith Windsor

 

Harriet Smith Windsor, Secretary of State

 

 

 

3044912  8100

AUTHENTICATION:   

5044848

 

 

 

 

 

060853302

DATE:   

09-15-06

 

1



 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of EI Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P., pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Delaware Revised Unifona Limited Partnership Act, as amended (“DRULPA”) does hereby certify as follows:

 

1.                                  The name of the Limited Partnership is El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P.

 

2.                                  The text of Article HI of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership is hereby amended and restated to mad in its entirety as follows:

 

The name and mailing address of the general partner of the Limited Partnership is:

 

El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc

1001 Louisiana Street

Houston, Texas 77002.”

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned general partner has executed this Certificate of Amendment on this 12th day of September 2006.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.

 

 

 

By:

El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.

 

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas M. Hart

 

 

Thomas M. Hart

 

 

Vice President

 

 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 01:56 PM 09/15/2006

 

 

FILED 12:34 PM 09/15/2006

 

 

SRV 060853302 - 3044912 FILE

 



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, HARRIET SMITH WINDSOR, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, WHICH MERGES:

 

“EL PASO ENERGY OIL TRANSMISSION, L.L.C.”, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY,

 

WITH AND INTO “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.” UNDER THE NAME OF “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.”, A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2008, AT. 6:15 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

 

 

/s/ Harriet Smith Windsor

 

Harriet Smith Windsor, Secretary of State

 

 

 

3044912  8100M

AUTHENTICATION:   

7038966

 

 

 

 

 

081211697

DATE:   

12-19-08

You may verify this certificate online
at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

1



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 06:15 PM 12/18/2008

 

 

FILED 06:15 PM 12/18/2008

 

 

SRV 081211697 – 3044912 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

EL PASO ENERGY OIL TRANSMISSION, L.L.C.

 

with and into

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 


 

Pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act

 


 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C. (“Oil & Gas Gathering”), a Delaware limited liability company, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of El Paso Energy Oil Transmission, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, with and into Oil & Gas Gathering, pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”) and submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of formation of each limited liability company diat is to merge is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Formation

 

 

 

El Paso Energy Oil Transmission, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: That an Agreement of Merger dated as of December 16, 2008 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 18-209 of the DLLCA.

 

THIRD: That the name of the surviving entity is El Paso production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

FOURTH: That die existing Certificate of Formation of Oil & Gas Gathering shall be the Certificate of Formation of the surviving entity.

 

FIVE: That the Merger shall be effective upon filing with the Delaware Secretary of State in the state of Delaware.

 

SIXTH: That an executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of business of Oil & Gas Gathering, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SEVENTH: That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request and without cost to any member of, or any person holding an interest in, any entity that is to merge.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company. L.L.C. has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by a duly authorized officer this 16th day of December, 2008.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Dane E. Whitehead

 

Name:

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

2


 

AGREEMENT OF MERGER

 

THIS AGREEMENT OF MERGER (this “Agreement”) dated as of the 16th day of December 2008, pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, between El Paso Energy Oil Transmission, L.L.C. (“Oil Transmission”), a Delaware limited liability company, and El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C. (“Oil & Gas Gathering”), a Delaware limited liability company.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, Oil Transmission (the “Merging Entity”) desires to merge (the “Merger”) with and into Oil & Gas Gathering (the “Survivor” or “Surviving Entity”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties to this Agreement, in consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements and provisions hereinafter contained, do hereby prescribe the terms and conditions of the Merger and mode of carrying the same into effect as follows:

 

FIRST: The Survivor hereby merges with and into itself the Merging Entity, and the Merging Entity shall be and hereby is merged into the Survivor, which shall be the Surviving Entity.

 

SECOND: The Certificate of Formation of the Survivor, which exists prior to the Merger, shall be the Certificate of Formation of the Surviving Entity.

 

THIRD: The terms and conditions of the Merger are as follows:

 

(a)               The Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Survivor, as it shall exist on the effective date of this Merger, shall be and remain the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Surviving Entity until the same shall be altered, amended or repealed as therein provided.

 

(b)              This Merger shall become effective upon filing with the Delaware Secretary of State in the State of Delaware.

 



 

(c)               Upon the Merger becoming effective, all the property, rights, privileges, franchises, patents, trademarks, licenses, registrations and other assets of every kind and description of the Merging Entity shall be transferred to, vested in, and devolve upon the Surviving Entity without further act or deed, and all property, rights, and every other interest of the Surviving Entity and the Merging Entity shall be as effectively the property of the Surviving Entity as they were of the Surviving Entity and the Merging Entity, respectively. The Merging Entity hereby agrees from time to time, as and when requested by the Surviving Entity or by its successors or assigns, to execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered all such deeds and instruments, and to take or cause to be taken such further or other action as the Surviving Entity may deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm in the Surviving Entity title to and possession of any property of the Merging Entity acquired or to be acquired by reason of or as a result of the Merger herein provided for and otherwise to carry out the interest and purposes hereof, and the proper officers of the Merging Entity and the proper officers of the Surviving Entity are fully authorized in the name of the Merging Entity or otherwise to take any and all such action.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Agreement of Merger, pursuant to the approval and authority duly given by resolutions adopted by their respective members, have caused these presents to be executed by each party hereto as the respective act, deed and agreement of each of said Entities, as of the 16th day of December 2008.

 

2



 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

EL PASO ENERGY OIL TRANSMISSION, L.L.C.

By:

EL PASO E&P HOLDINGS, INC.

 

By:

EL PASO E&P HOLDINGS, INC.

 

its Member

 

 

its Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Dane E. Whitehead

 

By:

/s/ Dane E. Whitehead

 

Dane E. Whitehead

 

 

Dane E. Whitehead

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

3



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, HARRIET SMITH WINDSOR, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION OF A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP UNDER THE NAME OF “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.” TO A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.P.” TO “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2008, AT 7:01 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

 

 

/s/ Harriet Smith Windsor

 

Harriet Smith Windsor, Secretary of State

 

 

 

3044912  8100V

AUTHENTICATION:    

7036064

 

 

 

 

 

081207243

DATE:   

12-18-08

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

1



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 07:01 PM 12/17/2008

 

 

FILED 07:01 PM 12/17/2008

 

 

SRV 081207243 - 3044912 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

FROM A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP TO A

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-214 OF THE

DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT

 

This Certificate of Conversion of El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P. (the “Partnership”), dated as of December 16, 2008, is being duly executed and filed by an authorized officer of the Partnership to convert the Partnership to a Delaware limited liability company in accordance with section 18-214 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”).

 

1.                                       The name of the Partnership set forth in its original Certificate of Limited Partnership, and immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion, was:

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P.

 

2.                                       The jurisdiction of the Partnership immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion was:

 

Delaware

 

3.                                       The jurisdiction where the Partnership was first created is:

 

Delaware

 

4.                                       The date the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership was filed is:

 

May 19, 1999

 

5.                                       The name of the limited liability company as set forth in its Certificate of Formation is:

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

6.                                       This conversion has been approved in accordance with the provisions of Section 18-214 of the DLLCA.

 

7.                                       This Certificate of Conversion and the conversion contemplated hereby shall be effective upon the filing of this Certificate of Conversion and the Certificate of Formation.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this certificate of Conversion has been executed by an authorized officer of the Partnership on the 16th day of December 2008.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joyce Allen-Dennis

 

 

Joyce Allen-Dennis

 

 

Assistant Secretary

 



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, HARRIET SMITH WINDSOR, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION OF “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.” FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2008, AT 7:01 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

 

 

/s/ Harriet Smith Windsor

 

Harriet Smith Windsor, Secretary of State

 

 

 

3044912  8100V

AUTHENTICATION:    

7036064

 

 

 

 

 

081207243

DATE:   

12-18-08

You may verify this certificate online

at corp delaware gov/authver shtml

 

2



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 07:01 PM 12/17/2008

 

 

FILED 07:01 PM 12/17/2008

 

 

SRV 081207243 - 3044912 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

This Certificate of Formation of El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C. (the “LLC”) dated as of December 16, 2008, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as an authorized person, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C.§§ 18-101, et . seg.

 

FIRST:                                           The name of the LLC formed hereby is:

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

SECOND:                            The address of the registered office of the LLC in die State of Delaware is:

 

Corporation Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

New Castle County

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

THIRD:                                       The name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the LLC in the State of Delaware are:

 

The Corporation Trust Company

Corporation Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

New Castle County

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

 

FOURTH:                           This Certificate of Formation and the conversion contemplated hereby shall be effective upon the filing of this Certificate of Conversion and the Certificate of Formation.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Certificate of Formation to be executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

/s/ Joyce Allen-Dennis

 

Joyce Allen-Dennis

 

Authorized Person

 



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.”, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.” TO “EP ENERGY GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 4:22 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT IS THE FIRST DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2012, AT 12:01 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

 

 

3044912 8100

AUTHENTICATION:    

9586597

 

 

 

 

 

120601815

DATE:   

05-21-12

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

1



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 04:39 PM 05/21/2012

 

 

FILED 04:22 PM 05/21/2012

 

 

SRV 120601815 - 3044912 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO THE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

OF

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Formation of El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C. (the “LLC”), pursuant to the provisions of Section 18-202 of the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST:                                 The name of the LLC is:

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

SECOND:                  The article numbered “FIRST” of the Certificate of Formation of the Company shall be amended as follows:

 

“FIRST:                            The name of the LLC formed hereby is:

 

EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.”

 

THIRD:                             This amendment to the Certificate of Formation shall be effective at 12:01a.m. Eastern Time on June 1, 2012.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Formation on this 18th day of May 2012.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

 

Joseph C. James

 

 

Authorized Person

 




Exhibit 3.18

 

FIRST AMENDED & RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

PREAMBLE

 

This FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT of El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C. (the “Company”) is made on this 30th day of November 2010, by El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Production Resale”), the Member of this Company.

 

WHEREAS, the Company was formed under the name of El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C., as a limited liability company under the Act (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to the filing of the Certificate of Formation (as hereinafter defined) on December 17, 2008, and the execution of that certain Agreement of Limited Liability Company dated as of December 17, 2008, by El Paso E&P Holdings, Inc, a Delaware corporation and El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“E&P Management”) (the “Original Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, on December 17, 2008, E&P Management Inc. contributed its 1% Membership interest to El Paso E&P Holdings, Inc.; and

 

WHEREAS, on December 31, 2009, El Paso E&P Holdings Inc. converted into a limited liability company named El Paso E&P Holdings Company, L.L.C (“E&P Holdings LLC”), evidenced by the filing of a Certificate of Conversion with the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware; and

 

WHEREAS, on November 30, 2010, E&P Holdings LLC merged into El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C, evidenced by the filing of a Certificate of Conversion with the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware; and

 

WHEREAS, Production Resale, as the Member of the Company, desires to amend and restate the Original Agreement for the purposes and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants herein contained, Production Resale does hereby agree as follows:

 



 

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally . The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Articles, Sections and Exhibits shall be deemed to be references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”

 

ARTICLE II

FORMATION

 

SECTION 2.01. Name . The name of the Company shall be as set forth in the Preamble hereof All business of the Company shall be conducted under such name and title to all property, real, personal, or mixed, owned by or leased to the Company shall be held in such name. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Member may change the name of the Company or adopt such trade or fictitious names as it may determine.

 

SECTION 2.02. Term . The term of the Company commenced on the date of filing of the Certificate of Formation of the Company in the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware (the “Effective Date”). The term of the Company shall continue until terminated as provided in Article VIII hereof

 

SECTION 2.03. Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business of the Company shall be located at 1001 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002. The Member may establish other offices at other locations.

 

SECTION 2.04. Agent for Service of Process . The Corporation Trust Company shall be the registered agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The address of such agent within the State of Delaware is: Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801.

 

SECTION 2.05. Purposes of the Company . The Company has been organized to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a Delaware limited liability company may be formed.

 

ARTICLE III

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 3.01. Capital Contribution . The Member may contribute cash or other property to the Company as it shall decide, from time to time. The initial contribution shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000), payable immediately.

 

SECTION 3.02. Additional Capital Contributions . If at any time the Member shall determine that additional funds or property are necessary or desirable to meet the obligations or needs of the Company, the Member may make additional Capital Contributions.

 

3



 

Controllers, and such other officers with such titles and powers and/or duties as the Member shall from time to time determine. Officers may be designated for particular areas of responsibility and simultaneously serve as officers of subsidiaries or divisions. Any officer so elected may resign at any time upon written notice to the Member. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein, no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the Member. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Company, but the election or appointment of any officer shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any vacancy occurring in any office by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Member.

 

(a)  President . The President shall have general control of the business, affairs, operations and property of the Company, subject to the supervision of the Member. He may sign or execute, in the name of the Company, all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other undertakings or instruments, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Member to some other officer or agent of the Company. He shall have and may exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as are incident to the office of President of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as are assigned from time to time by the Member.

 

(b)  Vice Presidents . Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as may from time to time be assigned to him, either generally or in specific instances, by the Member or the President. Any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the President at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the President or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have authority to sign or execute all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Company, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Member to some other officer or agent of the Company.

 

(c)  Secretary . The Secretary shall keep the records of the Company, in books provided for the purpose; he shall be custodian of the seal or seals of the Company; he shall see that the seal is affixed to all documents requiring same, the execution of which, on behalf of the Company, under its seal, is duly authorized, and when said seal is so affixed he may attest same; and, in general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the secretary of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation), and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law. Any Assistant Secretary may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the Secretary at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the Secretary or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

5



 

SECTION 8.03. Distribution of Property . If in the discretion of the Member it becomes necessary to make a distribution of Company property in kind in connection with the liquidation of the Company, such property shall be transferred and conveyed to the Member subject to Section 18-804 of the Act.

 

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 9.01. General . Except to the extent expressly prohibited by the Act, the Company shall indemnify each Person made or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, by reason of the fact that such Person or such Person’s testator or intestate is or was a member or officer of the Company, against judgments, fines (including excise taxes assessed on a Person with respect to an employee benefit plan), penalties, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with such action or proceeding, or any appeal therefrom; provided that no such indemnification shall be made if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such Person establishes that his conduct did not meet the then applicable minimum statutory standards of conduct; and provided, further, that no such indemnification shall be required in connection with any settlement or other non-adjudicated disposition of any threatened or pending action or proceeding unless the Company has given its prior consent to such settlement or such other disposition, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.02. Reimbursement . The Company shall advance or promptly reimburse, upon request, any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder for all expenses, including attorneys’ fees, reasonably incurred in defending any action or proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Person (in form and substance satisfactory to the Company) to repay such amount if such Person is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification or, where indemnification is granted, to the extent the expenses so advanced or reimbursed exceed the amount to which such Person is entitled; provided that such Person shall cooperate in good faith with any request by the Company that common counsel be utilized by the parties to an action or proceeding who are similarly situated unless to do so would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflicts of interest between or among such parties; and provided , further , that the Company shall only advance attorneys’ fees in respect of legal counsel approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.03. Availability . The right to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this provision is intended to be retroactive and shall be available with respect to any action or proceeding which relates to events prior to the effective date of this provision.

 

SECTION 9.04. Indemnification Agreement . The Company is authorized to enter into agreements with any of its members or officers extending rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to such Person to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, but the failure to enter into any such agreement shall not affect or limit the rights of such Person

 

7



 

affect those portions of this Agreement, which are valid.

 

SECTION 10.07. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

 

SECTION 10.08. Security . For purposes of providing for transfer of, perfection a security interest in, and other relevant matters related to, a membership interest in the Company, each membership interest in the Company shall be deemed to be a ‘security’ subject to the rules set forth in Chapters 8 and 9 of the Texas Uniform Commercial Code and any similar Uniform Commercial Code provision adopted by the States of New York or Delaware or any other relevant jurisdiction.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Limited Liability Company Agreement has been duly executed by El Paso E&P Company, L.P., effective as of the 30th day of November, 2010.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE

 

COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John J. Hopper

 

 

John J. Hopper

 

 

Vice President and Treasurer

 

9




Exhibit 3.19

 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED ARE TRUE AND CORRECT COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS ON FILE OF “EP ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.P.” AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE.

 

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED:

 

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, FILED THE SIXTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1995, AT 4:30 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “COASTAL OIL & GAS USA, L.P.” TO “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.”, FILED THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF APRIL, A.D. 2001, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, FILED THE EIGHTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 2002, AT 4 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2002, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, FILED THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF AUGUST, A.D. 2003, AT 4:13 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2003, AT 2:10 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

 

2543123       8100H

AUTHENTICATION: 9768628

 

 

120919728

DATE: 08-09-12

 

 

You may verify this certificate online

 

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

 

1



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2003.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2003, AT 2:11 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2003.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2004, AT 8:53 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2004, AT 8 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2004, AT 8:54 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2004, AT 8:10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2004, AT 8:55 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

 

2543123       8100H

AUTHENTICATION: 9768628

 

 

120919728

DATE: 08-09-12

 

 

You may verify this certificate online

 

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

 

2



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2004, AT 8:20 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2004, AT 8:56 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2004, AT 8:30 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2004, AT 8:57 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2004, AT 8:40 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, FILED THE NINTH DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 2004, AT 11:46 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

RESTATED CERTIFICATE, FILED THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2004, AT 12:10 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.” TO “EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.”, FILED THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2005, AT 9:28 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

 

2543123       8100H

AUTHENTICATION: 9768628

 

 

120919728

DATE: 08-09-12

 

 

You may verify this certificate online

 

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

 

3



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2005, AT 9:29 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2005, AT 10:10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE NINTH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2006, AT 8:57 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE THIRTIETH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2006, AT 9:45 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE NINTH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2006, AT 9:17 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE THIRTIETH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2006, AT 10 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, FILED THE ELEVENTH DAY OF AUGUST, A.D. 2006, AT 6:42 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2009, AT 7:55 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

 

2543123       8100H

AUTHENTICATION: 9768628

 

 

120919728

DATE: 08-09-12

 

 

You may verify this certificate online

 

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

 

4



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

A.D. 2009, AT 8:02 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, FILED THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2010, AT 6:32 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2010.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.” TO “EP ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.P.”, FILED THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 4:16 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT IS THE FIRST DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2012, AT 12:01 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATES ARE THE ONLY CERTIFICATES ON RECORD OF THE AFORESAID LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, “EP ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.P.”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

 

2543123       8100H

AUTHENTICATION: 9768628

 

 

120919728

DATE: 08-09-12

 

 

You may verify this certificate online

 

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

 

5



 

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

 

FILED 04:30 PM 12/06/1995

 

 

950284975 - 2543123

 

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

COASTAL OIL  & GAS USA, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to form a limited partnership pursuant to the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Delaware Code, Chapter 17, do hereby certify as follows:

 

I.                                          The name of the limited partnership is:

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

II.                                      The address of the Partnership’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of the Partnership’s registered agent for service of process in the State of Delaware at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

III.                                  The name and mailing address of the general partner is:

 

NAME

 

MAILING ADDRESS

 

 

 

Coastal Oil  & Gas Corporation

 

9 Greenway Plaza

 

 

Houston, Texas 77046

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Limited Partnership of Coastal Oil & Gas USA, L.P., as of the 6th day of December, 1995.

 

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

GENERAL PARTNER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE

 

 

AUSTIN M. O’TOOLE

 

 

Senior Vice President

 



 

 

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

 

FILED 10:00 AM 04/17/2001

 

 

010184674 - 2543123

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO THE

 

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Limited Partnership of COASTAL OIL & GAS USA, L.P., pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST: The name of the Limited Partnership is:

 

Coastal Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

SECOND: Article “I.” of the Certificate of Limited Partnership shall be amended as follows:

 

“I. The name of the limited partnership shall be El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.”

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership on this 16th day of April 2001.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

the General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 



 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

 

FILED 04:00 PM 11/08/2002

 

 

020692145 - 2543123

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST: The name of the Limited Partnership is El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

SECOND: Article III of the Certificate of Limited Partnership shall be amended to add an additional General Partner as follows:

 

Article III. The name and mailing address of the general partners are as follows:

 

Name

 

Address

 

 

 

ANR Production Company

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership on this 8th day of November 2002.

 

 

ANR PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 



 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS

 

COMPANY

 

General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 


 

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

 

FILED 10:00 AM 12/31/2002

 

 

020808756 - 2543123

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

MERGING

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OFFSHORE PARTNERSHIP I, L.P.

 

AND

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OFFSHORE PARTNERSHIP II, L.P.

 

INTO

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL  & GAS USA, L.P.

 

Pursuant to Title 6, Section 17-211 of the Delaware Code, the undersigned surviving limited partnership submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing and certifies that:

 

FIRST: The name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of each of the domestic limited partnerships or other business entities that are to merge are as follows:

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction

 

 

 

El Paso Production Offshore Partnership I, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

El Paso Production Offshore Partnership II, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: An Agreement of Merger has been approved and executed by El Paso Production Offshore Partnership I, L.P., El Paso Production Offshore Partnership II, L.P. and El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

THIRD: The name of the surviving limited partnership is: El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 



 

FOURTH: The merger shall become effective on December 31, 2002.

 

FIFTH: The Agreement of Merger is on file at a place of business of the surviving limited partnership which is located at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SIXTH: A copy of the Agreement of Merger will be furnished by the surviving limited partnership, on request and without cost, to any partner of any domestic limited partnership or any person holding an interest in any other business entity that is to merge.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Merger has been duly executed as of the 23rd day of December 2002, and is being filed in accordance with Title 6, Section 17-211 by an authorized officer of the General Partner of the surviving limited partnership in the merger.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

By: El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

The General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 05:02 PM 08/22/2003

 

 

FILED 04:13 PM 08/22/2003

 

 

SRV 030549356 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST: The name of the Limited Partnership is El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P. (the “Partnership”).

 

SECOND: Article III of the Certificate of Limited Partnership shall be amended as follows:

 

“The name of the general partners of the Partnership are:

 

ANR Production Company

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

1001 Louisiana Street

 

1001 Louisiana Street

Houston, Texas 77002

 

Houston, Texas 77002.”

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership on this 21st day of August 2003.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

 

 

By: ANR Production Company

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 



 

 

By: El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 



 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 02:10 PM 12/23/2003

 

 

FILED 02:10 PM 12/23/2003

 

 

SRV 030830854 - 2543123 FILE

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

OF

 

CIGE MERGER COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

AND

 

EP PRODUCTION MERGER COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

each, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

WITH AND INTO

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.,

 

a Delaware limited partnership

 


 

Pursuant to Section 17-211 of the

Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (“DRULPA”)

 


 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger of CIGE Merger Company, L.L.C. and EP Production Merger Company, L.L.C., each a Delaware limited liability company, with and into El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Merger”):

 

First : The name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of each of the constituent entities to the Merger are:

 

 

Name

 

State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

 

CIGE Merger Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

 

EP Production Merger Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

 

Second : An Agreement of Merger dated December 19, 2003 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 17-211 of the DRULPA. The effective date of the merger shall be December 31, 2003.

 

Third : The name of the surviving limited partnership is El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 



 

Fourth : The Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., as in existence immediately prior to the filing of this Certificate of Merger shall be the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the surviving limited partnership.

 

Fifth : An executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, LP., located at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

Sixth : A copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished by El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., upon request and without cost, to any member of CIGE Merger Company, L.L.C. and EP Production Merger Company, L.L.C. or to any partner of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Seventh : This Certificate of Merger shall be effective on December 31, 2003.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate has been duly executed on behalf of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., by a duly authorized officer of the General Partner this 19th day of December 2003.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

By:

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 

2



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 02:10 PM 12/23/2003

 

 

FILED 02:11 PM 12/23/2003

 

 

SRV 030830928 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

OF

 

EL PASO OIL & GAS RESOURCES COMPANY, L.P.

 

INTO

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

Pursuant to Title 6, Section 17-211 of the Delaware Code, the undersigned surviving limited partnership submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing and certifies that:

 

FIRST: The name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of each of the domestic limited partnerships or other business entities that are to merge are as follows:

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction

 

 

 

El Paso Oil & Gas Resources Company, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

El Paso Production Oil  & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

 

SECOND: An Agreement of Merger has been approved and executed by El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P. and El Paso Oil & Gas Resources Company, L.P.

 

THIRD: The name of the surviving limited partnership is: El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

FOURTH: The merger shall become effective on December 31, 2003.

 

FIFTH: The Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at a place of business of the surviving limited partnership which is located at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 



 

SIXTH: A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by the surviving limited partnership, on request and without cost, to any partner of any domestic limited partnership or any person holding an interest in any other business entity that is to merge.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Merger has been duly executed as of the 19th day of December 2003, and is being filed in accordance with Title 6, Section 17-211 by the General Partner of the surviving limited partnership in the merger.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

By:

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 



 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

 

Secretary of State

 

 

Division of Corporations

 

 

Delivered 08:53 AM 01/13/2004

 

 

FILED 08:53 AM 01/13/2004

 

 

SRV 040022284 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

OF

 

EL PASO NORIC INVESTMENTS IV, L.L.C.

a Delaware limited liability company

 

WITH AND INTO

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

a Delaware limited partnership

 


 

Pursuant to Section 17-211 of the

Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (“DRULPA”)

 


 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger of El Paso Noric Investments IV, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, with and into El Paso Merchant Energy, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Merger”):

 

First : The name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of each of the constituent entities to the Merger are;

 

Name

 

State

 

 

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Delaware

El Paso Noric Investments IV, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

Second : An Agreement of Merger dated January 9, 2004 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 17-211 of the DRULPA. The effective date of the merger is upon filing with the Delaware Secretary of State in the State of Delaware.

 

Third : The name of the surviving limited partnership is El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Fourth : The Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., as in existence immediately prior to the filing of this Certificate

 



 

of Merger shall be the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the surviving limited partnership.

 

Fifth : An executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., located at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

Sixth : A copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished by El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., upon request and without cost, to any Member of El Paso Noric Investments IV, L.L.C. or to any partner of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Seventh : This Certificate of Merger shall be effective as of 8:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on January 14, 2004.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., has caused this Certificate of Merger to be executed by a duly authorized officer, this 9th day of January 2004.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

By:   

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 

2


 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 08:53 AM 01/13/2004

 

FILED 08:54 AM 01/13/2004

 

SRV 040022293 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

OF

 

NORIC HOLDINGS IV, L.L.C.

a Delaware limited liability company

 

WITH AND INTO

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

a Delaware limited partnership

 


 

Pursuant to Section 17-211 of the

Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (“DRULPA”)

 


 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger of Noric Holdings IV, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, with and into El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Merger”):

 

First : The name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of each of the constituent entities to the Merger are:

 

Name

 

State

 

 

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Delaware

Noric Holdings IV, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

Second : An Agreement of Merger dated January 12, 2004 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 17-211 of the DRULPA. The effective date of the merger is upon filing with the Delaware Secretary of State in the State of Delaware.

 

Third : The name of the surviving limited partnership is El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Fourth : The Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., as in existence immediately prior to the filing of this Certificate

 



 

of Merger shall be the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the surviving limited partnership.

 

Fifth : An executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., located at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

Sixth : A copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished by El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., upon request and without cost, to any Member of Noric Holdings IV, L.L.C. or to any partner of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Seventh : This Certificate of Merger shall be effective as of 8:10 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on January 14, 2004.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., has caused this Certificate of Merger to be executed by a duly authorized officer, this 12th day of January 2004.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

By: El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 

2



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 08:53 AM 01/13/2004

 

FILED 08:55 AM 01/13/2004

 

SRV 040022297 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

OF

 

LIPIZZAN HOLDING, L.P.

 

INTO

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

Pursuant to Title 6, Section 17-211 of the Delaware Code, the undersigned surviving limited partnership submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing and certifies that:

 

FIRST: The name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of each of the domestic limited partnerships or other business entities that are to merge are as follows:

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction

 

 

 

Lipizzan Holding, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

EI Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: An Agreement of Merger has been approved and executed by El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P. and Lipizzan Holding, L.P.

 

THIRD: The name of the surviving limited partnership is: El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

FOURTH: The merger shall become effective as of 8:20 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on January 14, 2004.

 

FIFTH: The Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at a place of business of the surviving limited partnership which is located at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 



 

SIXTH: A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by the surviving limited partnership, on request and without cost, to any partner of any domestic limited partnership or any person holding an interest in any other business entity that is to merge.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Merger has been duly executed as of the 12th day of January 2004, and is being filed in accordance with Title 6, Section 17-211 by an authorized person of the surviving limited partnership in the merger.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

By: El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 08:53 AM 01/13/2004

 

FILED 08:56 AM 01/13/2004

 

SRV 040022392 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

OF

 

LUSITANO, L.L.C.

a Delaware limited liability company

 

WITH AND INTO

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL  & GAS USA, L.P.

a Delaware limited partnership

 


 

Pursuant to Section 17-211 of the

Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (“DRULPA”)

 


 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger of Lusitano, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, with and into El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (The “Merger”):

 

First : The name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of each of the constituent entities to the Merger are:

 

Name

 

State

 

 

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Delaware

Lusitano, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

Second : An Agreement of Merger dated January 12, 2004 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 17-211 of the DRULPA. The effective date of the merger is upon filing with the Delaware Secretary of State in the State of Delaware.

 

Third : The name of the surviving limited partnership is El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Fourth : The Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso Production Oil  & Gas USA, L.P., as in existence immediately prior to the filing of this Certificate

 



 

of Merger shall be the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the surviving limited partnership.

 

Fifth : An executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., located at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

Sixth : A copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished by El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., upon request and without cost, to any Member of Lusitano, L.L.C. or to any partner of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Seventh : This Certificate of Merger shall be effective as of 8:30 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on January 14, 2004.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., has caused this Certificate of Merger to be executed by a duly authorized officer, this 12th day of January 2004.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

By: El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 

2



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 08:53 AM 01/13/2004

 

FILED 08:57 AM 01/13/2004

 

SRV 040022404 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

OF

 

NORIC, L.P.

 

INTO

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

Pursuant to Title 6, Section 17-211 of the Delaware Code, the undersigned surviving limited partnership submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing and certifies that:

 

FIRST: The name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of each of the domestic limited partnerships or other business entities that are to merge are as follows:

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction

 

 

 

Noric, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: An Agreement of Merger has been approved and executed by El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P. and Noric, L.P.

 

THIRD: The name of the surviving limited partnership is: El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

FOURTH: The merger shall become effective as of 8:40 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on January 14, 2004.

 

FIFTH: The Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at a place of business of the surviving limited partnership which is located at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 



 

SIXTH: A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by the surviving limited partnership, on request and without cost, to any partner of any domestic limited partnership or any person holding an interest in any other business entity that is to merge.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Merger has been duly executed as of the 12th day of January 2004, and is being filed in accordance with Title 6, Section 17-211 by an authorized person of the surviving limited partnership in the merger.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

By: El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso Production Oil  & Gas USA, L.P., pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST: The name of the Limited Partnership is El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P. (the “Partnership”).

 

SECOND: Article III of the Certificate of Limited Partnership shall be amended as follows:

 

“The name of the general partner of the Partnership is:

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

1001 Louisiana Street

Houston, Texas 77002.”

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership on this 8th day of March 2004.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

 

 

By: El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Siddall

 

 

David L. Siddall

 

 

Vice President

 

 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 11:54 AM 03/09/2004

FILED 11:46 AM 03/09/2004

SRV 040175258 - 2543123 FILE

 



 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to Amended and Restate the Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., pursuant to the provisions of Sections 17-202 and 17-210 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended (“DRULPA”) does hereby certify as follows:

 

1.                         The original Certificate of Limited Partnership was filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on December 6, 1995, under the name of Coastal Oil  & Gas USA, L.P.

 

2.                         The Certificate of Limited Partnership was Amended on April 1, 2001, changing the name of the Limited Partnership to El Paso Production Oil 7 Gas USA, L.P.

 

3.                         The Certificate of Limited Partnership was Amended on November 8, 2002, listing the name of the General Partners.

 

4.                         The Certificate of Limited Partnership was Amended on August 21, 2003, listing the name of the General Partners.

 

5.                         The Certificate of Limited Partnership was Amended on March 8, 2004, listing the name of the General Partner.

 

6.                         This Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership has been adopted and approved by the General Partner in accordance with Section 17-202 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, pursuant to which, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership amends and restates the provisions of the Limited Partnership’s Certificate of Limited Partnership.

 

7.                         The text of the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Limited Partnership is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

NAME

 

The name of the Limited Partnership shall be El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P. (hereinafter, the “Company”)

 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 01:47 PM 06/17/2004

FILED 12:10 PM 06/17/2004

SRV 040447606 - 2543123 FILE

 



 

ARTICLE II

POWER

 

The Company shall have all the powers accorded to a limited partnership organized under the DRULPA.

 

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

 

The purpose for which the company is organized is to transact any and all lawful business for which a limited partnership may be organized under the DRULPA.

 

ARTICLE IV

GENERAL PARTNER

 

The name and mailing address of each party who is to serve as the general partner is as follows:

 

El Paso Production Oil  & Gas Company

1001 Louisiana Street

Houston, Texas 77002

 

ARTICLE V

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

 

The general partner shall adopt the Partnership Agreement (the “Agreement”) that shall govern the operations of the Company; provided, however, that the failure to adopt such Agreement prior to the date on which this Certificate of Limited Partnership (“Certificate”) is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware shall not affect the Company’s commencement of existence on such date. The Agreement shall provide for all the terms and conditions for the governance of the Company not inconsistent with any rule of law or equity or with this Certificate and may be altered, amended, restated, or repealed by the Company in the manner set forth therein.

 



 

ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Subject to such standards and restrictions as are set forth in the Agreement, the Company shall have the power and authority to indemnify and hold harmless any general partner, limited partner, officer, director, or any other person against any and all claims and demands whatsoever to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

ARTICLE VII

REGISTERED OFFICE

AND REGISTERED AGENT

 

The registered office of the Company is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, and the registered agent of the Company at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership on this 17th day of June 2004.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

The General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

President

 



 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 09:25 PM 12/28/2005

FILED 09:28 PM 12/28/2005

SRV 051069290 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS USA, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended (“DRULPA”) does hereby certify as follows:

 

1.                          The name of the Limited Partnership is El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

2.                          The text of Article I of the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Limited Partnership is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

 

“ARTICLE I

NAME

 

The name of the Limited Partnership shall be El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (hereinafter, the “Company”).”

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned general partner has executed this Certificate of Amendment on this 28th day of December 2005.

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

The General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

President

 



 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 09:25 PM 12/28/2005

FILED 09:29 PM 12/28/2005

SRV 051069291 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION GOM INC.

 

and

 

EL PASO ENERGY RATON CORPORATION

 

with and into

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 


 

Pursuant to

Section 263 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

and

Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act

 


 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of El Paso Production GOM Inc., a Delaware corporation, and El Paso Energy Raton Corporation, a Delaware corporation, with and into El Paso E&P Company, L.P., pursuant to Section 263 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) and Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (“DRULPA”), and submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of jurisdiction of each entity that is to merge is as follows:

 

 

Name

 

State of Jurisdiction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso Production GOM Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

El Paso Energy Raton Corporation

 

Delaware

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

 

SECOND: That an Agreement of Merger dated as of December 28, 2005 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 263 of the DGCL and Section 17-211 of the DRULPA.

 

THIRD: That the name of the surviving entity is El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (“E&P LP”).

 

FOURTH: That the existing Certificate of Limited Partnership of E&P LP shall be the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the surviving entity.

 



 

FIFTH: That the Merger shall be effective at 10:10 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on December 31, 2005.

 

SIXTH: That an executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of business of E&P LP, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SEVENTH: That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request and without cost to any partner or stockholder of, or any person holding an interest in, any entity that is to merge.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso E&P Company, L.P. has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the General Partner this 28th day of December 2005.

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P .

 

By:

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

President

 

2



 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 09:17 PM 06/09/2006

FILED 08:57 PM 06/09/2006

SRV 060562332 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

with and into

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 


 

Pursuant to

Section 263 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

and

Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act

 


 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of El Paso Production Company, a Delaware corporation, with and into El Paso E&P Company, L.P., pursuant to Section 263 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) and Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (“DRULPA”), and submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of jurisdiction of each entity that is to merge is as follows:

 

 

Name

 

State of Jurisdiction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso Production Company

 

Delaware

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

 

SECOND: That an Agreement of Merger dated as of May 31, 2006 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 263 of the DGCL and Section 17-211 of the DRULPA.

 

THIRD: That the name of the surviving entity is El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (“E&P LP”).

 

FOURTH: That the Merger shall be deemed for federal income tax purposes a liquidation of El Paso Production Company under Section 332 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

FIFTH: That the existing Certificate of Limited Partnership of E&P LP shall be the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the surviving entity.

 

 



 

SIXTH: That the Merger shall be effective at 9:45 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on June 30, 2006.

 

SEVENTH: That an executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of business of E&P LP, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

EIGHTH: That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request and without cost to any partner or stockholder of, or any person holding an interest in, any entity that is to merge.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso E&P Company, L.P. has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the General Partner this 31st day of May 2006.

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P .

 

By:

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

 

President

 

2


 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 09:17 PM 06/09/2006

 

FILED 09:17 PM 06/09/2006

 

SRV 060562338 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

MEDICINE BOW OPERATING COMPANY

 

with and into

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 


 

Pursuant to

Section 263 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

and

Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act

 


 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of Medicine Bow Operating Company, a Delaware corporation, with and into El Paso E&P Company, L.P., pursuant to Section 263 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) and Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (“DRULPA”), and submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of jurisdiction of each entity that is to merge is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Jurisdiction

 

 

 

Medicine Bow Operating Company

 

Delaware

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: That an Agreement of Merger dated as of June 30, 2006 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by the constituent entity to the Merger in accordance with Section 263 of the DGCL and Section 17-211 of the DRULPA.

 

THIRD: That the name of the surviving entity is El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (“E&P LP”).

 

FOURTH: That the existing Certificate of Limited Partnership of E&P LP shall be the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the surviving entity.

 

FIFTH: That the Merger shall be effective at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on June 30, 2006.

 

SIXTH: That an executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of

 



 

business of E&P LP, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SEVENTH: That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request and without cost to any partner or stockholder of, or any person holding an interest in, any entity that is to merge.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso E&P Company, L.P. has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the General Partner this 31st day of May 2006.

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P .

 

 

 

By:

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

 

Lisa A. Stewart

 

 

 

President

 

2



 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 07:00 PM 08/11/2006

 

FILED 06:42 PM 08/11/2006

 

SRV 060756743 - 2543123 FILE

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso E&P Company, L.P., pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended (“DRULPA”) does hereby certify as follows:

 

1.         The name of the Limited Partnership is El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

2.         The text of Article IV of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

 

“ARTICLE IV

GENERAL PARTNER

 

The name and mailing address of the general partner of the Limited Partnership is:

 

El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc

1001 Louisiana Street

Houston, Texas 77002.”

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Amendment on this 10th day of August 2006.

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

By:

El Paso Exploration & Production

 

 

Management, Inc.

 

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas M. Hart

 

 

Thomas M. Hart

 

 

Vice President

 



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 08:02 PM 09/15/2009

 

FILED 07:55 PM 09/15/2009

 

SRV 090857944 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

CORONADO ENERGY PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

 

with and into

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 


 

Pursuant to

Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act

and

Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act

 


 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (“El Paso E&P”), a Delaware limited partnership, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of Coronado Energy Production, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, with and into El Paso E&P, pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”) and Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (“DRULPA”), and submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of jurisdiction of each entity that is to merge is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Jurisdiction

 

 

 

Coronado Energy Production Operating, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: That an Agreement of Merger dated as of September 14, 2009 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 18-209 of the DLLCA and Section 17-211 of the DRULPA.

 

THIRD: That the name of the surviving entity is El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

FOURTH: That the existing Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso E&P shall be the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the surviving entity.

 

FIVE: That the Merger shall be effective on September 15, 2009.

 

SIXTH: That an executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of business of El Paso E&P, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 



 

SEVENTH: That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request and without cost to any partner or member of, or any person holding an interest in, any entity that is to merge.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso E&P Company, L.P. has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the General Partner this 14th day of September 2009.

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

By:

EL PASO EXPLORATION &
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Dane E. Whitehead

 

 

 

Dane E. Whitehead

 

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

2



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 08:02 PM 09/15/2009

 

FILED 08:02 PM 09/15/2009

 

SRV 090857948 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

CORONADO ENERGY PRODUCTION OPERATING, L.L.C.

 

with and into

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 


 

Pursuant to

Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act

and

Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act

 


 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (“El Paso E&P”), a Delaware limited partnership, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of Coronado Energy Production Operating, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, with and into El Paso E&P, pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”) and Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (“DRULPA”), and submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of jurisdiction of each entity that is to merge is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Jurisdiction

 

 

 

Coronado Energy Production Operating, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: That an Agreement of Merger dated as of September 14, 2009 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 18-209 of the DLLCA and Section 17-211 of the DRULPA.

 

THIRD: That the name of the surviving entity is El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

FOURTH: That the existing Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso E&P shall be the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the surviving entity.

 

FIVE: That the Merger shall be effective on September 15, 2009.

 

SIXTH: That an executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of business of El Paso E&P, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 



 

SEVENTH: That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request and without cost to any partner or member of, or any person holding an interest in, any entity that is to merge.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso E&P Company, L.P. has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the General Partner this 14th day of September 2009.

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

By:

EL PASO EXPLORATION &
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Dane E. Whitehead

 

 

 

Dane E. Whitehead

 

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

2



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 06:42 PM 12/28/2010

 

FILED 06:32 PM 12/28/2010

 

SRV 101241147 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

merging

 

CORONADO ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.,

 

EL PASO SOUTH TEXAS E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.,

 

and

 

EL PASO E&P ZAPATA, L.P.

 

with and into

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 


 

Pursuant to

Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act

Section 10.002 of the Texas Revised Limited Partnership Act

and

Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act

 


 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (“El Paso E&P”), a Delaware limited partnership, hereby certifies to the following facts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of Coronado Energy E&P Company, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, El Paso South Texas E&P Company, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and El Paso E&P Zapata, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, with and into El Paso E&P, pursuant to Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”), and Section 10.002 of the Texas Revised Limited Partnership Act (“TRLPA”), and Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (“DRULPA”), and submits the following Certificate of Merger for filing:

 

FIRST: That the name and state of jurisdiction of each entity that is to merge is as follows:

 

Name

 

State of Jurisdiction

 

 

 

Coronado Energy E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

El Paso South Texas E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

El Paso E&P Zapata, L.P.

 

Texas

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

SECOND: That an Agreement of Merger dated as of December 15, 2010 (the “Merger Agreement”), has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the constituent entities to the Merger in accordance with Section 18-209 of the DLLCA, Section 10.002 of the TRLPA and Section 17-211 of the DRULPA.

 

THIRD: That the name of the surviving entity is El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 



 

FOURTH: That the existing Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso E&P shall be the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the surviving entity.

 

FIVE: That the Merger shall be effective on December 31, 2010.

 

SIXTH: That an executed copy of the Merger Agreement is on file at the place of business of El Paso E&P, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

SEVENTH: That a copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished upon request and without cost to any partner or member of, or any person holding an interest in, any entity that is to merge.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, El Paso E&P Company, L.P. has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the General Partner this 15th day of December 2010.

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

By:

EL PASO EXPLORATION &
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

 

Francis C. Olmsted III

 

 

 

Vice President

 

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State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 04:38 PM 05/21/2012

 

FILED 04:16 PM 05/21/2012

 

SRV 120601727 - 2543123 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso E&P Company, L.P., pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended (“DRULPA”) does hereby certify as follows:

 

1.         The name of the Limited Partnership is El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

2.         The text of Article I of the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Limited Partnership is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

 

“ARTICLE I

NAME

 

The name of the Limited Partnership shall be EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. (hereinafter, the “Company”).”

 

3.         This amendment to the Certificate of Amendment shall be effective at 12:01a.m. Eastern Time on June 1, 2012.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned general partner has executed this Certificate of Amendment on this 18th day of May, 2012.

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION &

 

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

The General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

 

Joseph C. James

 

 

Assistant Secretary

 




Exhibit 3.20

 

SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

Between

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.

General Partner

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

Limited Partner

 

Effective as of November 30, 2010

 



 

SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

This Seventh Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is entered into between El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as the general partner (the “ General Partner ”) and El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, as the sole limited partner (the “ Limited Partner ”.)

 

WHEREAS, the Partnership was formed pursuant to the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership with the Delaware Secretary of State in the State of Delaware on December 6,1995, under the name Coastal Oil & Gas USA, L.P.;

 

WHEREAS, at the time of the formation of the Partnership, Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation owned a 1% general partner interest, Coastal Oil & Gas Holdings, Inc. owned a 69% limited partner interest in the Partnership, and ANRPC Holdings, Inc. owned a 30% limited partner interest in the Partnership;

 

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2001, the general partner, Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation changed its name to El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company;

 

WHEREAS, on April 17, 2001, the Partnership changed its name to El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P., evidenced by the filing of an Amended Certificate of Limited Partnership with the Delaware Secretary of State in the State of Delaware;

 

WHEREAS, on May 15, 2001, the limited partner, Coastal Oil & Gas Holdings, Inc. changed its name to El Paso Production Oil & Gas Holdings, Inc;

 

WHEREAS, on October 31, 2002, the limited partner, ANRPC Holdings, Inc. merged into ANR Production Company, a Delaware corporation (“ANR”);

 

WHEREAS, on October 31, 2002, the successor limited partner, ANR converted its 30% limited partner interest in the Partnership into a 30% general partner interest;

 

WHEREAS, on December 31, 2003, ANR merged into EP Production Merger Company, L.L.C., a Delaware corporation, (“Merger”);

 

WHEREAS, on December 31, 2003, the successor general partner, Merger merged into the Partnership and the 30% general partner interest was distributed to the existing general partner and limited partner for a resuhing ownership of El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company owning a 1% general partner interest; and El Paso Production Oil & Gas Holdings, Inc. owning a 99% limited partner interest;

 

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WHEREAS, on December 31, 2005, the Partnership changed its name to El Paso E&P Company, L.P., evidenced by filing of an Amended Certificate of Limited Partnership with the Secretary of State in the State of Delaware.

 

WHEREAS, on December 31, 2005, El Paso Production GOM, Inc. merged into the Partnership, with the Partnership being the survivor, and El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company received an additional 39% limited partner interest in the Partnership.

 

WHEREAS, on December 31, 2005, El Paso Energy Raton Corporation merged into the Partnership, with the Partnership being the survivor, and El Paso Production Company, was admitted as an additional limited partner and received a 4% limited partner interest in the Partnership.

 

WHEREAS, on December 31, 2005, El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company (i) designated 0.4% percent of its limited partner interest to a general partner interest in the Partnership and (ii) contributed its remaining 38.6% limited partner interest to El Paso Oil & Gas Holdings, Inc.

 

WHEREAS, on December 31, 2005, El Paso Production Oil & Gas Holdings, Inc. changed its name to El Paso E&P Holdings, Inc.

 

WHEREAS, on June 30, 2006, El Paso Production Company (i) transferred its 4% limited partner interest in the Partnership to El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company, and (ii) then merged into the Partnership, with the Partnership being the survivor; and El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company then received an additional 15.7% limited partner interest in the Partnership.

 

WHEREAS, on June 30, 2006, Medicine Bow Operating Company merged into the Partnership, with the Partnership being the survivor, and El Paso E&P Holdings, Inc. then received an additional 7.7% limited partner interest in the Partnership.

 

WHEREAS, on June 30, 2006, El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company (i) designated 0.3% percent of its limited partner interest to a general partner interest in the Partnership and (ii) contributed its remaining 19.4% limited partner interest to El Paso E&P Holdings, Inc.

 

WHEREAS, on June 30, 2006, El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company changed its name to El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.

 

WHEREAS, on December 31, 2009, the limited partners, El Paso E&P Holdings, Inc. converted to a Delaware limited liability company and changed its name to El Paso E&P Holdings Company, L.L.C.

 

WHEREAS, on November 30, 2010, the limited partner, El Paso E&P Holdings Company, L.L.C. merged into El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

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NOW, THEREFORE, in order to reflect and consent to the transactions stated above, the parties hereby agree that the Partnership Agreement shall be amended and restated as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

Organizational Matters

 

1.1                                Formation. The Partnership was formed as a Limited Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended (the “Act”). The Partners hereby enter into this Agreement in order to set forth the rights and obligations of the Partners and certain matters related thereto. Except as expressly provided herein to the contrary, the rights and obligations of the Partners and the administration and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Act.

 

1.2                                Name. The name of the Partnership is “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.,” and the business of the Partnership is to be conducted under such name. The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names deemed advisable by the General Partner. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time.

 

1.3                                Registered Office; Principal Place of Business. The registered and principal office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware is to be Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801 and The Corporation Trust Company is to be the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership at such office. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places as the General Partner deems advisable or necessary to efficiently conduct the Partnership’s business.

 

1.4                                Term. The Partnership’s existence shall commence on the date of the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and shall continue in existence until the first to occur (i) fifty (50) years from the date of the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership or (ii) unless it is earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article XIII.

 

1.5                                Effective Date. The Effective Date of this Seventh Amended and Restated Agreement shall be November 30, 2010.

 

ARTICLE II

Definitions

 

The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, apply to the terms used in this Agreement.

 

“Act” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.1.

 

“Adjusted Capital Account” shall mean, with respect to any Partner, the balance, if any, in such Partner’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant taxable year, after giving effect to the following adjustments:

 

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(a)                                  credit to such Capital Account the maximum amount which such Partner could then be obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the Allocation Regulations.

 

(b)                                  debit to such Capital Account the items described in Sections 1.704-l(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6) of the Allocation Regulations.

 

The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Allocation Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

“Affiliate” shall mean any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Person in question. As used in this definition, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

“Agreement” shall mean this Agreement of Limited Partnership of El Paso E&P Company, L.P. as it may be amended or restated from time to time.

 

“Allocation Regulations” shall mean Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b), 1.704-2 and 1.704-3 (including any temporary regulations) as such regulations may be amended and in effect from time to time and any corresponding provision of succeeding regulations.

 

“Assignee” means any transferee meeting the requirements of Article X.

 

“Capital Account” shall mean the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section 4.3.

 

“Capital Contributions” shall mean any cash or property contributed to the Partnership by a Partner.

 

“Carrying, Value” means (a) with respect to property contributed to the Partnership, the fair market value of such property at the time of contribution reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, depletion (computed as a separate item of deduction), amortization and cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ Capital Accounts, (b) with respect to any property whose value is adjusted pursuant to the Allocation Regulations, the adjusted value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation and cost recovery deductions charged to the Partner’s Capital Accounts and (c) with respect to any other Partnership Property, the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination.

 

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“Certificate of Limited Partnership” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of Partnership filed with the Delaware Secretary of State in the State of Delaware pursuant to Section 1.1 of this Agreement, and as it may be amended from time to time.

 

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

“General Partner” shall mean El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.

 

“Limited Partner” shall mean El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

“Notice” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1.

 

“Partner” shall mean the General Partner or the Limited Partner.

 

“Partnership” shall mean the Limited Partnership created pursuant to this Agreement.

 

“Partnership Interest” shall mean the interest of a Partner in the Partnership.

 

“Partnership Property” shall mean any and all property, both real and personal, tangible and intangible, whether contributed or otherwise acquired, owned by the Partnership.

 

“Percentage Interest” shall mean those percentages set forth opposite the Partners’ names on Exhibit A.

 

“Person” shall mean an individual, estate, corporation, limited liability company partnership, limited liability partnership, trust, unincorporated organization, association, enterprise or other entity.

 

ARTICLE III

Purpose

 

The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be (i) to acquire, develop, own, convey, manage and/or operate oil and gas properties, interests therein and related businesses and (ii) to engage in any other business or activity that now or hereafter may be necessary, incidental, proper, advisable, convenient or related thereto (including obtaining financing therefore and including the sale of production payments) and that is not prohibited by the law of the jurisdiction in which the Partnership engages in that business or activity.

 

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ARTICLE IV

Capital Contributions and Capital Accounts

 

4.1                                Capital Contributions. The Partners of the Partnership have made contributions to the Partnership as set forth in this Agreement as may be otherwise set forth on the books of the Partnership.

 

4.2                                Additional Capital Contributions of the Partners. The Partners shall not be required to make additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership unless they otherwise agree.

 

4.3                                Capital Accounts. The Partnership will maintain and shall continue to maintain for each Partner a separate Capital Account in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)  et. seq ., as such regulations may be amended and in effect from time to time and any corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations.

 

4.4                                Interest. No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions or on balances in the Partners’ Capital Accounts.

 

4.5                                Loans from the Partners. Loans by a Partner to the Partnership shall not be considered Capital Contributions.

 

ARTICLE V

Allocations and Distributions

 

5.1                                Allocations For Capital Account Purposes.

 

(a)                                  General. Except as otherwise set forth in Section 5.1(b), for purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated and charged to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

 

(b)                                  Special Allocations. The following special allocations shall be made prior to making any allocations provided for in 5.1(a) above:

 

(i)                                      Qualified Income Offset. Except as provided in Section 5.1(b)(ii) hereof, in the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(i)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership income and gain shall be specifically allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Allocation Regulations, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible.

 

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(ii)                                   Nonrecourse Debt Allocations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.1, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain in each fiscal year as necessary, in the General Partner’ discretion, to comply with the Allocation Regulations relating to nomecourse debt.

 

(iii)                                Gross Income Allocations. In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of any Partnership taxable period, such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.1(b)(iii) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account after all other allocations provided in this Section 5.1 have been tentatively made as if Section 5.1(b)(iii) were not in the Agreement.

 

(iv)                               Code Section 754 Adjustment. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to the Allocation Regulations, to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to the Allocation Regulations.

 

(v)                                  Curative Allocation. The special allocations set forth in Section 5.1(b)(i), (ii) and (iii) (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with the Allocation Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 5.1, the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Partners such that, to the extent possible, the net amount of allocations of such items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Partner shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each Partner if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred.

 

5.2                                Tax Allocations. For federal income tax purposes, except as otherwise required by the Code, the Allocation Regulations or the following sentence, each item of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as corresponding items are allocated in Section 5.1. Notwithstanding any provisions contained herein to the contrary, solely for federal income tax purposes, items of income, gain, depreciation, gain or loss with respect to property contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership by a Partner shall be allocated so as to take into account the variation between the Partnership’s tax basis in such contributed property and its Carrying Value.

 

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5.3                                Distributions.

 

(a)                                  Except as otherwise provided in Section 13.3, cash may be distributed at such time and in such amounts as the General Partner shall determine to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

 

(b)                                  Such distributions shall be made concurrently to the Partners (or their Assignees) as reflected on the books of the Partnership on the date set for purposes of such distribution.

 

ARTICLE VI

Rights, Powers and Duties of the General Partner;

Outside Activities of Partners

 

6.1                                Management and Control of the Partnership. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the General Partner shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Partnership to manage, control, administer, operate and conduct the Partnership business. Any document executed by the General Partner while acting in good faith in the name and on behalf of the Partnership and within the parameters of his authority granted herein shall be deemed to be the action of the Partnership with respect to any third parties.

 

6.2                                Officers. (a) The General Partner may, at any time and from time to time, in its discretion, delegate management and other responsibilities to the officers of the Partnership appointed pursuant to Section 6.2(b). It is the intent of the Partners that the day-to-day operations of the Partnership shall be managed by or under the direction of the President of the Partnership (the “President”) and the other officers of the Partnership (and persons to whom the President and such other officers have the power to delegate, and so delegate, responsibilities) in accordance with delegations of authority approved by the General Partner or, in the case of the President, as otherwise set forth in Section 6.2(b).

 

(b)                                  The General Partner shall, from time to time as appropriate, elect an individual to serve as the President and shall, from time to time as appropriate, elect other officers of the Partnership (the President and such other officers are referred to herein collectively as the “Officers”) having such thles, duties and authority as shall be determined by the General Partner. The President shall have full power and discretion to manage the day-to-day operations of the Partnership and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the President (i) may, and may authorize any of the other Officers to, execute on behalf of the Partnership contracts, documents and other instruments (it being agreed that the General Partner may also delegate such authority to the foregoing Persons) and (ii) may in his discretion appoint and remove other Officers having such titles, duties and authority as shall be determined by the President.

 

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6.3                                Outside Activities of Partners. The General Partner, the Limited Partner and any shareholder, director, officer or employee of the General Partner, the Limited Partner or any of their respective Affiliates may have business interests and engage in business activities, some or all of which may conflict with the business activities of the Partnership, in addition to those relating to the Partnership for their own account and for the account of others without having or incurring any obligation to offer any interest in such properties, businesses or activities to the Partnership or any Partner. Neither the Partnership nor any of the Partners shall have any rights by virtne of this Agreement or the partnership relationship created hereby in any business ventures of any such Person.

 

ARTICLE VII

Rights and Obligations of the Limited Partner

 

7.1                                Limitations on the Limited Partner. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Limited Partner shall not (a) be permitted to take part in the management or control of the Partnership business or the affairs of the Partnership, (b) have the authority or power in its capacity as Limited Partner to act as agent for or on behalf of the Partnership or any other Partner, (c) do any act which would be binding on the Partnership or any other Partner, or (d) incur any expenditures on behalf of or with respect to the Partnership.

 

7.2                                Liability of the Limited Partner. The Limited Partner shall not be directly liable to any third party for the debts, liabilities, contracts or other obligations of the Partnership except to the extent of (a) any unpaid Capital Contributions agreed to be made by them as set forth in Sections 4.1 and 4.2, and (b) the Limited Partner’s share of the assets (including undistributed revenues) of the Partnership.

 

7.3                                Return of Capital. Except as otherwise provided in Article XIII, no Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution.

 

ARTICLE VIII

Books, Records, Accounting and Reports

 

8.1                                Records and Accounting. The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept appropriate books with respect to the Partnership’s business, which books shall at all times be kept at the principal office of the Partnership. Any records maintained by the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the record of the holders of Partnership Interests, books on account, and records of Partnership proceedings may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographic or any other information storage device, provided that the records so kept are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained on a consistent basis determined by the General Partner.

 

8.2                                Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be the calendar year.

 

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ARTICLE IX

Tax Matters

 

The General Partner shall arrange for the preparation (at the Partnership’s expense) and timely filing of all returns of Partnership income, gains, deductions and losses necessary for federal and state income tax purposes and shall use reasonable efforts to cause copies of such returns or all pertinent information contained therein to be furnished to the Partners within ninety (90) days of the close of the taxable year. The General Partner shall also cause the Partnership to timely file all other required Partnership tax and information returns. The General Partner shall be the “tax matters partner” (as defined in Section 6231 of the Code) and shall be authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the expense of the Partnership) in connection with all examinations of the affairs of the Partnership by tax authorities and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith.

 

ARTICLE X

Transfer of Interests

 

10.1                         Transfer. No Partner may transfer a Partnership Interest (or any rights therein) in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article X. Any transfer or purported transfer of any Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article X shall be null and void ab initio and of no force and effect.

 

10.2                         Transfer of Interest of General Partner. The General Partner may not transfer all or any portion of its Partnership Interest as a General Partner (or any rights therein) without the consent of the Limited Partner.

 

10.3                         Transfer of Interest of the Limited Partner. No Limhed Partner may transfer all or any part of its Partnership Interest as a Limited Partner (or any rights therein) without the prior written consent of the General Partner.

 

10.4                         Effective Date of Transfer. Any permitted assignment shall become effective as of the first day of the calendar month during which the General Partner receive a copy of the instrument of assignment and such other documents which the General Partner may request. The Partnership shall thereafter pay all further distributions or profits or other compensation by way of income, or return of capital, on account of the Partnership Interest so transferred, to the transferee from such effective date.

 

ARTICLE XI

Admission of Partners

 

11.1                         Admission of Partners. The General Partner shall reflect on the books of the Partnership that the General Partner and the Limited Partner are being admitted to the Partnership simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement.

 

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11.2                         Admission of Successor Partners. The transferee of the entire Partnership Interest of the one or both General Partner pursuant to Section 10.2 shall be admitted to the Partnership as a General Partner, effective as of the date an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware effecting such substitution. The transferee of the entire Partnership Interest of any Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.3 shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner, effective in accordance with Section 10.4.

 

11.3                         Amendment of Agreement. For the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary and appropriate to prepare and record, as necessary, an amendment of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership.

 

ARTICLE XII

Withdrawal of the General Partner

 

The General Partner may not withdraw from the Partnership without the written consent of the Limited Partner. The interest of the withdrawing General Partner may, at the option of the Limited Partner, be converted into a limited partner interest without any reduction in such interest (subject to proportionate dilution by reason of admission of its successor).

 

ARTICLE XIII

Dissolution and Liquidation

 

13.1                         Dissolution. The Partnership shall be dissolved upon:

 

(a)                                   the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets owned by the Partnership; or

(b)                                  an election to dissolve the Partnership which is approved by the Partners.

 

13.2                         Liquidation. Upon dissolution of the Partnership, the General Partner, or in the event the General Partner has been dissolved or removed or withdrawn, a liquidator or liquidating committee selected by the Limited Partner shall be the “Liquidator.” The Liquidator shall liquidate the assets of the Partnership and apply and distribute the proceeds of such liquidation in the following order of priority, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable law:

 

(a)                                   First, to the payment of creditors of the Partnership, other than Partners, in order of priority provided by law;

 

(b)                                  Second, to the payment of Partners pro rata for loans made by them to the Partnership;

 

(c)                                   Third, to the Partners in proportion to and to the extent of the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts after taking into account all adjustments to the Capital Account balances pursuant to Section 5.1.

 

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13.3                         Distribution in Kind. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.2, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if on dissolution of the Partnership the Liquidator determines that an immediate sale of part or all of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners, the Liquidator may defer for a reasonable time the liquidation of any assets except those necessary to satisfy liabilities of the Partnership (other than those to Partners) and may distribute to the Partners, in lieu of cash, as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.2(c), undivided interests in such Partnership Property as the Liquidator deems not suitable for liquidation.

 

13.4                         Return of Capital. The General Partner shall not be personally liable for the return of the Capital Contributions of the Partners or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.

 

13.5                         Waiver of Partition. Each Partner hereby waives any rights to partition of the Partnership Property.

 

13.6                         Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership. Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership Property as provided in Sections 13.2 and 13.3, the Partnership shall be terminated, and the Liquidator (or the General Partner or the Limited Partner, as the case may be in accordance with the Act) shall cause the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be canceled and shall take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership.

 

13.7                         Reasonable Time for Winding Up. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Partnership and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Sections 13.2 and 13.3 in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding up.

 

13.8                         Capital Account Restoration. The Limited Partner shall not be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account or have any obligation to make additional contributions of capital upon liquidation.

 

ARTICLE XIV

Amendment of Partnership Agreement

 

Any amendment to this Agreement may only be adopted by the agreement in writing of all of the Partners. The Limited Partner agree promptly to execute or cause to be executed such amendments to this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership as the General Partner may deem appropriate to reflect amendments adopted in accordance with this paragraph.

 

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ARTICLE XV

General Provisions

 

15.1                         Addresses and Notices. The address of each Partner for all purposes shall be the address set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto or such other address of which the General Partner have received written notice. Subject to the following sentence, any notice, demand, request or report required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner under this Agreement (“Notice”) shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent to the Partner at such address by first class mail or by other means of written communication, including telecopy, telex, or cable, if the address of such Partner furnished hereunder contains sufficient information to transmit notice by such means.

 

15.2                         Titles and Captions. All article or section titles or captions in this Agreement are for convenience only. They shall not be deemed part of this Agreement and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions hereof

 

15.3                         Pronouns and Plurals. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

15.4                         Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purpose of this Agreement.

 

15.5                         Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

 

15.6                         Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

 

15.7                         Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditors of the Partnership.

 

15.8                         Waiver. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

 

15.9                         Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

14



 

15.10                  Consent to Jurisdiction. Each Partner hereby (i) irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any Delaware State court or Federal court sitting in Wilmington, Delaware in any action arising out of this Agreement, and (ii) consents to the service of process by mail. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any manner permitted by law or affect its right to bring any action in any other court

 

15.11                  Exhibits. Any and all Exhibits referred to in this Agreement are by such reference incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes.

 

15.12                  Invalidity of Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.

 

15.13                  Counterparts and Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, with each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement. Signatures received by telecopy or facsimile shall be treated as original signatures for purposes of execution of this Agreement.

 

EXECUTED as of November 30, 2010.

 

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John J. Hopper

 

 

John J. Hopper

 

 

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIMITED PARTNER:

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John J. Hopper

 

 

John J. Hopper

 

 

Vice President and Treasurer

 

15



 

Exhibit A

Percentage Interests

 

 

 

Percentage

 

 

 

Interest

 

 

 

 

 

General Partner:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.

 

1.00

%

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Limited Partner:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

99.00

%

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

100.00

%

 

16




Exhibit 3.21

 

 

Delaware

 

 

 

 

 

The First State

 

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED ARE TRUE AND CORRECT COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS ON FILE OF “EPE NOMINEE CORP.” AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE.

 

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED:

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, FILED THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 4:45 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE OF REGISTERED AGENT, FILED THE THIRTIETH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2012, AT 2:11 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATES ARE THE ONLY CERTIFICATES ON RECORD OF THE AFORESAID CORPORATION, “EPE NOMINEE CORP.”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

5155305      8100H

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768694

 

 

 

 

120919817

DATE:

 

08-09-12

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

1



 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 04:49 PM 05/18/2012

 

FILED 04:45 PM 05/18/2012

 

SRV 120593664 - 5155305 FILE

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

FIRST: The name of this corporation shall be EPE Nominee Corp.

 

SECOND: Its registered office in the State of Delaware is to be located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware, 19808, and the name of its registered agent at such address is the Corporation Service Company.

 

THIRD: The purpose or purposes of the corporation shall be to (i) hold (as agent for El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (together with its successors and assigns, the “Principal”) and for the sole benefit of the Principal) legal title to certain oil and gas leases, (ii) provide such other services as may be required by the Principal from time to time, and (iii) engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware to the extent such act or activity is permitted by (or in furtherance of) the relationship and activities described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii).

 

FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock which this corporation is authorized to issue is 100, all of which are without par value. All such shares are of one class and are shares of Common Stock.

 

FIFTH: The name and mailing address of the incorporator are as follows:

 

Name

 

Mailing Address

Carson L. Sieving

 

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

 

 

666 Fifth Avenue

 

 

New York, New York 10103

 

SIXTH: The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws.

 

SEVENTH: The personal liability of the directors of the corporation is hereby eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of paragraph (7) of subsection (b) of §102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same may be amended and supplemented.

 

EIGHTH: The name and mailing address of the initial directors, who shall serve until the first annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified, are as follows:

 

Name

 

Mailing Address

Gregory Beard

 

c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

Sam Oh

 

9 West 57 th  Street

Rakesh Wilson

 

New York, New York 10019

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the incorporator herein before named, has executed, signed and acknowledged this Certificate of Incorporation this 18th day of May, 2012.

 

 

/s/ Carson L. Sieving

 

Carson L. Sieving

 

Incorporator

 



 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 02:24 PM 05/30/2012

 

FILED 02:11 PM 05/30/2012

 

SRV 120662191 - 5155305 FILE

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE OF REGISTERED AGENT

AND/OR REGISTERED OFFICE

 

The corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

 

1.             The name of the corporation is EPE Nominee Corp.

 

 

2.             The Registered Office of the corporation in the State of Delaware is changed to Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange (street), in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle Zip Code 19801. The name of the Registered Agent at such address upon whom process against this Corporation may be served is THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY.

 

3.             The foregoing change to the registered office/agent was adopted by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the corporation.

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Joseph C. James

 

 

 

Authorized Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Joseph C. James, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

Print or Type

 




Exhibit 3.22

 

Execution Version

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

Section 1.  REGISTERED OFFICES. The registered office shall be in Wilmington, Delaware, or such other location as the Board of Directors may determine or the business of the corporation may require.

 

Section 2.  OTHER OFFICES. The corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

 

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1.  PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place within or outside the State of Delaware as designated by the Board of Directors. In the absence of any such designation, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.

 

Section 2.  ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year on a date and a time designated by the Board of Directors. At each annual meeting directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be transacted.

 

Section 3.  QUORUM; ADJOURNED MEETINGS AND NOTICE THEREOF. A majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, the holders of which are present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum and the votes present may continue to transact business until adjournment. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, a majority of the voting stock represented in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote thereat.

 

Section 4.  VOTING. When a quorum is present at any meeting, in all matters other than the election of directors, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes, or the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, a different vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

 



 

Section 5.  PROXIES. At each meeting of the stockholders, each stockholder having the right to vote may vote in person or may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing subscribed by such stockholder and bearing a date not more than three years prior to said meeting, unless said instrument provides for a longer period. All proxies must be filed with the Secretary of the corporation at the beginning of each meeting in order to be counted in any vote at the meeting. Each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock having voting power, registered in his name on the books of the corporation on the record date set by the Board of Directors as provided in Article VI, Section 5 hereof.

 

Section 6.  SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, may be called by the President and shall be called by the President or the Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors, or at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority in amount of the entire capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding, and entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.

 

Section 7.  NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which notice shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. The written notice of any meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation.

 

Section 8.  MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF STOCKHOLDER LIST. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

 

Section 9.  STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or to an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Section 9 to the corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business or to an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a corporation’s registered office

 

2



 

shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

 

ARTICLE III

 

DIRECTORS

 

Section 1.  THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors shall consist of at least one (1) director. The number of directors shall be fixed or changed from time to time by the then appointed directors. The directors need not be stockholders. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article, and the directors elected shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified; provided, however , that unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or by law, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, either with or without cause, from the Board of Directors at any meeting of stockholders by a majority of the stock represented and entitled to vote thereat.

 

Section 2.  VACANCIES. Vacancies on the Board of Directors by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office, or otherwise, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. The directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute.

 

Section 3.  POWERS. The property and business of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities by these Bylaws expressly conferred upon them, the Board may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things permitted by the Certificate of Incorporation and are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

Section 4.  PLACE OF DIRECTORS’ MEETINGS. The directors may hold their meetings and have one or more offices, and keep the books of the corporation outside of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 5.  REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

 

Section 6.  SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President on forty-eight hours’ notice to each director, either personally or by mail; special meetings shall be called by the President or the Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of two directors unless the Board consists of only one director; in which case special meetings shall be called by the President or Secretary in like manner or on like notice on the written request of the sole director.

 

Section 7.  QUORUM. At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the authorized number of directors shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum, shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice

 

3



 

other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. If only one director is authorized, such sole director shall constitute a quorum.

 

Section 8.  ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

 

Section 9.  TELEPHONIC MEETINGS. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 10.  COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each such committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation (if any) to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the Bylaws of the corporation; and, unless the resolution or the Certificate of Incorporation expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock.

 

Section 11.  MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.

 

Section 12.  COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

 

4



 

ARTICLE IV

 

OFFICERS

 

Section 1.  OFFICERS. The officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and shall include a Chairman of the Board of Directors or a President, or both, and a Secretary. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, such other officers as are desired, including a Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 hereof. At the time of the election of officers, the directors may by resolution determine the order of their rank, if any. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise provide.

 

Section 2.  ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The Board of Directors, at its first meeting and after each annual meeting of stockholders, shall choose the officers of the corporation.

 

Section 3.  SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board.

 

Section 4.  TERM OF OFFICE; REMOVAL AND VACANCIES. The officers of the corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify in their stead. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. If the office of any officer or officers becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.  CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him by the Board of Directors or prescribed by these Bylaws. If there is no President, the Chairman of the Board shall in addition be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in Section 6 of this Article IV.

 

Section 6.  PRESIDENT. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board, if there be such an officer, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. He shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, or if there be none, at all meetings of the Board of Directors. He shall be an ex-officio member of all committees and shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of President and Chief Executive Officer of corporations, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

 

Section 7.  VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents (if any) in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors, or if not ranked, the Vice President designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice Presidents shall have such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them, respectively, by the Board of Directors.

 

5



 

Section 8.  SECRETARY. The Secretary shall attend all sessions of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose; and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required by the Board of Directors. He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws. He shall keep in safe custody the seal of the corporation (if any), and when authorized by the Board, affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed it shall be attested by his signature or by the signature of an Assistant Secretary. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the corporation (if any) and to attest the affixing by his signature.

 

Section 9.  ASSISTANT SECRETARY. The Assistant Secretary (if any), or if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors, or if there be no such determination, the Assistant Secretary designated by the Board of Directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

Section 10.  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Chief Financial Officer (if any) shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys, and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation, in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, he shall give the corporation a bond, in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors, for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to the corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the corporation.

 

Section 11.  ASSISTANT TREASURER. The Assistant Treasurer (if any), or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors, or if there be no such determination, the Assistant Treasurer designated by the Board of Directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

ARTICLE V

 

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

Section 1.  PROCEEDINGS OTHER THAN THOSE BROUGHT BY THE CORPORATION. The corporation shall indemnify to the maximum extent permitted by law any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment,

 

6



 

order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

Section 2.  PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT BY THE CORPORATION. The corporation shall indemnify to the maximum extent permitted by law any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

 

Section 3.  INDEMNIFICATION AGAINST EXPENSES. To the extent that a director or officer of the corporation shall be successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article V, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

 

Section 4.  AUTHORIZATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION AGAINST EXPENSES. Any indemnification under Sections 1 and 2 of this Article V (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article V. Such determination shall be made (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders. The corporation, acting through its Board of Directors or otherwise, shall cause such determination to be made if so requested by any person who is indemnifiable under this Article V.

 

Section 5.  ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the corporation as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this Article V.

 

Section 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF EXPENSES NOT EXCLUSIVE. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Article V shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

Section 7.  DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS INSURANCE. The Board of Directors may authorize, by a vote of a majority of a quorum of the Board of Directors, the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or

 

7



 

was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article V.

 

Section 8.  CORPORATION DEFINED; EFFECTS OF MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION. For the purposes of this Article V, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors or officers so that any person who is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article V with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

Section 9.  OTHER ENTERPRISES DEFINED. For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include service as a director or officer of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.

 

Section 10.  CESSATION OF DIRECTOR OR OFFICER STATUS. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article V shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

Section 11.  PROCEEDINGS INITIATED BY INDIVIDUAL. The corporation shall be required to indemnify a person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if the action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

 

Section 1.  CERTIFICATES. At the option of the Board of Directors, the stock of the corporation may be (i) uncertificated, evidenced by entries into the corporation’s stock ledger or other appropriate corporate books and records, as the Board of Directors may determine from time to time, or (ii) evidenced by a certificate signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation, certifying the number of shares represented by the certificate owned by such stockholder in the corporation.

 

Section 2.  SIGNATURES ON CERTIFICATES. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.

 

8



 

Section 3.  LOST CERTIFICATES. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

Section 4.  TRANSFERS OF STOCK. Upon surrender to the corporation, or the transfer agent of the corporation, of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

 

Section 5.  FIXED RECORD DATE. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date which shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however , that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date which shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 6.  REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS. The corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim or interest in such share on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, save as expressly provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 1.  DIVIDENDS. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 2.  PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS; DIRECTORS’ DUTIES. Before payment of any dividend there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the directors may abolish any such reserve.

 

Section 3.  CHECKS. All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

 

9



 

Section 4.  FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.  CORPORATE SEAL. The corporate seal, if any, shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.” Said seal (if any) may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

 

Section 6.  MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE. Whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Notice to directors may also be given by telegram.

 

Section 7.  WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS

 

AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS OR STOCKHOLDERS. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors, when such power is conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation, at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors or at any special meeting of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors. If the power to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws is conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation it shall not divest or limit the power of the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws.

 

* * * * *

 

10




Exhibit 3.23

 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED ARE TRUE AND CORRECT COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS ON FILE OF “CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.” AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE.

 

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED:

 

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, FILED THE THIRTIETH DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 1998, AT 9 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “U.P. HALL HOLDINGS I, L.P.” TO “PEOPLES ENERGY TEXAS PRODUCTION HOLDINGS, L.P.”, FILED THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 1999, AT 9 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, FILED THE TWENTY-SIXTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2001, AT 1:30 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “PEOPLES ENERGY TEXAS PRODUCTION HOLDINGS, L.P.” TO “PEOPLES ENERGY PRODUCTION PARTNERS, L.P.”, FILED THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2001, AT 1 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF MERGER IS THE FIRST DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. 2001, AT 12:01 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

2878523      8100H

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768611

 

 

 

 

120919708

DATE:

 

08-09-12

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

1



 

Delaware

 

The First State

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “PEOPLES ENERGY PRODUCTION PARTNERS, L.P.” TO “CORONADO ENERGY PRODUCTION PARTNERS, L.L.C.”, FILED THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2007, AT 11:50 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION IS THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2007, AT 6:15 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION, FILED THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2007, AT 11:50 O’CLOCK A.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION IS THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2007, AT 6:15 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “CORONADO ENERGY PRODUCTION PARTNERS, L.L.C.” TO “CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.”, FILED THE SECOND DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2009, AT 1:25 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE AFORESAID CERTIFICATES ARE THE ONLY CERTIFICATES ON RECORD OF THE AFORESAID LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, “CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

2878523      8100H

AUTHENTICATION:

 

9768611

 

 

 

 

120919708

DATE:

 

08-09-12

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

2



 

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

U.P. HALL HOLDINGS I, L.P.

 

This Certificate of Limited Partnership of U.P. HALL HOLDINGS I, L.P. is being executed and filed by the undersigned General Partner for the purpose of forming a limited partnership pursuant to the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act.

 

1.

 

The name of the limited partnership formed hereby is U.P. HALL HOLDINGS I, L.P. (the “ Limited Partnership ”).

 

 

 

2.

 

The address of the registered office of the Limited Partnership in Delaware is 1013 Centre Road, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19805 and the name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the Limited Partnership in Delaware is Corporation Service Company, 1013 Centre Road, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19805.

 

 

 

3.

 

The name and address of the sole general partner is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

NAME

 

ADDRESS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.P. HALL I, INC.

 

130 East Randolph Drive

 

 

 

 

Chicago, IL 60601

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole general partner of the Limited Partnership, has caused this Certificate of Limited Partnership to be duly executed as of this 30th day of March, 1998.

 

 

U.P. HALL I, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas M. Patrick

 

Name:

Thomas M. Patrick

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

FILED 09:00 AM 03/30/1998

 

981124342 - 2878523

 



 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

FILED 09:00 AM 01/15/1999

 

991018080 - 2878523

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO

 

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

U. P. HALL HOLDINGS I, L.P.

 

It is hereby certified that:

 

FIRST:                                     The name of the limited partnership (hereinafter called the “partnership”) is U. P. Hall Holdings I, L.P.

 

SECOND:                     Pursuant to provisions of Section 17-202, title 6, Delaware Code, the Certificate of Limited Partnership is amended as follows:

 

Article 1 of the Certificate of Limited Partnership is deleted and in lieu of said Article the following new Article 1 is substitiuted:

 

1.                     The name of the limited partnership is Peoples Energy Texas Production Holdings, L.P.

 

The undersigned, a general partner of the partnership, executed this certificate of amendment on December 31, 1988.

 

 

By:

U. P. Hall I, Inc.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James M. Luebbers

 

 

James M. Luebbers

 

 

 

 

Its:

Vice President and Controller

 



 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

FILED 01:30 PM 09/26/2001

 

010477644 - 2878523

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

PEOPLES ENERGY TEXAS PRODUCTION HOLDINGS, L.P.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Limited Partnership of Peoples Energy Texas Production Holdings, L.P. pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST: The name of the Limited Partnership is Peoples Energy Texas Production Holdings, L.P.

 

SECOND: Article 3 of the Certificate of Limited Partnership shall be amended as follows:

 

“The name and business address of the sole General Partner is as follows:

 

 

NAME:

 

ADDRESS:

 

 

 

 

 

Peoples Energy Production Operating Company

 

130 East Randolph Drive

 

 

 

Chicago, Illinois 60601”

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership on this 26 th  day of September, 2001.

 

 

Peoples Energy Production Operating Company

 

As General Partner

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ James M. Luebbers

 

Name:

James M. Luebbers

 

Title:

Vice President and Controller

 



 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

FILED 01:00 PM 09/28/2001

 

010484830 - 2878523

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

Merging

 

Peoples Energy Louisiana Production Holdings, L.P.,

 

Peoples Energy North Dakota Production Holdings, L.P.,

 

Peoples Energy Colorado Production Holdings, L.P.

 

Into

 

Peoples Energy Texas Production Holdings, L.P.,

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “DRULPA”), the undersigned corporation submits the following Certificate of Merger for the purpose of effecting a merger under the DRULPA.

 

1.                                        The name and jurisdiction of formation of each of the constituent entities are as follows:

 

Name of Limited Partnership

 

Type of Entity

 

State of Formation

 

 

 

 

 

Peoples Energy Texas Production Holdings, L.P.

 

Limited Partnership

 

Delaware

 

 

 

 

 

Peoples Energy Louisiana Production Holdings, L.P.

 

Limited Partnership

 

Delaware

 

 

 

 

 

Peoples Energy North Dakota Production Holdings, L.P.

 

Limited Partnership

 

Delaware

 

 

 

 

 

Peoples Energy Colorado Production Holdings, L.P.

 

Limited Partnership

 

Delaware

 

2.                                        An agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) has been approved and executed by each of the constituent entities in accordance with Section 17-211 of the DRULPA.

 

3.                                        The name of the surviving Limited Partnership is Peoples Energy Texas Production Holdings, L.P.

 

4.                                        The name of the surviving Limited Partnership is hereby amended to Peoples Energy Production Partners, L.P.

 

5.                                        The executed Merger Agreement is on file at the principal place of business of the surviving domestic limited partnership, located at 130 East Randolph Dr., Chicago, Illinois 60601.

 

6.                                        A copy of the Merger Agreement will be furnished by the surviving domestic limited partnership, on request and without cost, to any partner of the constituent entities.

 

7.                                     The merger shall become effective at 12:01 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on October 1, 2001.

 



 

Dated as of the 26 th  day of September, 2001.

 

 

PEOPLES ENERGY TEXAS PRODUCTION HOLDINGS, L.P.

 

 

 

By: Peoples Energy Production Operating Company

 

as General Partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steven W. Nance

 

 

Name:

Steven W. Nance

 

 

Title:

President

 

 



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 11:49 AM 09/27/2007

 

FILED 11:50 AM 09/27/2007

 

SRV 071059234 - 2878523 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

 

OF

 

PEOPLES ENERGY PRODUCTION PARTNERS, L.P.

 

The undersigned hereby executes this Certificate of Conversion of Peoples Energy Production Partners, L.P. (the “Company”) for the purpose of converting the Company into a Delaware limited liability company in accordance with Section 18-214 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”) and Section 17-219 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “DRULPA”).

 

1.                                                 The Company was first formed on March 30, 1998 in the State of Delaware in accordance with the DRULPA, and the jurisdiction immediately prior to the filing of this Certificate continues to be Delaware.

 

2.                                                 The name of the Company immediately prior to filing this Certificate is Peoples Energy Production Partners, L.P.

 

3.                                                 The name of the limited liability company as set forth in its Certificate of Formation filed in accordance with Section 18-214(b)(2) of the DLLCA is Coronado Energy Production Partners, L.L.C.

 

4.                                                 This Certificate of Conversion, and the conversion of the Company into a Delaware limited liability company, shall be effective as of 6:15 PM Eastern Time on September 27, 2007.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Certificate of Conversion as of the 27 th  day of September, 2007.

 

 

/s/ Barth J. Wolf

 

Barth J. Wolf, Authorized Person

 



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 11:49 AM 09/27/2007

 

FILED 11:50 AM 09/27/2007

 

SRV 071059234 - 2878523 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

OF

 

CORONADO ENERGY PRODUCTION PARTNERS, L.L.C.

 

The undersigned hereby executes this Certificate of Formation of Coronado Energy Production Partners, L.L.C. (the “Company”) for the purpose of forming a limited liability company pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.

 

1.                                                 The name of the Company is Coronado Energy Production Partners, L.L.C.

 

2.                                                 The address of the registered office of the Company is c/o The Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.

 

3.                                                 The Company’s registered agent at such registered office address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

4.                                                 This Certificate of Formation, and the formation of the Company, shall be effective as of 6:15 PM Eastern Time on September 27, 2007.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Certificate of Formation as of the 27 th  day of September, 2007.

 

 

/s/ Barth J. Wolf

 

Barth J. Wolf, Authorized Person

 



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 01:42 PM 06/02/2009

 

FILED 01:25 PM 06/02/2009

 

SRV 090579402 - 2878523 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO THE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

OF

 

CORONADO ENERGY PRODUCTION PARTNERS, L.L.C.

 

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Formation of Coronado Energy Production Partners, L.L.C. (the “LLC”), pursuant to the provisions of Section 18-202 of the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

FIRST:                                    The name of the LLC is:

 

Coronado Energy Production Partners, L.L.C.

 

SECOND:                     The article numbered “FIRST” of the Certificate of Formation of the Company shall be amended as follows:

 

“FIRST:                              The name of the LLC formed hereby is:

 

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.”

 

THIRD:                                This amendment to the Certificate of Formation shall be effective on upon filing with the Delaware Secretary of State.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Formation on this 1st day of June 2009.

 

 

CORONADO ENERGY PRODUCTION
PARTNERS, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joyce Allen-Dennis

 

 

Joyce Allen-Dennis

 

 

Assistant Secretary

 




Exhibit 3.24

 

SECOND AMENDED & RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

PREAMBLE

 

This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT of Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C. (the “Company”) made on this 15th day of September 2009, by El Paso E&P Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“E&P Company”), the Member of this Company.

 

WHEREAS, the Company was formed under the name of Coronado Energy Production Partners, L.L.C, as a limited liability company under the Act (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to the filing of the Certificate of Formation (as hereinafter defined) on September 27, 2007, and the execution of that certain Agreement of Limited Liability Company dated as of September 28, 2007, by Coronado Energy Production Operating, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“CEPOLLC”) and Coronado Energy Production, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“CEPLLC”) (the “Original Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, on June 2, 2009, Coronado Energy Production Partners, L.L.C. changed its name to Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C., and entered into a First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, on September 15, 2009. CEPOLLC and CEPLLC merged into El Paso E&P Company, L.P., evidenced by the filing of a Certificate of Merger with the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware; and

 

WHEREAS, E&P Company, as the Member of Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C., desires to amend and restate the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement for the purposes and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants herein contained, E&P Company does hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

 

SECTION 1.01. Definitions Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:

 



 

Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del C. §§ 18-101, et seq., as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Agreement means this Limited Liability Company Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Assets means, at any time, any real property and other assets owned or leased by the Company from time to time.

 

Capital Contribution means a capital contribution made by the Member pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.02.

 

Certificate means the Certificate of Formation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 27, 2007, to form the Company pursuant to the Act, as originally executed by Barth J. Wolf (as an authorized person within the meaning of the Act) and as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, as the context requires.

 

Company means the limited liability company formed pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Distributable Cash means cash (in U.S. dollars) of the Company that the Member determines is available for distribution.

 

Interest means the ownership interest in the Company at any time, including the right of the Member to any and all benefits to which the Member may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with the obligations of the Member to comply with all the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

Member means El Paso E&P Company, L.P., and any other member or members admitted to the Company in accordance with this Agreement or any amendment or restatement hereof.

 

Person has the meaning set forth in the Act.

 

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally . The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Articles, Sections and Exhibits shall be deemed to be references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”

 

2



 

ARTICLE II

FORMATION

 

SECTION 2.01. Name . The name of the Company shall be as set forth in the Preamble hereof. All business of the Company shall be conducted under such name and title to all property, real, personal, or mixed, owned by or leased to the Company shall be held in such name. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Member may change the name of the Company or adopt such trade or fictitious names as it may determine.

 

SECTION 2.02. Term . The term of the Company commenced on the date of filing of the Certificate of Formation of the Company in the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware (the “Effective Date”). The term of the Company shall continue until terminated as provided in Article VIII hereof.

 

SECTION 2.03. Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business of the Company shall be located at 1001 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002. The Member may establish other offices at other locations.

 

SECTION 2.04. Agent for Service of Process . The Corporation Trust Company shall be the registered agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The address of such agent within the State of Delaware is: Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801.

 

SECTION 2.05. Purposes of the Company . The Company has been organized to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a Delaware limited liability company may be formed.

 

ARTICLE III

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 3.01. Capital Contribution . The Member may contribute cash or other property to the Company as it shall decide, from time to time. The initial contribution shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000), payable immediately.

 

SECTION 3.02. Additional Capital Contributions . If at any time the Member shall determine that additional funds or property are necessary or desirable to meet the obligations or needs of the Company, the Member may make additional Capital Contributions.

 

SECTION 3.03. Limitation on Liability . The liability of the Member shall be limited to its Interest in the Company, and the Member shall not have any personal liability to contribute money to, or in respect of, the liabilities or the obligations of the Company, except as set forth in the Act.

 

3



 

SECTION 3.04. Withdrawal of Capital; Interest . The Member may not withdraw capital or receive any distributions, except as specifically provided herein. No interest shall be paid by the Company on any Capital Contributions.

 

ARTICLE IV

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 4.01. Distributions . Except as otherwise provided in the Act, all Distributable Cash of the Company shall be distributed to the Member, or distributions in kind may be made to the Member at such times as the Member shall determine.

 

ARTICLE V

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

SECTION 5.01. Books and Records . The Member shall keep or cause to be kept complete and accurate books of account and records that shall reflect all transactions and other matters and include all documents and other materials with respect to the Company’s business that are usually entered into and maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses. All Company financial statements shall be accurate in all material respects, shall fairly present the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations and Distributable Cash and transactions in its reserve accounts, and shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, subject, in the case of quarterly statements, to year-end adjustments. The books of the Company shall at all times be maintained at the principal office of the Company or at such other location as the Member decides.

 

ARTICLE VI

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

SECTION 6.01. Management . The management of the Company shall be under the direction of the Member, who may, from time to time, designate one or more persons to be officers of the Company, with such titles as the Member may determine, including those positions set forth in Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 6.02. Officers . Such of the following officers shall be elected as the Member deems necessary or appropriate: a President, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Controller, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Controllers, and such other officers with such titles and powers and/or duties as the Member shall from time to time determine. Officers may be designated for particular areas of responsibility and simultaneously serve as officers of subsidiaries or divisions. Any officer so elected may resign at any time upon written notice to the Member. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein, no acceptance of such resignation

 

4



 

shall be necessary to make it effective. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the Member. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Company, but the election or appointment of any officer shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any vacancy occurring in any office by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Member.

 

(a)  President . The President shall have general control of the business, affairs, operations and property of the Company, subject to the supervision of the Member. He may sign or execute, in the name of the Company, all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other undertakings or instruments, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Member to some other officer or agent of the Company. He shall have and may exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as are incident to the office of President of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as are assigned from time to time by the Member.

 

(b)  Vice Presidents . Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be provided by law or as may from time to time be assigned to him, either generally or in specific instances, by the Member or the President. Any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the President at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the President or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have authority to sign or execute all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Company, except in cases where the signing or execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated by the Member to some other officer or agent of the Company.

 

(c)  Secretary . The Secretary shall keep the records of the Company, in books provided for the purpose; he shall be custodian of the seal or seals of the Company; he shall see that the seal is affixed to all documents requiring same, the execution of which, on behalf of the Company, under its seal, is duly authorized, and when said seal is so affixed he may attest same; and, in general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the secretary of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation), and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law. Any Assistant Secretary may perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the Secretary at the request of, or in the absence or disability of, the Secretary or otherwise as occasion may require in the administration of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(d)  Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds, securities, receipts and disbursements of the Company, and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, in the name of the Company, all moneys or other valuable effects in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall, from time to time, be selected by or under authority of

 

5



 

the Member; if required, he shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties, with such surety or sureties as the Member may determine; he shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate records of all receipts and disbursements in books of the Company and shall render to the Member or the President, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of the Company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation); and, in general, he shall perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer of a company, and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law.

 

(e)  Controller . The Controller shall be the chief accounting officer of the Company. He shall keep full and accurate accounts of the assets, liabilities, commitments, receipts, disbursements and other financial transactions of the Company; shall cause regular audits of the books and records of account of the Company and supervise the preparation of the Company’s financial statements; and, in general, he shall perform the duties incident to the office of controller of a company (as if the Company were a Delaware corporation) and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Member or the President or as may be provided by law. If no Controller is elected by the Member, the Treasurer shall perform the duties of the office of controller.

 

(f)  Tax Officer . The office of Tax Officer shall have the authority to sign or execute on behalf of this Company any federal, foreign, Indian, state or local tax return or report, claim for refund of taxes, extension of a statute of limitation, administrative tax appeals filings and any other document relating to this Company’s tax responsibilities.

 

ARTICLE VII

TRANSFERS OF COMPANY INTERESTS

 

SECTION 7.01. Transfers . The Member may, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its Interest. Any Person acquiring the Member’s Interest shall be admitted to the Company as a substituted Member with no further action being required on the part of the Member.

 

ARTICLE VIII

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

 

SECTION 8.01. Dissolution . The Company shall be dissolved and its business wound up upon the decision made at any time by the Member to dissolve the Company, or upon the occurrence of any event of dissolution under the Act.

 

SECTION 8.02. Liquidation . Upon dissolution, the Company’s business shall be liquidated in an orderly manner. The Member shall wind up the affairs of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and in accordance with the Act, including, without limitation, Section 18-804 thereof.

 

SECTION 8.03. Distribution of Property . If in the discretion of the Member it becomes necessary to make a distribution of Company property in kind in connection with the liquidation

 

6



 

of the Company, such property shall be transferred and conveyed to the Member subject to Section 18-804 of the Act.

 

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 9.01. General . Except to the extent expressly prohibited by the Act, the Company shall indemnify each Person made or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, by reason of the fact that such Person or such Person’s testator or intestate is or was a member or officer of the Company, against judgments, fines (including excise taxes assessed on a Person with respect to an employee benefit plan), penalties, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with such action or proceeding, or any appeal therefrom; provided that no such indemnification shall be made if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such Person establishes that his conduct did not meet the then applicable minimum statutory standards of conduct; and provided, further, that no such indemnification shall be required in connection with any settlement or other non-adjudicated disposition of any threatened or pending action or proceeding unless the Company has given its prior consent to such settlement or such other disposition, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.02. Reimbursement . The Company shall advance or promptly reimburse, upon request, any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder for all expenses, including attorneys’ fees, reasonably incurred in defending any action or proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Person (in form and substance satisfactory to the Company) to repay such amount if such Person is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification or, where indemnification is granted, to the extent the expenses so advanced or reimbursed exceed the amount to which such Person is entitled: provided that such Person shall cooperate in good faith with any request by the Company that common counsel be utilized by the parties to an action or proceeding who are similarly situated unless to do so would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflicts of interest between or among such parties; and provided , further , that the Company shall only advance attorneys’ fees in respect of legal counsel approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

SECTION 9.03. Availability . The right to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this provision is intended to be retroactive and shall be available with respect to any action or proceeding which relates to events prior to the effective date of this provision.

 

SECTION 9.04. Indemnification Agreement . The Company is authorized to enter into agreements with any of its members or officers extending rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to such Person to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, but the failure to enter into any such agreement shall not affect or limit the rights of such Person pursuant to this provision.

 

7



 

SECTION 9.05. Enforceability . In case any provision in this Article IX shall be determined at any time to be unenforceable in any respect, the other provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and the affected provisions shall be given the fullest possible enforcement in the circumstances, it being the intention of the Company to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to its members and officers, acting in such capacities, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 9.06. No Amendments . No amendment or repeal of this provision shall apply to or have any effect on the indemnification of, or advancement of expenses to, the Member or any officer of the Company for, or with respect to, acts or omissions of such Member or officer occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

SECTION 9.07. Not Exclusive . The foregoing shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which the Member or any officer may be entitled as a matter of law and shall not affect any rights to indemnification to which Company personnel other than the Member or officers may be entitled by contract or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 10.01. Amendments and Consents . This Agreement may be modified or amended only by the Member.

 

SECTION 10.02. Benefits of Agreement . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditor of the Company or the Member.

 

SECTION 10.03. Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements in connection therewith. No covenant, representation or condition not expressed in this Agreement shall affect, or be effective to interpret, change or restrict, the express provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.04. Headings . The titles of Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be interpreted to limit or amplify the provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.05. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument, which may be sufficiently evidenced by one counterpart.

 

SECTION 10.06. Severability . Each provision of this Agreement shall be considered separable and if for any reason any provision or provisions hereof are determined to be invalid and contrary to any existing or future law, such invalidity shall not impair the operation of or affect those portions of this Agreement, which are valid.

 

8



 

SECTION 10.07. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

 

SECTION 10.08. Security . For purposes of providing for transfer of, perfection a security interest in, and other relevant matters related to, a membership interest in the Company, each membership interest in the Company shall be deemed to be a ‘security’ subject to the rules set forth in Chapters 8 and 9 of the Texas Uniform Commercial Code and any similar Uniform Commercial Code provision adopted by the States of New York or Delaware or any other relevant jurisdiction.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Limited Liability Company Agreement has been duly executed by El Paso E&P Company, L.P., effective as of the 15th day of September, 2009.

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John J. Hopper

 

 

John J. Hopper

 

 

Vice President and Treasurer

 

9



 

Exhibit A

Percentage Interests

 

 

 

Percentage Interest

 

Member:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

100

%

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

 

10




Exhibit 4.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

and

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

as Issuers

 

and the Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto from time to time

 

6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

 


 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of April 24, 2012

 


 

and

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association

as Trustee

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01

Definitions

1

SECTION 1.02

Other Definitions

48

SECTION 1.03

Rules of Construction

49

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

 

 

THE NOTES

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01

Amount of Notes

50

SECTION 2.02

Form and Dating

51

SECTION 2.03

Execution and Authentication

52

SECTION 2.04

Registrar and Paying Agent

52

SECTION 2.05

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

53

SECTION 2.06

Holder Lists

53

SECTION 2.07

Transfer and Exchange

54

SECTION 2.08

Replacement Notes

54

SECTION 2.09

Outstanding Notes

55

SECTION 2.10

Cancellation

55

SECTION 2.11

Defaulted Interest

56

SECTION 2.12

CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc.

56

SECTION 2.13

Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes

56

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

 

 

REDEMPTION

 

 

 

SECTION 3.01

Redemption

56

SECTION 3.02

Applicability of Article

57

SECTION 3.03

Notices to Trustee

57

SECTION 3.04

Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed

57

SECTION 3.05

Notice of Optional Redemption

57

SECTION 3.06

Effect of Notice of Redemption

58

SECTION 3.07

Deposit of Redemption Price

58

SECTION 3.08

Notes Redeemed in Part

59

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

 

 

COVENANTS

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01

Payment of Notes

59

SECTION 4.02

Reports and Other Information

59

SECTION 4.03

Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock

62

SECTION 4.04

Limitation on Restricted Payments

69

SECTION 4.05

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

75

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont’d)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 4.06

Asset Sales

77

SECTION 4.07

Transactions with Affiliates

81

SECTION 4.08

Change of Control

84

SECTION 4.09

Compliance Certificate

85

SECTION 4.10

Further Instruments and Acts

86

SECTION 4.11

Future Subsidiary Guarantors

86

SECTION 4.12

Liens

86

SECTION 4.13

After-Acquired Property

87

SECTION 4.14

Maintenance of Office or Agency

88

SECTION 4.15

Covenant Suspension

89

SECTION 4.16

Maintenance of Insurance

90

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

 

 

SUCCESSOR COMPANY

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01

When Issuers May Merge or Transfer Assets

90

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

 

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01

Events of Default

92

SECTION 6.02

Acceleration

94

SECTION 6.03

Other Remedies

95

SECTION 6.04

Waiver of Past Defaults

95

SECTION 6.05

Control by Majority

95

SECTION 6.06

Limitation on Suits

96

SECTION 6.07

Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment

96

SECTION 6.08

Collection Suit by Trustee

96

SECTION 6.09

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

97

SECTION 6.10

Priorities

97

SECTION 6.11

Undertaking for Costs

97

SECTION 6.12

Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

98

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

 

 

TRUSTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01

Duties of Trustee

98

SECTION 7.02

Rights of Trustee

99

SECTION 7.03

Individual Rights of Trustee

101

SECTION 7.04

Trustee’s Disclaimer

101

SECTION 7.05

Notice of Defaults

101

SECTION 7.06

Reports by Trustee to the Holders

102

SECTION 7.07

Compensation and Indemnity

102

SECTION 7.08

Replacement of Trustee

103

SECTION 7.09

Successor Trustee by Merger

104

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont’d)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 7.10

Eligibility; Disqualification

104

SECTION 7.11

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuers

104

SECTION 7.12

Limitation on Duty of Trustee in Respect of Collateral; Indemnification

105

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

 

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

 

 

SECTION 8.01

Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance

105

SECTION 8.02

Conditions to Defeasance

107

SECTION 8.03

Application of Trust Money

108

SECTION 8.04

Repayment to Issuer

108

SECTION 8.05

Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations

108

SECTION 8.06

Reinstatement

108

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

 

 

 

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01

Without Consent of the Holders

109

SECTION 9.02

With Consent of the Holders

110

SECTION 9.03

Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers

111

SECTION 9.04

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

112

SECTION 9.05

Trustee to Sign Amendments

112

SECTION 9.06

Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount

112

SECTION 9.07

Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act

112

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

 

 

 

RANKING OF NOTE LIENS

 

 

 

SECTION 10.01

Relative Rights

112

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

 

 

 

COLLATERAL

 

 

 

SECTION 11.01

Security Documents

114

SECTION 11.02

Second Lien Collateral Agent

114

SECTION 11.03

Authorization of Actions to Be Taken

116

SECTION 11.04

Release of Liens

117

SECTION 11.05

Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee

119

SECTION 11.06

Release Upon Termination of the Issuers’ Obligations

120

SECTION 11.07

Designations

120

SECTION 11.08

Certificates of the Trustee

120

 

iii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont’d)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE XII

 

 

 

GUARANTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 12.01

Guarantee

121

SECTION 12.02

Limitation on Liability

123

SECTION 12.03

[Intentionally Omitted]

124

SECTION 12.04

Successors and Assigns

124

SECTION 12.05

No Waiver

124

SECTION 12.06

Modification

124

SECTION 12.07

Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors

125

SECTION 12.08

Non-Impairment

125

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

 

 

ESCROW ARRANGEMENTS

 

 

 

SECTION 13.01

Escrow Account

125

SECTION 13.02

Special Mandatory Redemption

125

SECTION 13.03

Release of Escrow Property

125

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 14.01

Trust Indenture Act Controls

126

SECTION 14.02

Notices

126

SECTION 14.03

Communication by the Holders with Other Holders

127

SECTION 14.04

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

127

SECTION 14.05

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

128

SECTION 14.06

When Notes Disregarded

128

SECTION 14.07

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar

128

SECTION 14.08

Legal Holidays

128

SECTION 14.09

GOVERNING LAW

128

SECTION 14.10

No Recourse Against Others

128

SECTION 14.11

Successors

129

SECTION 14.12

Multiple Originals

129

SECTION 14.13

Table of Contents; Headings

129

SECTION 14.14

Indenture Controls

129

SECTION 14.15

Severability

129

SECTION 14.16

Intercreditor Agreement

129

SECTION 14.17

Waiver of Jury Trial

129

 

 

 

Appendix A

Provisions Relating to Initial Notes and Additional Notes

 

iv



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont’d)

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit A

Form of Initial Note

Exhibit B

Form of Exchange Note

Exhibit C

Form of Transferee Letter of Representation

Exhibit D

Form of Supplemental Indenture

 

v


 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA

 

 

Indenture

Section

 

 

Section

310

(a)(1)

 

7.10

 

(a)(2)

 

7.10

 

(a)(3)

 

7.10

 

(a)(4)

 

7.10

 

(b)

 

7.08; 7.10

 

(c)

 

N.A.

311

(a)

 

7.11

 

(b)

 

7.11

 

(c)

 

N.A.

312

(a)

 

2.06

 

(b)

 

14.03

 

(c)

 

14.03

313

(a)

 

7.06

 

(b)(1)

 

7.06

 

(b)(2)

 

7.06

 

(c)

 

7.06

 

(d)

 

7.06

314

(a)

 

4.02; 4.09

 

(b)

 

4.09

 

(c)(1)

 

14.04

 

(c)(2)

 

14.04

 

(c)(3)

 

N.A.

 

(d)

 

11.08

 

(e)

 

14.05

 

(f)

 

4.10

315

(a)

 

7.01

 

(b)

 

7.05

 

(c)

 

7.01

 

(d)

 

7.01

 

(e)

 

6.11

316

(a) (last sentence)

 

14.06

 

(a)(1)(A)

 

6.05

 

(a)(1)(B)

 

6.04

 

(a)(2)

 

N.A.

 

(b)

 

6.07

317

(a)(1)

 

6.08

 

(a)(2)

 

6.09

 

(b)

 

2.05

318

(a)

 

14.01

 

N.A. Means Not Applicable.

Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purposes, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.

 

vi



 

INDENTURE, dated as of April 24, 2012, among EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company to be renamed as EP Energy LLC on or after the Escrow Release Date (together with its successors and assigns, “ Holdings ”), EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation to be renamed as EP Energy Finance Inc. on or after the Escrow Release Date (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with Holdings, the “ Issuers ”), the Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto from time to time (as defined below) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of (i) $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued on the date hereof (the “ Initial Notes ”), (ii) Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes and (iii) Additional Notes issued from time to time (together with the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes, the “ Notes ”):

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01                     Definitions .

 

Acquired Business ” means (i) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation); (ii) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company; (iii) all of the issued and outstanding quotas of UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda. and El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.; and (iv) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso Brazil Holdings Company.

 

Acquired Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1)                                   Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and

 

(2)                                   Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

 

Acquired Indebtedness will be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (2) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of such assets.

 

Acquisition ” means the purchase by EPE Acquisition, LLC of the Acquired Business.

 

Acquisition Documents ” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., as sellers, and EPE Acquisition, LLC, as purchaser, and any other

 



 

agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Additional Assets ” means:

 

(1)                                   any properties or assets used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(2)                                   capital expenditures by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary in the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(3)                                   the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(4)                                   Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

provided , however , that, in the case of clauses (3) and (4), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

 

Additional Notes ” means the Notes issued under the terms of this Indenture subsequent to the Issue Date.

 

Additional Refinancing Amount ” means, in connection with the Incurrence of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate principal amount of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), expenses, defeasance costs and fees in respect thereof.

 

Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

 

(a)                                   the sum of:

 

(i)                                      estimated discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any provincial, territorial, state, federal or foreign income taxes, as estimated by Holdings in a reserve report prepared as of the end of Holdings’ most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from (A) estimated proved oil and gas reserves acquired since such year end, which reserves were not reflected in such year end reserve report, and (B) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves (including the impact to discounted future net revenues related to development costs previously estimated in the last year end reserve report, but only to the extent such costs were actually incurred since the date of the last year end reserve report) since such year end due to exploration, development, exploitation or other activities, increased by the accretion of discount from the date of the last year end reserve report to the date of determination and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted

 

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future net revenues from (C) estimated proved oil and gas reserves included in the last year end reserve report that shall have been produced or disposed of since such year end, and (D) estimated oil and gas reserves included therein that are subsequently removed from the proved oil and gas reserves of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries as so calculated due to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves since such year end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, provided , that (x) in the case of such year end reserve report and any adjustments since such year end pursuant to clauses (A), (B) and (D), the estimated discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves shall be determined in their entirety using oil, gas and other hydrocarbon prices and costs that are either (1) calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines and, with respect to such adjustments under clauses (A), (B) or (D), calculated with such prices and costs as if the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the date of determination for which such information is available to Holdings were year end or (2) if Holdings so elects at any time, calculated in accordance with the foregoing clause (1), except that when pricing of future net revenues of proved oil and gas reserves under SEC guidelines is not based on a contract price and is instead based upon benchmark, market or posted pricing, the pricing for each month of estimated future production from such proved oil and gas reserves not subject to contract pricing shall be based upon NYMEX (or successor) published forward prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity applicable to such production month (adjusted for energy content, quality and basis differentials, with such basis differentials determined as provided in the definition of “Borrowing Base” and giving application to the last sentence of such definition hereto), as such forward prices are published as of the year end date of such reserve report or, with respect to post-year end adjustments under clauses (A), (B) or (D), the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the date of determination, (y) the pricing of estimated proved reserves that have been produced or disposed since year end as set forth in clause (D) shall be based upon the applicable pricing elected for the prior year end reserve report as provided in clause (x), and (z) in each case as estimated by Holdings’ petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineers engaged by Holdings for that purpose;

 

(ii)                                   the capitalized costs that are attributable to Oil and Gas Properties of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and gas reserves are attributable, based on Holdings’ books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of Holdings’ latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements;

 

(iii)                                the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of Holdings’ latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements;

 

(iv)                               assets related to commodity risk management activities less liabilities related to commodity risk management activities, in each case to the extent that such assets and liabilities arise in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, provided that such net value shall not be less than zero; and

 

(v)                                  the greater of (A) the net book value of other tangible assets (including, without limitation, investments in unconsolidated Restricted Subsidiaries and

 

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mineral rights held under lease or other contractual arrangement) of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of Holdings’ latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements, and (B) the Fair Market Value, as estimated by Holdings, of other tangible assets (including, without limitation, investments in unconsolidated Restricted Subsidiaries and mineral rights held under lease or other contractual arrangement) of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of Holdings’ latest audited consolidated financial statements (it being understood that Holdings shall not be required to obtain any appraisal of any assets); minus

 

(b)                                  the sum of:

 

(i)                                      any amount included in clauses (a)(i) through (a)(v) above that is attributable to minority interests;

 

(ii)                                   any net gas balancing liabilities of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in Holdings’ latest audited consolidated financial statements;

 

(iii)                                to the extent included in clause (a)(i) above, the estimated discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices and costs as provided in clause (a)(i)), attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto); and

 

(iv)                               to the extent included in clause (a)(i) above, the estimated discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing prices and costs as provided in clause (a)(i)), attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the estimated discounted future net revenues specified in clause (a)(i) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto).

 

If Holdings changes its method of accounting from the full cost method of accounting to the successful efforts or a similar method, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if Holdings were still using the full cost method of accounting.

 

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

 

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Applicable Authorized Representative ” has the meaning specified in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Applicable Premium ” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuers, the greater of:

 

(1)                                   1% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Note; and

 

(2)                                   the excess of:

 

(a)                                   the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note, at May 1, 2015 (such redemption price being set forth in Paragraph 5 of the Note) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through May 1, 2015 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

 

(b)                                  the then outstanding principal amount of the Note.

 

Asset Sale ” means:

 

(1)                                   the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of property or assets (including by way of Production Payments and Reserve Sales and Sale/ Leaseback Transactions) (other than an operating lease entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business) outside the ordinary course of business of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to in this definition as a “ disposition ”); or

 

(2)                                   the issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals or other third parties to the extent required by applicable law) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary) (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions),

 

in each case other than:

 

(a)                                   a disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete, damaged or worn out property or equipment in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)                                  the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Holdings in a manner permitted pursuant to Section 5.01 or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control;

 

(c)                                   any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.04;

 

(d)                                  any disposition of assets of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, which

 

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assets or Equity Interests so disposed or issued have an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of less than $50.0 million;

 

(e)                                   any disposition of property or assets, or the issuance of securities, by a Restricted Subsidiary to Holdings or by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(f)                                     any exchange of assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents) for assets related to a Similar Business of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by Holdings;

 

(g)                                  foreclosure or any similar action with respect to any property or other asset of Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(h)                                  any sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(i)                                      the lease, assignment or sublease of, or any transfer related to a “reverse build to suit” or similar transaction in respect of, any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(j)                                      any sale of inventory or other assets in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)                                   any grant in the ordinary course of business of any license of patents, trademarks, know-how or any other intellectual property;

 

(l)                                      in the ordinary course of business, any swap of assets, or lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property, in exchange for services (including in connection with any outsourcing arrangements) of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by Holdings;

 

(m)                                a transfer of accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Receivables Financing” (or a fractional undivided interest therein) by a Receivables Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Financing;

 

(n)                                  any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including any Sale/Leaseback Transaction or asset securitization permitted by this Indenture;

 

(o)                                  dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;

 

(p)                                  any disposition of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement or other obligation with or to a Person (other than Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary) from whom such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired or from whom such Restricted Subsidiary acquired its business and assets (having been newly

 

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formed in connection with such acquisition), made as part of such acquisition and in each case comprising all or a portion of the consideration in respect of such sale or acquisition;

 

(q)                                  the sale of any property in a Sale/Leaseback Transaction within twelve months of the acquisition of such property;

 

(r)                                     dispositions of receivables in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings and exclusive of factoring or similar arrangements;

 

(s)                                   any surrender, expiration or waiver of contract rights or oil and gas leases or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;

 

(t)                                     a disposition of Hydrocarbons or mineral products inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(u)                                  any Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that any such Production Payments and Reserve Sales, other than incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to an Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, shall have been created, incurred, issued, assumed or guaranteed in connection with the financing of, and within 60 days after the acquisition of, the property that is subject thereto;

 

(v)                                  the abandonment, farm-out pursuant to a Farm-Out Agreement, lease or sublease of developed or underdeveloped Oil and Gas Properties owned or held by an Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or which are usual and customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur; and

 

(w)                                a disposition (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) of any Oil and Gas Property or interest therein to which no proved reserves are attributable at the time of such disposition.

 

Bank Indebtedness ” means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of (a) the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time (including after termination of the Credit Agreement), including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to Holdings whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof and

 

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(b) whether or not the Indebtedness referred to in clause (a) remains outstanding, if designated by Holdings to be included in this definition, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Board of Directors ” means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof. In the case of Holdings, the Board of Directors of Holdings shall be deemed to include the Board of Directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as appropriate.

 

Borrowing Base ” means, at any date of determination, an amount equal to the amount of (a) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed producing (PDP) reserves, plus (b) 35% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed non-producing (PDNP) reserves, plus (c) 25% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proven undeveloped (PUD) reserves, plus or minus (d) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries under commodity hedging agreements (other than basis differential commodity hedging agreements), netted against the price described below, plus or minus (e) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries under basis differential commodity hedging agreements, in each case for Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (i) for purposes of clauses (a) through (d) above, as estimated by Holdings in a reserve report prepared by Holdings’ petroleum engineers applying the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity adjusted for relevant energy content, quality and basis differentials (before any state or federal or other income tax) and (ii) for purposes of clauses (d) and (e) above, as estimated by Holdings applying, if available, the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward basis differential or, if such NYMEX (or successor) forward basis differential is unavailable, in good faith based on historical basis differential (before any state or federal or other income tax). For any months beyond the term included in published NYMEX (or successor) forward pricing, the price used will be equal to the last published contract escalated at 1.5% per annum.

 

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or the place of payment.

 

Capital Stock ” means:

 

(1)                                   in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;

 

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(2)                                   in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

 

(3)                                   in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

 

(4)                                   any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation ” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that any obligations of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, either existing on the Issue Date or created prior to any recharacterization described below (or any refinancings thereof) (i) that were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of Holdings as capital lease obligations and (ii) that are subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.

 

Capitalized Software Expenditures ” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and such Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Cash Equivalents ” means:

 

(1)                                   U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, euros, the national currency of any member state in the European Union or such local currencies held by an entity from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

 

(2)                                   securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any country that is a member of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof in each case maturing not more than two years from the date of acquisition;

 

(3)                                   certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances, in each case with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and sur plus in excess of $250.0 million and whose long-term debt is rated “A” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency);

 

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(4)                                   repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

 

(5)                                   commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of Holdings) rated at least “A-1” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;

 

(6)                                   readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;

 

(7)                                   Indebtedness issued by Persons (other than the Sponsors or any of their Affiliates) with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” or higher from Moody’s (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition; and

 

(8)                                   investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (7) above.

 

CFC ” means a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

 

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of either of the following:

 

(1)                                   the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all the assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to a Person other than any of the Permitted Holders; or

 

(2)                                   Holdings becomes aware (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) of the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than any of the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of Holdings.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Collateral ” means all property subject or purported to be subject, from time to time, to a Lien under any Security Documents.

 

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Collateral Agreement ” means the Collateral Agreement among the Issuers, each Subsidiary Guarantor and the Second Lien Collateral Agent, to be executed in connection with the occurrence of the Escrow Release Date, consistent in all material respects with the description thereof in the Offering Memorandum with such modifications, prior to the Escrow Release Date, as may be approved by the Applicable Authorized Representative, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms and in accordance with this Indenture.

 

Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees and Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(1)                                   consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (including amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations and excluding Additional Interest in respect of the Notes, amortization of deferred financing fees, any interest attributable to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees and non-cash interest expense attributable to movement in mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivatives (in each case permitted hereunder) under GAAP); plus

 

(2)                                   consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; plus

 

(3)                                   commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges Incurred in connection with any Receivables Financing which are payable to Persons other than Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries; minus

 

(4)                                   interest income for such period.

 

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by Holdings to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided , however , that:

 

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(1)                                   any net after-tax extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses or charges, any severance expenses, relocation expenses, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, any expenses related to any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternate uses and fees, expenses or charges relating to facilities closing costs, acquisition integration costs, facilities opening costs, project start-up costs, business optimization costs, signing, retention or completion bonuses, expenses or charges related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or issuance, repayment, refinancing, amendment or modification of Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not successful), and any fees, expenses, charges or change in control payments related to the Transactions, in each case, shall be excluded;

 

(2)                                   effects of purchase accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and such Subsidiaries) in amounts required or permitted by GAAP, resulting from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

 

(3)                                   the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period;

 

(4)                                   any net after-tax income or loss from disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets shall be excluded;

 

(5)                                   any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business dispositions or asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by management of Holdings) shall be excluded;

 

(6)                                   any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded;

 

(7)                                   the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of such Person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period;

 

(8)                                   solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (1) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit,” the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been

 

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obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions have been legally waived; provided that the Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or converted into cash) by any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, to the extent not already included therein;

 

(9)                                   an amount equal to the amount of Tax Distributions actually made to any parent or equity holder of such Person in respect of such period in accordance with Section 4.04(b)(xii) shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such Person for such period;

 

(10)                             any impairment charges or asset write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP, and any impairment charges, asset write-offs or write-down, including ceiling test write-downs, on Oil and Gas Properties under GAAP or SEC guidelines shall be excluded;

 

(11)                             any non-cash expense realized or resulting from stock option plans, employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, or grants or sales of stock, stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock or other rights shall be excluded;

 

(12)                             any (a) non-cash compensation charges, (b) costs and expenses after the Issue Date related to employment of terminated employees, or (c) costs or expenses realized in connection with or resulting from stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights existing on the Issue Date of officers, directors and employees, in each case of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary, shall be excluded;

 

(13)                             accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within 12 months after the Issue Date and that are so required to be established or adjusted in accordance with GAAP or as a result of adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded;

 

(14)                             (a) the Net Income of any Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be calculated without deducting the income attributable to, or adding the losses attributable to, the minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary except to the extent of dividends declared or paid in respect of such period or any prior period on the shares of Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary held by such third parties and (b) any ordinary course dividend, distribution or other payment paid in cash and received from any Person in excess of amounts included in clause (7) above shall be included;

 

(15)                             (a)(i) the non-cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense shall be excluded and (ii) the cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense which exceeds the amount expensed in respect of such rent expense shall be included and (b) non-cash

 

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gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP and related interpretations shall be excluded;

 

(16)                             any currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness, and any net loss or gain resulting from hedging transactions for currency exchange risk, shall be excluded;

 

(17)                             (a) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (i) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (ii) in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days), expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded and (b) amounts estimated in good faith to be received from insurance in respect of lost revenues or earnings in respect of liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be included (with a deduction for amounts actually received up to such estimated amount to the extent included in Net Income in a future period);

 

(18)                             Capitalized Software Expenditures shall be excluded; and

 

(19)                             Non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded (except to the extent reversing a previously recognized increase to net income).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.04 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.04 pursuant to clauses (4) and (5) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit.”

 

Consolidated Non-Cash Charges ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the non-cash expenses (other than Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that if any such non-cash expenses represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA in such future period to the extent paid, but excluding from this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period.

 

Consolidated Taxes ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise, property and similar taxes, foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and any Tax Distributions taken into account in calculating Consolidated Net Income.

 

Consolidated Total Indebtedness ” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all

 

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outstanding Indebtedness of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any undrawn letters of credit) consisting of Capitalized Lease Obligations, bankers’ acceptances and Indebtedness for borrowed money, plus (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries and all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Contingent Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“ primary obligations ”) of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:

 

(1)                                   to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,

 

(2)                                   to advance or supply funds:

 

(a)                                   for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation; or

 

(b)                                  to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or

 

(3)                                   to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the designated office of the Trustee in the United States of America at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the holders and the Issuers, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the holders and the Issuers).

 

Credit Agreement ” means (i) the Credit Agreement to be entered into upon expiration of the Escrow Period among Holdings, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by Holdings to be included in the definition of “Credit Agreement,” one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to

 

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borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Credit Agreement Documents ” means the collective reference to any Credit Agreement, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.

 

Cumulative Credit ” means the sum of (without duplication):

 

(1)                                   50% of the Consolidated Net Income of Holdings for the period from July 1, 2012 to the end of Holdings’ most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (taken as one accounting period, the “ Reference Period ”) (or in case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus

 

(2)                                   100% of (i) the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash, received by Holdings after the Escrow Release Date plus (ii) the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash, received by Holdings in excess of $3,200 million prior to or on the Escrow Release Date (in each case other than net proceeds to the extent such net proceeds have been used to Incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xiii)) from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent entity of Holdings (excluding Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below), Designated Preferred Stock, Excluded Contributions, and Disqualified Stock), including Equity Interests issued upon exercise of warrants or options (other than an issuance or sale to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary), plus

 

(3)                                   100% of (i) the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of Holdings received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash after the Escrow Release Date plus (ii) the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of Holdings received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash, in excess of $3,200 million prior to or on the Escrow Release Date (in each case other than Excluded Contributions, Refunding Capital Stock, Designated Preferred Stock, and Disqualified Stock and other than contributions to the extent such contributions have been used to Incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xiii)), plus

 

(4)                                   100% of the principal amount of any Indebtedness, or the liquidation preference or maximum fixed repurchase price, as the case may be, of any Disqualified Stock of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary issued after the Escrow Release Date

 

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(other than Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock issued to a Restricted Subsidiary) which has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests in Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock) or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (provided in the case of any such parent, such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock is retired or extinguished), plus

 

(5)                                   100% of the aggregate amount received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary from:

 

(A)                               the sale or other disposition (other than to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries and from repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary) and from repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constituted Restricted Investments (other than in each case to the extent that the Restricted Investment was made pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(vii)),

 

(B)                                 the sale (other than to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or

 

(C)                                 a distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus

 

(6)                                   in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary, the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the Investment of Holdings or the Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (which, if the Fair Market Value of such investment shall exceed $25.0 million, shall be determined by the Board of Directors of Holdings) at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable) (other than in each case to the extent that the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary was made pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(vii) or constituted a Permitted Investment).

 

Default ” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Designated Non-cash Consideration ” means the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of non-cash consideration received by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

 

Designated Preferred Stock ” means Preferred Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock), that is issued for cash (other than to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by

 

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Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, on the issuance date thereof.

 

Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations ” shall mean, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Senior Intercreditor Agreement with respect to the reinstatement or continuation of any First-Priority Lien Obligation under certain circumstances, payment in full in cash (except for contingent indemnities and cost and reimbursement obligations to the extent no claim has been made) of all First-Priority Lien Obligations and, with respect to any letters of credit or letter of credit guaranties outstanding under a document evidencing a First-Priority Lien Obligation, delivery of cash collateral or backstop letters of credit in respect thereof in a manner consistent with such document, in each case after or concurrently with the termination of all commitments to extend credit thereunder, and the termination of all commitments of the holders of First-Priority Lien Obligations under such document evidencing such obligation; provided that the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred if such payments are made with the proceeds of other First-Priority Lien Obligations that constitute an exchange or replacement for or a refinancing of any First-Priority Lien Obligations. In the event the First-Priority Lien Obligations are modified and the First-Priority Lien Obligations are paid over time or otherwise modified pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code under a confirmed and consummated plan, the First-Priority Lien Obligations shall be deemed to be discharged when the final payment is made under such plan in respect of such indebtedness and any obligations pursuant to such modified indebtedness shall have been satisfied.

 

Disqualified Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event:

 

(1)                                   matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (other than as a result of a change of control or asset sale),

 

(2)                                   is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of such Person, or

 

(3)                                   is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale),

 

in each case prior to 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided , however , that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided , further , however , that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of Holdings or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability; provided , further , that any class of Capital Stock of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.

 

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Dollar-Denominated Production Payments ” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Domestic Subsidiary ” means a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus , without duplication, to the extent the same was deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income:

 

(1)                                   Consolidated Taxes; plus

 

(2)                                   Fixed Charges; plus

 

(3)                                   Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense; plus

 

(4)                                   Consolidated Non-Cash Charges; plus

 

(5)                                   any expenses or charges (other than Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense) related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the Incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Transactions, the Notes or any Bank Indebtedness, (ii) any amendment or other modification of the Notes or other Indebtedness, (iii) any Additional Interest in respect of the Notes and (iv) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Qualified Receivables Financing; plus

 

(6)                                   business optimization expenses and other restructuring charges, reserves or expenses (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include, without limitation, the effect of inventory optimization programs, facility closures, facility consolidations, retention, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and excess pension charges); plus

 

(7)                                   the amount of loss on sale of receivables and related assets to a Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing; plus

 

(8)                                   any costs or expense Incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of Holdings or a Subsidiary Guarantor or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation of the Cumulative Credit; plus

 

(9)                                   the amount of any management, monitoring, consulting, transaction and advisory fees and related expenses paid to the Sponsors (or any accruals relating to such

 

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fees and related expenses) during such period to the extent otherwise permitted by Section 4.07; plus

 

(10)                             all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote (4) to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such period; plus

 

(11)                             the amount of any loss attributable to a new plant or facility until the date that is 12 months after completing construction of or acquiring such plant or facility, as the case may be; provided that (A) such losses are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and certified by a responsible officer of Holdings and (B) losses attributable to such plant or facility after 12 months from the date of completing construction of or acquisition of such plant or facility, as the case may be, shall not be included in this clause (11), plus

 

(12)                             exploration expenses or costs (to the extent Holdings adopts the “successful efforts” method), and

 

less , without duplication, to the extent the same increased Consolidated Net Income,

 

(13)                             the sum of (x) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments and (y) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments; and

 

(14)                             non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding the recognition of deferred revenue or any items which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that reduced EBITDA in any prior period and any items for which cash was received in a prior period).

 

Equity Interests ” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

 

Equity Offering ” means any public or private sale after the Issue Date of common Capital Stock or Preferred Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable (other than Disqualified Stock), other than:

 

(1)                                   public offerings with respect to Holdings’ or such direct or indirect parent’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;

 

(2)                                   issuances to any Subsidiary of Holdings; and

 

(3)                                   any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

 

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Escrow Account ” means a segregated account, under the sole control of the Trustee, that includes only cash and U.S. dollar denominated Cash Equivalents (or rights to receive such under letters of credit), the proceeds thereof and interest earned thereon, free from all Liens other than the Lien in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Notes.

 

Escrow Agent ” means Wilmington Trust, National Association, together with its successors in such capacity.

 

Escrow Agreement ” means the Escrow and Security Agreement, dated the Issue Date, among the Issuers, the Trustee and the Escrow Agent, relating to the Notes, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Indenture.

 

Escrow Condition ” means the delivery of an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Escrow Agent to release the Escrow Property from the Escrow Account and certifying that, prior to or concurrently with the release of the Escrow Property from the Escrow Account, (i) the Acquisition shall have been consummated and the existing reserve-based credit facility of the Acquired Business retired in all material respects as described under “Summary—The Transactions” in the Offering Memorandum, (ii) borrowings under the Term Loan Facility shall have been made, (iii) investments in EPE Acquisition, LLC’s equity by funds affiliated with the Sponsors and other investors shall have been made and (iv) borrowings under the Credit Agreement shall have been made, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) above in an aggregate amount sufficient, when taken together with the net proceeds of the Notes and the Senior Notes, to fund the Acquisition and to pay related fees and expenses, and (v) the Subsidiary Guarantors that have on such date guaranteed the Credit Agreement shall have, by supplemental indenture effective upon the Escrow Release Date, become parties to this Indenture as Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

Escrow Period ” means the period beginning on the Issue Date and ending on the Escrow Release Date.

 

Escrow Release Date ” means the date upon which the Escrow Condition is satisfied.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Exchange Notes ” means the Notes of the Issuers issued pursuant to this Indenture in exchange for, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to or not in excess of, the Initial Notes or any Additional Notes, if applicable, in compliance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” means the registration statement filed with the SEC in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer.

 

Excluded Assets ” means the property and other assets of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors that is excluded from the grant of security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and the Security Documents.

 

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Excluded Contributions ” means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of Holdings) received by Holdings after the Issue Date from:

 

(1)                                   contributions to its common equity capital, and

 

(2)                                   the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of Holdings or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of Holdings,

 

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Capital Stock is sold, as the case may be; provided, that $3,200 million of Cash Equivalents received by Holdings from the Equity Investors on or prior to the Escrow Release Date to fund the Acquisition shall not be permitted to be designated an Excluded Contribution.

 

Excluded Subsidiary ” means (a) any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (b) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (c) any Foreign Subsidiary, (d) any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that owns no material assets (directly or through its Subsidiaries) other than equity interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs or (ii) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, (e) any Receivables Subsidiary and (f) any Subsidiary (other than a Significant Subsidiary) that (i) did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Holdings most recently ended, have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5.0% of total revenues of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date and (ii) taken together with all other such Subsidiaries as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Holdings most recently ended, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 10.0% of total revenues of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date.

 

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.

 

Farm-In Agreement ” means an agreement whereby a Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of one or more exploratory or development wells (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interests therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well or wells as all or a part of the consideration provided in exchange for an ownership interest in an Oil and Gas Property.

 

Farm-Out Agreement ” means a Farm-In Agreement, viewed from the standpoint of the party that transfers an ownership interest to another.

 

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First-Priority After-Acquired Property ” means any property of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor that secures any Secured Bank Indebtedness that is not already subject to the Lien under the Security Documents, other than any Excluded Assets.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations ” means (i) all Secured Bank Indebtedness and (ii) all other obligations of an Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Hedging Obligations or obligations in respect of cash management services in each case owing to a Person that is a holder of Secured Bank Indebtedness or an Affiliate of such holder at the time of entry into such Hedging Obligations or obligations in respect of cash management services.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than in the case of any Qualified Receivables Financing, in which case interest expense shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period) or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “ Calculation Date ”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that Holdings may elect pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being Incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent Incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an Incurrence at such subsequent time.

 

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, and any operational changes that Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, discontinued operation or operational change, in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or operational change had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an

 

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Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

 

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of Holdings as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from the applicable event, and (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote (4) to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period.

 

If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a Eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as Holdings may designate.

 

For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

 

Fixed Charges ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (1) Consolidated Interest Expense (excluding amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs) of such Person for such period, and (2) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means a Restricted Subsidiary not organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American

 

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Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Issue Date. For the purposes of this Indenture, the term “ consolidated ” with respect to any Person shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an Investment.

 

guarantee ” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

 

Hedging Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:

 

(1)                                   currency exchange, interest rate or commodity swap agreements (including commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, basis differential swaps, spot contracts, fixed-price physical delivery contracts or other similar agreements or arrangements in respect of Hydrocarbons), currency exchange, interest rate or commodity cap agreements and currency exchange, interest rate or commodity collar agreements; and

 

(2)                                   other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange, interest rates or commodity prices.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreements or obligations to physically sell any commodity at any index-based price shall not be considered Hedging Obligations.

 

holder ” or “ noteholder ” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

Holdings ” means Everest Acquisition LLC (to be renamed as EP Energy LLC on or after the Escrow Release Date), together with its successors or assigns.

 

Hydrocarbons ” means oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

 

Incur ” means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided , however , that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.

 

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)                                   the principal and premium (if any) of any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) in respect of borrowed money, (b) evidenced by bonds,

 

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notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), (c) representing the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property (except any such balance that constitutes (i) a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor Incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and (iii) liabilities accrued in the ordinary course of business), which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing the property in service or taking delivery and title thereto, (d) in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations, or (e) representing any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(2)                                   to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the obligations referred to in clause (1) of another Person (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business); and

 

(3)                                   to the extent not otherwise included, Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person); provided , however , that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of such asset at such date of determination, and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person;

 

provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (1) Contingent Obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in respect of borrowed money; (2) deferred or prepaid revenues; (3) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller; (4) Obligations under or in respect of Qualified Receivables Financing; (5) obligations under the Acquisition Documents; (6) Production Payments and Reserve Sales; (7) any obligation of a Person in respect of a Farm-In Agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property; (8) any obligations under Hedging Obligations; provided that such agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of Holdings, whether or not accounted for as a hedge in accordance with GAAP) and, in the case of any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement, such agreements are related to business transactions of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and, in the case of any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, such agreements substantially correspond

 

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in terms of notional amount, duration and interest rates, as applicable, to Indebtedness of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred without violation of this Indenture; and (9) in-kind obligations relating to net oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, Indebtedness shall not include, and shall be calculated without giving effect to, the effects of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness; and any such amounts that would have constituted Indebtedness under this Indenture but for the application of this sentence shall not be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness under this Indenture.

 

Indenture ” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Independent Financial Advisor ” means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant, in each case of nationally recognized standing, that is, in the good faith determination of Holdings, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

 

Intercreditor Agreements ” means the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Interest Payment Date ” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

 

Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

 

Investment Grade Securities ” means:

 

(1)                                   securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents),

 

(2)                                   securities that have a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or equivalent) by S&P, but excluding any debt securities or loans or advances between and among Holdings and its Subsidiaries,

 

(3)                                   investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution, and

 

(4)                                   corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments and in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition.

 

Investments ” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or

 

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capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit and advances to customers and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet of such Person in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.04:

 

(1)                                   “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to Holdings’ equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the net assets of a Subsidiary of Holdings at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, Holdings shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to:

 

(a)                                   Holdings’ “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less

 

(b)                                  the portion (proportionate to Holdings’ equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

 

(2)                                   any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Holdings.

 

Issue Date ” means April 24, 2012.

 

Junior Lien Obligations ” means the Obligations with respect to other Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture, which is by its terms intended to be secured by the Collateral on a basis junior to the Notes; provided such Lien is permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture.

 

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

 

Management Group ” means the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as the case may be, on the Issue Date together with (1) any new directors whose election by such boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, was approved by a vote of a

 

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majority of the directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors on the Issue Date or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (2) executive officers and other management personnel of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, hired at a time when the directors on the Issue Date together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable.

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Mortgaged Properties ” means the owned real property of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantor encumbered by a Mortgage to secure the First-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Mortgages ” means, collectively, the mortgages, trusts deeds, deeds of trust and other security documents delivered with respect to the Mortgaged Properties, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Net Income ” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

 

Net Proceeds ” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received in respect of or upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding the assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other consideration received in any other non-cash form), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses Incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including Tax Distributions and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related solely to such disposition), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required (other than pursuant to Section 4.06(b)(i)) to be paid as a result of such transaction, amounts paid in connection with the termination of Hedging Obligations related to Indebtedness repaid with such proceeds or hedging oil, natural gas and natural gas liquid production in notional volumes corresponding to the Oil and Gas Properties subject to such Asset Sale, and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by Holdings as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by Holdings after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

 

Net Working Capital ” means (a) all current assets of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in

 

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the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business less (b) all current liabilities of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities (i) associated with asset retirement obligations relating to Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) included in Indebtedness and (iii) any current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of Holdings prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Notes Documents ” means this Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees and the Security Documents.

 

Notes Obligations ” means Obligations in respect of the Notes, this Indenture and the Security Documents, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Obligations in respect of Exchange Notes and guarantees thereof.

 

NYMEX ” means the New York Mercantile Exchange.

 

Obligations ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness; provided that Obligations with respect to the Notes shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the Notes.

 

Offering Memorandum ” means the offering memorandum, dated April 10, 2012, as supplemented or amended from time to time, relating to the issuance of the Initial Notes.

 

Officer ” means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of Holdings.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed on behalf of Holdings by two Officers of Holdings, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of Holdings, which meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.

 

Oil and Gas Business ” means:

 

(1)                                   the business of acquiring, exploring, exploiting, developing, producing, operating and disposing of interests in oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas and other Hydrocarbons and mineral properties or products produced in association with any of the foregoing;

 

(2)                                   the business of gathering, marketing, distributing, treating, processing, storing, refining, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties and products produced in association therewith and the marketing of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals obtained from unrelated Persons;

 

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(3)                                   any other related energy business, including power generation and electrical transmission business, directly or indirectly, from oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbons and minerals produced substantially from properties in which Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, participate;

 

(4)                                   any business relating to oil field sales and service; and

 

(5)                                   any business or activity relating to, arising from, or necessary, appropriate, incidental or ancillary to the activities described in the foregoing clauses (1) through (4) of this definition.

 

Oil and Gas Properties ” means all properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by a Person which contain or are believed to contain oil and gas reserves or other reserves of Hydrocarbons.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to Holdings.

 

Other Second-Lien Obligations ” means other Indebtedness of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is equally and ratably secured with the Notes as permitted by this Indenture and is designated by Holdings as an Other Second-Lien Obligation ( provided that such designation shall not be required for the Term Loan Facility).

 

Outside Date ” means October 31, 2012.

 

Pari Passu Indebtedness ” means: (a) with respect to an Issuer, the Notes and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to the Notes; and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ” means (i) the intercreditor agreement among Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Collateral Agent, the Trustee, and the other parties from time to time party thereto, to be entered into upon expiration of the Escrow Period, consistent in all material respects with the description thereof in the Offering Memorandum with such modifications, prior to the Escrow Release Date, as may be approved by the Applicable Authorized Representative, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Indenture or (ii) any replacement thereof that contains terms not materially less favorable to the holders of the Notes than the intercreditor agreement referred to in clause (i).

 

Permitted Business Investment ” means any Investment and/or expenditure made in the ordinary course of business or which are of a nature that is or shall have become customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur, including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing, distributing, storing, or transporting oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons and minerals (including with respect to plugging and abandonment) through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local

 

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ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:

 

(1)                                   Investments in ownership interests (including equity or other ownership interests) in oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals properties, liquefied natural gas facilities, processing facilities, gathering systems, pipelines, storage facilities or related systems or ancillary real property interests;

 

(2)                                   Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, processing agreements, Farm-In Agreements, Farm-Out Agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals, production sharing agreements, participation agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements, stockholder agreements and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies) with third parties; and

 

(3)                                   Investments in direct or indirect ownership interests in drilling rigs and related equipment, including, without limitation, transportation equipment.

 

Permitted Holders ” means, at any time, each of (i) the Sponsors, (ii) the Management Group, (iii) any Person that has no material assets other than the Capital Stock of Holdings and, directly or indirectly, holds or acquires 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of Holdings, and of which no other Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), other than any of the other Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above, holds more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock thereof and (iv) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) the members of which include any of the Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above and that, directly or indirectly, hold or acquire beneficial ownership of the Voting Stock of Holdings (a “Permitted Holder Group”), so long as (1) each member of the Permitted Holder Group has voting rights proportional to the percentage of ownership interests held or acquired by such member and (2) no Person or other “group” (other than Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above) beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the Voting Stock held by the Permitted Holder Group. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

 

Permitted Investments ” means:

 

(1)                                   any Investment in Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)                                   any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

 

(3)                                   any Investment by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) such

 

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Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(4)                                   any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.06 or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

 

(5)                                   any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

 

(6)                                   advances to employees, taken together with all other advances made pursuant to this clause (6), not to exceed $25.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(7)                                   any Investment acquired by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable, or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(8)                                   Hedging Obligations permitted under Section 4.03(b)(x);

 

(9)                                   any Investment by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Similar Business having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (9) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $350.0 million and (y) 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided , however , that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (9) is made in any Person that is not Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (9) for so long as such Person continues to be Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(10)                             additional Investments by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $350.0 million and (y) 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to

 

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subsequent changes in value); provided , however , that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (10) is made in any Person that is not Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (10) for so long as such Person continues to be Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(11)                             loans and advances to officers, directors or employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or to fund such person’s purchase of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings;

 

(12)                             Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock) or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable; provided , however , that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit”;

 

(13)                             any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.07(b) (except transactions described in clauses (ii), (iv), (vi), (ix)(B) and (xvi) of Section 4.07(b));

 

(14)                             Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

 

(15)                             (x) guarantees issued in accordance with Section 4.03 and Section 4.11 including, without limitation, any guarantee or other obligation issued or Incurred under the Credit Agreement in connection with any letter of credit issued for the account of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (including with respect to the issuance of, or payments in respect of drawings under, such letters of credit) and (y) guarantees of performance or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) arising in the ordinary course in the Oil and Gas Business, including obligations under Hydrocarbon exploration, development, joint operating and related agreements and licenses, concessions or operating leases related to the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(16)                             Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property;

 

(17)                             any Investment in a Receivables Subsidiary or any Investment by a Receivables Subsidiary in any other Person in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing, including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Qualified Receivables Financing or any related Indebtedness;

 

(18)                             any Investment in an entity which is not a Restricted Subsidiary to which a Restricted Subsidiary sells accounts receivable pursuant to a Receivables Financing;

 

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(19)                             additional Investments in joint ventures not to exceed, at any one time in the aggregate outstanding under this clause (19), $100.0 million (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time such Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided , however , that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (19) is made in any Person that is not Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (19) for so long as such Person continues to be Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(20)                             Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Issue Date or of an entity merged into, amalgamated with, or consolidated with Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction that is not prohibited by Section 5.01 after the Issue Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

 

(21)                             any Investment in any Subsidiary of Holdings or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(22)                             Permitted Business Investments.

 

Permitted Liens ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)                                   pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure plugging and abandonment obligations or public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(2)                                   Liens imposed by law, such as landlord’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, construction or other like Liens securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review;

 

(3)                                   Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due or payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

(4)                                   Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

 

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(5)                                   minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

 

(6)                                   (A)                               Liens on assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor securing Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03;

 

(B)                                 Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred under the Credit Agreement, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(i);

 

(C)                                 Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred under the RBL Facility in excess of $2,000 million (and solely to the extent of such excess), including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted to be Incurred under Section 4.03;

 

(D)                                Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clause (iv), (xii), (xvi) or (xx) of Section 4.03(b) ( provided that in the case of clause (xx), such Lien does not extend to the property or assets of any Subsidiary of Holdings other than a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor); and

 

(E)                                  Liens securing the Notes Obligations;

 

(7)                                   Liens existing on the Issue Date (other than Liens in favor of the lenders under the Credit Agreement), including Liens securing the loans under the Term Loan Facility;

 

(8)                                   Liens on assets, property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided , further , however , that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(9)                                   Liens on assets or property at the time Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the assets or property, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens (other than Liens to secure Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xvi)) are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided , further , however , that the Liens (other than Liens to secure Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xvi)) may not extend to any other property owned by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than pursuant to after-acquired property clauses in effect with respect to such Lien at the time

 

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of acquisition on property of the type that would have been subject to such Lien notwithstanding the occurrence of such acquisition);

 

(10)                             Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary owing to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03;

 

(11)                             Liens securing Hedging Obligations not Incurred in violation of this Indenture; provided that with respect to Hedging Obligations relating to Indebtedness, such Lien extends only to the property securing such Indebtedness;

 

(12)                             Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(13)                             leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(14)                             Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(15)                             Liens in favor of Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(16)                             Liens on accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Receivables Financing” Incurred in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing;

 

(17)                             deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

 

(18)                             Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(19)                             grants of software and other technology licenses in the ordinary course of business;

 

(20)                             Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (15); provided , however , that (x) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien ( plus improvements on such property), and (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (15) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (B) an amount necessary to pay any

 

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fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement; provided further, however, that in the case of any Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal of Indebtedness secured by a Lien referred to in clause (6)(B), the principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred for such refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal shall be deemed secured by a Lien under clause (6)(B) and not this clause (20) for purposes of determining the principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (6)(B);

 

(21)                             Liens on equipment of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business to Holdings’ or such Restricted Subsidiary’s client at which such equipment is located;

 

(22)                             judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;

 

(23)                             Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(24)                             Liens Incurred to secure cash management services or to implement cash pooling arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

 

(25)                             other Liens securing obligations the outstanding principal amount of which does not, taken together with the principal amount of all other obligations secured by Liens Incurred under this clause (25) that are at that time outstanding, exceed the greater of $350.0 million and 5% Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence;

 

(26)                             any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

 

(27)                             any amounts held by a trustee in the funds and accounts under an indenture securing any revenue bonds issued for the benefit of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, under any indenture or other debt agreement issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof, or under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions;

 

(28)                             Liens arising by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depository or financial institution;

 

(29)                             Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with any appeal or other proceedings for review;

 

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(30)                             Liens (i) in favor of credit card companies pursuant to agreements therewith and (ii) in favor of customers;

 

(31)                             Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

 

(32)                             Liens arising under Farm-Out Agreements, Farm-In Agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of Hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, operating agreements, royalties, royalty trusts, master limited partnerships, working interests, net profits interests, joint interest billing arrangements, participation agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided , however , in all instances that such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order, trust, partnership or contract;

 

(33)                             Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law;

 

(34)                             any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease, liens reserved in oil, gas or other Hydrocarbons, minerals, leases for bonus, royalty or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases; (b) restriction or encumbrance that the interest or title of such lessor or sublessor may be subject to (including, without limitation, ground leases or other prior leases of the demised premises, mortgages, mechanics’ liens, tax liens and easements); or (c) subordination of the interest of the lessee or sublessee under such lease to any restrictions or encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause (b); and

 

(35)                             Liens securing Junior Lien Obligations, provided that the Notes are secured on a senior priority basis to the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Pledge Agreement ” means the Pledge Agreement among the Issuers, each Subsidiary Guarantor and the Second Lien Collateral Agent, to be executed in connection with the occurrence of the Escrow Release Date, consistent in all material respects with the description thereof in the Offering Memorandum with such modifications, prior to the Escrow Release Date, as may be approved by the Applicable Authorized Representative, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms and in accordance with this Indenture.

 

Preferred Stock ” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

 

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Production Payments and Reserve Sales ” means the grant or transfer by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar-denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers.

 

Qualified Receivables Financing ” means any Receivables Financing of a Receivables Subsidiary that meets the following conditions:

 

(1)                                   the Board of Directors of Holdings shall have determined in good faith that such Qualified Receivables Financing (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to Holdings and the Receivables Subsidiary;

 

(2)                                   all sales of accounts receivable and related assets to the Receivables Subsidiary are made at Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings); and

 

(3)                                   the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by Holdings) and may include Standard Securitization Undertakings.

 

The grant of a security interest in any accounts receivable of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) to secure Bank Indebtedness, Indebtedness in respect of the Notes or any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the Notes shall not be deemed a Qualified Receivables Financing.

 

Rating Agency ” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P and (2) if Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of Holdings’ control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15cs-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.

 

RBL Agent ” means the agent for secured parties holding First-Priority Lien Obligations, as appointed pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The RBL Agent is initially the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement.

 

RBL Facility ” means the credit agreement to be entered into on the Escrow Release Date among Holdings, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or other lenders), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to any amendment thereto or pursuant to a new loan agreement with other

 

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lenders, governed by a borrowing base set by the lenders, extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or under any successor or replacement agreement or increasing the amount loaned thereunder or altering the maturity thereof.

 

RBL Priority Collateral ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Receivables Fees ” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interests issued or sold in connection with, and all other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Receivables Financing.

 

Receivables Financing ” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Receivables Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries); and (b) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts receivable and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable and any Hedging Obligations entered into by Holdings or any such Subsidiary in connection with such accounts receivable.

 

Receivables Repurchase Obligation ” means any obligation of a seller of receivables in a Qualified Receivables Financing to repurchase receivables arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off-set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

 

Receivables Subsidiary ” means a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (or another Person formed for the purposes of engaging in Qualified Receivables Financing with Holdings in which Holdings or any Subsidiary of Holdings makes an Investment and to which Holdings or any such Subsidiary transfers accounts receivable and related assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the Board of Directors of Holdings (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary and:

 

(a)                                   no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by Holdings or any other Subsidiary of Holdings (excluding guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (ii) is recourse to or

 

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obligates Holdings or any other Subsidiary in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, or (iii) subjects any property or asset of Holdings or any other Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;

 

(b)                                  with which neither Holdings nor any Subsidiary has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms which Holdings reasonably believes to be no less favorable to Holdings or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of Holdings; and

 

(c)                                   to which neither Holdings nor any Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results.

 

Any such designation by the Board of Directors of Holdings shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of Holdings giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

 

Record Date ” has the meaning specified in Exhibit A hereto.

 

Registration Rights Agreement ” means (a) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Registration Rights Agreement dated the Issue Date, among the Issuers and the Initial Purchasers, and (b) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, the registration rights agreement, if any, among the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes under the related purchase agreement.

 

Restricted Investment ” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated in this Indenture, all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of Holdings.

 

Sale/Leaseback Transaction ” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between Holdings and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Second Lien Agent ” means the agent for secured parties holding Second-Priority Lien Obligations, as appointed pursuant to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. The Second Lien Agent is initially the administrative agent under the Term Loan Facility.

 

Second Lien Collateral Agent ” means Citibank, N.A. in its capacity as “Collateral Agent” under the Security Documents and any successor thereto in such capacity.

 

Second Lien Term Loan Obligations ” means Obligations in respect of the Term Loan Facility and the Second-Priority Documents in respect thereof.

 

Second-Priority Documents ” means the Notes Documents, any document or instrument evidencing or governing the Term Loan Facility and any other document or instrument evidencing or governing any Other Second-Lien Obligations.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations ” means (a) the Notes Obligations, (b) the Second Lien Term Loan Obligations and (c) all other Obligations in respect of, or arising under, the Second-Priority Documents, including all fees and expenses of the collateral agent for any Other Second-Lien Obligations and shall include all interest and fees, which but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to Holdings, an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, would have accrued on such obligations, whether or not a claim for such interest or fees is allowed in such proceeding.

 

Secured Bank Indebtedness ” means any Bank Indebtedness that is secured by a Permitted Lien Incurred or deemed Incurred pursuant to clause (6)(B) or clause (6)(C) of the definition of Permitted Liens.

 

Secured Indebtedness ” means any Consolidated Total Indebtedness secured by a Lien.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Security Documents ” means the Collateral Agreement and the Pledge Agreement and security agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages and related agreements, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, creating the security interests in the Collateral for the benefit of the Trustee, the Second Lien Collateral Agent and the holders of the Notes as contemplated by this Indenture.

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” means (i) the intercreditor agreement among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Collateral Agent, and the other parties from time to time party thereto, to be entered into upon expiration of the Escrow Period, consistent in all material respects with the description thereof in the Offering Memorandum with such modifications, prior to the Escrow Release Date, as may be approved by the Applicable Authorized Representative, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Indenture or (ii) any replacement thereof that contains terms not materially less favorable to holders of the Notes than the intercreditor agreement referred to in clause (i).

 

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Senior Notes ” means the Issuers’ 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 issued on the Issue Date and including any exchange notes issued in exchange therefor pursuant to a registration rights agreement dated as of the Issue Date among the Issuers and the Initial Purchasers.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of Holdings within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision).

 

Similar Business ” means a business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from the activities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the Issue Date or any business or activity that is reasonably similar or complementary thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto.

 

Special Mandatory Redemption Price ” means an amount of cash equal to $750,000,000, plus interest accrued on $750,000,000 from the Issue Date to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, calculated using a rate of 6.875% per annum.

 

Sponsor Management Agreement ” means the management agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsors, EP Energy Holding Company and EPE Acquisition, LLC.

 

Sponsors ” means (i) affiliates of each of Apollo Global Management, LLC, Access Industries, Inc. and Riverstone Holdings, L.P. and other investors party to that certain Interim Investors Agreement dated as of February 24, 2012 (the “ Interim Investors Agreement ”) and any other investors that may become party to the Interim Investors Agreement prior to or upon the consummation of the Acquisition and any of their respective Affiliates other than any portfolio companies (collectively, the “ Equity Investor ”) and (ii) any Person that forms a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) with the Equity Investor; provided that the Equity Investor (x) owns a majority of the voting power and (y) controls a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings.

 

Standard Securitization Undertakings ” means representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and guarantees of performance entered into by Holdings or any Subsidiary thereof which Holdings has determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Financing including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Receivables Subsidiary, it being understood that any Receivables Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.

 

Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

 

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means (a) with respect to an Issuer, any Indebtedness of such Issuer which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes,

 

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and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

 

Subsidiary Guarantee ” means any guarantee of the obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Notes by any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means any Subsidiary that Incurs a Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Suspension Period ” means the period of time between a Covenant Suspension Event and the related Reversion Date.

 

Tax Distributions ” means any distributions described in Section 4.04(b)(xii).

 

Term Loan Facility ” means the term loan agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, by and among Holdings, as borrower, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, including any guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications or restatements thereof.

 

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

Term/Notes Priority After-Acquired Property ” means any property of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor that constitutes Term/Notes Priority Collateral that is not already subject to the Lien under the Security Documents, other than any Excluded Assets.

 

Term/Notes Priority Collateral ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Total Assets ” means the total consolidated assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of Holdings, without giving effect to any

 

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amortization of the amount of intangible assets since December 31, 2011, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any subsequent acquisition or disposition of a Person or business.

 

Transactions ” means the transactions described under “Summary—The Transactions” in the Offering Memorandum.

 

Treasury Rate ” means, as of the applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuers, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to May 1, 2015; provided , however , that if the period from such redemption date to May 1, 2015, as applicable, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

 

Trustee ” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

 

Trust Officer ” means:

 

(1)                                   any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, and

 

(2)                                   who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means:

 

(1)                                   any Subsidiary of Holdings that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of Holdings in the manner provided below; and

 

(2)                                   any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

Holdings may designate any Subsidiary of Holdings (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, Holdings or any other Subsidiary of Holdings that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided , however , that the Subsidiary to be so designated and its

 

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Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have and do not thereafter Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than pursuant to customary Liens on related arrangements under any oil and gas royalty trust or master limited partnership); provided , further , however , that either:

 

(a)                                   the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less; or

 

(b)                                  if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then such designation would be permitted under Section 4.04.

 

Holdings may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that immediately after giving effect to such designation:

 

(x)                                    (1) Holdings could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a) or (2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than such ratio immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation, and

 

(y)                                  no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Any such designation by Holdings shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof of Holdings giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means securities that are:

 

(1)                                   direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or

 

(2)                                   obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

 

which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

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Volumetric Production Payments ” means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertaking and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Voting Stock ” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (2) the sum of all such payments.

 

Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary ” is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Wholly Owned Subsidiary ” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required pursuant to applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

SECTION 1.02                     Other Definitions .

 

Term

 

Section

$

 

1.03(j)

Additional Interest

 

Appendix A

Affiliate Transaction

 

4.07(a)

Agent Members

 

Appendix A

Asset Sale Offer

 

4.06(b)(iii)

Bankruptcy Law

 

6.01(k)

Change of Control Offer

 

4.08(b)

Co-Issuer

 

Preamble

covenant defeasance option

 

8.01(b)

Covenant Suspension Event

 

4.15

Custodian

 

6.01(k)

Definitive Note

 

Appendix A

Depository

 

Appendix A

Escrow Property

 

13.01

Event of Default

 

6.01

Excess Proceeds

 

4.06(b)(iii)

Global Notes

 

Appendix A

Global Notes Legend

 

Appendix A

Holdings

 

Preamble

IAI

 

Appendix A

Increased Amount

 

4.12(d)

Initial Notes

 

Preamble

 

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Term

 

Section

Initial Purchasers

 

Appendix A

Issuers

 

Preamble

legal defeasance option

 

8.01(b)

Notes

 

Preamble

Notes Custodian

 

Appendix A

Notice of Default

 

6.01(k)

Offer Period

 

4.06(d)

Paying Agent

 

2.04(a)

protected purchaser

 

2.08

QIB

 

Appendix A

Refinancing Indebtedness

 

4.03(b)(xv)

Refunding Capital Stock

 

4.04(b)(ii)

Registered Exchange Offer

 

Appendix A

Registrar

 

2.04(a)

Regulation S

 

Appendix A

Regulation S Global Notes

 

Appendix A

Regulation S Notes

 

Appendix A

Restricted Notes Legend

 

Appendix A

Restricted Payments

 

Section 4.04(a)

Restricted Period

 

Appendix A

Retired Capital Stock

 

4.04(b)(ii)

Reversion Date

 

4.15

Rule 144A

 

Appendix A

Rule 144A Global Notes

 

Appendix A

Rule 144A Notes

 

Appendix A

Rule 501

 

Appendix A

Second Commitment

 

4.06(b)(iii)

Shelf Registration Statement

 

Appendix A

Special Mandatory Redemption Date

 

Paragraph 5 of Exhibit A and Exhibit B

Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations

 

12.01(a)

Successor Holdco

 

5.01(a)(i)

Successor Subsidiary Guarantor

 

5.01(b)(i)

Suspended Covenants

 

4.15

Transfer

 

5.01(b)(ii)

Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes

 

Appendix A

Transfer Restricted Global Notes

 

Appendix A

Transfer Restricted Notes

 

Appendix A

U.S. dollars

 

1.03(j)

Unrestricted Definitive Notes

 

Appendix A

Unrestricted Global Notes

 

Appendix A

 

SECTION 1.03                     Rules of Construction . Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)                                   a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

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(b)                                  an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(c)                                   or ” is not exclusive;

 

(d)                                  including ” means including without limitation;

 

(e)                                   words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

 

(f)                                     unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness;

 

(g)                                  the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(h)                                  the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater;

 

(i)                                      unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(j)                                      $ ” and “ U.S. dollars ” each refer to United States dollars, or such other money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; and

 

(k)                                   whenever in this Indenture or the Notes there is mentioned, in any context, principal, interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to any Notes, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Interest, to the extent that, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable in respect thereof.

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.01                     Amount of Notes . The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture on the Issue Date is $750,000,000.

 

The Issuers may from time to time after the Issue Date issue Additional Notes under this Indenture in an unlimited principal amount, so long as (i) the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such Additional Notes is at such time permitted by Section 4.03 and (ii) such Additional Notes are issued in compliance with the other applicable provisions of this Indenture. With respect to any Additional Notes issued after the Issue Date (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of,

 

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other Notes pursuant to Section 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 3.06, 4.06(e), 4.08(c) or Appendix A), there shall be (a) established in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and (b) (i) set forth or determined in the manner provided in an Officers’ Certificate or (ii) established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of such Additional Notes:

 

(1)                                   the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture;

 

(2)                                   the issue price and issuance date of such Additional Notes, including the date from which interest on such Additional Notes shall accrue;

 

(3)                                   if applicable, that such Additional Notes shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Notes and, in such case, the respective depositaries for such Global Notes, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by such Global Notes in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Exhibit A hereto and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Section 2.2 of Appendix A in which any such Global Note may be exchanged in whole or in part for Additional Notes registered, or any transfer of such Global Note in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the depositary for such Global Note or a nominee thereof; and

 

(4)                                   if applicable, that such Additional Notes that are not Transfer Restricted Notes shall not be issued in the form of Initial Notes as set forth in Exhibit A hereto but shall be issued in the form of Exchange Notes as set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

 

If any of the terms of any Additional Notes are established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of Holdings and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or an indenture supplemental hereto setting forth the terms of the Additional Notes.

 

The Initial Notes, including any Additional Notes, may, at the Issuers’ option, be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number, if applicable.

 

SECTION 2.02                     Form and Dating . Provisions relating to the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes are set forth in Appendix A , which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The (i) Initial Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication and (ii) any Additional Notes (if issued as Transfer Restricted Notes) and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall each be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The (i) Exchange Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication and (ii) any Additional Notes issued other than as Transfer Restricted Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall each be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements

 

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required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor is subject, if any, or usage ( provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Issuer). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without interest coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that Notes may be issued in denominations of less than $2,000 solely to accommodate book-entry positions that have been created by the Depository in denominations of less than $2,000.

 

SECTION 2.03                     Execution and Authentication . The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery upon a written order of the Issuers signed by one Officer of each Issuer (a) Initial Notes for original issue on the date hereof in an aggregate principal amount of $750,000,000, (b) subject to the terms of this Indenture, Additional Notes in an aggregate principal amount to be determined at the time of issuance and specified therein and (c) the Exchange Notes for issue in a Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement for a like principal amount of Initial Notes exchanged pursuant thereto or otherwise pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. Such order shall specify the amount of separate Note certificates to be authenticated, the principal amount of each of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated, whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes, Additional Notes or Exchange Notes, the registered holder of each of the Notes and delivery instructions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or Appendix A, any issuance of Additional Notes after the Issue Date shall be in a principal amount of at least $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

One Officer shall sign the Notes for each of the Issuers by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

 

A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may appoint one or more authenticating agents reasonably acceptable to Holdings to authenticate the Notes. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Trust Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to Holdings. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

SECTION 2.04                     Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

(a)                                   The Issuers shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”). The Registrar shall

 

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keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “ Registrar ” includes any co-registrars. The term “ Paying Agent ” includes the Paying Agent and any additional paying agents. The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and the Notes Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

 

(b)                                  The Issuers may enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. Holdings shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such agent. If the Issuers fail to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. Holdings or any of its domestically organized Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

(c)                                   The Issuers may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided , however , that no such removal shall become effective until (i) if applicable, acceptance of an appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Issuers and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee; provided , however , that the Trustee may resign as Paying Agent or Registrar only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in accordance with Section 7.08.

 

SECTION 2.05                     Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust . Prior to each due date of the principal of and interest on any Note, the Issuers shall deposit with each Paying Agent (or if Holdings or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that a Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of holders or the Trustee all money held by a Paying Agent for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. If Holdings or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Holdings acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by such Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, a Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 2.06                     Holder Lists . The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, Holdings shall furnish, or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of holders.

 

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SECTION 2.07                     Transfer and Exchange . The Notes shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer and in compliance with Appendix A . When a Note is presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if its requirements therefor are met. When Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar’s request. The Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges in connection with any transfer or exchange pursuant to this Section. The Issuers shall not be required to make, and the Registrar need not register, transfers or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

 

Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest, if any, on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

Any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (a) the holder of such Global Note (or its agent) or (b) any holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

 

All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depository participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

None of the Trustee, Registrar or Paying Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depository.

 

SECTION 2.08                     Replacement Notes . If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or

 

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wrongfully taken, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the holder (a) satisfies the Issuers and the Trustee within a reasonable time after such holder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Issuers and the Trustee prior to the Note being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code (a “ protected purchaser ”) and (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Issuers and the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers, such holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar from any loss or liability that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced and subsequently presented or claimed for payment. The Issuers and the Trustee may charge the holder for their expenses in replacing a Note (including without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements in replacing such Note). In the event any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuers in their discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.

 

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuers.

 

The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.

 

SECTION 2.09                     Outstanding Notes . Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Subject to Section 14.06, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because one of the Issuers or an Affiliate of one of the Issuers holds the Note.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 (other than a mutilated Note surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Issuers receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser. A mutilated Note ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Note and replacement thereof pursuant to Section 2.08.

 

If a Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, and no Paying Agent is prohibited from paying such money to the holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

SECTION 2.10                     Cancellation . The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and each Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures.

 

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The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes they have redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall not authenticate Notes in place of canceled Notes other than pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.11                     Defaulted Interest . If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes, the Issuers shall pay the defaulted interest then borne by the Notes ( plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Issuers may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuers shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail or cause to be mailed to each affected holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

 

SECTION 2.12                     CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc . The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use any such CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to holders; provided , however , that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers, either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes and that any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers shall advise the Trustee of any change in any such CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers.

 

SECTION 2.13                     Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes . The aggregate principal amount of the Notes, at any date of determination, shall be the principal amount of the Notes at such date of determination. With respect to any matter requiring consent, waiver, approval or other action of the holders of a specified percentage of the principal amount of all the Notes, such percentage shall be calculated, on the relevant date of determination, by dividing (a) the principal amount, as of such date of determination, of Notes, the holders of which have so consented, by (b) the aggregate principal amount, as of such date of determination, of the Notes then outstanding, in each case, as determined in accordance with the preceding sentence, Section 2.09 and Section 14.06 of this Indenture. Any calculation of the Applicable Premium or made pursuant to this Section 2.13 shall be made by Holdings and delivered to the Trustee pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate.

 

ARTICLE III

 

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01                     Redemption . The Notes may be redeemed, in whole or from time to time in part, subject to the conditions and at the redemption prices set forth in Paragraph 5 of the forms of Notes set forth in Exhibits A and B hereto, which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date.

 

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SECTION 3.02                     Applicability of Article . Redemption of Notes at the election of the Issuers or otherwise, as permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in accordance with such provision and this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.03                     Notices to Trustee . If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Paragraph 5 of the Note, Holdings shall notify the Trustee in an Officers’ Certificate of (i) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price. Holdings shall give notice to the Trustee provided for in this paragraph at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date if the redemption is an optional redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note and shall give notice of a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note at least three (3) Business Days in advance. Holdings may also include a request in such Officers’ Certificate that the Trustee give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at their expense and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.05. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any holder or otherwise delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depository and shall thereby be void and of no effect. The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 3.04.

 

SECTION 3.04                     Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed . In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed, or if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or by lot or by such other method the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and, in such manner that complies with the applicable legal requirements and the requirements of the Depository, if applicable); provided that no Notes of $2,000 (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) or less shall be redeemed in part. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000. Notes and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Issuers promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.05                     Notice of Optional Redemption .

 

(a)                                   At least 30 but not more than 60 days before a redemption date pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note (or at least three (3) Business Days in the case of a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note), the Issuers shall mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, a notice of redemption to each holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), except that redemption notices may be mailed or otherwise delivered more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes, a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article VIII or a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Article XIII.

 

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Any such notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(i)                                      the redemption date;

 

(ii)                                   the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest to the redemption date;

 

(iii)                                the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(iv)                               that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any;

 

(v)                                  if fewer than all the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the certificate numbers and principal amounts of the particular Notes to be redeemed, the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be outstanding after such partial redemption;

 

(vi)                               that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Notes (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(vii)                            the CUSIP number, ISIN and/or “Common Code” number, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed; and

 

(viii)                         that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number or ISIN and/or “Common Code” number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

 

(b)                                  At Holdings’ request, the Trustee shall deliver the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at the Issuers’ expense. In such event, Holdings shall notify the Trustee of such request at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date such notice is to be provided to holders. Such notice may not be canceled once delivered to holders of Notes.

 

SECTION 3.06                     Effect of Notice of Redemption . Once notice of redemption is mailed or otherwise delivered in accordance with Section 3.05, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice, except as provided in the final sentence of paragraph 5 of the Notes. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date; provided , however , that if the redemption date is after a regular Record Date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant Record Date. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other holder.

 

SECTION 3.07                     Deposit of Redemption Price . With respect to any Notes, prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Issuers shall deposit with

 

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the Paying Agent (or, if Holdings or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Holdings is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption that have been delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee for cancellation. On and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Issuers have deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes to be redeemed, unless the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 3.08                     Notes Redeemed in Part . If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the holder (at the Issuers’ expense) a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01                     Payment of Notes . The Issuers shall promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture. An installment of principal of or interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds as of 12:00 p.m. New York City time money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate borne by the Notes to the extent lawful.

 

SECTION 4.02                     Reports and Other Information .

 

(a)                                   Notwithstanding that Holdings may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, Holdings will file with the SEC (and provide the Trustee and holders with copies thereof, without cost to each holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC):

 

(i)                                      within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form), except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC;

 

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(ii)                                   within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form), except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC;

 

(iii)                                promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported (and in any event within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations), such other reports on Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable form); and

 

(iv)                               subject to the foregoing, any other information, documents and other reports which Holdings would be required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

 

provided , however , that Holdings shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event Holdings will make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the holders, in each case within 15 days after the time Holdings would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subject, in the case of any such information, certificates or reports provided prior to the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, to exceptions and exclusions consistent with the presentation of financial and other information in the Offering Memorandum (including with respect to any periodic reports provided prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, the omission of financial information required by Rule 3-10 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision)). In addition to providing such information to the Trustee, Holdings shall make available to the holders, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the Notes and securities analysts the information required to be provided pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), by posting such information to its website or on IntraLinks or any comparable online data system or website.

 

If Holdings has designated any of its Subsidiaries as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and if any such Unrestricted Subsidiary or group of Unrestricted Subsidiaries, if taken together as one Subsidiary, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of Holdings, then the annual and quarterly information required to be provided by clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.02(a) shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, of the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings will not be required to furnish any information, certificates or reports required by Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K prior to the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable.

 

(c)                                   In the event that:

 

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(i)                                      the rules and regulations of the SEC permit Holdings and any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to report at such parent entity’s level on a consolidated basis and such parent entity is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the capital stock of Holdings, or

 

(ii)                                   any direct or indirect parent of Holdings is or becomes a guarantor of the Notes,

 

consolidated reporting at such parent entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in this Section 4.02 for Holdings will satisfy this Section 4.02, and Holdings is permitted to satisfy its obligations in this Section 4.02 with respect to financial information relating Holdings by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that such financial information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than Holdings and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to Holdings, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the other Subsidiaries of Holdings on a standalone basis, on the other hand. In addition, Holdings will make such information available to prospective investors upon request.

 

(d)                                  In addition, Holdings shall, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, furnish to the holders of the Notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. Holdings will also hold quarterly conference calls, beginning with the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Escrow Release Date, for all holders and securities analysts to discuss such financial information no later than five business days after the distribution of such information required by Sections 4.02(a)(i) and (ii) and prior to the date of each such conference call, announcing the time and date of such conference call and either including all information necessary to access the call or informing holder of Notes, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the Notes and securities analysts how they can obtain such information, including, without limitation, the applicable password or other login information.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings will be deemed to have furnished the reports referred to in this Section 4.02 to the Trustee and the holders if Holdings has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available. In addition, the requirements of this Section 4.02 shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Notes or the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement by (1) the filing with the SEC of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and/or Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement, and any amendments thereto, if such registration statement and/or amendments thereto are filed at times that otherwise satisfy the time requirements set forth in Section 4.02(a) and/or (2) the posting of reports that would be required to be provided to the Trustee and the holders on Holdings’ website (or that of any of Holdings’ parent companies).

 

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(f)                                     Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.02 is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt thereof shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers’ compliance with any of their covenants under this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

SECTION 4.03                     Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock .

 

(a)                                   (i) Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock; and (ii) Holdings shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided , however , that Holdings and any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock or issue shares of Preferred Stock, in each case if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided , further , that any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may not incur Indebtedness or issue shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in excess of an amount together with any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xv), equal to, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or issuance (including pro forma effect to the application of the net proceeds therefrom), the greater of $150.0 million and 2% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount).

 

(b)                                  The limitations set forth in Section 4.03(a) shall not apply to:

 

(i)                                      the Incurrence by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time that does not exceed the greatest of (1) $3.0 billion, (2) the sum of (x) $500.0 million and (y) 30% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of Incurrence and (3) the Borrowing Base at the time of Incurrence;

 

(ii)                                   the Incurrence by the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by (A) the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable (not including any Additional Notes but including Exchange Notes and related guarantees

 

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thereof) and (B) Indebtedness, including in respect of the Senior Notes and the Term Loan Facility (including any guarantees thereof), in an aggregate principal amount for this clause (ii)(B) outstanding at any time that, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) below, does not exceed $2,750 million (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

 

(iii)                                Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.03(b));

 

(iv)                               Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) Incurred by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, Disqualified Stock issued by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment (whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets) in an aggregate principal amount that, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) below, does not exceed the greater of $350.0 million and 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

 

(v)                                  Indebtedness Incurred by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees issued in the ordinary course of business, including without limitation letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other benefits to employees or former employees or their families or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, and letters of credit in connection with the maintenance of, or pursuant to the requirements of, environmental or other permits or licenses from governmental authorities, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims;

 

(vi)                               Indebtedness arising from agreements of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred in connection with the Transactions, any acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, other than guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

 

(vii)                            Indebtedness of Holdings to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (except in respect of intercompany current liabilities Incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries) any such Indebtedness owed to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor is subordinated in right of payment to the obligations of the Issuers

 

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under the Notes; provided , further , that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien but not the transfer thereof upon foreclosure) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (vii);

 

(viii)                         shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary that holds such shares of Preferred Stock of another Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (viii);

 

(ix)                                 Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Subsidiary Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor (except in respect of intercompany current liabilities Incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries), such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor; provided , further , that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary holding such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien but not the transfer thereof upon foreclosure) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (ix);

 

(x)                                    Hedging Obligations that are not Incurred for speculative purposes but (A) for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be outstanding; (B) for the purpose of fixing or hedging currency exchange rate risk with respect to any currency exchanges; or (C) for the purpose of fixing or hedging commodity price risk with respect to any commodity purchases or sales (including, without limitation, any commodity Hedging Obligation that is intended in good faith, at inception of execution, to hedge or manage any of the risks related to existing and/or forecasted Hydrocarbon production (whether or not contracted)) and, in each case, extensions or replacements thereof;

 

(xi)                                 obligations (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees) in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice;

 

(xii)                              Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of Holdings or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise

 

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permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference which, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) below, does not exceed the greater of $500.0 million and 7% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount) (it being understood that any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xii) but shall be deemed Incurred for purposes of Section 4.03(a) from and after the first date on which Holdings, or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, could have Incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a) without reliance upon this clause (xii));

 

(xiii)                           Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference at any time outstanding not greater than 100.0% of (A) the net cash proceeds received by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries since immediately after the Escrow Release Date plus (B) the amount of net cash proceeds received by Holdings in excess of $3,200 million prior to or on the Escrow Release Date, in each case from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent entity of Holdings (which proceeds are contributed to Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiary) or cash contributed to the capital of Holdings (in each case other than proceeds of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to, or contributions received from, Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments or to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to Section 4.04(b) or to make Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments specified in clauses (1) and (3) of the definition thereof);

 

(xiv)                          any guarantee by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the Incurrence of such Indebtedness Incurred by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture; provided that (A) if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, any such guarantee with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable and (B) if such guarantee is of Indebtedness of Holdings, such guarantee is Incurred in accordance with, or not in contravention of, Section 4.11, solely to the extent Section 4.11 is applicable;

 

(xv)                             the Incurrence by Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that serves to refund, refinance or defease any Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as permitted under Section 4.03(a) and clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (xii), (xiii), (xv) and (xvi) of this Section 4.03(b) up to the outstanding principal amount (or, if

 

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applicable, the liquidation preference face amount, or the like) or, if greater, committed amount (only to the extent the committed amount could have been Incurred on the date of initial Incurrence) of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, in each case at the time such Indebtedness was Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock was issued pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (xii), (xiii), (xv) and (xvi) of this Section 4.03(b), or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, including any additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), expenses, defeasance costs and fees in connection therewith (subject to the following proviso, “ Refinancing Indebtedness ”) prior to its respective maturity; provided , however , that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

 

(1)                                   has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded, refinanced or defeased and (y) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity that would result if all payments of principal on the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock being refunded or refinanced that were due on or after the date that is one year following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding were instead due on such date ( provided that this subclause (1) will not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Secured Indebtedness constituting First-Priority Lien Obligations);

 

(2)                                   to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (a) Indebtedness junior to the Notes or a Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, such Refinancing Indebtedness is junior to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, or (b) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness is Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; and

 

(3)                                   shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of Holdings, an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, or (y) Indebtedness of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(xvi)                          Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of (A) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance an acquisition or (B) Persons that are acquired by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that after giving effect to such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation, either:

 

(1)                                   Holdings would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a); or

 

(2)                                   the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings would be greater than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation;

 

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(xvii)                       Indebtedness Incurred by a Receivables Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Financing that is not recourse to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary other than a Receivables Subsidiary (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings);

 

(xviii)                    Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its Incurrence;

 

(xix)                            Indebtedness of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by a letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to Bank Indebtedness, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

 

(xx)                               Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors and Indebtedness Incurred on behalf of, or representing guarantees of Indebtedness of, joint ventures of Holdings and any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred under this clause (xx), when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xx), does not exceed the greater of $150.0 million and 2% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence (it being understood that any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (xx) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xx) but shall be deemed Incurred for the purposes of Section 4.03(a) from and after the first date on which such Restricted Subsidiary could have Incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a) without reliance upon this clause (xx));

 

(xxi)                            Indebtedness of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(xxii)                         Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof or any direct or indirect parent thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to the extent described in Section 4.04(b)(iv).

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.03:

 

(1)                                   in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (xxii) of Section 4.03(b) above or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a), then Holdings shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 4.03; provided , that (A) only Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement in excess of $2,000 million may be classified or reclassified as not Incurred under Section 4.03(b)(i) and (B) the Senior Notes and the

 

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Term Loan Facility (including any guarantees thereof) outstanding on the Escrow Release Date shall at all times be treated as Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(ii)(B);

 

(2)                                   at the time of Incurrence, Holdings will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Section 4.03(a) and (b) without giving pro forma effect to the Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b) when calculating the amount of Indebtedness that may be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a);

 

(3)                                   if any Indebtedness denominated in U.S. dollars is exchanged, converted or refinanced into Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, then (in connection with such exchange, conversion or refinancing, and thereafter), the U.S. dollar amount limitations set forth in any of clauses (i) through (xxii) of Section 4.03(b) above with respect to such exchange, conversion or refinancing shall be deemed to be the amount of such foreign currency, as applicable, into which such Indebtedness has been exchanged, converted or refinanced at the time of such exchange, conversion or refinancing; and

 

(4)                                   if any Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency is exchanged, converted or refinanced into Indebtedness denominated in U.S. dollars, then (in connection with such exchange, conversion or refinancing, and thereafter), the U.S. dollar amount limitations set forth in any of clauses (i) through (xxii) of Section 4.03(b) with respect to such exchange, conversion or refinancing shall be deemed to be the amount of U.S. dollars into which such Indebtedness has been exchanged, converted or refinanced at the time of such exchange, conversion or refinancing.

 

Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, amortization of original issue discount, the accretion of liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 4.03. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this Section 4.03.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness other than as provided in clauses (3) and (4) above, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first Incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.03, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

 

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SECTION 4.04                     Limitation on Restricted Payments .

 

(a)                                   Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

(i)                                      declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of any of Holdings’ or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any payment made in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving Holdings (other than (A) dividends or distributions payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings; or (B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities);

 

(ii)                                   purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings;

 

(iii)                                make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment or scheduled maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement of (A) Subordinated Indebtedness in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement and (B) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (vii) and (ix) of Section 4.03(b)); or

 

(iv)                               make any Restricted Investment

 

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

 

(1)                                   no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

(2)                                   immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, Holdings could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a); and

 

(3)                                   such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (i), (ii) (with respect to the payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below) pursuant to clause (C) thereof), (vi)(C), (viii) and (xiii)(B) of Section 4.04(b), but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.04(b)), is less than the amount equal to the Cumulative Credit.

 

(b)                                  The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:

 

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(i)                                      the payment of any dividend or distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration or the giving notice of such irrevocable redemption, as applicable, such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(ii)                                   (A)                               the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“ Retired Capital Stock ”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of Holdings, any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or contributions to the equity capital of Holdings (other than any Disqualified Stock or any Equity Interests sold to a Subsidiary of Holdings) (collectively, including any such contributions, “ Refunding Capital Stock ”),

 

(B)                                 the declaration and payment of dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of Holdings) of Refunding Capital Stock, and

 

(C)                                 if immediately prior to the retirement of Retired Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (vi) of this Section 4.04(b) and not made pursuant to clause (ii)(B), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Retired Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

 

(iii)                                the redemption, repurchase, defeasance, or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor which is Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03 so long as:

 

(A)                               the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest, of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value (plus the amount of any premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument governing the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired, any tender premiums, plus any defeasance costs, fees and expenses Incurred in connection therewith),

 

(B)                                 such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the related Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased, exchanged, redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value,

 

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(C)                                 such Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the earlier of (x) the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired and (y) 91 days following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding, and

 

(D)                                such Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time Incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired and (y) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity that would result if all payments of principal on the Subordinated Indebtedness being redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired that were due on or after the date that is one year following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding were instead due on such date;

 

(iv)                               a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition for value of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or any Subsidiary of Holdings pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or other agreement or arrangement; provided , however , that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (iv) do not exceed $50.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $100.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering of common stock), with unused amounts in any calendar year being permitted to be carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $75.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $150.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering of common stock); provided , further , however , that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

 

(A)                               the cash proceeds received by Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (to the extent contributed to Holdings) to members of management, directors or consultants of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings that occurs after the Escrow Release Date ( provided that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement, other acquisition or dividend will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.04(a)(iii)), plus

 

(B)                                 the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (to the extent contributed to Holdings) or the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Escrow Release Date;

 

provided that Holdings may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by clauses (A) and (B) above in any calendar year; and provided , further , that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary from any present or former employees, directors, officers or consultants of Holdings, any

 

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Restricted Subsidiary or the direct or indirect parents of Holdings in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of Holdings or any of its direct or indirect parents will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.04 or any other provision of this Indenture;

 

(v)                                  the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary issued or Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03;

 

(vi)                               (A)                               the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Issue Date;

 

(B)                                 a Restricted Payment to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings issued after the Issue Date; provided that the aggregate amount of dividends declared and paid pursuant to this clause (B) does not exceed the net cash proceeds actually received by Holdings from any such sale of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Issue Date; and

 

(C)                                 the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(ii);

 

provided , however , in the case of each of clauses (A) and (C) above of this clause (vi), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance (and the payment of dividends or distributions) on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), Holdings would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;

 

(vii)                            Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (vii) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $175.0 million and 2.5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

 

(viii)                         the payment of dividends after a public offering of Capital Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings on Holdings’ Capital Stock (or a Restricted Payment to any such direct or indirect parent of Holdings to fund the payment by such direct or indirect parent of Holdings of dividends on such entity’s Capital Stock) of up to 6% per annum of the total market capitalization of Holdings or any such direct or indirect parent of Holdings as of the date of such public offering, other than public

 

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offerings with respect to Holdings’ (or such direct or indirect parent’s) Capital Stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;

 

(ix)                                 Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

 

(x)                                    other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount, when taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (x) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $225.0 million and 3% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time made;

 

(xi)                                 the distribution, as a dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(xii)                              (A) with respect to any taxable period for which Holdings and/or any of its Subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar income tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes of which a direct or indirect parent of Holdings is the common parent, or for which Holdings is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly-owned (directly or indirectly) by a C corporation for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes, distributions to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in an amount not to exceed the amount of any U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes that Holdings and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, would have paid for such taxable period had Holdings and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, been a stand-alone corporate taxpayer or a stand-alone corporate group, and (B) with respect to any taxable period ending after the Issue Date for which Holdings is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (other than a partnership or disregarded entity described in clause (A)), distributions to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in an amount necessary to permit such direct or indirect parent of Holdings to make a pro rata distribution to its owners such that each direct or indirect owner of Holdings receives an amount from such pro rata distribution sufficient to enable such owner to pay its U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes (as applicable) attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of Holdings and its Subsidiaries with respect to such taxable period (assuming that each owner is subject to tax at the highest combined marginal federal, state, and/or local income tax rate applicable to any owner for such taxable period and taking into account the deductibility of state and local income taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and any limitations thereon), the alternative minimum tax, any cumulative net taxable loss of Holdings for prior taxable periods ending after the Issue Date to the extent such loss is of a character that would allow such loss to be available to reduce taxes in the current taxable period (taking into account any limitations on the utilization of such loss to reduce such taxes and assuming such loss had not already been utilized) and the character (e.g., long-term or short-term capital gain or ordinary or exempt) of the applicable income);

 

(xiii)                           any Restricted Payment, if applicable:

 

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(A)                               in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar taxes) required to maintain its corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings and general corporate operating and overhead expenses of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in each case to the extent such fees and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of Holdings, if applicable, and its Subsidiaries;

 

(B)                                 in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, if applicable, to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, Holdings Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03; and

 

(C)                                 in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to pay fees and expenses related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent;

 

(xiv)                          repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

 

(xv)                             purchases of receivables pursuant to a Receivables Repurchase Obligation in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing and the payment or distribution of Receivables Fees;

 

(xvi)                          Restricted Payments by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon the exercise of options or warrants or upon the conversion or exchange of Capital Stock of any such Person;

 

(xvii)                       the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to provisions similar to those described in Section 4.06 and Section 4.08; provided that all Notes tendered by holders of the Notes in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

 

(xviii)                    payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that complies with Section 5.01; provided that as a result of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of assets, Holdings shall have made a Change of Control Offer (if required by this Indenture) and that all Notes tendered by holders in connection with such Change of Control Offer have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value; and

 

(xix)                            any Restricted Payment used to fund the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions or owed by Holdings or

 

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any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or Restricted Subsidiaries of Holdings to Affiliates, and any other payments made, including any such payments made to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to enable it to make payments in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, whether payable on the Issue Date or thereafter, in each case to the extent permitted by Section 4.07;

 

provided , however , that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (vi)(B), (vii), (x), (xi) and (xiii)(B) of this Section 4.04(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; provided , further that any Restricted Payments made with property other than cash shall be calculated using the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of such property.

 

(c)                                   As of the Issue Date, all of the Subsidiaries of Holdings will be Restricted Subsidiaries. Holdings will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation will only be permitted if a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in such amount would be permitted at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 4.05                     Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries . Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of the Co-Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(a)                                   (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (1) on its Capital Stock; or (2) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits; or (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(b)                                  make loans or advances to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(c)                                   sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

(1)                                   (A) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, including pursuant to the Senior Notes (including any guarantee thereof) and the Term Loan Facility (including any guarantee thereof) and (B) contractual encumbrances or restrictions pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents and, in each case, any similar contractual encumbrances effected by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of such agreements or instruments;

 

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(2)                                   this Indenture, the Notes (and any Exchange Notes) or the Subsidiary Guarantees;

 

(3)                                   applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

 

(4)                                   any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary which was in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

 

(5)                                   contracts or agreements for the sale of assets, including any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(6)                                   Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03 and Section 4.12 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

(7)                                   restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(8)                                   customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(9)                                   purchase money obligations for property acquired and Capitalized Lease Obligations in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (c) above on the property so acquired;

 

(10)                             customary provisions contained in leases, licenses and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(11)                             in the case of clause (c) above, any encumbrance or restriction that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease (including leases governing leasehold interests or Farm-In Agreements or Farm-Out Agreements relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties), license or similar contract, or the assignment or transfer of any such lease (including leases governing leasehold interests or Farm-In Agreements or Farm-Out Agreements relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties), license (including without limitations, licenses of intellectual property) or other contracts;

 

(12)                             any encumbrance or restriction of a Receivables Subsidiary effected in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing; provided , however , that such restrictions apply only to such Receivables Subsidiary;

 

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(13)                             other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (a) of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary that is the Co-Issuer, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary or (b) of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Co-Issuer, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary so long as such encumbrances and restrictions contained in any agreement or instrument will not materially affect the Issuers’ ability to make anticipated principal or interest payments on the Notes (as determined in good faith by Holdings), provided that in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is permitted to be Incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.03;

 

(14)                             any Restricted Investment not prohibited by Section 4.04 and any Permitted Investment;

 

(15)                             any customary encumbrances or restrictions imposed pursuant to any agreement of the type described in the definition of “Permitted Business Investment”; or

 

(16)                             any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in Section 4.05(a), (b) or (c) above imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (15) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of Holdings, no more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.05, (i) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (ii) the subordination of loans or advances made to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness Incurred by Holdings or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.

 

SECTION 4.06                     Asset Sales .

 

(a)                                   Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless (x) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of, and (y) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents or Additional Assets; provided that the amount of:

 

(i)                                      any liabilities (as shown on Holdings’ or a Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary (other

 

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than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or that are otherwise cancelled or terminated in connection with the transaction with such transferee,

 

(ii)                                   any notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash received),

 

(iii)                                with respect to any Asset Sale of Oil and Gas Properties by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, the costs and expenses related to the exploration, development, completion or production of such Oil and Gas Properties and activities related thereto agreed to be assumed by the transferee (or an Affiliate thereof), and

 

(iv)                               any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings), taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this Section 4.06(a)(iv) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of 4% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and $300.0 million at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value),

 

shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this Section 4.06(a).

 

(b)                                  Within 365 days after Holdings’ or any Restricted Subsidiary’s receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale, at its option:

 

(i)                                      to repay (A) Indebtedness constituting First-Priority Lien Obligations and other Pari Passu Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien permitted under this Indenture (and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), (B) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, (C) Obligations under the Notes or (D) other Pari Passu Indebtedness ( provided that if an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall so reduce Obligations under Pari Passu Indebtedness that does not constitute First-Priority Lien Obligations, the Issuers will equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, through open-market purchases ( provided that such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof or, in the event that the Notes were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all holders to purchase at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event that the Notes were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, the pro rata principal amount of Notes, in each case other than Indebtedness owed to Holdings or an Affiliate of Holdings;

 

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(ii)                                   to make an Investment in any one or more businesses ( provided that if such Investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition results in such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings), assets, or property or capital expenditures, in each case (A) used or useful in a Similar Business or (B) that replace the properties and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale; or

 

(iii)                                to invest in Additional Assets.

 

In the case of Section 4.06(b)(ii), a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the 18-month anniversary of the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds; provided that in the event such binding commitment is later canceled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are so applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds unless Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another binding commitment (a “ Second Commitment ”) within six months of such cancellation or termination of the prior binding commitment; provided , further , that Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may only enter into a Second Commitment under the foregoing provision one time with respect to each Asset Sale and to the extent such Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied or are not applied within 180 days of such Second Commitment, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

 

Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the first sentence of this Section 4.06(b) (it being understood that any portion of such Net Proceeds used to make an offer to purchase Notes, as described in clause (i) of this Section 4.06(b), shall be deemed to have been invested whether or not such offer is accepted) will be deemed to constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all holders of Notes (and, at the option of the Issuers, to holders of any Pari Passu Indebtedness) (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”) to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness), that is at least $2,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness was issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness), to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4.06. The Issuers will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten (10) Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of Sections 3.05 and 4.06(f), with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, Holdings may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose that is not prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be

 

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purchased in the manner described in Section 4.06(e). Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

 

(c)                                   The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

 

(d)                                  Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Asset Sale Offer is delivered to the Trustee as provided above, Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as to (i) the amount of the Excess Proceeds, (ii) the allocation of the Net Proceeds from the Asset Sales pursuant to which such Asset Sale Offer is being made and (iii) the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Section 4.06(b). On such date, the Issuers shall also irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or, if an Issuer or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount equal to the Excess Proceeds to be invested in Cash Equivalents, as directed in writing by Holdings and to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.06. Upon the expiration of the period for which the Asset Sale Offer remains open (the “ Offer Period ”), the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes or portions thereof that have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Issuers. The Trustee (or the Paying Agent, if not the Trustee) shall, on the date of purchase, mail or deliver payment to each tendering holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event that the Excess Proceeds delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee are greater than the purchase price of the Notes tendered, the Trustee shall deliver the excess to the Issuers immediately after the expiration of the Offer Period for application in accordance with this Section 4.06.

 

(e)                                   Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Issuers at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or an Issuer receives not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered by the holder for purchase and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. If at the end of the Offer Period more Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) are tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer than the Issuers are required to purchase, selection of such Notes for purchase shall be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed, or if such Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with applicable legal requirements); provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be purchased in part. Selection of such Pari Passu Indebtedness shall be made pursuant to the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness.

 

(f)                                     Notices of an Asset Sale Offer shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each holder of Notes at such holder’s registered address. If any Note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of

 

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purchase that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.

 

SECTION 4.07                     Transactions with Affiliates .

 

(a)                                   Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of Holdings (each of the foregoing, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, unless:

 

(i)                                      such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to Holdings or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could have been obtained in a comparable transaction by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

 

(ii)                                   with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $40.0 million, Holdings delivers to the Trustee a resolution adopted in good faith by the majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings, approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) above.

 

(b)                                  The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not apply to the following:

 

(i)                                      transactions between or among Holdings and/or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (or an entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) and any merger, consolidation or amalgamation of Holdings and any direct parent of Holdings; provided that such parent shall have no material liabilities and no material assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents and the Capital Stock of Holdings and such merger, consolidation or amalgamation is otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture and effected for a bona fide business purpose;

 

(ii)                                   Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.04 and Permitted Investments;

 

(iii)                                the payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursement of expenses paid to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees or consultants of Holdings, any Restricted Subsidiary, or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings;

 

(iv)                               transactions in which Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or meets the requirements of clause (i) of Section 4.07(a);

 

(v)                                  payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to officers, directors, employees or consultants which are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings in good faith;

 

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(vi)                               any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date or any amendment thereto (so long as any such agreement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date) or any transaction contemplated thereby as determined in good faith by Holdings;

 

(vii)                            the existence of, or the performance by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under the terms of any stockholders or limited liability company agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date, and any transaction, agreement or arrangement described in the Offering Memorandum and, in each case, any amendment thereto or similar transactions, agreements or arrangements which it may enter into thereafter; provided , however , that the existence of, or the performance by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing transaction, agreement or arrangement or under any similar transaction, agreement or arrangement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (vii) to the extent that the terms of any such existing transaction, agreement or arrangement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, or new transaction, agreement or arrangement are not otherwise more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original transaction, agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(viii)                         the execution of the Transactions, and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions, including fees paid to the Sponsors;

 

(ix)                                 (A) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or transactions otherwise relating to the purchase or sale of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, which are fair to Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of Holdings, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party or (B) transactions with joint ventures or Unrestricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or industry norm;

 

(x)                                    any transaction effected as part of a Qualified Receivables Financing;

 

(xi)                                 the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings to any Person;

 

(xii)                              the issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the Board of Directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or of a Restricted Subsidiary, as appropriate, in good faith;

 

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(xiii)                           the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement that complies with Section 4.04(b)(xii);

 

(xiv)                          any contribution to the capital of Holdings;

 

(xv)                             transactions permitted by, and complying with, Section 5.01;

 

(xvi)                          transactions between Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Person, a director of which is also a director of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings; provided , however , that such director abstains from voting as a director of Holdings or such direct or indirect parent, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;

 

(xvii)                       pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(xviii)                    the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xix)                            any employment agreements entered into by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xx)                               the payment of management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses (including indemnification and other similar amounts) to the Sponsors pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement ( plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees and related expenses (including indemnification and other similar amounts) accrued in any prior year) and the termination fees pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement, in each case as in effect on the Issue Date or any amendment or modification thereto (so long as, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of Holdings, any such amendment or modification is not more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, to holders in any material respect as compared to the Sponsor Management Agreement in effect on the Issue Date);

 

(xxi)                            payments by Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any of the Sponsors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings in good faith;

 

(xxii)                         transactions undertaken in good faith (as certified by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings in an Officers’ Certificate) for the purpose of improving the consolidated tax efficiency of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth in this Indenture;

 

(xxiii)                      investments by the Sponsors in securities of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (and payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Sponsors in connection therewith) so long as (i) the investment is being generally offered to other

 

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investors on the same or more favorable terms and (ii) the investment constitutes less than 5% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities; and

 

(xxiv)                     customary agreements and arrangements with oil and gas royalty trusts and master limited partnership agreements that comply with the affiliate transaction provisions of such royalty trust or master limited partnership agreement.

 

SECTION 4.08                     Change of Control .

 

(a)                                   Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), in accordance with the terms contemplated in this Section 4.08; provided, however, that notwithstanding the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer shall not be obligated to purchase any Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08 in the event that it has exercised its right to redeem such Notes in accordance with Article III of this Indenture. In the event that at the time of such Change of Control, the terms of the Bank Indebtedness restrict or prohibit the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08, then prior to the mailing of the notice to the holders provided for in Section 4.08(b) but in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers shall (i) repay in full all Bank Indebtedness or, if doing so will allow the purchase of Notes, offer to repay in full all Bank Indebtedness and repay the Bank Indebtedness of each lender and/or noteholder who has accepted such offer, or (ii) obtain the requisite consent under the agreements governing the Bank Indebtedness to permit the repurchase of the Notes as provided for in Section 4.08(b).

 

(b)                                  Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Issuers have exercised their right to redeem the Notes in accordance with Article III of this Indenture, the Issuers shall mail a notice (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) to each holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:

 

(i)                                      that a Change of Control has occurred and that such holder has the right to require the Issuers to repurchase such holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date);

 

(ii)                                   the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control;

 

(iii)                                the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

 

(iv)                               the instructions determined by the Issuers, consistent with this Section 4.08, that a holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

 

(c)                                   Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Issuers at the address specified in the

 

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notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. The holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Issuers receive not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered for purchase by the holder and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. Holders whose Notes are purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered.

 

(d)                                  On the purchase date, all Notes purchased by the Issuers under this Section 4.08 shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuers shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest to the holders entitled thereto.

 

(e)                                   A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

 

(f)                                     Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.08, the Issuers shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.08 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

 

(g)                                  Notes repurchased by the Issuers pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and canceled at the option of the Issuers. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding clause (f) will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

 

(h)                                  At the time the Issuers deliver Notes to the Trustee which are to be accepted for purchase, Holdings shall also deliver an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes are to be accepted by the Issuers pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.08. A Note shall be deemed to have been accepted for purchase at the time the Trustee, directly or through an agent, mails or delivers payment therefor to the surrendering holder.

 

(i)                                      Prior to any Change of Control Offer, Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent contained herein to the right of the Issuers to make such offer have been complied with.

 

(j)                                      The Issuers shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.08, the Issuers shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section by virtue thereof.

 

SECTION 4.09                     Compliance Certificate . Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of Holdings, beginning with the fiscal

 

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year ending on December 31, 2012, an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of Holdings they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such period. If any Officer does, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto. The Issuers also shall comply with Sections 314(a)(4) and 314(b) of the TIA. Except with respect to receipt of payments of principal and interest on the Notes and any Default or Event of Default information contained in the Officers’ Certificate delivered to it pursuant to this Section 4.09, the Trustee shall have no duty to review, ascertain or confirm the Issuers’ compliance with or the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made in this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.10                     Further Instruments and Acts . Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuers shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.11                     Future Subsidiary Guarantors . Holdings shall cause each Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Excluded Subsidiary and that guarantees any Indebtedness (other than Junior Lien Obligations) of an Issuer or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors secured by the Collateral (other than Excluded Assets) to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto pursuant to which such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary will guarantee the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and this Indenture, as well as to execute and deliver a joinder to the applicable Intercreditor Agreement if required by such Intercreditor Agreement and to execute and deliver a joinder to each applicable Security Document to the extent required by Section 4.13.

 

SECTION 4.12                     Liens .

 

(a)                                   Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist (i) any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on any asset or property of Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary unless the Notes are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the Notes) the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien or (ii) any Lien securing any First-Priority Lien Obligation of Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor without effectively providing that the Notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, shall be granted a second-priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) upon the RBL Priority Collateral constituting the collateral for such First-Priority Lien Obligations, except in respect of Excluded Assets and limitations set forth in the Security Documents; provided , however , that if granting such security interests requires the consent of a third party, Holdings will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent with respect to the security interests for the benefit of the Second Lien Collateral Agent on behalf of the holders of the Notes; provided , further , however , that if such third party does not consent to the granting of such security interests after the use of commercially reasonable efforts, Holdings will not be required to provide such security interests.

 

(b)                                  Section 4.12(a)(i) shall not require Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to secure the Notes if the Lien consists of a Permitted Lien. Any Lien that is granted

 

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to secure the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee under Section 4.12(a)(i) (unless also granted pursuant to Section 4.12(a)(ii)) shall be automatically released and discharged at the same time as the release of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee under such Section 4.12(a)(i).

 

(c)                                   For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.12, (i) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 4.12(a) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (ii) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 4.12(a), Holdings shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien in one of the clauses of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness will be treated as being Incurred or existing pursuant to only one of such clauses or pursuant to Section 4.12(a).

 

(d)                                  With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The “ Increased Amount ” of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms or in the form of common stock of Holdings, the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock of the same class, accretion of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness described in clause (3) of the definition of “Indebtedness.”

 

SECTION 4.13                     After-Acquired Property .

 

(a)                                   Upon the acquisition by an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any First-Priority After-Acquired Property, or upon any additional Restricted Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary Guarantor required to pledge its existing First-Priority After-Acquired Property as Collateral pursuant to this Article IV, such Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such mortgages, deeds of trust, security instruments, financing statements and other Security Documents as shall be reasonably necessary to vest in the Second Lien Collateral Agent a perfected second-priority security interest, subject only to Permitted Liens and Liens permitted under Section 4.12, in such First-Priority After-Acquired Property and to have such First-Priority After-Acquired Property (but subject to the limitations as described in Article XI, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements) added to the Collateral, and thereupon all provisions of this Indenture relating to the Collateral shall be deemed to relate to such First-Priority After-Acquired Property to the same extent and with the same force and effect.

 

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(b)                                  Upon the acquisition by an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any Term/Notes Priority After-Acquired Property, or upon any additional Restricted Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary Guarantor required to pledge its existing Term/Notes Priority After-Acquired Property as Collateral pursuant to this Article IV, such Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor shall, as promptly as practicable, execute and deliver such security instruments, financing statements and other Security Documents as shall be reasonably necessary to vest in the Second Lien Collateral Agent a perfected first-priority security interest, subject only to Permitted Liens and Liens permitted under Section 4.12, in such Term/Notes Priority After-Acquired Property and to have such Term/Notes Priority After-Acquired Property (but subject to the limitations described in Article XI, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements and limitations under applicable local law) added to the Collateral, and thereupon all provisions of this Indenture relating to the Collateral shall be deemed to relate to such Term/Notes Priority After-Acquired Property to the same extent and with the same force and effect.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if granting a security interest in any property pursuant to the foregoing clauses (a) or (b) requires the consent of a third party, Holdings shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent with respect to such security interest for the benefit of the Second Lien Collateral Agent on behalf of the Trustee and the holders of the Notes. If such third party does not consent to the granting of such security interest after the use of such commercially reasonable efforts, the applicable entity will not be required to provide such security interest.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings shall use commercially reasonable efforts to perfect all security interests in the Collateral in respect of the Acquired Business (other than Excluded Assets) on or prior to the Escrow Release Date. In the event Mortgages in respect of owned real properties to be mortgaged as security for the Notes are not in place prior to the Escrow Release Date or, with respect to any other Collateral in respect of the Notes, security interests have not been granted prior to the Escrow Release Date, Holdings will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause second-priority mortgages to be recorded with respect to the Mortgaged Properties and, where applicable, to obtain title insurance policies insuring the second-priority Mortgages on the properties, in each case, subject to local law limitation in granting of security to more than one secured party, and to cause the taking of additional actions required to perfect the security interest in the other Collateral required to be pledged under this Indenture and the Security Documents, in each case within 90 days following the Escrow Release Date, or such later date as may be agreed by the RBL Agent, in the case of RBL Priority Collateral, or the Second Lien Collateral Agent, in the case of Term/Notes Priority Collateral.

 

SECTION 4.14                                             Maintenance of Office or Agency .

 

(a)                                   The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations and surrenders may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as set forth in Section 14.01.

 

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(b)                                  The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve an Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

(c)                                   The Issuers hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or its agent as such office or agency of the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.04.

 

SECTION 4.15                                             Covenant Suspension . If on any date following the Issue Date, (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, then, beginning on that day (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “ Covenant Suspension Event ”), and subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.11 and 5.01(a)(iv) (collectively the “ Suspended Covenants ”).

 

In the event that Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “ Reversion Date ”) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture with respect to future events.

 

On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be classified as having been Incurred or issued pursuant to Sections 4.03(a) and (b) (to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would be permitted to be Incurred or issued thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness Incurred or issued prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would not be so permitted to be Incurred or issued pursuant to Sections 4.03(a) and (b), such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under Section 4.03(b)(iii). Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04 will be made as though Section 4.04 had been in effect since the Issue Date and prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will not reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04(a). As described above, however, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred on the Reversion Date as a result of any actions taken by Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period. Within 30 days of such Reversion Date, the Issuers must comply with the terms of Section 4.11.

 

For purposes of Section 4.06, on the Reversion Date, the unutilized Excess Proceeds amount will be reset to zero.

 

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SECTION 4.16                                             Maintenance of Insurance . The Issuers shall maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance (subject to customary deductibles and retentions) in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by similarly situated companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and cause the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors to be listed as insured and the Second Lien Collateral Agent to be listed as co-loss payee on property and property casualty policies and as an additional insured on liability policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may self-insure with respect to such risks with respect to which companies of established reputation in the same general line of business in the same general area usually self-insure.

 

ARTICLE V

 

SUCCESSOR COMPANY

 

SECTION 5.01                                             When Issuers May Merge or Transfer Assets .

 

(a)                                   Holdings may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up or convert into (whether or not Holdings is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

 

(i)                                      Holdings is the surviving person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, winding up or conversion (if other than Holdings) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (Holdings or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Holdco ”); provided that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;

 

(ii)                                   the Successor Holdco (if other than Holdings) expressly assumes all the obligations of Holdings under this Indenture pursuant to supplemental indentures;

 

(iii)                                immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Holdco, or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Holdco, or such Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(iv)                               immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Holdco, or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Holdco, or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), either

 

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(1)                                   the Successor Holdco would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a); or

 

(2)                                   the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Holdco and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than such ratio for Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(v)                                  if Holdings is not the Successor Holdco, each Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and

 

(vi)                               the Successor Holdco shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indentures (if any) comply with this Indenture.

 

The Successor Holdco (if other than Holdings) will succeed to, and be substituted for, Holdings under this Indenture and the Notes, and in such event Holdings will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (iii) and (iv) of this Section 5.01, (a) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to Holdings or to a Restricted Subsidiary, and (b) Holdings may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating Holdings in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States or may convert into a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby. This Article V will not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                                  Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04 and Section 12.02(b)(i), no Subsidiary Guarantor shall, and Holdings shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:

 

(i)                                      either (A) such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a company, corporation, partnership or limited liability company (in the case of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Subsidiary Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Subsidiary Guarantor ”) and the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) expressly assumes all the

 

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obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, pursuant to a supplemental indenture, or (B) such sale or disposition or consolidation, amalgamation or merger is not in violation of Section 4.06; and

 

(ii)                                   the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, and such Subsidiary Guarantor will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Subsidiary Guarantor in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States or may convert into a limited liability company, corporation, partnership or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States so long as the amount of Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is not increased thereby and (2) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with Holdings or another Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into, liquidate, dissolve, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets (collectively, a “ Transfer ”) to Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01                     Events of Default . An “ Event of Default ” occurs with respect to Notes if:

 

(a)                                   there is a default in any payment of interest (including any Additional Interest) on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days,

 

(b)                                  there is a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise,

 

(c)                                   there is a failure by Holdings for 120 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in aggregate principal amount of the

 

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Notes then outstanding (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements in Section 4.02,

 

(d)                                  there is a failure by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary for 60 days after written notice given by the Trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with its other obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above) contained in the Notes or this Indenture,

 

(e)                                   there is a failure by Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $125.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent,

 

(f)                                     Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i)                                      commences a voluntary case;

 

(ii)                                   consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

(iii)                                consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(iv)                               makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency,

 

(g)                                  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(i)                                      is for relief against Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(ii)                                   appoints a Custodian of Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(iii)                                orders the winding up or liquidation of Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary;

 

or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days,

 

(h)                                  there is a failure by Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $125.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent (net of any amounts

 

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which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers), which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 days,

 

(i)                                      the Subsidiary Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) with respect to the Notes ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor that qualifies as a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes and such Default continues for 10 days,

 

(j)                                      unless such Liens have been released in accordance with the provisions of Article XI, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements, the Liens in favor of the holders of the Notes with respect to all or substantially all of the Collateral cease to be valid or enforceable and such Default continues for 30 days, or an Issuer shall assert or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall assert, in any pleading in any court of competent jurisdiction, that any such security interest is invalid or unenforceable and, in the case of any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuers fail to cause such Subsidiary Guarantor to rescind such assertions within 30 days after the Issuers have actual knowledge of such assertions, or

 

(k)                                   the failure by an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor to comply for 60 days after notice with its other agreements contained in the Security Documents except for a failure that would not be material to the holders of the Notes and would not materially affect the value of the Collateral taken as a whole.

 

The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

 

However, a default under clause (c), (d) or (k) above shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes notify the Issuers of the default and the Issuers do not cure such default within the time specified in clauses (c), (d) or (k) hereof after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “ Notice of Default .” Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee, within five Business Days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any event which is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, its status and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

 

The term “ Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “ Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

SECTION 6.02                  Acceleration . If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) hereof with respect to Holdings) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes

 

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(with a copy to the Trustee) by notice to the Issuers may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to Holdings occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

 

In the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the holders of the Notes, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose Holdings delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee stating that (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the Notes as described above be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.

 

SECTION 6.03                     Other Remedies . If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes, this Indenture or the Security Documents.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. To the extent required by law, all available remedies are cumulative.

 

SECTION 6.04                     Waiver of Past Defaults . Provided the Notes are not then due and payable by reason of a declaration of acceleration, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes by written notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Note, (b) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Note when required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or (c) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each holder affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured and the Issuers, the Trustee and the holders will be restored to their former positions and rights under this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

 

SECTION 6.05                     Control by Majority . The holders of a majority in principal amount of Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture

 

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or, if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or expense for which it is not adequately indemnified, or subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

SECTION 6.06                     Limitation on Suits .

 

(a)                                   Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

 

(i)                                      such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing,

 

(ii)                                   holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy,

 

(iii)                                such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense,

 

(iv)                               the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and

 

(v)                                  the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

 

(b)                                  A holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another holder.

 

SECTION 6.07                     Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Notes held by such holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.

 

SECTION 6.08                     Collection Suit by Trustee . If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers or any other obligor on the Notes for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on overdue principal and (to the extent lawful) on any unpaid interest at the rate provided for in the Notes) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.

 

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SECTION 6.09                  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim . The Trustee may file such proofs of claim, statements of interest and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation, expenses disbursements and advances of the Trustee (including counsel, accountants, experts or such other professionals as the Trustee deems necessary, advisable or appropriate)) and the holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors, their creditors or their property, shall be entitled to participate as a member, voting or otherwise, of any official committee of creditors appointed in such matters and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any holder in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 6.10                  Priorities . Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents, any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI and any other money or property distributable in respect of the Issuers’ or any Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture after an Event of Default shall be applied in the following order:

 

FIRST: to the Trustee and Second Lien Collateral Agent for amounts due hereunder and under the Security Documents;

 

SECOND: to the holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest, respectively; and

 

THIRD: to the Issuers or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount for any Subsidiary Guarantor, to such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to the holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall mail to each holder and the Issuers a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

 

SECTION 6.11                     Undertaking for Costs . In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in

 

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the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Article VI does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes.

 

SECTION 6.12                  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws . Neither the Issuers nor any Subsidiary Guarantor (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01                     Duties of Trustee .

 

(a)                                   The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Notes and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

(b)                                  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(i)                                      the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee (it being agreed that the permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty); and

 

(ii)                                   in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. The Trustee shall be under no duty to make any investigation as to any statement contained in any such instance, but may accept the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of such statement or the correctness of such opinions. However, in the case of certificates or opinions required by any provision hereof to be provided to it, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

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(c)           The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(i)                                      this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

 

(ii)                                   the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

(iii)                                the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05; and

 

(iv)                               no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise Incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

 

(d)                                  Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

 

(e)                                   The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer.

 

(f)                                     Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(g)                                  Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01(c) and the TIA.

 

SECTION 7.02                     Rights of Trustee .

 

(a)                                   The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)                                  Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

(c)                                   The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

(d)                                  The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided , however , that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.

 

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(e)                                   The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

(f)                                     The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney, at the expense of the Issuers and shall Incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

(g)                                  The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be Incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(h)                                  The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder, including the Second Lien Collateral Agent.

 

(i)                                      The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.

 

(j)                                      Any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Trustee in good faith pursuant to this Indenture upon the request or authority or consent of any person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon future holders of Notes and upon Notes executed and delivered in exchange therefor or in place thereof.

 

(k)                                   The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

 

(l)                                      The Trustee may request that the Issuers deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any

 

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Person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

(m)                                The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of actions.

 

(n)                                  The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.

 

(o)                                  The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.

 

SECTION 7.03                  Individual Rights of Trustee . The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent or Registrar may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Section 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.04                  Trustee’s Disclaimer . The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default under Sections 6.01(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) or (k) or of the identity of any Significant Subsidiary unless either (a) a Trust Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof or (b) the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof in accordance with Section 14.02 hereof from the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any holder. In accepting the trust hereby created, the Trustee acts solely as Trustee under this Indenture and not in its individual capacity and all persons, including without limitation the holders of Notes and the Issuers having any claim against the Trustee arising from this Indenture shall look only to the funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder for payment except as otherwise provided herein.

 

SECTION 7.05                  Notice of Defaults . If a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer or the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each holder of the Notes notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer or written notice if it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith

 

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determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the noteholders. Holdings is required to deliver to the Trustee, annually, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. Holdings also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action Holdings is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

 

SECTION 7.06                  Reports by Trustee to the Holders . As promptly as practicable after each November 1 beginning with the November 1 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event prior to December 1 in each year, the Trustee shall mail to each holder a brief report dated as of such November 1 that complies with Section 313(a) of the TIA if and to the extent required thereby. The Trustee shall also comply with Section 313(b) of the TIA.

 

Pursuant to Section 313(d) of the TIA, a copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Notes are listed if the Notes are listed. Holdings agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Notes become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof. All reports pursuant to this Section 7.06 shall be provided in accordance with Section 313(c) of the TIA.

 

SECTION 7.07                     Compensation and Indemnity . The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for the Trustee’s acceptance of this Indenture and its services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses Incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their directors, officers, employees and agents against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) Incurred by or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture or Subsidiary Guarantee against any Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against or investigating any claim (whether asserted by any Issuer, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any holder or any other Person). The obligation to pay such amounts shall survive the payment in full or defeasance of the Notes or the removal or resignation of the Trustee. The Trustee shall notify the Issuers of any claim for which it may seek indemnity promptly upon obtaining actual knowledge thereof; provided , however , that any failure so to notify the Issuers shall not relieve any Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of its indemnity obligations hereunder. The Issuers shall defend the claim and the indemnified party shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Issuers’ expense in the defense. Such indemnified parties may have separate counsel and the Issuers and such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel; provided , however , that the Issuers shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes such indemnified parties’ defense and, in such indemnified parties’ reasonable judgment, there is no actual or potential conflict of interest between the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantor, as

 

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applicable, and such parties in connection with such defense. The Issuers need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense Incurred by an indemnified party through such party’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

 

To secure the Issuers’ and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.

 

The Issuers’ and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ payment obligations pursuant to this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture, any rejection or termination of this Indenture under any bankruptcy law or the resignation or removal of the Trustee. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee Incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Issuer, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.

 

No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise Incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not assured to its satisfaction.

 

SECTION 7.08                     Replacement of Trustee .

 

(a)                                   The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Issuer. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuers shall remove the Trustee if:

 

(i)                                      the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(ii)                                   the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(iii)                                a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(iv)                               the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

 

(b)                                  If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuers or by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes and such holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

 

(c)                                   A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its

 

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succession to the holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07.

 

(d)                                  If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the holders of 10% in principal amount of the Notes may petition at the expense of the Issuers any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(e)                                   If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed as provided in Section 310(b) of the TIA, any holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(f)                                     Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.09                  Successor Trustee by Merger . If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

 

SECTION 7.10                     Eligibility; Disqualification . The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA, subject to its right to apply for a stay of its duty to resign under the penultimate paragraph of Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided , however , that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA any series of securities issued under this Indenture and any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuers are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.

 

SECTION 7.11                     Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuers . The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated.

 

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SECTION 7.12                     Limitation on Duty of Trustee in Respect of Collateral; Indemnification .

 

(a)                                   Beyond the exercise of reasonable care in the custody thereof, the Trustee shall have no duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any agent or bailee or any income thereon or as to preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto and the Trustee shall not be responsible for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents or instruments in any public office at any time or times or otherwise perfecting or maintaining the perfection of any security interest in the Collateral. The Trustee shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which it accords its own property and shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or diminution in the value of any of the Collateral, by reason of the act or omission of any carrier, forwarding agency or other agent or bailee selected by the Trustee in good faith.

 

(b)                                  The Trustee shall not be responsible for the existence, genuineness or value of any of the Collateral or for the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the Liens in any of the Collateral, whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or omission to act on its part hereunder, for the validity or sufficiency of the Collateral or any agreement or assignment contained therein, for the validity of the title of the Company to the Collateral, for insuring the Collateral or for the payment of taxes, charges, assessments or Liens upon the Collateral or otherwise as to the maintenance of the Collateral. Subject to Section 7.01 of this Indenture, the Trustee shall have no duty to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements, the Escrow Agreement, the Collateral Agreement or any other Security Document by the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the First Lien Agent or the Senior Lenders.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 8.01                     Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance .

 

(a)                                   This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights and immunities of the Trustee and rights of registration or of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes and the security interest in the Collateral securing the Notes Obligations will be automatically released when:

 

(i)                                      either (A) all the Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuers and thereafter repaid to the Issuers or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (B) all of the Notes (1) have become due and payable, (2) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or (3) if redeemable at the option of the Issuers, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by

 

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the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers, and the Issuers have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to the date of deposit together with irrevocable instructions from the Issuers directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(ii)                                    the Issuers and/or the Subsidiary Guarantors have paid all other sums payable under this Indenture; and

 

(iii)                                the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

 

(b)                                  Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Issuers at any time may terminate (i) all of their obligations under the Notes and this Indenture with respect to the holders of the Notes (“ legal defeasance option ”), and (ii) their obligations under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 and 4.15 and the operation of Section 5.01 for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, and Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f), 6.01(g) (in the case of Sections 6.01(f) and 6.01(g) with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of the Issuers only), 6.01(h), 6.01(i), 6.01(j) and 6.01(k) (“ covenant defeasance option ”). The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option notwithstanding their prior exercise of their covenant defeasance option. In the event that the Issuers terminate all of their obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (with respect to such Notes) by exercising their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee and the Security Documents shall be terminated simultaneously with the termination of such obligations.

 

If the Issuers exercises their legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuers exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f), 6.01(g) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of Holdings only), 6.01(h), 6.01(i), 6.01(j) or 6.01(k) or because of the failure of Holdings to comply with Section 5.01.

 

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuers, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuers terminate.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08 and 2.09 and Article VII, including, without limitation, Sections 7.07, 7.08 and 7.09, and in this Article VIII and the rights and immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 7.07, 7.08, 8.05 and 8.06 and the rights and immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

 

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SECTION 8.02                     Conditions to Defeasance .

 

(a)                                   The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option only if:

 

(i)                                      the Issuers irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee cash in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient, or a combination thereof sufficient, to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on the Notes when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(ii)                                   the Issuers deliver to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(iii)                                no Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Issuers shall have occurred or is continuing on the date of such deposit;

 

(iv)                               the deposit does not constitute a default under any other material agreement or instrument binding on the Issuers and is not prohibited by Article X;

 

(v)                                  in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (1) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (2) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by the immediately preceding sentence with respect to a legal defeasance need not be delivered if all of the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable or (y) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year under arrangements for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer;

 

(vi)                               such exercise does not impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefore or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes;

 

(vii)                            in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same

 

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amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and

 

(viii)                         the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Notes to be so defeased and discharged as contemplated by this Article VIII have been complied with.

 

(b)                                  Before or after a deposit, the Issuers may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of such Notes at a future date in accordance with Article III.

 

SECTION 8.03                     Application of Trust Money . The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations (including proceeds thereof) deposited with it pursuant to this Article VIII. The Trustee shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through each Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes so discharged or defeased.

 

SECTION 8.04                     Repayment to Issuer . Each of the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Issuers upon request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in this Article VIII that, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee (which delivery shall only be required if U.S. Government Obligations have been so deposited), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent discharge or defeasance in accordance with this Article VIII.

 

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuers upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

 

SECTION 8.05                     Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations . The Issuers shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

 

SECTION 8.06                     Reinstatement . If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes so discharged or defeased shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article VIII until such time as the Trustee or any Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII; provided , however , that, if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, or interest on, any such Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to

 

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receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

SECTION 9.01                     Without Consent of the Holders .

 

(a)                                   The Issuers and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements without notice to or consent of any holder:

 

(i)                                      to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(ii)                                   to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes;

 

(iii)                                to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture, its Subsidiary Guarantee and the Security Documents;

 

(iv)                               to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, provided , however , that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;

 

(v)                                  to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents or any Intercreditor Agreement to any provision of the “Description of Senior Secured Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in this Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents or such Intercreditor Agreement was intended by the Issuers to be verbatim recitation of a provision in the “Description of Senior Secured Notes” in the Offering Memorandum, as stated in an Officers’ Certificate;

 

(vi)                               to add a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes,

 

(vii)                            to add Collateral to secure the Notes;

 

(viii)                         to release Collateral or a Subsidiary Guarantee as permitted by this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements;

 

(ix)                                 to add additional secured creditors holding Other Second-Lien Obligations, First-Priority Lien Obligations or other Junior Lien Obligations, so long as such obligations are not prohibited by this Indenture or the Security Documents;

 

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(x)            to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers;

 

(xi)                                 to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA;

 

(xii)                              to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder; or

 

(xiii)                           to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes or Exchange Notes, which shall have terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Initial Notes, and which shall be treated, together with any outstanding Initial Notes, as a single issue of securities.

 

(b)                                  The Intercreditor Agreements may be amended without the consent of any holder or the Trustee in connection with the permitted entry into the Intercreditor Agreements of any class of additional secured creditors holding Other Second-Lien Obligations, First-Priority Lien Obligations or Junior Lien Obligations to effectuate such entry into the Intercreditor Agreements and to make the lien of such class equal and ratable with, as applicable, the lien of the First-Priority Lien Obligations, the Other Second-Lien Obligations or the Junior Lien Obligations.

 

(c)                                   After an amendment under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.01.

 

SECTION 9.02                     With Consent of the Holders . The Issuers and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents with the consent of the Issuers and the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Notes). However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding Note affected, an amendment may not:

 

(1)                                   reduce the amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment,

 

(2)                                   reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note,

 

(3)                                   reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Note,

 

(4)                                   reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed in accordance with Article III,

 

(5)                                   make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note,

 

(6)                                   expressly subordinate the Notes or any related Subsidiary Guarantee to any other Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor,

 

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(7)                                   impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes,

 

(8)                                   make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions, or

 

(9)                                   make any change in the provisions in the Intercreditor Agreements or this Indenture dealing with the application of proceeds of Collateral to the Notes Obligations that would adversely affect the holders of the Notes.

 

Except as expressly provided by this Indenture or the Security Documents, without the consent of holders of at least 66.67% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, no amendment may modify or release the Subsidiary Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary in any manner adverse to the holders of the Notes. In addition, without the consent of the holders of at least 66.67% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, no amendment or waiver may release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Lien of this Indenture and the Security Documents with respect to the Notes.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02.

 

SECTION 9.03                     Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers .

 

(a)                                   A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a holder of a Note shall bind the holder and every subsequent holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. However, any such holder or subsequent holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such holder’s Note or portion of the Note if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officers’ Certificate from Holdings certifying that the requisite principal amount of Notes have consented. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the (i) receipt by the Issuers or the Trustee of consents by the holders of the requisite principal amount of securities, (ii) satisfaction of conditions to effectiveness as set forth in this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto containing such amendment or waiver and (iii) execution of such amendment or waiver (or supplemental indenture) by the Issuers and the Trustee.

 

(b)                                  The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be

 

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entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

 

SECTION 9.04                     Notation on or Exchange of Notes . If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Issuers may require the holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the holder. Alternatively, if the Issuers or the Trustee so determine, the Issuers in exchange for the Note shall issue and, upon written order of each Issuer signed by an Officer, the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.05                     Trustee to Sign Amendments . The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity satisfactory to it and shall be provided with, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, (i) an Officers’ Certificate, (ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof, (iii) a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Holdings, authorizing the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver and (iv) if such amendment, supplement or waiver is executed pursuant to Section 9.02, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the holders required to consent thereto.

 

SECTION 9.06                     Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount . All Notes issued under this Indenture shall vote and consent together on all matters (as to which any of such Notes may vote) as one class and no Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter. Determinations as to whether holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent shall be made in accordance with this Article IX and Section 2.13.

 

SECTION 9.07                     Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act . From the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, every amendment, waiver or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

 

ARTICLE X

 

RANKING OF NOTE LIENS

 

SECTION 10.01               Relative Rights . The Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement defines the relative rights, as lienholders, among holders of Liens securing Second-Priority Lien Obligations and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement defines the relative rights, as lienholders, of holders of Liens securing Second-Priority Lien Obligations and holders of Liens

 

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securing First-Priority Lien Obligations. Nothing in this Indenture or the Intercreditor Agreements will:

 

(a)                                   impair, as between the Issuers and holders of Notes, the obligation of the Issuers, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of, premium and interest on Notes in accordance with their terms or to perform any other obligation of the Issuers or any other obligor under this Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees and the Security Documents;

 

(b)                                  restrict the right of any holder to sue for payments that are then due and owing, in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of each Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(c)                                   prevent the Trustee, the Second Lien Collateral Agent or any holder from exercising against the Issuers or any other obligor any of its other available remedies upon a Default or Event of Default (other than its rights as a secured party, which are subject to the Intercreditor Agreements); or

 

(d)                                  restrict the right of the Trustee, the Second Lien Collateral Agent or any holder:

 

(1)                                   to file and prosecute a petition seeking an order for relief in an involuntary bankruptcy case as to any obligor or otherwise to commence, or seek relief commencing, any insolvency or liquidation proceeding involuntarily against any obligor;

 

(2)                                   to make, support or oppose any request for an order for dismissal, abstention or conversion in any insolvency or liquidation proceeding;

 

(3)                                   to make, support or oppose, in any insolvency or liquidation proceeding, any request for an order extending or terminating any period during which the debtor (or any other Person) has the exclusive right to propose a plan of reorganization or other dispositive restructuring or liquidation plan therein;

 

(4)                                   to seek the creation of, or appointment to, any official committee representing creditors (or certain of the creditors) in any insolvency or liquidation proceedings and, if appointed, to serve and act as a member of such committee without being in any respect restricted or bound by, or liable for, any of the obligations under this Article X;

 

(5)                                   to seek or object to the appointment of any professional person to serve in any capacity in any insolvency or liquidation proceeding or to support or object to any request for compensation made by any professional person or others therein;

 

(6)                                   to make, support or oppose any request for order appointing a trustee or examiner in any insolvency or liquidation proceedings; or

 

(7)                                   otherwise to make, support or oppose any request for relief in any insolvency or liquidation proceeding that it is permitted by law to make, support or oppose if it were a holder of unsecured claims, or as to any matter relating to (x) any plan of reorganization or other restructuring or liquidation plan or (y) the administration of the

 

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estate or the disposition of the case or proceeding (in each case except as set forth in each Intercreditor Agreement).

 

ARTICLE XI

 

COLLATERAL

 

SECTION 11.01               Security Documents . (a) On the Issue Date, the Issuers and the Trustee shall execute and deliver the Escrow Agreement. Until the Escrow Release Date, the payment of the principal of and interest on the Notes when due, whether on an Interest Payment Date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise shall be secured as provided in the Escrow Agreement.

 

(b)                                  From and after the Escrow Release Date, the payment of the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes when due, whether on an Interest Payment Date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise and whether by the Issuers pursuant to the Notes or by the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantees, the payment of all other Obligations and the performance of all other obligations of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees and the Security Documents shall be secured as provided in the Security Documents, which the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall enter into on or prior to the Escrow Release Date to the extent required by Section 4.13 and will be secured by Security Documents delivered as required or permitted by this Indenture. The Issuers shall, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, and each Restricted Subsidiary shall, make all filings (including filings of continuation statements and amendments to UCC financing statements that may be necessary to continue the effectiveness of such UCC financing statements) and all other actions as are necessary or required by the Security Documents to maintain (at the sole cost and expense of the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries) the security interest created by the Security Documents in the Collateral (other than with respect to any Collateral the security interest in which is not required to be perfected under the Security Documents) as a perfected security interest subject only to Permitted Liens and Liens permitted by Section 4.12.

 

SECTION 11.02               Second Lien Collateral Agent .

 

(a)                                   The Second Lien Collateral Agent is authorized and empowered to appoint one or more co-Second Lien Collateral Agents as it deems necessary or appropriate.

 

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(b)                                  Subject to Section 7.01, neither the Trustee nor the Second Lien Collateral Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys or agents will be responsible or liable for the existence, genuineness, value or protection of any Collateral, for the legality, enforceability, effectiveness or sufficiency of the Security Documents, for the creation, perfection, priority, sufficiency or protection of any Lien securing Second-Priority Lien Obligations, or for any defect or deficiency as to any such matters, or for any failure to demand, collect, foreclose or realize upon or otherwise enforce any of the Liens securing Second-Priority Lien Obligations or the Security Documents or any delay in doing so.

 

(c)                                   The Second Lien Collateral Agent will be subject to such directions as may be given it by the Trustee from time to time (as required or permitted by this Indenture); provided that in the event of conflict between directions received pursuant to the Security Documents and directions received hereunder, the Second Lien Collateral Agent will be subject to directions received pursuant to the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements. Except as directed by the Trustee as required or permitted by this Indenture and any other representatives or pursuant to the Security Documents, the Second Lien Collateral Agent will not be obligated:

 

(1)                                   to act upon directions purported to be delivered to it by any other Person;

 

(2)                                   to foreclose upon or otherwise enforce any Lien securing Second-Priority Lien Obligations; or

 

(3)                                   to take any other action whatsoever with regard to any or all of the Liens securing Second-Priority Lien Obligations, Security Documents or Collateral.

 

(d)                                  The Second Lien Collateral Agent will be accountable only for amounts that it actually receives as a result of the enforcement of the Liens securing Second-Priority Lien Obligations or the Security Documents.

 

(e)                                   In acting as Second Lien Collateral Agent or co-Second Lien Collateral Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Agent and each co-Second Lien Collateral Agent may rely upon and enforce each and all of the rights, powers, immunities, indemnities and benefits of the Trustee under Article VII hereof

 

(f)                                     The holders of Notes agree that the Second Lien Collateral Agent shall be entitled to the rights, privileges, protections, immunities, indemnities and benefits provided to the Second Lien Collateral Agent by the Security Documents. Furthermore, each holder of a Note, by accepting such Note, consents to the terms of and authorizes and directs the Trustee (in each of its capacities) and the Second Lien Collateral Agent to enter into and perform each Intercreditor Agreement and Security Documents in each of its capacities thereunder.

 

(g)                                  If the Issuers (i) Incur First-Priority Lien Obligations at any time when no intercreditor agreement is in effect or at any time when Indebtedness constituting First-Priority Lien Obligations entitled to the benefit of an existing Intercreditor Agreement is concurrently retired, and (ii) delivers to the Second Lien Collateral Agent an Officers’ Certificate so stating and requesting the Second Lien Collateral Agent to enter into an intercreditor agreement (on substantially the same terms as the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) in favor of a designated

 

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agent or representative for the holders of the First-Priority Lien Obligations so Incurred, the Second Lien Collateral Agent shall (and is hereby authorized and directed to) enter into such intercreditor agreement, bind the holders on the terms set forth therein and perform and observe its obligations thereunder. If the Issuers (i) Incur Other Second-Lien Obligations at any time when no intercreditor agreement is in effect or at any time when Indebtedness constituting Other Second-Lien Obligations entitled to the benefit of an existing Intercreditor Agreement is concurrently retired, and (ii) delivers to the Second Lien Collateral Agent an Officers’ Certificate so stating and requesting the Second Lien Collateral Agent to enter into an intercreditor agreement (on substantially the same terms as the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ) in favor of a designated agent or representative for the holders of the Other Second-Lien Obligations so Incurred, the Second Lien Collateral Agent shall (and is hereby authorized and directed to) enter into such intercreditor agreement, bind the holders on the terms set forth therein and perform and observe its obligations thereunder.

 

(h)                                  At all times when the Trustee is not itself the Second Lien Collateral Agent, the Issuers will deliver to the Trustee copies of all Security Documents delivered to the Second Lien Collateral Agent and copies of all documents delivered to the Second Lien Collateral Agent pursuant to this Indenture and the Security Documents.

 

SECTION 11.03               Authorization of Actions to Be Taken . (a) Each holder of Notes, by its acceptance thereof, consents and agrees to the terms of each Security Document, the Escrow Agreement and each Intercreditor Agreement as originally in effect and as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time in accordance with its terms or the terms of this Indenture, authorizes and directs the Trustee and/or the Second Lien Collateral Agent to enter into the Escrow Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents to which it is a party, authorizes and empowers the Trustee to direct the Second Lien Collateral Agent to enter into, and the Second Lien Collateral Agent to execute and deliver, the Security Documents and Intercreditor Agreements and authorizes and empowers the Trustee and the Second Lien Collateral Agent to bind the holders of Notes and other holders of Obligations as set forth in the Security Documents to which it is a party and the Intercreditor Agreements and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights and powers thereunder.

 

(b)                                  The Trustee and the Second Lien Collateral Agent are authorized and empowered to receive for the benefit of the holders of Notes any funds collected or distributed under the Security Documents to which the Second Lien Collateral Agent or Trustee is a party and to make further distributions of such funds to the holders of Notes according to the provisions of this Indenture.

 

(c)                                   Subject to the provisions of Article VI, Section 7.01 and Section 7.02 hereof, the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents, upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee may, in its sole discretion and without the consent of the holders, direct, on behalf of the holders, the Second Lien Collateral Agent to take all actions it deems necessary or appropriate in order to:

 

(1)                                   foreclose upon or otherwise enforce any or all of the Liens securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations;

 

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(2)                                   enforce any of the terms of the Security Documents to which the Second Lien Collateral Agent or Trustee is a party; or

 

(3)                                   collect and receive payment of any and all Obligations.

 

Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, the Trustee is authorized and empowered to institute and maintain, or direct the Second Lien Collateral Agent to institute and maintain, such suits and proceedings as it may deem expedient to protect or enforce the Liens securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations or the Security Documents to which the Second Lien Collateral Agent or Trustee is a party or to prevent any impairment of Collateral by any acts that may be unlawful or in violation of the Security Documents to which the Second Lien Collateral Agent or Trustee is a party or this Indenture, and such suits and proceedings as the Trustee or the Second Lien Collateral Agent may deem expedient to preserve or protect its interests and the interests of the holders of Notes in the Collateral, including power to institute and maintain suits or proceedings to restrain the enforcement of or compliance with any legislative or other governmental enactment, rule or order that may be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid if the enforcement of, or compliance with, such enactment, rule or order would impair the security interest hereunder or be prejudicial to the interests of holders, the Trustee or the Second Lien Collateral Agent.

 

SECTION 11.04               Release of Liens . (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Security Documents, Collateral may be released from the Lien and security interest created by the Security Documents to secure the Notes and obligations under this Indenture at any time or from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreements or as provided hereby. The applicable assets included in the Collateral shall be automatically released from the Liens securing the Notes, and the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations under this Indenture and the Security Documents, under any one or more of the following circumstances or any applicable circumstance as provided in the Intercreditor Agreements or the Security Documents:

 

(1)                                   with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, upon the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations and concurrent release of all other Liens on such property or assets (except cash collateral in respect of any letters of credit) securing First-Priority Lien Obligations (including all commitments and letters of credit thereunder); provided , however , that if an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor subsequently incurs First-Priority Lien Obligations that are secured by Liens on property or assets of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of the type constituting RBL Priority Collateral and the related Liens are Incurred in reliance on clause (6)(B) or (6)(C) of the definition of “Permitted Liens,” then Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors will be required to reinstitute the security arrangements with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral in favor of the Notes, which, in the case of any such subsequent First-Priority Lien Obligations, will be second-priority Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing such First-Priority Lien Obligations to the same extent provided by the Security Documents and on the terms and conditions of the security documents relating to such First-Priority Lien Obligations, with the second-priority Lien held by the Second Lien Collateral Agent or other representative designated by Holdings to hold the second-priority Liens for the benefit of the holders of the Notes and subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an intercreditor

 

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agreement that provides the administrative agent or collateral agent substantially the same rights and obligations as afforded under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided , however , that an Issuer will provide the Trustee and Second Lien Collateral Agent under the Collateral Agreements with prompt written notification of such reinstitution;

 

(2)                                   to enable the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor to consummate the disposition (other than any disposition to an Issuer or another Subsidiary Guarantor) of such property or assets to the extent not prohibited under Section 4.06;

 

(3)                                   in respect of the property and assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor, (i) upon the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.04 and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”, and such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations hereunder and under the Security Documents or (ii) upon the release of such Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to Section 12.02(b);

 

(4)                                   in respect of the property and assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor, upon the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor of the Obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other Indebtedness which resulted in the obligation to become a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(5)                                   in respect of any assets or property constituting RBL Priority Collateral, upon the release of the security interests in such assets or property securing any First-Priority Lien Obligations, other than in connection with a Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations; and

 

(6)                                   as described under Article IX.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default under this Indenture exists on the date of Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations, the second-priority Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the Notes will not be released, except to the extent the RBL Priority Collateral or any portion thereof was disposed of in order to repay the First-Priority Lien Obligations secured by the RBL Priority Collateral, and thereafter the Second Lien Agent (or another designated representative appointed pursuant to the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) will have the right to foreclose or direct the RBL Agent to foreclose upon the RBL Priority Collateral (but in such event, the Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the Notes will be released when such Event of Default and all other Events of Default under this Indenture cease to exist).

 

In addition, (i) the security interests granted pursuant to the Security Documents securing the Obligations shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgors (as defined in the Collateral Agreement), as of the date when all the Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities not then due) have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds; and (ii) the security interests granted pursuant to the Security Documents securing the Obligations shall automatically terminate as of

 

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the date when the holders of at least two thirds in aggregate principal amount of all Notes issued under this Indenture consent to the termination of the Security Documents.

 

In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section 11.04(a), the Second Lien Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver to any Pledgor (as defined in the Collateral Agreement), at such Pledgor’s expense, all documents that such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release (including, without limitation, UCC termination statements), and will duly assign and transfer to such Pledgor, such of the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) that may be in the possession of the Collateral Agent and has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Indenture or the Security Documents. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 11.04(a) shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Second Lien Collateral Agent. In connection with any release pursuant to this Section 11.04(a), the Pledgors shall be permitted to take any action in connection therewith consistent with such release including, without limitation, the filing of UCC termination statements.

 

Upon the receipt of an Officers’ Certificate from the Issuers, as described in Section 11.04(b) below, if applicable, and any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Issuers, the Second Lien Collateral Agent shall execute, deliver or acknowledge such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Indenture or the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in connection with (x) any release of Collateral pursuant to Section 11.04(a)(1), (4) or (6), such Collateral may not be released from the Lien and security interest created by the Security Documents and (y) any release of Collateral pursuant to Section 11.04(a)(2), (3) and (5) the Second Lien Collateral Agent shall not be required to execute, deliver or acknowledge any instruments of termination, satisfaction or release unless, in each case, an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel certifying that all conditions precedent, including, without limitation, this Section 11.04, have been met and stating under which of the circumstances set forth in Section 11.04(a) above the Collateral is being released have been delivered to the Second Lien Collateral Agent on or prior to the date of such release or, in the case of clause (y) above, the date on which the Second Lien Collateral Agent executes any such instrument.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, at any time when a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the maturity of the Notes has been accelerated (whether by declaration or otherwise) and the Trustee has delivered a notice of acceleration to the Second Lien Collateral Agent, no release of Collateral pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture or the Security Documents will be effective as against the holders, except as otherwise provided in the Intercreditor Agreements.

 

SECTION 11.05               Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee . In case the Collateral shall be in the possession of a receiver or trustee, lawfully appointed, the powers conferred in this Article XI upon the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to the release, sale or other disposition of such property may be exercised by such receiver or trustee, and an instrument signed by such receiver or trustee shall be deemed the equivalent of any

 

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similar instrument of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or of any officer or officers thereof required by the provisions of this Article XI; and if the Trustee, Second Lien Collateral Agent or a nominee of the Trustee or Second Lien Collateral Agent shall be in the possession of the Collateral under any provision of this Indenture, then such powers may be exercised by the Trustee, Second Lien Collateral Agent or a nominee of the Trustee or Second Lien Collateral Agent.

 

SECTION 11.06               Release Upon Termination of the Issuers’ Obligations . In the event (i) that Holdings delivers to the Trustee, in form and substance acceptable to it, an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel certifying that all the obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Security Documents have been satisfied and discharged by the payment in full of the Issuers’ obligations under the Notes, this Indenture and the Security Documents, and all such obligations have been so satisfied, or (ii) a discharge, legal defeasance or covenant defeasance of this Indenture occurs under Article VIII, the Trustee shall deliver to the Issuers and the Second Lien Collateral Agent a notice stating that the Trustee, on behalf of the holders, disclaims and gives up any and all rights it has in or to the Collateral, and any rights it has under the Security Documents, and upon receipt by the Second Lien Collateral Agent of such notice, the Second Lien Collateral Agent shall be deemed not to hold a Lien in the Collateral on behalf of the Trustee and shall do or cause to be done all acts reasonably necessary at the request and expense of the Issuers to release such Lien as soon as is reasonably practicable.

 

SECTION 11.07               Designations . Except as provided in the next sentence, for purposes of the provisions hereof and the Intercreditor Agreements requiring the Issuers to designate Indebtedness for the purposes of the terms First-Priority Lien Obligations, Other Second-Lien Obligations , Junior Lien Obligations or any other such designations hereunder or under the Intercreditor Agreements, any such designation shall be sufficient if the relevant designation provides in writing that such First-Priority Lien Obligations, Junior Lien Obligations or Other Second-Lien Obligations are permitted under this Indenture and is signed on behalf of Holdings by an Officer and delivered to the Trustee, the Second Lien Collateral Agent and the First Lien Agent. For all purposes hereof and the Intercreditor Agreements, Holdings hereby designates the Obligations pursuant to the Credit Agreement as in effect on the Escrow Release Date as First-Priority Lien Obligations and the Obligations pursuant to the Term Loan Facility as in effect on the Escrow Release Date as Other Second-Lien Obligations.

 

SECTION 11.08               Certificates of the Trustee . In the event that the Issuers wish to release Collateral in accordance with this Indenture and the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements at a time when the Trustee is not itself also the Second Lien Collateral Agent and the Issuers have delivered the certificates and documents required by the Security Documents and Section 11.03 hereof, the Trustee will determine whether it has received all documentation required by TIA § 314(d) in connection with such release and, based on such determination, will deliver a certificate to the Second Lien Collateral Agent setting forth such determination.

 

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ARTICLE XII

 

GUARANTEE

 

SECTION 12.01     Guarantee .

 

(a)                                   Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, on a senior secured basis from the Escrow Release Date, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, to each holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (i) the performance and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes and all other monetary obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Notes and (ii) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Issuers whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under this Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “ Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations ”). The Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations of all Subsidiary Guarantors shall be secured by first-priority security interests (subject to Permitted Liens and permitted by Section 4.12) in the Term/Notes Priority Collateral owned by such Subsidiary Guarantor and by second-priority security interests (subject to Permitted Liens and permitted by Section 4.12) in the RBL Priority Collateral. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from any Subsidiary Guarantor, and that each Subsidiary Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article XII notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligation.

 

(b)                                  Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Issuers of any of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (i) the failure of any holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Issuers or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (ii) any extension or renewal of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iv) the release of any security held by any holder or the Trustee for the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations or each Subsidiary Guarantor; (v) the failure of any holder or Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations; or (vi) any change in the ownership of each Subsidiary Guarantor, except as provided in Section 12.02(b) . Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have its obligations hereunder divided among the Subsidiary Guarantors, such that such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations would be less than the full amount claimed.

 

(c)                                   Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Issuers first be used and depleted as payment of the Issuers’ or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any

 

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right to which it may be entitled to require that the Issuers be sued prior to an action being initiated against such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

(d)                                  Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(e)                                   The Subsidiary Guarantee of each Subsidiary Guarantor is, to the extent and in the manner set forth in Article XII, equal in right of payment to all existing and future Pari Passu Indebtedness, senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor and subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all Secured Indebtedness of the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor and is made subject to such provisions of this Indenture. Pursuant to the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, the security interests securing the Subsidiary Guarantees will be senior in priority (subject to Permitted Liens and Liens permitted by Section 4.12) to all security interests in the Term/Notes Priority Collateral granted to secure the First-Priority Lien Obligations and junior in priority (subject to Permitted Liens and Liens permitted by Section 4.12) to all security interests in the RBL Priority Collateral at any time granted to secure First-Priority Lien Obligations. The Subsidiary Guarantees will rank pari passu with the guarantees of the loans under the Term Loan Facility.

 

(f)                                     Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.01(b), 12.02 and 12.06, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Subsidiary Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

 

(g)                                  Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuers or otherwise.

 

(h)                                  In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Subsidiary Guarantor by

 

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virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Issuers to pay the principal of or interest on any Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligation, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by applicable law) and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Issuers to the holders and the Trustee.

 

(i)                                      Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the holders in respect of any Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VI for the purposes of the Subsidiary Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article VI, such Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Subsidiary Guarantors for the purposes of this Section 12.01.

 

(j)                                      Each Subsidiary Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and expenses) Incurred by the Trustee, the Second Lien Collateral Agent or any holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 12.01.

 

(k)                                   Upon request of the Trustee, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 12.02               Limitation on Liability .

 

(a)                                   Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by each Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering this Indenture, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or capital maintenance or corporate benefit rules applicable to guarantees for obligations of affiliates.

 

(b)                                  A Subsidiary Guarantee as to any Restricted Subsidiary that is a party hereto on the date hereof or that executes a supplemental indenture in accordance with Section 4.11 hereof and provides a guarantee shall terminate and be of no further force or effect and such Subsidiary Guarantee shall be deemed to be released from all obligations under this Article XII upon:

 

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(i)                                      the sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer (including through merger, consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise) of the Capital Stock (including any sale, disposition or other transfer following which the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary), of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor if such sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer is made in a manner not in violation of this Indenture;

 

(ii)                                   the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.04 and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”;

 

(iii)                                the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor of the Credit Agreement or other Indebtedness or the guarantee of any other Indebtedness which resulted in the obligation to guarantee the Notes;

 

(iv)                               the Issuers’ exercise of their legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option under Article VIII or if the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

(v)                                  such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest in favor of First-Priority Lien Obligations, subject to, in each case, the application of the proceeds of such foreclosure in accordance with Section 11.04; and

 

(vi)                               the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event.

 

SECTION 12.03               [Intentionally Omitted] .

 

SECTION 12.04               Successors and Assigns . This Article XII shall be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 12.05            No Waiver . Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article XII shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article XII at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

 

SECTION 12.06               Modification . No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article XII, nor the consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case

 

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shall entitle any Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

 

SECTION 12.07               Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors . Each Subsidiary which is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Notes pursuant to Section 4.11 shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article XII and shall guarantee the Notes. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and that, subject to the application of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally and to the principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor is a valid and binding obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor, enforceable against such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with its terms and/or to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

 

SECTION 12.08            Non-Impairment . The failure to endorse a Subsidiary Guarantee on any Note shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

ESCROW ARRANGEMENTS

 

SECTION 13.01               Escrow Account . Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, on the Issue Date simultaneously with the issuance of the Notes, the Issuers shall, pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement, deposit into the Escrow Account the proceeds of the offering of the Notes, together with cash and/or Cash Equivalents (either in cash or in the form of letters of credit) (collectively with the Escrow Account and any other property from time to time held in the Escrow Account, the “ Escrow Property ”), sufficient to yield the aggregate Special Mandatory Redemption Price on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date for all of the Notes. The Issuers shall grant the Trustee, for the benefit of holders of the Notes, a security interest on a first-priority basis in the Escrow Property to secure the Notes Obligations pending disbursement in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

 

SECTION 13.02               Special Mandatory Redemption . If the Escrow Condition has not been satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date or Holdings determines in its sole discretion at any time prior to the Outside Date that the Escrow Conditions cannot be satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date, the Escrow Agent shall pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement release the Escrow Property (including investment earnings thereon) to the Trustee for application as payment to the holders of the Notes of the Special Mandatory Redemption Price pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note.

 

SECTION 13.03               Release of Escrow Property. Upon the satisfaction of the Escrow Conditions on or prior to the Outside Date the Escrow Property will be released in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 14.01               Trust Indenture Act Controls . If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or with another provision (an “incorporated provision”) included in this Indenture by operation of, Sections 310 to 318 of the TIA, inclusive, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.

 

SECTION 14.02               Notices .

 

(a)                                   Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and delivered in person, via facsimile or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:

 

 

if to the Issuers or a Subsidiary Guarantor:

 

 

 

c/o EP Energy LLC

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

Houston, TX 77002

 

Attention:

Dane Whitehead, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Marguerite Woung-Chapman, General Counsel

 

Fax: 713-420-6603

 

 

 

with copies to:

 

 

 

c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

 

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

 

New York, NY 10019

 

Attention:

Sam Oh and Chief Legal Officer

 

Fax: 646-417-6651

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

 

1285 Avenue of the Americas

 

New York, NY 10019

 

Attention:

Gregory Ezring

 

 

Monica Thurmond

 

Fax: 212-757-3990

 

 

 

if to the Trustee:

 

 

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association

 

Corporate Client Services

 

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

 

Minneapolis, MN 55402

 

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  Attention: Everest/EP Energy Administrator

 

  Fax: 612-217-5651

 

The Issuers or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

(b)                                  Any notice or communication mailed to a holder shall be mailed, first class mail, to the holder at the holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed.

 

(c)                                   Failure to mail a notice or communication to a holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except that notices to the Trustee are effective only if received.

 

The Trustee may, in its sole discretion, agree to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, as long as the Notes are in the form of a Global Note, notice to the holders may be made electronically in accordance with procedures of the Depository.

 

SECTION 14.03               Communication by the Holders with Other Holders . The holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and other Persons shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.

 

SECTION 14.04               Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent . Upon any request or application by the Issuers to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee at the request of the Trustee:

 

(a)                                   an Officers’ Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(b)                                  an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

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SECTION 14.05               Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion . Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 4.09) shall include:

 

(a)                                   a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(b)                                  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(c)                                   a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(d)                                  a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with; provided , however , that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

 

SECTION 14.06            When Notes Disregarded . In determining whether the holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

 

SECTION 14.07            Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar . The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of the holders. The Registrar and a Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

 

SECTION 14.08            Legal Holidays . If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on any amount that would have been otherwise payable on such payment date if it were a Business Day for the intervening period. If a regular Record Date is not a Business Day, the Record Date shall not be affected.

 

SECTION 14.09               GOVERNING LAW . THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

SECTION 14.10               No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in Holdings or of any Subsidiary Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary

 

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Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

SECTION 14.11               Successors . All agreements of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind such person’s successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

SECTION 14.12               Multiple Originals . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.

 

SECTION 14.13            Table of Contents; Headings . The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 14.14            Indenture Controls . If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of this Indenture, such provision of this Indenture shall control.

 

SECTION 14.15               Severability . In case any provision in this Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

 

SECTION 14.16               Intercreditor Agreement . The terms of this Indenture are subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 14.17               Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE ISSUERS, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank. ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Name: Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Title: Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Name: Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Title: Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

[Senior Secured Notes Indenture]

 



 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jane Schweiger

 

 

Name: Jane Schweiger

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Senior Secured Notes Indenture]

 



 

APPENDIX A

 

PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL NOTES, ADDITIONAL NOTES AND EXCHANGE NOTES

 

1.                                        Definitions.

 

1.1                                  Definitions.

 

For the purposes of this Appendix A the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

 

Additional Interest ” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Definitive Note ” means a certificated Initial Note, Additional Note or Exchange Note (bearing the Restricted Notes Legend if the transfer of such Note is restricted by applicable law) that does not include the Global Notes Legend.

 

Depository ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

 

Global Notes Legend ” means the legend set forth under that caption in the applicable Exhibit to this Indenture.

 

IAI ” means an institutional “accredited investor” as described in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

 

Initial Purchasers ” means Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, UBS Securities LLC, Nomura Securities International, Inc., Apollo Global Securities, LLC, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., Capital One Southcoast, Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp., Comerica Securities, Inc., DNB Markets, Inc., ING Financial Markets LLC, Lloyds Securities Inc., Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., Mizuho Securities USA Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited, SG Americas Securities, LLC, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and TD Securities (USA) LLC.

 

Notes Custodian ” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository) or any successor person thereto, who shall initially be the Trustee.

 

QIB ” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

Registered Exchange Offer ” means the offer by the Issuers, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to certain holders of Initial Notes, to issue and deliver to such holders, in exchange for the Initial Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes registered under the Securities Act.

 

Appendix A-1



 

Regulation S ” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

Regulation S Notes ” means all Initial Notes offered and sold outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S.

 

Restricted Notes Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.2(f)(i) herein.

 

Restricted Period ,” with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (a) the day on which such Notes are first offered to persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S, notice of which day shall be promptly given by the Issuers to the Trustee, and (b) the Issue Date, and with respect to any Additional Notes that are Transfer Restricted Notes, it means the comparable period of 40 consecutive days.

 

Rule 501 ” means Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A ” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A Notes” means all Initial Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

Shelf Registration Statement ” means the registration statement filed by the Issuers in connection with the offer and sale of Initial Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes ” means Definitive Notes that bear or are required to bear or are subject to the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Transfer Restricted Global Notes ” means Global Notes that bear or are required to bear or are subject to the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Transfer Restricted Notes ” means the Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes and Transfer Restricted Global Notes.

 

Unrestricted Definitive Notes ” means Definitive Notes that are not required to bear, or are not subject to, the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Unrestricted Global Notes ” means Global Notes that are not required to bear, or are not subject to, the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

1.2                                  Other Definitions .

 

Term:

 

Defined in Section:

Agent Members

 

2.1 (b)

Global Notes

 

2.1 (b)

Regulation S Global Notes

 

2.1 (b)

Rule 144A Global Notes

 

2.1 (b)

 

Appendix A-2



 

2.                                        The Notes.

 

2.1                                  Form and Dating; Global Notes.

 

(a)                                   The Initial Notes issued on the date hereof will be (i) privately placed by the Issuers pursuant to the Offering Memorandum and (ii) sold, initially only to (1) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (2) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S. Such Initial Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, purchasers in reliance on Regulation S and, except as set forth below, IAIs in accordance with Rule 501. Additional Notes offered after the date hereof may be offered and sold by the Issuers from time to time pursuant to one or more agreements in accordance with applicable law.

 

(b)                                  Global Notes . (i) Except as provided in clause (d) below, Rule 144A Notes initially shall be represented by one or more Notes in definitive, fully registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ Rule 144A Global Notes ”).

 

Regulation S Notes initially shall be represented by one or more Notes in fully registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ Regulation S Global Notes ”), which shall be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of the Depository for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

The term “ Global Notes ” means the Rule 144A Global Notes and the Regulation S Global Notes. The Global Notes shall bear the Global Note Legend. The Global Notes initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of such Depository, in each case for credit to an account of an Agent Member, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depository and (iii) bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Members of, or direct or indirect participants in, the Depository (collectively, the “ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Notes. The Depository may be treated by the Issuers, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Notes for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuers, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository, or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note.

 

(ii)                                   Transfers of Global Notes shall be limited to transfer in whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Notes may be transferred or exchanged for Definitive Notes only in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository and the provisions of Section 2.2. In addition, a Global Note shall be exchangeable for Definitive Notes if (x) the Depository (1) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for such Global Note and the Issuers thereupon fail to appoint a successor depository or (2) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act or (y) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global Note and a request has been made for such exchange; provided that in no event

 

Appendix A-3



 

shall the Regulation S Global Note be exchanged by the Issuers for Definitive Notes prior to (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (y) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act. In all cases, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein shall be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depository in accordance with its customary procedures.

 

(iii)                                In connection with the transfer of a Global Note as an entirety to beneficial owners pursuant to subsection (i) of this Section 2.1(b), such Global Note shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuers shall execute, and, upon written order of each Issuer signed by an Officer, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depository in writing in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations.

 

(iv)                               Any Transfer Restricted Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note pursuant to Section 2.2 shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2, bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

(v)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, through the Restricted Period, a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note may be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream unless delivery is made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 2.2.

 

(vi)                               The holder of any Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

 

2.2                                  Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a)                                   Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except as set forth in Section 2.1(b). Global Notes will not be exchanged by the Issuers for Definitive Notes except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 2.08 of this Indenture. Beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.2(b).

 

(b)                                  Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. Beneficial interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be transferred or exchanged only for beneficial interests in Global Notes. Transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

 

Appendix A-4



 

(i)                                      Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note . Beneficial interests in any Transfer Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Transfer Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Restricted Notes Legend; provided , however , that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person. A beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.2(b)(i).

 

(ii)                                   All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in any Global Note that is not subject to Section 2.2(b)(i), the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar (1) a written order from an Agent Member given to the Depository in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository directing the Depository to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository containing information regarding the Agent Member account to be credited with such increase. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note pursuant to Section 2.2(i).

 

(iii)                                Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Transfer Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.2(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)                               if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note; and

 

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note.

 

(iv)                               T ransfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Transfer Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.2(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

Appendix A-5



 

(A)                               I f the holder of such beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or

 

(B)                                 I f the holder of such beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,

 

and, in each such case, if the Issuers or the Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iv) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an written order of Holdings in the form of an Officers’ Certificate in accordance with Section 2.01, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (iv).

 

(v)                                  Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in a Transfer Restricted Global Note . Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note.

 

(c)                                   Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes for Definitive Notes . A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii). A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii). In any case, beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be transferred or exchanged only for Definitive Notes.

 

(d)                                  Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . Transfers and exchanges of Definitive Notes for beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) below, as applicable:

 

(i)                                      Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes . If any holder of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

Appendix A-6



 

(A)                               if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(B)                                 if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(C)                                 if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(D)                                if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(E)                                  if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an IAI in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel, if applicable; or

 

(F)                                  if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to Holdings or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

the Trustee shall cancel the Transfer Restricted Definitive Note, and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Transfer Restricted Global Note.

 

(ii)                                   Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes . A holder of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)                               if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or

 

(B)                                 if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who shall take

 

Appendix A-7



 

delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,

 

and, in each such case, if the Issuers or the Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this subparagraph (ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (ii) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an written order of Holdings in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Notes transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (ii).

 

(iii)                                Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes . A holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Unrestricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iii) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an written order of Holdings in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Unrestricted Definitive Notes transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (iii).

 

(iv)                               Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes . An Unrestricted Definitive Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note.

 

(e)                                   Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes . Upon request by a holder of Definitive Notes and such holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.2(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.2(e).

 

Appendix A-8


 

(i)                                      Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes . A Transfer Restricted Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)                               if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(B)                                 if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(C)                                 if the transfer will be made pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(D)                                if the transfer will be made to an IAI in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (A) through (D) above, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note; and

 

(E)                                  if such transfer will be made to Holdings or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note.

 

(ii)                                   Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . Any Transfer Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)                               if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or

 

(B)                                 if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,

 

and, in each such case, if the Issuers or the Registrar so request, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(iii)                                Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . A holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Notes to a

 

Appendix A-9



 

Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the holder thereof.

 

(iv)                               Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes . An Unrestricted Definitive Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note.

 

At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(f)                                     Legend.

 

(i)                                      Except as permitted by the following paragraph (iii), (iv) or (v), each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes and any Definitive Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (each defined term in the legend being defined as such for purposes of the legend only):

 

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS] AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE

 

Appendix A-10



 

LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUERS SO REQUESTS), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

“FROM THE ESCROW RELEASE DATE, THE TERMS OF THIS SECURITY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF (I) THE SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AMONG JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS RBL AGENT, CITIBANK, N.A., AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT, AND THE OTHER PARTIES FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO, TO BE ENTERED INTO UPON EXPIRATION OF THE ESCROW PERIOD, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE AND (II) THE PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AMONG CITIBANK, N.A., AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT, THE TRUSTEE, AND THE OTHER PARTIES FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO, TO BE ENTERED INTO UPON EXPIRATION OF THE ESCROW PERIOD, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE.”

 

Each Definitive Note shall bear the following additional legend:

 

Appendix A-11



 

“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”

 

(ii)                                   Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note, the Registrar shall permit the holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a Definitive Note that does not bear the legends set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note if the holder certifies in writing to the Registrar that its request for such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Initial Note).

 

(iii)                                Upon a sale or transfer after the expiration of the Restricted Period of any Initial Note acquired pursuant to Regulation S, all requirements that such Initial Note bear the Restricted Notes Legend shall cease to apply and the requirements requiring any such Initial Note be issued in global form shall continue to apply.

 

(iv)                               After a transfer of any Initial Notes during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to the Restricted Notes Legend on any such Initial Note will cease to apply, the requirements requiring any such Initial Note issued to certain holders be issued in global form will continue to apply, and an Initial Note or an Initial Note in global form, in each case without restrictive transfer legends, will be available to the transferee of the holder of such Initial Notes upon exchange of such transferring holder’s certificated Initial Note or directions to transfer such holder’s interest in the Global Note, as applicable.

 

(v)                                  Upon the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Notes pursuant to which holders of such Initial Notes are offered Exchange Notes in exchange for their Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Notes that Initial Notes issued to certain holders be issued in global form will still apply with respect to holders of such Initial Notes that do not exchange their Initial Notes, and Exchange Notes in certificated or global form, in each case without the Restricted Notes Legend, will be available to holders that exchange such Initial Notes in such Registered Exchange Offer.

 

(vi)                               Any Additional Notes sold in a registered offering shall not be required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

(g)                                  Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note . At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.10 of this Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount

 

Appendix A-12



 

of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(h)                                  Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes .

 

(i)                                      To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate, Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request.

 

(ii)                                   No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 3.06, 4.06, 4.08 and 9.05 of this Indenture).

 

(iii)                                Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuers, the Trustee, a Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(iv)                               All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

(i)                                      No Obligation of the Trustee.

 

(i)                                      The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the holders and all payments to be made to the holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to the registered holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

Appendix A-13



 

(ii)                                   The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

Appendix A-14



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL NOTE]

 

[Global Notes Legend]

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

 

[Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered in Reliance on Regulation S]

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON, AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

[Restricted Notes Legend]

 

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS] AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY)

 

Exhibit A-1



 

RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUERS SO REQUESTS), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

[Restricted Notes Legend]

 

“FROM THE ESCROW RELEASE DATE, THE TERMS OF THIS SECURITY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF (I) THE SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AMONG JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS RBL AGENT, CITIBANK, N.A., AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT, AND THE OTHER PARTIES FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO, TO BE ENTERED INTO UPON EXPIRATION OF THE ESCROW PERIOD, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE AND (II) THE PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AMONG CITIBANK, N.A., AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT, THE TRUSTEE, AND THE OTHER PARTIES FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO, TO BE ENTERED INTO UPON EXPIRATION OF THE ESCROW PERIOD, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE.”

 

[Definitive Notes Legend]

 

“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”

 

A-2



 

[FORM OF INITIAL NOTE]

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

No. [      ]

 

144A CUSIP No. 29977H AC4

 

144A ISIN No. US29977HAC43

 

REG S CUSIP No. U2993N AB7

 

REG S ISIN No. USU2993NAB74

 

$[      ]

 

6.875% Senior Secured Note due 2019

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation, jointly and severally, promise to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto on May 1, 2019.

 

Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1, commencing November 1, 2012

 

Record Dates: April 15 and October 15

 

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

A-3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Dated:

 

 

A-4


 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

as Trustee, certifies that this is

 

one of the Notes

 

 referred to in the Indenture.

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

Dated:

 


*/                                      If the Note is to be issued in global form, add the Global Notes Legend and the attachment from Exhibit A captioned “TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES - SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE.”

 

A-5



 

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL NOTE]

 

6.875% Senior Secured Note Due 2019

 

1.                                        Interest

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called “ Holdings ”), and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with Holdings, the “ Issuer ”), jointly and severally, promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above; provided , however , that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, Additional Interest will accrue on this Note at a rate of 0.25% per annum (increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum after each consecutive 90-day period that occurs after the date on which such Registration Default occurs up to a maximum Additional Interest rate of 1.00%) from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the earlier of (x) the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured and (y) the date which is two years from the Issue Date. The Issuers shall pay interest semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”), commencing November 1, 2012. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from April 24, 2012, until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

2.                                        Method of Payment

 

The Issuers shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders at the close of business on April 15 or October 15 (each a “ Record Date ”) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuers shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor depositary. The Issuers shall make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each holder thereof; provided , however , that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or Paying Agent to such effect designating such

 

A-6



 

account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

3.                                        Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (the “ Trustee ”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice. The Issuers or any of their domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

4.                                        Indenture

 

The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 24, 2012 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used herein are used as defined in the Indenture, unless otherwise indicated. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “ TIA ”). The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and the holders (as defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms and provisions. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Indenture, such provision of the Indenture shall control.

 

The Notes are senior secured obligations of the Issuers. This Note is one of the Initial Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, pay dividends and other distributions, Incur Indebtedness, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, issue or sell shares of capital stock of Holdings and such Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or Incur Liens and make Asset Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of each Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.

 

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Issuers under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantors have unconditionally guaranteed the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and any Subsidiary Guarantor that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee will unconditionally guarantee the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations, which such Subsidiary Guarantees shall be on a senior secured basis from the Escrow Release Date, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

 

A-7



 

5.                                        Redemption

 

On or after May 1, 2015 the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 1 of the years set forth below:

 

Period

 

Redemption Price

 

2015

 

103.438

%

2016

 

101.719

%

2017 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

In addition, prior to May 1, 2015, the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to May 1, 2015, the Issuers may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by Holdings or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of Holdings or are used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 106.875%, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided , however , that at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided , further , that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice mailed to each holder of Notes being redeemed and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering.

 

In the event that the Escrow Condition has not been satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date or Holdings determines in its sole discretion at any time prior to the Outside Date that the Escrow Conditions cannot be satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date (such earlier date, the “ Escrow Date of Determination ”), the Issuers shall promptly send a notice of redemption to holders of the Notes stating (x) that an Escrow Date of Determination has occurred, (y) the Special Mandatory Redemption Price and that the Notes will be redeemed at the Special

 

A-8



 

Mandatory Redemption Price no later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the Escrow Date of Determination or the date that the Escrow Property is released by the Escrow Agent to the Trustee, if later (such date, the “ Special Mandatory Redemption Date ”) and (z) such other items set forth in Section 3.05(a) of the Indenture. On the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, the Issuers shall be required to redeem the Notes at the Special Mandatory Redemption Price.

 

6.                                        Mandatory Redemption

 

Except as set forth in Paragraph 5 of this Note, the Issuers will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

7.                                        Notice of Redemption

 

Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date (or at least three (3) Business Days in advance in the case of a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of this Note), to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee) or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article VIII thereof. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with a Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date, interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

 

8.                                        Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holders upon Change of Control and Asset Sales

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

 

In accordance with Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the Issuers will be required to offer to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of certain events.

 

9.                                        Ranking and Collateral

 

From the Issue Date to the Escrow Release Date, these Notes will be secured by a first-priority security interest in the Escrow Account pursuant to the Escrow Agreement. From the Escrow Release Date, these Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees will be secured by a first-priority security interest in the Term/Notes Priority Collateral and a second-priority security interest in the RBL Priority Collateral pursuant to certain Security Documents. The Liens upon any and all Collateral are, to the extent and in the manner provided in the Intercreditor Agreements, subordinate in ranking to all present and future Liens securing First-Priority Lien

 

A-9



 

Obligations and will be of equal ranking with all present and future Liens securing Second-Priority Lien Obligations as set forth in the Intercreditor Agreements.

 

10.                                  Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A holder shall register the transfer of or exchange of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any registration of transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or to transfer or exchange any Notes for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

 

11.                                  Persons Deemed Owners

 

The registered holder of this Note shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

12.                                  Unclaimed Money

 

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuers at their written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, the holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors and the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

 

13.                                  Discharge and Defeasance

 

Subject to certain conditions, the Issuers at any time may terminate some of or all their obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuers deposit with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

14.                                  Amendment; Waiver

 

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes and (ii) any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any holder, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend the Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes; (iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary

 

A-10



 

Guarantor under the Indenture, its Subsidiary Guarantee and the Security Documents; (iv) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, provided , however , that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; (v) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents or any Intercreditor Agreement to any provision of the “Description of Senior Secured Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision of the Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents or such Intercreditor Agreement was intended by the Issuers to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the “Description of Senior Secured Notes” in the Offering Memorandum; (vi) to add a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes; (vii) to add Collateral to secure the Notes; (viii) to release Collateral or a Subsidiary Guarantee as permitted by the Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements; (ix) to add additional secured creditors holding Other Second-Lien Obligations, First-Priority Lien Obligations or other Junior Lien Obligation, so long as such obligations are not prohibited by the Indenture or the Security Documents; (x) to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers; (xi) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; (xii) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder; or (xiii) to make certain changes to the Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes.

 

In addition, the Intercreditor Agreements may be amended without the consent of any holder or the Trustee in connection with the permitted entry into the Intercreditor Agreements of any class of additional secured creditors holding Other Second-Lien Obligations, First-Priority Lien Obligations or Junior Lien Obligations to effectuate such entry into the Intercreditor Agreements and to make the lien of such class equal and ratable with, as applicable, the lien of the First-Priority Lien Obligations, the Other Second-Lien Obligations or the Junior Lien Obligations.

 

15.                                  Defaults and Remedies

 

If an Event of Default (other than a Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by notice to the Issuers may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuers occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense and certain other conditions are

 

A-11



 

complied with. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii) holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and (v) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

16.                                  Trustee Dealings with the Issuers

 

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuers or their Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

17.                                  No Recourse Against Others

 

No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.

 

18.                                  Authentication

 

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

19.                                  Abbreviations

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

 

A-12



 

20.                                  Holders Compliance with Registration Rights Agreement

 

Each holder of a Note, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the obligations of the holders with respect to a registration and the indemnification of the Issuers to the extent provided therein.

 

21.                                  Governing Law

 

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

22.                                  CUSIP Numbers; ISINs

 

The Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to the holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

The Issuers will furnish to any holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.

 

A-13



 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint                   agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

A-14


 

CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR

 

REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTES

 

This certificate relates to $                   principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space)          book-entry or                 definitive form by the undersigned.

 

The undersigned (check one box below):

 

o                                     has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Note held by the Depository a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above);

 

o                                     has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes.

 

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring while this Note is still a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note or a Transfer Restricted Global Note, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 

(1)

o

to the Issuers; or

 

 

 

(2)

o

to the Registrar for registration in the name of the holder, without transfer; or

 

 

 

(3)

o

pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

 

 

(4)

o

inside the United States to a “ qualified institutional buyer ” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

 

 

(5)

o

outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933 and such Note shall be held immediately after the transfer through Euroclear or Clearstream until the expiration of the Restricted Period (as defined in the Indenture); or

 

 

 

(6)

o

to an institutional “ accredited investor ” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements; or

 

 

 

(7)

o

pursuant to another available exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

A-15



 

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered holder thereof; provided , however , that if box (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Issuers or the Trustee may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Issuers or the Trustee have reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

A-16



 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (4) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “ qualified institutional buyer ” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuers as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

 

A-17



 

[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

 

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $                            . The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

 

Amount of decrease in
Principal Amount of this
Global Note

 

Amount of increase in
Principal Amount of this
Global Note

 

Principal amount of this
Global Note following
such decrease or
increase

 

Signature of authorized
signatory of Trustee or
Notes Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A-18



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box:

 

Asset Sale o

Change of Control  o

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):

 

$

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

 

A-19



 

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF FACE OF EXCHANGE NOTE*/]

 


*/  If the Note is to be issued in global form add the Global Notes Legend from Exhibit A and the attachment from such Exhibit A captioned “[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES] - SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE.”

 

B-1



 

[FORM OF EXCHANGE NOTE]

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

No. [   ]

CUSIP No. 29977H AD2

 

 

 

ISIN No. US29977HAD26

 

 

 

$[   ]

 

6.875% Senior Secured Note due 2019

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation, jointly and severally, promise to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto on May 1, 2019.

 

Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1, commencing November 1, 2012

 

Record Dates: April 15 and October 15

 

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

B-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

B-3



 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

as Trustee, certifies that this is

one of the Notes

referred to in the Indenture.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

B-4


 

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF EXCHANGE NOTE]

 

6.875% Senior Secured Note Due 2019

 

1.                                        Interest

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called “ Holdings ”), and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with Holdings, the “ Issuer ”), jointly and severally, promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above[; provided , however , that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, Additional Interest will accrue on this Note at a rate of 0.25% per annum (increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum after each consecutive 90-day period that occurs after the date on which such Registration Default occurs up to a maximum Additional Interest rate of 1.00%) from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the earlier of (x) the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured and (y) the date which is two years from the Issue Date](1). The Issuers shall pay interest semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”), commencing November 1, 2012. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from April 24, 2012, until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

2.                                        Method of Payment

 

The Issuers shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders at the close of business on April 15 or October 15 (each a “ Record Date ”) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuers shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor depositary. The Issuers shall make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each holder thereof;

 


(1)                                   Insert if at the date of issuance of the Exchange Note any Registration Default has occurred with respect to the related Initial Notes during the interest period in which such date of issuance occurs.

 

B-5



 

provided , however , that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

3.                                        Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (the “ Trustee ”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice. The Issuers or any of their domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

4.                                        Indenture

 

The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 24, 2012 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used herein are used as defined in the Indenture, unless otherwise indicated. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “ TIA ”). The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and the holders (as defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms and provisions. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Indenture, such provision of the Indenture shall control.

 

The Notes are senior secured obligations of the Issuers. This Note is one of the Initial Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, pay dividends and other distributions, Incur Indebtedness, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, issue or sell shares of capital stock of the Holdings and such Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or Incur Liens and make Asset Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of each Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.

 

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Issuers under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantors have unconditionally guaranteed the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and any Subsidiary Guarantor that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee will unconditionally guarantee the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations, which such Subsidiary

 

B-6



 

Guarantees shall be on a senior secured basis from the Escrow Release Date, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

 

5.                                        Redemption

 

On or after May 1, 2015 the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 1 of the years set forth below:

 

Period

 

Redemption Price

 

2015

 

103.438

%

2016

 

101.719

%

2017 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

In addition, prior to May 1, 2015, the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to May 1, 2015, the Issuers may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by Holdings or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of Holdings or are used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 106.875%, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided , however , that at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided , further , that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice mailed to each holder of Notes being redeemed and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering.

 

B-7



 

In the event that the Escrow Condition has not been satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date or Holdings determines in its sole discretion at any time prior to the Outside Date that the Escrow Conditions cannot be satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date (such earlier date, the “ Escrow Date of Determination ”), the Issuers shall promptly send a notice of redemption to holders of the Notes stating (x) that an Escrow Date of Determination has occurred, (y) the Special Mandatory Redemption Price and that the Notes will be redeemed at the Special Mandatory Redemption Price no later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the Escrow Date of Determination or the date that the Escrow Property is released by the Escrow Agent to the Trustee, if later (such date, the “ Special Mandatory Redemption Date ”) and (z) such other items set forth in Section 3.05(a) of the Indenture. On the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, the Issuers shall be required to redeem the Notes at the Special Mandatory Redemption Price.

 

6.                                        Mandatory Redemption

 

Except as set forth in Paragraph 5 of this Note, the Issuers will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

7.                                        Notice of Redemption

 

Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date (or three (3) Business Days in advance in the case of a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of this Note), to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee) or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article VIII thereof. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with a Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date, interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

 

8.                                        Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holders upon Change of Control and Asset Sales

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

 

In accordance with Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the Issuers will be required to offer to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of certain events.

 

B-8



 

9.                                        Ranking and Collateral

 

From the Issue Date to the Escrow Release Date, these Notes will be secured by a first-priority security interest in the Escrow Account pursuant to the Escrow Agreement. From the Escrow Release Date, these Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees will be secured by a first-priority security interest in the Term/Notes Priority Collateral and a second-priority security interest in the RBL Priority Collateral pursuant to certain Security Documents. The Liens upon any and all Collateral are, to the extent and in the manner provided in the Intercreditor Agreements, subordinate in ranking to all present and future Liens securing First-Priority Lien Obligations and will be of equal ranking with all present and future Liens securing Second-Priority Lien Obligations as set forth in the Intercreditor Agreements.

 

10.                                  Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A holder shall register the transfer of or exchange of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any registration of transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or to transfer or exchange any Notes for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

 

11.                                  Persons Deemed Owners

 

The registered holder of this Note shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

12.                                  Unclaimed Money

 

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuers at their written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, the holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors and the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

 

13.                                  Discharge and Defeasance

 

Subject to certain conditions, the Issuers at any time may terminate some of or all their obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuers deposit with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

14.                                  Amendment; Waiver

 

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes and (ii) any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in

 

B-9



 

principal amount of the outstanding Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any holder, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend the Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes; (iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, its Subsidiary Guarantee and the Security Documents; (iv) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, provided , however , that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; (v) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents or any Intercreditor Agreement to any provision of the “Description of Senior Secured Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision of the Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents or such Intercreditor Agreement was intended by the Issuers to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the “Description of Senior Secured Notes” in the Offering Memorandum; (vi) to add a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes; (vii) to add Collateral to secure the Notes; (viii) to release Collateral or a Subsidiary Guarantee as permitted by the Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements; (ix) to add additional secured creditors holding Other Second-Lien Obligations, First-Priority Lien Obligations or other Junior Lien Obligation, so long as such obligations are not prohibited by the Indenture or the Security Documents; (x) to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers; (xi) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; (xii) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder; or (xiii) to make certain changes to the Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes.

 

In addition, the Intercreditor Agreements may be amended without the consent of any holder or the Trustee in connection with the permitted entry into the Intercreditor Agreements of any class of additional secured creditors holding Other Second-Lien Obligations, First-Priority Lien Obligations or Junior Lien Obligations to effectuate such entry into the Intercreditor Agreements and to make the lien of such class equal and ratable with, as applicable, the lien of the First-Priority Lien Obligations, the Other Second-Lien Obligations or the Junior Lien Obligations.

 

15.                                  Defaults and Remedies

 

If an Event of Default (other than a Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by notice to the Issuers may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuers occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal

 

B-10



 

amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense and certain other conditions are complied with. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii) holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and (v) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

16.                                  Trustee Dealings with the Issuers

 

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuers or their Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

17.                                  No Recourse Against Others

 

No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.

 

18.                                  Authentication

 

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

B-11



 

19.                                  Abbreviations

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

 

20.                                  Governing Law

 

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

21.                                  CUSIP Numbers; ISINs

 

The Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to the holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

The Issuers will furnish to any holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.

 

B-12


 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint                                          agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

Date:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

B-13



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box:

 

Asset Sale o

Change of Control o

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

 

B-14



 

EXHIBIT C

 

[FORM OF TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION]

 

TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION

 

[EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC]

[EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.]

c/o Wilmington Trust, National Association

Corporate Client Services

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

Minneapolis, MN 55402

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $[     ] principal amount of the 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “ Notes ”) of [EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC] and [EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.] (collectively with their successors and assigns, the “ Issuers ”).

 

Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:

 

Name:

 

Address:

 

Taxpayer ID Number:

 

The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

 

1.                                        We are an institutional “ accredited investor ” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”)), purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “ accredited investor ” at least $100,000 principal amount of the Notes, and we are acquiring the Notes not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the Notes in the normal course of our business. We, and any accounts for which we are acting, are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

 

2.                                        We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date that is two years after the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which either of the Issuers or any affiliate of such Issuers was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the “ Resale Restriction Termination Date ”) only (a) in the United States to a person whom we reasonably

 

C-1



 

believe is a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in rule 144A under the Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, (b) outside the United States in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (c) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144 thereunder (if applicable) or (d) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each of cases (a) through (d) in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. In addition, we will, and each subsequent holder is required to, notify any purchaser of the Note evidenced hereby of the resale restrictions set forth above. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made to an institutional “ accredited investor ” prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Issuers and the Trustee, which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “ accredited investor ” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act and that it is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act. Each purchaser acknowledges that the Issuers and the Trustee reserve the right prior to the offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of the Notes pursuant to clause 1(b), 1(c) or 1(d) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications or other information satisfactory to the Issuers and the Trustee.

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSFEREE:

 

,

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

C-2



 

EXHIBIT D

 

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”) dated as of [DATE], among [SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR] (the “ New Subsidiary Guarantor ”), a subsidiary of EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC (or its successor), a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS Holdings, Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. (or its successor), a Delaware corporation (the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with Holdings, the “ Issuers ”), certain Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed an indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of the Issuers’ 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 ( the “ Notes ”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $750,000,000;

 

WHEREAS Sections 4.11 and 12.07 of the Indenture provide that under certain circumstances Holdings is required to cause the New Subsidiary Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Subsidiary Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Issuers are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuers and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

 

1.                                        Defined Terms . As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “ holders ” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “ holders ” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. The words “ herein ,” “ hereof ” and “ hereby ” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.

 

2.                                        Agreement to Guarantee . The New Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all existing Subsidiary Guarantors (if any), to unconditionally guarantee the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XII of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable

 

D-1



 

provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

3.                                        Notices . All notices or other communications to the New Subsidiary Guarantor shall be given as provided in Section 14.02 of the Indenture.

 

4.                                        Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture . Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

 

5.                                        Governing Law . THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

6.                                        Trustee Makes No Representation . The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

7.                                        Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

8.                                        Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank. ]

 

D-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

[EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ NEW SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR ] , as a Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name: [    ]

 

 

Title: [    ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name: [    ]

 

 

Title: [    ]

 

D-3




Exhibit 4.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

and

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

as Issuers

 

and the Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto from time to time

 

9.375% Senior Notes due 2020

 


 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of April 24, 2012

 


 

and

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association

as Trustee

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

 

SECTION 1.01

Definitions

1

SECTION 1.02

Other Definitions

45

SECTION 1.03

Rules of Construction

46

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.01

Amount of Notes

47

SECTION 2.02

Form and Dating

48

SECTION 2.03

Execution and Authentication

48

SECTION 2.04

Registrar and Paying Agent

49

SECTION 2.05

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

50

SECTION 2.06

Holder Lists

50

SECTION 2.07

Transfer and Exchange

50

SECTION 2.08

Replacement Notes

51

SECTION 2.09

Outstanding Notes

52

SECTION 2.10

Cancellation

52

SECTION 2.11

Defaulted Interest

52

SECTION 2.12

CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc.

52

SECTION 2.13

Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes

53

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01

Redemption

53

SECTION 3.02

Applicability of Article

53

SECTION 3.03

Notices to Trustee

53

SECTION 3.04

Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed

54

SECTION 3.05

Notice of Optional Redemption

54

SECTION 3.06

Effect of Notice of Redemption

55

SECTION 3.07

Deposit of Redemption Price

55

SECTION 3.08

Notes Redeemed in Part

55

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01

Payment of Notes

56

SECTION 4.02

Reports and Other Information

56

SECTION 4.03

Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock

58

SECTION 4.04

Limitation on Restricted Payments

65

SECTION 4.05

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

72

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont’d)

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 4.06

Asset Sales

74

SECTION 4.07

Transactions with Affiliates

77

SECTION 4.08

Change of Control

80

SECTION 4.09

Compliance Certificate

82

SECTION 4.10

Further Instruments and Acts

82

SECTION 4.11

Future Subsidiary Guarantors

82

SECTION 4.12

Liens

83

SECTION 4.13

[Intentionally Omitted]

83

SECTION 4.14

Maintenance of Office or Agency

84

SECTION 4.15

Covenant Suspension

84

ARTICLE V

 

SUCCESSOR COMPANY

 

SECTION 5.01

When Issuers May Merge or Transfer Assets

85

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01

Events of Default

87

SECTION 6.02

Acceleration

89

SECTION 6.03

Other Remedies

90

SECTION 6.04

Waiver of Past Defaults

90

SECTION 6.05

Control by Majority

90

SECTION 6.06

Limitation on Suits

90

SECTION 6.07

Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment

91

SECTION 6.08

Collection Suit by Trustee

91

SECTION 6.09

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

91

SECTION 6.10

Priorities

92

SECTION 6.11

Undertaking for Costs

92

SECTION 6.12

Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

92

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

TRUSTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01

Duties of Trustee

92

SECTION 7.02

Rights of Trustee

94

SECTION 7.03

Individual Rights of Trustee

95

SECTION 7.04

Trustee’s Disclaimer

96

SECTION 7.05

Notice of Defaults

96

SECTION 7.06

Reports by Trustee to the Holders

96

SECTION 7.07

Compensation and Indemnity

96

SECTION 7.08

Replacement of Trustee

98

SECTION 7.09

Successor Trustee by Merger

98

SECTION 7.10

Eligibility; Disqualification

99

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont’d)

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 7.11

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuers

99

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

 

 

SECTION 8.01

Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance

99

SECTION 8.02

Conditions to Defeasance

100

SECTION 8.03

Application of Trust Money

102

SECTION 8.04

Repayment to Issuer

102

SECTION 8.05

Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations

102

SECTION 8.06

Reinstatement

102

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01

Without Consent of the Holders

103

SECTION 9.02

With Consent of the Holders

104

SECTION 9.03

Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers

105

SECTION 9.04

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

105

SECTION 9.05

Trustee to Sign Amendments

105

SECTION 9.06

Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount

106

SECTION 9.07

Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act

106

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

ARTICLE XI

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

ARTICLE XII

 

GUARANTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 12.01

Guarantee

106

SECTION 12.02

Limitation on Liability

109

SECTION 12.03

[Intentionally Omitted]

109

SECTION 12.04

Successors and Assigns

110

SECTION 12.05

No Waiver

110

SECTION 12.06

Modification

110

SECTION 12.07

Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors

110

SECTION 12.08

Non-Impairment

110

 

iii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont’d)

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

ESCROW ARRANGEMENTS

 

 

 

SECTION 13.01

Escrow Account

110

SECTION 13.02

Special Mandatory Redemption

111

SECTION 13.03

Release of Escrow Property

111

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 14.01

Trust Indenture Act Controls

111

SECTION 14.02

Notices

111

SECTION 14.03

Communication by the Holders with Other Holders

113

SECTION 14.04

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

113

SECTION 14.05

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

113

SECTION 14.06

When Notes Disregarded

113

SECTION 14.07

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar

114

SECTION 14.08

Legal Holidays

114

SECTION 14.09

GOVERNING LAW

114

SECTION 14.10

No Recourse Against Others

114

SECTION 14.11

Successors

114

SECTION 14.12

Multiple Originals

114

SECTION 14.13

Table of Contents; Headings

114

SECTION 14.14

Indenture Controls

114

SECTION 14.15

Severability

114

SECTION 14.16

Waiver of Jury Trial

115

 

 

 

Appendix A

—          Provisions Relating to Initial Notes and Additional Notes

 

 

iv



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont’d)

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit A

Form of Initial Note

Exhibit B

Form of Exchange Note

Exhibit C

Form of Transferee Letter of Representation

Exhibit D

Form of Supplemental Indenture

 

v



 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA

 

 

Indenture

Section

 

 

Section

310

(a)(1)

 

7.10

 

(a)(2)

 

7.10

 

(a)(3)

 

7.10

 

(a)(4)

 

7.10

 

(b)

 

7.08; 7.10

 

(c)

 

N.A.

311

(a)

 

7.11

 

(b)

 

7.11

 

(c)

 

N.A.

312

(a)

 

2.06

 

(b)

 

14.03

 

(c)

 

14.03

313

(a)

 

7.06

 

(b)(1)

 

7.06

 

(b)(2)

 

7.06

 

(c)

 

7.06

 

(d)

 

7.06

314

(a)

 

4.02; 4.09

 

(b)

 

N.A.

 

(c)(1)

 

14.04

 

(c)(2)

 

14.04

 

(c)(3)

 

N.A.

 

(d)

 

N.A.

 

(e)

 

14.05

 

(f)

 

4.10

315

(a)

 

7.01

 

(b)

 

7.05

 

(c)

 

7.01

 

(d)

 

7.01

 

(e)

 

6.11

316

(a) (last sentence)

 

14.06

 

(a)(1)(A)

 

6.05

 

(a)(1)(B)

 

6.04

 

(a)(2)

 

N.A.

 

(b)

 

6.07

317

(a)(1)

 

6.08

 

(a)(2)

 

6.09

 

(b)

 

2.05

318

(a)

 

14.01

 

N.A. Means Not Applicable.

Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purposes, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.

 

vi



 

INDENTURE, dated as of April 24, 2012, among EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company to be renamed as EP Energy LLC on or after the Escrow Release Date (together with its successors and assigns, “ Holdings ”), EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation to be renamed as EP Energy Finance Inc. on or after the Escrow Release Date (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with Holdings, the “ Issuers ”), the Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto from time to time (as defined below) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of (i) $2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 issued on the date hereof (the “ Initial Notes ”), (ii) Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes and (iii) Additional Notes issued from time to time (together with the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes, the “ Notes ”):

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01                                       Definitions .

 

Acquired Business ” means (i) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation); (ii) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company; (iii) all of the issued and outstanding quotas of UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda. and El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.; and (iv) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso Brazil Holdings Company.

 

Acquired Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1)                                  Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and

 

(2)                                  Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

 

Acquired Indebtedness will be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (2) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of such assets.

 

Acquisition ” means the purchase by EPE Acquisition, LLC of the Acquired Business.

 

Acquisition Documents ” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., as sellers, and EPE Acquisition, LLC, as purchaser, and any other

 



 

agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Additional Assets ” means:

 

(1)                                  any properties or assets used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(2)                                  capital expenditures by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary in the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(3)                                  the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(4)                                  Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

provided , however , that, in the case of clauses (3) and (4), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

 

Additional Notes ” means the Notes issued under the terms of this Indenture subsequent to the Issue Date.

 

Additional Refinancing Amount ” means, in connection with the Incurrence of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate principal amount of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), expenses, defeasance costs and fees in respect thereof.

 

Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

 

(a)                                  the sum of:

 

(i)                                      estimated discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any provincial, territorial, state, federal or foreign income taxes, as estimated by Holdings in a reserve report prepared as of the end of Holdings’ most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from (A) estimated proved oil and gas reserves acquired since such year end, which reserves were not reflected in such year end reserve report, and (B) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves (including the impact to discounted future net revenues related to development costs previously estimated in the last year end reserve report, but only to the extent such costs were actually incurred since the date of the last year end reserve report) since such year end due to exploration, development, exploitation or other activities, increased by the accretion of discount from the date of the last year end reserve report to the date of determination and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted

 

2


 

future net revenues from (C) estimated proved oil and gas reserves included in the last year end reserve report that shall have been produced or disposed of since such year end, and (D) estimated oil and gas reserves included therein that are subsequently removed from the proved oil and gas reserves of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries as so calculated due to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves since such year end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, provided , that (x) in the case of such year end reserve report and any adjustments since such year end pursuant to clauses (A), (B) and (D), the estimated discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves shall be determined in their entirety using oil, gas and other hydrocarbon prices and costs that are either (1) calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines and, with respect to such adjustments under clauses (A), (B) or (D), calculated with such prices and costs as if the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the date of determination for which such information is available to Holdings were year end or (2) if Holdings so elects at any time, calculated in accordance with the foregoing clause (1), except that when pricing of future net revenues of proved oil and gas reserves under SEC guidelines is not based on a contract price and is instead based upon benchmark, market or posted pricing, the pricing for each month of estimated future production from such proved oil and gas reserves not subject to contract pricing shall be based upon NYMEX (or successor) published forward prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity applicable to such production month (adjusted for energy content, quality and basis differentials, with such basis differentials determined as provided in the definition of “Borrowing Base” and giving application to the last sentence of such definition hereto), as such forward prices are published as of the year end date of such reserve report or, with respect to post-year end adjustments under clauses (A), (B) or (D), the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the date of determination, (y) the pricing of estimated proved reserves that have been produced or disposed since year end as set forth in clause (D) shall be based upon the applicable pricing elected for the prior year end reserve report as provided in clause (x), and (z) in each case as estimated by Holdings’ petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineers engaged by Holdings for that purpose;

 

(ii)                                   the capitalized costs that are attributable to Oil and Gas Properties of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and gas reserves are attributable, based on Holdings’ books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of Holdings’ latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements;

 

(iii)                                the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of Holdings’ latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements;

 

(iv)                               assets related to commodity risk management activities less liabilities related to commodity risk management activities, in each case to the extent that such assets and liabilities arise in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, provided that such net value shall not be less than zero; and

 

(v)                                  the greater of (A) the net book value of other tangible assets (including, without limitation, investments in unconsolidated Restricted Subsidiaries and

 

3



 

mineral rights held under lease or other contractual arrangement) of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of Holdings’ latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements, and (B) the Fair Market Value, as estimated by Holdings, of other tangible assets (including, without limitation, investments in unconsolidated Restricted Subsidiaries and mineral rights held under lease or other contractual arrangement) of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of Holdings’ latest audited consolidated financial statements (it being understood that Holdings shall not be required to obtain any appraisal of any assets); minus

 

(b)                                  the sum of:

 

(i)                                      any amount included in clauses (a)(i) through (a)(v) above that is attributable to minority interests;

 

(ii)                                   any net gas balancing liabilities of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in Holdings’ latest audited consolidated financial statements;

 

(iii)                                to the extent included in clause (a)(i) above, the estimated discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices and costs as provided in clause (a)(i)), attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto); and

 

(iv)                               to the extent included in clause (a)(i) above, the estimated discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing prices and costs as provided in clause (a)(i)), attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the estimated discounted future net revenues specified in clause (a)(i) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto).

 

If Holdings changes its method of accounting from the full cost method of accounting to the successful efforts or a similar method, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if Holdings were still using the full cost method of accounting.

 

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

 

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Applicable Premium ” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuers, the greater of:

 

(1)                                  1% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Note; and

 

(2)                                  the excess of:

 

(a)                                  the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note, at May 1, 2016 (such redemption price being set forth in Paragraph 5 of the Note) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through May 1, 2016 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

 

(b)                                  the then outstanding principal amount of the Note.

 

Asset Sale ” means:

 

(1)                                  the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of property or assets (including by way of Production Payments and Reserve Sales and Sale/ Leaseback Transactions) (other than an operating lease entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business) outside the ordinary course of business of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to in this definition as a “ disposition ”); or

 

(2)                                  the issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals or other third parties to the extent required by applicable law) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary) (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions),

 

in each case other than:

 

(a)                                  a disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete, damaged or worn out property or equipment in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)                                  the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Holdings in a manner permitted pursuant to Section 5.01 or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control;

 

(c)                                   any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.04;

 

(d)                                  any disposition of assets of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, which assets or Equity Interests so disposed or issued have an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of less than $50.0 million;

 

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(e)                                   any disposition of property or assets, or the issuance of securities, by a Restricted Subsidiary to Holdings or by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(f)                                    any exchange of assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents) for assets related to a Similar Business of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by Holdings;

 

(g)                                   foreclosure or any similar action with respect to any property or other asset of Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(h)                                  any sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(i)                                      the lease, assignment or sublease of, or any transfer related to a “reverse build to suit” or similar transaction in respect of, any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(j)                                     any sale of inventory or other assets in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)                                  any grant in the ordinary course of business of any license of patents, trademarks, know-how or any other intellectual property;

 

(l)                                      in the ordinary course of business, any swap of assets, or lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property, in exchange for services (including in connection with any outsourcing arrangements) of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by Holdings;

 

(m)                              a transfer of accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Receivables Financing” (or a fractional undivided interest therein) by a Receivables Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Financing;

 

(n)                                  any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including any Sale/Leaseback Transaction or asset securitization permitted by this Indenture;

 

(o)                                  dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;

 

(p)                                  any disposition of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement or other obligation with or to a Person (other than Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary) from whom such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired or from whom such Restricted Subsidiary acquired its business and assets (having been newly formed in connection with such acquisition), made as part of such acquisition and in each case comprising all or a portion of the consideration in respect of such sale or acquisition;

 

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(q)                                  the sale of any property in a Sale/Leaseback Transaction within twelve months of the acquisition of such property;

 

(r)                                     dispositions of receivables in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings and exclusive of factoring or similar arrangements;

 

(s)                                    any surrender, expiration or waiver of contract rights or oil and gas leases or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;

 

(t)                                     a disposition of Hydrocarbons or mineral products inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(u)                                  any Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that any such Production Payments and Reserve Sales, other than incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to an Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, shall have been created, incurred, issued, assumed or guaranteed in connection with the financing of, and within 60 days after the acquisition of, the property that is subject thereto;

 

(v)                                  the abandonment, farm-out pursuant to a Farm-Out Agreement, lease or sublease of developed or underdeveloped Oil and Gas Properties owned or held by an Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or which are usual and customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur; and

 

(w)                                a disposition (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) of any Oil and Gas Property or interest therein to which no proved reserves are attributable at the time of such disposition.

 

Bank Indebtedness ” means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of (a) the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time (including after termination of the Credit Agreement), including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to Holdings whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof and (b) whether or not the Indebtedness referred to in clause (a) remains outstanding, if designated by Holdings to be included in this definition, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper

 

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facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Board of Directors ” means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof. In the case of Holdings, the Board of Directors of Holdings shall be deemed to include the Board of Directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as appropriate.

 

Borrowing Base ” means, at any date of determination, an amount equal to the amount of (a) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed producing (PDP) reserves, plus (b) 35% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed non-producing (PDNP) reserves, plus (c) 25% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proven undeveloped (PUD) reserves, plus or minus (d) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries under commodity hedging agreements (other than basis differential commodity hedging agreements), netted against the price described below, plus or minus (e) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries under basis differential commodity hedging agreements, in each case for Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (i) for purposes of clauses (a) through (d) above, as estimated by Holdings in a reserve report prepared by Holdings’ petroleum engineers applying the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity adjusted for relevant energy content, quality and basis differentials (before any state or federal or other income tax) and (ii) for purposes of clauses (d) and (e) above, as estimated by Holdings applying, if available, the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward basis differential or, if such NYMEX (or successor) forward basis differential is unavailable, in good faith based on historical basis differential (before any state or federal or other income tax). For any months beyond the term included in published NYMEX (or successor) forward pricing, the price used will be equal to the last published contract escalated at 1.5% per annum.

 

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or the place of payment.

 

Capital Stock ” means:

 

(1)                                  in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;

 

(2)                                  in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

 

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(3)                                  in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

 

(4)                                  any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation ” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that any obligations of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, either existing on the Issue Date or created prior to any recharacterization described below (or any refinancings thereof) (i) that were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of Holdings as capital lease obligations and (ii) that are subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.

 

Capitalized Software Expenditures ” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and such Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Cash Equivalents ” means:

 

(1)                                  U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, euros, the national currency of any member state in the European Union or such local currencies held by an entity from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

 

(2)                                  securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any country that is a member of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof in each case maturing not more than two years from the date of acquisition;

 

(3)                                  certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances, in each case with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and sur plus in excess of $250.0 million and whose long-term debt is rated “A” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency);

 

(4)                                  repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

 

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(5)                                  commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of Holdings) rated at least “A-1 or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;

 

(6)                                  readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;

 

(7)                                  Indebtedness issued by Persons (other than the Sponsors or any of their Affiliates) with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2 or higher from Moody’s (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition; and

 

(8)                                  investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (7) above.

 

CFC ” means a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

 

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of either of the following:

 

(1)                                  the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all the assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to a Person other than any of the Permitted Holders; or

 

(2)                                  Holdings becomes aware (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) of the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than any of the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of Holdings.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees and Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(1)                                  consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (including amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations and excluding Additional Interest in respect of the Notes, amortization of deferred financing fees, any interest attributable to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees and non-cash interest expense attributable to movement in mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivatives (in each case permitted hereunder) under GAAP); plus

 

(2)                                  consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; plus

 

(3)                                  commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges Incurred in connection with any Receivables Financing which are payable to Persons other than Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries; minus

 

(4)                                  interest income for such period.

 

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by Holdings to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided , however , that:

 

(1)                                  any net after-tax extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses or charges, any severance expenses, relocation expenses, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, any expenses related to any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternate uses and fees, expenses or charges relating to facilities closing costs, acquisition integration costs, facilities opening costs, project start-up costs, business optimization costs, signing, retention or completion bonuses, expenses or charges related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or issuance, repayment, refinancing, amendment or modification of Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not successful), and any fees, expenses, charges or change in control payments related to the Transactions, in each case, shall be excluded;

 

(2)                                  effects of purchase accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and such Subsidiaries) in amounts required or permitted by GAAP, resulting from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

 

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(3)                                  the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period;

 

(4)                                  any net after-tax income or loss from disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets shall be excluded;

 

(5)                                  any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business dispositions or asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by management of Holdings) shall be excluded;

 

(6)                                  any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded;

 

(7)                                  the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of such Person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period;

 

(8)                                  solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (1) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit,” the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions have been legally waived; provided that the Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or converted into cash) by any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, to the extent not already included therein;

 

(9)                                  an amount equal to the amount of Tax Distributions actually made to any parent or equity holder of such Person in respect of such period in accordance with Section 4.04(b)(xii) shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such Person for such period;

 

(10)                           any impairment charges or asset write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP, and any impairment charges, asset write-offs or write-down, including ceiling test write-downs, on Oil and Gas Properties under GAAP or SEC guidelines shall be excluded;

 

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(11)                           any non-cash expense realized or resulting from stock option plans, employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, or grants or sales of stock, stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock or other rights shall be excluded;

 

(12)                           any (a) non-cash compensation charges, (b) costs and expenses after the Issue Date related to employment of terminated employees, or (c) costs or expenses realized in connection with or resulting from stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights existing on the Issue Date of officers, directors and employees, in each case of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary, shall be excluded;

 

(13)                           accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within 12 months after the Issue Date and that are so required to be established or adjusted in accordance with GAAP or as a result of adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded;

 

(14)                           (a) the Net Income of any Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be calculated without deducting the income attributable to, or adding the losses attributable to, the minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary except to the extent of dividends declared or paid in respect of such period or any prior period on the shares of Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary held by such third parties and (b) any ordinary course dividend, distribution or other payment paid in cash and received from any Person in excess of amounts included in clause (7) above shall be included;

 

(15)                           (a)(i) the non-cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense shall be excluded and (ii) the cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense which exceeds the amount expensed in respect of such rent expense shall be included and (b) non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP and related interpretations shall be excluded;

 

(16)                           any currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness, and any net loss or gain resulting from hedging transactions for currency exchange risk, shall be excluded;

 

(17)                           (a) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (i) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (ii) in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days), expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded and (b) amounts estimated in good faith to be received from insurance in respect of lost revenues or earnings in respect of liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be included (with a deduction for amounts actually received up to such estimated amount to the extent included in Net Income in a future period);

 

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(18)                           Capitalized Software Expenditures shall be excluded; and

 

(19)                           Non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded (except to the extent reversing a previously recognized increase to net income).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.04 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.04 pursuant to clauses (4) and (5) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit.”

 

Consolidated Non-Cash Charges ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the non-cash expenses (other than Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that if any such non-cash expenses represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA in such future period to the extent paid, but excluding from this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period.

 

Consolidated Taxes ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise, property and similar taxes, foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and any Tax Distributions taken into account in calculating Consolidated Net Income.

 

Consolidated Total Indebtedness ” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any undrawn letters of credit) consisting of Capitalized Lease Obligations, bankers’ acceptances and Indebtedness for borrowed money, plus (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries and all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Contingent Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“ primary obligations ”) of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:

 

(1)                                  to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,

 

(2)                                  to advance or supply funds:

 

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(a)                                  for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation; or

 

(b)                                  to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or

 

(3)                                  to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the designated office of the Trustee in the United States of America at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the holders and the Issuers, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the holders and the Issuers).

 

Credit Agreement ” means (i) the Credit Agreement to be entered into upon expiration of the Escrow Period among Holdings, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by Holdings to be included in the definition of “Credit Agreement,” one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Credit Agreement Documents ” means the collective reference to any Credit Agreement, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.

 

Cumulative Credit ” means the sum of (without duplication):

 

(1)                                  50% of the Consolidated Net Income of Holdings for the period from July 1, 2012 to the end of Holdings’ most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (taken as one

 

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accounting period, the “ Reference Period ”) (or in case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus

 

(2)                                  100% of (i) the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash, received by Holdings after the Escrow Release Date plus (ii) the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash, received by Holdings in excess of $3,200 million prior to or on the Escrow Release Date (in each case other than net proceeds to the extent such net proceeds have been used to Incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xiii)) from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent entity of Holdings (excluding Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below), Designated Preferred Stock, Excluded Contributions, and Disqualified Stock), including Equity Interests issued upon exercise of warrants or options (other than an issuance or sale to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary), plus

 

(3)                                  100% of (i) the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of Holdings received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash after the Escrow Release Date plus (ii) the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of Holdings received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash, in excess of $3,200 million prior to or on the Escrow Release Date (in each case other than Excluded Contributions, Refunding Capital Stock, Designated Preferred Stock, and Disqualified Stock and other than contributions to the extent such contributions have been used to Incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xiii)), plus

 

(4)                                  100% of the principal amount of any Indebtedness, or the liquidation preference or maximum fixed repurchase price, as the case may be, of any Disqualified Stock of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary issued after the Escrow Release Date (other than Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock issued to a Restricted Subsidiary) which has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests in Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock) or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (provided in the case of any such parent, such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock is retired or extinguished), plus

 

(5)                                  100% of the aggregate amount received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary from:

 

(A)                                the sale or other disposition (other than to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries and from repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary) and from repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constituted Restricted Investments (other than in each case to the extent that the Restricted Investment was made pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(vii)),

 

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(B)                                the sale (other than to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or

 

(C)                                a distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus

 

(6)                                  in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary, the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the Investment of Holdings or the Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (which, if the Fair Market Value of such investment shall exceed $25.0 million, shall be determined by the Board of Directors of Holdings) at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable) (other than in each case to the extent that the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary was made pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(vii) or constituted a Permitted Investment).

 

Default ” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Designated Non-cash Consideration ” means the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of non-cash consideration received by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

 

Designated Preferred Stock ” means Preferred Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock), that is issued for cash (other than to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, on the issuance date thereof.

 

Disqualified Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event:

 

(1)                                  matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (other than as a result of a change of control or asset sale),

 

(2)                                  is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of such Person, or

 

(3)                                  is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale),

 

in each case prior to 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided , however , that only the portion of Capital Stock which

 

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so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided , further , however , that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of Holdings or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability; provided , further , that any class of Capital Stock of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.

 

Dollar-Denominated Production Payments ” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Domestic Subsidiary ” means a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus , without duplication, to the extent the same was deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income:

 

(1)                                  Consolidated Taxes; plus

 

(2)                                  Fixed Charges; plus

 

(3)                                  Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense; plus

 

(4)                                  Consolidated Non-Cash Charges; plus

 

(5)                                  any expenses or charges (other than Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense) related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the Incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Transactions, the Notes or any Bank Indebtedness, (ii) any amendment or other modification of the Notes or other Indebtedness, (iii) any Additional Interest in respect of the Notes and (iv) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Qualified Receivables Financing; plus

 

(6)                                  business optimization expenses and other restructuring charges, reserves or expenses (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include, without limitation, the effect of inventory optimization programs, facility closures, facility consolidations, retention, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and excess pension charges); plus

 

(7)                                  the amount of loss on sale of receivables and related assets to a Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing; plus

 

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(8)                                  any costs or expense Incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of Holdings or a Subsidiary Guarantor or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation of the Cumulative Credit; plus

 

(9)                                  the amount of any management, monitoring, consulting, transaction and advisory fees and related expenses paid to the Sponsors (or any accruals relating to such fees and related expenses) during such period to the extent otherwise permitted by Section 4.07; plus

 

(10)                           all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote (4) to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such period; plus

 

(11)                           the amount of any loss attributable to a new plant or facility until the date that is 12 months after completing construction of or acquiring such plant or facility, as the case may be; provided that (A) such losses are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and certified by a responsible officer of Holdings and (B) losses attributable to such plant or facility after 12 months from the date of completing construction of or acquisition of such plant or facility, as the case may be, shall not be included in this clause (11), plus

 

(12)                           exploration expenses or costs (to the extent Holdings adopts the “successful efforts” method), and

 

less , without duplication, to the extent the same increased Consolidated Net Income,

 

(13)                           the sum of (x) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments and (y) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments; and

 

(14)                           non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding the recognition of deferred revenue or any items which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that reduced EBITDA in any prior period and any items for which cash was received in a prior period).

 

Equity Interests ” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

 

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Equity Offering ” means any public or private sale after the Issue Date of common Capital Stock or Preferred Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable (other than Disqualified Stock), other than:

 

(1)                                  public offerings with respect to Holdings’ or such direct or indirect parent’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;

 

(2)                                  issuances to any Subsidiary of Holdings; and

 

(3)                                  any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

 

Escrow Account ” means a segregated account, under the sole control of the Trustee, that includes only cash and U.S. dollar denominated Cash Equivalents (or rights to receive such under letters of credit), the proceeds thereof and interest earned thereon, free from all Liens other than the Lien in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Notes.

 

Escrow Agent ” means Wilmington Trust, National Association, together with its successors in such capacity.

 

Escrow Agreement ” means the Escrow and Security Agreement, dated the Issue Date, among the Issuers, the Trustee and the Escrow Agent, relating to the Notes, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Indenture.

 

Escrow Condition ” means the delivery of an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Escrow Agent to release the Escrow Property from the Escrow Account and certifying that, prior to or concurrently with the release of the Escrow Property from the Escrow Account, (i) the Acquisition shall have been consummated and the existing reserve-based credit facility of the Acquired Business retired in all material respects as described under “Summary—The Transactions” in the Offering Memorandum, (ii) borrowings under the Term Loan Facility shall have been made, (iii) investments in EPE Acquisition, LLC’s equity by funds affiliated with the Sponsors and other investors shall have been made and (iv) borrowings under the Credit Agreement shall have been made, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) above in an aggregate amount sufficient, when taken together with the net proceeds of the Notes and the Secured Notes, to fund the Acquisition and to pay related fees and expenses, and (v) the Subsidiary Guarantors that have on such date guaranteed the Credit Agreement shall have, by supplemental indenture effective upon the Escrow Release Date, become parties to this Indenture as Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

Escrow Period ” means the period beginning on the Issue Date and ending on the Escrow Release Date.

 

Escrow Release Date ” means the date upon which the Escrow Condition is satisfied.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

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Exchange Notes ” means the Notes of the Issuers issued pursuant to this Indenture in exchange for, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to or not in excess of, the Initial Notes or any Additional Notes, if applicable, in compliance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” means the registration statement filed with the SEC in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer.

 

Excluded Contributions ” means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of Holdings) received by Holdings after the Issue Date from:

 

(1)                                  contributions to its common equity capital, and

 

(2)                                  the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of Holdings or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of Holdings,

 

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Capital Stock is sold, as the case may be; provided, that $3,200 million of Cash Equivalents received by Holdings from the Equity Investors on or prior to the Escrow Release Date to fund the Acquisition shall not be permitted to be designated an Excluded Contribution.

 

Excluded Subsidiary ” means (a) any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (b) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (c) any Foreign Subsidiary, (d) any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that owns no material assets (directly or through its Subsidiaries) other than equity interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs or (ii) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, (e) any Receivables Subsidiary and (f) any Subsidiary (other than a Significant Subsidiary) that (i) did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Holdings most recently ended, have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5.0% of total revenues of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date and (ii) taken together with all other such Subsidiaries as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Holdings most recently ended, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 10.0% of total revenues of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date.

 

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.

 

Farm-In Agreement ” means an agreement whereby a Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of one or more exploratory or development wells (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interests therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well

 

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or wells as all or a part of the consideration provided in exchange for an ownership interest in an Oil and Gas Property.

 

Farm-Out Agreement ” means a Farm-In Agreement, viewed from the standpoint of the party that transfers an ownership interest to another.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than in the case of any Qualified Receivables Financing, in which case interest expense shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period) or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “ Calculation Date ”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that Holdings may elect pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being Incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent Incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an Incurrence at such subsequent time.

 

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, and any operational changes that Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, discontinued operation or operational change, in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or operational change had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

 

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For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of Holdings as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from the applicable event, and (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote (4) to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period.

 

If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a Eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as Holdings may designate.

 

For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

 

Fixed Charges ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (1) Consolidated Interest Expense (excluding amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs) of such Person for such period, and (2) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means a Restricted Subsidiary not organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Issue Date. For the purposes of this Indenture, the term “ consolidated ” with respect to any Person shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any

 

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Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an Investment.

 

guarantee ” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

 

Hedging Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:

 

(1)                                  currency exchange, interest rate or commodity swap agreements (including commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, basis differential swaps, spot contracts, fixed-price physical delivery contracts or other similar agreements or arrangements in respect of Hydrocarbons), currency exchange, interest rate or commodity cap agreements and currency exchange, interest rate or commodity collar agreements; and

 

(2)                                  other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange, interest rates or commodity prices.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreements or obligations to physically sell any commodity at any index-based price shall not be considered Hedging Obligations.

 

holder ” or “ noteholder ” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

Holdings ” means Everest Acquisition LLC (to be renamed as EP Energy LLC on or after the Escrow Release Date), together with its successors or assigns.

 

Hydrocarbons ” means oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

 

Incur ” means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided , however , that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.

 

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)                                  the principal and premium (if any) of any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) in respect of borrowed money, (b) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), (c) representing the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property (except any such balance that constitutes (i) a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor Incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a

 

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liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and (iii) liabilities accrued in the ordinary course of business), which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing the property in service or taking delivery and title thereto, (d) in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations, or (e) representing any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(2)                                  to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the obligations referred to in clause (1) of another Person (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business); and

 

(3)                                  to the extent not otherwise included, Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person); provided , however , that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of such asset at such date of determination, and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person;

 

provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (1) Contingent Obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in respect of borrowed money; (2) deferred or prepaid revenues; (3) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller; (4) Obligations under or in respect of Qualified Receivables Financing; (5) obligations under the Acquisition Documents; (6) Production Payments and Reserve Sales; (7) any obligation of a Person in respect of a Farm-In Agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property; (8) any obligations under Hedging Obligations; provided that such agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of Holdings, whether or not accounted for as a hedge in accordance with GAAP) and, in the case of any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement, such agreements are related to business transactions of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and, in the case of any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, such agreements substantially correspond in terms of notional amount, duration and interest rates, as applicable, to Indebtedness of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred without violation of this Indenture; and (9) in-kind obligations relating to net oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, Indebtedness shall not include, and shall be calculated without giving effect to, the effects of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness; and any such amounts that would have constituted Indebtedness under this Indenture but for the application of this sentence shall not be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness under this Indenture.

 

Indenture ” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Independent Financial Advisor ” means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant, in each case of nationally recognized standing, that is, in the good faith determination of Holdings, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

 

Interest Payment Date ” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

 

Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

 

Investment Grade Securities ” means:

 

(1)                                  securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents),

 

(2)                                  securities that have a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or equivalent) by S&P, but excluding any debt securities or loans or advances between and among Holdings and its Subsidiaries,

 

(3)                                  investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution, and

 

(4)                                  corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments and in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition.

 

Investments ” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit and advances to customers and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet of such Person in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.04:

 

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(1)                                  “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to Holdings’ equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the net assets of a Subsidiary of Holdings at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, Holdings shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to:

 

(a)                                  Holdings’ “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less

 

(b)                                  the portion (proportionate to Holdings’ equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

 

(2)                                  any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Holdings.

 

Issue Date ” means April 24, 2012.

 

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

 

Management Group ” means the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as the case may be, on the Issue Date together with (1) any new directors whose election by such boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors on the Issue Date or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (2) executive officers and other management personnel of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, hired at a time when the directors on the Issue Date together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable.

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Net Income ” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

 

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Net Proceeds ” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received in respect of or upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding the assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other consideration received in any other non-cash form), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses Incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including Tax Distributions and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related solely to such disposition), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required (other than pursuant to Section 4.06(b)(i)) to be paid as a result of such transaction, amounts paid in connection with the termination of Hedging Obligations related to Indebtedness repaid with such proceeds or hedging oil, natural gas and natural gas liquid production in notional volumes corresponding to the Oil and Gas Properties subject to such Asset Sale, and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by Holdings as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by Holdings after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

 

Net Working Capital ” means (a) all current assets of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business less (b) all current liabilities of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities (i) associated with asset retirement obligations relating to Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) included in Indebtedness and (iii) any current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of Holdings prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Notes Obligations ” means Obligations in respect of the Notes and this Indenture, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Obligations in respect of Exchange Notes and guarantees thereof.

 

NYMEX ” means the New York Mercantile Exchange.

 

Obligations ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness; provided that Obligations with respect to the Notes shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the Notes.

 

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Offering Memorandum ” means the offering memorandum, dated April 10, 2012, as supplemented or amended from time to time, relating to the issuance of the Initial Notes.

 

Officer ” means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of Holdings.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed on behalf of Holdings by two Officers of Holdings, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of Holdings, which meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.

 

Oil and Gas Business ” means:

 

(1)                                  the business of acquiring, exploring, exploiting, developing, producing, operating and disposing of interests in oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas and other Hydrocarbons and mineral properties or products produced in association with any of the foregoing;

 

(2)                                  the business of gathering, marketing, distributing, treating, processing, storing, refining, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties and products produced in association therewith and the marketing of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals obtained from unrelated Persons;

 

(3)                                  any other related energy business, including power generation and electrical transmission business, directly or indirectly, from oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbons and minerals produced substantially from properties in which Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, participate;

 

(4)                                  any business relating to oil field sales and service; and

 

(5)                                  any business or activity relating to, arising from, or necessary, appropriate, incidental or ancillary to the activities described in the foregoing clauses (1) through (4) of this definition.

 

Oil and Gas Properties ” means all properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by a Person which contain or are believed to contain oil and gas reserves or other reserves of Hydrocarbons.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to Holdings.

 

Outside Date ” means October 31, 2012.

 

Pari Passu Indebtedness ” means: (a) with respect to an Issuer, the Notes and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to the Notes; and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

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Permitted Business Investment ” means any Investment and/or expenditure made in the ordinary course of business or which are of a nature that is or shall have become customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur, including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing, distributing, storing, or transporting oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons and minerals (including with respect to plugging and abandonment) through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:

 

(1)                                  Investments in ownership interests (including equity or other ownership interests) in oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals properties, liquefied natural gas facilities, processing facilities, gathering systems, pipelines, storage facilities or related systems or ancillary real property interests;

 

(2)                                  Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, processing agreements, Farm-In Agreements, Farm-Out Agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals, production sharing agreements, participation agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements, stockholder agreements and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies) with third parties; and

 

(3)                                  Investments in direct or indirect ownership interests in drilling rigs and related equipment, including, without limitation, transportation equipment.

 

Permitted Holders ” means, at any time, each of (i) the Sponsors, (ii) the Management Group, (iii) any Person that has no material assets other than the Capital Stock of Holdings and, directly or indirectly, holds or acquires 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of Holdings, and of which no other Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), other than any of the other Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above, holds more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock thereof and (iv) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) the members of which include any of the Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above and that, directly or indirectly, hold or acquire beneficial ownership of the Voting Stock of Holdings (a “Permitted Holder Group”), so long as (1) each member of the Permitted Holder Group has voting rights proportional to the percentage of ownership interests held or acquired by such member and (2) no Person or other “group” (other than Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above) beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the Voting Stock held by the Permitted Holder Group. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

 

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Permitted Investments ” means:

 

(1)                                  any Investment in Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)                                  any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

 

(3)                                  any Investment by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(4)                                  any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.06 or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

 

(5)                                  any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

 

(6)                                  advances to employees, taken together with all other advances made pursuant to this clause (6), not to exceed $25.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(7)                                  any Investment acquired by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable, or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(8)                                  Hedging Obligations permitted under Section 4.03(b)(x);

 

(9)                                  any Investment by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Similar Business having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (9) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $350.0 million and (y) 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided , however , that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (9) is made in any Person that is not Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (9) for so long as such Person continues to be Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(10)                           additional Investments by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $350.0 million and (y) 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided , however , that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (10) is made in any Person that is not Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (10) for so long as such Person continues to be Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(11)                           loans and advances to officers, directors or employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or to fund such person’s purchase of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings;

 

(12)                           Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock) or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable; provided , however , that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit”;

 

(13)                           any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.07(b) (except transactions described in clauses (ii), (iv), (vi), (ix)(B) and (xvi) of Section 4.07(b));

 

(14)                           Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

 

(15)                           (x) guarantees issued in accordance with Section 4.03 and Section 4.11 including, without limitation, any guarantee or other obligation issued or Incurred under the Credit Agreement in connection with any letter of credit issued for the account of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (including with respect to the issuance of, or payments in respect of drawings under, such letters of credit) and (y) guarantees of performance or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) arising in the ordinary course in the Oil and Gas Business, including obligations under Hydrocarbon exploration, development, joint operating and related agreements and licenses, concessions or operating leases related to the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(16)                           Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property;

 

(17)                           any Investment in a Receivables Subsidiary or any Investment by a Receivables Subsidiary in any other Person in connection with a Qualified Receivables

 

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Financing, including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Qualified Receivables Financing or any related Indebtedness;

 

(18)                           any Investment in an entity which is not a Restricted Subsidiary to which a Restricted Subsidiary sells accounts receivable pursuant to a Receivables Financing;

 

(19)                           additional Investments in joint ventures not to exceed, at any one time in the aggregate outstanding under this clause (19), $100.0 million (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time such Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided , however , that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (19) is made in any Person that is not Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (19) for so long as such Person continues to be Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(20)                           Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Issue Date or of an entity merged into, amalgamated with, or consolidated with Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction that is not prohibited by Section 5.01 after the Issue Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

 

(21)                           any Investment in any Subsidiary of Holdings or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(22)                           Permitted Business Investments.

 

Permitted Liens ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)                                  pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure plugging and abandonment obligations or public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(2)                                  Liens imposed by law, such as landlord’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, construction or other like Liens securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review;

 

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(3)                                  Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due or payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

(4)                                  Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

 

(5)                                  minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

 

(6)                                  (A)                                Liens on assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor securing Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03;

 

(B)                                Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred under the Credit Agreement, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(i);

 

(C)                                Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred under the RBL Facility in excess of $2,000 million (and solely to the extent of such excess), including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted to be Incurred under Section 4.03; and

 

(D)                                Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clause (ii)(B), (iv), (xii), (xvi) or (xx) of Section 4.03(b) ( provided that in the case of clause (xx), such Lien does not extend to the property or assets of any Subsidiary of Holdings other than a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor).

 

(7)                                  Liens existing on the Issue Date (other than Liens in favor of the lenders under the Credit Agreement, the holders of the Secured Notes or the lenders under the Term Loan Facility);

 

(8)                                  Liens on assets, property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided , further , however , that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(9)                                  Liens on assets or property at the time Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the assets or property, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens (other than Liens to secure Indebtedness Incurred

 

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pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xvi)) are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided , further , however , that the Liens (other than Liens to secure Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xvi)) may not extend to any other property owned by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than pursuant to after-acquired property clauses in effect with respect to such Lien at the time of acquisition on property of the type that would have been subject to such Lien notwithstanding the occurrence of such acquisition);

 

(10)                           Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary owing to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03;

 

(11)                           Liens securing Hedging Obligations not Incurred in violation of this Indenture; provided that with respect to Hedging Obligations relating to Indebtedness, such Lien extends only to the property securing such Indebtedness;

 

(12)                           Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(13)                           leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(14)                           Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(15)                           Liens in favor of Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(16)                           Liens on accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Receivables Financing” Incurred in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing;

 

(17)                           deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

 

(18)                           Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(19)                           grants of software and other technology licenses in the ordinary course of business;

 

(20)                           Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (15); provided , however , that (x) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the

 

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original Lien ( plus improvements on such property), and (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (15) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement; provided further, however, that in the case of any Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal of Indebtedness secured by a Lien referred to in clause (6)(B), the principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred for such refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal shall be deemed secured by a Lien under clause (6)(B) and not this clause (20) for purposes of determining the principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (6)(B);

 

(21)                           Liens on equipment of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business to Holdings’ or such Restricted Subsidiary’s client at which such equipment is located;

 

(22)                           judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;

 

(23)                           Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(24)                           Liens Incurred to secure cash management services or to implement cash pooling arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

 

(25)                           other Liens securing obligations the outstanding principal amount of which does not, taken together with the principal amount of all other obligations secured by Liens Incurred under this clause (25) that are at that time outstanding, exceed the greater of $350.0 million and 5% Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence;

 

(26)                           any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

 

(27)                           any amounts held by a trustee in the funds and accounts under an indenture securing any revenue bonds issued for the benefit of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, under any indenture or other debt agreement issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof, or under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions;

 

(28)                           Liens arising by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depository or financial institution;

 

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(29)                           Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with any appeal or other proceedings for review;

 

(30)                           Liens (i) in favor of credit card companies pursuant to agreements therewith and (ii) in favor of customers;

 

(31)                           Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

 

(32)                           Liens arising under Farm-Out Agreements, Farm-In Agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of Hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, operating agreements, royalties, royalty trusts, master limited partnerships, working interests, net profits interests, joint interest billing arrangements, participation agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided , however , in all instances that such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order, trust, partnership or contract;

 

(33)                           Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law; and

 

(34)                           any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease, liens reserved in oil, gas or other Hydrocarbons, minerals, leases for bonus, royalty or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases; (b) restriction or encumbrance that the interest or title of such lessor or sublessor may be subject to (including, without limitation, ground leases or other prior leases of the demised premises, mortgages, mechanics’ liens, tax liens and easements); or (c) subordination of the interest of the lessee or sublessee under such lease to any restrictions or encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause (b).

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Preferred Stock ” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

 

Production Payments and Reserve Sales ” means the grant or transfer by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar-denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary

 

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standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers.

 

Qualified Receivables Financing ” means any Receivables Financing of a Receivables Subsidiary that meets the following conditions:

 

(1)                                  the Board of Directors of Holdings shall have determined in good faith that such Qualified Receivables Financing (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to Holdings and the Receivables Subsidiary;

 

(2)                                  all sales of accounts receivable and related assets to the Receivables Subsidiary are made at Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings); and

 

(3)                                  the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by Holdings) and may include Standard Securitization Undertakings.

 

The grant of a security interest in any accounts receivable of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) to secure Bank Indebtedness, Indebtedness in respect of the Notes or any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the Notes shall not be deemed a Qualified Receivables Financing.

 

Rating Agency ” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P and (2) if Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of Holdings’ control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15cs-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.

 

RBL Facility ” means the credit agreement to be entered into on the Escrow Release Date among Holdings, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or other lenders), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to any amendment thereto or pursuant to a new loan agreement with other lenders, governed by a borrowing base set by the lenders, extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or under any successor or replacement agreement or increasing the amount loaned thereunder or altering the maturity thereof.

 

Receivables Fees ” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interests issued or sold in connection with, and all other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Receivables Financing.

 

Receivables Financing ” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which Holdings or any of its

 

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Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Receivables Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries); and (b) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts receivable and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable and any Hedging Obligations entered into by Holdings or any such Subsidiary in connection with such accounts receivable.

 

Receivables Repurchase Obligation ” means any obligation of a seller of receivables in a Qualified Receivables Financing to repurchase receivables arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off-set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

 

Receivables Subsidiary ” means a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (or another Person formed for the purposes of engaging in Qualified Receivables Financing with Holdings in which Holdings or any Subsidiary of Holdings makes an Investment and to which Holdings or any such Subsidiary transfers accounts receivable and related assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the Board of Directors of Holdings (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary and:

 

(a)                                  no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by Holdings or any other Subsidiary of Holdings (excluding guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (ii) is recourse to or obligates Holdings or any other Subsidiary in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, or (iii) subjects any property or asset of Holdings or any other Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;

 

(b)                                  with which neither Holdings nor any Subsidiary has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms which Holdings reasonably believes to be no less favorable to Holdings or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of Holdings; and

 

(c)                                   to which neither Holdings nor any Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results.

 

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Any such designation by the Board of Directors of Holdings shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of Holdings giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

 

Record Date ” has the meaning specified in Exhibit A hereto.

 

Registration Rights Agreement ” means (a) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Registration Rights Agreement dated the Issue Date, among the Issuers and the Initial Purchasers, and (b) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, the registration rights agreement, if any, among the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes under the related purchase agreement.

 

Restricted Investment ” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated in this Indenture, all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of Holdings.

 

Sale/Leaseback Transaction ” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between Holdings and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Secured Indebtedness ” means any Consolidated Total Indebtedness secured by a Lien.

 

Secured Notes ” means the Issuers’ 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued on the Issue Date and including any exchange notes issued in exchange therefor pursuant to a registration rights agreement dated as of the Issue Date among the Issuers and the Initial Purchasers.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of Holdings within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision).

 

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Similar Business ” means a business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from the activities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the Issue Date or any business or activity that is reasonably similar or complementary thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto.

 

Special Mandatory Redemption Price ” means an amount of cash equal to $2,000,000,000, plus interest accrued on $2,000,000,000 from the Issue Date to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, calculated using a rate of 9.375% per annum.

 

Sponsor Management Agreement ” means the management agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsors, EP Energy Holding Company and EPE Acquisition, LLC.

 

Sponsors ” means (i) affiliates of each of Apollo Global Management, LLC, Access Industries, Inc. and Riverstone Holdings, L.P. and other investors party to that certain Interim Investors Agreement dated as of February 24, 2012 (the “ Interim Investors Agreement ”) and any other investors that may become party to the Interim Investors Agreement prior to or upon the consummation of the Acquisition and any of their respective Affiliates other than any portfolio companies (collectively, the “ Equity Investor ”) and (ii) any Person that forms a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) with the Equity Investor; provided that the Equity Investor (x) owns a majority of the voting power and (y) controls a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings.

 

Standard Securitization Undertakings ” means representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and guarantees of performance entered into by Holdings or any Subsidiary thereof which Holdings has determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Financing including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Receivables Subsidiary, it being understood that any Receivables Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.

 

Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

 

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means (a) with respect to an Issuer, any Indebtedness of such Issuer which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by

 

41



 

such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

 

Subsidiary Guarantee ” means any guarantee of the obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Notes by any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means any Subsidiary that Incurs a Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Suspension Period ” means the period of time between a Covenant Suspension Event and the related Reversion Date.

 

Tax Distributions ” means any distributions described in Section 4.04(b)(xii).

 

Term Loan Facility ” means the term loan agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, by and among Holdings, as borrower, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, including any guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications or restatements thereof.

 

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

Total Assets ” means the total consolidated assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of Holdings, without giving effect to any amortization of the amount of intangible assets since December 31, 2011, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any subsequent acquisition or disposition of a Person or business.

 

Transactions ” means the transactions described under “Summary—The Transactions” in the Offering Memorandum.

 

Treasury Rate ” means, as of the applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuers, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to May 1, 2016; provided , however , that if the period from such redemption date to May 1,

 

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2016, as applicable, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

 

Trustee ” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

 

Trust Officer ” means:

 

(1)                                  any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, and

 

(2)                                  who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means:

 

(1)                                  any Subsidiary of Holdings that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of Holdings in the manner provided below; and

 

(2)                                  any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

Holdings may designate any Subsidiary of Holdings (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, Holdings or any other Subsidiary of Holdings that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided , however , that the Subsidiary to be so designated and its Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have and do not thereafter Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than pursuant to customary Liens on related arrangements under any oil and gas royalty trust or master limited partnership); provided , further , however , that either:

 

(a)                                  the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less; or

 

(b)                                  if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then such designation would be permitted under Section 4.04.

 

Holdings may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that immediately after giving effect to such designation:

 

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(x)                                  (1) Holdings could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a) or (2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than such ratio immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation, and

 

(y)                                  no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Any such designation by Holdings shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof of Holdings giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means securities that are:

 

(1)                                  direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or

 

(2)                                  obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

 

which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

Volumetric Production Payments ” means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertaking and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Voting Stock ” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (2) the sum of all such payments.

 

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Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary ” is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Wholly Owned Subsidiary ” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required pursuant to applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

SECTION 1.02                                       Other Definitions .

 

Term

 

Section

$

 

1.03(j)

Additional Interest

 

Appendix A

Affiliate Transaction

 

4.07(a)

Agent Members

 

Appendix A

Asset Sale Offer

 

4.06(b)(iii)

Bankruptcy Law

 

6.01

Change of Control Offer

 

4.08(b)

Co-Issuer

 

Preamble

covenant defeasance option

 

8.01(b)

Covenant Suspension Event

 

4.15

Custodian

 

6.01

Definitive Note

 

Appendix A

Depository

 

Appendix A

Escrow Property

 

13.01

Event of Default

 

6.01

Excess Proceeds

 

4.06(b)(iii)

Global Notes

 

Appendix A

Global Notes Legend

 

Appendix A

Holdings

 

Preamble

IAI

 

Appendix A

Increased Amount

 

4.12(d)

Initial Notes

 

Preamble

Initial Purchasers

 

Appendix A

Issuers

 

Preamble

legal defeasance option

 

8.01(b)

Notes

 

Preamble

Notes Custodian

 

Appendix A

Notice of Default

 

6.01

Offer Period

 

4.06(d)

Paying Agent

 

2.04(a)

protected purchaser

 

2.08

QIB

 

Appendix A

Refinancing Indebtedness

 

4.03(b)(xv)

Refunding Capital Stock

 

4.04(b)(ii)

Registered Exchange Offer

 

Appendix A

Registrar

 

2.04(a)

 

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Term

 

Section

Regulation S

 

Appendix A

Regulation S Global Notes

 

Appendix A

Regulation S Notes

 

Appendix A

Restricted Notes Legend

 

Appendix A

Restricted Payments

 

Section 4.04(a)

Restricted Period

 

Appendix A

Retired Capital Stock

 

4.04(b)(ii)

Reversion Date

 

4.15

Rule 144A

 

Appendix A

Rule 144A Global Notes

 

Appendix A

Rule 144A Notes

 

Appendix A

Rule 501

 

Appendix A

Second Commitment

 

4.06(b)(iii)

Shelf Registration Statement

 

Appendix A

Special Mandatory Redemption Date

 

Paragraph 5 of Exhibit A and Exhibit B

Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations

 

12.01(a)

Successor Holdco

 

5.01(a)(i)

Successor Subsidiary Guarantor

 

5.01(b)(i)

Suspended Covenants

 

4.15

Transfer

 

5.01(b)(ii)

Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes

 

Appendix A

Transfer Restricted Global Notes

 

Appendix A

Transfer Restricted Notes

 

Appendix A

U.S. dollars

 

1.03(j)

Unrestricted Definitive Notes

 

Appendix A

Unrestricted Global Notes

 

Appendix A

 

SECTION 1.03                                       Rules of Construction . Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)                                  a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

(b)                                  an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(c)                                   or ” is not exclusive;

 

(d)                                  including ” means including without limitation;

 

(e)                                   words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

 

(f)                                    unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness;

 

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(g)                                   the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(h)                                  the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater;

 

(i)                                      unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(j)                                     $ ” and “ U.S. dollars ” each refer to United States dollars, or such other money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; and

 

(k)                                  whenever in this Indenture or the Notes there is mentioned, in any context, principal, interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to any Notes, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Interest, to the extent that, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable in respect thereof.

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.01                                       Amount of Notes . The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture on the Issue Date is $2,000,000,000.

 

The Issuers may from time to time after the Issue Date issue Additional Notes under this Indenture in an unlimited principal amount, so long as (i) the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such Additional Notes is at such time permitted by Section 4.03 and (ii) such Additional Notes are issued in compliance with the other applicable provisions of this Indenture. With respect to any Additional Notes issued after the Issue Date (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Section 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 3.06, 4.06(e), 4.08(c) or Appendix A), there shall be (a) established in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and (b) (i) set forth or determined in the manner provided in an Officers’ Certificate or (ii) established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of such Additional Notes:

 

(1)                                  the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture;

 

(2)                                  the issue price and issuance date of such Additional Notes, including the date from which interest on such Additional Notes shall accrue;

 

(3)                                  if applicable, that such Additional Notes shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Notes and, in such case, the respective

 

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depositaries for such Global Notes, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by such Global Notes in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Exhibit A hereto and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Section 2.2 of Appendix A in which any such Global Note may be exchanged in whole or in part for Additional Notes registered, or any transfer of such Global Note in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the depositary for such Global Note or a nominee thereof; and

 

(4)                                  if applicable, that such Additional Notes that are not Transfer Restricted Notes shall not be issued in the form of Initial Notes as set forth in Exhibit A hereto but shall be issued in the form of Exchange Notes as set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

 

If any of the terms of any Additional Notes are established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of Holdings and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or an indenture supplemental hereto setting forth the terms of the Additional Notes.

 

The Initial Notes, including any Additional Notes, may, at the Issuers’ option, be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number, if applicable.

 

SECTION 2.02                                       Form and Dating . Provisions relating to the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes are set forth in Appendix A , which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The (i) Initial Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication and (ii) any Additional Notes (if issued as Transfer Restricted Notes) and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall each be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The (i) Exchange Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication and (ii) any Additional Notes issued other than as Transfer Restricted Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall each be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor is subject, if any, or usage ( provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Issuer). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without interest coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that Notes may be issued in denominations of less than $2,000 solely to accommodate book-entry positions that have been created by the Depository in denominations of less than $2,000.

 

SECTION 2.03                                       Execution and Authentication . The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery upon a written order of the Issuers signed by one Officer of each Issuer (a) Initial Notes for original issue on the date hereof in an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000,000, (b) subject to the terms of this Indenture, Additional Notes in an aggregate principal amount to be determined at the time of issuance and specified therein

 

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and (c) the Exchange Notes for issue in a Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement for a like principal amount of Initial Notes exchanged pursuant thereto or otherwise pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. Such order shall specify the amount of separate Note certificates to be authenticated, the principal amount of each of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated, whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes, Additional Notes or Exchange Notes, the registered holder of each of the Notes and delivery instructions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or Appendix A, any issuance of Additional Notes after the Issue Date shall be in a principal amount of at least $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

One Officer shall sign the Notes for each of the Issuers by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

 

A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may appoint one or more authenticating agents reasonably acceptable to Holdings to authenticate the Notes. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Trust Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to Holdings. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

SECTION 2.04                                       Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

(a)                                  The Issuers shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “ Registrar ” includes any co-registrars. The term “ Paying Agent ” includes the Paying Agent and any additional paying agents. The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and the Notes Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

 

(b)                                  The Issuers may enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. Holdings shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such agent. If the Issuers fail to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. Holdings or any of its domestically organized Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

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(c)                                   The Issuers may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided , however , that no such removal shall become effective until (i) if applicable, acceptance of an appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Issuers and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee; provided , however , that the Trustee may resign as Paying Agent or Registrar only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in accordance with Section 7.08.

 

SECTION 2.05                                       Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust . Prior to each due date of the principal of and interest on any Note, the Issuers shall deposit with each Paying Agent (or if Holdings or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that a Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of holders or the Trustee all money held by a Paying Agent for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. If Holdings or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Holdings acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by such Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, a Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 2.06                                       Holder Lists . The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, Holdings shall furnish, or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of holders.

 

SECTION 2.07                                       Transfer and Exchange . The Notes shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer and in compliance with Appendix A . When a Note is presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if its requirements therefor are met. When Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar’s request. The Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges in connection with any transfer or exchange pursuant to this Section. The Issuers shall not be required to make, and the Registrar need not register, transfers or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

 

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Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest, if any, on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

Any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (a) the holder of such Global Note (or its agent) or (b) any holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

 

All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depository participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

None of the Trustee, Registrar or Paying Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depository.

 

SECTION 2.08                                       Replacement Notes . If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the holder (a) satisfies the Issuers and the Trustee within a reasonable time after such holder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Issuers and the Trustee prior to the Note being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code (a “ protected purchaser ”) and (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Issuers and the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers, such holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar from any loss or liability that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced and subsequently presented or claimed for payment. The Issuers and the Trustee may charge the holder for their expenses in replacing a Note (including without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements in replacing such Note). In the event any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and

 

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payable, the Issuers in their discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.

 

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuers.

 

The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.

 

SECTION 2.09                                       Outstanding Notes . Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Subject to Section 14.06, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because one of the Issuers or an Affiliate of one of the Issuers holds the Note.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 (other than a mutilated Note surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Issuers receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser. A mutilated Note ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Note and replacement thereof pursuant to Section 2.08.

 

If a Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, and no Paying Agent is prohibited from paying such money to the holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

SECTION 2.10                                       Cancellation . The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and each Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes they have redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall not authenticate Notes in place of canceled Notes other than pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.11                                       Defaulted Interest . If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes, the Issuers shall pay the defaulted interest then borne by the Notes ( plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Issuers may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuers shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail or cause to be mailed to each affected holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

 

SECTION 2.12                                       CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc . The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers (if then generally in use),

 

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and the Trustee shall use any such CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to holders; provided , however , that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers, either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes and that any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers shall advise the Trustee of any change in any such CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers.

 

SECTION 2.13                                       Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes . The aggregate principal amount of the Notes, at any date of determination, shall be the principal amount of the Notes at such date of determination. With respect to any matter requiring consent, waiver, approval or other action of the holders of a specified percentage of the principal amount of all the Notes, such percentage shall be calculated, on the relevant date of determination, by dividing (a) the principal amount, as of such date of determination, of Notes, the holders of which have so consented, by (b) the aggregate principal amount, as of such date of determination, of the Notes then outstanding, in each case, as determined in accordance with the preceding sentence, Section 2.09 and Section 14.06 of this Indenture. Any calculation of the Applicable Premium or made pursuant to this Section 2.13 shall be made by Holdings and delivered to the Trustee pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate.

 

ARTICLE III

 

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01                                       Redemption . The Notes may be redeemed, in whole or from time to time in part, subject to the conditions and at the redemption prices set forth in Paragraph 5 of the forms of Notes set forth in Exhibits A and B hereto, which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date.

 

SECTION 3.02                                       Applicability of Article . Redemption of Notes at the election of the Issuers or otherwise, as permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in accordance with such provision and this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.03                                       Notices to Trustee . If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Paragraph 5 of the Note, Holdings shall notify the Trustee in an Officers’ Certificate of (i) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price. Holdings shall give notice to the Trustee provided for in this paragraph at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date if the redemption is an optional redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note and shall give notice of a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note at least three (3) Business Days in advance. Holdings may also include a request in such Officers’ Certificate that the Trustee give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at their expense and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.05. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any holder or otherwise delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depository and shall

 

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thereby be void and of no effect. The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 3.04.

 

SECTION 3.04               Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed .  In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed, or if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or by lot or by such other method the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and, in such manner that complies with the applicable legal requirements and the requirements of the Depository, if applicable); provided that no Notes of $2,000 (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) or less shall be redeemed in part. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000. Notes and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Issuers promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.05               Notice of Optional Redemption .

 

(a)                                  At least 30 but not more than 60 days before a redemption date pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note (or at least three (3) Business Days in the case of a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note), the Issuers shall mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, a notice of redemption to each holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), except that redemption notices may be mailed or otherwise delivered more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes, a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article VIII or a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Article XIII.

 

Any such notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(i)                                      the redemption date;

 

(ii)                                   the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest to the redemption date;

 

(iii)                                the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(iv)                               that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any;

 

(v)                                  if fewer than all the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the certificate numbers and principal amounts of the particular Notes to be redeemed, the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be outstanding after such partial redemption;

 

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(vi)                               that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Notes (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(vii)                            the CUSIP number, ISIN and/or “Common Code” number, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed; and

 

(viii)                         that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number or ISIN and/or “Common Code” number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

 

(b)                                  At Holdings’ request, the Trustee shall deliver the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at the Issuers’ expense. In such event, Holdings shall notify the Trustee of such request at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date such notice is to be provided to holders. Such notice may not be canceled once delivered to holders of Notes.

 

SECTION 3.06               Effect of Notice of Redemption .  Once notice of redemption is mailed or otherwise delivered in accordance with Section 3.05, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice, except as provided in the final sentence of paragraph 5 of the Notes. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date; provided , however , that if the redemption date is after a regular Record Date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant Record Date. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other holder.

 

SECTION 3.07               Deposit of Redemption Price .  With respect to any Notes, prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if Holdings or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Holdings is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption that have been delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee for cancellation. On and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Issuers have deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes to be redeemed, unless the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 3.08               Notes Redeemed in Part .  If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the holder (at the Issuers’ expense) a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01               Payment of Notes .  The Issuers shall promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture. An installment of principal of or interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds as of 12:00 p.m. New York City time money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate borne by the Notes to the extent lawful.

 

SECTION 4.02               Reports and Other Information .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding that Holdings may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, Holdings will file with the SEC (and provide the Trustee and holders with copies thereof, without cost to each holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC):

 

(i)                                      within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form), except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC;

 

(ii)                                   within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form), except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC;

 

(iii)                                promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported (and in any event within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations), such other reports on Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable form); and

 

(iv)                               subject to the foregoing, any other information, documents and other reports which Holdings would be required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

 

provided , however , that Holdings shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event Holdings will make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the holders, in each case within 15 days after the time Holdings would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subject,

 

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in the case of any such information, certificates or reports provided prior to the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, to exceptions and exclusions consistent with the presentation of financial and other information in the Offering Memorandum (including with respect to any periodic reports provided prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, the omission of financial information required by Rule 3-10 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision)). In addition to providing such information to the Trustee, Holdings shall make available to the holders, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the Notes and securities analysts the information required to be provided pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), by posting such information to its website or on IntraLinks or any comparable online data system or website.

 

If Holdings has designated any of its Subsidiaries as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and if any such Unrestricted Subsidiary or group of Unrestricted Subsidiaries, if taken together as one Subsidiary, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of Holdings, then the annual and quarterly information required to be provided by clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.02(a) shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, of the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings will not be required to furnish any information, certificates or reports required by Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K prior to the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable.

 

(c)                                   In the event that:

 

(i)                                      the rules and regulations of the SEC permit Holdings and any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to report at such parent entity’s level on a consolidated basis and such parent entity is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the capital stock of Holdings, or

 

(ii)                                   any direct or indirect parent of Holdings is or becomes a guarantor of the Notes,

 

consolidated reporting at such parent entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in this Section 4.02 for Holdings will satisfy this Section 4.02, and Holdings is permitted to satisfy its obligations in this Section 4.02 with respect to financial information relating Holdings by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that such financial information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than Holdings and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to Holdings, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the other Subsidiaries of Holdings on a standalone basis, on the other hand. In addition, Holdings will make such information available to prospective investors upon request.

 

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(d)                                  In addition, Holdings shall, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, furnish to the holders of the Notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. Holdings will also hold quarterly conference calls, beginning with the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Escrow Release Date, for all holders and securities analysts to discuss such financial information no later than five business days after the distribution of such information required by Sections 4.02(a)(i) and (ii) and prior to the date of each such conference call, announcing the time and date of such conference call and either including all information necessary to access the call or informing holder of Notes, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the Notes and securities analysts how they can obtain such information, including, without limitation, the applicable password or other login information.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings will be deemed to have furnished the reports referred to in this Section 4.02 to the Trustee and the holders if Holdings has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available. In addition, the requirements of this Section 4.02 shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Notes or the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement by (1) the filing with the SEC of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and/or Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement, and any amendments thereto, if such registration statement and/or amendments thereto are filed at times that otherwise satisfy the time requirements set forth in Section 4.02(a) and/or (2) the posting of reports that would be required to be provided to the Trustee and the holders on Holdings’ website (or that of any of Holdings’ parent companies).

 

(f)                                    Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.02 is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt thereof shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers’ compliance with any of their covenants under this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

SECTION 4.03               Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock .

 

(a)                                  (i) Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock; and (ii) Holdings shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided , however , that Holdings and any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock or issue shares of Preferred Stock, in each case if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on

 

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which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided , further , that any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may not incur Indebtedness or issue shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in excess of an amount together with any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xv), equal to, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or issuance (including pro forma effect to the application of the net proceeds therefrom), the greater of $150.0 million and 2% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount).

 

(b)                                  The limitations set forth in Section 4.03(a) shall not apply to:

 

(i)                                      the Incurrence by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time that does not exceed the greatest of (1) $3.0 billion, (2) the sum of (x) $500.0 million and (y) 30% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of Incurrence and (3) the Borrowing Base at the time of Incurrence;

 

(ii)                                   the Incurrence by the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by (A) the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable (not including any Additional Notes but including Exchange Notes and related guarantees thereof) and (B) Indebtedness, including in respect of the Secured Notes and the Term Loan Facility (including any guarantees thereof), in an aggregate principal amount for this clause (ii)(B) outstanding at any time that, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) below, does not exceed $1,500 million (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

 

(iii)                                Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.03(b));

 

(iv)                               Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) Incurred by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, Disqualified Stock issued by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment (whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets) in an aggregate principal amount that, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) below, does not exceed

 

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the greater of $350.0 million and 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

 

(v)                                  Indebtedness Incurred by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees issued in the ordinary course of business, including without limitation letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other benefits to employees or former employees or their families or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, and letters of credit in connection with the maintenance of, or pursuant to the requirements of, environmental or other permits or licenses from governmental authorities, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims;

 

(vi)                               Indebtedness arising from agreements of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred in connection with the Transactions, any acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, other than guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

 

(vii)                            Indebtedness of Holdings to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (except in respect of intercompany current liabilities Incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries) any such Indebtedness owed to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor is subordinated in right of payment to the obligations of the Issuers under the Notes; provided , further , that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien but not the transfer thereof upon foreclosure) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (vii);

 

(viii)                         shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary that holds such shares of Preferred Stock of another Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (viii);

 

(ix)                               Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Subsidiary Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor (except in respect of intercompany current liabilities Incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection

 

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with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries), such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor; provided , further , that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary holding such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien but not the transfer thereof upon foreclosure) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (ix);

 

(x)                                  Hedging Obligations that are not Incurred for speculative purposes but (A) for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be outstanding; (B) for the purpose of fixing or hedging currency exchange rate risk with respect to any currency exchanges; or (C) for the purpose of fixing or hedging commodity price risk with respect to any commodity purchases or sales (including, without limitation, any commodity Hedging Obligation that is intended in good faith, at inception of execution, to hedge or manage any of the risks related to existing and/or forecasted Hydrocarbon production (whether or not contracted)) and, in each case, extensions or replacements thereof;

 

(xi)                               obligations (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees) in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice;

 

(xii)                            Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of Holdings or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference which, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) below, does not exceed the greater of $500.0 million and 7% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount) (it being understood that any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xii) but shall be deemed Incurred for purposes of Section 4.03(a) from and after the first date on which Holdings, or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, could have Incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a) without reliance upon this clause (xii));

 

(xiii)                         Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference at any time outstanding not greater than 100.0% of (A) the net cash proceeds received by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries since immediately after the Escrow Release Date plus (B) the amount of net cash proceeds received by Holdings in excess of $3,200 million

 

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prior to or on the Escrow Release Date, in each case from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent entity of Holdings (which proceeds are contributed to Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiary) or cash contributed to the capital of Holdings (in each case other than proceeds of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to, or contributions received from, Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments or to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to Section 4.04(b) or to make Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments specified in clauses (1) and (3) of the definition thereof);

 

(xiv)                        any guarantee by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the Incurrence of such Indebtedness Incurred by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture; provided that (A) if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, any such guarantee with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable and (B) if such guarantee is of Indebtedness of Holdings, such guarantee is Incurred in accordance with, or not in contravention of, Section 4.11, solely to the extent Section 4.11 is applicable;

 

(xv)                           the Incurrence by Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that serves to refund, refinance or defease any Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as permitted under Section 4.03(a) and clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (xii), (xiii), (xv) and (xvi) of this Section 4.03(b) up to the outstanding principal amount (or, if applicable, the liquidation preference face amount, or the like) or, if greater, committed amount (only to the extent the committed amount could have been Incurred on the date of initial Incurrence) of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, in each case at the time such Indebtedness was Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock was issued pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (xii), (xiii), (xv) and (xvi) of this Section 4.03(b), or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, including any additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), expenses, defeasance costs and fees in connection therewith (subject to the following proviso, “ Refinancing Indebtedness ”) prior to its respective maturity; provided , however , that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

 

(1)                                  has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded, refinanced or defeased and (y) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity that would result if all payments of principal on the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock being refunded or refinanced that were due on or after the date that is one year following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding were instead due on

 

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such date ( provided that this subclause (1) will not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Secured Indebtedness);

 

(2)                                  to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (a) Indebtedness junior to the Notes or a Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, such Refinancing Indebtedness is junior to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, or (b) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness is Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; and

 

(3)                                  shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of Holdings, an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, or (y) Indebtedness of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(xvi)                        Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of (A) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance an acquisition or (B) Persons that are acquired by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that after giving effect to such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation, either:

 

(1)                                  Holdings would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a); or

 

(2)                                  the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings would be greater than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation;

 

(xvii)                     Indebtedness Incurred by a Receivables Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Financing that is not recourse to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary other than a Receivables Subsidiary (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings);

 

(xviii)                  Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its Incurrence;

 

(xix)                        Indebtedness of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by a letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to Bank Indebtedness, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

 

(xx)                           Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors and Indebtedness Incurred on behalf of, or representing guarantees of Indebtedness of, joint ventures of Holdings and any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred under this clause (xx), when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xx), does not exceed the greater of $150.0 million and 2% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence (it being

 

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understood that any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (xx) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xx) but shall be deemed Incurred for the purposes of Section 4.03(a) from and after the first date on which such Restricted Subsidiary could have Incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a) without reliance upon this clause (xx));

 

(xxi)                        Indebtedness of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(xxii)                     Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof or any direct or indirect parent thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to the extent described in Section 4.04(b)(iv).

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.03:

 

(1)                                  in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (xxii) of Section 4.03(b) above or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a), then Holdings shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 4.03; provided , that (A) only Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement in excess of $2,000 million may be classified or reclassified as not Incurred under Section 4.03(b)(i) and (B) the Secured Notes and the Term Loan Facility (including any guarantees thereof) outstanding on the Escrow Release Date shall at all times be treated as Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(ii)(B);

 

(2)                                  at the time of Incurrence, Holdings will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Section 4.03(a) and (b) without giving pro forma effect to the Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b) when calculating the amount of Indebtedness that may be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a);

 

(3)                                  if any Indebtedness denominated in U.S. dollars is exchanged, converted or refinanced into Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, then (in connection with such exchange, conversion or refinancing, and thereafter), the U.S. dollar amount limitations set forth in any of clauses (i) through (xxii) of Section 4.03(b) above with respect to such exchange, conversion or refinancing shall be deemed to be the amount of such foreign currency, as applicable, into which such Indebtedness has been exchanged, converted or refinanced at the time of such exchange, conversion or refinancing; and

 

(4)                                  if any Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency is exchanged, converted or refinanced into Indebtedness denominated in U.S. dollars, then (in connection with such exchange, conversion or refinancing, and thereafter), the U.S. dollar

 

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amount limitations set forth in any of clauses (i) through (xxii) of Section 4.03(b) with respect to such exchange, conversion or refinancing shall be deemed to be the amount of U.S. dollars into which such Indebtedness has been exchanged, converted or refinanced at the time of such exchange, conversion or refinancing.

 

Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, amortization of original issue discount, the accretion of liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 4.03. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this Section 4.03.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness other than as provided in clauses (3) and (4) above, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first Incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.03, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

 

SECTION 4.04               Limitation on Restricted Payments .

 

(a)                                  Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

(i)                                      declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of any of Holdings’ or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any payment made in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving Holdings (other than (A) dividends or distributions payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings; or (B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities);

 

(ii)                                   purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings;

 

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(iii)                                make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment or scheduled maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement of (A) Subordinated Indebtedness in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement and (B) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (vii) and (ix) of Section 4.03(b)); or

 

(iv)                               make any Restricted Investment

 

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

 

(1)                                  no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

(2)                                  immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, Holdings could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a); and

 

(3)                                  such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (i), (ii) (with respect to the payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below) pursuant to clause (C) thereof), (vi)(C), (viii) and (xiii)(B) of Section 4.04(b), but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.04(b)), is less than the amount equal to the Cumulative Credit.

 

(b)                                  The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:

 

(i)                                      the payment of any dividend or distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration or the giving notice of such irrevocable redemption, as applicable, such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(ii)                                   (A)                                the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“ Retired Capital Stock ”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of Holdings, any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or contributions to the equity capital of Holdings (other than any Disqualified Stock or any Equity Interests sold to a Subsidiary of Holdings) (collectively, including any such contributions, “ Refunding Capital Stock ”),

 

(B)                                the declaration and payment of dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of Holdings) of Refunding Capital Stock, and

 

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(C)                                if immediately prior to the retirement of Retired Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (vi) of this Section 4.04(b) and not made pursuant to clause (ii)(B), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Retired Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

 

(iii)                                the redemption, repurchase, defeasance, or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor which is Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03 so long as:

 

(A)                                the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest, of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value (plus the amount of any premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument governing the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired, any tender premiums, plus any defeasance costs, fees and expenses Incurred in connection therewith),

 

(B)                                such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the related Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased, exchanged, redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value,

 

(C)                                such Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the earlier of (x) the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired and (y) 91 days following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding, and

 

(D)                                such Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time Incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired and (y) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity that would result if all payments of principal on the Subordinated Indebtedness being redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired that were due on or after the date that is one year following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding were instead due on such date;

 

(iv)                               a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition for value of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or any Subsidiary of Holdings

 

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pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or other agreement or arrangement; provided , however , that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (iv) do not exceed $50.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $100.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering of common stock), with unused amounts in any calendar year being permitted to be carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $75.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $150.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering of common stock); provided , further , however , that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

 

(A)                                the cash proceeds received by Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (to the extent contributed to Holdings) to members of management, directors or consultants of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings that occurs after the Escrow Release Date ( provided that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement, other acquisition or dividend will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.04(a)(iii)), plus

 

(B)                                the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (to the extent contributed to Holdings) or the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Escrow Release Date;

 

provided that Holdings may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by clauses (A) and (B) above in any calendar year; and provided , further , that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary from any present or former employees, directors, officers or consultants of Holdings, any Restricted Subsidiary or the direct or indirect parents of Holdings in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of Holdings or any of its direct or indirect parents will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.04 or any other provision of this Indenture;

 

(v)                                  the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary issued or Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03;

 

(vi)                               (A)                                the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Issue Date;

 

(B)                                a Restricted Payment to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings issued after the Issue Date; provided that the aggregate amount of dividends declared and paid pursuant to this clause (B) does not exceed the net

 

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cash proceeds actually received by Holdings from any such sale of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Issue Date; and

 

(C)                                the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(ii);

 

provided , however , in the case of each of clauses (A) and (C) above of this clause (vi), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance (and the payment of dividends or distributions) on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), Holdings would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;

 

(vii)                            Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (vii) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $175.0 million and 2.5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

 

(viii)                         the payment of dividends after a public offering of Capital Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings on Holdings’ Capital Stock (or a Restricted Payment to any such direct or indirect parent of Holdings to fund the payment by such direct or indirect parent of Holdings of dividends on such entity’s Capital Stock) of up to 6% per annum of the total market capitalization of Holdings or any such direct or indirect parent of Holdings as of the date of such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to Holdings’ (or such direct or indirect parent’s) Capital Stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;

 

(ix)                               Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

 

(x)                                  other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount, when taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (x) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $225.0 million and 3% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time made;

 

(xi)                               the distribution, as a dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(xii)                            (A) with respect to any taxable period for which Holdings and/or any of its Subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar income tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes of which a direct or indirect parent of Holdings is the common parent, or for which

 

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Holdings is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly-owned (directly or indirectly) by a C corporation for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes, distributions to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in an amount not to exceed the amount of any U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes that Holdings and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, would have paid for such taxable period had Holdings and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, been a stand-alone corporate taxpayer or a stand-alone corporate group, and (B) with respect to any taxable period ending after the Issue Date for which Holdings is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (other than a partnership or disregarded entity described in clause (A)), distributions to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in an amount necessary to permit such direct or indirect parent of Holdings to make a pro rata distribution to its owners such that each direct or indirect owner of Holdings receives an amount from such pro rata distribution sufficient to enable such owner to pay its U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes (as applicable) attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of Holdings and its Subsidiaries with respect to such taxable period (assuming that each owner is subject to tax at the highest combined marginal federal, state, and/or local income tax rate applicable to any owner for such taxable period and taking into account the deductibility of state and local income taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and any limitations thereon), the alternative minimum tax, any cumulative net taxable loss of Holdings for prior taxable periods ending after the Issue Date to the extent such loss is of a character that would allow such loss to be available to reduce taxes in the current taxable period (taking into account any limitations on the utilization of such loss to reduce such taxes and assuming such loss had not already been utilized) and the character (e.g., long-term or short-term capital gain or ordinary or exempt) of the applicable income);

 

(xiii)                         any Restricted Payment, if applicable:

 

(A)                                in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar taxes) required to maintain its corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings and general corporate operating and overhead expenses of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in each case to the extent such fees and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of Holdings, if applicable, and its Subsidiaries;

 

(B)                                in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, if applicable, to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, Holdings Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03; and

 

(C)                                in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to pay fees and expenses related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent;

 

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(xiv)                        repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

 

(xv)                           purchases of receivables pursuant to a Receivables Repurchase Obligation in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing and the payment or distribution of Receivables Fees;

 

(xvi)                        Restricted Payments by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon the exercise of options or warrants or upon the conversion or exchange of Capital Stock of any such Person;

 

(xvii)                     the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to provisions similar to those described in Section 4.06 and Section 4.08; provided that all Notes tendered by holders of the Notes in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

 

(xviii)                  payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that complies with Section 5.01; provided that as a result of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of assets, Holdings shall have made a Change of Control Offer (if required by this Indenture) and that all Notes tendered by holders in connection with such Change of Control Offer have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value; and

 

(xix)                        any Restricted Payment used to fund the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions or owed by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or Restricted Subsidiaries of Holdings to Affiliates, and any other payments made, including any such payments made to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to enable it to make payments in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, whether payable on the Issue Date or thereafter, in each case to the extent permitted by Section 4.07;

 

provided , however , that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (vi)(B), (vii), (x), (xi) and (xiii)(B) of this Section 4.04(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; provided , further that any Restricted Payments made with property other than cash shall be calculated using the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of such property.

 

(c)                                   As of the Issue Date, all of the Subsidiaries of Holdings will be Restricted Subsidiaries. Holdings will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the

 

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last sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation will only be permitted if a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in such amount would be permitted at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 4.05               Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries . Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of the Co-Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(a)                                  (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (1) on its Capital Stock; or (2) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits; or (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(b)                                  make loans or advances to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(c)                                   sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

(1)                                  (A) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, including pursuant to the Secured Notes (including any guarantee thereof) and the Term Loan Facility (including any guarantee thereof) and (B) contractual encumbrances or restrictions pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents and, in each case, any similar contractual encumbrances effected by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of such agreements or instruments;

 

(2)                                  this Indenture, the Notes (and any Exchange Notes) or the Subsidiary Guarantees;

 

(3)                                  applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

 

(4)                                  any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary which was in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

 

(5)                                  contracts or agreements for the sale of assets, including any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(6)                                  Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03 and Section 4.12 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

(7)                                  restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(8)                                  customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(9)                                  purchase money obligations for property acquired and Capitalized Lease Obligations in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (c) above on the property so acquired;

 

(10)                           customary provisions contained in leases, licenses and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(11)                           in the case of clause (c) above, any encumbrance or restriction that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease (including leases governing leasehold interests or Farm-In Agreements or Farm-Out Agreements relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties), license or similar contract, or the assignment or transfer of any such lease (including leases governing leasehold interests or Farm-In Agreements or Farm-Out Agreements relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties), license (including without limitations, licenses of intellectual property) or other contracts;

 

(12)                           any encumbrance or restriction of a Receivables Subsidiary effected in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing; provided , however , that such restrictions apply only to such Receivables Subsidiary;

 

(13)                           other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (a) of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary that is the Co-Issuer, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary or (b) of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Co-Issuer, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary so long as such encumbrances and restrictions contained in any agreement or instrument will not materially affect the Issuers’ ability to make anticipated principal or interest payments on the Notes (as determined in good faith by Holdings), provided that in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is permitted to be Incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.03;

 

(14)                           any Restricted Investment not prohibited by Section 4.04 and any Permitted Investment;

 

(15)                           any customary encumbrances or restrictions imposed pursuant to any agreement of the type described in the definition of “Permitted Business Investment”; or

 

(16)                           any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in Section 4.05(a), (b) or (c) above imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals,

 

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increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (15) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of Holdings, no more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.05, (i) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (ii) the subordination of loans or advances made to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness Incurred by Holdings or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.

 

SECTION 4.06               Asset Sales .

 

(a)                                  Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless (x) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of, and (y) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents or Additional Assets; provided that the amount of:

 

(i)                                      any liabilities (as shown on Holdings’ or a Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or that are otherwise cancelled or terminated in connection with the transaction with such transferee,

 

(ii)                                   any notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash received),

 

(iii)                                with respect to any Asset Sale of Oil and Gas Properties by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, the costs and expenses related to the exploration, development, completion or production of such Oil and Gas Properties and activities related thereto agreed to be assumed by the transferee (or an Affiliate thereof), and

 

(iv)                               any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings), taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this Section 4.06(a)(iv) that is at that time

 

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outstanding, not to exceed the greater of 4% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and $300.0 million at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value),

 

shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this Section 4.06(a).

 

(b)                                  Within 365 days after Holdings’ or any Restricted Subsidiary’s receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale, at its option:

 

(i)                                      to repay (A) Indebtedness constituting Bank Indebtedness and other Pari Passu Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien permitted under this Indenture (and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), (B) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, (C) Obligations under the Notes or (D) other Pari Passu Indebtedness ( provided that if an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall so reduce Obligations under unsecured Pari Passu Indebtedness, the Issuers will equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, through open-market purchases ( provided that such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof or, in the event that the Notes were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all holders to purchase at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event that the Notes were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, the pro rata principal amount of Notes, in each case other than Indebtedness owed to Holdings or an Affiliate of Holdings;

 

(ii)                                   to make an Investment in any one or more businesses ( provided that if such Investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition results in such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings), assets, or property or capital expenditures, in each case (A) used or useful in a Similar Business or (B) that replace the properties and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale; or

 

(iii)                                to invest in Additional Assets.

 

In the case of Section 4.06(b)(ii), a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the 18-month anniversary of the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds; provided that in the event such binding commitment is later canceled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are so applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds unless Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another binding commitment (a “ Second Commitment ”) within six months of such cancellation or termination of the prior binding commitment; provided , further , that Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may only enter into a Second Commitment under the foregoing provision one time with respect to each Asset Sale and to the extent such

 

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Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied or are not applied within 180 days of such Second Commitment, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

 

Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the first sentence of this Section 4.06(b) (it being understood that any portion of such Net Proceeds used to make an offer to purchase Notes, as described in clause (i) of this Section 4.06(b), shall be deemed to have been invested whether or not such offer is accepted) will be deemed to constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all holders of Notes (and, at the option of the Issuers, to holders of any Pari Passu Indebtedness) (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”) to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness), that is at least $2,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness was issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness), to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4.06. The Issuers will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten (10) Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of Sections 3.05 and 4.06(f), with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, Holdings may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose that is not prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased in the manner described in Section 4.06(e). Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

 

(c)                                   The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

 

(d)                                  Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Asset Sale Offer is delivered to the Trustee as provided above, Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as to (i) the amount of the Excess Proceeds, (ii) the allocation of the Net Proceeds from the Asset Sales pursuant to which such Asset Sale Offer is being made and (iii) the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Section 4.06(b). On such date, the Issuers shall also irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or, if an Issuer or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust)

 

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an amount equal to the Excess Proceeds to be invested in Cash Equivalents, as directed in writing by Holdings and to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.06. Upon the expiration of the period for which the Asset Sale Offer remains open (the “ Offer Period ”), the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes or portions thereof that have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Issuers. The Trustee (or the Paying Agent, if not the Trustee) shall, on the date of purchase, mail or deliver payment to each tendering holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event that the Excess Proceeds delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee are greater than the purchase price of the Notes tendered, the Trustee shall deliver the excess to the Issuers immediately after the expiration of the Offer Period for application in accordance with this Section 4.06.

 

(e)                                   Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Issuers at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or an Issuer receives not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered by the holder for purchase and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. If at the end of the Offer Period more Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) are tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer than the Issuers are required to purchase, selection of such Notes for purchase shall be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed, or if such Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with applicable legal requirements); provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be purchased in part. Selection of such Pari Passu Indebtedness shall be made pursuant to the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness.

 

(f)                                    Notices of an Asset Sale Offer shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each holder of Notes at such holder’s registered address. If any Note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of purchase that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.

 

SECTION 4.07               Transactions with Affiliates .

 

(a)                                  Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of Holdings (each of the foregoing, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, unless:

 

(i)                                      such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to Holdings or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could have been obtained in a comparable transaction by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

 

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(ii)                                   with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $40.0 million, Holdings delivers to the Trustee a resolution adopted in good faith by the majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings, approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) above.

 

(b)                                  The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not apply to the following:

 

(i)                                      transactions between or among Holdings and/or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (or an entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) and any merger, consolidation or amalgamation of Holdings and any direct parent of Holdings; provided that such parent shall have no material liabilities and no material assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents and the Capital Stock of Holdings and such merger, consolidation or amalgamation is otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture and effected for a bona fide business purpose;

 

(ii)                                   Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.04 and Permitted Investments;

 

(iii)                                the payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursement of expenses paid to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees or consultants of Holdings, any Restricted Subsidiary, or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings;

 

(iv)                               transactions in which Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or meets the requirements of clause (i) of Section 4.07(a);

 

(v)                                  payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to officers, directors, employees or consultants which are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings in good faith;

 

(vi)                               any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date or any amendment thereto (so long as any such agreement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date) or any transaction contemplated thereby as determined in good faith by Holdings;

 

(vii)                            the existence of, or the performance by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under the terms of any stockholders or limited liability company agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date, and any transaction, agreement or arrangement described in the Offering Memorandum and, in each case, any amendment thereto or similar transactions, agreements or arrangements which it may enter into thereafter; provided , however , that the existence of, or the performance by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing transaction, agreement or arrangement or under any similar transaction, agreement or arrangement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this

 

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clause (vii) to the extent that the terms of any such existing transaction, agreement or arrangement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, or new transaction, agreement or arrangement are not otherwise more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original transaction, agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(viii)                         the execution of the Transactions, and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions, including fees paid to the Sponsors;

 

(ix)                               (A) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or transactions otherwise relating to the purchase or sale of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, which are fair to Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of Holdings, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party or (B) transactions with joint ventures or Unrestricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or industry norm;

 

(x)                                  any transaction effected as part of a Qualified Receivables Financing;

 

(xi)                               the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings to any Person;

 

(xii)                            the issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the Board of Directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or of a Restricted Subsidiary, as appropriate, in good faith;

 

(xiii)                         the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement that complies with Section 4.04(b)(xii);

 

(xiv)                        any contribution to the capital of Holdings;

 

(xv)                           transactions permitted by, and complying with, Section 5.01;

 

(xvi)                        transactions between Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Person, a director of which is also a director of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings; provided , however , that such director abstains from voting as a director of Holdings or such direct or indirect parent, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;

 

(xvii)                     pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(xviii)                  the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(xix)                        any employment agreements entered into by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xx)                           the payment of management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses (including indemnification and other similar amounts) to the Sponsors pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement ( plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees and related expenses (including indemnification and other similar amounts) accrued in any prior year) and the termination fees pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement, in each case as in effect on the Issue Date or any amendment or modification thereto (so long as, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of Holdings, any such amendment or modification is not more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, to holders in any material respect as compared to the Sponsor Management Agreement in effect on the Issue Date);

 

(xxi)                        payments by Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any of the Sponsors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings in good faith;

 

(xxii)                     transactions undertaken in good faith (as certified by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings in an Officers’ Certificate) for the purpose of improving the consolidated tax efficiency of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth in this Indenture;

 

(xxiii)                  investments by the Sponsors in securities of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (and payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Sponsors in connection therewith) so long as (i) the investment is being generally offered to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (ii) the investment constitutes less than 5% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities; and

 

(xxiv)                 customary agreements and arrangements with oil and gas royalty trusts and master limited partnership agreements that comply with the affiliate transaction provisions of such royalty trust or master limited partnership agreement.

 

SECTION 4.08               Change of Control .

 

(a)                                  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus_ accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), in accordance with the terms contemplated in this Section 4.08; provided, however, that notwithstanding the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer shall not be obligated to purchase any Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08 in the event that it has exercised its right to redeem such Notes in accordance with Article III of this Indenture. In the event that at the time of such Change of Control, the terms of the Bank Indebtedness restrict or prohibit the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08,

 

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then prior to the mailing of the notice to the holders provided for in Section 4.08(b) but in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers shall (i) repay in full all Bank Indebtedness or, if doing so will allow the purchase of Notes, offer to repay in full all Bank Indebtedness and repay the Bank Indebtedness of each lender and/or noteholder who has accepted such offer, or (ii) obtain the requisite consent under the agreements governing the Bank Indebtedness to permit the repurchase of the Notes as provided for in Section 4.08(b).

 

(b)                                  Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Issuers have exercised their right to redeem the Notes in accordance with Article III of this Indenture, the Issuers shall mail a notice (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) to each holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:

 

(i)                                      that a Change of Control has occurred and that such holder has the right to require the Issuers to repurchase such holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date);

 

(ii)                                   the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control;

 

(iii)                                the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

 

(iv)                               the instructions determined by the Issuers, consistent with this Section 4.08, that a holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

 

(c)                                   Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Issuers at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. The holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Issuers receive not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered for purchase by the holder and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. Holders whose Notes are purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered.

 

(d)                                  On the purchase date, all Notes purchased by the Issuers under this Section 4.08 shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuers shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest to the holders entitled thereto.

 

(e)                                   A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

 

(f)                                    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.08, the Issuers shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in

 

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compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.08 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

 

(g)                                   Notes repurchased by the Issuers pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and canceled at the option of the Issuers. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding clause (f) will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

 

(h)                                  At the time the Issuers deliver Notes to the Trustee which are to be accepted for purchase, Holdings shall also deliver an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes are to be accepted by the Issuers pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.08. A Note shall be deemed to have been accepted for purchase at the time the Trustee, directly or through an agent, mails or delivers payment therefor to the surrendering holder.

 

(i)                                      Prior to any Change of Control Offer, Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent contained herein to the right of the Issuers to make such offer have been complied with.

 

(j)                                     The Issuers shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.08, the Issuers shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section by virtue thereof.

 

SECTION 4.09               Compliance Certificate . Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of Holdings, beginning with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2012, an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of Holdings they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such period. If any Officer does, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto. The Issuers also shall comply with Section 314(a)(4) of the TIA. Except with respect to receipt of payments of principal and interest on the Notes and any Default or Event of Default information contained in the Officers’ Certificate delivered to it pursuant to this Section 4.09, the Trustee shall have no duty to review, ascertain or confirm the Issuers’ compliance with or the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made in this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.10               Further Instruments and Acts . Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuers shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.11               Future Subsidiary Guarantors . Holdings shall cause each Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Excluded Subsidiary and that guarantees any Indebtedness of an Issuer or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to execute and deliver to the

 

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Trustee a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto pursuant to which such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary will guarantee the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.12               Liens .

 

(a)                                  Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on any asset or property of Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary unless the Notes are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the Notes) the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

 

(b)                                  Section 4.12(a) shall not require Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to secure the Notes if the Lien consists of a Permitted Lien. Any Lien that is granted to secure the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee under Section 4.12(a) shall be automatically released and discharged at the same time as the release of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee under such Section 4.12(a).

 

(c)                                   For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.12, (i) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 4.12(a) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (ii) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 4.12(a), Holdings shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien in one of the clauses of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness will be treated as being Incurred or existing pursuant to only one of such clauses or pursuant to Section 4.12(a).

 

(d)                                  With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The “ Increased Amount ” of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms or in the form of common stock of Holdings, the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock of the same class, accretion of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness described in clause (3) of the definition of “Indebtedness.”

 

SECTION 4.13               [Intentionally Omitted] .

 

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SECTION 4.14               Maintenance of Office or Agency .

 

(a)                                  The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations and surrenders may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as set forth in Section 14.01.

 

(b)                                  The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve an Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

(c)                                   The Issuers hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or its agent as such office or agency of the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.04.

 

SECTION 4.15               Covenant Suspension . If on any date following the Issue Date, (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, then, beginning on that day (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “ Covenant Suspension Event ”), and subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.11 and 5.01(a)(iv) (collectively the “ Suspended Covenants ”).

 

In the event that Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “ Reversion Date ”) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture with respect to future events.

 

On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be classified as having been Incurred or issued pursuant to Sections 4.03(a) and (b) (to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would be permitted to be Incurred or issued thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness Incurred or issued prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would not be so permitted to be Incurred or issued pursuant to Sections 4.03(a) and (b), such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under Section 4.03(b)(iii). Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04 will be made as though Section 4.04 had been

 

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in effect since the Issue Date and prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will not reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04(a). As described above, however, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred on the Reversion Date as a result of any actions taken by Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period. Within 30 days of such Reversion Date, the Issuers must comply with the terms of Section 4.11.

 

For purposes of Section 4.06, on the Reversion Date, the unutilized Excess Proceeds amount will be reset to zero.

 

ARTICLE V

 

SUCCESSOR COMPANY

 

SECTION 5.01               When Issuers May Merge or Transfer Assets.

 

(a)                                  Holdings may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up or convert into (whether or not Holdings is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

 

(i)                                      Holdings is the surviving person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, winding up or conversion (if other than Holdings) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (Holdings or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Holdco ”); provided that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;

 

(ii)                                   the Successor Holdco (if other than Holdings) expressly assumes all the obligations of Holdings under this Indenture pursuant to supplemental indentures;

 

(iii)                                immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Holdco, or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Holdco, or such Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(iv)                               immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Holdco, or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Holdco, or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), either

 

(1)                                  the Successor Holdco would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a); or

 

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(2)                                  the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Holdco and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than such ratio for Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(v)                                  if Holdings is not the Successor Holdco, each Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and

 

(vi)                               the Successor Holdco shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indentures (if any) comply with this Indenture.

 

The Successor Holdco (if other than Holdings) will succeed to, and be substituted for, Holdings under this Indenture and the Notes, and in such event Holdings will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (iii) and (iv) of this Section 5.01, (a) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to Holdings or to a Restricted Subsidiary, and (b) Holdings may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating Holdings in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States or may convert into a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby. This Article V will not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                                  Subject to the provisions of Section 12.02(b)(i), no Subsidiary Guarantor shall, and Holdings shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:

 

(i)                                      either (A) such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a company, corporation, partnership or limited liability company (in the case of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Subsidiary Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Subsidiary Guarantor ”) and the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) expressly assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, pursuant to a supplemental indenture, or (B) such sale or disposition or consolidation, amalgamation or merger is not in violation of Section 4.06; and

 

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(ii)                                   the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, and such Subsidiary Guarantor will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Subsidiary Guarantor in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States or may convert into a limited liability company, corporation, partnership or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States so long as the amount of Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is not increased thereby and (2) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with Holdings or another Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into, liquidate, dissolve, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets (collectively, a “ Transfer ”) to Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01               Events of Default . An “ Event of Default ” occurs with respect to Notes if:

 

(a)                                  there is a default in any payment of interest (including any Additional Interest) on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days,

 

(b)                                  there is a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise,

 

(c)                                   there is a failure by Holdings for 120 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements in Section 4.02,

 

(d)                                  there is a failure by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary for 60 days after written notice given by the Trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with its other obligations,

 

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covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above) contained in the Notes or this Indenture,

 

(e)                                   there is a failure by Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $125.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent,

 

(f)                                    Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i)                                      commences a voluntary case;

 

(ii)                                   consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

(iii)                                consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(iv)                               makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency,

 

(g)                                   a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(i)                                      is for relief against Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(ii)                                   appoints a Custodian of Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(iii)                                orders the winding up or liquidation of Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary;

 

or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days,

 

(h)                                  there is a failure by Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $125.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent (net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers), which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 days, or

 

(i)                                      the Subsidiary Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) with respect to the Notes ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or an Issuer or

 

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any Subsidiary Guarantor that qualifies as a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes and such Default continues for 10 days.

 

The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

 

However, a default under clause (c) or (d) above shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes notify the Issuers of the default and the Issuers do not cure such default within the time specified in clauses (c) or (d) hereof after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “ Notice of Default .” Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee, within five Business Days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any event which is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, its status and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

 

The term “ Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “ Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

SECTION 6.02               Acceleration . If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) hereof with respect to Holdings) occurs with respect to the Notes and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes (with a copy to the Trustee) by notice to the Issuers may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to Holdings occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

 

In the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the holders of the Notes, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose Holdings delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee stating that (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the Notes as described above be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.

 

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SECTION 6.03               Other Remedies . If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes, this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. To the extent required by law, all available remedies are cumulative.

 

SECTION 6.04               Waiver of Past Defaults . Provided the Notes are not then due and payable by reason of a declaration of acceleration, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes by written notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Note, (b) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Note when required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or (c) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each holder affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured and the Issuers, the Trustee and the holders will be restored to their former positions and rights under this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

 

SECTION 6.05               Control by Majority . The holders of a majority in principal amount of Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or expense for which it is not adequately indemnified, or subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

SECTION 6.06               Limitation on Suits .

 

(a)                                  Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

 

(i)                                      such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing,

 

(ii)                                   holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy,

 

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(iii)                                such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense,

 

(iv)                               the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and

 

(v)                                  the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

 

(b)                                  A holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another holder.

 

SECTION 6.07               Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Notes held by such holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.

 

SECTION 6.08               Collection Suit by Trustee . If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers or any other obligor on the Notes for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on overdue principal and (to the extent lawful) on any unpaid interest at the rate provided for in the Notes) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.

 

SECTION 6.09               Trustee May File Proofs of Claim . The Trustee may file such proofs of claim, statements of interest and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation, expenses disbursements and advances of the Trustee (including counsel, accountants, experts or such other professionals as the Trustee deems necessary, advisable or appropriate)) and the holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors, their creditors or their property, shall be entitled to participate as a member, voting or otherwise, of any official committee of creditors appointed in such matters and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any holder in any such proceeding.

 

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SECTION 6.10               Priorities . Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI and any other money or property distributable in respect of the Issuers’ or any Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture after an Event of Default shall be applied in the following order:

 

FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due hereunder;

 

SECOND: to the holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest, respectively; and

 

THIRD: to the Issuers or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount for any Subsidiary Guarantor, to such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to the holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall mail to each holder and the Issuers a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

 

SECTION 6.11               Undertaking for Costs . In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Article VI does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes.

 

SECTION 6.12               Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws . Neither the Issuers nor any Subsidiary Guarantor (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01               Duties of Trustee .

 

(a)                                  The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Notes and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this

 

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Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

(b)                                  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(i)                                      the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee (it being agreed that the permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty); and

 

(ii)                                   in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. The Trustee shall be under no duty to make any investigation as to any statement contained in any such instance, but may accept the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of such statement or the correctness of such opinions. However, in the case of certificates or opinions required by any provision hereof to be provided to it, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

(c)                                   The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(i)                                      this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

 

(ii)                                   the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

(iii)                                the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05; and

 

(iv)                               no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise Incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

 

(d)                                  Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

 

(e)                                   The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer.

 

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(f)                                    Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(g)                                   Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01(c) and the TIA.

 

SECTION 7.02               Rights of Trustee .

 

(a)                                  The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)                                  Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

(c)                                   The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

(d)                                  The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided , however , that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.

 

(e)                                   The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

(f)                                    The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney, at the expense of the Issuers and shall Incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

(g)                                   The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be Incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

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(h)                                  The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(i)                                      The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.

 

(j)                                     Any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Trustee in good faith pursuant to this Indenture upon the request or authority or consent of any person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon future holders of Notes and upon Notes executed and delivered in exchange therefor or in place thereof.

 

(k)                                  The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

 

(l)                                      The Trustee may request that the Issuers deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

(m)                              The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of actions.

 

(n)                                  The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.

 

(o)                                  The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.

 

SECTION 7.03               Individual Rights of Trustee . The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent or Registrar may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Section 7.10 and 7.11.

 

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SECTION 7.04               Trustee’s Disclaimer . The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default under Sections 6.01(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (i) or of the identity of any Significant Subsidiary unless either (a) a Trust Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof or (b) the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof in accordance with Section 14.02 hereof from the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any holder. In accepting the trust hereby created, the Trustee acts solely as Trustee under this Indenture and not in its individual capacity and all persons, including without limitation the holders of Notes and the Issuers having any claim against the Trustee arising from this Indenture shall look only to the funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder for payment except as otherwise provided herein.

 

SECTION 7.05               Notice of Defaults . If a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer or the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each holder of the Notes notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer or written notice if it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the noteholders. Holdings is required to deliver to the Trustee, annually, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. Holdings also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action Holdings is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

 

SECTION 7.06               Reports by Trustee to the Holders . As promptly as practicable after each November 1 beginning with the November 1 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event prior to December 1 in each year, the Trustee shall mail to each holder a brief report dated as of such November 1 that complies with Section 313(a) of the TIA if and to the extent required thereby. The Trustee shall also comply with Section 313(b) of the TIA.

 

Pursuant to Section 313(d) of the TIA, a copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Notes are listed if the Notes are listed. Holdings agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Notes become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof. All reports pursuant to this Section 7.06 shall be provided in accordance with Section 313(c) of the TIA.

 

SECTION 7.07            Compensation and Indemnity . The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for the Trustee’s acceptance of this Indenture and its services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses Incurred or made by it, including costs of

 

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collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their directors, officers, employees and agents against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) Incurred by or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture or Subsidiary Guarantee against any Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against or investigating any claim (whether asserted by any Issuer, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any holder or any other Person). The obligation to pay such amounts shall survive the payment in full or defeasance of the Notes or the removal or resignation of the Trustee. The Trustee shall notify the Issuers of any claim for which it may seek indemnity promptly upon obtaining actual knowledge thereof; provided , however , that any failure so to notify the Issuers shall not relieve any Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of its indemnity obligations hereunder. The Issuers shall defend the claim and the indemnified party shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Issuers’ expense in the defense. Such indemnified parties may have separate counsel and the Issuers and such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel; provided , however , that the Issuers shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes such indemnified parties’ defense and, in such indemnified parties’ reasonable judgment, there is no actual or potential conflict of interest between the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, and such parties in connection with such defense. The Issuers need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense Incurred by an indemnified party through such party’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

 

To secure the Issuers’ and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.

 

The Issuers’ and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ payment obligations pursuant to this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture, any rejection or termination of this Indenture under any bankruptcy law or the resignation or removal of the Trustee. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee Incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Issuer, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.

 

No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise Incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not assured to its satisfaction.

 

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SECTION 7.08               Replacement of Trustee .

 

(a)                                  The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Issuer. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuers shall remove the Trustee if:

 

(i)                                      the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(ii)                                   the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(iii)                                a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(iv)                               the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

 

(b)                                  If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuers or by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes and such holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

 

(c)                                   A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07.

 

(d)                                  If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the holders of 10% in principal amount of the Notes may petition at the expense of the Issuers any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(e)                                   If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed as provided in Section 310(b) of the TIA, any holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(f)                                    Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.09               Successor Trustee by Merger . If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated;

 

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and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

 

SECTION 7.10               Eligibility; Disqualification . The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA, subject to its right to apply for a stay of its duty to resign under the penultimate paragraph of Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided , however , that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA any series of securities issued under this Indenture and any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuers are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.

 

SECTION 7.11               Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuers . The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 8.01               Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance .

 

(a)                                  This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights and immunities of the Trustee and rights of registration or of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes when:

 

(i)                                      either (A) all the Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuers and thereafter repaid to the Issuers or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (B) all of the Notes (1) have become due and payable, (2) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or (3) if redeemable at the option of the Issuers, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers, and the Issuers have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to the date of deposit together with irrevocable instructions from the Issuers

 

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directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(ii)                                   the Issuers and/or the Subsidiary Guarantors have paid all other sums payable under this Indenture; and

 

(iii)                                the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

 

(b)                                  Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Issuers at any time may terminate (i) all of their obligations under the Notes and this Indenture with respect to the holders of the Notes (“ legal defeasance option ”), and (ii) their obligations under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.11, 4.12 and 4.15 and the operation of Section 5.01 for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, and Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f), 6.01(g) (in the case of Sections 6.01(f) and 6.01(g) with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of the Issuers only), 6.01(h) and 6.01(i) (“ covenant defeasance option ”). The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option notwithstanding their prior exercise of their covenant defeasance option. In the event that the Issuers terminate all of their obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (with respect to such Notes) by exercising their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be terminated simultaneously with the termination of such obligations.

 

If the Issuers exercises their legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuers exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f), 6.01(g) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of Holdings only), 6.01(h) and 6.01(i) or because of the failure of Holdings to comply with Section 5.01.

 

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuers, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuers terminate.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08 and 2.09 and Article VII, including, without limitation, Sections 7.07, 7.08 and 7.09, and in this Article VIII and the rights and immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 7.07, 7.08, 8.05 and 8.06 and the rights and immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

 

SECTION 8.02               Conditions to Defeasance .

 

(a)                                  The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option only if:

 

(i)                                      the Issuers irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee cash in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient, or a

 

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                                                combination thereof sufficient, to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on the Notes when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(ii)                                   the Issuers deliver to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(iii)                                no Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Issuers shall have occurred or is continuing on the date of such deposit;

 

(iv)                               the deposit does not constitute a default under any other material agreement or instrument binding on the Issuers;

 

(v)                                  in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (1) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (2) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by the immediately preceding sentence with respect to a legal defeasance need not be delivered if all of the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable or (y) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year under arrangements for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer;

 

(vi)                               such exercise does not impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefore or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes;

 

(vii)                            in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and

 

(viii)                         the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of

 

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the Notes to be so defeased and discharged as contemplated by this Article VIII have been complied with.

 

(b)                                  Before or after a deposit, the Issuers may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of such Notes at a future date in accordance with Article III.

 

SECTION 8.03               Application of Trust Money . The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations (including proceeds thereof) deposited with it pursuant to this Article VIII. The Trustee shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through each Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes so discharged or defeased.

 

SECTION 8.04               Repayment to Issuer . Each of the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Issuers upon request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in this Article VIII that, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee (which delivery shall only be required if U.S. Government Obligations have been so deposited), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent discharge or defeasance in accordance with this Article VIII.

 

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuers upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

 

SECTION 8.05               Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations . The Issuers shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

 

SECTION 8.06               Reinstatement . If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes so discharged or defeased shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article VIII until such time as the Trustee or any Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII; provided , however , that, if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, or interest on, any such Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

SECTION 9.01               Without Consent of the Holders .

 

(a)                                  The Issuers and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees without notice to or consent of any holder:

 

(i)                                      to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(ii)                                   to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes;

 

(iii)                                to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

(iv)                               to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, provided , however , that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;

 

(v)                                  to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Senior Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees was intended by the Issuers to be verbatim recitation of a provision in the “Description of Senior Notes” in the Offering Memorandum, as stated in an Officers’ Certificate;

 

(vi)                               to add a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes,

 

(vii)                            [intentionally omitted];

 

(viii)                         to release a Subsidiary Guarantee as permitted by this Indenture;

 

(ix)                               [intentionally omitted];

 

(x)                                  to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers;

 

(xi)                               to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA;

 

(xii)                            to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder; or

 

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(xiii)                         to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes or Exchange Notes, which shall have terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Initial Notes, and which shall be treated, together with any outstanding Initial Notes, as a single issue of securities.

 

(b)                                  [Intentionally Omitted].

 

(c)                                   After an amendment under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.01.

 

SECTION 9.02                                       With Consent of the Holders . The Issuers and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees with the consent of the Issuers and the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Notes). However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding Note affected, an amendment may not:

 

(1)                                  reduce the amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment,

 

(2)                                  reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note,

 

(3)                                  reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Note,

 

(4)                                  reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed in accordance with Article III,

 

(5)                                  make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note,

 

(6)                                  expressly subordinate the Notes or any related Subsidiary Guarantee to any other Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor,

 

(7)                                  impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes, or

 

(8)                                  make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions.

 

Except as expressly provided by this Indenture, without the consent of holders of at least 66.67% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, no amendment may modify or release the Subsidiary Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary in any manner adverse to the holders of the Notes.

 

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It shall not be necessary for the consent of the holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02.

 

SECTION 9.03                                       Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers .

 

(a)                                  A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a holder of a Note shall bind the holder and every subsequent holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. However, any such holder or subsequent holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such holder’s Note or portion of the Note if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officers’ Certificate from Holdings certifying that the requisite principal amount of Notes have consented. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the (i) receipt by the Issuers or the Trustee of consents by the holders of the requisite principal amount of securities, (ii) satisfaction of conditions to effectiveness as set forth in this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto containing such amendment or waiver and (iii) execution of such amendment or waiver (or supplemental indenture) by the Issuers and the Trustee.

 

(b)                                  The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

 

SECTION 9.04                                       Notation on or Exchange of Notes . If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Issuers may require the holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the holder. Alternatively, if the Issuers or the Trustee so determine, the Issuers in exchange for the Note shall issue and, upon written order of each Issuer signed by an Officer, the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.05                                       Trustee to Sign Amendments . The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity satisfactory to it and shall be provided with, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall

 

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be fully protected in relying upon, (i) an Officers’ Certificate, (ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof, (iii) a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Holdings, authorizing the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver and (iv) if such amendment, supplement or waiver is executed pursuant to Section 9.02, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the holders required to consent thereto.

 

SECTION 9.06                                       Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount . All Notes issued under this Indenture shall vote and consent together on all matters (as to which any of such Notes may vote) as one class and no Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter. Determinations as to whether holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent shall be made in accordance with this Article IX and Section 2.13.

 

SECTION 9.07                                       Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act . From the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, every amendment, waiver or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

 

ARTICLE X

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

ARTICLE XI

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

ARTICLE XII

 

GUARANTEE

 

SECTION 12.01                                Guarantee .

 

(a)                                  Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, on a senior unsecured basis from the Escrow Release Date, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, to each holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (i) the performance and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes and all other monetary obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Notes and (ii) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Issuers whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under this Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “ Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations ”). Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from any Subsidiary

 

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Guarantor, and that each Subsidiary Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article XII notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligation.

 

(b)                                  Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Issuers of any of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (i) the failure of any holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Issuers or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (ii) any extension or renewal of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iv) the release of any security held by any holder or the Trustee for the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations or each Subsidiary Guarantor; (v) the failure of any holder or Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations; or (vi) any change in the ownership of each Subsidiary Guarantor, except as provided in Section 12.02(b). Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have its obligations hereunder divided among the Subsidiary Guarantors, such that such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations would be less than the full amount claimed.

 

(c)                                   Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Issuers first be used and depleted as payment of the Issuers’ or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to require that the Issuers be sued prior to an action being initiated against such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

(d)                                  Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(e)                                   The Subsidiary Guarantee of each Subsidiary Guarantor is, to the extent and in the manner set forth in Article XII, equal in right of payment to all existing and future Pari Passu Indebtedness, senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor and subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all Secured Indebtedness of the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor and is made subject to such provisions of this Indenture.

 

(f)                                    Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.01(b), 12.02 and 12.06, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor herein shall not be

 

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discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Subsidiary Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

 

(g)                                   Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuers or otherwise.

 

(h)                                  In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Subsidiary Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Issuers to pay the principal of or interest on any Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligation, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by applicable law) and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Issuers to the holders and the Trustee.

 

(i)                                      Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the holders in respect of any Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VI for the purposes of the Subsidiary Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article VI, such Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Subsidiary Guarantors for the purposes of this Section 12.01.

 

(j)                                     Each Subsidiary Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and expenses) Incurred by the Trustee or any holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 12.01.

 

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(k)                                  Upon request of the Trustee, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 12.02                                Limitation on Liability .

 

(a)                                  Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by each Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering this Indenture, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or capital maintenance or corporate benefit rules applicable to guarantees for obligations of affiliates.

 

(b)                                  A Subsidiary Guarantee as to any Restricted Subsidiary that is a party hereto on the date hereof or that executes a supplemental indenture in accordance with Section 4.11 hereof and provides a guarantee shall terminate and be of no further force or effect and such Subsidiary Guarantee shall be deemed to be released from all obligations under this Article XII upon:

 

(i)                                      the sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer (including through merger, consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise) of the Capital Stock (including any sale, disposition or other transfer following which the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary), of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor if such sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer is made in a manner not in violation of this Indenture;

 

(ii)                                   the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.04 and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”;

 

(iii)                                the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor of the Credit Agreement or other Indebtedness or the guarantee of any other Indebtedness which resulted in the obligation to guarantee the Notes;

 

(iv)                               the Issuers’ exercise of their legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option under Article VIII or if the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

(v)                                  such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing Bank Indebtedness or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof; and

 

(vi)                               the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event.

 

SECTION 12.03                                [Intentionally Omitted] .

 

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SECTION 12.04                                Successors and Assigns . This Article XII shall be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 12.05                                No Waiver . Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article XII shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article XII at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

 

SECTION 12.06                                Modification . No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article XII, nor the consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case shall entitle any Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

 

SECTION 12.07                                Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors . Each Subsidiary which is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Notes pursuant to Section 4.11 shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article XII and shall guarantee the Notes. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and that, subject to the application of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally and to the principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor is a valid and binding obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor, enforceable against such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with its terms and/or to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

 

SECTION 12.08                                Non-Impairment . The failure to endorse a Subsidiary Guarantee on any Note shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

ESCROW ARRANGEMENTS

 

SECTION 13.01                                Escrow Account . Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, on the Issue Date simultaneously with the issuance of the Notes, the

 

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Issuers shall, pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement, deposit into the Escrow Account the proceeds of the offering of the Notes, together with cash and/or Cash Equivalents (either in cash or in the form of letters of credit) (collectively with the Escrow Account and any other property from time to time held in the Escrow Account, the “ Escrow Property ”), sufficient to yield the aggregate Special Mandatory Redemption Price on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date for all of the Notes. The Issuers shall grant the Trustee, for the benefit of holders of the Notes, a security interest on a first-priority basis in the Escrow Property to secure the Notes Obligations pending disbursement in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

 

SECTION 13.02                                Special Mandatory Redemption . If the Escrow Condition has not been satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date or Holdings determines in its sole discretion at any time prior to the Outside Date that the Escrow Conditions cannot be satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date, the Escrow Agent shall pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement release the Escrow Property (including investment earnings thereon) to the Trustee for application as payment to the holders of the Notes of the Special Mandatory Redemption Price pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note.

 

SECTION 13.03                                Release of Escrow Property . Upon the satisfaction of the Escrow Conditions on or prior to the Outside Date the Escrow Property will be released in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 14.01                                Trust Indenture Act Controls . If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or with another provision (an “incorporated provision”) included in this Indenture by operation of, Sections 310 to 318 of the TIA, inclusive, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.

 

SECTION 14.02                                Notices .

 

(a)                                  Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and delivered in person, via facsimile or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:

 

if to the Issuers or a Subsidiary Guarantor:

 

c/o EP Energy LLC

1001 Louisiana Street

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Dane Whitehead, Chief Financial Officer

Marguerite Woung-Chapman, General Counsel

Fax: 713-420-6603

 

with copies to:

 

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c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Sam Oh and Chief Legal Officer

Fax: 646-417-6651

 

and

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Gregory Ezring

Monica Thurmond

Fax: 212-757-3990

 

if to the Trustee:

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Corporate Client Services

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Attention: Everest/EP Energy Administrator

Fax: 612-217-5651

 

The Issuers or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

(b)                                  Any notice or communication mailed to a holder shall be mailed, first class mail, to the holder at the holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed.

 

(c)                                   Failure to mail a notice or communication to a holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except that notices to the Trustee are effective only if received.

 

The Trustee may, in its sole discretion, agree to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without

 

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limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, as long as the Notes are in the form of a Global Note, notice to the holders may be made electronically in accordance with procedures of the Depository.

 

SECTION 14.03                                Communication by the Holders with Other Holders . The holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and other Persons shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.

 

SECTION 14.04                                Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent . Upon any request or application by the Issuers to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee at the request of the Trustee:

 

(a)                                  an Officers’ Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(b)                                  an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 14.05                                Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion . Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 4.09) shall include:

 

(a)                                  a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(b)                                  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(c)                                   a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(d)                                  a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with; provided , however , that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

 

SECTION 14.06                                When Notes Disregarded . In determining whether the holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that,

 

113


 

for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

 

SECTION 14.07                                       Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar . The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of the holders. The Registrar and a Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

 

SECTION 14.08                                       Legal Holidays . If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on any amount that would have been otherwise payable on such payment date if it were a Business Day for the intervening period. If a regular Record Date is not a Business Day, the Record Date shall not be affected.

 

SECTION 14.09                                       GOVERNING LAW . THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

SECTION 14.10                                       No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in Holdings or of any Subsidiary Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

SECTION 14.11                                       Successors . All agreements of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind such person’s successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

SECTION 14.12                                       Multiple Originals . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.

 

SECTION 14.13                                       Table of Contents; Headings . The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 14.14                                       Indenture Controls . If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of this Indenture, such provision of this Indenture shall control.

 

SECTION 14.15                                       Severability . In case any provision in this Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining

 

114



 

provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

 

SECTION 14.16                                       Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE ISSUERS, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank. ]

 

115



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Name: Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Title:   Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Name: Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Title:   Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

[Senior Notes Indenture]

 



 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jane Schweiger

 

 

Name: Jane Schweiger

 

 

Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Senior Notes Indenture]

 



 

APPENDIX A

 

PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL NOTES, ADDITIONAL NOTES AND EXCHANGE NOTES

 

1.                                        Definitions.

 

1.1                                  Definitions.

 

For the purposes of this Appendix A the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

 

Additional Interest ” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Definitive Note ” means a certificated Initial Note, Additional Note or Exchange Note (bearing the Restricted Notes Legend if the transfer of such Note is restricted by applicable law) that does not include the Global Notes Legend.

 

Depository ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

 

Global Notes Legend ” means the legend set forth under that caption in the applicable Exhibit to this Indenture.

 

IAI ” means an institutional “accredited investor” as described in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

 

Initial Purchasers ” means Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, UBS Securities LLC, Nomura Securities International, Inc., Apollo Global Securities, LLC, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., Capital One Southcoast, Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp., Comerica Securities, Inc., DNB Markets, Inc., ING Financial Markets LLC, Lloyds Securities Inc., Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., Mizuho Securities USA Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited, SG Americas Securities, LLC, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and TD Securities (USA) LLC.

 

Notes Custodian ” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository) or any successor person thereto, who shall initially be the Trustee.

 

QIB ” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

Registered Exchange Offer ” means the offer by the Issuers, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to certain holders of Initial Notes, to issue and deliver to such holders, in exchange for the Initial Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes registered under the Securities Act.

 

Appendix A-1



 

Regulation S ” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

Regulation S Notes ” means all Initial Notes offered and sold outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S.

 

Restricted Notes Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.2(f)(i) herein.

 

Restricted Period ,” with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (a) the day on which such Notes are first offered to persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S, notice of which day shall be promptly given by the Issuers to the Trustee, and (b) the Issue Date, and with respect to any Additional Notes that are Transfer Restricted Notes, it means the comparable period of 40 consecutive days.

 

Rule 501 ” means Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A ” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A Notes ” means all Initial Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

Shelf Registration Statement ” means the registration statement filed by the Issuers in connection with the offer and sale of Initial Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes ” means Definitive Notes that bear or are required to bear or are subject to the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Transfer Restricted Global Notes ” means Global Notes that bear or are required to bear or are subject to the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Transfer Restricted Notes ” means the Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes and Transfer Restricted Global Notes.

 

Unrestricted Definitive Notes ” means Definitive Notes that are not required to bear, or are not subject to, the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Unrestricted Global Notes ” means Global Notes that are not required to bear, or are not subject to, the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

1.2                                  Other Definitions .

 

 

Term:

 

Defined in Section:

 

 

Agent Members

 

2.1(b)

 

 

Global Notes

 

2.1(b)

 

 

Regulation S Global Notes

 

2.1(b)

 

 

Rule 144A Global Notes

 

2.1(b)

 

 

Appendix A-2



 

2.                                        The Notes.

 

2.1                                  Form and Dating; Global Notes.

 

(a)                                   The Initial Notes issued on the date hereof will be (i) privately placed by the Issuers pursuant to the Offering Memorandum and (ii) sold, initially only to (1) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (2) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S. Such Initial Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, purchasers in reliance on Regulation S and, except as set forth below, IAIs in accordance with Rule 501. Additional Notes offered after the date hereof may be offered and sold by the Issuers from time to time pursuant to one or more agreements in accordance with applicable law.

 

(b)                                  Global Notes . (i) Except as provided in clause (d) below, Rule 144A Notes initially shall be represented by one or more Notes in definitive, fully registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ Rule 144A Global Notes ”).

 

Regulation S Notes initially shall be represented by one or more Notes in fully registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ Regulation S Global Notes ”), which shall be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of the Depository for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

The term “ Global Notes ” means the Rule 144A Global Notes and the Regulation S Global Notes. The Global Notes shall bear the Global Note Legend. The Global Notes initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of such Depository, in each case for credit to an account of an Agent Member, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depository and (iii) bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Members of, or direct or indirect participants in, the Depository (collectively, the “ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Notes. The Depository may be treated by the Issuers, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Notes for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuers, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository, or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note.

 

(ii)                                   Transfers of Global Notes shall be limited to transfer in whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Notes may be transferred or exchanged for Definitive Notes only in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository and the provisions of Section 2.2. In addition, a Global Note shall be exchangeable for Definitive Notes if (x) the Depository (1) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for such Global Note and the Issuers thereupon fail to appoint a successor depository or (2) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act or (y) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global Note and a request has been made for such exchange; provided that in no event

 

Appendix A-3



 

shall the Regulation S Global Note be exchanged by the Issuers for Definitive Notes prior to (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (y) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act. In all cases, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein shall be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depository in accordance with its customary procedures.

 

(iii)                                In connection with the transfer of a Global Note as an entirety to beneficial owners pursuant to subsection (i) of this Section 2.1(b), such Global Note shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuers shall execute, and, upon written order of each Issuer signed by an Officer, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depository in writing in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations.

 

(iv)                               Any Transfer Restricted Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note pursuant to Section 2.2 shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2, bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

(v)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, through the Restricted Period, a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note may be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream unless delivery is made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 2.2.

 

(vi)                               The holder of any Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

 

2.2                                  Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a)                                   Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except as set forth in Section 2.1(b). Global Notes will not be exchanged by the Issuers for Definitive Notes except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 2.08 of this Indenture. Beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.2(b).

 

(b)                                  Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. Beneficial interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be transferred or exchanged only for beneficial interests in Global Notes. Transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

 

Appendix A-4



 

(i)                                      Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note . Beneficial interests in any Transfer Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Transfer Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Restricted Notes Legend; provided , however , that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person. A beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.2(b)(i).

 

(ii)                                   All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in any Global Note that is not subject to Section 2.2(b)(i), the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar (1) a written order from an Agent Member given to the Depository in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository directing the Depository to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository containing information regarding the Agent Member account to be credited with such increase. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note pursuant to Section 2.2(i).

 

(iii)                                Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Transfer Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.2(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)                               if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note; and

 

(B)                                 if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note.

 

(iv)                               Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Transfer Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.2(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

Appendix A-5



 

(A)                               if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or

 

(B)                                 if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,

 

and, in each such case, if the Issuers or the Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iv) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an written order of Holdings in the form of an Officers’ Certificate in accordance with Section 2.01, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (iv).

 

(v)                                  Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in a Transfer Restricted Global Note . Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note.

 

(c)                                   Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes for Definitive Notes . A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii) . A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii). In any case, beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be transferred or exchanged only for Definitive Notes.

 

(d)                                  Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . Transfers and exchanges of Definitive Notes for beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) below, as applicable:

 

(i)                                      Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes . If any holder of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

Appendix A-6


 

(A)                                if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(B)                                if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(C)                                if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(D)                                if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(E)                                 if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an IAI in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel, if applicable; or

 

(F)                                  if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to Holdings or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

the Trustee shall cancel the Transfer Restricted Definitive Note, and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Transfer Restricted Global Note.

 

(ii)                                   Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes . A holder of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)                                if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or

 

(B)                                if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who shall take

 

Appendix A-7



 

delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,

 

and, in each such case, if the Issuers or the Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this subparagraph (ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (ii) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an written order of Holdings in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Notes transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (ii).

 

(iii)                                Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes . A holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Unrestricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iii) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an written order of Holdings in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Unrestricted Definitive Notes transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (iii).

 

(iv)                               Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes . An Unrestricted Definitive Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note.

 

(e)                                   Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes . Upon request by a holder of Definitive Notes and such holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.2(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.2(e).

 

Appendix A-8



 

(i)                                      Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes . A Transfer Restricted Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)                                if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(B)                                if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(C)                                if the transfer will be made pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(D)                                if the transfer will be made to an IAI in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (A) through (D)   above, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note; and

 

(E)                                 if such transfer will be made to Holdings or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note.

 

(ii)                                   Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . Any Transfer Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)                                if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or

 

(B)                                if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,

 

and, in each such case, if the Issuers or the Registrar so request, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(iii)                                Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . A holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Notes to a

 

Appendix A-9



 

Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the holder thereof.

 

(iv)                               Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes . An Unrestricted Definitive Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note.

 

At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(f)                                    Legend.

 

(i)                                      Except as permitted by the following paragraph (iii), (iv) or (v), each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes and any Definitive Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (each defined term in the legend being defined as such for purposes of the legend only):

 

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS] AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE

 

Appendix A-10



 

LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUERS SO REQUESTS), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

Each Definitive Note shall bear the following additional legend:

 

“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”

 

(ii)                                   Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note, the Registrar shall permit the holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a Definitive Note that does not bear the legends set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note if the holder certifies in writing to the Registrar that its request for such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Initial Note).

 

(iii)                                Upon a sale or transfer after the expiration of the Restricted Period of any Initial Note acquired pursuant to Regulation S, all requirements that such Initial Note bear the Restricted Notes Legend shall cease to apply and the requirements requiring any such Initial Note be issued in global form shall continue to apply.

 

Appendix A-11



 

(iv)                               After a transfer of any Initial Notes during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to the Restricted Notes Legend on any such Initial Note will cease to apply, the requirements requiring any such Initial Note issued to certain holders be issued in global form will continue to apply, and an Initial Note or an Initial Note in global form, in each case without restrictive transfer legends, will be available to the transferee of the holder of such Initial Notes upon exchange of such transferring holder’s certificated Initial Note or directions to transfer such holder’s interest in the Global Note, as applicable.

 

(v)                                  Upon the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Notes pursuant to which holders of such Initial Notes are offered Exchange Notes in exchange for their Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Notes that Initial Notes issued to certain holders be issued in global form will still apply with respect to holders of such Initial Notes that do not exchange their Initial Notes, and Exchange Notes in certificated or global form, in each case without the Restricted Notes Legend, will be available to holders that exchange such Initial Notes in such Registered Exchange Offer.

 

(vi)                               Any Additional Notes sold in a registered offering shall not be required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

(g)                                   Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note . At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.10 of this Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(h)                                  Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes .

 

(i)                                      To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate, Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request.

 

(ii)                                   No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 3.06, 4.06, 4.08 and 9.05 of this Indenture).

 

Appendix A-12



 

(iii)                                Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuers, the Trustee, a Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(iv)                               All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

(i)                                      No Obligation of the Trustee.

 

(i)                                      The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the holders and all payments to be made to the holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to the registered holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

(ii)                                   The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

Appendix A-13



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL NOTE]

 

[Global Notes Legend]

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

 

[Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered in Reliance on Regulation S]

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON, AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

[Restricted Notes Legend]

 

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS] AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY)

 

Exhibit A-1



 

RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUERS SO REQUESTS), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

[Definitive Notes Legend]

 

“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”

 

A-2



 

[FORM OF INITIAL NOTE]

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

No. [     ]

144A CUSIP No. 29977H AA8

 

 

 

144A ISIN No. US29977HAA86

 

 

 

REG S CUSIP No. U2993N AA9

 

 

 

REG S ISIN No. USU2993NAA91

 

 

 

$[     ]

 

9.375% Senior Note due 2020

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation, jointly and severally, promise to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto on May 1, 2020.

 

Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1, commencing November 1, 2012

 

Record Dates: April 15 and October 15

 

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

A-3


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

A-4



 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee, certifies that this is
one of the Notes
referred to in the Indenture.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 


*/

If the Note is to be issued in global form, add the Global Notes Legend and the attachment from Exhibit A captioned “TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES - SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE.”

 

A-5



 

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL NOTE]

 

9.375% Senior Note Due 2020

 

1.                                        Interest

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called “ Holdings ”), and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with Holdings, the “ Issuer ”), jointly and severally, promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above; provided , however , that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, Additional Interest will accrue on this Note at a rate of 0.25% per annum (increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum after each consecutive 90-day period that occurs after the date on which such Registration Default occurs up to a maximum Additional Interest rate of 1.00%) from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the earlier of (x) the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured and (y) the date which is two years from the Issue Date. The Issuers shall pay interest semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”), commencing November 1, 2012. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from April 24, 2012, until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

2.                                        Method of Payment

 

The Issuers shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders at the close of business on April 15 or October 15 (each a “ Record Date ”) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuers shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor depositary. The Issuers shall make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each holder thereof; provided , however , that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, by wire transfer to a U. S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or Paying Agent to such effect designating such

 

A-6



 

account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

3.                                        Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (the “ Trustee ”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice. The Issuers or any of their domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

4.                                        Indenture

 

The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 24, 2012 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used herein are used as defined in the Indenture, unless otherwise indicated. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “ TIA ”). The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and the holders (as defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms and provisions. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Indenture, such provision of the Indenture shall control.

 

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers. This Note is one of the Initial Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, pay dividends and other distributions, Incur Indebtedness, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, issue or sell shares of capital stock of Holdings and such Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or Incur Liens and make Asset Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of each Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.

 

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Issuers under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantors have unconditionally guaranteed the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and any Subsidiary Guarantor that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee will unconditionally guarantee the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations, which such Subsidiary Guarantees shall be on a senior unsecured basis from the Escrow Release Date, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

 

A-7



 

5.                                        Redemption

 

On or after May 1, 2016 the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 1 of the years set forth below:

 

Period

 

Redemption Price

 

2016

 

104.688

%

2017

 

102.344

%

2018 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

In addition, prior to May 1, 2016, the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to May 1, 2015, the Issuers may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by Holdings or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of Holdings or are used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 109.375%, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided , however , that at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided , further , that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice mailed to each holder of Notes being redeemed and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering.

 

In the event that the Escrow Condition has not been satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date or Holdings determines in its sole discretion at any time prior to the Outside Date that the Escrow Conditions cannot be satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date (such earlier date, the “ Escrow Date of Determination ”), the Issuers shall promptly send a notice of redemption to holders of the Notes stating (x) that an Escrow Date of Determination has occurred, (y) the Special Mandatory Redemption Price and that the Notes will be redeemed at the Special

 

A-8



 

Mandatory Redemption Price no later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the Escrow Date of Determination or the date that the Escrow Property is released by the Escrow Agent to the Trustee, if later (such date, the “ Special Mandatory Redemption Date ”) and (z) such other items set forth in Section 3.05(a) of the Indenture. On the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, the Issuers shall be required to redeem the Notes at the Special Mandatory Redemption Price.

 

6.                                        Mandatory Redemption

 

Except as set forth in Paragraph 5 of this Note, the Issuers will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

7.                                        Notice of Redemption

 

Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date (or at least three (3) Business Days in advance in the case of a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of this Note), to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee) or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article VIII thereof. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with a Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date, interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

 

8.                                        Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holders upon Change of Control and Asset Sales

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

 

In accordance with Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the Issuers will be required to offer to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of certain events.

 

9.                                        [Intentionally Omitted]

 

10.                                  Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A holder shall register the transfer of or exchange of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any registration of transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes required by law or

 

A-9



 

permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or to transfer or exchange any Notes for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

 

11.                                  Persons Deemed Owners

 

The registered holder of this Note shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

12.                                  Unclaimed Money

 

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuers at their written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, the holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors and the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

 

13.                                  Discharge and Defeasance

 

Subject to certain conditions, the Issuers at any time may terminate some of or all their obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuers deposit with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

14.                                  Amendment; Waiver

 

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes and (ii) any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any holder, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes; (iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee; (iv) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, provided , however , that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; (v) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Senior Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision of the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees was intended by the Issuers to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the “Description of Senior Notes” in the Offering Memorandum; (vi) to add a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes; (vii) to release a Subsidiary Guarantee as permitted by the Indenture; (viii) to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right

 

A-10



 

or power herein conferred upon the Issuers; (ix) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; (x) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder; or (xi) to make certain changes to the Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes.

 

15.                                  Defaults and Remedies

 

If an Event of Default (other than a Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by notice to the Issuers may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuers occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense and certain other conditions are complied with. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii) holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and (v) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

16.                                  Trustee Dealings with the Issuers

 

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuers or their Affiliates and

 

A-11



 

may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

17.                                  No Recourse Against Others

 

No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.

 

18.                                  Authentication

 

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

19.                                  Abbreviations

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

 

20.                                  Holders Compliance with Registration Rights Agreement

 

Each holder of a Note, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the obligations of the holders with respect to a registration and the indemnification of the Issuers to the extent provided therein.

 

21.                                  Governing Law

 

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

22.                                  CUSIP Numbers; ISINs

 

The Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to the holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

The Issuers will furnish to any holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint                         agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

A-13


 

CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR

 

REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTES

 

This certificate relates to $               principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space)         book-entry or           definitive form by the undersigned.

 

The undersigned (check one box below):

 

o                                     has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Note held by the Depository a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above);

 

o                                     has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes.

 

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring while this Note is still a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note or a Transfer Restricted Global Note, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 

(1)

 

o

 

to the Issuers; or

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

o

 

to the Registrar for registration in the name of the holder, without transfer; or

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

o

 

pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

o

 

inside the United States to a “ qualified institutional buyer ” (as defined in Rule 144 A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

o

 

outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933 and such Note shall be held immediately after the transfer through Euroclear or Clearstream until the expiration of the Restricted Period (as defined in the Indenture); or

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

 

o

 

to an institutional “ accredited investor ” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements; or

 

 

 

 

 

(7)

 

o

 

pursuant to another available exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

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Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered holder thereof; provided , however , that if box (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Issuers or the Trustee may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Issuers or the Trustee have reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

A-15



 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (4) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “ qualified institutional buyer ” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuers as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

 

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[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

 

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $                             . The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal amount of this

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of decrease in

 

Amount of increase in

 

Global Note following

 

Signature of authorized

 

 

 

Principal Amount of this

 

Principal Amount of this

 

such decrease or

 

signatory of Trustee or

 

Date of Exchange

 

Global Note

 

Global Note

 

increase

 

Notes Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A-17



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box:

 

Asset Sale o

Change of Control o

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):

 

$

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

 

A-18



 

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF FACE OF EXCHANGE NOTE */ ]

 


*/ If the Note is to be issued in global form add the Global Notes Legend from Exhibit A and the attachment from such Exhibit A captioned “[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES] - SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE.”

 

B-1



 

[FORM OF EXCHANGE NOTE]

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

No. [     ]

CUSIP No. 29977H AB6

 

ISIN No. US29977HAB69

 

$[     ]

 

 

 

9.375% Senior Note due 2020

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation, jointly and severally, promise to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto on May 1, 2020.

 

Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1, commencing November 1, 2012

 

Record Dates: April 15 and October 15

 

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

B-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

B-3



 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee, certifies that this is
one of the Notes
referred to in the Indenture.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

B-4



 

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF EXCHANGE NOTE]

 

9.375% Senior Note Due 2020

 

1.                                       Interest

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called “ Holdings ”), and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with Holdings, the “ Issuer ”), jointly and severally, promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above[; provided , however , that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, Additional Interest will accrue on this Note at a rate of 0.25% per annum (increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum after each consecutive 90-day period that occurs after the date on which such Registration Default occurs up to a maximum Additional Interest rate of 1.00%) from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the earlier of (x) the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured and (y) the date which is two years from the Issue Date](1). The Issuers shall pay interest semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”), commencing November 1, 2012. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from April 24, 2012, until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

2.                                       Method of Payment

 

The Issuers shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders at the close of business on April 15 or October 15 (each a “ Record Date ”) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuers shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor depositary. The Issuers shall make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each holder thereof;

 


(1)                                  Insert if at the date of issuance of the Exchange Note any Registration Default has occurred with respect to the related Initial Notes during the interest period in which such date of issuance occurs.

 

B-5


 

provided , however , that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

3.                                       Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (the “ Trustee ”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice. The Issuers or any of their domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

4.                                       Indenture

 

The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 24, 2012 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used herein are used as defined in the Indenture, unless otherwise indicated. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “ TIA ”). The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and the holders (as defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms and provisions. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Indenture, such provision of the Indenture shall control.

 

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers. This Note is one of the Initial Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, pay dividends and other distributions, Incur Indebtedness, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, issue or sell shares of capital stock of the Holdings and such Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or Incur Liens and make Asset Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of each Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.

 

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Issuers under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantors have unconditionally guaranteed the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and any Subsidiary Guarantor that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee will unconditionally guarantee the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations, which such Subsidiary

 

B-6



 

Guarantees shall be on a senior unsecured basis from the Escrow Release Date, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

 

5.                                       Redemption

 

On or after May 1, 2016 the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 1 of the years set forth below:

 

Period

 

Redemption Price

 

2016

 

104.688

%

2017

 

102.344

%

2018 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

In addition, prior to May 1, 2016, the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to May 1, 2015, the Issuers may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by Holdings or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of Holdings or are used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 109.375%, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided , however , that at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided , further , that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice mailed to each holder of Notes being redeemed and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering.

 

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In the event that the Escrow Condition has not been satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date or Holdings determines in its sole discretion at any time prior to the Outside Date that the Escrow Conditions cannot be satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date (such earlier date, the “ Escrow Date of Determination ”), the Issuers shall promptly send a notice of redemption to holders of the Notes stating (x) that an Escrow Date of Determination has occurred, (y) the Special Mandatory Redemption Price and that the Notes will be redeemed at the Special Mandatory Redemption Price no later than the fifth (5th) Business Day following the Escrow Date of Determination or the date that the Escrow Property is released by the Escrow Agent to the Trustee, if later (such date, the “ Special Mandatory Redemption Date ”) and (z) such other items set forth in Section 3.05(a) of the Indenture. On the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, the Issuers shall be required to redeem the Notes at the Special Mandatory Redemption Price.

 

6.                                       Mandatory Redemption

 

Except as set forth in Paragraph 5 of this Note, the Issuers will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

7.                                       Notice of Redemption

 

Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date (or three (3) Business Days in advance in the case of a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of this Note), to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee) or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article VIII thereof. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with a Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date, interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

 

8.                                       Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holders upon Change of Control and Asset Sales

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

 

In accordance with Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the Issuers will be required to offer to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of certain events.

 

9.                                       [Intentionally Omitted]

 

B-8



 

10.                                Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A holder shall register the transfer of or exchange of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any registration of transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or to transfer or exchange any Notes for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

 

11.                                Persons Deemed Owners

 

The registered holder of this Note shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

12.                                Unclaimed Money

 

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuers at their written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, the holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors and the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

 

13.                                Discharge and Defeasance

 

Subject to certain conditions, the Issuers at any time may terminate some of or all their obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuers deposit with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

14.                                Amendment; Waiver

 

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes and (ii) any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any holder, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes; (iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee; (iv) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, provided , however , that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; (v) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Senior Notes” in the Offering

 

B-9



 

Memorandum to the extent that such provision of the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees was intended by the Issuers to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the “Description of Senior Notes” in the Offering Memorandum; (vi) to add a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes; (vii) to release a Subsidiary Guarantee as permitted by the Indenture; (viii) to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers; (ix) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; (x) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder; or (xi) to make certain changes to the Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes.

 

15.                                Defaults and Remedies

 

If an Event of Default (other than a Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by notice to the Issuers may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuers occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense and certain other conditions are complied with. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii) holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and (v) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

B-10



 

16.                                Trustee Dealings with the Issuers

 

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuers or their Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

17.                                No Recourse Against Others

 

No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.

 

18.                                Authentication

 

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

19.                                Abbreviations

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

 

20.                                Governing Law

 

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

21.                                CUSIP Numbers; ISINs

 

The Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to the holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

The Issuers will furnish to any holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.

 

B-11



 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint                    agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

B-12


 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box:

 

Asset Sale o

Change of Control o

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):

 

$

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

 

B-13



 

EXHIBIT C

 

[FORM OF TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION]

 

TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION

 

[EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC]

[EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC. ]

c/o Wilmington Trust, National Association

Corporate Client Services

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

Minneapolis, MN 55402

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $[       ] principal amount of the 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Notes ”) of [EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC] and [EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.] (collectively with their successors and assigns, the “ Issuers ”).

 

Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

Taxpayer ID Number:

 

 

 

The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

 

1.                                       We are an institutional “ accredited investor ” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”)), purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “ accredited investor ” at least $100,000 principal amount of the Notes, and we are acquiring the Notes not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the Notes in the normal course of our business. We, and any accounts for which we are acting, are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

 

2.                                       We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date that is two years after the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which either of the Issuers or any affiliate of such Issuers was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the “ Resale Restriction Termination Date ”) only (a) in the United States to a person whom we reasonably

 

C-1



 

believe is a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in rule 144 A under the Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144 A, (b) outside the United States in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (c) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144 thereunder (if applicable) or (d) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each of cases (a) through (d) in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. In addition, we will, and each subsequent holder is required to, notify any purchaser of the Note evidenced hereby of the resale restrictions set forth above. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made to an institutional “ accredited investor ” prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Issuers and the Trustee, which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “ accredited investor ” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act and that it is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act. Each purchaser acknowledges that the Issuers and the Trustee reserve the right prior to the offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of the Notes pursuant to clause 1(b), 1(c) or 1(d) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications or other information satisfactory to the Issuers and the Trustee.

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSFEREE:                              ,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

C-2



 

EXHIBIT D

 

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”) dated as of [DATE], among [SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR] (the “ New Subsidiary Guarantor ”), a subsidiary of EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC (or its successor), a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS Holdings, Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. (or its successor), a Delaware corporation (the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with Holdings, the “ Issuers ”), certain Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed an indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of the Issuers’ 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 ( the “ Notes ”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000,000;

 

WHEREAS Sections 4.11 and 12.07 of the Indenture provide that under certain circumstances Holdings is required to cause the New Subsidiary Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Subsidiary Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Issuers are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuers and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

 

1.                                       Defined Terms . As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “ holders ” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “ holders ” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. The words “ herein ,” “ hereof ” and “ hereby ” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.

 

2.                                       Agreement to Guarantee . The New Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all existing Subsidiary Guarantors (if any), to unconditionally guarantee the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XII of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable

 

D-1



 

provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

3.                                       Notices . All notices or other communications to the New Subsidiary Guarantor shall be given as provided in Section 14.02 of the Indenture.

 

4.                                       Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture . Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

 

5.                                       Governing Law . THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

6.                                       Trustee Makes No Representation . The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

7.                                       Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

8.                                       Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank. ]

 

D-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

[EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

[EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

[ NEW SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR ], as a Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name: [    ]

 

 

Title: [    ]

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name: [     ]

 

 

Title: [     ]

 

D-3


 



Exhibit 4.3

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

and

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

as Issuers

 

and the Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto from time to time

 

7.750% Senior Notes due 2022

 


 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of August 13, 2012

 


 

and

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association

as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01

 

Definitions

1

SECTION 1.02

 

Other Definitions

44

SECTION 1.03

 

Rules of Construction

46

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.01

 

Amount of Notes

47

SECTION 2.02

 

Form and Dating

48

SECTION 2.03

 

Execution and Authentication

48

SECTION 2.04

 

Registrar and Paying Agent

49

SECTION 2.05

 

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

49

SECTION 2.06

 

Holder Lists

50

SECTION 2.07

 

Transfer and Exchange

50

SECTION 2.08

 

Replacement Notes

51

SECTION 2.09

 

Outstanding Notes

51

SECTION 2.10

 

Cancellation

52

SECTION 2.11

 

Defaulted Interest

52

SECTION 2.12

 

CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc

52

SECTION 2.13

 

Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes

52

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01

 

Redemption

53

SECTION 3.02

 

Applicability of Article

53

SECTION 3.03

 

Notices to Trustee

53

SECTION 3.04

 

Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed

53

SECTION 3.05

 

Notice of Optional Redemption

54

SECTION 3.06

 

Effect of Notice of Redemption

55

SECTION 3.07

 

Deposit of Redemption Price

55

SECTION 3.08

 

Notes Redeemed in Part

55

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01

 

Payment of Notes

55

SECTION 4.02

 

Reports and Other Information

55

SECTION 4.03

 

Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock

58

SECTION 4.04

 

Limitation on Restricted Payments

65

SECTION 4.05

 

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

71

 

i



 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.06

 

Asset Sales

 

74

SECTION 4.07

 

Transactions with Affiliates

 

77

SECTION 4.08

 

Change of Control

 

80

SECTION 4.09

 

Compliance Certificate

 

82

SECTION 4.10

 

Further Instruments and Acts

 

82

SECTION 4.11

 

Future Subsidiary Guarantors

 

82

SECTION 4.12

 

Liens

 

82

SECTION 4.13

 

[Intentionally Omitted]

 

83

SECTION 4.14

 

Maintenance of Office or Agency

 

83

SECTION 4.15

 

Covenant Suspension

 

84

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

SUCCESSOR COMPANY

 

SECTION 5.01

 

When Issuers May Merge or Transfer Assets

 

85

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01

 

Events of Default

 

87

SECTION 6.02

 

Acceleration

 

89

SECTION 6.03

 

Other Remedies

 

89

SECTION 6.04

 

Waiver of Past Defaults

 

90

SECTION 6.05

 

Control by Majority

 

90

SECTION 6.06

 

Limitation on Suits

 

90

SECTION 6.07

 

Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment

 

91

SECTION 6.08

 

Collection Suit by Trustee

 

91

SECTION 6.09

 

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

 

91

SECTION 6.10

 

Priorities

 

91

SECTION 6.11

 

Undertaking for Costs

 

92

SECTION 6.12

 

Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

 

92

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

TRUSTEE

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01

 

Duties of Trustee

 

92

SECTION 7.02

 

Rights of Trustee

 

94

SECTION 7.03

 

Individual Rights of Trustee

 

95

SECTION 7.04

 

Trustee’s Disclaimer

 

95

SECTION 7.05

 

Notice of Defaults

 

96

SECTION 7.06

 

Reports by Trustee to the Holders

 

96

SECTION 7.07

 

Compensation and Indemnity

 

96

SECTION 7.08

 

Replacement of Trustee

 

97

SECTION 7.09

 

Successor Trustee by Merger

 

98

SECTION 7.10

 

Eligibility; Disqualification

 

98

 

ii



 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7.11

 

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuers

 

99

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 8.01

 

Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance

 

99

SECTION 8.02

 

Conditions to Defeasance

 

100

SECTION 8.03

 

Application of Trust Money

 

101

SECTION 8.04

 

Repayment to Issuer

 

102

SECTION 8.05

 

Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations

 

102

SECTION 8.06

 

Reinstatement

 

102

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01

 

Without Consent of the Holders

 

102

SECTION 9.02

 

With Consent of the Holders

 

103

SECTION 9.03

 

Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers

 

104

SECTION 9.04

 

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

 

105

SECTION 9.05

 

Trustee to Sign Amendments

 

105

SECTION 9.06

 

Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount

 

105

SECTION 9.07

 

Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act

 

106

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

ARTICLE XI

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

ARTICLE XII

 

GUARANTEE

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 12.01

 

Guarantee

 

106

SECTION 12.02

 

Limitation on Liability

 

108

SECTION 12.03

 

[Intentionally Omitted]

 

109

SECTION 12.04

 

Successors and Assigns

 

109

SECTION 12.05

 

No Waiver

 

109

SECTION 12.06

 

Modification

 

109

SECTION 12.07

 

Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors

 

110

SECTION 12.08

 

Non-Impairment

 

110

 

iii



 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 14.01

 

Trust Indenture Act Controls

110

SECTION 14.02

 

Notices

110

SECTION 14.03

 

Communication by the Holders with Other Holders

112

SECTION 14.04

 

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

112

SECTION 14.05

 

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

112

SECTION 14.06

 

When Notes Disregarded

113

SECTION 14.07

 

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar

113

SECTION 14.08

 

Legal Holidays

113

SECTION 14.09

 

GOVERNING LAW

113

SECTION 14.10

 

No Recourse Against Others

113

SECTION 14.11

 

Successors

113

SECTION 14.12

 

Multiple Originals

113

SECTION 14.13

 

Table of Contents; Headings

113

SECTION 14.14

 

Indenture Controls

114

SECTION 14.15

 

Severability

114

SECTION 14.16

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

114

 

Appendix A

 

 –

Provisions Relating to Initial Notes and Additional Notes

 

 

iv



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit A

Form of Initial Note

Exhibit B

Form of Exchange Note

Exhibit C

Form of Transferee Letter of Representation

Exhibit D

Form of Supplemental Indenture

 

v



 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA

 

 

 

Indenture

Section

 

 

 

Section

310

 

(a)(1)

 

7.10

 

 

(a)(2)

 

7.10

 

 

(a)(3)

 

7.10

 

 

(a)(4)

 

7.10

 

 

(b)

 

7.08; 7.10

 

 

(c)

 

N.A.

311

 

(a)

 

7.11

 

 

(b)

 

7.11

 

 

(c)

 

N.A.

312

 

(a)

 

2.06

 

 

(b)

 

14.03

 

 

(c)

 

14.03

313

 

(a)

 

7.06

 

 

(b)(1)

 

7.06

 

 

(b)(2)

 

7.06

 

 

(c)

 

7.06

 

 

(d)

 

7.06

314

 

(a)

 

4.02; 4.09

 

 

(b)

 

N.A.

 

 

(c)(1)

 

14.04

 

 

(c)(2)

 

14.04

 

 

(c)(3)

 

N.A.

 

 

(d)

 

N.A.

 

 

(e)

 

14.05

 

 

(f)

 

4.10

315

 

(a)

 

7.01

 

 

(b)

 

7.05

 

 

(c)

 

7.01

 

 

(d)

 

7.01

 

 

(e)

 

6.11

316

 

(a) (last sentence)

 

14.06

 

 

(a)(1)(A)

 

6.05

 

 

(a)(1)(B)

 

6.04

 

 

(a)(2)

 

N.A.

 

 

(b)

 

6.07

317

 

(a)(1)

 

6.08

 

 

(a)(2)

 

6.09

 

 

(b)

 

2.05

318

 

(a)

 

14.01

 

N.A. Means Not Applicable.

Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purposes, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.

 

vi


 

INDENTURE, dated as of August 13, 2012, among EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (together with its successors and assigns, “ Holdings ”), EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with Holdings, the “ Issuers ”), the Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto from time to time (as defined below) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of (i) $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 issued on the date hereof (the “ Initial Notes ”), (ii) Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes and (iii) Additional Notes issued from time to time (together with the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes, the “ Notes ”):

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01       Definitions .

 

Acquired Business ” means (i) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation); (ii) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company; (iii) all of the issued and outstanding quotas of UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda. and El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.; and (iv) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso Brazil Holdings Company.

 

Acquired Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1)           Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and

 

(2)           Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

 

Acquired Indebtedness will be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (2) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of such assets.

 

Acquisition ” means the purchase by EPE Acquisition, LLC of the Acquired Business.

 

Acquisition Documents ” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., as sellers, and EPE Acquisition, LLC, as purchaser, and any other agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 



 

Additional Assets ” means:

 

(1)           any properties or assets used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(2)           capital expenditures by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary in the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(3)           the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(4)           Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

provided , however , that, in the case of clauses (3) and (4), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

 

Additional Notes ” means the Notes issued under the terms of this Indenture subsequent to the Issue Date.

 

Additional Refinancing Amount ” means, in connection with the Incurrence of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate principal amount of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), expenses, defeasance costs and fees in respect thereof.

 

Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

 

(a)           the sum of:

 

(i)            estimated discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any provincial, territorial, state, federal or foreign income taxes, as estimated by Holdings in a reserve report prepared as of the end of Holdings’ most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from (A) estimated proved oil and gas reserves acquired since such year end, which reserves were not reflected in such year end reserve report, and (B) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves (including the impact to discounted future net revenues related to development costs previously estimated in the last year end reserve report, but only to the extent such costs were actually incurred since the date of the last year end reserve report) since such year end due to exploration, development, exploitation or other activities, increased by the accretion of discount from the date of the last year end reserve report to the date of determination and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from (C) estimated proved oil and gas reserves included in the last year end reserve report that shall have been produced or disposed of since such year end, and (D) estimated oil and gas reserves included therein that are subsequently removed

 

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from the proved oil and gas reserves of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries as so calculated due to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves since such year end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, provided , that (x) in the case of such year end reserve report and any adjustments since such year end pursuant to clauses (A), (B) and (D), the estimated discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves shall be determined in their entirety using oil, gas and other hydrocarbon prices and costs that are either (1) calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines and, with respect to such adjustments under clauses (A), (B) or (D), calculated with such prices and costs as if the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the date of determination for which such information is available to Holdings were year end or (2) if Holdings so elects at any time, calculated in accordance with the foregoing clause (1), except that when pricing of future net revenues of proved oil and gas reserves under SEC guidelines is not based on a contract price and is instead based upon benchmark, market or posted pricing, the pricing for each month of estimated future production from such proved oil and gas reserves not subject to contract pricing shall be based upon NYMEX (or successor) published forward prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity applicable to such production month (adjusted for energy content, quality and basis differentials, with such basis differentials determined as provided in the definition of “Borrowing Base” and giving application to the last sentence of such definition hereto), as such forward prices are published as of the year end date of such reserve report or, with respect to post-year end adjustments under clauses (A), (B) or (D), the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the date of determination, (y) the pricing of estimated proved reserves that have been produced or disposed since year end as set forth in clause (D) shall be based upon the applicable pricing elected for the prior year end reserve report as provided in clause (x), and (z) in each case as estimated by Holdings’ petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineers engaged by Holdings for that purpose;

 

(ii)           the capitalized costs that are attributable to Oil and Gas Properties of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and gas reserves are attributable, based on Holdings’ books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of Holdings’ latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements;

 

(iii)          the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of Holdings’ latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements;

 

(iv)          assets related to commodity risk management activities less liabilities related to commodity risk management activities, in each case to the extent that such assets and liabilities arise in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, provided that such net value shall not be less than zero; and

 

(v)           the greater of (A) the net book value of other tangible assets (including, without limitation, investments in unconsolidated Restricted Subsidiaries and mineral rights held under lease or other contractual arrangement) of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of Holdings’ latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements, and (B) the Fair Market Value, as estimated

 

3



 

by Holdings, of other tangible assets (including, without limitation, investments in unconsolidated Restricted Subsidiaries and mineral rights held under lease or other contractual arrangement) of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of Holdings’ latest audited consolidated financial statements (it being understood that Holdings shall not be required to obtain any appraisal of any assets); minus

 

(b)           the sum of:

 

(i)            any amount included in clauses (a)(i) through (a)(v) above that is attributable to minority interests;

 

(ii)           any net gas balancing liabilities of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in Holdings’ latest audited consolidated financial statements;

 

(iii)          to the extent included in clause (a)(i) above, the estimated discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices and costs as provided in clause (a)(i)), attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto); and

 

(iv)          to the extent included in clause (a)(i) above, the estimated discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing prices and costs as provided in clause (a)(i)), attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the estimated discounted future net revenues specified in clause (a)(i) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto).

 

If Holdings changes its method of accounting from the full cost method of accounting to the successful efforts or a similar method, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if Holdings were still using the full cost method of accounting.

 

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

 

Applicable Premium ” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuers, the greater of:

 

4



 

(1)                                   1% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Note; and

 

(2)                                   the excess of:

 

(a)           the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note, at September 1, 2017 (such redemption price being set forth in Paragraph 5 of the Note) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through September 1, 2017 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

 

(b)           the then outstanding principal amount of the Note.

 

Asset Sale ” means:

 

(1)           the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of property or assets (including by way of Production Payments and Reserve Sales and Sale/ Leaseback Transactions) (other than an operating lease entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business) outside the ordinary course of business of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to in this definition as a “ disposition ”); or

 

(2)           the issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals or other third parties to the extent required by applicable law) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary) (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions),

 

in each case other than:

 

(a)           a disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete, damaged or worn out property or equipment in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)           the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Holdings in a manner permitted pursuant to Section 5.01 or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control;

 

(c)           any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.04;

 

(d)           any disposition of assets of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, which assets or Equity Interests so disposed or issued have an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of less than $50.0 million;

 

(e)           any disposition of property or assets, or the issuance of securities, by a Restricted Subsidiary to Holdings or by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

5



 

(f)            any exchange of assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents) for assets related to a Similar Business of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by Holdings;

 

(g)           foreclosure or any similar action with respect to any property or other asset of Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(h)           any sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(i)            the lease, assignment or sublease of, or any transfer related to a “reverse build to suit” or similar transaction in respect of, any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(j)            any sale of inventory or other assets in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)           any grant in the ordinary course of business of any license of patents, trademarks, know-how or any other intellectual property;

 

(l)            in the ordinary course of business, any swap of assets, or lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property, in exchange for services (including in connection with any outsourcing arrangements) of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by Holdings;

 

(m)          a transfer of accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Receivables Financing” (or a fractional undivided interest therein) by a Receivables Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Financing;

 

(n)           any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including any Sale/Leaseback Transaction or asset securitization permitted by this Indenture;

 

(o)           dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;

 

(p)           any disposition of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement or other obligation with or to a Person (other than Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary) from whom such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired or from whom such Restricted Subsidiary acquired its business and assets (having been newly formed in connection with such acquisition), made as part of such acquisition and in each case comprising all or a portion of the consideration in respect of such sale or acquisition;

 

(q)           the sale of any property in a Sale/Leaseback Transaction within twelve months of the acquisition of such property;

 

6



 

(r)            dispositions of receivables in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings and exclusive of factoring or similar arrangements;

 

(s)           any surrender, expiration or waiver of contract rights or oil and gas leases or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;

 

(t)            a disposition of Hydrocarbons or mineral products inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(u)           any Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that any such Production Payments and Reserve Sales, other than incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to an Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, shall have been created, incurred, issued, assumed or guaranteed in connection with the financing of, and within 60 days after the acquisition of, the property that is subject thereto;

 

(v)           the abandonment, farm-out pursuant to a Farm-Out Agreement, lease or sublease of developed or underdeveloped Oil and Gas Properties owned or held by an Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or which are usual and customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur; and

 

(w)          a disposition (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) of any Oil and Gas Property or interest therein to which no proved reserves are attributable at the time of such disposition.

 

Bank Indebtedness ” means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of (a) the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time (including after termination of the Credit Agreement), including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to Holdings whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof and (b) whether or not the Indebtedness referred to in clause (a) remains outstanding, if designated by Holdings to be included in this definition, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities,

 

7



 

indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Board of Directors ” means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof.  In the case of Holdings, the Board of Directors of Holdings shall be deemed to include the Board of Directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as appropriate.

 

Borrowing Base ” means, at any date of determination, an amount equal to the amount of (a) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed producing (PDP) reserves, plus (b) 35% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed non-producing (PDNP) reserves, plus (c) 25% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proven undeveloped (PUD) reserves, plus or minus (d) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries under commodity hedging agreements (other than basis differential commodity hedging agreements), netted against the price described below, plus or minus (e) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries under basis differential commodity hedging agreements, in each case for Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (i) for purposes of clauses (a) through (d) above, as estimated by Holdings in a reserve report prepared by Holdings’ petroleum engineers applying the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity adjusted for relevant energy content, quality and basis differentials (before any state or federal or other income tax) and (ii) for purposes of clauses (d) and (e) above, as estimated by Holdings applying, if available, the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward basis differential or, if such NYMEX (or successor) forward basis differential is unavailable, in good faith based on historical basis differential (before any state or federal or other income tax). For any months beyond the term included in published NYMEX (or successor) forward pricing, the price used will be equal to the last published contract escalated at 1.5%  per annum.

 

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or the place of payment.

 

Capital Stock ” means:

 

(1)           in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;

 

(2)           in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

 

(3)           in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

 

8



 

(4)           any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation ” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that any obligations of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, either existing on the Issue Date or created prior to any recharacterization described below (or any refinancings thereof) (i) that were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of Holdings as capital lease obligations and (ii) that are subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.

 

Capitalized Software Expenditures ” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and such Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Cash Equivalents ” means:

 

(1)           U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, euros, the national currency of any member state in the European Union or such local currencies held by an entity from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

 

(2)           securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any country that is a member of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof in each case maturing not more than two years from the date of acquisition;

 

(3)           certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances, in each case with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and sur plus in excess of $250.0 million and whose long-term debt is rated “A” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency);

 

(4)           repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

 

(5)           commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of Holdings) rated at least “A-1” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P (or

 

9



 

reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;

 

(6)           readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;

 

(7)           Indebtedness issued by Persons (other than the Sponsors or any of their Affiliates) with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” or higher from Moody’s (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition; and

 

(8)           investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (7) above.

 

CFC ” means a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

 

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of either of the following:

 

(1)           the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all the assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to a Person other than any of the Permitted Holders; or

 

(2)           Holdings becomes aware (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) of the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than any of the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of Holdings.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees and Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

10


 

Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(1)           consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (including amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations and excluding Additional Interest in respect of the Notes, amortization of deferred financing fees, any interest attributable to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees and non-cash interest expense attributable to movement in mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivatives (in each case permitted hereunder) under GAAP); plus

 

(2)           consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; plus

 

(3)           commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges Incurred in connection with any Receivables Financing which are payable to Persons other than Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries; minus

 

(4)           interest income for such period.

 

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by Holdings to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided , however , that:

 

(1)           any net after-tax extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses or charges, any severance expenses, relocation expenses, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, any expenses related to any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternate uses and fees, expenses or charges relating to facilities closing costs, acquisition integration costs, facilities opening costs, project start-up costs, business optimization costs, signing, retention or completion bonuses, expenses or charges related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or issuance, repayment, refinancing, amendment or modification of Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not successful), and any fees, expenses, charges or change in control payments related to the Transactions, in each case, shall be excluded;

 

(2)           effects of purchase accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and such Subsidiaries) in amounts required or permitted by GAAP, resulting from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

 

11



 

(3)           the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period;

 

(4)           any net after-tax income or loss from disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets shall be excluded;

 

(5)           any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business dispositions or asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by management of Holdings) shall be excluded;

 

(6)           any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded;

 

(7)           the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of such Person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period;

 

(8)           solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (1) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit,” the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions have been legally waived; provided that the Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or converted into cash) by any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, to the extent not already included therein;

 

(9)           an amount equal to the amount of Tax Distributions actually made to any parent or equity holder of such Person in respect of such period in accordance with Section 4.04(b)(xii) shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such Person for such period;

 

(10)         any impairment charges or asset write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP, and any impairment charges, asset write-offs or write-down, including ceiling test write-downs, on Oil and Gas Properties under GAAP or SEC guidelines shall be excluded;

 

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(11)         any non-cash expense realized or resulting from stock option plans, employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, or grants or sales of stock, stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock or other rights shall be excluded;

 

(12)         any (a) non-cash compensation charges, (b) costs and expenses after the Issue Date related to employment of terminated employees, or (c) costs or expenses realized in connection with or resulting from stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights existing on the Issue Date of officers, directors and employees, in each case of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary, shall be excluded;

 

(13)         accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within 12 months after the Issue Date and that are so required to be established or adjusted in accordance with GAAP or as a result of adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded;

 

(14)         (a) the Net Income of any Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be calculated without deducting the income attributable to, or adding the losses attributable to, the minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary except to the extent of dividends declared or paid in respect of such period or any prior period on the shares of Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary held by such third parties and (b) any ordinary course dividend, distribution or other payment paid in cash and received from any Person in excess of amounts included in clause (7) above shall be included;

 

(15)         (a)(i) the non-cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense shall be excluded and (ii) the cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense which exceeds the amount expensed in respect of such rent expense shall be included and (b) non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP and related interpretations shall be excluded;

 

(16)         any currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness, and any net loss or gain resulting from hedging transactions for currency exchange risk, shall be excluded;

 

(17)         (a) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (i) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (ii) in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days), expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded and (b) amounts estimated in good faith to be received from insurance in respect of lost revenues or earnings in respect of liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be included (with a deduction for amounts actually received up to such estimated amount to the extent included in Net Income in a future period);

 

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(18)         Capitalized Software Expenditures shall be excluded; and

 

(19)         Non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded (except to the extent reversing a previously recognized increase to net income).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.04  only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.04  pursuant to clauses (4) and (5) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit.”

 

Consolidated Non-Cash Charges ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the non-cash expenses (other than Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that if any such non-cash expenses represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA in such future period to the extent paid, but excluding from this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period.

 

Consolidated Taxes ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise, property and similar taxes, foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and any Tax Distributions taken into account in calculating Consolidated Net Income.

 

Consolidated Total Indebtedness ” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any undrawn letters of credit) consisting of Capitalized Lease Obligations, bankers’ acceptances and Indebtedness for borrowed money, plus (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries and all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Contingent Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“ primary obligations ”) of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:

 

(1)           to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,

 

(2)           to advance or supply funds:

 

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(a)           for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation; or

 

(b)           to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or

 

(3)           to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the designated office of the Trustee in the United States of America at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the holders and the Issuers, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the holders and the Issuers).

 

Credit Agreement ” means (i) the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 by and among Holdings, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by Holdings to be included in the definition of “Credit Agreement,” one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Credit Agreement Documents ” means the collective reference to any Credit Agreement, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.

 

Cumulative Credit ” means the sum of (without duplication):

 

(1)           50% of the Consolidated Net Income of Holdings for the period from July 1, 2012 to the end of Holdings’ most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (taken as one

 

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accounting period, the “ Reference Period ”) (or in case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus

 

(2)           100% of (i) the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash, received by Holdings after May 24, 2012 plus (ii) the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash, received by Holdings in excess of $3,200  million prior to or on May 24, 2012 (in each case other than net proceeds to the extent such net proceeds have been used to Incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xiii)) from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent entity of Holdings (excluding Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below), Designated Preferred Stock, Excluded Contributions, and Disqualified Stock), including Equity Interests issued upon exercise of warrants or options (other than an issuance or sale to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary), plus

 

(3)           100% of (i) the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of Holdings received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash after May 24, 2012 plus (ii) the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of Holdings received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash, in excess of $3,200 million prior to or on May 24, 2012 (in each case other than Excluded Contributions, Refunding Capital Stock, Designated Preferred Stock, and Disqualified Stock and other than contributions to the extent such contributions have been used to Incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xiii)),  plus

 

(4)           100% of the principal amount of any Indebtedness, or the liquidation preference or maximum fixed repurchase price, as the case may be, of any Disqualified Stock of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary issued after May 24, 2012 (other than Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock issued to a Restricted Subsidiary) which has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests in Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock) or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (provided in the case of any such parent, such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock is retired or extinguished), plus

 

(5)           100% of the aggregate amount received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of property other than cash received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary from:

 

(A)          the sale or other disposition (other than to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries and from repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary) and from repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constituted Restricted Investments (other than in each case to the extent that the Restricted Investment was made pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(vii)),

 

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(B)           the sale (other than to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or

 

(C)           a distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus

 

(6)           in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary, the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the Investment of Holdings or the Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (which, if the Fair Market Value of such investment shall exceed $25.0 million, shall be determined by the Board of Directors of Holdings) at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable) (other than in each case to the extent that the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary was made pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(vii)  or constituted a Permitted Investment).

 

Default ” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Designated Non-cash Consideration ” means the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of non-cash consideration received by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

 

Designated Preferred Stock ” means Preferred Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock), that is issued for cash (other than to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, on the issuance date thereof.

 

Disqualified Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event:

 

(1)           matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (other than as a result of a change of control or asset sale),

 

(2)           is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of such Person, or

 

(3)           is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale),

 

in each case prior to 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided , however , that only the portion of Capital Stock which

 

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so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided , further , however , that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of Holdings or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability; provided , further , that any class of Capital Stock of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.

 

Dollar-Denominated Production Payments ” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Domestic Subsidiary ” means a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus , without duplication, to the extent the same was deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income:

 

(1)           Consolidated Taxes; plus

 

(2)           Fixed Charges; plus

 

(3)           Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense; plus

 

(4)           Consolidated Non-Cash Charges; plus

 

(5)           any expenses or charges (other than Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense) related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the Incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Transactions, the Notes or any Bank Indebtedness, (ii) any amendment or other modification of the Notes or other Indebtedness, (iii) any Additional Interest in respect of the Notes and (iv) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Qualified Receivables Financing; plus

 

(6)           business optimization expenses and other restructuring charges, reserves or expenses (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include, without limitation, the effect of inventory optimization programs, facility closures, facility consolidations, retention, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and excess pension charges); plus

 

(7)           the amount of loss on sale of receivables and related assets to a Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing; plus

 

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(8)           any costs or expense Incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of Holdings or a Subsidiary Guarantor or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation of the Cumulative Credit; plus

 

(9)           the amount of any management, monitoring, consulting, transaction and advisory fees and related expenses paid to the Sponsors (or any accruals relating to such fees and related expenses) during such period to the extent otherwise permitted by Section 4.07; plus

 

(10)         all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote (4) to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such period; plus

 

(11)         the amount of any loss attributable to a new plant or facility until the date that is 12 months after completing construction of or acquiring such plant or facility, as the case may be; provided that (A) such losses are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and certified by a responsible officer of Holdings and (B) losses attributable to such plant or facility after 12 months from the date of completing construction of or acquisition of such plant or facility, as the case may be, shall not be included in this clause (11), plus

 

(12)         exploration expenses or costs (to the extent Holdings adopts the “successful efforts” method), and

 

less , without duplication, to the extent the same increased Consolidated Net Income,

 

(13)         the sum of (x) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments and (y) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments; and

 

(14)         non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding the recognition of deferred revenue or any items which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that reduced EBITDA in any prior period and any items for which cash was received in a prior period).

 

Equity Interests ” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

 

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Equity Offering ” means any public or private sale after the Issue Date of common Capital Stock or Preferred Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable (other than Disqualified Stock), other than:

 

(1)           public offerings with respect to Holdings’ or such direct or indirect parent’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;

 

(2)           issuances to any Subsidiary of Holdings; and

 

(3)           any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Exchange Notes ” means the Notes of the Issuers issued pursuant to this Indenture in exchange for, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to or not in excess of, the Initial Notes or any Additional Notes, if applicable, in compliance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” means the registration statement filed with the SEC in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer.

 

Excluded Contributions ” means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of Holdings) received by Holdings after the Issue Date from:

 

(1)           contributions to its common equity capital, and

 

(2)           the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of Holdings or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of Holdings,

 

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Capital Stock is sold, as the case may be; provided, that $3,200  million of Cash Equivalents received by Holdings from the Equity Investors on or prior to May 24, 2012 to fund the Acquisition shall not be permitted to be designated an Excluded Contribution.

 

Excluded Subsidiary ” means (a) any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (b) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (c) any Foreign Subsidiary, (d) any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that owns no material assets (directly or through its Subsidiaries) other than equity interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs or (ii) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, (e) any Receivables Subsidiary and (f) any Subsidiary (other than a Significant Subsidiary) that (i) did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Holdings most recently ended, have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5.0%  of total revenues of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date and (ii) taken together with all other such Subsidiaries as of

 

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the last day of the fiscal quarter of Holdings most recently ended, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 10.0% of total revenues of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date.

 

Existing Senior Notes ” means the Issuers’ 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 issued on April 24, 2012 (including exchange notes issued in exchange therefor pursuant to a registration rights agreement dated April 24, 2012) pursuant to the Indenture dated as of April 24, 2012 by and among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.

 

Farm-In Agreement ” means an agreement whereby a Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of one or more exploratory or development wells (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interests therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well or wells as all or a part of the consideration provided in exchange for an ownership interest in an Oil and Gas Property.

 

Farm-Out Agreement ” means a Farm-In Agreement, viewed from the standpoint of the party that transfers an ownership interest to another.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than in the case of any Qualified Receivables Financing, in which case interest expense shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period) or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “ Calculation Date ”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that Holdings may elect pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being Incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent Incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an Incurrence at such subsequent time.

 

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations

 

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(as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, and any operational changes that Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, discontinued operation or operational change, in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or operational change had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

 

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of Holdings as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from the applicable event, and (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote (4) to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period.

 

If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a Eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as Holdings may designate.

 

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For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U. S. dollars will be converted to U. S.  dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

 

Fixed Charges ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (1) Consolidated Interest Expense (excluding amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs) of such Person for such period, and (2) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means a Restricted Subsidiary not organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Issue Date.  For the purposes of this Indenture, the term “ consolidated ” with respect to any Person shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an Investment.

 

guarantee ” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

 

Hedging Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:

 

(1)           currency exchange, interest rate or commodity swap agreements (including commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, basis differential swaps, spot contracts, fixed-price physical delivery contracts or other similar agreements or arrangements in respect of Hydrocarbons), currency exchange, interest rate or commodity cap agreements and currency exchange, interest rate or commodity collar agreements; and

 

(2)           other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange, interest rates or commodity prices.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreements or obligations to physically sell any commodity at any index-based price shall not be considered Hedging Obligations.

 

holder ” or “ noteholder ” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

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Holdings ” means EP Energy LLC, together with its successors or assigns.

 

Hydrocarbons ” means oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

 

Incur ” means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided , however , that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.

 

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)           the principal and premium (if any) of any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) in respect of borrowed money, (b) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), (c) representing the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property (except any such balance that constitutes (i) a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor Incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and (iii) liabilities accrued in the ordinary course of business), which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing the property in service or taking delivery and title thereto, (d) in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations, or (e) representing any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(2)           to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the obligations referred to in clause (1) of another Person (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business); and

 

(3)           to the extent not otherwise included, Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person); provided , however , that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of such asset at such date of determination, and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person;

 

provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (1) Contingent Obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in respect of borrowed money; (2) deferred or prepaid revenues; (3) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller; (4) Obligations under or in respect of Qualified Receivables Financing; (5) obligations under the Acquisition Documents; (6) Production Payments and Reserve Sales; (7) any obligation of a Person in respect of a Farm-In Agreement or similar arrangement

 

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whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property; (8) any obligations under Hedging Obligations; provided that such agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of Holdings, whether or not accounted for as a hedge in accordance with GAAP) and, in the case of any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement, such agreements are related to business transactions of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and, in the case of any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, such agreements substantially correspond in terms of notional amount, duration and interest rates, as applicable, to Indebtedness of Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred without violation of this Indenture; and (9) in-kind obligations relating to net oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, Indebtedness shall not include, and shall be calculated without giving effect to, the effects of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness; and any such amounts that would have constituted Indebtedness under this Indenture but for the application of this sentence shall not be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness under this Indenture.

 

Indenture ” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Independent Financial Advisor ” means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant, in each case of nationally recognized standing, that is, in the good faith determination of Holdings, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

 

Interest Payment Date ” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

 

Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

 

Investment Grade Securities ” means:

 

(1)           securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents),

 

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(2)           securities that have a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or equivalent) by S&P, but excluding any debt securities or loans or advances between and among Holdings and its Subsidiaries,

 

(3)           investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution, and

 

(4)           corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments and in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition.

 

Investments ” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit and advances to customers and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet of such Person in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.04:

 

(1)           “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to Holdings’ equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the net assets of a Subsidiary of Holdings at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, Holdings shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to:

 

(a)           Holdings’ “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less

 

(b)           the portion (proportionate to Holdings’ equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

 

(2)           any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Holdings.

 

Issue Date ” means August 13, 2012.

 

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or

 

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give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

 

Management Group ” means the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as the case may be, on the Issue Date together with (1) any new directors whose election by such boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors on the Issue Date or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (2) executive officers and other management personnel of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable, hired at a time when the directors on the Issue Date together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable.

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Net Income ” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

 

Net Proceeds ” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received in respect of or upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding the assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other consideration received in any other non-cash form), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses Incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including Tax Distributions and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related solely to such disposition), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required (other than pursuant to Section 4.06(b)(i)) to be paid as a result of such transaction, amounts paid in connection with the termination of Hedging Obligations related to Indebtedness repaid with such proceeds or hedging oil, natural gas and natural gas liquid production in notional volumes corresponding to the Oil and Gas Properties subject to such Asset Sale, and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by Holdings as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by Holdings after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

 

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Net Working Capital ” means (a) all current assets of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business less (b) all current liabilities of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities (i) associated with asset retirement obligations relating to Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) included in Indebtedness and (iii) any current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of Holdings prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Notes Obligations ” means Obligations in respect of the Notes and this Indenture, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Obligations in respect of Exchange Notes and guarantees thereof.

 

NYMEX ” means the New York Mercantile Exchange.

 

Obligations ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness; provided that Obligations with respect to the Notes shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the Notes.

 

Offering Memorandum ” means the offering memorandum, dated August 8, 2012, as supplemented or amended from time to time, relating to the issuance of the Initial Notes.

 

Officer ” means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of Holdings.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed on behalf of Holdings by two Officers of Holdings, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of Holdings, which meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.

 

Oil and Gas Business ” means:

 

(1)           the business of acquiring, exploring, exploiting, developing, producing, operating and disposing of interests in oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas and other Hydrocarbons and mineral properties or products produced in association with any of the foregoing;

 

(2)           the business of gathering, marketing, distributing, treating, processing, storing, refining, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties and products produced in association therewith and the marketing of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals obtained from unrelated Persons;

 

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(3)           any other related energy business, including power generation and electrical transmission business, directly or indirectly, from oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbons and minerals produced substantially from properties in which Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, participate;

 

(4)           any business relating to oil field sales and service; and

 

(5)           any business or activity relating to, arising from, or necessary, appropriate, incidental or ancillary to the activities described in the foregoing clauses (1) through (4) of this definition.

 

Oil and Gas Properties ” means all properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by a Person which contain or are believed to contain oil and gas reserves or other reserves of Hydrocarbons.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee.  The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to Holdings.

 

Pari Passu Indebtedness ” means: (a) with respect to an Issuer, the Notes and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to the Notes; and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Permitted Business Investment ” means any Investment and/or expenditure made in the ordinary course of business or which are of a nature that is or shall have become customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur, including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing, distributing, storing, or transporting oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons and minerals (including with respect to plugging and abandonment) through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:

 

(1)           Investments in ownership interests (including equity or other ownership interests) in oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals properties, liquefied natural gas facilities, processing facilities, gathering systems, pipelines, storage facilities or related systems or ancillary real property interests;

 

(2)           Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, processing agreements, Farm-In Agreements, Farm-Out Agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals, production sharing agreements, participation agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements, stockholder agreements and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies) with third parties; and

 

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(3)           Investments in direct or indirect ownership interests in drilling rigs and related equipment, including, without limitation, transportation equipment.

 

Permitted Holders ” means, at any time, each of (i) the Sponsors, (ii) the Management Group, (iii) any Person that has no material assets other than the Capital Stock of Holdings and, directly or indirectly, holds or acquires 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of Holdings, and of which no other Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), other than any of the other Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above, holds more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock thereof and (iv) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) the members of which include any of the Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above and that, directly or indirectly, hold or acquire beneficial ownership of the Voting Stock of Holdings (a “Permitted Holder Group”), so long as (1) each member of the Permitted Holder Group has voting rights proportional to the percentage of ownership interests held or acquired by such member and (2) no Person or other “group” (other than Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above) beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the Voting Stock held by the Permitted Holder Group. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

 

Permitted Investments ” means:

 

(1)           any Investment in Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)           any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

 

(3)           any Investment by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(4)           any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.06 or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

 

(5)           any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

 

(6)           advances to employees, taken together with all other advances made pursuant to this clause (6), not to exceed $25.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

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(7)           any Investment acquired by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable, or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(8)           Hedging Obligations permitted under Section 4.03(b)(x);

 

(9)           any Investment by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Similar Business having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (9) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $350.0 million and (y) 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided , however , that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (9) is made in any Person that is not Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (9) for so long as such Person continues to be Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(10)         additional Investments by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $350.0 million and (y) 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided , however , that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (10) is made in any Person that is not Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (10) for so long as such Person continues to be Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(11)         loans and advances to officers, directors or employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or to fund such person’s purchase of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings;

 

(12)         Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of Holdings (other than Disqualified Stock) or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, as applicable; provided , however , that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit”;

 

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(13)         any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.07(b) (except transactions described in clauses (ii), (iv), (vi), (ix)(B) and (xvi) of Section 4.07(b));

 

(14)         Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

 

(15)         (x) guarantees issued in accordance with Section 4.03 and Section 4.11 including, without limitation, any guarantee or other obligation issued or Incurred under the Credit Agreement in connection with any letter of credit issued for the account of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (including with respect to the issuance of, or payments in respect of drawings under, such letters of credit) and (y) guarantees of performance or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) arising in the ordinary course in the Oil and Gas Business, including obligations under Hydrocarbon exploration, development, joint operating and related agreements and licenses, concessions or operating leases related to the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(16)         Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property;

 

(17)         any Investment in a Receivables Subsidiary or any Investment by a Receivables Subsidiary in any other Person in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing, including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Qualified Receivables Financing or any related Indebtedness;

 

(18)         any Investment in an entity which is not a Restricted Subsidiary to which a Restricted Subsidiary sells accounts receivable pursuant to a Receivables Financing;

 

(19)         additional Investments in joint ventures not to exceed, at any one time in the aggregate outstanding under this clause (19), $100.0 million (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time such Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided , however , that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (19) is made in any Person that is not Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (19) for so long as such Person continues to be Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(20)         Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Issue Date or of an entity merged into, amalgamated with, or consolidated with Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction that is not prohibited by Section 5.01 after the Issue Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

 

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(21)         any Investment in any Subsidiary of Holdings or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(22)         Permitted Business Investments.

 

Permitted Liens ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)           pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure plugging and abandonment obligations or public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(2)           Liens imposed by law, such as landlord’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, construction or other like Liens securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review;

 

(3)           Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due or payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

(4)           Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

 

(5)           minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

 

(6)            (A)          Liens on assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor securing Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03;

 

(B)           Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred under the Credit Agreement, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(i);

 

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(C)           Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred under the RBL Facility in excess of $2,000 million (and solely to the extent of such excess), including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted to be Incurred under Section 4.03; and

 

(D)          Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clause (ii)(B), (iv), (xii), (xvi) or (xx) of Section 4.03(b) ( provided that in the case of clause (xx), such Lien does not extend to the property or assets of any Subsidiary of Holdings other than a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor).

 

(7)           Liens existing on the Issue Date (other than Liens in favor of the lenders under the Credit Agreement, the holders of the Secured Notes or the lenders under the Term Loan Facility);

 

(8)           Liens on assets, property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided , further , however , that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(9)           Liens on assets or property at the time Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the assets or property, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens (other than Liens to secure Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xvi)) are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided , further , however , that the Liens (other than Liens to secure Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xvi)) may not extend to any other property owned by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than pursuant to after-acquired property clauses in effect with respect to such Lien at the time of acquisition on property of the type that would have been subject to such Lien notwithstanding the occurrence of such acquisition);

 

(10)         Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary owing to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03;

 

(11)         Liens securing Hedging Obligations not Incurred in violation of this Indenture; provided that with respect to Hedging Obligations relating to Indebtedness, such Lien extends only to the property securing such Indebtedness;

 

(12)         Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

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(13)         leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(14)         Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(15)         Liens in favor of Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(16)         Liens on accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Receivables Financing” Incurred in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing;

 

(17)         deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

 

(18)         Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(19)         grants of software and other technology licenses in the ordinary course of business;

 

(20)         Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (15); provided , however , that (x) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien ( plus improvements on such property), and (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (15) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement; provided further, however, that in the case of any Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal of Indebtedness secured by a Lien referred to in clause (6)(B), the principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred for such refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal shall be deemed secured by a Lien under clause (6)(B) and not this clause (20) for purposes of determining the principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (6)(B);

 

(21)         Liens on equipment of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business to Holdings’ or such Restricted Subsidiary’s client at which such equipment is located;

 

(22)         judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;

 

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(23)         Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(24)         Liens Incurred to secure cash management services or to implement cash pooling arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

 

(25)         other Liens securing obligations the outstanding principal amount of which does not, taken together with the principal amount of all other obligations secured by Liens Incurred under this clause (25) that are at that time outstanding, exceed the greater of $350.0 million and 5% Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence;

 

(26)         any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

 

(27)         any amounts held by a trustee in the funds and accounts under an indenture securing any revenue bonds issued for the benefit of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, under any indenture or other debt agreement issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof, or under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions;

 

(28)         Liens arising by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depository or financial institution;

 

(29)         Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with any appeal or other proceedings for review;

 

(30)         Liens (i) in favor of credit card companies pursuant to agreements therewith and (ii) in favor of customers;

 

(31)         Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

 

(32)         Liens arising under Farm-Out Agreements, Farm-In Agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of Hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, operating agreements, royalties, royalty trusts, master limited partnerships, working interests, net profits interests, joint interest billing arrangements, participation agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided , however , in all instances that such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order, trust, partnership or contract;

 

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(33)         Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law; and

 

(34)         any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease, liens reserved in oil, gas or other Hydrocarbons, minerals, leases for bonus, royalty or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases; (b) restriction or encumbrance that the interest or title of such lessor or sublessor may be subject to (including, without limitation, ground leases or other prior leases of the demised premises, mortgages, mechanics’ liens, tax liens and easements); or (c) subordination of the interest of the lessee or sublessee under such lease to any restrictions or encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause (b).

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Preferred Stock ” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

 

Production Payments and Reserve Sales ” means the grant or transfer by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar-denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers.

 

Qualified Receivables Financing ” means any Receivables Financing of a Receivables Subsidiary that meets the following conditions:

 

(1)           the Board of Directors of Holdings shall have determined in good faith that such Qualified Receivables Financing (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to Holdings and the Receivables Subsidiary;

 

(2)           all sales of accounts receivable and related assets to the Receivables Subsidiary are made at Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings); and

 

(3)           the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by Holdings) and may include Standard Securitization Undertakings.

 

The grant of a security interest in any accounts receivable of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) to secure Bank Indebtedness,

 

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Indebtedness in respect of the Notes or any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the Notes shall not be deemed a Qualified Receivables Financing.

 

Rating Agency ” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P and (2) if Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of Holdings’ control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15cs-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.

 

RBL Facility ” means the credit agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 by and among Holdings, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or other lenders), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to any amendment thereto or pursuant to a new loan agreement with other lenders, governed by a borrowing base set by the lenders, extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or under any successor or replacement agreement or increasing the amount loaned thereunder or altering the maturity thereof.

 

Receivables Fees ” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interests issued or sold in connection with, and all other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Receivables Financing.

 

Receivables Financing ” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Receivables Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries); and (b) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts receivable and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable and any Hedging Obligations entered into by Holdings or any such Subsidiary in connection with such accounts receivable.

 

Receivables Repurchase Obligation ” means any obligation of a seller of receivables in a Qualified Receivables Financing to repurchase receivables arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off-set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

 

Receivables Subsidiary ” means a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (or another Person formed for the purposes of engaging in Qualified Receivables Financing with

 

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Holdings in which Holdings or any Subsidiary of Holdings makes an Investment and to which Holdings or any such Subsidiary transfers accounts receivable and related assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the Board of Directors of Holdings (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary and:

 

(a)           no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by Holdings or any other Subsidiary of Holdings (excluding guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (ii) is recourse to or obligates Holdings or any other Subsidiary in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, or (iii) subjects any property or asset of Holdings or any other Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;

 

(b)           with which neither Holdings nor any Subsidiary has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms which Holdings reasonably believes to be no less favorable to Holdings or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of Holdings; and

 

(c)           to which neither Holdings nor any Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results.

 

Any such designation by the Board of Directors of Holdings shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of Holdings giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

 

Record Date ” has the meaning specified in Exhibit A hereto.

 

Registration Rights Agreement ” means (a) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Registration Rights Agreement dated the Issue Date, among the Issuers and the Initial Purchasers, and (b) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, the registration rights agreement, if any, among the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes under the related purchase agreement.

 

Restricted Investment ” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated in this Indenture, all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of Holdings.

 

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Sale/Leaseback Transaction ” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between Holdings and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Secured Indebtedness ” means any Consolidated Total Indebtedness secured by a Lien.

 

Secured Notes ” means the Issuers’ 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued on April 24, 2012 (including any exchange notes issued in exchange therefor pursuant to a registration rights agreement dated as of April 24, 2012) pursuant to the Indenture dated as of April 24, 2012 by and among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of Holdings within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision).

 

Similar Business ” means a business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from the activities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the Issue Date or any business or activity that is reasonably similar or complementary thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto.

 

Sponsor Management Agreement ” means the management agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsors, EP Energy Holding Company and EPE Acquisition, LLC.

 

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Sponsors ” means (i) affiliates of each of Apollo Global Management, LLC, Access Industries, Inc. and Riverstone Holdings, L.P. and other investors party to that certain Interim Investors Agreement dated as of February 24, 2012 (the “ Interim Investors Agreement ”) and any other investors that became party to the Interim Investors Agreement prior to or upon the consummation of the Acquisition and any of their respective Affiliates other than any portfolio companies (collectively, the “ Equity Investor ”) and (ii) any Person that forms a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) with the Equity Investor; provided that the Equity Investor (x) owns a majority of the voting power and (y) controls a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings.

 

Standard Securitization Undertakings ” means representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and guarantees of performance entered into by Holdings or any Subsidiary thereof which Holdings has determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Financing including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Receivables Subsidiary, it being understood that any Receivables Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.

 

Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

 

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means (a) with respect to an Issuer, any Indebtedness of such Issuer which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

 

Subsidiary Guarantee ” means any guarantee of the obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Notes by any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

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Subsidiary Guarantor ” means any Subsidiary that Incurs a Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Suspension Period ” means the period of time between a Covenant Suspension Event and the related Reversion Date.

 

Tax Distributions ” means any distributions described in Section 4.04(b)(xii).

 

Term Loan Facility ” means the term loan agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, by and among Holdings, as borrower, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, including any guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications or restatements thereof.

 

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

Total Assets ” means the total consolidated assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of Holdings, without giving effect to any amortization of the amount of intangible assets since December 31, 2011, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any subsequent acquisition or disposition of a Person or business.

 

Transactions ” means the transactions described under “Summary—Recent Events” in the Offering Memorandum.

 

Treasury Rate ” means, as of the applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuers, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to September 1, 2017; provided , however , that if the period from such redemption date to September 1, 2017, as applicable, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

 

Trustee ” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

 

Trust Officer ” means:

 

(1)                                   any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, and

 

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(2)                                   who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means:

 

(1)                                   any Subsidiary of Holdings that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of Holdings in the manner provided below; and

 

(2)                                   any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

Holdings may designate any Subsidiary of Holdings (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, Holdings or any other Subsidiary of Holdings that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided , however , that the Subsidiary to be so designated and its Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have and do not thereafter Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than pursuant to customary Liens on related arrangements under any oil and gas royalty trust or master limited partnership); provided , further , however , that either:

 

(a)                                   the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less; or

 

(b)                                  if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then such designation would be permitted under Section 4.04.

 

Holdings may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that immediately after giving effect to such designation:

 

(x)                                    (1) Holdings could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a) or (2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than such ratio immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation, and

 

(y)                                  no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Any such designation by Holdings shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof of Holdings giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means securities that are:

 

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(1)                                   direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or

 

(2)                                   obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

 

which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

Volumetric Production Payments ” means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertaking and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Voting Stock ” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (2) the sum of all such payments.

 

Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary ” is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Wholly Owned Subsidiary ” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required pursuant to applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

SECTION 1.02                                             Other Definitions .

 

Term

 

Section

 

$

 

1.03(j)

 

Additional Interest

 

Appendix A

 

Affiliate Transaction

 

4.07(a)

 

Agent Members

 

Appendix A

 

Asset Sale Offer

 

4.06(b)(iii)

 

 

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Term

 

Section

 

Bankruptcy Law

 

6.01

 

Change of Control Offer

 

4.08(b)

 

Co-Issuer

 

Preamble

 

covenant defeasance option

 

8.01(b)

 

Covenant Suspension Event

 

4.15

 

Custodian

 

6.01

 

Definitive Note

 

Appendix A

 

Depository

 

Appendix A

 

Event of Default

 

6.01

 

Excess Proceeds

 

4.06(b)(iii)

 

Global Notes

 

Appendix A

 

Global Notes Legend

 

Appendix A

 

Holdings

 

Preamble

 

IAI

 

Appendix A

 

Increased Amount

 

4.12(d)

 

Initial Notes

 

Preamble

 

Initial Purchasers

 

Appendix A

 

Issuers

 

Preamble

 

legal defeasance option

 

8.01(b)

 

Notes

 

Preamble

 

Notes Custodian

 

Appendix A

 

Notice of Default

 

6.01

 

Offer Period

 

4.06(d)

 

Paying Agent

 

2.04(a)

 

protected purchaser

 

2.08

 

QIB

 

Appendix A

 

Refinancing Indebtedness

 

4.03(b)(xv)

 

Refunding Capital Stock

 

4.04(b)(ii)

 

Registered Exchange Offer

 

Appendix A

 

Registrar

 

2.04(a)

 

Regulation S

 

Appendix A

 

Regulation S Global Notes

 

Appendix A

 

Regulation S Notes

 

Appendix A

 

Restricted Notes Legend

 

Appendix A

 

Restricted Payments

 

Section 4.04(a)

 

Restricted Period

 

Appendix A

 

Retired Capital Stock

 

4.04(b)(ii)

 

Reversion Date

 

4.15

 

Rule 144A

 

Appendix A

 

Rule 144A Global Notes

 

Appendix A

 

Rule 144A Notes

 

Appendix A

 

Rule 501

 

Appendix A

 

Second Commitment

 

4.06(b)(iii)

 

Shelf Registration Statement

 

Appendix A

 

Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations

 

12.01(a)

 

 

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Term

 

Section

 

Successor Holdco

 

5.01(a)(i)

 

Successor Subsidiary Guarantor

 

5.01(b)(i)

 

Suspended Covenants

 

4.15

 

Transfer

 

5.01(b)(ii)

 

Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes

 

Appendix A

 

Transfer Restricted Global Notes

 

Appendix A

 

Transfer Restricted Notes

 

Appendix A

 

U.S. dollars

 

1.03(j)

 

Unrestricted Definitive Notes

 

Appendix A

 

Unrestricted Global Notes

 

Appendix A

 

 

SECTION 1.03                     Rules of Construction . Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)                                   a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

(b)                                  an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(c)                                   or ” is not exclusive;

 

(d)                                  including ” means including without limitation;

 

(e)                                   words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

 

(f)                                     unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness;

 

(g)                                  the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(h)                                  the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater;

 

(i)                                      unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(j)                                      $ ” and “ U.S. dollars ” each refer to United States dollars, or such other money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; and

 

(k)                                   whenever in this Indenture or the Notes there is mentioned, in any context, principal, interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to any Notes, such mention

 

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shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Interest, to the extent that, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable in respect thereof.

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.01                     Amount of Notes . The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture on the Issue Date is $350,000,000.

 

The Issuers may from time to time after the Issue Date issue Additional Notes under this Indenture in an unlimited principal amount, so long as (i) the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such Additional Notes is at such time permitted by Section 4.03 and (ii) such Additional Notes are issued in compliance with the other applicable provisions of this Indenture. With respect to any Additional Notes issued after the Issue Date (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Section 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 3.06, 4.06(e), 4.08(c) or Appendix A), there shall be (a) established in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and (b) (i) set forth or determined in the manner provided in an Officers’ Certificate or (ii) established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of such Additional Notes:

 

(1)                                   the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture;

 

(2)                                   the issue price and issuance date of such Additional Notes, including the date from which interest on such Additional Notes shall accrue;

 

(3)                                   if applicable, that such Additional Notes shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Notes and, in such case, the respective depositaries for such Global Notes, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by such Global Notes in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Exhibit A hereto and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Section 2.2 of Appendix A in which any such Global Note may be exchanged in whole or in part for Additional Notes registered, or any transfer of such Global Note in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the depositary for such Global Note or a nominee thereof; and

 

(4)                                   if applicable, that such Additional Notes that are not Transfer Restricted Notes shall not be issued in the form of Initial Notes as set forth in Exhibit A hereto but shall be issued in the form of Exchange Notes as set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

 

If any of the terms of any Additional Notes are established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of Holdings and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or an indenture supplemental hereto setting forth the terms of the Additional Notes.

 

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The Initial Notes, including any Additional Notes, may, at the Issuers’ option, be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number, if applicable.

 

SECTION 2.02                     Form and Dating . Provisions relating to the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes are set forth in Appendix A , which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The (i) Initial Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication and (ii) any Additional Notes (if issued as Transfer Restricted Notes) and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall each be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The (i) Exchange Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication and (ii) any Additional Notes issued other than as Transfer Restricted Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall each be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor is subject, if any, or usage ( provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Issuer). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without interest coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that Notes may be issued in denominations of less than $2,000 solely to accommodate book-entry positions that have been created by the Depository in denominations of less than $2,000.

 

SECTION 2.03                     Execution and Authentication . The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery upon a written order of the Issuers signed by one Officer of each Issuer (a) Initial Notes for original issue on the date hereof in an aggregate principal amount of $350,000,000, (b) subject to the terms of this Indenture, Additional Notes in an aggregate principal amount to be determined at the time of issuance and specified therein and (c) the Exchange Notes for issue in a Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement for a like principal amount of Initial Notes exchanged pursuant thereto or otherwise pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. Such order shall specify the amount of separate Note certificates to be authenticated, the principal amount of each of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated, whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes, Additional Notes or Exchange Notes, the registered holder of each of the Notes and delivery instructions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or Appendix A, any issuance of Additional Notes after the Issue Date shall be in a principal amount of at least $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

One Officer shall sign the Notes for each of the Issuers by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

 

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A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may appoint one or more authenticating agents reasonably acceptable to Holdings to authenticate the Notes. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Trust Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to Holdings. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

SECTION 2.04                     Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

(a)                                   The Issuers shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “ Registrar ” includes any co-registrars.  The term “ Paying Agent ” includes the Paying Agent and any additional paying agents. The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and the Notes Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

 

(b)                                  The Issuers may enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. Holdings shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such agent. If the Issuers fail to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. Holdings or any of its domestically organized Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

(c)                                   The Issuers may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided , however , that no such removal shall become effective until (i) if applicable, acceptance of an appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Issuers and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee; provided , however , that the Trustee may resign as Paying Agent or Registrar only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in accordance with Section 7.08.

 

SECTION 2.05                     Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust . Prior to each due date of the principal of and interest on any Note, the Issuers shall deposit with each Paying Agent (or if Holdings or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent (other than the

 

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Trustee) to agree in writing that a Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of holders or the Trustee all money held by a Paying Agent for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. If Holdings or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Holdings acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by such Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, a Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 2.06                     Holder Lists . The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, Holdings shall furnish, or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of holders.

 

SECTION 2.07                     Transfer and Exchange . The Notes shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer and in compliance with Appendix A . When a Note is presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if its requirements therefor are met. When Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar’s request. The Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges in connection with any transfer or exchange pursuant to this Section. The Issuers shall not be required to make, and the Registrar need not register, transfers or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

 

Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest, if any, on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

Any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (a) the holder of such Global Note (or its agent) or (b) any holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

 

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All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depository participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

None of the Trustee, Registrar or Paying Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depository.

 

SECTION 2.08                     Replacement Notes . If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the holder (a) satisfies the Issuers and the Trustee within a reasonable time after such holder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Issuers and the Trustee prior to the Note being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code (a “ protected purchaser ”) and (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Issuers and the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers, such holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar from any loss or liability that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced and subsequently presented or claimed for payment. The Issuers and the Trustee may charge the holder for their expenses in replacing a Note (including without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements in replacing such Note). In the event any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuers in their discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.

 

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuers.

 

The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.

 

SECTION 2.09                     Outstanding Notes . Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Subject to Section 14.06, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because one of the Issuers or an Affiliate of one of the Issuers holds the Note.

 

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If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 (other than a mutilated Note surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Issuers receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser. A mutilated Note ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Note and replacement thereof pursuant to Section 2.08.

 

If a Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, and no Paying Agent is prohibited from paying such money to the holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

SECTION 2.10                     Cancellation . The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and each Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes they have redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall not authenticate Notes in place of canceled Notes other than pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.11                     Defaulted Interest . If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes, the Issuers shall pay the defaulted interest then borne by the Notes ( plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Issuers may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuers shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail or cause to be mailed to each affected holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

 

SECTION 2.12                     CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc . The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use any such CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to holders; provided , however , that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers, either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes and that any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers shall advise the Trustee of any change in any such CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers.

 

SECTION 2.13                     Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes . The aggregate principal amount of the Notes, at any date of determination, shall be the principal amount of the Notes at such date of determination. With respect to any matter requiring consent, waiver, approval or other action of the holders of a specified percentage of the principal amount of all the Notes, such percentage shall be calculated, on the relevant date of determination, by dividing (a) the principal amount, as of such date of determination, of Notes, the holders of which have so

 

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consented, by (b) the aggregate principal amount, as of such date of determination, of the Notes then outstanding, in each case, as determined in accordance with the preceding sentence, Section 2.09 and Section 14.06 of this Indenture. Any calculation of the Applicable Premium or made pursuant to this Section 2.13 shall be made by Holdings and delivered to the Trustee pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate.

 

ARTICLE III

 

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01                     Redemption . The Notes may be redeemed, in whole or from time to time in part, subject to the conditions and at the redemption prices set forth in Paragraph 5 of the forms of Notes set forth in Exhibits A and B hereto, which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date.

 

SECTION 3.02                     Applicability of Article . Redemption of Notes at the election of the Issuers or otherwise, as permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in accordance with such provision and this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.03                     Notices to Trustee . If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Paragraph 5 of the Note, Holdings shall notify the Trustee in an Officers’ Certificate of (i) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price. Holdings shall give notice to the Trustee provided for in this paragraph at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date if the redemption is an optional redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note. Holdings may also include a request in such Officers’ Certificate that the Trustee give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at their expense and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.05. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any holder or otherwise delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depository and shall thereby be void and of no effect.  The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 3.04.

 

SECTION 3.04                     Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed . In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed, or if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or by lot or by such other method the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and, in such manner that complies with the applicable legal requirements and the requirements of the Depository, if applicable); provided that no Notes of $2,000 (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) or less shall be redeemed in part. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000.  Notes and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also

 

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apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Issuers promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.05                     Notice of Optional Redemption .

 

(a)                                   At least 30 but not more than 60 days before a redemption date pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note, the Issuers shall mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, a notice of redemption to each holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), except that redemption notices may be mailed or otherwise delivered more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes, a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article VIII.

 

Any such notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(i)                                      the redemption date;

 

(ii)                                   the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest to the redemption date;

 

(iii)                                the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(iv)                               that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any;

 

(v)                                  if fewer than all the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the certificate numbers and principal amounts of the particular Notes to be redeemed, the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be outstanding after such partial redemption;

 

(vi)                               that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Notes (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(vii)                            the CUSIP number, ISIN and/or “Common Code” number, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed; and

 

(viii)                         that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number or ISIN and/or “Common Code” number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

 

(b)                                  At Holdings’ request, the Trustee shall deliver the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at the Issuers’ expense. In such event, Holdings shall notify the Trustee of such request at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date such notice is to be provided to holders. Such notice may not be canceled once delivered to holders of Notes.

 

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SECTION 3.06                     Effect of Notice of Redemption . Once notice of redemption is mailed or otherwise delivered in accordance with Section 3.05, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice, except as provided in the final sentence of paragraph 5 of the Notes. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date; provided , however , that if the redemption date is after a regular Record Date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant Record Date. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other holder.

 

SECTION 3.07                     Deposit of Redemption Price . With respect to any Notes, prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if Holdings or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Holdings is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption that have been delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee for cancellation. On and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Issuers have deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes to be redeemed, unless the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 3.08                     Notes Redeemed in Part . If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the holder (at the Issuers’ expense) a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01                     Payment of Notes . The Issuers shall promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture. An installment of principal of or interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds as of 12:00 p.m. New York City time money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate borne by the Notes to the extent lawful.

 

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SECTION 4.02                     Reports and Other Information .

 

(a)                                   Notwithstanding that Holdings may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, Holdings will file with the SEC (and provide the Trustee and holders with copies thereof, without cost to each holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC):

 

(i)                                      within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form), except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC;

 

(ii)                                   within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form), except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC;

 

(iii)                                promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported (and in any event within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations), such other reports on Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable form); and

 

(iv)                               subject to the foregoing, any other information, documents and other reports which Holdings would be required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

 

provided , however , that Holdings shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event Holdings will make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the holders, in each case within 15 days after the time Holdings would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subject, in the case of any such information, certificates or reports provided prior to the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, to exceptions and exclusions consistent with the presentation of financial and other information in the Offering Memorandum (including with respect to any periodic reports provided prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, the omission of financial information required by Rule 3-10 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision)). In addition to providing such information to the Trustee, Holdings shall make available to the holders, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the Notes and securities analysts the information required to be provided pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), by posting such information to its website or on IntraLinks or any comparable online data system or website.

 

If Holdings has designated any of its Subsidiaries as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and if any such Unrestricted Subsidiary or group of Unrestricted Subsidiaries, if taken together as one Subsidiary, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of Holdings, then the annual and quarterly information required to be provided by clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.02(a) shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the

 

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footnotes thereto, of the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings will not be required to furnish any information, certificates or reports required by Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K prior to the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable.

 

(c)                                   In the event that:

 

(i)                                      the rules and regulations of the SEC permit Holdings and any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to report at such parent entity’s level on a consolidated basis and such parent entity is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the capital stock of Holdings, or

 

(ii)                                   any direct or indirect parent of Holdings is or becomes a guarantor of the Notes,

 

consolidated reporting at such parent entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in this Section 4.02 for Holdings will satisfy this Section 4.02, and Holdings is permitted to satisfy its obligations in this Section 4.02 with respect to financial information relating Holdings by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that such financial information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than Holdings and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to Holdings, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the other Subsidiaries of Holdings on a standalone basis, on the other hand. In addition, Holdings will make such information available to prospective investors upon request.

 

(d)                                  In addition, Holdings shall, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, furnish to the holders of the Notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. Holdings will also hold quarterly conference calls, beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2012, for all holders and securities analysts to discuss such financial information no later than five business days after the distribution of such information required by Sections 4.02(a)(i) and (ii) and prior to the date of each such conference call, announcing the time and date of such conference call and either including all information necessary to access the call or informing holder of Notes, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the Notes and securities analysts how they can obtain such information, including, without limitation, the applicable password or other login information.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings will be deemed to have furnished the reports referred to in this Section 4.02 to the Trustee and the holders if Holdings has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available.

 

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In addition, the requirements of this Section 4.02 shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Notes or the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement by (1) the filing with the SEC of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and/or Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement, and any amendments thereto, if such registration statement and/or amendments thereto are filed at times that otherwise satisfy the time requirements set forth in Section 4.02(a) and/or (2) the posting of reports that would be required to be provided to the Trustee and the holders on Holdings’ website (or that of any of Holdings’ parent companies).

 

(f)                                     Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.02 is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt thereof shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers’ compliance with any of their covenants under this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

SECTION 4.03                     Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock .

 

(a)                                   (i) Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock; and (ii) Holdings shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided , however , that Holdings and any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock or issue shares of Preferred Stock, in each case if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided , further , that any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may not incur Indebtedness or issue shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in excess of an amount together with any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xv), equal to, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or issuance (including pro forma effect to the application of the net proceeds therefrom), the greater of $150.0 million and 2% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount).

 

(b)                                  The limitations set forth in Section 4.03(a) shall not apply to:

 

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(i)                                      the Incurrence by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time that does not exceed the greatest of (1) $3.0 billion, (2) the sum of (x) $500.0 million and (y) 30% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of Incurrence and (3) the Borrowing Base at the time of Incurrence;

 

(ii)                                   the Incurrence by the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by (A) the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable (not including any Additional Notes but including Exchange Notes and related guarantees thereof) and (B) Indebtedness, including in respect of the Secured Notes and the Term Loan Facility (including any guarantees thereof), in an aggregate principal amount for this clause (ii)(B) outstanding at any time that, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) below, does not exceed $1,500 million (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

 

(iii)                                Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.03(b)), including the Existing Senior Notes and any guarantee thereof;

 

(iv)                               Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) Incurred by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, Disqualified Stock issued by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment (whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets) in an aggregate principal amount that, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) below, does not exceed the greater of $350.0 million and 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

 

(v)                                  Indebtedness Incurred by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees issued in the ordinary course of business, including without limitation letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other benefits to employees or former employees or their families or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, and letters of credit in connection with the maintenance of, or pursuant to the requirements of, environmental or other permits or licenses from governmental authorities, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims;

 

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(vi)                               Indebtedness arising from agreements of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred in connection with the Transactions, any acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, other than guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

 

(vii)                            Indebtedness of Holdings to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (except in respect of intercompany current liabilities Incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries) any such Indebtedness owed to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor is subordinated in right of payment to the obligations of the Issuers under the Notes; provided , further , that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien but not the transfer thereof upon foreclosure) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (vii);

 

(viii)                         shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary that holds such shares of Preferred Stock of another Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (viii);

 

(ix)                                 Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Subsidiary Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor (except in respect of intercompany current liabilities Incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries), such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor; provided , further , that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary holding such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to Holdings or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien but not the transfer thereof upon foreclosure) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (ix);

 

(x)                                    Hedging Obligations that are not Incurred for speculative purposes but (A) for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be outstanding; (B) for the purpose of fixing or hedging currency exchange rate risk with respect to any currency exchanges; or

 

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(C) for the purpose of fixing or hedging commodity price risk with respect to any commodity purchases or sales (including, without limitation, any commodity Hedging Obligation that is intended in good faith, at inception of execution, to hedge or manage any of the risks related to existing and/or forecasted Hydrocarbon production (whether or not contracted)) and, in each case, extensions or replacements thereof;

 

(xi)                                 obligations (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees) in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice;

 

(xii)                              Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of Holdings or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference which, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) below, does not exceed the greater of $500.0 million and 7% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount) (it being understood that any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xii) but shall be deemed Incurred for purposes of Section 4.03(a) from and after the first date on which Holdings, or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, could have Incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a) without reliance upon this clause (xii));

 

(xiii)                           Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference at any time outstanding not greater than 100.0% of (A) the net cash proceeds received by Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries since immediately after May 24, 2012 plus (B) the amount of net cash proceeds received by Holdings in excess of $3,200 million prior to or on May 24, 2012, in each case from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent entity of Holdings (which proceeds are contributed to Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiary) or cash contributed to the capital of Holdings (in each case other than proceeds of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to, or contributions received from, Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments or to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to Section 4.04(b) or to make Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments specified in clauses (1) and (3) of the definition thereof);

 

(xiv)                          any guarantee by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the Incurrence of such Indebtedness Incurred by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture; provided that (A) if such Indebtedness is by its express terms

 

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subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, any such guarantee with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable and (B) if such guarantee is of Indebtedness of Holdings, such guarantee is Incurred in accordance with, or not in contravention of, Section 4.11, solely to the extent Section 4.11 is applicable;

 

(xv)                             the Incurrence by Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that serves to refund, refinance or defease any Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as permitted under Section 4.03(a) and clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (xii), (xiii), (xv) and (xvi) of this Section 4.03(b) up to the outstanding principal amount (or, if applicable, the liquidation preference face amount, or the like) or, if greater, committed amount (only to the extent the committed amount could have been Incurred on the date of initial Incurrence) of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, in each case at the time such Indebtedness was Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock was issued pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (xii), (xiii), (xv) and (xvi) of this Section 4.03(b), or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, including any additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), expenses, defeasance costs and fees in connection therewith (subject to the following proviso, “ Refinancing Indebtedness ”) prior to its respective maturity; provided , however , that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

 

(1)                                   has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded, refinanced or defeased and (y) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity that would result if all payments of principal on the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock being refunded or refinanced that were due on or after the date that is one year following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding were instead due on such date ( provided that this subclause (1) will not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Secured Indebtedness);

 

(2)                                   to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (a) Indebtedness junior to the Notes or a Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, such Refinancing Indebtedness is junior to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, or (b) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness is Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; and

 

(3)                                   shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of Holdings, an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, or (y) Indebtedness of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

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(xvi)                          Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of (A) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance an acquisition or (B) Persons that are acquired by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that after giving effect to such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation, either:

 

(1)                                   Holdings would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a); or

 

(2)                                   the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings would be greater than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation;

 

(xvii)                       Indebtedness Incurred by a Receivables Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Financing that is not recourse to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary other than a Receivables Subsidiary (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings);

 

(xviii)                    Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its Incurrence;

 

(xix)                            Indebtedness of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by a letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to Bank Indebtedness, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

 

(xx)                               Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors and Indebtedness Incurred on behalf of, or representing guarantees of Indebtedness of, joint ventures of Holdings and any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred under this clause (xx), when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xx), does not exceed the greater of $150.0 million and 2% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence (it being understood that any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (xx) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xx) but shall be deemed Incurred for the purposes of Section 4.03(a) from and after the first date on which such Restricted Subsidiary could have Incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a) without reliance upon this clause (xx));

 

(xxi)                            Indebtedness of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(xxii)                         Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof or any direct or indirect parent thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses,

 

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in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to the extent described in Section 4.04(b)(iv).

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.03:

 

(1)                                   in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (xxii) of Section 4.03(b) above or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a), then Holdings shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 4.03; provided , that (A) only Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement in excess of $2,000 million may be classified or reclassified as not Incurred under Section 4.03(b)(i) and (B) the Secured Notes and the Term Loan Facility (including any guarantees thereof) outstanding on May 24, 2012 shall at all times be treated as Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(ii)(B);

 

(2)                                   at the time of Incurrence, Holdings will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Section 4.03(a) and (b) without giving pro forma effect to the Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b) when calculating the amount of Indebtedness that may be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a);

 

(3)                                   if any Indebtedness denominated in U.S. dollars is exchanged, converted or refinanced into Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, then (in connection with such exchange, conversion or refinancing, and thereafter), the U.S. dollar amount limitations set forth in any of clauses (i) through (xxii) of Section 4.03(b) above with respect to such exchange, conversion or refinancing shall be deemed to be the amount of such foreign currency, as applicable, into which such Indebtedness has been exchanged, converted or refinanced at the time of such exchange, conversion or refinancing; and

 

(4)                                   if any Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency is exchanged, converted or refinanced into Indebtedness denominated in U.S. dollars, then (in connection with such exchange, conversion or refinancing, and thereafter), the U.S. dollar amount limitations set forth in any of clauses (i) through (xxii) of Section 4.03(b) with respect to such exchange, conversion or refinancing shall be deemed to be the amount of U.S. dollars into which such Indebtedness has been exchanged, converted or refinanced at the time of such exchange, conversion or refinancing.

 

Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, amortization of original issue discount, the accretion of liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 4.03. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination

 

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of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this Section 4.03.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness other than as provided in clauses (3) and (4) above, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first Incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.03, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

 

SECTION 4.04                     Limitation on Restricted Payments .

 

(a)                                   Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

(i)                                      declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of any of Holdings’ or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any payment made in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving Holdings (other than (A) dividends or distributions payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings; or (B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities);

 

(ii)                                   purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings;

 

(iii)                                make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment or scheduled maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement of (A) Subordinated Indebtedness in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement and (B) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (vii) and (ix) of Section 4.03(b)); or

 

(iv)                               make any Restricted Investment

 

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

 

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(1)                                   no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

(2)                                   immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, Holdings could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a); and

 

(3)                                   such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (i), (ii) (with respect to the payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below) pursuant to clause (C) thereof), (vi)(C), (viii) and (xiii)(B) of Section 4.04(b), but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.04(b)), is less than the amount equal to the Cumulative Credit.

 

(b)                                  The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:

 

(i)                                      the payment of any dividend or distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration or the giving notice of such irrevocable redemption, as applicable, such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(ii)                                   (A)                               the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“ Retired Capital Stock ”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of Holdings, any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or contributions to the equity capital of Holdings (other than any Disqualified Stock or any Equity Interests sold to a Subsidiary of Holdings) (collectively, including any such contributions, “ Refunding Capital Stock ”),

 

(B)                                 the declaration and payment of dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of Holdings) of Refunding Capital Stock, and

 

(C)                                 if immediately prior to the retirement of Retired Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (vi) of this Section 4.04(b) and not made pursuant to clause (ii)(B), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Retired Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

 

(iii)                                the redemption, repurchase, defeasance, or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor which is Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03 so long as:

 

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(A)                               the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest, of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value (plus the amount of any premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument governing the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired, any tender premiums, plus any defeasance costs, fees and expenses Incurred in connection therewith),

 

(B)                                 such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the related Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased, exchanged, redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value,

 

(C)                                 such Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the earlier of (x) the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired and (y) 91 days following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding, and

 

(D)                                such Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time Incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired and (y) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity that would result if all payments of principal on the Subordinated Indebtedness being redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired that were due on or after the date that is one year following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding were instead due on such date;

 

(iv)                               a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition for value of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or any Subsidiary of Holdings pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or other agreement or arrangement; provided , however , that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (iv) do not exceed $50.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $100.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering of common stock), with unused amounts in any calendar year being permitted to be carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $75.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $150.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering of common stock); provided , further , however , that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

 

(A)                               the cash proceeds received by Holdings or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (to the extent contributed to Holdings) to members of management, directors or consultants of Holdings and

 

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the Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings that occurs after the Issue Date ( provided that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement, other acquisition or dividend will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.04(a)(iii)), plus

 

(B)                                 the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings (to the extent contributed to Holdings) or the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date;

 

provided that Holdings may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by clauses (A) and (B) above in any calendar year; and provided , further , that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary from any present or former employees, directors, officers or consultants of Holdings, any Restricted Subsidiary or the direct or indirect parents of Holdings in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of Holdings or any of its direct or indirect parents will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.04 or any other provision of this Indenture;

 

(v)                                  the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary issued or Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03;

 

(vi)                               (A)                               the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Issue Date;

 

(B)                                 a Restricted Payment to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings issued after the Issue Date; provided that the aggregate amount of dividends declared and paid pursuant to this clause (B) does not exceed the net cash proceeds actually received by Holdings from any such sale of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Issue Date; and

 

(C)                                 the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(ii);

 

provided , however , in the case of each of clauses (A) and (C) above of this clause (vi), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance (and the payment of dividends or distributions) on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), Holdings would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;

 

(vii)                            Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings), taken together with all other

 

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Investments made pursuant to this clause (vii) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $175.0 million and 2.5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

 

(viii)                         the payment of dividends after a public offering of Capital Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings on Holdings’ Capital Stock (or a Restricted Payment to any such direct or indirect parent of Holdings to fund the payment by such direct or indirect parent of Holdings of dividends on such entity’s Capital Stock) of up to 6% per annum of the total market capitalization of Holdings or any such direct or indirect parent of Holdings as of the date of such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to Holdings’ (or such direct or indirect parent’s) Capital Stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;

 

(ix)                                 Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

 

(x)                                    other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount, when taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (x) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $225.0 million and 3% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time made;

 

(xi)                                 the distribution, as a dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(xii)                              (A) with respect to any taxable period for which Holdings and/or any of its Subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar income tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes of which a direct or indirect parent of Holdings is the common parent, or for which Holdings is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly-owned (directly or indirectly) by a C corporation for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes, distributions to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in an amount not to exceed the amount of any U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes that Holdings and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, would have paid for such taxable period had Holdings and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, been a stand-alone corporate taxpayer or a stand-alone corporate group, and (B) with respect to any taxable period ending after the Issue Date for which Holdings is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (other than a partnership or disregarded entity described in clause (A)), distributions to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in an amount necessary to permit such direct or indirect parent of Holdings to make a pro rata distribution to its owners such that each direct or indirect owner of Holdings receives an amount from such pro rata distribution sufficient to enable such owner to pay its U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes (as applicable) attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of Holdings and its Subsidiaries with respect to such taxable period (assuming that each owner is subject to tax at the highest combined

 

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marginal federal, state, and/or local income tax rate applicable to any owner for such taxable period and taking into account the deductibility of state and local income taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and any limitations thereon), the alternative minimum tax, any cumulative net taxable loss of Holdings for prior taxable periods ending after the Issue Date to the extent such loss is of a character that would allow such loss to be available to reduce taxes in the current taxable period (taking into account any limitations on the utilization of such loss to reduce such taxes and assuming such loss had not already been utilized) and the character (e.g., long-term or short-term capital gain or ordinary or exempt) of the applicable income);

 

(xiii)                           any Restricted Payment, if applicable:

 

(A)                               in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar taxes) required to maintain its corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings and general corporate operating and overhead expenses of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in each case to the extent such fees and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of Holdings, if applicable, and its Subsidiaries;

 

(B)                                 in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, if applicable, to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, Holdings Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03; and

 

(C)                                 in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to pay fees and expenses related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent;

 

(xiv)                          repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

 

(xv)                             purchases of receivables pursuant to a Receivables Repurchase Obligation in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing and the payment or distribution of Receivables Fees;

 

(xvi)                          Restricted Payments by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon the exercise of options or warrants or upon the conversion or exchange of Capital Stock of any such Person;

 

(xvii)                       the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to provisions similar to those described in Section 4.06 and Section 4.08; provided that all Notes tendered by holders of the Notes in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

 

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(xviii)                    payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that complies with Section 5.01; provided that as a result of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of assets, Holdings shall have made a Change of Control Offer (if required by this Indenture) and that all Notes tendered by holders in connection with such Change of Control Offer have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value; and

 

(xix)                            any Restricted Payment used to fund the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions or owed by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or Restricted Subsidiaries of Holdings to Affiliates, and any other payments made, including any such payments made to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to enable it to make payments in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, whether payable on the Issue Date or thereafter, in each case to the extent permitted by Section 4.07;

 

provided , however , that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (vi)(B), (vii), (x), (xi) and (xiii)(B) of this Section 4.04(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; provided , further that any Restricted Payments made with property other than cash shall be calculated using the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of such property.

 

(c)                                   As of the Issue Date, all of the Subsidiaries of Holdings will be Restricted Subsidiaries. Holdings will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation will only be permitted if a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in such amount would be permitted at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 4.05                                             Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries . Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of the Co-Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(a)                                   (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (1) on its Capital Stock; or (2) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits; or (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(b)                                  make loans or advances to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

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(c)                                   sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

(1)                                   (A) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, including pursuant to the Existing Senior Notes (including any guarantee thereof), the Secured Notes (including any guarantee thereof) and the Term Loan Facility (including any guarantee thereof) and (B) contractual encumbrances or restrictions pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents and, in each case, any similar contractual encumbrances effected by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of such agreements or instruments;

 

(2)                                   this Indenture, the Notes (and any Exchange Notes) or the Subsidiary Guarantees;

 

(3)                                   applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

 

(4)                                   any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary which was in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

 

(5)                                   contracts or agreements for the sale of assets, including any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(6)                                   Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03 and Section 4.12 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

(7)                                   restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(8)                                   customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(9)                                   purchase money obligations for property acquired and Capitalized Lease Obligations in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (c) above on the property so acquired;

 

(10)                             customary provisions contained in leases, licenses and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(11)                             in the case of clause (c) above, any encumbrance or restriction that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease (including leases governing leasehold interests or Farm-In Agreements or Farm-Out Agreements relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties), license or similar contract, or the assignment or transfer of any such lease (including leases governing leasehold interests or Farm-In Agreements or Farm-Out Agreements relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties), license (including without limitations, licenses of intellectual property) or other contracts;

 

(12)                             any encumbrance or restriction of a Receivables Subsidiary effected in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing; provided , however , that such restrictions apply only to such Receivables Subsidiary;

 

(13)                             other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (a) of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary that is the Co-Issuer, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary or (b) of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Co-Issuer, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary so long as such encumbrances and restrictions contained in any agreement or instrument will not materially affect the Issuers’ ability to make anticipated principal or interest payments on the Notes (as determined in good faith by Holdings), provided that in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is permitted to be Incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.03;

 

(14)                             any Restricted Investment not prohibited by Section 4.04 and any Permitted Investment;

 

(15)                             any customary encumbrances or restrictions imposed pursuant to any agreement of the type described in the definition of “Permitted Business Investment”; or

 

(16)                             any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in Section 4.05(a), (b) or (c) above imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (15) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of Holdings, no more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.05, (i) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (ii) the subordination of loans or advances made to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness Incurred by Holdings or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.

 

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SECTION 4.06                                             Asset Sales .

 

(a)                                   Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless (x) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of, and (y) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents or Additional Assets; provided that the amount of:

 

(i)                                      any liabilities (as shown on Holdings’ or a Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or that are otherwise cancelled or terminated in connection with the transaction with such transferee,

 

(ii)                                   any notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash received),

 

(iii)                                with respect to any Asset Sale of Oil and Gas Properties by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, the costs and expenses related to the exploration, development, completion or production of such Oil and Gas Properties and activities related thereto agreed to be assumed by the transferee (or an Affiliate thereof), and

 

(iv)                               any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by Holdings), taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this Section 4.06(a)(iv) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of 4% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and $300.0 million at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value),

 

shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this Section 4.06(a).

 

(b)                                  Within 365 days after Holdings’ or any Restricted Subsidiary’s receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale, at its option:

 

(i)                                      to repay (A) Indebtedness constituting Bank Indebtedness and other Pari Passu Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien permitted under this Indenture (and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), (B) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, (C) Obligations under the Notes or (D) other Pari Passu Indebtedness ( provided that if an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall so reduce

 

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Obligations under unsecured Pari Passu Indebtedness, the Issuers will equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, through open-market purchases ( provided that such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof or, in the event that the Notes were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all holders to purchase at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event that the Notes were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, the pro rata principal amount of Notes, in each case other than Indebtedness owed to Holdings or an Affiliate of Holdings;

 

(ii)                                   to make an Investment in any one or more businesses ( provided that if such Investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition results in such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings), assets, or property or capital expenditures, in each case (A) used or useful in a Similar Business or (B) that replace the properties and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale; or

 

(iii)                                to invest in Additional Assets.

 

In the case of Section 4.06(b)(ii), a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the 18-month anniversary of the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds; provided that in the event such binding commitment is later canceled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are so applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds unless Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another binding commitment (a “ Second Commitment ”) within six months of such cancellation or termination of the prior binding commitment; provided , further , that Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may only enter into a Second Commitment under the foregoing provision one time with respect to each Asset Sale and to the extent such Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied or are not applied within 180 days of such Second Commitment, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

 

Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the first sentence of this Section 4.06(b) (it being understood that any portion of such Net Proceeds used to make an offer to purchase Notes, as described in clause (i) of this Section 4.06(b), shall be deemed to have been invested whether or not such offer is accepted) will be deemed to constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all holders of Notes (and, at the option of the Issuers, to holders of any Pari Passu Indebtedness) (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”) to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness), that is at least $2,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness was issued with significant original

 

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issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness), to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4.06. The Issuers will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten (10) Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of Sections 3.05 and 4.06(f), with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, Holdings may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose that is not prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased in the manner described in Section 4.06(e). Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

 

(c)                                   The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

 

(d)                                  Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Asset Sale Offer is delivered to the Trustee as provided above, Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as to (i) the amount of the Excess Proceeds, (ii) the allocation of the Net Proceeds from the Asset Sales pursuant to which such Asset Sale Offer is being made and (iii) the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Section 4.06(b). On such date, the Issuers shall also irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or, if an Issuer or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount equal to the Excess Proceeds to be invested in Cash Equivalents, as directed in writing by Holdings and to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.06. Upon the expiration of the period for which the Asset Sale Offer remains open (the “ Offer Period ”), the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes or portions thereof that have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Issuers. The Trustee (or the Paying Agent, if not the Trustee) shall, on the date of purchase, mail or deliver payment to each tendering holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event that the Excess Proceeds delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee are greater than the purchase price of the Notes tendered, the Trustee shall deliver the excess to the Issuers immediately after the expiration of the Offer Period for application in accordance with this Section 4.06.

 

(e)                                   Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Issuers at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or an Issuer receives not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered by the holder for purchase and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. If at the

 

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end of the Offer Period more Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) are tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer than the Issuers are required to purchase, selection of such Notes for purchase shall be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed, or if such Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with applicable legal requirements); provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be purchased in part. Selection of such Pari Passu Indebtedness shall be made pursuant to the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness.

 

(f)                                     Notices of an Asset Sale Offer shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each holder of Notes at such holder’s registered address. If any Note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of purchase that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.

 

SECTION 4.07                                             Transactions with Affiliates .

 

(a)                                   Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of Holdings (each of the foregoing, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, unless:

 

(i)                                      such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to Holdings or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could have been obtained in a comparable transaction by Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

 

(ii)                                   with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $40.0 million, Holdings delivers to the Trustee a resolution adopted in good faith by the majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings, approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) above.

 

(b)                                  The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not apply to the following:

 

(i)                                      transactions between or among Holdings and/or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (or an entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) and any merger, consolidation or amalgamation of Holdings and any direct parent of Holdings; provided that such parent shall have no material liabilities and no material assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents and the Capital Stock of Holdings and such merger, consolidation or amalgamation is otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture and effected for a bona fide business purpose;

 

(ii)                                   Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.04 and Permitted Investments;

 

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(iii)                                the payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursement of expenses paid to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees or consultants of Holdings, any Restricted Subsidiary, or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings;

 

(iv)                               transactions in which Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or meets the requirements of clause (i) of Section 4.07(a);

 

(v)                                  payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to officers, directors, employees or consultants which are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings in good faith;

 

(vi)                               any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date or any amendment thereto (so long as any such agreement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date) or any transaction contemplated thereby as determined in good faith by Holdings;

 

(vii)                            the existence of, or the performance by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under the terms of any stockholders or limited liability company agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date, and any transaction, agreement or arrangement described in the Offering Memorandum and, in each case, any amendment thereto or similar transactions, agreements or arrangements which it may enter into thereafter; provided , however , that the existence of, or the performance by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing transaction, agreement or arrangement or under any similar transaction, agreement or arrangement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (vii) to the extent that the terms of any such existing transaction, agreement or arrangement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, or new transaction, agreement or arrangement are not otherwise more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original transaction, agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(viii)                         the execution of the Transactions, and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions, including fees paid to the Sponsors;

 

(ix)                                 (A) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or transactions otherwise relating to the purchase or sale of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, which are fair to Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of Holdings, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party or (B) transactions with joint

 

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ventures or Unrestricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or industry norm;

 

(x)                                    any transaction effected as part of a Qualified Receivables Financing;

 

(xi)                                 the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings to any Person;

 

(xii)                              the issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the Board of Directors of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or of a Restricted Subsidiary, as appropriate, in good faith;

 

(xiii)                           the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement that complies with Section 4.04(b)(xii);

 

(xiv)                          any contribution to the capital of Holdings;

 

(xv)                             transactions permitted by, and complying with, Section 5.01;

 

(xvi)                          transactions between Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Person, a director of which is also a director of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings; provided , however , that such director abstains from voting as a director of Holdings or such direct or indirect parent, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;

 

(xvii)                       pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(xviii)                    the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xix)                            any employment agreements entered into by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xx)                               the payment of management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses (including indemnification and other similar amounts) to the Sponsors pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement ( plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees and related expenses (including indemnification and other similar amounts) accrued in any prior year) and the termination fees pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement, in each case as in effect on the Issue Date or any amendment or modification thereto (so long as, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of Holdings, any such amendment or modification is not more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, to holders in any material respect as compared to the Sponsor Management Agreement in effect on the Issue Date);

 

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(xxi)                            payments by Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any of the Sponsors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings in good faith;

 

(xxii)                         transactions undertaken in good faith (as certified by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Holdings in an Officers’ Certificate) for the purpose of improving the consolidated tax efficiency of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth in this Indenture;

 

(xxiii)                      investments by the Sponsors in securities of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary (and payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Sponsors in connection therewith) so long as (i) the investment is being generally offered to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (ii) the investment constitutes less than 5% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities; and

 

(xxiv)                     customary agreements and arrangements with oil and gas royalty trusts and master limited partnership agreements that comply with the affiliate transaction provisions of such royalty trust or master limited partnership agreement.

 

SECTION 4.08                                             Change of Control .

 

(a)                                   Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), in accordance with the terms contemplated in this Section 4.08; provided, however, that notwithstanding the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer shall not be obligated to purchase any Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08 in the event that it has exercised its right to redeem such Notes in accordance with Article III of this Indenture. In the event that at the time of such Change of Control, the terms of the Bank Indebtedness restrict or prohibit the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08, then prior to the mailing of the notice to the holders provided for in Section 4.08(b) but in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers shall (i) repay in full all Bank Indebtedness or, if doing so will allow the purchase of Notes, offer to repay in full all Bank Indebtedness and repay the Bank Indebtedness of each lender and/or noteholder who has accepted such offer, or (ii) obtain the requisite consent under the agreements governing the Bank Indebtedness to permit the repurchase of the Notes as provided for in Section 4.08(b).

 

(b)                                  Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Issuers have exercised their right to redeem the Notes in accordance with Article III of this Indenture, the Issuers shall mail a notice (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) to each holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:

 

(i)                                      that a Change of Control has occurred and that such holder has the right to require the Issuers to repurchase such holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal

 

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to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date);

 

(ii)                                   the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control;

 

(iii)                                the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

 

(iv)                               the instructions determined by the Issuers, consistent with this Section 4.08, that a holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

 

(c)                                   Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Issuers at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. The holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Issuers receive not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered for purchase by the holder and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. Holders whose Notes are purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered.

 

(d)                                  On the purchase date, all Notes purchased by the Issuers under this Section 4.08 shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuers shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest to the holders entitled thereto.

 

(e)                                   A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

 

(f)                                     Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.08, the Issuers shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.08 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

 

(g)                                  Notes repurchased by the Issuers pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and canceled at the option of the Issuers. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding clause (f) will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

 

(h)                                  At the time the Issuers deliver Notes to the Trustee which are to be accepted for purchase, Holdings shall also deliver an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes are to be accepted by the Issuers pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.08. A Note shall be deemed to have been accepted for purchase at the time the

 

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Trustee, directly or through an agent, mails or delivers payment therefor to the surrendering holder.

 

(i)                                      Prior to any Change of Control Offer, Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent contained herein to the right of the Issuers to make such offer have been complied with.

 

(j)                                      The Issuers shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.08, the Issuers shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section by virtue thereof.

 

SECTION 4.09                                             Compliance Certificate . Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of Holdings, beginning with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2012, an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of Holdings they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such period. If any Officer does, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto. The Issuers also shall comply with Section 314(a)(4) of the TIA. Except with respect to receipt of payments of principal and interest on the Notes and any Default or Event of Default information contained in the Officers’ Certificate delivered to it pursuant to this Section 4.09, the Trustee shall have no duty to review, ascertain or confirm the Issuers’ compliance with or the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made in this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.10                                             Further Instruments and Acts . Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuers shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.11                                             Future Subsidiary Guarantors . Holdings shall cause each Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Excluded Subsidiary and that guarantees any Indebtedness of an Issuer or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto pursuant to which such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary will guarantee the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.12                                             Liens .

 

(a)                                   Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on any asset or property of Holdings or such Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary unless the Notes are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the Notes) the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

 

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(b)                                  Section 4.12(a) shall not require Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to secure the Notes if the Lien consists of a Permitted Lien. Any Lien that is granted to secure the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee under Section 4.12(a) shall be automatically released and discharged at the same time as the release of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee under such Section 4.12(a).

 

(c)                                   For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.12, (i) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 4.12(a) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (ii) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 4.12(a), Holdings shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien in one of the clauses of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness will be treated as being Incurred or existing pursuant to only one of such clauses or pursuant to Section 4.12(a).

 

(d)                                  With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The “ Increased Amount ” of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms or in the form of common stock of Holdings, the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock of the same class, accretion of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness described in clause (3) of the definition of “Indebtedness.”

 

SECTION 4.13                                             [Intentionally Omitted] .

 

SECTION 4.14                                             Maintenance of Office or Agency .

 

(a)                                   The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations and surrenders may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as set forth in Section 14.01.

 

(b)                                  The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such

 

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designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve an Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

(c)                                   The Issuers hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or its agent as such office or agency of the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.04.

 

SECTION 4.15                                             Covenant Suspension . If on any date following the Issue Date, (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, then, beginning on that day (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “ Covenant Suspension Event ”), and subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.11 and 5.01(a)(iv) (collectively the “ Suspended Covenants ”).

 

In the event that Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “ Reversion Date ”) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture with respect to future events.

 

On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be classified as having been Incurred or issued pursuant to Sections 4.03(a) and (b) (to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would be permitted to be Incurred or issued thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness Incurred or issued prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would not be so permitted to be Incurred or issued pursuant to Sections 4.03(a) and (b), such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under Section 4.03(b)(iii). Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04 will be made as though Section 4.04 had been in effect since the Issue Date and prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will not reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04(a). As described above, however, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred on the Reversion Date as a result of any actions taken by Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period. Within 30 days of such Reversion Date, the Issuers must comply with the terms of Section 4.11.

 

For purposes of Section 4.06, on the Reversion Date, the unutilized Excess Proceeds amount will be reset to zero.

 

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ARTICLE V

 

SUCCESSOR COMPANY

 

SECTION 5.01                                             When Issuers May Merge or Transfer Assets .

 

(a)                                   Holdings may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up or convert into (whether or not Holdings is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

 

(i)                                      Holdings is the surviving person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, winding up or conversion (if other than Holdings) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (Holdings or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Holdco ”); provided that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;

 

(ii)                                   the Successor Holdco (if other than Holdings) expressly assumes all the obligations of Holdings under this Indenture pursuant to supplemental indentures;

 

(iii)                                immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Holdco, or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Holdco, or such Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(iv)                               immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Holdco, or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Holdco, or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), either

 

(1)                                   the Successor Holdco would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a); or

 

(2)                                   the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Holdco and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than such ratio for Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(v)                                  if Holdings is not the Successor Holdco, each Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and

 

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(vi)                               the Successor Holdco shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indentures (if any) comply with this Indenture.

 

The Successor Holdco (if other than Holdings) will succeed to, and be substituted for, Holdings under this Indenture and the Notes, and in such event Holdings will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (iii) and (iv) of this Section 5.01, (a) Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to Holdings or to a Restricted Subsidiary, and (b) Holdings may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating Holdings in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States or may convert into a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby. This Article V will not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                                  Subject to the provisions of Section 12.02(b)(i), no Subsidiary Guarantor shall, and Holdings shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:

 

(i)                                      either (A) such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a company, corporation, partnership or limited liability company (in the case of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Subsidiary Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Subsidiary Guarantor ”) and the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) expressly assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, pursuant to a supplemental indenture, or (B) such sale or disposition or consolidation, amalgamation or merger is not in violation of Section 4.06; and

 

(ii)                                   the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as

 

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applicable, and such Subsidiary Guarantor will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Subsidiary Guarantor in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States or may convert into a limited liability company, corporation, partnership or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States so long as the amount of Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is not increased thereby and (2) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with Holdings or another Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into, liquidate, dissolve, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets (collectively, a “ Transfer ”) to Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01                                             Events of Default . An “ Event of Default ” occurs with respect to Notes if:

 

(a)                                   there is a default in any payment of interest (including any Additional Interest) on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days,

 

(b)                                  there is a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise,

 

(c)                                   there is a failure by Holdings for 120 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements in Section 4.02,

 

(d)                                  there is a failure by Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary for 60 days after written notice given by the Trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with its other obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above) contained in the Notes or this Indenture,

 

(e)                                   there is a failure by Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $125.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent,

 

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(f)                                     Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i)                                      commences a voluntary case;

 

(ii)                                   consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

(iii)                                consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(iv)                               makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency,

 

(g)                                  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(i)                                      is for relief against Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(ii)                                   appoints a Custodian of Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(iii)                                orders the winding up or liquidation of Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary;

 

or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days,

 

(h)                                  there is a failure by Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $125.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent (net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers), which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 days, or

 

(i)                                      the Subsidiary Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) with respect to the Notes ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor that qualifies as a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes and such Default continues for 10 days.

 

The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

 

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However, a default under clause (c) or (d) above shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes notify the Issuers of the default and the Issuers do not cure such default within the time specified in clauses (c) or (d) hereof after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “ Notice of Default .” Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee, within five Business Days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any event which is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, its status and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

 

The term “ Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “ Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

SECTION 6.02                                             Acceleration . If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) hereof with respect to Holdings) occurs with respect to the Notes and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes (with a copy to the Trustee) by notice to the Issuers may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to Holdings occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

 

In the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the holders of the Notes, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose Holdings delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee stating that (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the Notes as described above be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.

 

SECTION 6.03                                             Other Remedies . If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes, this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy

 

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is exclusive of any other remedy. To the extent required by law, all available remedies are cumulative.

 

SECTION 6.04                                             Waiver of Past Defaults . Provided the Notes are not then due and payable by reason of a declaration of acceleration, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes by written notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Note, (b) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Note when required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or (c) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each holder affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured and the Issuers, the Trustee and the holders will be restored to their former positions and rights under this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

 

SECTION 6.05                                             Control by Majority . The holders of a majority in principal amount of Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or expense for which it is not adequately indemnified, or subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

SECTION 6.06                                             Limitation on Suits .

 

(a)                                   Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

 

(i)                                      such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing,

 

(ii)                                   holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy,

 

(iii)                                such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense,

 

(iv)                               the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and

 

(v)                                  the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

 

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(b)                                  A holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another holder.

 

SECTION 6.07                                             Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Notes held by such holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.

 

SECTION 6.08                                             Collection Suit by Trustee . If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers or any other obligor on the Notes for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on overdue principal and (to the extent lawful) on any unpaid interest at the rate provided for in the Notes) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.

 

SECTION 6.09                                             Trustee May File Proofs of Claim . The Trustee may file such proofs of claim, statements of interest and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation, expenses disbursements and advances of the Trustee (including counsel, accountants, experts or such other professionals as the Trustee deems necessary, advisable or appropriate)) and the holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors, their creditors or their property, shall be entitled to participate as a member, voting or otherwise, of any official committee of creditors appointed in such matters and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any holder in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 6.10                                             Priorities . Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI and any other money or property distributable in respect of the Issuers’ or any Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture after an Event of Default shall be applied in the following order:

 

FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due hereunder;

 

SECOND: to the holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind,

 

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according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest, respectively; and

 

THIRD: to the Issuers or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount for any Subsidiary Guarantor, to such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to the holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall mail to each holder and the Issuers a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

 

SECTION 6.11                                             Undertaking for Costs . In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Article VI does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes.

 

SECTION 6.12                                             Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws . Neither the Issuers nor any Subsidiary Guarantor (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01                                             Duties of Trustee .

 

(a)                                   The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Notes and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

(b)                                  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(i)                                      the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be

 

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read into this Indenture against the Trustee (it being agreed that the permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty); and

 

(ii)                                   in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. The Trustee shall be under no duty to make any investigation as to any statement contained in any such instance, but may accept the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of such statement or the correctness of such opinions. However, in the case of certificates or opinions required by any provision hereof to be provided to it, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

(c)                                   The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(i)                                      this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

 

(ii)                                   the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

(iii)                                the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05; and

 

(iv)                               no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise Incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

 

(d)                                  Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

 

(e)                                   The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer.

 

(f)                                     Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(g)                                  Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01(c) and the TIA.

 

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SECTION 7.02                                             Rights of Trustee .

 

(a)                                   The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)                                  Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

(c)                                   The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

(d)                                  The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided , however , that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.

 

(e)                                   The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

(f)                                     The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney, at the expense of the Issuers and shall Incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

(g)                                  The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be Incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(h)                                  The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(i)                                      The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal

 

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amount of the Notes as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.

 

(j)                                      Any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Trustee in good faith pursuant to this Indenture upon the request or authority or consent of any person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon future holders of Notes and upon Notes executed and delivered in exchange therefor or in place thereof.

 

(k)                                   The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

 

(l)                                      The Trustee may request that the Issuers deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

(m)                                The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of actions.

 

(n)                                  The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.

 

(o)                                  The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.

 

SECTION 7.03                                             Individual Rights of Trustee . The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent or Registrar may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Section 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.04                                             Trustee’s Disclaimer . The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall not be

 

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charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default under Sections 6.01(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (i) or of the identity of any Significant Subsidiary unless either (a) a Trust Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof or (b) the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof in accordance with Section 14.02 hereof from the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any holder. In accepting the trust hereby created, the Trustee acts solely as Trustee under this Indenture and not in its individual capacity and all persons, including without limitation the holders of Notes and the Issuers having any claim against the Trustee arising from this Indenture shall look only to the funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder for payment except as otherwise provided herein.

 

SECTION 7.05                                             Notice of Defaults . If a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer or the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each holder of the Notes notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the noteholders. Holdings is required to deliver to the Trustee, annually, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. Holdings also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action Holdings is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

 

SECTION 7.06                                             Reports by Trustee to the Holders . As promptly as practicable after each November 1 beginning with the November 1 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event prior to December 1 in each year, the Trustee shall mail to each holder a brief report dated as of such November 1 that complies with Section 313(a) of the TIA if and to the extent required thereby. The Trustee shall also comply with Section 313(b) of the TIA.

 

Pursuant to Section 313(d) of the TIA, a copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Notes are listed if the Notes are listed. Holdings agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Notes become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof. All reports pursuant to this Section 7.06 shall be provided in accordance with Section 313(c) of the TIA.

 

SECTION 7.07                                             Compensation and Indemnity . The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for the Trustee’s acceptance of this Indenture and its services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses Incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their directors, officers, employees and agents against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and including taxes (other than taxes based upon,

 

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measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) Incurred by or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture or Subsidiary Guarantee against any Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against or investigating any claim (whether asserted by any Issuer, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any holder or any other Person). The obligation to pay such amounts shall survive the payment in full or defeasance of the Notes or the removal or resignation of the Trustee. The Trustee shall notify the Issuers of any claim for which it may seek indemnity promptly upon obtaining actual knowledge thereof; provided , however , that any failure so to notify the Issuers shall not relieve any Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of its indemnity obligations hereunder. The Issuers shall defend the claim and the indemnified party shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Issuers’ expense in the defense. Such indemnified parties may have separate counsel and the Issuers and such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel; provided , however , that the Issuers shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes such indemnified parties’ defense and, in such indemnified parties’ reasonable judgment, there is no actual or potential conflict of interest between the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, and such parties in connection with such defense. The Issuers need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense Incurred by an indemnified party through such party’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

 

To secure the Issuers’ and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.

 

The Issuers’ and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ payment obligations pursuant to this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture, any rejection or termination of this Indenture under any bankruptcy law or the resignation or removal of the Trustee. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee Incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Issuer, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.

 

No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise Incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not assured to its satisfaction.

 

SECTION 7.08                                             Replacement of Trustee .

 

(a)                                   The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Issuer. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuers shall remove the Trustee if:

 

(i)                                      the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(ii)                                   the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

 

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(iii)                                a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(iv)                               the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

 

(b)                                  If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuers or by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes and such holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

 

(c)                                   A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07.

 

(d)                                  If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the holders of 10% in principal amount of the Notes may petition at the expense of the Issuers any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(e)                                   If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed as provided in Section 310(b) of the TIA, any holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(f)                                     Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.09                                             Successor Trustee by Merger . If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

 

SECTION 7.10                                             Eligibility; Disqualification . The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital

 

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and surplus of at least $100 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA, subject to its right to apply for a stay of its duty to resign under the penultimate paragraph of Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided , however , that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA any series of securities issued under this Indenture and any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuers are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.

 

SECTION 7.11                                             Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuers . The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 8.01                                             Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance .

 

(a)                                   This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights and immunities of the Trustee and rights of registration or of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes when:

 

(i)                                      either (A) all the Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuers and thereafter repaid to the Issuers or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (B) all of the Notes (1) have become due and payable, (2) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or (3) if redeemable at the option of the Issuers, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers, and the Issuers have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to the date of deposit together with irrevocable instructions from the Issuers directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(ii)                                   the Issuers and/or the Subsidiary Guarantors have paid all other sums payable under this Indenture; and

 

(iii)                                the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

 

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(b)                                  Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Issuers at any time may terminate (i) all of their obligations under the Notes and this Indenture with respect to the holders of the Notes (“ legal defeasance option ”), and (ii) their obligations under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.11, 4.12 and 4.15 and the operation of Section 5.01 for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, and Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f), 6.01(g) (in the case of Sections 6.01(f) and 6.01(g) with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of the Issuers only), 6.01(h) and 6.01(i) (“ covenant defeasance option ”). The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option notwithstanding their prior exercise of their covenant defeasance option. In the event that the Issuers terminate all of their obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (with respect to such Notes) by exercising their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be terminated simultaneously with the termination of such obligations.

 

If the Issuers exercises their legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuers exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f), 6.01(g) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of Holdings only), 6.01(h) and 6.01(i) or because of the failure of Holdings to comply with Section 5.01.

 

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuers, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuers terminate.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08 and 2.09 and Article VII, including, without limitation, Sections 7.07, 7.08 and 7.09, and in this Article VIII and the rights and immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 7.07, 7.08, 8.05 and 8.06 and the rights and immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

 

SECTION 8.02                                             Conditions to Defeasance .

 

(a)                                   The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option only if:

 

(i)                                      the Issuers irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee cash in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient, or a combination thereof sufficient, to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on the Notes when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(ii)                                   the Issuers deliver to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

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(iii)                                no Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Issuers shall have occurred or is continuing on the date of such deposit;

 

(iv)                               the deposit does not constitute a default under any other material agreement or instrument binding on the Issuers;

 

(v)                                  in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (1) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (2) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by the immediately preceding sentence with respect to a legal defeasance need not be delivered if all of the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable or (y) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year under arrangements for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer;

 

(vi)                               such exercise does not impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefore or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes;

 

(vii)                            in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and

 

(viii)                         the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Notes to be so defeased and discharged as contemplated by this Article VIII have been complied with.

 

(b)                                  Before or after a deposit, the Issuers may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of such Notes at a future date in accordance with Article III.

 

SECTION 8.03                                             Application of Trust Money . The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations (including proceeds thereof) deposited with it pursuant to this Article VIII. The Trustee shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through each Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes so discharged or defeased.

 

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SECTION 8.04                                             Repayment to Issuer . Each of the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Issuers upon request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in this Article VIII that, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee (which delivery shall only be required if U.S. Government Obligations have been so deposited), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent discharge or defeasance in accordance with this Article VIII.

 

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuers upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

 

SECTION 8.05                                             Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations . The Issuers shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

 

SECTION 8.06                                             Reinstatement . If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes so discharged or defeased shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article VIII until such time as the Trustee or any Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII; provided , however , that, if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, or interest on, any such Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

SECTION 9.01                                             Without Consent of the Holders .

 

(a)                                   The Issuers and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees without notice to or consent of any holder:

 

(i)                                      to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(ii)                                   to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes;

 

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(iii)           to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

(iv)           to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, provided , however , that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;

 

(v)            to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees was intended by the Issuers to be verbatim recitation of a provision in the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum, as stated in an Officers’ Certificate;

 

(vi)           to add a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes,

 

(vii)          [intentionally omitted];

 

(viii)         to release a Subsidiary Guarantee as permitted by this Indenture;

 

(ix)            [intentionally omitted];

 

(x)             to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers;

 

(xi)            to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA;

 

(xii)           to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder; or

 

(xiii)          to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes or Exchange Notes, which shall have terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Initial Notes, and which shall be treated, together with any outstanding Initial Notes, as a single issue of securities.

 

(b)            [Intentionally Omitted].

 

(c)            After an amendment under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.01.

 

SECTION 9.02                With Consent of the Holders . The Issuers and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees with the consent of the Issuers and the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding

 

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voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Notes). However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding Note affected, an amendment may not:

 

(1)            reduce the amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment,

 

(2)            reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note,

 

(3)            reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Note,

 

(4)            reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed in accordance with Article III,

 

(5)            make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note,

 

(6)            expressly subordinate the Notes or any related Subsidiary Guarantee to any other Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor,

 

(7)            impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes, or

 

(8)            make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions.

 

Except as expressly provided by this Indenture, without the consent of holders of at least 66.67%  in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, no amendment may modify or release the Subsidiary Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary in any manner adverse to the holders of the Notes.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the holders under this Section 9.02  to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment under this Section 9.02  becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02.

 

SECTION 9.03                Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers .

 

(a)            A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a holder of a Note shall bind the holder and every subsequent holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. However, any such holder or subsequent holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such holder’s Note or portion of the Note if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officers’ Certificate from Holdings certifying that the requisite principal amount of Notes have consented. After an amendment or waiver

 

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becomes effective, it shall bind every holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the (i) receipt by the Issuers or the Trustee of consents by the holders of the requisite principal amount of securities, (ii) satisfaction of conditions to effectiveness as set forth in this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto containing such amendment or waiver and (iii) execution of such amendment or waiver (or supplemental indenture) by the Issuers and the Trustee.

 

(b)            The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

 

SECTION 9.04                Notation on or Exchange of Notes . If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Issuers may require the holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the holder. Alternatively, if the Issuers or the Trustee so determine, the Issuers in exchange for the Note shall issue and, upon written order of each Issuer signed by an Officer, the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.05                Trustee to Sign Amendments . The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity satisfactory to it and shall be provided with, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, (i) an Officers’ Certificate, (ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof, (iii) a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Holdings, authorizing the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver and (iv) if such amendment, supplement or waiver is executed pursuant to Section 9.02, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the holders required to consent thereto.

 

SECTION 9.06                Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount . All Notes issued under this Indenture shall vote and consent together on all matters (as to which any of such Notes may vote) as one class and no Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter. Determinations as to whether holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent shall be made in accordance with this Article IX and Section 2.13.

 

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SECTION 9.07                Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act . From the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, every amendment, waiver or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

 

ARTICLE X

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

ARTICLE XI

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

ARTICLE XII

 

GUARANTEE

 

SECTION 12.01              Guarantee .

 

(a)            Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, on a senior unsecured basis from the Issue Date, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, to each holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (i) the performance and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes and all other monetary obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Notes and (ii) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Issuers whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under this Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “ Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations ”). Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from any Subsidiary Guarantor, and that each Subsidiary Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article XII notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligation.

 

(b)            Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Issuers of any of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (i) the failure of any holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Issuers or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (ii) any extension or renewal of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iv) the release of any security held by any holder or the Trustee for the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations or each Subsidiary Guarantor; (v) the failure of any holder or Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations; or (vi) any change in the ownership of each Subsidiary Guarantor, except as provided in Section 12.02(b). Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it

 

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may be entitled to have its obligations hereunder divided among the Subsidiary Guarantors, such that such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations would be less than the full amount claimed.

 

(c)            Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Issuers first be used and depleted as payment of the Issuers’ or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to require that the Issuers be sued prior to an action being initiated against such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

(d)            Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(e)            The Subsidiary Guarantee of each Subsidiary Guarantor is, to the extent and in the manner set forth in Article XII, equal in right of payment to all existing and future Pari Passu Indebtedness, senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor and subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all Secured Indebtedness of the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor and is made subject to such provisions of this Indenture.

 

(f)             Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.01(b), 12.02 and 12.06, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Subsidiary Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

 

(g)            Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuers or otherwise.

 

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(h)            In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Subsidiary Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Issuers to pay the principal of or interest on any Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligation, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by applicable law) and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Issuers to the holders and the Trustee.

 

(i)             Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the holders in respect of any Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VI for the purposes of the Subsidiary Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article VI, such Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Subsidiary Guarantors for the purposes of this Section 12.01.

 

(j)             Each Subsidiary Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and expenses) Incurred by the Trustee or any holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 12.01.

 

(k)            Upon request of the Trustee, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 12.02              Limitation on Liability .

 

(a)            Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by each Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering this Indenture, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or capital maintenance or corporate benefit rules applicable to guarantees for obligations of affiliates.

 

(b)            A Subsidiary Guarantee as to any Restricted Subsidiary that is a party hereto on the date hereof or that executes a supplemental indenture in accordance with Section 4.11 hereof and provides a guarantee shall terminate and be of no further force or effect

 

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and such Subsidiary Guarantee shall be deemed to be released from all obligations under this Article XII upon:

 

(i)             the sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer (including through merger, consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise) of the Capital Stock (including any sale, disposition or other transfer following which the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary), of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor if such sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer is made in a manner not in violation of this Indenture;

 

(ii)            the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.04 and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”;

 

(iii)           the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor of the Credit Agreement or other Indebtedness or the guarantee of any other Indebtedness which resulted in the obligation to guarantee the Notes;

 

(iv)           the Issuers’ exercise of their legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option under Article VIII or if the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

(v)            such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing Bank Indebtedness or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof; and

 

(vi)           the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event.

 

SECTION 12.03              [Intentionally Omitted] .

 

SECTION 12.04              Successors and Assigns . This Article XII shall be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 12.05              No Waiver . Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article XII shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article XII at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

 

SECTION 12.06              Modification . No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article XII, nor the consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the

 

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Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case shall entitle any Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

 

SECTION 12.07              Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors . Each Subsidiary which is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Notes pursuant to Section 4.11 shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article XII and shall guarantee the Notes. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, Holdings shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and that, subject to the application of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally and to the principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor is a valid and binding obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor, enforceable against such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with its terms and/or to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

 

SECTION 12.08              Non-Impairment . The failure to endorse a Subsidiary Guarantee on any Note shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 14.01              Trust Indenture Act Controls . If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or with another provision (an “incorporated provision”) included in this Indenture by operation of, Sections 310 to 318 of the TIA, inclusive, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.

 

SECTION 14.02              Notices .

 

(a)            Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and delivered in person, via facsimile or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:

 

if to the Issuers or a Subsidiary Guarantor:

 

 

c/o EP Energy LLC

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

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Houston, TX 77002

 

Attention:

Dane Whitehead, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Marguerite Woung-Chapman, General Counsel

 

Fax: 713-420-6603

 

 

 

with copies to:

 

 

 

c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

 

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

 

New York, NY 10019

 

Attention: Sam Oh and Chief Legal Officer

 

Fax: 646-417-6651

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

 

1285 Avenue of the Americas

 

New York, NY 10019

 

Attention:

Gregory Ezring

 

 

Monica Thurmond

 

Fax: 212-757-3990

 

if to the Trustee:

 

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association

 

Corporate Client Services

 

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

 

Minneapolis, MN 55402

 

Attention: Everest/EP Energy Administrator

 

Fax: 612-217-5651

 

The Issuers or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

(b)            Any notice or communication mailed to a holder shall be mailed, first class mail, to the holder at the holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed.

 

(c)            Failure to mail a notice or communication to a holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except that notices to the Trustee are effective only if received.

 

The Trustee may, in its sole discretion, agree to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon

 

111



 

such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, as long as the Notes are in the form of a Global Note, notice to the holders may be made electronically in accordance with procedures of the Depository.

 

SECTION 14.03              Communication by the Holders with Other Holders . The holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and other Persons shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.

 

SECTION 14.04              Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent . Upon any request or application by the Issuers to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee at the request of the Trustee:

 

(a)            an Officers’ Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(b)            an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 14.05              Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion . Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 4.09) shall include:

 

(a)            a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(b)            a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(c)            a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(d)            a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with; provided , however , that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

 

112


 

SECTION 14.06              When Notes Disregarded . In determining whether the holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

 

SECTION 14.07              Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar . The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of the holders. The Registrar and a Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

 

SECTION 14.08              Legal Holidays . If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on any amount that would have been otherwise payable on such payment date if it were a Business Day for the intervening period. If a regular Record Date is not a Business Day, the Record Date shall not be affected.

 

SECTION 14.09              GOVERNING LAW . THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

SECTION 14.10              No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in Holdings or of any Subsidiary Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

SECTION 14.11              Successors . All agreements of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind such person’s successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

SECTION 14.12              Multiple Originals . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.

 

SECTION 14.13              Table of Contents; Headings . The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

113



 

SECTION 14.14              Indenture Controls . If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of this Indenture, such provision of this Indenture shall control.

 

SECTION 14.15              Severability . In case any provision in this Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

 

SECTION 14.16              Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE ISSUERS, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank. ]

 

114



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

 

Title:

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

 

Title:

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

 

 

EP ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C.

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

as Guarantors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

 

 

Title:

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

of each of the above listed Guarantors

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO
INDENTURE

 



 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jane Schweiger

 

 

 

Name:

Jane Schweiger

 

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

Signature Page to Indenture

 



 

APPENDIX A

 

PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL NOTES, ADDITIONAL NOTES
AND EXCHANGE NOTES

 

1.                                        Definitions.

 

1.1                                  Definitions.

 

For the purposes of this Appendix A the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

 

Additional Interest ” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Definitive Note ” means a certificated Initial Note, Additional Note or Exchange Note (bearing the Restricted Notes Legend if the transfer of such Note is restricted by applicable law) that does not include the Global Notes Legend.

 

Depository ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

 

Global Notes Legend ” means the legend set forth under that caption in the applicable Exhibit to this Indenture.

 

IAI ” means an institutional “accredited investor” as described in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

 

Initial Purchasers ” means Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Nomura Securities International, Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Apollo Global Securities, LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., Capital One Southcoast, Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp., Comerica Securities, Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, DNB Markets, Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., ING Financial Markets LLC, Lloyds Securities Inc., Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., Mizuho Securities USA Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, RBS Securities Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. SG Americas Securities, LLC, SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, and UBS Securities LLC.

 

Notes Custodian ” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository) or any successor person thereto, who shall initially be the Trustee.

 

QIB ” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

Registered Exchange Offer ” means the offer by the Issuers, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to certain holders of Initial Notes, to issue and deliver to such holders, in exchange for the Initial Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes registered under the Securities Act.

 

Appendix A-1



 

Regulation S ” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

Regulation S Notes ” means all Initial Notes offered and sold outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S.

 

Restricted Notes Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.2(f)(i) herein.

 

Restricted Period ,” with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (a) the day on which such Notes are first offered to persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S, notice of which day shall be promptly given by the Issuers to the Trustee, and (b) the Issue Date, and with respect to any Additional Notes that are Transfer Restricted Notes, it means the comparable period of 40 consecutive days.

 

Rule 501 ” means Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A ” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A Notes ” means all Initial Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

Shelf Registration Statement ” means the registration statement filed by the Issuers in connection with the offer and sale of Initial Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes ” means Definitive Notes that bear or are required to bear or are subject to the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Transfer Restricted Global Notes ” means Global Notes that bear or are required to bear or are subject to the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Transfer Restricted Notes ” means the Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes and Transfer Restricted Global Notes.

 

Unrestricted Definitive Notes ” means Definitive Notes that are not required to bear, or are not subject to, the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Unrestricted Global Notes ” means Global Notes that are not required to bear, or are not subject to, the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

1.2                                  Other Definitions .

 

Term:

 

Defined in Section:

Agent Members

 

2.1(b)

Global Notes

 

2.1(b)

Regulation S Global Notes

 

2.1(b)

Rule 144A Global Notes

 

2.1(b)

 

Appendix A-2



 

2.                                        The Notes.

 

2.1                                  Form and Dating; Global Notes.

 

(a)            The Initial Notes issued on the date hereof will be (i) privately placed by the Issuers pursuant to the Offering Memorandum and (ii) sold, initially only to (1) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (2) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S. Such Initial Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, purchasers in reliance on Regulation S and, except as set forth below, IAIs in accordance with Rule 501. Additional Notes offered after the date hereof may be offered and sold by the Issuers from time to time pursuant to one or more agreements in accordance with applicable law.

 

(b)            Global Notes .  (i) Except as provided in clause (d) below, Rule 144A Notes initially shall be represented by one or more Notes in definitive, fully registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ Rule 144A Global Notes ”).

 

Regulation S Notes initially shall be represented by one or more Notes in fully registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ Regulation S Global Notes ”), which shall be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of the Depository for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

The term “ Global Notes ” means the Rule 144A Global Notes and the Regulation S Global Notes. The Global Notes shall bear the Global Note Legend. The Global Notes initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of such Depository, in each case for credit to an account of an Agent Member, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depository and (iii) bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Members of, or direct or indirect participants in, the Depository (collectively, the “ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Notes. The Depository may be treated by the Issuers, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Notes for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuers, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository, or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note.

 

(ii)            Transfers of Global Notes shall be limited to transfer in whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Notes may be transferred or exchanged for Definitive Notes only in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository and the provisions of Section 2.2. In addition, a Global Note shall be exchangeable for Definitive Notes if (x) the Depository (1) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for such Global Note and the Issuers thereupon fail to appoint a successor depository or (2) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act or (y) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global Note and a request has been made for such exchange; provided that in no event

 

Appendix A-3



 

shall the Regulation S Global Note be exchanged by the Issuers for Definitive Notes prior to (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (y) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act. In all cases, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein shall be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depository in accordance with its customary procedures.

 

(iii)           In connection with the transfer of a Global Note as an entirety to beneficial owners pursuant to subsection (i) of this Section 2.1(b), such Global Note shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuers shall execute, and, upon written order of each Issuer signed by an Officer, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depository in writing in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations.

 

(iv)           Any Transfer Restricted Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note pursuant to Section 2.2 shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2, bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

(v)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, through the Restricted Period, a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note may be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream unless delivery is made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 2.2.

 

(vi)           The holder of any Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

 

2.2                                  Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a)            Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes .  A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except as set forth in Section 2.1(b). Global Notes will not be exchanged by the Issuers for Definitive Notes except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 2.08 of this Indenture. Beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.2(b).

 

(b)            Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes .  The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. Beneficial interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be transferred or exchanged only for beneficial interests in Global Notes. Transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

 

Appendix A-4



 

(i)             Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note .  Beneficial interests in any Transfer Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Transfer Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Restricted Notes Legend; provided , however , that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person. A beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.2(b)(i).

 

(ii)            All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes .  In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in any Global Note that is not subject to Section 2.2(b)(i), the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar (1) a written order from an Agent Member given to the Depository in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository directing the Depository to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository containing information regarding the Agent Member account to be credited with such increase. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note pursuant to Section 2.2(i).

 

(iii)           Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note .  A beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Transfer Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.2(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)           if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note; and

 

(B)            if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note.

 

(iv)           Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Transfer Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note .  A beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.2(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

Appendix A-5



 

(A)           if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or

 

(B)            if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,

 

and, in each such case, if the Issuers or the Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iv) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an written order of Holdings in the form of an Officers’ Certificate in accordance with Section 2.01, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (iv).

 

(v)            Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in a Transfer Restricted Global Note .  Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note.

 

(c)            Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes for Definitive Notes .  A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii).  A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii). In any case, beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be transferred or exchanged only for Definitive Notes.

 

(d)            Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests in Global Notes .  Transfers and exchanges of Definitive Notes for beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) below, as applicable:

 

(i)             Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes .  If any holder of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

Appendix A-6


 

(A)           if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(B)            if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(C)            if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(D)           if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(E)            if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an IAI in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel, if applicable; or

 

(F)            if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to Holdings or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

the Trustee shall cancel the Transfer Restricted Definitive Note, and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Transfer Restricted Global Note.

 

(ii)            Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes .  A holder of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)           if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or

 

(B)            if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who shall take

 

Appendix A-7



 

delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,

 

and, in each such case, if the Issuers or the Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this subparagraph (ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (ii) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an written order of Holdings in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Notes transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (ii).

 

(iii)           Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes .  A holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Unrestricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iii) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an written order of Holdings in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Unrestricted Definitive Notes transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (iii).

 

(iv)           Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes .  An Unrestricted Definitive Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note.

 

(e)            Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes .  Upon request by a holder of Definitive Notes and such holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.2(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.2(e).

 

Appendix A-8



 

(i)             Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes .  A Transfer Restricted Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)           if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(B)            if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(C)            if the transfer will be made pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;

 

(D)           if the transfer will be made to an IAI in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (A) through (D) above, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note; and

 

(E)            if such transfer will be made to Holdings or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note.

 

(ii)            Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes .  Any Transfer Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)           if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or

 

(B)            if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,

 

and, in each such case, if the Issuers or the Registrar so request, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(iii)           Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes .  A holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Notes to a

 

Appendix A-9



 

Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the holder thereof.

 

(iv)           Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes .  An Unrestricted Definitive Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note.

 

At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(f)             Legend.

 

(i)             Except as permitted by the following paragraph (iii), (iv) or (v), each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes and any Definitive Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (each defined term in the legend being defined as such for purposes of the legend only):

 

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS] AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE

 

Appendix A-10



 

LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUERS SO REQUESTS), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

Each Definitive Note shall bear the following additional legend:

 

“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”

 

(ii)            Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note, the Registrar shall permit the holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a Definitive Note that does not bear the legends set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note if the holder certifies in writing to the Registrar that its request for such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Initial Note).

 

(iii)           Upon a sale or transfer after the expiration of the Restricted Period of any Initial Note acquired pursuant to Regulation S, all requirements that such Initial Note bear the Restricted Notes Legend shall cease to apply and the requirements requiring any such Initial Note be issued in global form shall continue to apply.

 

Appendix A-11



 

(iv)           After a transfer of any Initial Notes during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to the Restricted Notes Legend on any such Initial Note will cease to apply, the requirements requiring any such Initial Note issued to certain holders be issued in global form will continue to apply, and an Initial Note or an Initial Note in global form, in each case without restrictive transfer legends, will be available to the transferee of the holder of such Initial Notes upon exchange of such transferring holder’s certificated Initial Note or directions to transfer such holder’s interest in the Global Note, as applicable.

 

(v)            Upon the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Notes pursuant to which holders of such Initial Notes are offered Exchange Notes in exchange for their Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Notes that Initial Notes issued to certain holders be issued in global form will still apply with respect to holders of such Initial Notes that do not exchange their Initial Notes, and Exchange Notes in certificated or global form, in each case without the Restricted Notes Legend, will be available to holders that exchange such Initial Notes in such Registered Exchange Offer.

 

(vi)           Any Additional Notes sold in a registered offering shall not be required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

(g)            Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note .  At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.10 of this Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(h)            Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes .

 

(i)             To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate, Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request.

 

(ii)            No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 3.06, 4.06, 4.08 and 9.05 of this Indenture).

 

Appendix A-12



 

(iii)           Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuers, the Trustee, a Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(iv)           All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

(i)             No Obligation of the Trustee.

 

(i)             The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the holders and all payments to be made to the holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to the registered holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

(ii)            The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

Appendix A-13



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL NOTE]

 

[Global Notes Legend]

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

 

[Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered in Reliance on Regulation S]

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON, AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

[Restricted Notes Legend]

 

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS] AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY)

 

Exhibit A-1



 

RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUERS SO REQUESTS), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

[Definitive Notes Legend]

 

“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”

 

A-2


 

[FORM OF INITIAL NOTE]

 

EP ENERGY LLC

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

No. [    ]

144A CUSIP No. 268787 AA6

 

144A ISIN No. US268787AA67

 

REG S CUSIP No. U2937L AA2

 

REG S ISIN No. USU2937LAA27

 

$[    ]

 

7.750% Senior Note due 2022

 

EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation, jointly and severally, promise to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto on September 1, 2022.

 

Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1, commencing March 1, 2013

 

Record Dates: February 15 and August 15

 

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

A-3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: August 13, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

A-4



 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF

 

 

 

 

AUTHENTICATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

as Trustee, certifies that this is

 

 

 

 

one of the Notes

 

 

 

 

referred to in the Indenture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 


*/                                      If the Note is to be issued in global form, add the Global Notes Legend and the attachment from Exhibit A captioned “TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES - SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE.”

 

A-5



 

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL NOTE]

 

7.750% Senior Note Due 2022

 

1.                                        Interest

 

EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called “ Holdings ”), and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with Holdings, the “ Issuers ”), jointly and severally, promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above; provided, however, that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, Additional Interest will accrue on this Note at a rate of 0.25% per annum (increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum after each consecutive 90-day period that occurs after the date on which such Registration Default occurs up to a maximum Additional Interest rate of 1.00%) from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the earlier of (x) the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured and (y) the date which is two years from the Issue Date. The Issuers shall pay interest semiannually on March 1 and September 1 of each year (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”), commencing March 1, 2013. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from August 13, 2012, until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

2.                                        Method of Payment

 

The Issuers shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders at the close of business on February 15 or August 15 (each a “ Record Date ”) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuers shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor depositary. The Issuers shall make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or Paying Agent to such effect designating such

 

A-6



 

account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

3.                                        Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (the “ Trustee ”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice. The Issuers or any of their domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

4.                                        Indenture

 

The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of August 13, 2012 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used herein are used as defined in the Indenture, unless otherwise indicated. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “ TIA ”). The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and the holders (as defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms and provisions. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Indenture, such provision of the Indenture shall control.

 

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers. This Note is one of the Initial Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, pay dividends and other distributions, Incur Indebtedness, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, issue or sell shares of capital stock of Holdings and such Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or Incur Liens and make Asset Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of each Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.

 

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Issuers under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantors have unconditionally guaranteed the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and any Subsidiary Guarantor that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee will unconditionally guarantee the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations, which such Subsidiary Guarantees shall be on a senior unsecured basis from the Issue Date, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

 

A-7



 

5.                                        Redemption

 

On or after September 1, 2017 the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on September 1 of the years set forth below:

 

Period

 

Redemption Price

 

2017

 

103.875

%

2018

 

102.583

%

2019

 

101.292

%

2020 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

In addition, prior to September 1, 2017, the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by the Issuers by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to September 1, 2015, the Issuers may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by Holdings or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of Holdings or are used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 107.750%, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided, however, that at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided, further, that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice mailed to each holder of Notes being redeemed and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering.

 

6.                                        Mandatory Redemption

 

The Issuers will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

A-8



 

7.                                        Notice of Redemption

 

Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date, to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee) or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article VIII thereof. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with a Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date, interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

 

8.                                        Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holders upon Change of Control and Asset Sales

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

 

In accordance with Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the Issuers will be required to offer to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of certain events.

 

9.                                        [Intentionally Omitted]

 

10.                                  Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A holder shall register the transfer of or exchange of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any registration of transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or to transfer or exchange any Notes for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

 

11.                                  Persons Deemed Owners

 

The registered holder of this Note shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

A-9



 

12.                                  Unclaimed Money

 

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuers at their written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, the holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors and the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

 

13.                                  Discharge and Defeasance

 

Subject to certain conditions, the Issuers at any time may terminate some of or all their obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuers deposit with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

14.                                  Amendment; Waiver

 

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes and (ii) any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any holder, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes; (iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee; (iv) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, provided, however, that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; (v) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision of the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees was intended by the Issuers to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum; (vi) to add a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes; (vii) to release a Subsidiary Guarantee as permitted by the Indenture; (viii) to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers; (ix) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; (x) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder; or (xi) to make certain changes to the Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes.

 

15.                                  Defaults and Remedies

 

If an Event of Default (other than a Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Holdings) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by notice to the Issuers may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be

 

A-10



 

due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuers occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense and certain other conditions are complied with. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii) holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and (v) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

16.                                  Trustee Dealings with the Issuers

 

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuers or their Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

17.                                  No Recourse Against Others

 

No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.

 

A-11



 

18.                                  Authentication

 

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

19.                                  Abbreviations

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

 

20.                                  Holders Compliance with Registration Rights Agreement

 

Each holder of a Note, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the obligations of the holders with respect to a registration and the indemnification of the Issuers to the extent provided therein.

 

21.                                  Governing Law

 

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

22.                                  CUSIP Numbers; ISINs

 

The Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to the holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

The Issuers will furnish to any holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.

 

A-12


 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint                           agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

A-13



 

CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR

 

REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTES

 

This certificate relates to $                    principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space)           book-entry or             definitive form by the undersigned.

 

The undersigned (check one box below):

 

o                                     has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Note held by the Depository a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above);

 

o                                     has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes.

 

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring while this Note is still a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note or a Transfer Restricted Global Note, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 

(1)

o

to the Issuers; or

 

 

 

(2)

o

to the Registrar for registration in the name of the holder, without transfer; or

 

 

 

(3)

o

pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

 

 

(4)

o

inside the United States to a “ qualified institutional buyer ” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

 

 

(5)

o

outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933 and such Note shall be held immediately after the transfer through Euroclear or Clearstream until the expiration of the Restricted Period (as defined in the Indenture); or

 

 

 

(6)

o

to an institutional “ accredited investor ” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements; or

 

 

 

(7)

o

pursuant to another available exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

A-14



 

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Issuers or the Trustee may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Issuers or the Trustee have reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

A-15



 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (4) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “ qualified institutional buyer ” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuers as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

 

A-16



 

[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

 

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $                            . The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal amount of this

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of decrease in

 

Amount of increase in

 

Global Note following

 

Signature of authorized

 

 

 

Principal Amount of this

 

Principal Amount of this

 

such decrease or

 

signatory of Trustee or

 

Date of Exchange 

 

Global Note

 

Global Note

 

increase

 

Notes Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A-17



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box:

 

Asset Sale o

Change of Control  o

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):

 

$                 

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

 

A-18



 

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF FACE OF EXCHANGE NOTE*/]

 


* / If the Note is to be issued in global form add the Global Notes Legend from Exhibit A and the attachment from such Exhibit A captioned “[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES] - SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE.”

 

B-1



 

[FORM OF EXCHANGE NOTE]

 

EP ENERGY LLC

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

No. [    ]

 

CUSIP No. 268787 AA6

 

 

ISIN No. US268787AA67

 

 

$[   ]

 

7.750% Senior Note due 2022

 

EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation, jointly and severally, promise to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto on September 1, 2022.

 

Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1, commencing March 1, 2013

 

Record Dates: February 15 and August 15

 

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

B-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

B-3



 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes referred to in the Indenture.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

B-4


 

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF EXCHANGE NOTE]

 

7.750% Senior Note Due 2022

 

1.                                        Interest

 

EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called “ Holdings ”), and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC., a Delaware corporation (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with Holdings, the “ Issuers ”), jointly and severally, promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above[; provided , however , that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, Additional Interest will accrue on this Note at a rate of 0.25% per annum (increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum after each consecutive 90-day period that occurs after the date on which such Registration Default occurs up to a maximum Additional Interest rate of 1.00%) from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the earlier of (x) the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured and (y) the date which is two years from the Issue Date](1). The Issuers shall pay interest semiannually on March 1 and September 1 of each year (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”), commencing March 1, 2013. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from August 13, 2012, until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

2.                                        Method of Payment

 

The Issuers shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders at the close of business on February 15 or August 15 (each a “ Record Date ”) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuers shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor depositary. The Issuers shall make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each holder thereof;

 


(1)                                   Insert if at the date of issuance of the Exchange Note any Registration Default has occurred with respect to the related Initial Notes during the interest period in which such date of issuance occurs.

 

B-5



 

provided , however , that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

3.                                        Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (the “ Trustee ”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice. The Issuers or any of their domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

4.                                        Indenture

 

The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of August 13, 2012 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used herein are used as defined in the Indenture, unless otherwise indicated. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “ TIA ”). The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and the holders (as defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms and provisions. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Indenture, such provision of the Indenture shall control.

 

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers. This Note is one of the Initial Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of Holdings and its Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, pay dividends and other distributions, Incur Indebtedness, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, issue or sell shares of capital stock of the Holdings and such Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or Incur Liens and make Asset Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of each Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.

 

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Issuers under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantors have unconditionally guaranteed the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and any Subsidiary Guarantor that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee will unconditionally guarantee the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations, which such Subsidiary

 

B-6



 

Guarantees shall be on a senior unsecured basis from the Issue Date, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

 

5.                                        Redemption

 

On or after September 1, 2017 the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on September 1 of the years set forth below:

 

Period

 

Redemption Price

 

2017

 

103.875

%

2018

 

102.583

%

2019

 

101.292

%

2020 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

In addition, prior to September 1, 2017, the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by the Issuers by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to September 1, 2015, the Issuers may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by Holdings or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of Holdings or are used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 107.750%, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided , however , that at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided , further , that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice mailed to each holder of Notes being redeemed and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering.

 

B-7



 

6.                                        Mandatory Redemption

 

The Issuers will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

7.                                        Notice of Redemption

 

Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date, to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee) or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article VIII thereof. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with a Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date, interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

 

8.                                        Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holders upon Change of Control and Asset Sales

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

 

In accordance with Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the Issuers will be required to offer to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of certain events.

 

9.                                        [Intentionally Omitted]

 

10.                                  Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A holder shall register the transfer of or exchange of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any registration of transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or to transfer or exchange any Notes for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

 

B-8



 

11.                                  Persons Deemed Owners

 

The registered holder of this Note shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

12.                                  Unclaimed Money

 

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuers at their written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, the holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors and the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

 

13.                                  Discharge and Defeasance

 

Subject to certain conditions, the Issuers at any time may terminate some of or all their obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuers deposit with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

14.                                  Amendment; Waiver

 

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes and (ii) any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any holder, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes; (iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee; (iv) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, provided , however , that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; (v) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision of the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees was intended by the Issuers to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum; (vi) to add a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes; (vii) to release a Subsidiary Guarantee as permitted by the Indenture; (viii) to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers; (ix) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; (x) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder; or (xi) to make certain changes to the Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes.

 

B-9



 

15.                                  Defaults and Remedies

 

If an Event of Default (other than a Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Holdings) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by notice to the Issuers may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuers occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense and certain other conditions are complied with. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii) holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and (v) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

16.                                  Trustee Dealings with the Issuers

 

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuers or their Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

17.                                  No Recourse Against Others

 

No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of an Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor under

 

B-10



 

the Notes, the Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.

 

18.                                  Authentication

 

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

19.                                  Abbreviations

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

 

20.                                  Governing Law

 

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

21.                                  CUSIP Numbers; ISINs

 

The Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to the holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

The Issuers will furnish to any holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.

 

B-11



 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint                   agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

Date:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B-12


 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box:

 

Asset Sale o

Change of Control o

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):

 

$

 

Date:

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

 

B-13



 

EXHIBIT C

 

[FORM OF TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION]

 

TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION

 

[EP ENERGY LLC]

[EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.]

c/o Wilmington Trust, National Association

Corporate Client Services

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

Minneapolis, MN 55402

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $[  ] principal amount of the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “ Notes ”) of [EP ENERGY LLC] and [EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.] (collectively with their successors and assigns, the “ Issuers ”).

 

Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

Taxpayer ID Number:

 

 

 

The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

 

1.                                        We are an institutional “ accredited investor ” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”)), purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “ accredited investor ” at least $100,000 principal amount of the Notes, and we are acquiring the Notes not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the Notes in the normal course of our business. We, and any accounts for which we are acting, are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

 

2.                                        We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date that is two years after the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which either of the Issuers or any affiliate of such Issuers was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the “ Resale Restriction Termination Date ”) only (a) in the United States to a person whom we reasonably believe is a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in rule 144A under the Securities Act) in a

 

C-1



 

transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, (b) outside the United States in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (c) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144 thereunder (if applicable) or (d) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each of cases (a) through (d) in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. In addition, we will, and each subsequent holder is required to, notify any purchaser of the Note evidenced hereby of the resale restrictions set forth above. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made to an institutional “ accredited investor ” prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Issuers and the Trustee, which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “ accredited investor ” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act and that it is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act. Each purchaser acknowledges that the Issuers and the Trustee reserve the right prior to the offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of the Notes pursuant to clause 1(b), 1(c) or 1(d) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications or other information satisfactory to the Issuers and the Trustee.

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSFEREE:                                                   ,

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

C-2



 

EXHIBIT D

 

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”) dated as of [DATE], among [SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR] (the “ New Subsidiary Guarantor ”), a subsidiary of EP ENERGY LLC (or its successor), a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS Holdings, Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. (or its successor), a Delaware corporation (the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with Holdings, the “ Issuers ”), certain Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed an indenture, dated as of August 13, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of the Issuers’ 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 ( the “ Notes ”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $350,000,000;

 

WHEREAS Sections 4.11 and 12.07 of the Indenture provide that under certain circumstances Holdings is required to cause the New Subsidiary Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Subsidiary Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Issuers are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuers and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

 

1.                                        Defined Terms . As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “ holders ” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “ holders ” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. The words “ herein ,” “ hereof ” and “ hereby ” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.

 

2.                                        Agreement to Guarantee . The New Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all existing Subsidiary Guarantors (if any), to unconditionally guarantee the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XII of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable

 

D-1



 

provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

3.                                        Notices . All notices or other communications to the New Subsidiary Guarantor shall be given as provided in Section 14.02 of the Indenture.

 

4.                                        Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture . Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

 

5.                                        Governing Law . THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

6.                                        Trustee Makes No Representation . The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

7.                                        Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

8.                                        Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank. ]

 

D-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

[EP ENERGY LLC]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ NEW SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR ] , as a Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name: [    ]

 

 

Title: [    ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name: [    ]

 

 

Title: [    ]

 

D-3




Exhibit 4.4

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), dated as of April 24, 2012, by and among EPE Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”) and each of the other parties set forth on the signature pages hereto. Unless otherwise specified, capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 1 . The Company and the other parties hereto are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “ Parties ” and each is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Party .”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company entered into that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Purchase Agreement ”), dated as of February 24, 2012, by and among the Company, EP Energy Corporation (“ EP Energy ”), EP Energy Holding Company (“ New EPE ”) and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. (“ EP Brazil ” and together with EP Energy and New EPE, “ Sellers ” and each a “ Seller ”), pursuant to which the Sellers have agreed to sell to the Company all of the issued and outstanding Shares in exchange for the payment by the Company of the Purchase Price to the Sellers;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement (the “ Transactions ”), the Company and the Members have entered into that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of the date hereof (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ LLC Agreement ”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Members shall be issued Units in accordance with and subject to the terms thereof and the Class A Members shall make Capital Contributions to the Company on the Closing Date to fund the payment of the Purchase Price by the Company to the Sellers under the Purchase Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, if the IPO Corporation, as provided herein, elects to effect an underwritten public offering of its Equity Securities, the Parties desire to have certain registration and other rights with respect to their Registrable Securities; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to bind the IPO Corporation to provide registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities, as set forth in this Agreement, and the Class A Members that are Parties have agreed to act in good faith in order to effectuate these registration rights with respect to the IPO Corporation.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

 



 

Section 1.                                            Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Access Member ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Addendum Agreement ” means an Addendum Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person, and with respect to any Member, an “Affiliate” shall include (i) any Upper-Tier Investor of such Member and (ii) any investment fund, alternative investment vehicle, special purpose vehicle or holding company that is directly or indirectly managed, advised or controlled by such Member or any Affiliate of such Member; provided however , that an Affiliate shall not include any portfolio company of any Person (including any Member).

 

Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Apollo Member ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Apollo Shareholder ” means the Apollo Member, in its capacity as a direct or indirect beneficial holder of Registrable Securities.

 

Board ” means the board of managers of the Company or the board of directors (or other equivalent body) of the IPO Corporation, as the case may be.

 

Business Day ” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday or any day which is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

 

Capital Contributions ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Class A Units ” means Class A limited liability company interests in the Company, with such designations, preferences and/or special rights set forth or referenced in this Agreement and the LLC Agreement. The number of Class A Units outstanding and the holders thereof are set forth on Schedule A and Schedule D of the LLC Agreement, as such schedule may be amended from time to time pursuant thereto.

 

Class A Member ” means a Member that is a holder of Class A Units, in such Member’s capacity as a holder of Class A Units.

 

Closing Date ” means the date of the consummation of the Transactions pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

 

Co-Investment Member ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

2



 

Common Stock ” means all common Equity Securities existing or hereafter authorized of any class of the IPO Corporation (including Class A Units), which has the right (subject always to the rights of any class or series of preferred stock of the IPO Corporation) to participate in the distribution of the assets and earnings of the IPO Corporation without limit as to per share amount, including any shares of capital stock into which Common Stock may be converted (as a result of recapitalization, share exchange or similar event) or that are issued with respect to Common Stock, including with respect to any stock split or stock dividend, or a successor security.

 

Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Coordination Committee ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Demand Notice ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) .

 

Demand Registration ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) .

 

EP Brazil ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

EP Energy ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

EMI ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Equity Security ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, and in any event includes any security having the attendant right to vote for directors or similar representatives.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute thereto and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or any successor agency having jurisdiction under the Exchange Act.

 

Governmental Authority ” means any: (i) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (ii) U.S. and other federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; or (iii) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental division, department, agency, commission, instrumentality, official, organization, unit, body or entity, any court or other tribunal).

 

Indemnified Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(c) .

 

Indemnifying Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(c) .

 

IPO ” means the first firm commitment underwritten Public Offering of the IPO Corporation conducted pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act (other than a registration statement on Forms S-4 or S-8 or any similar form).

 

3



 

IPO Corporation ” means the Company, as the entity which undertakes an IPO, unless the Board or the Coordination Committee, as the case may be, otherwise determines in its sole discretion that the “IPO Corporation” shall be a Subsidiary of the Company or another corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or any other entity that succeeds to all or substantially all of the Units or the business and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in which case the “IPO Corporation” shall be such other Person.

 

KNOC Member ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

KNOC Subsidiary ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12(c)(ii) .

 

LLC Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Long-Form Registrations ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) .

 

Losses ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) .

 

Management Class A Funding Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Member ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

New EPE ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Non-Marketed Take-Down ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) .

 

Notice ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) .

 

Permitted Transferee ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, estate, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Piggyback Notice ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) .

 

Piggyback Registration ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) .

 

Piggyback Response ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) .

 

Principal Members ” means, collectively, the Riverstone Member, the KNOC Member and the Access Member.

 

Principal Shareholder ” means any Principal Member, in its capacity as a direct or indirect beneficial holder of Registrable Securities.

 

Proceeding ” means any action, claim, suit, investigation, audit, controversy, arbitration or proceeding (including an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.

 

4



 

Prospectus ” means the prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act and any free writing prospectus), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

 

Public Offering ” means the sale of Common Stock to the public pursuant to an effective Registration Statement (other than Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any similar or successor form) filed under the Securities Act or any comparable law or regulatory scheme of any foreign jurisdiction.

 

Purchase Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Purchase Price ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

Qualified IPO ” means an IPO (i) for which cash proceeds to be received by the IPO Corporation and the holders of Equity Securities participating in such offering (or series of related offerings and without deducting underwriting discounts, expenses and commissions) are at least $250,000,000 and (ii) where the Equity Securities being registered in such IPO are listed on a national securities exchange.

 

Registrable Securities ” means any and all shares of Common Stock currently held or hereafter acquired by the Shareholders (including any shares of Common Stock held indirectly by a Shareholder through the Company) and any other securities issued or issuable with respect to any such shares by way of share split, or in connection with a combination of shares, share dividend, recapitalization, merger, exchange, conversion, reclassification or similar event or otherwise. As to any particular Registrable Securities, once issued such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) they are sold pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act, (ii) they are sold pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act) or (iii) they shall have ceased to be outstanding. No Registrable Securities may be registered under more than one Registration Statement at any one time.

 

Registration Statement ” means any registration statement of the IPO Corporation under the Securities Act which covers the offering of any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including any Prospectus or amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

Riverstone Member ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

5



 

Rule 144 Eligible Securities ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 .

 

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency having jurisdiction under the Securities Act.

 

Section 2.11 Principle ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Securities Act ” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Sellers ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Shareholder ” means each Person that beneficially holds, directly or indirectly, Registrable Securities and is a party to this Agreement (including any Person that becomes a Party pursuant to Section 12(c) ), except for the Company or the IPO Corporation.

 

Shares ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

Shelf Holders ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) .

 

Shelf Underwritten Offering ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) .

 

Short-Form Registrations ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) .

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of Units or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions) having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.

 

Take-Down Notice ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) .

 

Transactions ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Transfer ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

underwritten registration ” or “ underwritten offering ” means a registration in which securities of the IPO Corporation are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

 

Units ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Upper-Tier Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Upper-Tier Investor ” shall have the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

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Section 2.                                            Holders of Registrable Securities . A Person is deemed, and shall only be deemed, to be a holder of Registrable Securities if (a) such Person directly or indirectly holds Registrable Securities, and (b) such Person is a Shareholder.

 

Section 3.                                            Demand Registrations .

 

(a)                                  Requests for Registration . Subject to the following paragraphs of this Section 3(a)  and the limitations on the number of Demand Registrations that may be filed under Section 3(e) , (i) upon receiving the required approval, if any, of the Board pursuant to Section 7.05(a)(iv) of the LLC Agreement or the Coordination Committee pursuant to Section 8.07(a) of the LLC Agreement, as the case may be, the IPO Corporation shall register in an IPO, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, under and in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, the offer and sale of a number of Registrable Securities specified by the Board to be so registered and sold in such IPO, and (ii) following a Qualified IPO, (A) the Apollo Shareholder or any Principal Shareholder shall have the right, by delivering a written notice to the IPO Corporation, to require the IPO Corporation to register pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, under and in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, the offer and sale of the number of Registrable Securities requested to be so registered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement on Form S-1 or any similar or successor long-form registration (“ Long-Form Registrations ”), and (B) any Shareholder shall have the right, by delivering a written notice to the IPO Corporation, to require the IPO Corporation to register pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, under and in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, the offer and sale of the number of Registrable Securities requested to be so registered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement on Form S-3 or any similar or successor short-form registration (“ Short-Form Registrations ”) (any such written notice delivered pursuant to this clause (ii), a “ Demand Notice and any such registration, a “ Demand Registration ”);  provided , however , that the IPO Corporation shall only be obligated to register such Registrable Securities if the sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered by, with respect to a Long-Form Registration, the Apollo Shareholder or such Principal Shareholder, and with respect to a Short-Form Registration, such Shareholder (in each case, together with the Registrable Securities requested to be registered by the holders of Registrable Securities in a related Piggyback Registration pursuant to Section 4 ), is reasonably expected to result in aggregate gross cash proceeds of at least $100,000,000 (without regard to any underwriting discount or commission) in the case of any Long-Form Registration and at least $25,000,000 (without regard to any underwriting discount or commission) in the case of any Short-Form Registration, or such lower amounts approved by the Board in each case; provided further , that unless otherwise approved by the Board, the IPO Corporation shall not be obligated to file a Registration Statement relating to any registration request under this Section 3(a)  within a period of 180 days (if the prior registration was the IPO or a Long-Form Registration) or ninety (90) days (if the prior registration was a Short-Form Registration) after the effective date of any other Registration Statement. A Shareholder may, in connection with any Demand Registration requested by such Shareholder that is a Short-Form Registration, require the IPO Corporation to file such Registration Statement with the SEC in accordance with and pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act including, if the IPO Corporation is then eligible, as an automatic shelf registration. Following receipt of a Demand Notice for a Demand Registration in accordance with this Section 3(a) , the IPO Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts to file a Registration Statement as promptly as practicable (but not later than forty-five (45) days after the Demand Notice is delivered, in the

 

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case of a Long-Form Registration, and thirty (30) days after the Demand Notice is delivered, in the case of a Short-Form Registration) and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof.

 

No Demand Registration shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Section 3 if (i) the Registration Statement relating thereto does not become effective, (ii) the Registration Statement relating thereto is not maintained effective for the period required pursuant to this Section 3 , (iii) the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement is subject to a stop order, injunction, or similar order or requirement of the SEC during such period, (iv) more than twenty-percent (20%) of the Registrable Securities requested by the Shareholder that requested the Demand Registration to be included in such registration are not so included pursuant to Section 3(b) , or (v) in the event of an underwritten offering, the conditions to closing specified in the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement entered into in connection with such registration are not satisfied or waived other than by reason of a material default or breach by the Shareholder that requested such Demand Registration or any of its Affiliates; provided ,  however , in each case, that such requesting holder of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to an additional Demand Registration in lieu thereof.

 

Within five (5) days after receipt by the IPO Corporation of a Demand Notice, the IPO Corporation shall give written notice (the “ Notice ”) of such Demand Notice to all other holders of Registrable Securities and shall, subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) , include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the IPO Corporation received written requests for inclusion therein within fifteen (15) days after such Notice is given by the IPO Corporation to such holders with respect to an IPO, or within five (5) days after such Notice is given by the IPO Corporation to such holders with respect to all other Demand Registrations; provided however , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, unless otherwise approved by the Board in connection with a Demand Notice for an IPO, the IPO Corporation shall only be required to deliver any Notice or Piggyback Notice as provided in the second paragraph of Section 4(a) .

 

All requests made pursuant to this Section 3 shall specify the number of Registrable Securities to be registered and/or, in the case of an IPO, the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued, and the intended methods of disposition thereof.

 

The IPO Corporation shall be required to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement with respect to any Demand Registration for a period of at least 180 days after the effective date thereof or such shorter period during which all Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement have actually been sold; provided however , that such period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period the holder of Registrable Securities refrains from selling any securities included in such Registration Statement at the request of the IPO Corporation or an underwriter of the IPO Corporation pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement; provided further , that if such registration is a shelf-registration statement that permits sales of Common Stock on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, such Demand Registration shall only be deemed to have been effected if such Registration Statement remains effective for the lesser of (i) 365 days, or (ii) until all Registrable Securities registered thereunder have actually been sold.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any shelf-registration statement covering Registrable Securities, the IPO Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts (if the IPO Corporation is not eligible to use an automatic shelf-registration statement at the time of filing) to keep such shelf-registration statement continuously effective under the Securities Act in order to permit the prospectus forming a part thereof to be usable by the applicable Shareholders until the date as of which all Registrable Securities included in such shelf-registration statement have been sold pursuant to the shelf-registration statement or another Registration Statement filed under the Securities Act (but in no event prior to the applicable period referred to in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder).

 

(b)                                  Priority on Demand Registration . If any of the Registrable Securities registered pursuant to a Demand Registration are to be sold in a firm commitment underwritten offering, and the managing underwriter or underwriters advise the Company and/or the holders of such securities in writing that in its reasonable view the total number or dollar amount of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in such offering (including securities proposed to be included by other holders of securities entitled to include securities in such Registration Statement pursuant to incidental or piggyback registration rights) exceeds the number of Registrable Securities that can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the success of such offering, then there shall be included in such firm commitment underwritten offering the number or dollar amount of Registrable Securities that in the good faith opinion of such managing underwriter can be sold without adversely affecting such offering, and such number of Registrable Securities shall be allocated as follows, unless such managing underwriter requires a different allocation ( provided , that the Apollo Shareholder and the other Shareholders are in any event treated in a substantially similar and proportionate manner):

 

(i)                                      first , to the Shareholder who delivered a Demand Notice pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii)   and the holders of Registrable Securities who responded to the Notice delivered by the IPO Corporation pursuant to the third paragraph of Section 3(a)  above, pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities directly or indirectly held by each such holder and its Permitted Transferees;

 

(ii)                                   second , to the IPO Corporation, the number of Registrable Securities requested by the IPO Corporation (as the case may be) for inclusion in such offering; and

 

(iii)                                third , to any other Persons, other shares of Common Stock requested by such other Persons (as the case may be) for inclusion in such offering pursuant to this Agreement or any other registration rights granted by the Company or the IPO Corporation.

 

For purposes of any underwriter cutback, all Registrable Securities held by any Shareholder shall also include any Registrable Securities held by the Permitted Transferees of any such holder; provided , that such holder and its Permitted Transferee shall be deemed to be a single selling holder, and any pro rata reduction (unless the managing underwriter requires a different allocation) with respect to such selling holder shall be based upon the aggregate amount of Registrable Securities owned by such selling holder and its Permitted Transferees. No

 

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securities excluded from the underwriting by reason of the underwriter’s marketing limitation shall be included in such registration.

 

(c)                                   Postponement of Demand Registration . The IPO Corporation, with the approval of the Board shall be entitled to postpone (but not more than once in any twelve-month period), for a reasonable period of time not in excess of thirty (30) days, the filing of a Registration Statement or suspend the use of an effective Registration Statement for such period of time if the IPO Corporation delivers to the holders requesting the Demand Registration a certificate signed by both the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the IPO Corporation certifying that, in the good faith judgment of the Board (after consultation with its outside counsel), such registration and offering (i) would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect or materially interfere with any bona fide and reasonably imminent material financing or other material transaction of the IPO Corporation under consideration by the IPO Corporation or (ii) would require public disclosure of material information that has not been disclosed to the public, which information (A) would be required to be disclosed in any Registration Statement so that such Registration Statement would not be materially misleading, (B) would not be required to be disclosed at such time but for the filing, effectiveness or continued use of such Registration Statement, and (C) the premature disclosure of which would materially adversely affect the IPO Corporation. Such certificate shall be delivered by the IPO Corporation promptly after the delivery of the Demand Notice with respect to such Demand Registration and shall contain a statement in reasonable detail of the reasons for such postponement or suspension and an approximation of the anticipated delay or length of suspension. The holders receiving such certificate shall keep the information contained in such certificate confidential subject to the same terms set forth in Section 6(p)  and, if the certificate relates to the suspension of use of an effective Registration Statement, shall discontinue sales under the Registration Statement. If the IPO Corporation shall so postpone the filing of a Registration Statement, the Shareholder(s) requesting such registration shall have the right to withdraw the request for registration by giving written notice to the IPO Corporation within twenty (20) days of the anticipated termination date of the postponement period, as provided in the certificate delivered to the holders. The IPO Corporation shall promptly notify the selling holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3(c) . In the event that the IPO Corporation exercises its rights under this Section 3(c) , it shall, as promptly as practicable following the expiration of the applicable deferral or suspension period, file or update and use its reasonable best efforts to cause the effectiveness of as applicable, the applicable deferred or suspended Registration Statement.

 

(d)                                  Cancellation of a Demand Registration . The Shareholder that delivered the Demand Notice to the IPO Corporation in connection with an offering pursuant to this Section 3 shall have the right to notify the IPO Corporation that it has determined that the Registration Statement filed in connection with such offering be abandoned or withdrawn, in which event the IPO Corporation shall abandon or withdraw such Registration Statement. In the event of an IPO, the IPO Corporation shall abandon or withdraw such Registration Statement upon receiving the approval of the Board or the Coordination Committee, as applicable, to do so. In each case, the Shareholder that delivered the Demand Notice with respect to a Registration Statement that has been abandoned or withdrawn pursuant to this Section 3(d)  shall be entitled to an additional Demand Registration in lieu thereof.

 

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(e)                                   Number of Demand Notices . Subject to the provisions of Section 3(a) , in connection with the provisions of this Section 3 , the Apollo Shareholder shall have five (5) Demand Notices with respect to Long-Form Registrations and each Principal Shareholder shall have two (2) Demand Notices with respect to Long-Form Registrations which they are permitted to deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the IPO Corporation hereunder. Each Shareholder shall have an unlimited number of Demand Notices with respect to Short-Form Registrations which they are permitted to deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the IPO Corporation hereunder.

 

(f)                                    Registration Statement Form . If any registration requested pursuant to this Section 3 which is proposed by the IPO Corporation to be effected by the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or any successor or similar short-form registration statement) shall be in connection with an underwritten Public Offering, and if the managing underwriter shall advise the IPO Corporation in writing that, in its reasonable opinion, the use of another form of Registration Statement is of material importance to the success of such proposed offering or is otherwise required by applicable law, then such registration shall be effected on such other form.

 

Section 4.                                            Piggyback Registration .

 

(a)                                  Right to Piggyback . Except with respect to a Demand Registration, the procedures for which are addressed in Section 3 , if the IPO Corporation proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of Common Stock, whether or not for sale for its own account (other than a Registration Statement (i) on Form S-4, Form S-8 or any successor forms thereto or (ii) filed solely in connection with an exchange offer or any employee benefit or dividend reinvestment plan), then, each such time, the IPO Corporation shall give prompt written notice of such filing no later than five (5) days after the filing date (the “ Piggyback Notice ”) to all of the Shareholders. The Piggyback Notice shall offer such holders the opportunity to include (or cause to be included) in such Registration Statement the number of Registrable Securities as each such holder may request (a “ Piggyback Registration ”). Subject to Section 4(b) , the IPO Corporation shall include in each such Piggyback Registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the IPO Corporation has received written requests for inclusion therein within five (5) days after the Piggyback Notice has been given to the applicable holder (the “ Piggyback Response ”). The IPO Corporation shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement for a Piggyback Registration beyond the earlier to occur of (A) 180 days after the effective date thereof, and (B) consummation of the distribution by the holders of the Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in connection with an IPO in which the Apollo Shareholder or a Principal Shareholder is selling (or causing to be sold) shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such holder on a secondary basis, the IPO Corporation shall be required to deliver a Piggyback Notice and in such event, on a pro rata basis (based on the number of shares of Common Stock that the Apollo Shareholder or such Principal Shareholder is proposing to sell in such IPO), all such holders of Registrable Securities shall have the right to participate in such offering with the Apollo Shareholder or such Principal Shareholder, as the case may be.

 

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(b)                                  Priority on Piggyback Registrations . The IPO Corporation shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit Shareholders who have submitted a Piggyback Response in connection with such offering to include in such offering all Registrable Securities included in each holder’s Piggyback Response on the same terms and conditions as any other shares of Common Stock, if any, of the IPO Corporation included in such offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such underwritten offering have informed the IPO Corporation in writing that it is their good faith opinion that the total amount of securities that such holders, the IPO Corporation and any other Persons having rights to participate in such registration, intend to include in such offering exceeds the number that can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the success of such offering, then there shall be included in such offering the number or dollar amount of such securities that in the good faith opinion of such managing underwriter or underwriters can be sold without adversely affecting such offering, and such number of securities shall be allocated as follows, unless such managing underwriter or underwriters requires a different allocation:

 

(i)                                      if such offering was initiated by the IPO Corporation with respect to Registrable Securities proposed to be registered for the IPO Corporation’s own account, then:

 

(A)                                first , to the IPO Corporation, the number of Registrable Securities proposed by the IPO Corporation for inclusion in such offering;

 

(B)                                second , to the holders of Registrable Securities who have delivered a Piggyback Response pursuant to Section 4(a)  above, pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities directly or indirectly held by each such holder and its Permitted Transferees; and

 

(C)                                third , to any other Persons, other shares of Common Stock requested by such other Persons (as the case may be) for inclusion in such offering pursuant to this Agreement or any other registration rights granted to the Company or the IPO Corporation; or

 

(ii)                                   other than with respect to a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 3(a) , in which case the priority in the allocation of Registrable Securities shall be as set forth in Section 3(b) , if such offering was not initiated by the IPO Corporation with respect to Registrable Securities proposed to be registered for the IPO Corporation’s own account, then:

 

(A)                                first , to the holder of Registrable Securities for whose account such offering was initiated by the IPO Corporation and the holders of Registrable Securities who have delivered a Piggyback Response pursuant to Section 4(a)  above, pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities directly or indirectly held by each such holder and its Permitted Transferees;

 

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(B)                                second , to the IPO Corporation, the number of Registrable Securities requested by the IPO Corporation (as the case may be) for inclusion in such offering; and

 

(C)                                third , to any other Persons, other shares of Common Stock requested by such other Persons (as the case may be) for inclusion in such offering pursuant to this Agreement or any other registration rights granted by the Company or the IPO Corporation.

 

(c)                                   Shelf-Take Downs . At any time that a shelf-registration statement providing for sales of Common Stock on a delayed or continuous basis covering Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 3 or Section 4 is effective, if any holder or group of holders of Registrable Securities (“ Shelf Holders ”) delivers a notice to the IPO Corporation (a “ Take-Down Notice ”) stating that it intends to effect an underwritten offering of all or part of its Registrable Securities included by it on the shelf-registration statement (a “ Shelf Underwritten Offering ”), then, the IPO Corporation shall amend or supplement the shelf-registration statement as may be necessary in order to enable such Registrable Securities to be distributed pursuant to the Shelf Underwritten Offering (taking into account the inclusion of Registrable Securities by any other holders pursuant to this Section 4(c)) provided , that the IPO Corporation shall not be required to effect a Shelf Underwritten Offering if the aggregate offering price of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering is not reasonably expected to exceed $25,000,000. In connection with any Shelf Underwritten Offering:

 

(i)                                      the IPO Corporation or such Shelf Holders shall also deliver the Take-Down Notice to all other holders of Registrable Securities included on such shelf-registration statement and permit each such holder to sell its Registrable Securities included on the shelf-registration statement in the Shelf Underwritten Offering if such holder notifies the proposing holders and the IPO Corporation within five (5) days after delivery of the Take-Down Notice to such holder; and

 

(ii)                                   in the event that the underwriter determines and advises the IPO Corporation and such Shelf Holders in writing that, in its reasonable view, marketing factors (including an adverse effect on the per share offering price) require a limitation on the number of Registrable Securities which would otherwise be included in such take down, the underwriter may limit the number of Registrable Securities which would otherwise be included in such take-down offering in the same manner as described in Section 3(b)  or Section 4(b) , as applicable, with respect to a limitation of shares to be included in a registration.

 

If a Shelf Holder desires to effect a sale of Registrable Securities registered under a shelf-registration statement that does not constitute a Shelf Underwritten Offering (a “ Non-Marketed Take-Down ”), such Shelf Holder shall so indicate in a written request delivered to the IPO Corporation no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the expected date of such Non- Marketed Take-Down, and, if necessary, the IPO Corporation shall file and effect an amendment or supplement to its shelf-registration statement for such purpose as soon as practicable.

 

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Section 5.                                            Restrictions on Public Sale by Holders of Registrable Securities . Each Shareholder agrees, in connection with an IPO, and each holder of Registrable Securities agrees, in connection with any underwritten offering (other than an IPO) made pursuant to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 or Section 4 (whether or not such holder elected to include Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement), if requested (pursuant to a written notice) by the managing underwriter or underwriters in an underwritten offering, not to effect any public sale or distribution of any of the IPO Corporation’s Common Stock (except as part of such underwritten offering), including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 or any swap or other economic arrangement that transfers to another Person any of the economic consequences of owning shares of Common Stock, or to give any Demand Notice during the period commencing on the date of the request (which shall be no earlier than fourteen (14) days prior to the expected “pricing” of such offering) and continuing for not more than 180 days, with respect to an IPO, or ninety (90) days, with respect to any underwritten offering other than an IPO, after the date of the Prospectus relating to such offering (or final Prospectus supplement if such offering is made pursuant to a “shelf” registration), pursuant to which such offering shall be made, plus an extension period, which shall be no longer than 34 days, as may be proposed by the managing underwriter to address FINRA regulations regarding the publishing of research, or such lesser period as is required by the managing underwriter. The IPO Corporation shall be responsible for negotiating all “lock-up” agreements with the underwriters, which agreements shall be on customary terms and each of the Shareholders shall be subject to substantially similar terms (in a proportionate manner) thereunder. The IPO Corporation shall give each of the Apollo Shareholder and the Principal Shareholders a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such “lock-up” agreements (other than any terms or provisions therein relating to the duration of the lock-up period) and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to incorporate any such comments. In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Section 5 , the Shareholders agree to execute the form so negotiated. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, in the event that the IPO Corporation or underwriters release any party to a “lock-up” agreement from any or all of such party’s obligations thereunder, all Shareholders and holders of Registrable Securities shall be similarly released from their obligations thereunder in the same manner and to the same extent as such released party, and each “lock-up” agreement shall contain a provision to such effect.

 

If any registration pursuant to Section 3 is made in connection with any underwritten Public Offering, the IPO Corporation will not effect any public sale or distribution of any common equity (or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common equity) (other than a Registration Statement (i) on Form S-4, Form S-8 or any successor forms thereto or (ii) filed solely in connection with an exchange offer or any employee benefit or dividend reinvestment plan) for its own account, within ninety (90) days or, if such registration is with respect to an IPO, within 180 days after the effective date of such registration, except as may otherwise be agreed between the IPO Corporation and the managing underwriter or underwriters of such Public Offering.

 

Section 6.                                            Registration Procedures . If and whenever the IPO Corporation is required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in Section 3 or Section 4 , the IPO Corporation shall effect such registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition

 

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thereof, and pursuant thereto the IPO Corporation shall cooperate in the sale of the securities and shall, as expeditiously as possible:

 

(a)                                  prepare and file, in each case as promptly as practicable, with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on such form as shall be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the holders thereof or by the IPO Corporation in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, make all required filings by the Company with FINRA and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable and to remain effective as provided herein; provided however , that before filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto (including documents that would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference), the IPO Corporation shall furnish or otherwise make available to the holders of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed (including exhibits thereto), which documents will be subject to the reasonable review and comment of such counsel, and such other documents reasonably requested by such counsel, including any comment letter from the SEC and any documents incorporated by reference therein, and, if requested by such counsel, provide such counsel reasonable opportunity to participate in the preparation of such Registration Statement and each Prospectus included therein and such other opportunities to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act, including reasonable access to the IPO Corporation’s books and records, officers, accountants and other advisors; and the IPO Corporation shall not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto (including such documents that, upon filing, would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein) with respect to a Demand Registration to which the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, their counsel, or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object, in writing, on a timely basis, unless, in the opinion of counsel for the IPO Corporation, such filing is necessary to comply with applicable law or regulation;

 

(b)                                  prepare and file with the SEC such amendments, post-effective amendments and supplements to each Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith, and such Exchange Act reports as may be reasonably requested by the holders of Registrable Securities or necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective during the period provided herein and comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement; and cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus supplement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of the securities covered by such Registration Statement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act; provided , that if the Company prepares any such amendments, post-effective amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any such Exchange Act report, the holders of Registrable Securities and their respective counsel shall have a reasonable period of time prior to the filing thereof in which to review and comment thereon, which period shall, in any event, be no less than two (2) Business Days;

 

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(c)                                   notify each selling holder of Registrable Securities, its counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly, and (if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing, (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) if at any time the IPO Corporation has reason to believe that the representations and warranties of the IPO Corporation contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 6(o)  below cease to be true and correct, (v) of the receipt by the IPO Corporation of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such purpose, and (vi) if the IPO Corporation has knowledge of the occurrence of any event that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (which notice shall notify the selling holders of the occurrence of such an event and need not provide additional information regarding such event to the extent such information would constitute material non-public information);

 

(d)                                  use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the entry of or obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest date reasonably practicable;

 

(e)                                   if requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities being sold in connection with an underwritten offering, promptly include in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriters, if any, and such holders may reasonably request in order to permit or facilitate the intended method of distribution of such securities and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the IPO Corporation has received such request; provided however , that the IPO Corporation shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 6(e)  that are not, in the opinion of counsel for the IPO Corporation, in compliance with applicable law or regulation;

 

(f)                                    furnish or make available to each selling holder of Registrable Securities, its counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, without charge, at least one conformed copy of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and Prospectus supplements, if applicable, and each post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements (but excluding schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by

 

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reference, and all exhibits, unless requested in writing by such holder, counsel or underwriter); provided , that the IPO Corporation may furnish or make available any such documents in electronic format;

 

(g)                                   deliver to each selling holder of Registrable Securities, its counsel, and the underwriters, if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of Prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons may reasonably request from time to time in connection with the distribution of the Registrable Securities; provided , that the IPO Corporation may furnish or make available any such documents in electronic format; and the IPO Corporation, subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6 , hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling holders of Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any such amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(h)                                  prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling holders of Registrable Securities, the underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any seller or underwriter reasonably requests in writing and to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and to take any other action that may be necessary or advisable to enable such holders of Registrable Securities to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdiction; provided , however , that the IPO Corporation will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or (ii) take any action that would subject it to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

 

(i)                                      cooperate with the selling holders of Registrable Securities and the managing underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any legends) representing Registrable Securities to be sold after receiving written representations from each holder of such Registrable Securities that the Registrable Securities represented by the certificates so delivered by such holder will be transferred in accordance with the Registration Statement, and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriters, if any, or holders may request at least two (2) Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities in a firm commitment public offering, but in any other such sale, within ten (10) Business Days prior to having to issue the securities;

 

(j)                                     use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities within the United States as may be necessary or advisable to enable the seller or sellers of such Registrable Securities or the underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the nature of such selling holder’s business, in which case the IPO Corporation

 

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will cooperate in all reasonable respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and the granting of such approvals;

 

(k)                                  promptly upon the occurrence of, and its knowledge of, any event contemplated by Sections 6(c)(ii)  or (vi)  above, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, such Prospectus responds to such comments or requests for amendments, will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and as such Registration Statement responds to such comments or request for amendments, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading;

 

(1)                                  prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities, provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable Securities;

 

(m)                              provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

 

(n)                                  use its reasonable best efforts to cause all shares of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement to be listed or authorized for quotation or trading on a national securities exchange or automated quotation system if shares of the particular class of Registrable Securities are at that time listed, quoted or traded on such exchange or automated quotation system, as the case may be, prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement (or, if such Registration is an IPO, use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be approved for listing or authorized for quotation or trading promptly upon the effectiveness of such Registration Statement);

 

(o)                                  in connection with any underwritten offering, enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement in form, scope and substance as is customary in underwritten offerings) and take all such other actions reasonably requested by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection therewith (including those reasonably requested by the managing underwriters, if any) to expedite or facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities in such underwritten offering, and in such connection, whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an underwritten registration, (i) make such representations and warranties to the holders of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, with respect to the business of the IPO Corporation and its Subsidiaries, and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and, if true, confirm the same if and when requested, (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to furnish to the selling holders of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters for such underwritten offering, opinions and Rule 10b-5 letters of outside counsel to the IPO Corporation

 

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and updates thereof (which counsel and its opinions and letters (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters, if any, and counsels to the selling holders of the Registrable Securities), addressed to each selling holder of Registrable Securities and each of the underwriters, if any, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such counsel and underwriters, (iii) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain “cold comfort” letters and updates thereof from the independent certified public accountants of the IPO Corporation (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any Subsidiary of the IPO Corporation or of any business acquired by the IPO Corporation for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement) who have certified the financial statements included in such Registration Statement, addressed to each selling holder of Registrable Securities (unless such accountants shall be prohibited from so addressing such letters by applicable standards of the accounting profession) and each of the underwriters, if any, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “cold comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings, (iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain indemnification and contribution provisions and procedures substantially to the effect set forth in Section 8 with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section except as otherwise approved by the Board, and (v) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold pursuant to such Registration Statement, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties made pursuant to Section 6(o)(i)   above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the IPO Corporation. The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting or similar agreement (or at such other time as may be required thereunder), or as and to the extent required thereunder;

 

(p)                                  make available for inspection by a representative of the selling holders of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable Securities, if any, and any attorneys or accountants retained by such selling holders or underwriter, at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the IPO Corporation and its Subsidiaries, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the IPO Corporation and its Subsidiaries to supply all information, in each case reasonably requested by any such representative, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement; provided however , that any information that is not generally publicly available at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such Persons unless (i) disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order, (ii) disclosure of such information, in the opinion of counsel to such Person, is required by law or applicable legal process, or (iii) such information becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a non-permitted disclosure or failure to safeguard by such Person. In the case of a proposed disclosure pursuant to (i) or (ii) above, such Person shall be required to give the IPO Corporation written notice of the proposed disclosure prior to such disclosure and, if requested by the IPO Corporation, assist the IPO Corporation in seeking to prevent or limit the proposed disclosure. Without limiting the foregoing, no such information shall be used by such Person as the basis for any market transactions in securities of the IPO Corporation or its Subsidiaries in violation of law;

 

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(q)                                  cause its officers to use their reasonable best efforts to support the marketing of the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement (including participation in “road shows”) taking into account the IPO Corporation’s business needs;

 

(r)                                     cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA;

 

(s)                                    use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available as soon as reasonably practicable, an earning statement covering the period of at least twelve months, but not more than eighteen months, beginning with the first month after the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder; and

 

(t)                                     use its reasonable best efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.

 

The IPO Corporation may require each holder of Registrable Securities that has requested to have securities registered pursuant to Section 3 or Section 4 or that has requested to sell stock in a Shelf Underwritten Offering to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the IPO Corporation in writing such information required in connection with such registration or sale regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the IPO Corporation may, from time to time, reasonably request in writing and the IPO Corporation may exclude from such registration or sale the Registrable Securities of any holder who unreasonably fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request.

 

The IPO Corporation shall not file any Registration Statement with respect to any Registrable Securities, or any Prospectus used in connection therewith, and shall not file or make any amendment to any such Registration Statement or any amendment of or supplement to any such Prospectus, that refers to any Shareholder covered thereby by name, or otherwise identifies such Shareholder as the holder of any securities of the IPO Corporation, without the consent of such Shareholder, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, unless and to the extent such disclosure is required by law or regulation, in which case the IPO Corporation shall provide written notice to such Shareholder no less than two (2) Business Days prior to the filing of such Registration Statement or any amendment to any such Registration Statement or any Prospectus used in connection therewith or any amendment of or supplement to any such Prospectus. In addition, the IPO Corporation shall not file any Registration Statement with respect to any Registrable Securities, or any Prospectus used in connection therewith, and shall not file or make any amendment to any such Registration Statement or any amendment of or supplement to any such Prospectus, that refers to any Principal Shareholder by name, or otherwise identifies such Principal Shareholder as the holder of any securities of the IPO Corporation, without also referring to any other Principal Shareholder who requests to be named or otherwise identified therein.

 

If the IPO Corporation files any shelf-registration statement on Form S-3 for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other than the Shareholders, the IPO Corporation

 

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agrees that it shall use reasonable best efforts to include in such registration statement such disclosures as may be required by Rule 430B under the Securities Act (referring to the unnamed selling security holders in a generic manner by identifying the initial offering of the securities to the Shareholders) in order to permit the Shareholders to be added to such shelf-registration statement at a later time through the filing of a Prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment.

 

Each holder of Registrable Securities agrees if such holder has Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement that, upon receipt of any notice from the IPO Corporation of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in Sections 6(c)(ii) , 6(c)(iii) , 6(c)(iv)   or 6(c)(v) , such holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus until such holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(k) , or until it is advised in writing by the IPO Corporation that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus; provided however , that the time periods under Section 3 with respect to the length of time that the effectiveness of a Registration Statement must be maintained shall automatically be extended by the amount of time the holder is required to discontinue disposition of such securities.

 

Section 7.                                            Registration Expenses . All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the IPO Corporation (including (i) all registration and filing fees (including fees and expenses with respect to (A) filings required to be made with the SEC, all applicable securities exchanges and/or FINRA and (B) compliance with securities or “blue sky” laws, including any fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with “blue sky” qualifications of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 6(h) ), (ii) printing expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing Prospectuses if the printing of Prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses of the IPO Corporation, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the IPO Corporation, (v) expenses of the IPO Corporation incurred in connection with any road show, (vi) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 6(o)(iii)   (including the expenses of any “cold comfort” letters required by this Agreement) and any other Persons, including special experts retained by the IPO Corporation, and (vii) fees and disbursements of one counsel for the holders of Registrable Securities whose shares are included in a Registration Statement, which counsel shall be selected by (x) if the Apollo Shareholder delivers a Demand Notice, the Apollo Shareholder or (y) if any Principal Shareholder delivers a Demand Notice, such Principal Shareholder (which counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to the IPO Corporation), in each case, if such Shareholders (as the case may be) are making a Demand Registration (and otherwise, by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection therewith)) shall be borne by the IPO Corporation whether or not any Registration Statement is filed or becomes effective. In addition, the IPO Corporation shall pay its internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit, the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the IPO Corporation are then listed

 

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and rating agency fees and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the IPO Corporation.

 

The IPO Corporation shall not be required to pay (i) fees and disbursements of any counsel retained by any holder of Registrable Securities or by any underwriter (except as set forth in clauses (i)(B) and (vii) of the first paragraph of this Section 7 ), (ii) any underwriter’s fees (including discounts, commissions or fees of underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers or similar securities industry professionals) relating to the distribution of the Registrable Securities (other than with respect to Registrable Securities sold by the IPO Corporation), (iii) subject to Section 8 , any other expenses of the holders of Registrable Securities not specifically required to be paid by the IPO Corporation pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 7 , or (iv) any expenses incurred in connection with any offering of Registrable Securities proposed to be registered by a holder of Registrable Securities at such time when such Registrable Securities may be sold without limitation as to volume pursuant to Rule 144 (“ Rule 144 Eligible Securities ”), which expenses, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, shall be borne by such holder; provided however , that such expenses shall be borne by the IPO Corporation in connection with any underwritten offering of Rule 144 Eligible Securities proposed or requested to be registered pursuant to (A) any Long-Form Registration initiated by the Apollo Shareholder or any of the Principal Shareholders, as the case may be, pursuant to clause (ii)(A) of Section 3(a) , (B) the first two (2) Short-Form Registrations initiated by each Shareholder pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of Section 3(a) , or (C) any Piggyback Registration pursuant to Section 4(a) .

 

Section 8.                                            Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  Indemnification by the IPO Corporation . The IPO Corporation shall, without limitation as to time, indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each holder of Registrable Securities whose Registrable Securities are covered by a Registration Statement or Prospectus, the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees of each of them, each Person who controls each such holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees of each such controlling Person, each underwriter, if any, and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) such underwriter, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and any legal or other fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or Proceeding), expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, charges and amounts paid in settlement or Proceedings in respect thereof (collectively, “ Losses ”), as incurred, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, disclosure package, Prospectus, offering circular, or other document (including any related Registration Statement, notification, or the like) or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein) incident to any such registration, qualification, or compliance, or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any violation by the IPO Corporation of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder applicable to the IPO Corporation

 

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and (without limitation of the preceding portions of this Section 8(a) ) will reimburse each such holder, each of its officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees and each Person who controls each such holder and the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees of each such controlling Person, each such underwriter, and each Person who controls any such underwriter, for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and defending or settling any such Losses; provided , that the IPO Corporation shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such Losses arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or omission by such holder or underwriter, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is made in such Registration Statement, disclosure package, Prospectus, offering circular or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the IPO Corporation by or on behalf of such holder or underwriter for use therein. It is agreed that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8(a)  shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Losses (or Proceedings in respect thereof) if such settlement is effected without the consent of the IPO Corporation (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

(b)                                  Indemnification by Holder of Registrable Securities . The IPO Corporation may require, as a condition to including any Registrable Securities in any Registration Statement filed in accordance with this Agreement, that the IPO Corporation shall have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from the prospective seller of such Registrable Securities to indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, severally and not jointly with any other holders of Registrable Securities, the IPO Corporation, its officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees and each Person who controls the IPO Corporation (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents, employees of each such controlling Person and all other prospective sellers, from and against all Losses arising out of or based on any untrue statement of a material fact contained in any such Registration Statement, Prospectus, offering circular, or other document, or any omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and to (without limitation of the portions of this Section 8(b) ) reimburse the IPO Corporation, its officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees and each Person who controls the IPO Corporation (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents, employees of each such controlling Person and all other prospective sellers for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such Losses, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is made in such Registration Statement, Prospectus, offering circular, or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the IPO Corporation by or on behalf of such holder for inclusion in such Registration Statement, Prospectus, offering circular or other document; provided however , that the obligations of such holder hereunder shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Loss (or Proceedings in respect thereof) if such settlement is effected without the consent of such holder (which consent shall not be

 

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unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); and provided , further , that the liability of such holder of Registrable Securities shall be limited to the net proceeds received by such selling holder from the sale of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement.

 

(c)                                   Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings . If any Person shall be entitled to indemnity pursuant to Section 8(a)  or Section 8(b)  (an “ Indemnified Party ”), such Indemnified Party shall give prompt notice to the party from which such indemnity is sought (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) of any claim or of the commencement of any Proceeding with respect to which such Indemnified Party seeks indemnification or contribution pursuant hereto; provided however , that the delay or failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any obligation or liability except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party has been materially prejudiced by such delay or failure. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, exercisable by giving written notice to an Indemnified Party promptly after the receipt of written notice from such Indemnified Party of such claim or Proceeding, to assume, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, the defense of any such claim or Proceeding, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party; provided however , that an Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such claim or Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless: (i) the Indemnifying Party agrees to pay such fees and expenses; (ii) the Indemnifying Party fails promptly to assume, or in any event within thirty (30) days; (iii) the Indemnified Party reasonably concludes, based on the advice of counsel, that a conflict of interest exists between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party in the defense of such claim or Proceeding; or (iv) the Indemnifying Party fails to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, in which case the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to assume the defense of such claim or Proceeding at the Indemnifying Party’s expense; provided further however , that the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any one such claim or Proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related claims or Proceedings in the same jurisdiction, arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one firm of attorneys (together with appropriate local counsel) at any time for all of the Indemnified Parties (unless there is an actual conflict of interest between one or more of the Indemnified Parties and the Indemnifying Party has been notified in writing of such conflict, in which case such conflicted Indemnified Parties or group of conflicted Indemnified Parties (as the case may be) may be represented by separate counsel, the fees and expenses of whom shall be borne by the Indemnifying Party), or for fees and expenses that are not reasonable. Whether or not such defense is assumed by the Indemnifying Party, such Indemnifying Party will not be subject to any liability for any settlement made without its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld). The Indemnifying Party shall not consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that (x) does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder or (y) involves the imposition of equitable remedies or any obligations on the Indemnified Party or materially adversely affects such Indemnified Party other than as a result of financial obligations for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

 

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(d)                                  Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8   is unavailable to an Indemnified Party in respect of any Losses (other than in accordance with its terms), then each applicable Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and such Indemnified Party, on the other hand, from the sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above, but also the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and such Indemnified Party, on the other hand, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and Indemnified Party, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made (or omitted) by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent any such action, statement or omission. The Parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d)  were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding sentence. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8(d) , an Indemnifying Party that is a selling holder of Registrable Securities shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount that such Indemnifying Party has otherwise been, or would otherwise be, required to pay pursuant to Section 8(b)  by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 12(g) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

(e)                                   To the extent that any of the holders is, or would be expected to be, deemed to be an underwriter of Registrable Securities pursuant to any SEC comments or policies or any court of law or otherwise, the IPO Corporation agrees that (i) the indemnification and contribution provisions contained in this Section 8 shall be applicable to the benefit of such holder in its role as deemed underwriter in addition to its capacity as a holder (so long as the amount for which any other holder is or becomes responsible does not exceed the amount for which such holder would be responsible if the holder were not deemed to be an underwriter of Registrable Securities) and (ii) such holder and its representatives shall be entitled to conduct the due diligence which would normally be conducted in connection with an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act, including receipt of customary opinions, Rule 10b-5 letters and comfort letters.

 

(f)                                    Indemnification similar to that specified in the preceding provisions of this Section 8 (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by the IPO Corporation and each seller of Registrable Securities with respect to any required registration or other qualification of securities under any law or regulation (other than the Securities Act) of any Governmental Authority.

 

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(g)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering are in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting agreement shall control.

 

Section 9.                                            Rule 144 .

 

(a)                                  After an IPO, the IPO Corporation shall (i) use best efforts to file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in a timely manner (or, if the IPO Corporation is not required to file such reports, upon the request of the Apollo Shareholder or any Principal Shareholder, make publicly available such information), (ii) take such further action as any holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request to permit sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144, and (iii) promptly furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities forthwith upon written request, (x) a written statement by the IPO Corporation as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (y) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the IPO Corporation, and (z) such other reports and documents so filed by the IPO Corporation as such holder may reasonably request in availing itself of Rule 144, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemption provided by Rule 144. Upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities, the IPO Corporation shall deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements and, if not, the specifics thereof.

 

(b)                                  The foregoing provisions of this Section 9 are not intended to modify or otherwise affect any restrictions on Transfers of Units contained in the LLC Agreement.

 

Section 10.                                     Underwritten Registrations; Registration Participation Requirements .

 

(a)                                  In connection with any underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and managers shall be selected by (i) the Shareholder issuing the Demand Notice under Section 3(a)  in a Demand Registration, which selection shall be subject to approval by the IPO Corporation, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and (ii) the IPO Corporation in all other cases, including any Piggyback Registration and any IPO.

 

(b)                                  No Person may participate in any registration hereunder unless such Person (i) agrees to sell the Registrable Securities it desires to have covered by a Registration Statement on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements in customary form and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements in customary form and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided , that (A) such Person shall not be required to make any representations or warranties other than those related to title and ownership of such Person’s Registrable Securities being sold and as to the accuracy and completeness of statements made in a Registration Statement, Prospectus, offering circular, or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the IPO Corporation or the managing underwriter by such Person pertaining exclusively to such Person for use therein, (B) such

 

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Person shall not be required to sell more than the number of Registrable Securities that such Person has requested to include in any registration, and (C) if such Person disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such Person may elect, prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the IPO Corporation, the managing underwriters and, in the case of a Demand Registration, the Shareholder that requested such Demand Registration; provided , that such Person shall not be permitted to withdraw from such registration after the inclusion of an offering price range in any applicable registration statement if, in the good faith opinion of the managing underwriter or underwriters, such withdrawal would adversely affect the success or the offering price of the securities to be sold pursuant to such registration.

 

(c)                                   Without limiting any rights or remedies available to the Company and the other Class A Members at law or in equity, if any Class A Member does not make the Capital Contributions to the Company as required pursuant to Section 5.01(a) and Section 5.01(b) of the LLC Agreement, the Company and such other Class A Members shall be entitled to those remedies set forth in Section 5.01(a) and Section 5.01(b) of the LLC Agreement, including the forfeiture of the rights under this Agreement of such Class A Member that does not make the additional Capital Contributions required under Section 5.01(b) of the LLC Agreement, until such time as such Class A Member has made the Capital Contributions to the Company required by Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) of the LLC Agreement, as applicable.

 

Section 11.                                     Management Shareholders . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, EMI shall not be deemed a Shareholder or (subject to the proviso in Section 5.01(b)(ii) of the LLC Agreement) have any rights under this Agreement, unless and until EMI has funded its Capital Contribution on or prior to the Management Class A Funding Date pursuant to Section 5.01(a)(iv) of the LLC Agreement.

 

Section 12.                                     Miscellaneous .

 

(a)                                  Amendments and Waivers . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented, and any provision hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument duly approved by the Board and the Class A Members that together hold, in the aggregate, at least a sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Class A Units then outstanding and duly executed by the Company; provided however , that the Company may, without the consent of any other Party, amend or modify this Agreement or waive any provision of this Agreement (other than this Section 12(a) ), pursuant to a written instrument duly approved by the Board to the extent necessary in connection with the issuance of new Units, membership interests or other securities of the Company in accordance with, and subject to the limitations set forth in the LLC Agreement; provided further , that no amendment, modification or waiver which would disproportionately and materially adversely affect the interests of any Party hereunder shall be effective without the written approval of such Party.

 

(b)                                  Notices .

 

(i)                                      Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all notices, requests and other communications to any Party hereunder shall be in writing (including

 

27



 

a facsimile or similar writing) and shall be given to such Party at the address or facsimile number specified for such Party on Schedule A or Schedule D to the LLC Agreement, as applicable (or in the case of the Company, Section 12(b)(ii) ) or as such Party shall hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other Parties. Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (A) if personally delivered, on the date of such delivery, (B) if given by facsimile, at the time such facsimile is transmitted and the appropriate confirmation is received, (C) if delivered by an internationally-recognized overnight courier, on the next Business Day after the date when sent, (D) if delivered by registered or certified mail, three (3) Business Days (or, if to an address outside the United States, seven (7) days) after such communication is deposited in the mails with first-class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid, or (E) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified on Schedule A or Schedule D to the LLC Agreement, as applicable, or in Section 12(b)(ii) .

 

(ii)                                   All notices, requests or other communications to the Company or the IPO Corporation, as the case may be, hereunder shall be delivered to the Company or the IPO Corporation, as the case may be, at the following address and/or facsimile number in accordance with the provisions of Section 12(b)(i) :

 

c/o Apollo Management VII, L.P.

Apollo Commodities Management, L.P., with respect to Series I

9 West 57 th  Street

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Gregory Beard and Laurie Medley
Telecopier: (212) 515-3288

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019-6064

Attention: James H. Schwab, Esq.

Telecopier: (212) 757-3990

 

(c)                                   Successors and Assigns; Shareholder Status .

 

(i)                                      This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the Parties, including the IPO Corporation, Permitted Transferees of the Shareholders and subsequent holders of Registrable Securities acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Shareholders in accordance with the LLC Agreement; provided however , that such successor or assign shall not be entitled to such rights unless the successor or assign shall have executed and delivered to the IPO Corporation an Addendum Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (which shall also be executed by the IPO Corporation (which the Company shall cause the IPO Corporation to execute) and the Company) promptly following the acquisition of such Registrable Securities, in which event such successor or assign shall be deemed a Shareholder for purposes of this Agreement. This

 

28


 

Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or remedies upon, and shall not be enforceable by any Person other than the actual Parties hereto (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, any Upper-Tier Investor; provided , that the foregoing exclusion shall not limit the rights of such Upper-Tier Investor under its respective Upper-Tier Agreement to cause the Class A Member in which it directly or indirectly invests to enforce the rights of such Upper-Tier Investor under its respective Upper-Tier Agreement in respect of this Agreement pursuant to the Section 2.11 Principle), their respective successors and permitted assigns, and solely with respect to the provisions of Section 8 , each Indemnified Party.

 

(ii)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Parties hereby acknowledge that the KNOC Member is entering into this Agreement on the date hereof on behalf of a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Korea National Oil Corporation (the “ KNOC Subsidiary ”) and following the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date, the KNOC Member intends to assign its rights (but not its obligations) under this Agreement to the KNOC Subsidiary who shall execute and deliver an Addendum Agreement to the Company on the date of such assignment and the Parties hereby agree that the KNOC Member shall be entitled to assign its rights (but not its obligations) under this Agreement to the KNOC Subsidiary prior to the Closing Date in accordance with this Section 12(c)(ii) .

 

(d)           Additional Parties . From and after the date hereof, any Person to whom Class A Units have been issued or Transferred shall be admitted as a Party and shall be deemed a Party as of the date hereof following the execution and delivery by such Person of an Addendum Agreement to the Company.

 

(e)           Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or pdf attachment to electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart to this Agreement.

 

(f)            Headings; Construction . The titles of Sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are for convenience only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof. The definitions in Section 1 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Sections, Exhibits and Schedules and paragraphs shall be deemed to be references to Sections and paragraphs of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. All Exhibits attached hereto shall be deemed incorporated herein as if set forth in full herein. The terms “clause(s)” and “subparagraph(s)” shall be used herein interchangeably. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” All accounting terms not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings determined by United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and permitted assigns. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement,

 

29



 

instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified, supplemented or restated, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein.

 

(g)           Exhibits . All Exhibits attached to this Agreement are incorporated and shall be treated as if set forth herein.

 

(h)           Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights or obligations of any Party under this Agreement shall not be materially and adversely affected thereby, (i) such provision shall be fully severable, (ii) this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof, (iii) the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance herefrom, and (iv) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

 

(i)            Entire Agreement . This Agreement together with the LLC Agreement and the other agreements referenced in Section 12.08 of the LLC Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the Parties in connection herewith and therewith, and no covenant, representation or condition not expressed in this Agreement, the LLC Agreement or such other agreements referenced in Section 12.08 of the LLC Agreement shall affect, or be effective to interpret, change or restrict, the express provisions of this Agreement.

 

(j)            Securities Held by the IPO Corporation or its Subsidiaries . Whenever the consent or approval of holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the IPO Corporation or its Subsidiaries shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the holders of such required percentage.

 

(k)           Specific Performance . The Parties acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for breaches or violations of this Agreement and that any Party, in addition to any other rights and remedies which the Parties may have hereunder or at law or in equity, may, in its sole discretion, apply to a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with Section 12(n)  for specific performance or injunction or such other equitable relief as such court may deem just and proper in order to enforce this Agreement in the event of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement or prevent any violation hereof and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, each Party hereby waives (i) any objection to the imposition of such relief, and (ii) any requirement for the posting of any bond or similar collateral in connection therewith.

 

(l)            Actions by the Company . If the Company shall be the holder of Registrable Securities, the Company agrees to take, or cause to be taken, such actions as are

 

30



 

necessary to effectuate the rights of the Shareholders with respect to such Registrable Securities hereunder, including (i) making requests and elections at the request of the Shareholders in respect of the Registrable Securities held directly or indirectly by the Company, (ii) providing all notices to the Shareholders in respect of the Registrable Securities held directly or indirectly by the Company that are provided to the Company in respect of such Registrable Securities in order to enable such Shareholders to effectuate the rights provided for herein to holders of Registrable Securities if such Shareholders were the direct holders of the Registrable Securities, and (iii) passing on all rights provided for herein with respect to Registrable Securities to its Shareholders, in each case, solely to the extent such Shareholders would have such rights if they were the holders of such Registrable Securities. In the event the Company is causing such Registrable Securities to be sold on behalf of one or more than one Shareholder and the amount of such Registrable Securities to be sold is the subject of any required cutback as provided herein, the cutback shall be calculated based on the amount of the Registrable Securities allocable to each such Shareholder (including any Units held by Permitted Transferees of such Shareholder) (as if such Shareholder was selling such securities directly as provided hereunder). The Company shall not have any liability to any Shareholder under this Section 12(1)  for any act taken or omitted in good faith.

 

(m)          Term . This Agreement shall terminate with respect to a Shareholder on the date on which such Shareholder ceases to directly or indirectly hold Registrable Securities; provided , that such Shareholder’s rights and obligations pursuant to Section 8 , as well as the IPO Corporation’s obligations to pay expenses pursuant to Section 7 , shall survive with respect to any Registration Statement in which any Registrable Securities of such Shareholders were included and, for the avoidance of doubt, any underwriter lock-up that a Shareholder has executed prior to a Shareholder’s termination in accordance with this clause shall remain in effect in accordance with its terms.

 

(n)           Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws. The Parties hereby declare that it is their intention that this Agreement shall be regarded as made under the laws of the State of Delaware and that the laws of said State shall be applied in interpreting its provisions in all cases where legal interpretation shall be required. Each of the Parties: (i) agrees that this Agreement involves at least US $100,000.00; (ii) agrees that this Agreement has been entered into by the Parties in express reliance upon 6 Del. C. § 2708(a); (iii) irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and of the federal courts sitting in the State of Delaware with respect to all actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (iv) agrees that all claims with respect to any such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such courts and agrees not to commence any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby except in such courts; (v) irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and irrevocably and unconditionally waives the defense of an inconvenient forum; (vi) irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that it is a commercial business entity and is a separate entity distinct from its ultimate equity holder and/or the executive organs of the government of any state and is capable of suing and being sued; (vii) agrees that its entry into this constitutes, and the exercise of its rights and performance of its obligations hereunder

 

31



 

will constitute, private and commercial acts performed for private and commercial purposes that shall not be deemed as being entered into in the exercise of any public function; and (viii) irrevocably appoints The Corporation Trust Company as its agent for the sole purpose of receiving service of process or other legal summons in connection with any such dispute, litigation, action or proceeding brought in such courts and agrees that it will maintain The Corporation Trust Company at all times as its duly appointed agent in the State of Delaware (and the Company shall reasonably assist each Member, to the extent requested by such Member, with such appointment, including by informing The Corporation Trust Company of such appointment and assisting such Member with the delivery of any documentation required for such appointment to The Corporation Trust Company) for the service of any process or summons in connection with any such dispute, litigation, action or proceeding brought in such courts and, if it fails to maintain such an agent during any period, any such process or summons may be served on it by mailing a copy of such process or summons by an internationally-recognized courier service to the address set forth next to its name in Schedule A or Schedule D to the LLC Agreement, as applicable, or with respect to the Company, the address set forth in Section 12(b)(ii) , with such service deemed effective on the fifth day after the date of such mailing; and (ix) agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding and from which no appeal can be made shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. The Parties agree that any violation of this Section 12(n)  shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement and shall constitute irreparable harm. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

(o)           Representation by Counsel . Each of the Parties has been represented by and has had an opportunity to consult with legal counsel in connection with the drafting, negotiation and execution of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage of any Party by any court or arbitrator or any Governmental Authority by reason of such Party having drafted or being deemed to have drafted such provision.

 

(p)           Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure by any Party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, agreement, term or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach of such or any other covenant, agreement, term or condition shall operate as a waiver of such or any other covenant, agreement, term or condition of this Agreement. Any Party by notice given in accordance with Section 12(b)  may, but shall not be under any obligation to, waive any of its rights or conditions to its obligations hereunder, or any duty, obligation or covenant of any other Party. No waiver shall affect or alter the remainder of this Agreement but each and every covenant, agreement, term and condition hereof shall continue in full force and effect with respect to any other then existing or subsequent breach. The rights and remedies provided by this Agreement are cumulative and the exercise of any one right or remedy by any Party shall not preclude or waive its right to exercise any or all other rights or remedies

 

32



 

(q)           Further Assurances . Each Party agrees to execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record such further certificates, amendments, instruments and documents, and to do all such other acts and things, as may be required by law or as, in the reasonable judgment of the Board, may be necessary or advisable to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

 

(r)            No Inconsistent Agreements; Most Favored Nation . Neither the Company nor the IPO Corporation shall hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the holders of Registrable Securities hereunder (for the avoidance of doubt, any agreement that grants or has the effect of granting to any Person demand registration rights or incidental or piggyback registration rights with the same or a higher priority as the rights held by the holders of Registrable Securities hereunder shall be deemed to be inconsistent with or violate the rights granted to the holders of Registrable Securities herein). Neither the Company nor the IPO Corporation shall hereafter enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company or the IPO Corporation giving such Person any registration rights that would be more favorable to such Person than the registration rights granted to the Principal Shareholders or any of their respective Permitted Transferees under this Agreement.

 

(s)            Reliance on Authority of Person Signing Agreement . If a Party is not a natural person, neither the Company nor any other Party will (i) be required to determine the authority of the individual signing this Agreement to make any commitment or undertaking on behalf of such entity or to determine any fact or circumstance bearing upon the existence of the authority of such individual, or (ii) be responsible for the application or distribution of proceeds paid or credited to individuals signing this Agreement on behalf of such entity.

 

(t)             Section 2.11 Principle . The Section 2.11 Principle as it relates to the Class A Members and their Upper-Tier Investors in the LLC Agreement shall also apply to the Shareholders and their Upper-Tier Investors (as the case may be) under this Agreement and shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis.

 

[Signature pages follow.]

 

33



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name:

LAURIE MEDLEY

 

 

Title:

VICE PRESIDENT

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

AIF VII (AIV), L.P.

 

 

 

By:

Apollo Advisors VII (APO DC), L.P.,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

Apollo Advisors VII (APO DC-GP),

 

 

LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name:

LAURIE MEDLEY

 

 

Title:

VICE PRESIDENT

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

AIF PB VII (LS AIV), L.P.

 

 

 

By:

Apollo Advisors VII (APO DC),

 

 

L.P., its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

Apollo Advisors VII (APO DC-GP),

 

 

LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name:

LAURIE MEDLEY

 

 

Title:

VICE PRESIDENT

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

ANRP (EPE AIV), L.P.

 

 

 

By:

Apollo ANRP Advisors (APO DC),

 

 

L.P., its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

Apollo ANRP Advisors (APO

 

 

DC-GP), LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name:

LAURIE MEDLEY

 

 

Title:

VICE PRESIDENT

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

APOLLO (EPE INTERMEDIATE DC I), LLC

 

 

 

By its managers:

 

 

 

APOLLO ADVISORS VII (APO DC), L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Apollo Advisors VII (APO DC-GP),

 

 

LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name:

LAURIE MEDLEY

 

 

Title:

VICE PRESIDENT

 

 

 

 

 

APOLLO ANRP ADVISORS (APO DC), L.P.

 

 

 

By:

Apollo ANRP Advisors (APO

 

 

DC-GP), LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name:

LAURIE MEDLEY

 

 

Title:

VICE PRESIDENT

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 


 

 

APOLLO (EPE INTERMEDIATE DC II), LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By its managers:

 

 

 

 

 

APOLLO ADVISORS VII (APO DC), L.P.

 

 

 

By:

Apollo Advisors VII (APO DC-GP),

 

 

LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name:

LAURIE MEDLEY

 

 

Title:

VICE PRESIDENT

 

 

 

 

 

APOLLO ANRP ADVISORS (APO DC), L.P.

 

 

 

By:

Apollo ANRP Advisors (APO

 

 

DC-GP), LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name:

LAURIE MEDLEY

 

 

Title:

VICE PRESIDENT

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

EPE 892 AND TE CO-INVESTORS (DC), LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

EPE Acquisition Holdings, LLC,

 

 

its manager

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name:

LAURIE MEDLEY

 

 

Title:

VICE PRESIDENT

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

TEXAS OIL & GAS HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

 

By:

ACCESS INDUSTRIES

 

 

MANAGEMENT, LLC, its manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard B. Storey

 

 

Name:

Richard B. Storey

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Peter L. Thoren

 

 

Name:

Peter L. Thoren

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

KOREA NATIONAL OIL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sungjin Chang

 

 

Name:

Sungjin Chang

 

 

Title:

Vice President of New Ventures

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

RIVERSTONE V EVEREST HOLDINGS, L.P.

 

 

 

By:

RIVERSTONE ENERGY

 

 

PARTNERS V, L.P., its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

RIVERSTONE ENERGY GP V,

 

 

 

LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas J. Walker

 

 

 

Name:

Thomas J. Walker

 

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

EPE MANAGEMENT INVESTORS, LLC

 

 

 

By its manager:

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name:

LAURIE MEDLEY

 

 

Title:

VICE PRESIDENT

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

ADDENDUM AGREEMENT

 

This Addendum Agreement is made this [    ] day of [                         ], 20[     ], by and between [                                       ] (the “ New Shareholder ”) and EPE Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April [24], 2012 (the “ Agreement ”), by and among the Company and the shareholders party thereto (the “ Shareholders ”). Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to bind the IPO Corporation to provide registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities as set forth in the Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the New Shareholder has acquired Registrable Securities directly or indirectly from a Shareholder; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Shareholders have required in the Agreement that all persons desiring registration rights must enter into an Addendum Agreement binding the New Shareholder to the Agreement to the same extent as if it were an original party thereto.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises of the parties hereto, the New Shareholder acknowledges that it has received and read the Agreement and that the New Shareholder shall be bound by, and shall have the benefit of, all of the terms and conditions set out in the Agreement to the same extent as if it were an original party to the Agreement and shall be deemed to be a Shareholder thereunder.

 

 

 

 

 

New Shareholder

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A-1



 

AGREED TO on behalf of the Company pursuant to Section 12(d)  of the Agreement.

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

A-2




Exhibit 4.5

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC
EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

$2,000,000,000 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

April 24, 2012

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

 

As Representatives of the several Initial Purchasers,

listed on Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,

388 Greenwich Street,

New York, New York 10013

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Everest Acquisition LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware (the “ Company ”) and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (the “ Co-issuer ” and, together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), propose to issue and sell to certain purchasers (the “ Initial Purchasers ”), for whom you (the “ Representatives ”) are acting as representatives, $2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 9.375 % Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Senior Notes ”), upon the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement among the Representatives, the Issuers and, after giving effect to the joinder agreement referred to in the Purchase Agreement, the Guarantors (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), dated April 10, 2012 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), relating to the initial placement of the Senior Notes (the “ Initial Placement ”). Following consummation of the Acquisition (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), the Senior Notes will be jointly and severally guaranteed (the “ Guarantees ”) on a senior unsecured basis by the Guarantors, who will execute and deliver a joinder agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “ Joinder Agreement ”) and shall thereby join this Agreement. References to the “ Securities ” shall mean, the Senior Notes, together with, upon the execution of the Joinder Agreement, the Guarantees.

 

To induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and to satisfy a condition to your obligations thereunder, the Issuers and, upon execution of the Joinder Agreement, the Guarantors agree, for your benefit and the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Securities (including the Initial Purchasers) (each a “ Holder ” and, collectively, the “ Holders ”), as follows:

 



 

1.             Definitions . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Additional Interest ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8 hereof.

 

Affiliate ” shall have the meaning specified in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

 

broker-dealer ” shall mean any broker or dealer registered as such under the Exchange Act.

 

Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.

 

Co-issuer ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Commission ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Company ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Event Date ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8(b) hereof.

 

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Period ” shall mean the 180-day period following the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer (or such shorter period during which Exchanging Dealers and any other person required to deliver a Prospectus are required by law to deliver such Prospectus), exclusive of any period during which any stop order shall be in effect suspending the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” shall mean a registration statement of the Issuers on an appropriate form under the Securities Act with respect to the Registered Exchange Offer, all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post- effective amendments thereto, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

Exchanging Dealer ” shall mean any Holder (which may include any Initial Purchaser) that is a broker-dealer and elects to exchange for New Securities any Securities that it acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (but not directly from the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers) for New Securities.

 

Final Memorandum ” shall mean the offering memorandum, dated April 10, 2012, relating to the offer and sale of the Senior Notes.

 

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FINRA Rules ” shall mean the Conduct Rules and the By-Laws of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

Guarantee ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Holder ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Indenture ” shall mean the Indenture relating to the Securities, dated as of April 24, 2012 between the Issuers and Wilmington Trust, National Association as trustee, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Initial Placement ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Initial Purchasers ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Inspector ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4(q)(ii) hereof.

 

Issuers ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Losses ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6(d) hereof.

 

Majority Holders ” shall mean, on any date, Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes registered under a Registration Statement.

 

Managing Underwriters ” shall mean the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that administer an underwritten offering, if any, under a Registration Statement.

 

New Securities ” shall mean debt securities of the Issuers and Guarantees by the Guarantors, in each case, identical in all material respects to the Senior Notes and the related Guarantees (except that the transfer restrictions shall be modified or eliminated, as appropriate) to be issued under the Indenture in connection with sales or exchanges effected pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Prospectus ” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Securities or the New Securities covered by such Registration Statement, and all amendments and supplements thereto, including any and all exhibits thereto and any information incorporated by reference therein.

 

Purchase Agreement ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Registered Exchange Offer ” shall mean the proposed offer of the Issuers and the Guarantors to issue and deliver to the Holders of the Securities that are not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in such offer, in exchange for the Securities, a like aggregate principal amount of the New Securities.

 

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Registration Default ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8(a) hereof.

 

Registration Statement ” shall mean any Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement that covers any of the Securities or the New Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, any amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments (in each case including the Prospectus contained therein), all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

Securities ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Senior Notes ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Shelf Registration ” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

 

Shelf Registration Period ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3(b)(ii) hereof.

 

Shelf Registration Statement ” shall mean a “shelf’ registration statement of the Issuers pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 hereof which covers some or all of the Securities or New Securities, as applicable, on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

Shelf Request ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3(a) hereof.

 

Transfer Restricted Securities ” shall mean (i) Securities other than those that have been registered under a Registration Statement and exchanged or disposed of in accordance therewith and (ii) any New Securities resale of which by the Holder thereof requires compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

 

Trustee ” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.

 

underwriter ” shall mean any underwriter of Securities in connection with an offering thereof under a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

2.             Registered Exchange Offer . (a) Unless the Registered Exchange Offer would violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the Commission, with respect to any Securities that are Transfer Restricted Securities, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to prepare, to cause to be filed with the Commission and to become effective, not later than 365 days from the date hereof, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to the Registered Exchange Offer.

 

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(b)        If an Exchange Offer Registration Statement is filed and becomes effective pursuant to Section 2(a) above, upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall promptly commence the Registered Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Registered Exchange Offer to enable each Holder electing to exchange Securities for New Securities (assuming that such Holder is not an Affiliate of the Issuers or the Guarantors, acquires the New Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder’s business, has no arrangements with any person to participate in the distribution of the New Securities and is not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in the Registered Exchange Offer) to trade such New Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the Securities Act and without material restrictions under the securities laws of a substantial proportion of the several states of the United States. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall complete the Registered Exchange Offer as soon as practicable after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

(c)        In connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, if an Exchange Offer Registration Statement is required to be filed and becomes effective pursuant to Section 2(a) above, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i)              mail or cause to be mailed to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;

 

(ii)             keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not less than 20 Business Days after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders (or, in each case, longer if required by applicable law);

 

(iii)            use their commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act, supplemented and amended as required, to ensure that it is available for sales of New Securities by Exchanging Dealers during the Exchange Offer Registration Period;

 

(iv)            utilize the services of a depositary for the Registered Exchange Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, which may be the Trustee or an Affiliate of the Trustee;

 

(v)             permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day on which the Registered Exchange Offer is open;

 

(vi)            prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, provide a supplemental letter to the Commission (A) stating that the Issuers and the Guarantors are conducting the Registered Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the Commission in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (pub. avail. May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc . (pub. avail. June 5, 1991); and (B) including a representation that the Issuers and the Guarantors have not entered into any arrangement or understanding with any person to distribute the New Securities to be received in the

 

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Registered Exchange Offer and that, to the best knowledge of the Issuers and the Guarantors, each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange Offer is acquiring the New Securities in the ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the New Securities; and

 

(vii)             comply in all respects with all applicable laws.

 

(d)        As soon as practicable after the close of the Registered Exchange Offer, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:

 

  (i)                                     accept for exchange all Securities tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer;

 

 (ii)                                     deliver to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 4(s) all Securities so accepted for exchange; and

 

(iii)                                     cause the Trustee promptly to authenticate and deliver to each Holder of Securities a principal amount of New Securities equal to the principal amount of the Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.

 

(e)        Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any broker-dealer and any such Holder using the Registered Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the New Securities (x) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (pub. avail. May 13, 1988) and Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc . (pub. avail. June 5, 1991), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993 and similar no-action letters; and (y) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any secondary resale transaction, which must be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act if the resales are of New Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange for Securities acquired by such Holder directly from the Issuers, the Guarantors or their respective Affiliates. Accordingly, each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange Offer shall be required to represent to the Issuers and the Guarantors that, at the time of the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer:

 

(i)              any New Securities to be received by such Holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of business;

 

(ii)             such Holder will have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Securities or the New Securities within the meaning of the Securities Act; and

 

(iii)                                     such Holder is not an Affiliate of the Issuers or the Guarantors.

 

(f)        If any Initial Purchaser determines that it is not eligible to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the exchange of Securities constituting any

 

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portion of an unsold allotment, at the request of such Initial Purchaser, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser or the person purchasing New Securities registered under a Shelf Registration Statement as contemplated by Section 3 hereof from such Initial Purchaser, in exchange for such Securities, a like principal amount of New Securities. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the CUSIP Service Bureau to issue the same CUSIP number for such New Securities as for New Securities issued pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer.

 

3.             Shelf Registration . (a) If (i) due to any change in law or applicable inter- pretations thereof by the Commission’s staff, the Issuers and the Guarantors determine upon advice of their outside counsel that they are not permitted to effect the Registered Exchange Offer as contemplated by Section 2 hereof; (ii) for any other reason the Registered Exchange Offer is not completed within 365 days following the date hereof; (iii) any Initial Purchaser so requests (a “ Shelf Request ”), on or before the 60th day following consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, with respect to Securities that are not eligible to be exchanged for New Securities in the Registered Exchange Offer and that are held by it following consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer; or (iv) any Holder is not eligible to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer or may not resell the New Securities acquired by them in the Registered Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a Prospectus, and such Holder so requests on or before the 60th day following the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall effect a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with subsection (b) below.

 

(b)           If a Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed and becomes effective pursuant to Section 3(a), (i) (x), in the case of Section 3(a)(i), the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, as promptly as practicable, file the Shelf Registration Statement with the Commission, and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act within 365 days after the date hereof and (y), in the case of Section 3(a)(ii), (iii) or(iv), the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, as promptly as practicable, file the Shelf Registration Statement with the Commission, and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the 485th day following the date hereof; provided , however , that no Holder (other than an Initial Purchaser) shall be entitled to have the Securities held by it covered by such Shelf Registration Statement unless such Holder agrees in writing to be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Holder; and provided further , that with respect to New Securities received by an Initial Purchaser in exchange for Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment, the Issuers and the Guarantors may, if permitted by current interpretations by the Commission’s staff, file a post-effective amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement containing the information required by Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, in satisfaction of their obligations under this subsection with respect thereto, and any such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as so amended, shall be referred to herein as, and governed by the provisions herein applicable to, a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(ii)             The Issuers and the Guarantors shall keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the Securities Act, in order to permit the Prospectus forming part thereof to be usable by Holders for a period

 

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(the “ Shelf Registration Period ”) from the date the Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective until the earlier of (A) the date upon which the Securities cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities (B) the date which is two years from the date hereof or (C) the date upon which all the Securities or New Securities, as applicable, covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(iii)          The Issuers and the Guarantors shall cause the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement or such amendment or supplement, (A) to comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act; and (B) not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

 

4.             Additional Registration Procedures . In connection with any Shelf Registration Statement and, to the extent applicable, any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the following provisions shall apply.

 

(a)      The Issuers and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i)            furnish to each of the Initial Purchasers and to counsel for the Holders, not less than five Business Days prior to the filing thereof with the Commission, a copy of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any Shelf Registration Statement, and each amendment thereof and each amendment or supplement, if any, to the Prospectus included therein (including all documents incorporated by reference therein after the initial filing) and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to reflect in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments as the Initial Purchasers reasonably propose;

 

(ii)           include the information set forth in Annex A hereto on the facing page of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, in Annex B hereto in the forepart of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in a section setting forth details of the Exchange Offer, in Annex C hereto in the underwriting or plan of distribution section of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and in Annex D hereto in the letter of transmittal delivered pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer;

 

(iii)          if requested by an Initial Purchaser, include the information required by Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, in the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement; and

 

(iv)          in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, include the names of the Holders that propose to sell Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement as selling security holders.

 

(b)      The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that:

 

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(i)            any Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any Prospectus forming part thereof and any amendment or supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the Securities Act; and

 

(ii)           any Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

(c)       The Issuers and the Guarantors shall advise counsel for the Initial Purchasers, the Holders of Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement and any Exchanging Dealer under any Exchange Offer Registration Statement that has provided in writing to the Issuers and the Guarantors a telephone or facsimile number and address for notices, and, if requested by any Initial Purchaser or any such Holder or Exchanging Dealer, shall confirm such advice in writing (which notice pursuant to clauses (ii)-(v) hereof shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the Prospectus until the Issuers and the Guarantors shall have remedied the basis for such suspension):

 

(i)              when a Registration Statement and any amendment thereto has been filed with the Commission and when the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective;

 

(ii)             of any request by the Commission after the effective date for any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for additional information;

 

(iii)            of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the institution of any proceeding for that purpose;

 

(iv)            of the receipt by the Issuers or the Guarantors of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the securities included therein for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution of any proceeding for such purpose; and

 

(v)             of the happening of any event that requires any change in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus so that, as of such date, they (A) do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and (B) do not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

 

(d)      The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the qualification of the securities therein for sale in any jurisdiction.

 

(e)       The Issuers and the Guarantors shall furnish to each Holder of Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, at least one copy of such Shelf Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including all material

 

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incorporated therein by reference, and, if the Holder so requests in writing, all exhibits thereto (including exhibits incorporated by reference therein).

 

(f)        The Issuers and the Guarantors shall, during the Shelf Registration Period, deliver to each Holder of Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including the preliminary prospectus) included in such Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Holder may reasonably request. The Issuers and the Guarantors consent to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Securities in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities covered by the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in the Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(g)        The Issuers and the Guarantors shall furnish to each Exchanging Dealer which so requests, without charge, at least one (1) conformed copy of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including all material incorporated by reference therein, and, if the Exchanging Dealer so requests in writing, all exhibits thereto (including exhibits incorporated by reference therein).

 

(h)        The Issuers and the Guarantors shall promptly deliver to each Initial Purchaser, each Exchanging Dealer and each other person required to deliver a Prospectus during the Exchange Offer Registration Period, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus included in such Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as any such person may reasonably request. The Issuers and the Guarantors consent to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by any Initial Purchaser, any Exchanging Dealer and any such other person that may be required to deliver a Prospectus following the Registered Exchange Offer in connection with the offering and sale of the New Securities covered by the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

 

(i)         Prior to the Registered Exchange Offer or any other offering of Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities or the New Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder shall reasonably request and shall maintain such qualification in effect so long as required; provided that in no event shall the Issuers and the Guarantors be obligated (A) to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where they are not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject them to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the Initial Placement, the Registered Exchange Offer or any offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, in any such jurisdiction where they are not then so subject or (B) to subject itself to taxation in excess of a nominal amount in respect of doing business in such jurisdiction.

 

(j)         The Issuers shall cooperate with the Holders of Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing New Securities or Securities to be issued or sold pursuant to any Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and in such denominations and registered in such names as Holders may request in writing at least three (3) Business Days prior to the closing date of any sales of New Securities.

 

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(k)

 

(i)                                      Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by subsections (c)(ii) through (v) above, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall promptly (or within the time period provided for by clause (ii) hereof, if applicable) prepare a post-effective amendment to the applicable Registration Statement or an amendment or supplement to the related Prospectus or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to Holders of the securities included therein, the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. In such circumstances, the period of effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement provided for in Section 2 shall be extended by the number of days from and including the date of the giving of a notice of suspension pursuant to Section 4(c) to and including the date when the Initial Purchasers, the Holders of the Securities and any known Exchanging Dealer shall have received such amended or supplemented Prospectus pursuant to this Section.

 

(ii)                                   Upon the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development or any other material event that, in the reasonable and good faith judgment of the Issuers and the Guarantors, makes it appropriate to suspend the availability of a Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall give notice (without notice of the nature or details of such events) to the Holders that the availability of the Shelf Registration is suspended and, upon actual receipt of any such notice, each Holder agrees not to sell any Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration until such Holder’s receipt of copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus provided for in Section 4(k) hereof, or until it is advised in writing by the Issuers and the Guarantors that the Prospectus may be used, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. The period during which the availability of the Shelf Registration and any Prospectus is suspended (the “ Deferral Period ”) (A) shall not exceed 60 consecutive days, (B) shall not occur more than three (3) times during any calendar year and (C) shall extend the number of days the Shelf Registration or any Prospectus is available by an amount equal to the Deferral Period.

 

(l)                                 Not later than the effective date of any Registration Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall provide a CUSIP number for the Securities or the New Securities, as the case may be, registered under such Registration Statement and provide the Trustee with printed certificates for such Securities or New Securities, in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company.

 

(m)                         The Issuers and the Guarantors shall comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and shall make generally available to their security holders an earnings statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act as soon as practicable after the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement and in any event no later than 45 days after the end of a 12-month period (or 90 days, if such period is a fiscal year) beginning with the first month of the Issuers’ first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement.

 

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(n)                        [Reserved].

 

(o)                        The Issuers and the Guarantors may require each Holder of securities to be sold pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement to furnish to the Issuers and the Guarantors such information regarding the Holder and the distribution of such securities as the Issuers and the Guarantors may from time to time reasonably require for inclusion in such Registration Statement. The Issuers and the Guarantors may exclude from such Shelf Registration Statement the Securities of any Holder that fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request.

 

(p)                       In the case of any Shelf Registration Statement, upon the request of the Majority Holders, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall enter into customary agreements (including, if requested, an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take all other appropriate actions, if any, as the Majority Holders shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of the Securities, and in connection therewith, if an underwriting agreement is entered into, cause the same to contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable than those set forth in Section 6 hereof.

 

(q)                        In the case of any Shelf Registration Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i)                                      make reasonably available for inspection at a location where they are normally kept and during normal business hours by the Majority Holders of Securities to be registered thereunder, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by the Holders or any such underwriter all relevant financial and other records and pertinent corporate documents of the Issuers and their respective subsidiaries;

 

(ii)                                   use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company’s respective officers, directors, employees, accountants and auditors to supply all relevant information reasonably requested by the Holders or any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent (each, an “ Inspector ”) in connection with any such Registration Statement as is customary for similar due diligence examinations; provided , however , that such Inspector shall first agree in writing with the Issuers and the Guarantors that any information that is reasonably and in good faith designated by the Issuers and the Guarantors in writing as confidential at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such Inspector, unless (1) disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order or is necessary to respond to inquiries of regulatory authorities, (2) disclosure of such information is required by law (including any disclosure requirements pursuant to federal securities laws in connection with the filing of such Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus), (3) such information becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard such information by such person or (4) such information becomes available to such Inspector from a source other than the Issuers or the Guarantors and such source is not known, after due inquiry, by the relevant Holder to be bound by a confidentiality agreement or is not otherwise under a duty of trust to the Issuers or the Guarantors;

 

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(iii)                                make such representations and warranties to the Holders of Securities registered thereunder and the underwriters, if any, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings and covering matters including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Purchase Agreement;

 

(iv)                               obtain opinions of counsel to the Issuers and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Underwriters, if any) addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters, if any, covering such matters as are customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Holders and underwriters;

 

(v)                                  obtain “comfort” letters and updates thereof from the independent certified public accountants of the Issuers (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the Issuers or of any business acquired by the Issuers or any Guarantor for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement), addressed to each selling Holder of Securities registered thereunder and the underwriters, if any, in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with primary underwritten offerings; and

 

(vi)                               deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Majority Holders or the Managing Underwriters, if any, including those to evidence compliance with Section 4(k) and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Issuers.

 

The actions set forth in clauses (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) of this paragraph (q) shall be performed at (A) the effectiveness of such Registration Statement and each post-effective amendment thereto; and (B) each closing under any underwriting or similar agreement as and to the extent required thereunder.

 

(r)                       If a Registered Exchange Offer is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Securities by Holders to the Issuers (or to such other person as directed by the Issuers) in exchange for the New Securities, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall mark, or caused to be marked, on the Securities so exchanged that such Securities are being cancelled in exchange for the New Securities. In no event shall the Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

 

(s)                      The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts if the Securities have been rated prior to the initial sale of such Securities, to confirm such ratings will apply to the Securities or the New Securities, as the case may be, covered by a Registration Statement.

 

(t)                       In the event that any broker-dealer shall underwrite any Securities or participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling group or “assist in the distribution” (within the meaning of FINRA Rules) thereof, whether as a Holder of such Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker or dealer in respect

 

13



 

thereof, or otherwise, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall assist such broker-dealer in complying with the FINRA Rules.

 

(u)                    The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of the Securities or the New Securities, as the case may be, covered by a Registration Statement.

 

5.                                  Registration Expenses . The Issuers and the Guarantors shall bear all expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their obligations under Sections 2, 3 and 4 hereof and, in the event of any Shelf Registration Statement, will reimburse the Holders for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm or counsel (which shall initially be Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, but which may be another nationally recognized law firm experienced in securities matters designated by the Majority Holders) to act as counsel for the Holders in connection therewith, and, in the case of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, will reimburse the Initial Purchasers for the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel acting in connection therewith in each case which counsel shall be approved by the Issuers (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld). Each Holder shall pay all expenses of its counsel other than as set forth in the preceding sentence, underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Securities or New Securities.

 

6.                                  Indemnification and Contribution . (a) The Issuers and the Guarantors agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, covered by any Registration Statement, each Initial Purchaser and, with respect to any Prospectus delivery as contemplated in Section 4(h) hereof, each Exchanging Dealer, the directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and agents of each such Holder, Initial Purchaser or Exchanging Dealer and each person who controls any such Holder, Initial Purchaser or Exchanging Dealer within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in any preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and agree to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , however , that the Issuers and the Guarantors will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Issuers and the Guarantors by or on behalf of the party claiming indemnification specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability that the Issuers and the Guarantors may otherwise have.

 

14



 

The Issuers and the Guarantors also agree to indemnify as provided in this Section 6(a) or contribute as provided in Section 6(d) hereof to Losses of each underwriter, if any, of Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, registered under a Shelf Registration Statement, their directors, officers, employees, Affiliates or agents and each person who controls such underwriter on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Initial Purchasers and the selling Holders provided in this Section 6(a) and shall, if requested by any Holder, enter into an underwriting agreement reflecting such agreement, as provided in Section 4(p) hereof.

 

(b)                    Each Holder of securities covered by a Registration Statement (including each Initial Purchaser that is a Holder, in such capacity) severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers and the Guarantors, each of their respective directors and officers who sign such Registration Statement and each person who controls the Issuers or any Guarantor within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Issuers and the Guarantors to each such Holder, but only with reference to written information relating to such Holder furnished to the Issuers and the Guarantors by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that any such Holder may otherwise have.

 

(c)                     Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 6 or notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses; and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel (including local counsel) of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel, other than local counsel if not appointed by the indemnifying party, retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided , however , that such counsel shall be satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel (including local counsel) to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest (based on the advice of counsel to the indemnified person); (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded (based on the advice of counsel to the indemnified person) that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party; (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action; or (iv) the indemnifying

 

15



 

party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent is consented to by the indemnifying party, as applicable (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) and includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

 

(d)                    In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, then each applicable indemnifying party shall have a joint and several obligation to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any loss, claim, liability, damage or action) (collectively “ Losses ”) (other than by virtue of the failure of an indemnified party to notify the indemnifying party of its right to indemnification pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 6, where such failure materially prejudices the indemnifying party (through the forfeiture of substantial rights or defenses)), each indemnifying party, in order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by such indemnifying party, on the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, from the Initial Placement and the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses; provided , however , that in no case shall any Initial Purchaser be responsible, in the aggregate, for any amount in excess of the purchase discount or commission applicable to such Security, or in the case of a New Security, applicable to the Security that was exchanged into such New Security, as set forth in the Final Memorandum, nor shall any underwriter be responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the securities purchased by such underwriter under the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of such indemnifying party, on the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Issuers shall be deemed to be equal to the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes issued in the Initial Placement as set forth in the Final Memorandum. Benefits received by the Initial Purchasers shall be deemed to be equal to the total fees received in the Initial Placement, and benefits received by any other Holders shall be deemed to be equal to the value of receiving Securities or New Securities, as applicable, registered under the Securities Act. Benefits received by any underwriter shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting discounts and commissions, as set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the indemnifying party, on the one hand, or by the indemnified party, on the other hand, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and

 

16



 

opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section, each person who controls a Holder within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of such Holder shall have the same rights to contribution as such Holder, and each person who controls the Issuers or any Guarantor within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Issuers or any Guarantor who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Issuers or any Guarantor shall have the same rights to contribution as the Issuers and the Guarantors, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).

 

(e)                     The provisions of this Section will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or the Issuers and the Guarantors or any of the indemnified persons referred to in this Section 6, and will survive the sale by a Holder of securities covered by a Registration Statement.

 

7.                                  Underwritten Registrations . (a) If any of the Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, covered by any Shelf Registration Statement are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the Managing Underwriters shall be selected by the Majority Holders, subject to the consent of the Issuers (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), and the Holders of Securities or New Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement shall be responsible for all underwriting commissions and discounts.

 

(b)                    No person may participate in any underwritten offering pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement, unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, on the basis reasonably provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements; and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

8.                                  Registration Defaults .

 

(a)                    In the event that (i) (x) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement does not become effective on or prior to the 365th day after the date hereof, (y) such Exchange Offer Registration Statement becomes effective but ceases to be effective or usable or (z) the Exchange Offer is not completed within 30 days after the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement becomes effective, or (ii) a Shelf Registration Statement is required in accordance with Section 3(a) and such Shelf Registration Statement (x) does not become effective (A) on or prior to the 365th day following the date of such determination, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement required pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) or (B) on or prior to the 485th day following the date hereof, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement required pursuant

 

17



 

to Section 3(a)(ii), (iii) or (iv), or (y) becomes effective but ceases to be effective or the corresponding Prospectus ceases to be usable at any time during the Shelf Registration Period, (any event referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) a “ Registration Default ”), then, in each case, the interest rate on the Securities will be increased by 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period immediately following such Registration Default and (ii) an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period, up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum, in each case to but excluding the earlier of (i) the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured and (ii) the date which is two years from the date hereof. Any amounts payable under this paragraph shall also be deemed “ Additional Interest ” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

(b)                    The Company shall notify the Trustee within five business days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional Interest is required to be paid (an “ Event Date ”). Any Additional Interest due shall be payable on each interest payment date to the Holder of Senior Notes with respect to which Additional Interest is due and owing. Each obligation to pay Additional Interest shall be deemed to accrue from and including the day following the applicable Event Date.

 

9.                                  No Inconsistent Agreements . The Issuers and the Guarantors have not entered into, and agree not to enter into, any agreement with respect to their securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders herein or that otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

 

10.                           Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, qualified, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the Issuers and the Guarantors have obtained the written consent of the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes outstanding; provided that, with respect to any matter that directly or indirectly affects the rights of any Initial Purchaser hereunder, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall obtain the written consent of each such Initial Purchaser against which such amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver or consent is to be effective; provided , further , that no amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver or consent with respect to Section 8 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registered Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder; and provided , further , that the provisions of this Article 10 may not be amended, qualified, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the Issuers and the Guarantors have obtained the written consent of the Initial Purchasers and each Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing (except the foregoing provisos), a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by the Majority Holders, determined on the basis of Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, being sold rather than registered under such Registration Statement.

 

11.                           Notices . All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail, telex, telecopier, other electronic means or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

 

18



 

(a)                             if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such holder to the Issuers in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11, which address initially is, with respect to each Holder, the address of such Holder maintained by the Registrar under the Indenture;

 

(b)                             if to the Initial Purchasers, initially at the address or addresses set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and

 

(c)                              if to the Issuers, initially at the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given when received.

 

The Initial Purchasers or the Issuers by notice to the other parties may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

12.                           Remedies . Each Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided to it herein, in the Indenture or in the Purchase Agreement or granted by law, including recovery of liquidated or other damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Issuers and the Guarantors agree that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by them of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive in any action for specific performance the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

13.                           Successors . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns, including, without the need for an express assignment or any consent by the Issuers and the Guarantors thereto, subsequent Holders of Securities and the New Securities, and the indemnified persons referred to in Section 6 hereof. The Issuers and the Guarantors hereby agree to extend the benefits of this Agreement to any Holder of Securities and the New Securities, and any such Holder may specifically enforce the provisions of this Agreement as if an original party hereto.

 

14.                           Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

15.                           Headings . The section headings used herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

16.                           Applicable Law . This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed in the State of New York. The parties hereto each hereby waive any right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

 

17.                           Severability . In the event that any one of more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in

 

19



 

any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired or affected thereby, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges of the parties shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

18.                           Securities Held by the Issuers, etc . Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of principal amount of Securities or New Securities is required hereunder, Securities or New Securities, as applicable, held by the Issuers or their respective Affiliates (other than subsequent Holders of Securities or New Securities if such subsequent Holders are deemed to be Affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such Securities or New Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

 

20


 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement between the Issuers and the Initial Purchasers.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Name:

Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Title:

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Name:

Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Title:

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

[Senior Notes Registration Rights Agreement]

 



 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

 

 

By:

/s/ Kirkwood Roland

 

 

Name:

Kirkwood Roland

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

Acting for itself and on behalf of the several Initial Purchasers.

 

[Senior Notes Registration Rights Agreement]

 



 

By: J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

 

 

By:

/s/ Jack D. Smith

 

 

Name:

Jack D. Smith

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

Acting for itself and on behalf of the several Initial Purchasers.

 

[Senior Notes Registration Rights Agreement]

 



 

ANNEX A

 

Each broker-dealer that receives new securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new securities. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new securities received in exchange for securities where such securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The issuers have agreed that, starting on the expiration date and ending on the close of business one year after the expiration date, it will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

A-1



 

ANNEX B

 

Each broker-dealer that receives new securities for its own account in exchange for securities, where such securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

B-1



 

ANNEX C

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Each broker-dealer that receives new securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new securities. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new securities received in exchange for securities where such securities were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The issuers have agreed that, starting on the expiration date and ending on the close of business one year after the expiration date, it will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until                       ,           , all dealers effecting transactions in the new securities may be required to deliver a prospectus.

 

The issuers will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new securities by brokers-dealers. New securities received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the new securities or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such new securities. Any broker-dealer that resales new securities that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such new securities may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit of any such resale of new securities and any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

For a period of one year after the expiration date, the issuers will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the Letter of Transmittal. The issuers have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the Exchange Offer (including the expenses of one counsel for holders of the securities) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the securities (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

[If applicable, add information required by Regulation S-K Items 507 and/or 508.]

 

C-1



 

ANNEX D

 

Rider A

 

PLEASE FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS BELOW IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

 

Name:

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rider B

 

If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it acquired the New Securities in the ordinary course of its business, it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of New Securities and it has no arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in a distribution of the New Securities. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive New Securities for its own account in exchange for Securities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Securities; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

D-1



 

EXHIBIT A

 

JOINDER AGREEMENT TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
              , 2012

 

Reference is hereby made to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), by and among Everest Acquisition LLC (the “ Company ”), Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. (the “Co-Issuer” and, together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”) and the Initial Purchasers named therein concerning registration rights relating to the Issuers’ 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Securities ”). Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Registration Rights Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given them in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

1.                                  Joinder of the Guarantor . The undersigned hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocable agrees as a Guarantor to become bound by the terms, conditions and other provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement with all attendant rights, duties and obligations stated therein, with the same force and effect as if originally named as “Guarantor” therein and as if such party executed the Registration Rights Agreement on the date thereof.

 

2.                                  Governing Law . This Joinder Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Joinder Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

3.                                  Counterparts . This Joinder Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

4.                                  Amendments . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Joinder Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

 

5.                                  Headings . The headings in this Joinder Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Joinder Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

[Guarantor]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged By:

 

 

 

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Acting on behalf of itself and as the Representatives of the several Initial Purchasers

 




Exhibit 4.6

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

EP ENERGY LLC
EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

$350,000,000 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

August 13, 2012

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

 

As Representative of the several Initial Purchasers,

listed on Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,

388 Greenwich Street,

New York, New York 10013

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

EP Energy LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware (the “ Company ”) and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (the “ Co-issuer ” and, together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), propose to issue and sell to certain purchasers (the “ Initial Purchasers ”), for whom you (the “ Representative ”) is acting as representative, $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “ Senior Notes ”), upon the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement among the Representative, the Issuers and the guarantors signatories hereto (the “ Guarantors ”), dated August 8, 2012 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), relating to the initial placement of the Senior Notes (the “ Initial Placement ”). The Senior Notes will be jointly and severally guaranteed (the “ Guarantees ”) on a senior unsecured basis by the Guarantors. References to the “ Securities ” shall mean, the Senior Notes, together with the Guarantees.

 

To induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and to satisfy a condition to your obligations thereunder, the Issuers and the Guarantors agree, for your benefit and the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Securities (including the Initial Purchasers) (each a “ Holder ” and, collectively, the “ Holders ”), as follows:

 

1.                                       Definitions . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Additional Interest ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8 hereof.

 



 

Affiliate ” shall have the meaning specified in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

 

broker-dealer ” shall mean any broker or dealer registered as such under the Exchange Act.

 

Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.

 

Co-issuer ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Commission ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Company ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Event Date ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8(b) hereof.

 

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Period ” shall mean the 180-day period following the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer (or such shorter period during which Exchanging Dealers and any other person required to deliver a Prospectus are required by law to deliver such Prospectus), exclusive of any period during which any stop order shall be in effect suspending the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” shall mean a registration statement of the Issuers on an appropriate form under the Securities Act with respect to the Registered Exchange Offer, all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments thereto, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

Exchanging Dealer ” shall mean any Holder (which may include any Initial Purchaser) that is a broker-dealer and elects to exchange for New Securities any Securities that it acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (but not directly from the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers) for New Securities.

 

Final Memorandum ” shall mean the offering memorandum, dated August 8, 2012, relating to the offer and sale of the Senior Notes.

 

FINRA Rules ” shall mean the Conduct Rules and the By-Laws of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

Guarantee ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Holder ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

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Indenture ” shall mean the Indenture relating to the Securities, dated as of August 13, 2012 by and among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association as trustee, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Initial Placement ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Initial Purchasers ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Inspector ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4(q)(ii) hereof.

 

Issuers ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Losses ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6(d) hereof.

 

Majority Holders ” shall mean, on any date, Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes registered under a Registration Statement.

 

Managing Underwriters ” shall mean the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that administer an underwritten offering, if any, under a Registration Statement.

 

New Securities ” shall mean debt securities of the Issuers and Guarantees by the Guarantors, in each case, identical in all material respects to the Senior Notes and the related Guarantees (except that the transfer restrictions shall be modified or eliminated, as appropriate) to be issued under the Indenture in connection with sales or exchanges effected pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Prospectus ” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Securities or the New Securities covered by such Registration Statement, and all amendments and supplements thereto, including any and all exhibits thereto and any information incorporated by reference therein.

 

Purchase Agreement ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Registered Exchange Offer ” shall mean the proposed offer of the Issuers and the Guarantors to issue and deliver to the Holders of the Securities that are not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in such offer, in exchange for the Securities, a like aggregate principal amount of the New Securities.

 

Registration Default ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8(a) hereof.

 

Registration Statement ” shall mean any Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement that covers any of the Securities or the New Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, any amendments and supplements to such registration

 

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statement, including post-effective amendments (in each case including the Prospectus contained therein), all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

Securities ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Senior Notes ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.

 

Shelf Registration ” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

 

Shelf Registration Period ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3(b)(ii) hereof.

 

Shelf Registration Statement ” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement of the Issuers pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 hereof which covers some or all of the Securities or New Securities, as applicable, on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

Shelf Request ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3(a) hereof.

 

Transfer Restricted Securities ” shall mean (i) Securities other than those that have been registered under a Registration Statement and exchanged or disposed of in accordance therewith and (ii) any New Securities resale of which by the Holder thereof requires compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

 

Trustee ” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.

 

underwriter ” shall mean any underwriter of Securities in connection with an offering thereof under a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

2.                                       Registered Exchange Offer . (a) Unless the Registered Exchange Offer would violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the Commission, with respect to any Securities that are Transfer Restricted Securities, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to prepare, to cause to be filed with the Commission and to become effective, not later than 365 days from the date hereof, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to the Registered Exchange Offer.

 

(b)                             If an Exchange Offer Registration Statement is filed and becomes effective pursuant to Section 2(a) above, upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall promptly commence the Registered Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Registered Exchange Offer to enable each Holder electing to exchange Securities for New Securities (assuming that such Holder is

 

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not an Affiliate of the Issuers or the Guarantors, acquires the New Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder’s business, has no arrangements with any person to participate in the distribution of the New Securities and is not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in the Registered Exchange Offer) to trade such New Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the Securities Act and without material restrictions under the securities laws of a substantial proportion of the several states of the United States. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall complete the Registered Exchange Offer as soon as practicable after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

(c)                              In connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, if an Exchange Offer Registration Statement is required to be filed and becomes effective pursuant to Section 2(a) above, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i)                                           mail or cause to be mailed to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;

 

(ii)                                        keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not less than 20 Business Days after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders (or, in each case, longer if required by applicable law);

 

(iii)                                     use their commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act, supplemented and amended as required, to ensure that it is available for sales of New Securities by Exchanging Dealers during the Exchange Offer Registration Period;

 

(iv)                                    utilize the services of a depositary for the Registered Exchange Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, which may be the Trustee or an Affiliate of the Trustee;

 

(v)                                       permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day on which the Registered Exchange Offer is open;

 

(vi)                                    prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, provide a supplemental letter to the Commission (A) stating that the Issuers and the Guarantors are conducting the Registered Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the Commission in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (pub. avail. May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc . (pub. avail. June 5, 1991); and (B) including a representation that the Issuers and the Guarantors have not entered into any arrangement or understanding with any person to distribute the New Securities to be received in the Registered Exchange Offer and that, to the best knowledge of the Issuers and the Guarantors, each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange Offer is acquiring the New Securities in the ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the New Securities; and

 

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(vii)                                       comply in all respects with all applicable laws.

 

(d)                             As soon as practicable after the close of the Registered Exchange Offer, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i)                                           accept for exchange all Securities tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer;

 

(ii)                                        deliver to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 4(s) all Securities so accepted for exchange; and

 

(iii)                                     cause the Trustee promptly to authenticate and deliver to each Holder of Securities a principal amount of New Securities equal to the principal amount of the Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.

 

(e)                              Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any broker-dealer and any such Holder using the Registered Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the New Securities (x) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (pub. avail. May 13, 1988) and Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc . (pub. avail. June 5, 1991), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993 and similar no-action letters; and (y) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any secondary resale transaction, which must be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act if the resales are of New Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange for Securities acquired by such Holder directly from the Issuers, the Guarantors or their respective Affiliates. Accordingly, each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange Offer shall be required to represent to the Issuers and the Guarantors that, at the time of the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer:

 

(i)                                           any New Securities to be received by such Holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of business;

 

(ii)                                        such Holder will have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Securities or the New Securities within the meaning of the Securities Act; and

 

(iii)                                     such Holder is not an Affiliate of the Issuers or the Guarantors.

 

(f)                               If any Initial Purchaser determines that it is not eligible to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the exchange of Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment, at the request of such Initial Purchaser, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser or the person purchasing New Securities registered under a Shelf Registration Statement as contemplated by Section 3 hereof from such Initial Purchaser, in exchange for such Securities, a like principal amount of New Securities. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to

 

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cause the CUSIP Service Bureau to issue the same CUSIP number for such New Securities as for New Securities issued pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer.

 

3.                                       Shelf Registration . (a) If (i) due to any change in law or applicable inter-pretations thereof by the Commission’s staff, the Issuers and the Guarantors determine upon advice of their outside counsel that they are not permitted to effect the Registered Exchange Offer as contemplated by Section 2 hereof; (ii) for any other reason the Registered Exchange Offer is not completed within 365 days following the date hereof; (iii) any Initial Purchaser so requests (a “ Shelf Request ”), on or before the 60th day following consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, with respect to Securities that are not eligible to be exchanged for New Securities in the Registered Exchange Offer and that are held by it following consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer; or (iv) any Holder is not eligible to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer or may not resell the New Securities acquired by them in the Registered Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a Prospectus, and such Holder so requests on or before the 60th day following the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall effect a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with subsection (b) below.

 

(b)                             If a Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed and becomes effective pursuant to Section 3(a), (i) (x), in the case of Section 3(a)(i), the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, as promptly as practicable, file the Shelf Registration Statement with the Commission, and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act within 365 days after the date hereof and (y), in the case of Section 3(a)(ii), (iii) or(iv), the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, as promptly as practicable, file the Shelf Registration Statement with the Commission, and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the 485th day following the date hereof; provided , however , that no Holder (other than an Initial Purchaser) shall be entitled to have the Securities held by it covered by such Shelf Registration Statement unless such Holder agrees in writing to be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Holder; and provided   further , that with respect to New Securities received by an Initial Purchaser in exchange for Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment, the Issuers and the Guarantors may, if permitted by current interpretations by the Commission’s staff, file a post-effective amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement containing the information required by Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, in satisfaction of their obligations under this subsection with respect thereto, and any such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as so amended, shall be referred to herein as, and governed by the provisions herein applicable to, a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(ii)                                        The Issuers and the Guarantors shall keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the Securities Act, in order to permit the Prospectus forming part thereof to be usable by Holders for a period (the “ Shelf Registration Period ”) from the date the Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective until the earlier of (A) the date upon which the Securities cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities (B) the date which is two years from the date hereof or (C) the date upon which all the Securities or New Securities, as applicable, covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.

 

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(iii)                                     The Issuers and the Guarantors shall cause the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement or such amendment or supplement, (A) to comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act; and (B) not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

 

4.                                       Additional Registration Procedures . In connection with any Shelf Registration Statement and, to the extent applicable, any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the following provisions shall apply.

 

(a)                    The Issuers and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i)                                      furnish to each of the Initial Purchasers and to counsel for the Holders, not less than five Business Days prior to the filing thereof with the Commission, a copy of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any Shelf Registration Statement, and each amendment thereof and each amendment or supplement, if any, to the Prospectus included therein (including all documents incorporated by reference therein after the initial filing) and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to reflect in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments as the Initial Purchasers reasonably propose;

 

(ii)                                   include the information set forth in Annex A hereto on the facing page of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, in Annex B hereto in the forepart of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in a section setting forth details of the Exchange Offer, in Annex C hereto in the underwriting or plan of distribution section of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and in Annex D hereto in the letter of transmittal delivered pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer;

 

(iii)                                if requested by an Initial Purchaser, include the information required by Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, in the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement; and

 

(iv)                               in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, include the names of the Holders that propose to sell Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement as selling security holders.

 

(b)                    The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that:

 

(i)                                      any Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any Prospectus forming part thereof and any amendment or supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the Securities Act; and

 

(ii)                                   any Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a

 

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material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

(c)                     The Issuers and the Guarantors shall advise counsel for the Initial Purchasers, the Holders of Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement and any Exchanging Dealer under any Exchange Offer Registration Statement that has provided in writing to the Issuers and the Guarantors a telephone or facsimile number and address for notices, and, if requested by any Initial Purchaser or any such Holder or Exchanging Dealer, shall confirm such advice in writing (which notice pursuant to clauses (ii)-(v) hereof shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the Prospectus until the Issuers and the Guarantors shall have remedied the basis for such suspension):

 

(i)                                           when a Registration Statement and any amendment thereto has been filed with the Commission and when the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective;

 

(ii)                                        of any request by the Commission after the effective date for any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for additional information;

 

(iii)                                     of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the institution of any proceeding for that purpose;

 

(iv)                                    of the receipt by the Issuers or the Guarantors of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the securities included therein for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution of any proceeding for such purpose; and

 

(v)                                       of the happening of any event that requires any change in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus so that, as of such date, they (A) do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and (B) do not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

 

(d)                    The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the qualification of the securities therein for sale in any jurisdiction.

 

(e)                     The Issuers and the Guarantors shall furnish to each Holder of Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, at least one copy of such Shelf Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including all material incorporated therein by reference, and, if the Holder so requests in writing, all exhibits thereto (including exhibits incorporated by reference therein).

 

(f)                      The Issuers and the Guarantors shall, during the Shelf Registration Period, deliver to each Holder of Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including the preliminary prospectus) included in such Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as

 

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such Holder may reasonably request. The Issuers and the Guarantors consent to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Securities in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities covered by the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in the Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(g)                         The Issuers and the Guarantors shall furnish to each Exchanging Dealer which so requests, without charge, at least one (1) conformed copy of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including all material incorporated by reference therein, and, if the Exchanging Dealer so requests in writing, all exhibits thereto (including exhibits incorporated by reference therein).

 

(h)                         The Issuers and the Guarantors shall promptly deliver to each Initial Purchaser, each Exchanging Dealer and each other person required to deliver a Prospectus during the Exchange Offer Registration Period, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus included in such Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as any such person may reasonably request. The Issuers and the Guarantors consent to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by any Initial Purchaser, any Exchanging Dealer and any such other person that may be required to deliver a Prospectus following the Registered Exchange Offer in connection with the offering and sale of the New Securities covered by the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

 

(i)                            Prior to the Registered Exchange Offer or any other offering of Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities or the New Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder shall reasonably request and shall maintain such qualification in effect so long as required; provided that in no event shall the Issuers and the Guarantors be obligated (A) to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where they are not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject them to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the Initial Placement, the Registered Exchange Offer or any offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, in any such jurisdiction where they are not then so subject or (B) to subject itself to taxation in excess of a nominal amount in respect of doing business in such jurisdiction.

 

(j)                           The Issuers shall cooperate with the Holders of Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing New Securities or Securities to be issued or sold pursuant to any Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and in such denominations and registered in such names as Holders may request in writing at least three (3) Business Days prior to the closing date of any sales of New Securities.

 

(k)

 

(i)                                      Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by subsections (c)(ii) through (v) above, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall promptly (or within the time period provided for by clause (ii) hereof, if applicable) prepare a post-effective amendment to the applicable Registration Statement or an amendment or supplement to the related Prospectus or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to Holders of

 

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the securities included therein, the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. In such circumstances, the period of effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement provided for in Section 2 shall be extended by the number of days from and including the date of the giving of a notice of suspension pursuant to Section 4(c) to and including the date when the Initial Purchasers, the Holders of the Securities and any known Exchanging Dealer shall have received such amended or supplemented Prospectus pursuant to this Section.

 

(ii)                                   Upon the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development or any other material event that, in the reasonable and good faith judgment of the Issuers and the Guarantors, makes it appropriate to suspend the availability of a Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall give notice (without notice of the nature or details of such events) to the Holders that the availability of the Shelf Registration is suspended and, upon actual receipt of any such notice, each Holder agrees not to sell any Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration until such Holder’s receipt of copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus provided for in Section 4(k) hereof, or until it is advised in writing by the Issuers and the Guarantors that the Prospectus may be used, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. The period during which the availability of the Shelf Registration and any Prospectus is suspended (the “ Deferral Period ”) (A) shall not exceed 60 consecutive days, (B) shall not occur more than three (3) times during any calendar year and (C) shall extend the number of days the Shelf Registration or any Prospectus is available by an amount equal to the Deferral Period.

 

(l)                            Not later than the effective date of any Registration Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall provide a CUSIP number for the Securities or the New Securities, as the case may be, registered under such Registration Statement and provide the Trustee with printed certificates for such Securities or New Securities, in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company.

 

(m)                    The Issuers and the Guarantors shall comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and shall make generally available to their security holders an earnings statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act as soon as practicable after the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement and in any event no later than 45 days after the end of a 12-month period (or 90 days, if such period is a fiscal year) beginning with the first month of the Issuers’ first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement.

 

(n)                        [Reserved].

 

(o)                        The Issuers and the Guarantors may require each Holder of securities to be sold pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement to furnish to the Issuers and the Guarantors such information regarding the Holder and the distribution of such securities as the Issuers and the Guarantors may from time to time reasonably require for inclusion in such

 

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Registration Statement. The Issuers and the Guarantors may exclude from such Shelf Registration Statement the Securities of any Holder that fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request.

 

(p)                        In the case of any Shelf Registration Statement, upon the request of the Majority Holders, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall enter into customary agreements (including, if requested, an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take all other appropriate actions, if any, as the Majority Holders shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of the Securities, and in connection therewith, if an underwriting agreement is entered into, cause the same to contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable than those set forth in Section 6 hereof.

 

(q)                        In the case of any Shelf Registration Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i)                                      make reasonably available for inspection at a location where they are normally kept and during normal business hours by the Majority Holders of Securities to be registered thereunder, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by the Holders or any such underwriter all relevant financial and other records and pertinent corporate documents of the Issuers and their respective subsidiaries;

 

(ii)                                   use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company’s respective officers, directors, employees, accountants and auditors to supply all relevant information reasonably requested by the Holders or any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent (each, an “ Inspector ”) in connection with any such Registration Statement as is customary for similar due diligence examinations; provided , however , that such Inspector shall first agree in writing with the Issuers and the Guarantors that any information that is reasonably and in good faith designated by the Issuers and the Guarantors in writing as confidential at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such Inspector, unless (1) disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order or is necessary to respond to inquiries of regulatory authorities, (2) disclosure of such information is required by law (including any disclosure requirements pursuant to federal securities laws in connection with the filing of such Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus), (3) such information becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard such information by such person or (4) such information becomes available to such Inspector from a source other than the Issuers or the Guarantors and such source is not known, after due inquiry, by the relevant Holder to be bound by a confidentiality agreement or is not otherwise under a duty of trust to the Issuers or the Guarantors;

 

(iii)                                make such representations and warranties to the Holders of Securities registered thereunder and the underwriters, if any, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings and covering matters including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Purchase Agreement;

 

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(iv)                               obtain opinions of counsel to the Issuers and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Underwriters, if any) addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters, if any, covering such matters as are customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Holders and underwriters;

 

(v)                                  obtain “comfort” letters and updates thereof from the independent certified public accountants of the Issuers (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the Issuers or of any business acquired by the Issuers or any Guarantor for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement), addressed to each selling Holder of Securities registered thereunder and the underwriters, if any, in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with primary underwritten offerings; and

 

(vi)                               deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Majority Holders or the Managing Underwriters, if any, including those to evidence compliance with Section 4(k) and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Issuers.

 

The actions set forth in clauses (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) of this paragraph (q) shall be performed at (A) the effectiveness of such Registration Statement and each post-effective amendment thereto; and (B) each closing under any underwriting or similar agreement as and to the extent required thereunder.

 

(r)                       If a Registered Exchange Offer is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Securities by Holders to the Issuers (or to such other person as directed by the Issuers) in exchange for the New Securities, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall mark, or caused to be marked, on the Securities so exchanged that such Securities are being cancelled in exchange for the New Securities. In no event shall the Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

 

(s)                      The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts if the Securities have been rated prior to the initial sale of such Securities, to confirm such ratings will apply to the Securities or the New Securities, as the case may be, covered by a Registration Statement.

 

(t)                       In the event that any broker-dealer shall underwrite any Securities or participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling group or “assist in the distribution” (within the meaning of FINRA Rules) thereof, whether as a Holder of such Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker or dealer in respect thereof, or otherwise, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall assist such broker-dealer in complying with the FINRA Rules.

 

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(u)                    The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of the Securities or the New Securities, as the case may be, covered by a Registration Statement.

 

5.                                  Registration Expenses . The Issuers and the Guarantors shall bear all expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their obligations under Sections 2, 3 and 4 hereof and, in the event of any Shelf Registration Statement, will reimburse the Holders for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm or counsel (which shall initially be Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, but which may be another nationally recognized law firm experienced in securities matters designated by the Majority Holders) to act as counsel for the Holders in connection therewith, and, in the case of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, will reimburse the Initial Purchasers for the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel acting in connection therewith in each case which counsel shall be approved by the Issuers (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld). Each Holder shall pay all expenses of its counsel other than as set forth in the preceding sentence, underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Securities or New Securities.

 

6.                                  Indemnification and Contribution . (a) The Issuers and the Guarantors agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, covered by any Registration Statement, each Initial Purchaser and, with respect to any Prospectus delivery as contemplated in Section 4(h) hereof, each Exchanging Dealer, the directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and agents of each such Holder, Initial Purchaser or Exchanging Dealer and each person who controls any such Holder, Initial Purchaser or Exchanging Dealer within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in any preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and agree to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , however , that the Issuers and the Guarantors will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Issuers and the Guarantors by or on behalf of the party claiming indemnification specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability that the Issuers and the Guarantors may otherwise have.

 

The Issuers and the Guarantors also agree to indemnify as provided in this Section 6(a) or contribute as provided in Section 6(d) hereof to Losses of each underwriter, if any, of Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, registered under a Shelf Registration Statement, their

 

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directors, officers, employees, Affiliates or agents and each person who controls such underwriter on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Initial Purchasers and the selling Holders provided in this Section 6(a) and shall, if requested by any Holder, enter into an underwriting agreement reflecting such agreement, as provided in Section 4(p) hereof.

 

(b)                    Each Holder of securities covered by a Registration Statement (including each Initial Purchaser that is a Holder, in such capacity) severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers and the Guarantors, each of their respective directors and officers who sign such Registration Statement and each person who controls the Issuers or any Guarantor within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Issuers and the Guarantors to each such Holder, but only with reference to written information relating to such Holder furnished to the Issuers and the Guarantors by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that any such Holder may otherwise have.

 

(c)                     Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 6 or notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses; and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel (including local counsel) of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel, other than local counsel if not appointed by the indemnifying party, retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided , however , that such counsel shall be satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel (including local counsel) to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest (based on the advice of counsel to the indemnified person); (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded (based on the advice of counsel to the indemnified person) that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party; (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action; or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect

 

15



 

to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent is consented to by the indemnifying party, as applicable (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) and includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

 

(d)                             In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, then each applicable indemnifying party shall have a joint and several obligation to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any loss, claim, liability, damage or action) (collectively “ Losses ”) (other than by virtue of the failure of an indemnified party to notify the indemnifying party of its right to indemnification pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 6, where such failure materially prejudices the indemnifying party (through the forfeiture of substantial rights or defenses)), each indemnifying party, in order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by such indemnifying party, on the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, from the Initial Placement and the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses; provided , however , that in no case shall any Initial Purchaser be responsible, in the aggregate, for any amount in excess of the purchase discount or commission applicable to such Security, or in the case of a New Security, applicable to the Security that was exchanged into such New Security, as set forth in the Final Memorandum, nor shall any underwriter be responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the securities purchased by such underwriter under the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of such indemnifying party, on the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Issuers shall be deemed to be equal to the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes issued in the Initial Placement as set forth in the Final Memorandum. Benefits received by the Initial Purchasers shall be deemed to be equal to the total fees received in the Initial Placement, and benefits received by any other Holders shall be deemed to be equal to the value of receiving Securities or New Securities, as applicable, registered under the Securities Act. Benefits received by any underwriter shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting discounts and commissions, as set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the indemnifying party, on the one hand, or by the indemnified party, on the other hand, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or any other method of allocation

 

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which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section, each person who controls a Holder within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of such Holder shall have the same rights to contribution as such Holder, and each person who controls the Issuers or any Guarantor within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Issuers or any Guarantor who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Issuers or any Guarantor shall have the same rights to contribution as the Issuers and the Guarantors, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).

 

(e)           The provisions of this Section will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or the Issuers and the Guarantors or any of the indemnified persons referred to in this Section 6, and will survive the sale by a Holder of securities covered by a Registration Statement.

 

7.                                  Underwritten Registrations . (a) If any of the Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, covered by any Shelf Registration Statement are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the Managing Underwriters shall be selected by the Majority Holders, subject to the consent of the Issuers (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), and the Holders of Securities or New Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement shall be responsible for all underwriting commissions and discounts.

 

(b)          No person may participate in any underwritten offering pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement, unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, on the basis reasonably provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements; and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

8.                                       Registration Defaults .

 

(a)          In the event that (i) (x) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement does not become effective on or prior to the 365th day after the date hereof, (y) such Exchange Offer Registration Statement becomes effective but ceases to be effective or usable or (z) the Exchange Offer is not completed within 30 days after the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement becomes effective, or (ii) a Shelf Registration Statement is required in accordance with Section 3(a) and such Shelf Registration Statement (x) does not become effective (A) on or prior to the 365th day following the date of such determination, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement required pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) or (B) on or prior to the 485th day following the date hereof, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement required pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii), (iii) or (iv), or (y) becomes effective but ceases to be effective or the corresponding Prospectus ceases to be usable at any time during the Shelf Registration Period, (any event referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) a “ Registration Default ”), then, in each case,

 

17



 

the interest rate on the Securities will be increased by 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period immediately following such Registration Default and (ii) an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period, up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum, in each case to but excluding the earlier of (i) the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured and (ii) the date which is two years from the date hereof. Any amounts payable under this paragraph shall also be deemed “ Additional Interest ” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

(b)          The Company shall notify the Trustee within five business days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional Interest is required to be paid (an “ Event Date ”). Any Additional Interest due shall be payable on each interest payment date to the Holder of Senior Notes with respect to which Additional Interest is due and owing. Each obligation to pay Additional Interest shall be deemed to accrue from and including the day following the applicable Event Date.

 

9.                                  No Inconsistent Agreements . The Issuers and the Guarantors have not entered into, and agree not to enter into, any agreement with respect to their securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders herein or that otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

 

10.                           Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, qualified, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the Issuers and the Guarantors have obtained the written consent of the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes outstanding; provided that, with respect to any matter that directly or indirectly affects the rights of any Initial Purchaser hereunder, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall obtain the written consent of each such Initial Purchaser against which such amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver or consent is to be effective; provided , further , that no amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver or consent with respect to Section 8 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registered Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder; and provided , further , that the provisions of this Article 10 may not be amended, qualified, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the Issuers and the Guarantors have obtained the written consent of the Initial Purchasers and each Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing (except the foregoing provisos), a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by the Majority Holders, determined on the basis of Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, being sold rather than registered under such Registration Statement.

 

11.                           Notices . All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail, telex, telecopier, other electronic means or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

 

(a)                             if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such holder to the Issuers in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11, which address initially is, with respect to each Holder, the address of such Holder maintained by the Registrar under the Indenture;

 

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(b)                             if to the Initial Purchasers, initially at the address or addresses set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and

 

(c)                              if to the Issuers, initially at the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given when received.

 

The Initial Purchasers or the Issuers by notice to the other parties may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

12.                           Remedies . Each Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided to it herein, in the Indenture or in the Purchase Agreement or granted by law, including recovery of liquidated or other damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Issuers and the Guarantors agree that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by them of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive in any action for specific performance the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

13.                           Successors . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns, including, without the need for an express assignment or any consent by the Issuers and the Guarantors thereto, subsequent Holders of Securities and the New Securities, and the indemnified persons referred to in Section 6 hereof. The Issuers and the Guarantors hereby agree to extend the benefits of this Agreement to any Holder of Securities and the New Securities, and any such Holder may specifically enforce the provisions of this Agreement as if an original party hereto.

 

14.                           Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

15.                           Headings . The section headings used herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

16.                           Applicable Law . This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed in the State of New York. The parties hereto each hereby waive any right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

 

17.                           Severability . In the event that any one of more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired or affected thereby, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges of the parties shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

19



 

18.                           Securities Held by the Issuers, etc . Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of principal amount of Securities or New Securities is required hereunder, Securities or New Securities, as applicable, held by the Issuers or their respective Affiliates (other than subsequent Holders of Securities or New Securities if such subsequent Holders are deemed to be Affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such Securities or New Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

 

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement between the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC,
as the Company

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.
as the Co-issuer

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

EP ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

EP ENERGY GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

EP ENERGY RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C.

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

EP ENERGY BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

as Guarantors

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

of each of the above listed
Guarantors

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 



 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ross MacIntyre

 

 

Name: Ross MacIntyre

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

 

 

Acting on behalf of itself and as the Representative of the several Initial Purchasers

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 



 

ANNEX A

 

Each broker-dealer that receives new securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new securities. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new securities received in exchange for securities where such securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Issuers have agreed that, starting on the expiration date and ending on the close of business 180 days after the expiration date, it will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

A-1



 

ANNEX B

 

Each broker-dealer that receives new securities for its own account in exchange for securities, where such securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

B-1



 

ANNEX C

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Each broker-dealer that receives new securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new securities. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new securities received in exchange for securities where such securities were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The issuers have agreed that, starting on the expiration date and ending on the close of business 180 days after the expiration date, it will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until                   ,                   , all dealers effecting transactions in the new securities may be required to deliver a prospectus.

 

The issuers will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new securities by brokers-dealers. New securities received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the new securities or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such new securities. Any broker-dealer that resales new securities that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such new securities may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit of any such resale of new securities and any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

For a period of 180 days after the expiration date, the issuers will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the Letter of Transmittal. The issuers have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the Exchange Offer (including the expenses of one counsel for holders of the securities) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the securities (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

[If applicable, add information required by Regulation S-K Items 507 and/or 508.]

 

C-1



 

ANNEX D

 

Rider A

 

PLEASE FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS BELOW IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

 

Name:

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rider B

 

If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it acquired the New Securities in the ordinary course of its business, it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of New Securities and it has no arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in a distribution of the New Securities. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive New Securities for its own account in exchange for Securities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Securities; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

D-1




Exhibit 5.1

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019-6064

 

212-373-3000

 

212-757-3990

 

September 10, 2012

 

EP Energy LLC

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

1001 Louisiana Street

Houston, Texas 77002

 

Registration Statement on Form S-4
( Registration No. 333-               )

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) of EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Issuer”), Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Co-Issuer” and, together with the Issuer, the “Issuers”), the person listed on Schedule I hereto (the “Delaware Corporate Guarantor”), the persons listed on Schedule II hereto (each, a

 

IRS Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this document is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter that is contained in this document.

 



 

“Delaware LLC Guarantor”) and the person listed on Schedule III hereto (the “Delaware Limited Partnership Guarantor” and, together with the Delaware Corporate Guarantor and the Delaware LLC Guarantors,  the “Guarantors”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Rules”), you have asked us to furnish our opinion as to the legality of the securities being registered under the Registration Statement.  The Registration Statement relates to the registration under the Act of $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Senior Secured Exchange Notes”), $2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “Senior 2020 Exchange Notes”) and $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Senior 2022 Exchange Notes,” and together with the Senior Secured Exchange Notes and the Senior 2020 Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”)  and the guarantees of the Exchange Notes by the Guarantors (the “Guarantees” and, collectively with the Exchange Notes, the “Securities”).

 

The Exchange Notes and the Guarantees are to be offered in exchange for the Issuers’ outstanding $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Senior Secured Initial Notes”), $2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “Senior 2020 Initial Notes”) and $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Senior 2022 Initial Notes,” and together with the Senior Secured Initial Notes and the Senior 2020 Initial Notes, the “Initial Notes”) and the guarantees of the Initial Notes by the Guarantors.  The Exchange Notes and the Guarantees will be issued by the Issuers and the Guarantors in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012

 

2



 

(the “Senior Secured Notes Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee for the 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (the “Senior 2020 Notes Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee for the 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020, and the Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2012 (the “Senior 2022 Notes Indenture,” and together with the Senior 2020 Notes Indenture and the Senior 2022 Notes Indenture, the “Indentures”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee for the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022, as applicable.

 

In connection with the furnishing of this opinion, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (collectively, the “Documents”):

 

1.             the Registration Statement;

 

2.             the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, including the form of the Exchange Notes attached thereto, included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement;

 

3.             the Senior 2020 Notes Indenture, including the form of the Exchange Notes attached thereto, included as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement;

 

4.             the Senior 2022 Notes Indenture, including the form of the Exchange Notes attached thereto, included as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement;

 

5.             the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, between EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers, in respect of the Senior Secured Initial Notes and included as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement;

 

3



 

6.             the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, between EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers, in respect of the Senior 2020 Initial Notes and included as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement; and

 

7.             the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 13, 2012, between EP Energy LLC, Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. as representative of the several initial purchasers, in respect of the Senior 2022 Initial Notes and included as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement.

 

In addition, we have examined (i) such corporate records of the Issuers and the Guarantors as we have considered appropriate, including, as applicable, a copy of the certificate of formation or incorporation, as amended, and the limited liability company operating agreement, limited partnership agreement or by-laws, as amended, of the Issuers and each Guarantor, certified by the Issuers and each Guarantor as in effect on the date of this letter, and copies of resolutions of the board of managers, the sole member, the board of directors or the general partner, as applicable, of the Issuers and each Guarantor relating to the issuance of the Securities, certified by the Issuers and each Guarantor and (ii) such other certificates, agreements and documents as we deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed below.  We have also relied upon the factual matters contained in the representations and warranties of the Issuers and the Guarantors made in the Documents and upon certificates of public officials and the officers of the Issuers and the Guarantors.

 

4



 

In our examination of the documents referred to above, we have assumed, without independent investigation, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all individuals who have executed any of the documents reviewed by us, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic, reproduced or conformed copies of valid existing agreements or other documents, the authenticity of all the latter documents and that the statements regarding matters of fact in the certificates, records, agreements, instruments and documents that we have examined are accurate and complete.  We have also assumed without independent investigation (i) that the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees will be issued as described in the Registration Statement and (ii) that the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees will be in substantially the form attached to the Indentures and that any information omitted from such form will be properly added.

 

Based upon the above, and subject to the stated assumptions, exceptions and qualifications, we are of the opinion that:

 

1.             When duly issued, authenticated and delivered against the surrender and cancellation of the Initial Notes as set forth in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indentures and Registration Rights Agreements, the Exchange Notes will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable against the Issuers in accordance with their terms, except that the enforceability of the Exchange Notes may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

5



 

2.             When the Exchange Notes are duly issued, authenticated and delivered against the surrender and cancellation of the Initial Notes as set forth in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indentures and Registration Rights Agreements, the Guarantees will be valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Guarantors, enforceable against each of the Guarantors in accordance with their terms, except that the enforceability of the Guarantees may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

The opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware.  Our opinion is rendered only with respect to the laws, and the rules, regulations and orders under those laws, that are currently in effect.

 

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” contained in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement.  In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required by the Act or the Rules.

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/ Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

 

 

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP

 

6



 

SCHEDULE I

 

DELAWARE CORPORATE GUARANTORS

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation /
Organization

EPE Nominee Corp.

 

Delaware

 

SCHEDULE II

 

DELAWARE LLC GUARANTORS

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation /
Organization

EP Energy Global LLC

 

Delaware

EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

EP Energy Management, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

SCHEDULE III

 

DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP GUARANTOR

 

Name

 

State of Incorporation /
Organization

EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.

 

Delaware

 




Exhibit 8.1

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019-6064

 

212-373-3000

 

212-757-3990

 

September 10, 2012

 

EP Energy LLC

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

1001 Louisiana Street

Houston, Texas 77002

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as United States federal income tax counsel for EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Companies”), in connection with their offer to exchange $750,000,000 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, $2,000,000,000 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 and $350,000,000 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Exchange Notes”), for the same aggregate principal amount of substantially identical 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 and 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 that were issued by the Companies pursuant to the Offering Memorandum dated as of April 10, 2012 (the “Initial Notes”) in an offering that was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 



 

The Companies have requested that we render our opinion as to certain tax matters in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), relating to the registration by the Companies of the Exchange Notes to be offered in the exchange offer, filed by the Companies on September 10, 2012 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder (the “Rules”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Registration Statement.

 

In rendering our opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such agreements and other documents as we have deemed relevant and necessary and we have made such investigations of law as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinion expressed below. In our examination, we have assumed, without independent verification, (i) the authenticity of original documents, (ii) the accuracy of copies and the genuineness of signatures, (iii) that the execution and delivery by each party to a document and the performance by such party of its obligations thereunder have been authorized by all necessary measures and do not violate or result in a breach of or default under such party’s certificate or instrument of formation and by-laws or the laws of such party’s jurisdiction of organization, (iv) that each agreement represents the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter thereof, (v) that the parties to each agreement have complied, and will comply, with all of their respective covenants, agreements and undertakings contained therein and (vi) that the transactions provided for by each agreement were and will be carried out in accordance with their terms. In rendering our opinion we have made no independent

 



 

investigation of the facts referred to herein and have relied for the purpose of rendering this opinion exclusively on those facts that have been provided to us by you and your agents, which we assume have been, and will continue to be, true.

 

The opinion set forth below is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, administrative rulings, judicial decisions, Treasury regulations and other applicable authorities, all as in effect on the effective date of the Registration Statement. The statutory provisions, regulations, and interpretations upon which our opinion is based are subject to change, and such changes could apply retroactively. Any change in law or the facts regarding the Exchange Offer, or any inaccuracy in the facts or assumptions on which we relied, could affect the continuing validity of the opinion set forth below. We assume no responsibility to inform you of any such changes or inaccuracy that may occur or come to our attention.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and subject to the limitations and qualifications set forth herein and in the Registration Statement, the discussion set forth under the caption “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the Registration Statement, insofar as it expresses conclusions as to the application of United States federal income tax law, is our opinion as to the material United States federal income tax consequences of exchanging Initial Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant to the exchange offer and of the ownership and disposition of Exchange Notes acquired pursuant to the exchange offer.

 

We are furnishing this letter in our capacity as United States federal income tax counsel to the Companies.

 



 

We hereby consent to use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” contained in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement and to the discussion of this opinion in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required by the Securities Act or the Rules.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/ Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

 

 

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP

 




Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of May 24, 2012

 

among

 

EPE HOLDINGS LLC,
as Holdings,

 

EP ENERGY LLC (F/K/A EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC),
as the Borrower,

 

The Several Lenders
from Time to Time Parties Hereto,

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent,
Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank,

 

and

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC and
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
as Lead Arrangers

 


 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC,
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,
BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.,
RBC CAPITAL MARKETS,
UBS SECURITIES LLC and
NOMURA SECURITIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
as Joint Bookrunners

 


 

COMPASS BANK,
CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP.,
COMERICA BANK,
DNB MARKETS, INC.,
ING FINANCIAL MARKETS LLC,
LLOYDS SECURITIES INC.,
THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.,
UNION BANK, N.A.
MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD.,
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC,
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION,
SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE,
SUNTRUST BANK and
TD SECURITIES (USA) LLC,
as Senior Managing Agents

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

SECTION 1. Definitions

 

2

 

 

 

1.1

Defined Terms

 

2

1.2

Other Interpretive Provisions

 

57

1.3

Accounting Terms

 

58

1.4

Rounding

 

58

1.5

References to Agreements, Laws, Etc.

 

58

1.6

Times of Day

 

59

1.7

Timing of Payment or Performance

 

59

1.8

Currency Equivalents Generally

 

59

1.9

Classification of Loans and Borrowings

 

60

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2. Amount and Terms of Credit

 

60

 

 

 

2.1

Commitments

 

60

2.2

Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing; Maximum Number of Borrowings

 

61

2.3

Notice of Borrowing

 

62

2.4

Disbursement of Funds

 

62

2.5

Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt

 

63

2.6

Conversions and Continuations

 

64

2.7

Pro Rata Borrowings

 

65

2.8

Interest

 

66

2.9

Interest Periods

 

66

2.10

Increased Costs, Illegality, Etc.

 

67

2.11

Compensation

 

69

2.12

Change of Lending Office

 

69

2.13

Notice of Certain Costs

 

70

2.14

Borrowing Base

 

70

2.15

Defaulting Lenders

 

74

2.16

Increase of Total Commitment

 

77

2.17

Extension Offers

 

78

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3. Letters of Credit

 

80

 

 

 

 

3.1

Letters of Credit

 

80

3.2

Letter of Credit Applications

 

81

3.3

Letter of Credit Participations

 

83

3.4

Agreement to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings

 

85

3.5

Increased Costs

 

86

3.6

New or Successor Issuing Bank

 

87

3.7

Role of Issuing Bank

 

88

3.8

Cash Collateral

 

89

3.9

Existing Letters of Credit

 

89

3.10

Applicability of ISP and UCP

 

89

3.11

Conflict with Issuer Documents

 

90

3.12

Letters of Credit Issued for Restricted Subsidiaries

 

90

 

i



 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

3.13

Alternate Currency

 

90

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4. Fees; Commitments

 

90

 

 

 

 

4.1

Fees

 

90

4.2

Voluntary Reduction of Commitments

 

91

4.3

Mandatory Termination of Commitments

 

93

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5. Payments

 

93

 

 

 

 

5.1

Voluntary Prepayments

 

93

5.2

Mandatory Prepayments

 

94

5.3

Method and Place of Payment

 

95

5.4

Net Payments

 

96

5.5

Limit on Rate of Interest

 

100

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6. Conditions Precedent to Initial Borrowing

 

101

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7. Conditions Precedent to All Subsequent Credit Events

 

104

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements

 

105

 

 

 

8.1

Corporate Status

 

105

8.2

Corporate Power and Authority; Enforceability

 

105

8.3

No Violation

 

105

8.4

Litigation

 

106

8.5

Margin Regulations

 

106

8.6

Governmental Approvals

 

106

8.7

Investment Company Act

 

106

8.8

True and Complete Disclosure

 

106

8.9

Financial Condition; Financial Statements

 

107

8.10

Tax Matters

 

107

8.11

Compliance with ERISA

 

107

8.12

Subsidiaries

 

108

8.13

Intellectual Property

 

108

8.14

Environmental Laws

 

109

8.15

Properties

 

109

8.16

Solvency

 

110

8.17

Insurance

 

110

8.18

Gas Imbalances, Prepayments

 

110

8.19

Marketing of Production

 

110

8.20

Hedge Agreements

 

110

8.21

Patriot Act; OFAC

 

111

8.22

No Material Adverse Effect

 

111

8.23

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

 

111

 

 

 

 

SECTION 9. Affirmative Covenants

 

111

 

ii



 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

9.1

Information Covenants

 

112

9.2

Books, Records and Inspections

 

117

9.3

Maintenance of Insurance

 

118

9.4

Payment of Taxes

 

118

9.5

Consolidated Corporate Franchises

 

118

9.6

Compliance with Statutes, Regulations, Etc.

 

118

9.7

ERISA

 

119

9.8

Maintenance of Properties

 

119

9.9

Transactions with Affiliates

 

120

9.10

End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters

 

122

9.11

Additional Guarantors, Grantors and Collateral

 

123

9.12

Use of Proceeds

 

124

9.13

Further Assurances

 

125

9.14

Reserve Reports

 

125

9.15

Title Information

 

127

9.16

Change in Business

 

127

9.17

Holdings Covenant

 

127

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10.  Negative Covenants

 

128

 

 

 

10.1

Limitation on Indebtedness

 

128

10.2

Limitation on Liens

 

133

10.3

Limitation on Fundamental Changes

 

137

10.4

Limitation on Sale of Assets

 

139

10.5

Limitation on Investments

 

141

10.6

Limitation on Restricted Payments

 

145

10.7

Limitations on Debt Payments and Amendments

 

149

10.8

Negative Pledge Agreements

 

150

10.9

Limitation on Subsidiary Distributions

 

153

10.10

Hedge Agreements

 

154

10.11

Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio

 

156

 

 

 

 

SECTION 11. Events of Default

 

156

 

 

 

 

11.1

Payments

 

156

11.2

Representations, Etc.

 

156

11.3

Covenants

 

157

11.4

Default Under Other Agreements

 

157

11.5

Bankruptcy, Etc.

 

157

11.6

ERISA

 

158

11.7

Guarantee

 

158

11.8

Security Documents

 

158

11.9

Judgments

 

159

11.10

Change of Control

 

159

11.11

Application of Proceeds

 

159

11.12

Equity Cure

 

160

 

 

 

 

SECTION 12. The Agents

 

162

 

iii



 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

12.1

Appointment

 

162

12.2

Delegation of Duties

 

162

12.3

Exculpatory Provisions

 

163

12.4

Reliance by Agents

 

163

12.5

Notice of Default

 

164

12.6

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Other Lenders

 

164

12.7

Indemnification

 

165

12.8

Agents in Its Individual Capacities

 

166

12.9

Successor Agents

 

166

12.10

Withholding Tax

 

167

12.11

Security Documents and Collateral Agent under Security Documents and Guarantee

 

167

12.12

Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guarantee

 

168

12.13

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim

 

168

 

 

 

 

SECTION 13. Miscellaneous

 

169

 

 

 

 

13.1

Amendments, Waivers and Releases

 

169

13.2

Notices

 

171

13.3

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

 

172

13.4

Survival of Representations and Warranties

 

172

13.5

Payment of Expenses; Indemnification

 

172

13.6

Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments

 

174

13.7

Replacements of Lenders under Certain Circumstances

 

179

13.8

Adjustments; Set-off

 

180

13.9

Counterparts

 

181

13.10

Severability

 

181

13.11

Integration

 

182

13.12

GOVERNING LAW

 

182

13.13

Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers

 

182

13.14

Acknowledgments

 

183

13.15

WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL

 

184

13.16

Confidentiality

 

184

13.17

Release of Collateral and Guarantee Obligations

 

185

13.18

USA PATRIOT Act

 

186

13.19

Payments Set Aside

 

186

13.20

Reinstatement

 

186

13.21

Disposition of Proceeds

 

186

13.22

Collateral Matters; Hedge Agreements

 

187

13.23

Agency of the Borrower for the Other Credit Parties

 

187

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Reserve Report Certificate

Exhibit B

 

Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit C

 

Form of Guarantee

 

iv



 

Exhibit D

 

Form of Mortgage/Deed of Trust (Texas)

Exhibit E

 

Form of Collateral Agreement

Exhibit F

 

Form of Pledge Agreement

Exhibit G

 

Form of Assignment and Acceptance

Exhibit H-1

 

Form of Promissory Note (Loan)

Exhibit H-2

 

Form of Promissory Note (Swingline Loan)

Exhibit I

 

Form of Intercompany Note

Exhibit J

 

Form of Solvency Certificate

Exhibit K

 

Form of Non-Bank Tax Certificate

 

 

 

SCHEDULES

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule 1.1(a)

 

Commitments

Schedule 1.1(b)

 

Excluded Equity Interests

Schedule 1.1(c)

 

Excluded Subsidiaries

Schedule 1.1(e)

 

Closing Date Subsidiary Guarantors

Schedule 1.1(f)

 

Closing Date Hedge Banks

Schedule 1.1(g)

 

Closing Date Mortgaged Property

Schedule 3.9

 

Existing Letters of Credit

Schedule 6(b)

 

Local Counsels

Schedule 8.4

 

Litigation

Schedule 8.12

 

Subsidiaries

Schedule 8.18

 

Closing Date Gas Imbalance

Schedule 8.19

 

Closing Date Marketing Agreements

Schedule 8.20

 

Closing Date Hedge Agreements

Schedule 9.9

 

Closing Date Affiliate Transactions

Schedule 9.13(b)

 

Further Assurances

Schedule 10.1

 

Closing Date Indebtedness

Schedule 10.2(d)

 

Closing Date Liens

Schedule 10.4(i)

 

Scheduled Dispositions

Schedule 10.5(d)

 

Closing Date Investments

Schedule 10.8

 

Closing Date Negative Pledge Agreements

Schedule 13.2

 

Notice Addresses

 

v


 

CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of May 24, 2012, among EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings (the “ Borrower ”), the banks, financial institutions and other lending institutions from time to time parties as lenders hereto (each a “ Lender ” and, collectively, the “ Lenders ”), JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders, as the swing line lender and an issuer of Letters of Credit, and each other Issuing Bank from time to time party hereto.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012 (together with all exhibits and schedules thereto, and as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Purchase and Sale Agreement ”), among EP Energy Holding Company and EP Energy Corporation on the one hand (collectively, the “ Seller ”), and EPE Acquisition, LLC on the other, the Borrower will acquire (the “ Acquisition ”) from the Seller, (a) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC, “ EPE US LLC ”), (b) subject to the rights of TransGlobe Petroleum International Inc., as buyer, under that certain Share Purchase Agreement dated as of April 27, 2012 with EPE US LLC and El Paso Preferred Holdings Company, all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company, a Cayman Islands company (“ EP Egypt ”), (c) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ EP Brazil ” and, together with EPE US LLC, EP Egypt and their respective Subsidiaries, collectively, and, after giving effect to certain reorganization transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the “ Acquired EP Business ”);

 

WHEREAS, to fund, in part, the Acquisition, it is intended that the Co-Investors will contribute an amount in cash to Holdings and/or a direct or indirect parent thereof in exchange for Equity Interests (such contribution, the “ Equity Investments ”), which shall be no less than 40% of the pro forma total capitalization of Holdings and its Subsidiaries after giving effect to the Transactions (the “ Minimum Equity Amount ”);

 

WHEREAS, to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement, it is intended that the Borrower will (a) issue up to $2,000,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes (b) issue up to $750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of senior second-lien secured notes and (c) borrow up to $750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount under a senior second-lien secured term loan facility on or prior to the Closing Date;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the foregoing, (a) the Borrower has requested that (i) on the Closing Date, the Lenders provide Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $750,000,000 ( the “ Closing Date Loans ”) and (ii) at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date, the Lenders provide Loans to the Borrower subject to the Available Commitment, (b) the Borrower has requested that each Issuing Bank issue Letters of Credit (subject to the Available Commitment) at any time and from time to time prior to the L/C Maturity Date (including on the Closing Date to back stop and/or replace any Existing Letter of Credit (subject to the Available Commitment)), in an aggregate Stated Amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $250,000,000 and (c) the Borrower has requested that the Swingline

 



 

Lender extend credit in the form of Swingline Loans (subject to the Available Commitment) at any time and from time to time prior to the Swingline Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $50,000,000;

 

WHEREAS, the net proceeds of the Closing Date Loans, together with the net proceeds of the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes and the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility and the net proceeds of the Equity Investments, will be used on the Closing Date to consummate the Acquisition, to effect the Debt Repayments and to pay Transaction Expenses;

 

WHEREAS, following the Closing Date, the proceeds of the Loans will be used by the Borrower for the acquisition, development and exploration of Oil and Gas Properties and for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including Permitted Acquisitions) and the Letters of Credit will be used by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for general corporate purposes and to support deposits required under purchase agreements pursuant to which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries may acquire Oil and Gas Properties and other assets;

 

WHEREAS, the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks are willing to make available to the Borrower such revolving credit, swingline and letter of credit facilities upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.  Definitions.

 

1.1                                Defined Terms .

 

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

 

ABR ” shall mean for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1 / 2  of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its “prime rate” and (c) the LIBOR Rate for a one-month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1.0%; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of calculating the LIBOR Rate pursuant to clause (c)  above, the LIBOR Rate for any day shall be based on the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such day by reference to the rate appearing on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any successor page or any successor service, or any substitute page or substitute for such service, providing rate quotations comparable to the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) for a period equal to one-month. The “prime rate” is a rate set by the Administrative Agent based upon various factors, including the Administrative Agent’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in the ABR due to a change in such rate announced by the Administrative Agent, in the Federal Funds Effective

 

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Rate or in the one-month LIBOR Rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

 

ABR Loan ” shall mean each Loan bearing interest based on the ABR.

 

Acquired EP Business ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Acquired Business Representations ” shall mean the representations and warranties made by the Seller with respect to the Acquired EP Business in the Purchase and Sale Agreement as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that EPE Acquisition, LLC (or one of its Affiliates) has the right to terminate the obligations of EPE Acquisition, LLC and its Affiliates under the Purchase and Sale Agreement as a result of a breach of such representations and warranties in the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

 

Acquisition ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Additional Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.16(a) .

 

Additional Lender Extended Amount ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17(b) .

 

Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” shall mean (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

 

(a)                                  the sum of:

 

(i)                                      estimated discounted future net revenues from Proved Reserves of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any provincial, territorial, state, federal or foreign income taxes, as estimated by the Borrower in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Borrower’s most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from (A) estimated Proved Reserves acquired since such year end, which Proved Reserves were not reflected in such year-end reserve report, and (B) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to upward revisions of estimates of Proved Reserved (including the impact to discounted future net revenues related to development costs previously estimated in the last year-end reserve report, but only to the extent such costs were actually incurred since the date of the last year-end reserve report) since such year-end due to exploration, development, exploitation or other activities, increased by the accretion of discount from the date of the last year-end reserve report to the date of determination and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from (C) estimated Proved Reserves included in the last year-end reserve report that shall have been produced or disposed of since such year-end, and (D) estimated oil and gas reserves included therein that are subsequently removed from the Proved Reserves of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as so calculated due to downward revisions of estimates of Proved Reserves since such year-end due to changes in geological conditions or other

 

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factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, provided, that (x) in the case of such year-end reserve report and any adjustments since such year-end pursuant to clauses (A), (B) and (D), the estimated discounted future net revenues from Proved Reserves shall be determined in their entirety using oil, gas and other hydrocarbon prices and costs that are either (1) calculated in accordance with the SEC guidelines and, with respect to such adjustments under clauses (A), (B) or (D), calculated with such prices and costs as if the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the date of determination for which such information is available to the Borrower were year-end or (2) if the Borrower so elects at any time, calculated in accordance with the foregoing clause (1), except that when pricing of future net revenues of Proved Reserves under the SEC guidelines is not based on a contract price and is instead based upon benchmark, market or posted pricing, the pricing for each month of estimated future production from such Proved Reserves not subject to contract pricing shall be based upon NYMEX (or successor) published forward prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity applicable to such production month (adjusted for energy content, quality and basis differentials (such basis differential being the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward basis differential or, if such NYMEX (or successor) forward basis differential is unavailable, as estimated in good faith by the Borrower based on historical basis differential (before any state or federal or other income tax)) and giving application to the last sentence of such definition hereto), as such forward prices are published as of the year end date of such reserve report or, with respect to post-year-end adjustments under clauses (A), (B) or (D), the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the date of determination, (y) the pricing of estimated Proved Reserves that have been produced or disposed since year end as set forth in clause (D) shall be based upon the applicable pricing elected for the prior year-end reserve report as provided in clause (x), and (z) in each case as estimated by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary or by any Approved Petroleum Engineer;

 

(ii)                                   the capitalized costs that are attributable to Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no Proved Reserves are attributable, based on the Borrower’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of the Borrower’s latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements;

 

(iii)                                the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of the Borrower’s latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements;

 

(iv)                               assets related to commodity risk management activities less liabilities related to commodity risk management activities, in each case to the extent that such assets and liabilities arise in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, provided that such net value shall not be less than zero; and

 

(v)                                  the greater of (A) the net book value of other tangible assets (including, without limitation, investments in unconsolidated Restricted Subsidiaries and mineral rights held under lease or other contractual arrangement) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Borrower’s latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements, and (B) the Fair Market Value, as estimated

 

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by the Borrower, of other tangible assets (including, without limitation, investments in unconsolidated Restricted Subsidiaries and mineral rights held under lease or other contractual arrangement) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Borrower’s latest audited consolidated financial statements (it being understood that the Borrower shall not be required to obtain any appraisal of any assets); minus

 

(b)                                  the sum of:

 

(i)                                      any amount included in (a)(i) through (a)(v) above that is attributable to minority interests;

 

(ii)                                   any net gas balancing liabilities of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in the Borrower’s latest audited consolidated financial statements;

 

(iii)                                to the extent included in (a)(i) above, the estimated discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with the SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices and costs as provided in (a)(i)), attributable to reserves that are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto); and

 

(iv)                               to the extent included in (a)(i) above, the estimated discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing prices and costs as provided in (a)(i)), attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the estimated discounted future net revenues specified in (a)(i) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto).

 

If the Borrower changes its method of accounting from the full cost method of accounting to the successful efforts or a similar method, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if the Borrower were still using the full cost method of accounting.

 

Adjusted Total Commitment ” shall mean, at any time, the Total Commitment less the aggregate amount of Commitments of all Defaulting Lenders.

 

Administrative Agent ” shall mean JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, or any successor administrative agent appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.9 .

 

Administrative Agent’s Office ” shall mean the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 13.2 , or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify in writing to the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

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Administrative Questionnaire ” shall mean, for each Lender, an administrative questionnaire in a form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” (“controlling”) and “controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Affiliated Institutional Lender ” shall mean any investment fund managed or advised by Affiliates of a Co-Investor that is a bona fide debt fund and that extends credit or buys loans in the ordinary course of business.

 

Affiliated Lender ” shall mean a Lender that is a Co-Investor or any Affiliate thereof (other than Holdings, any Subsidiary of Holdings, any Borrower or any Affiliated Institutional Lender).

 

Agents ” shall mean the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

 

Agreement ” shall mean this Credit Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Alternate Currency ” shall mean, with respect to any Letter of Credit, Brazilian Reais and Euro.

 

Alternate Currency Letter of Credit ” shall mean any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternate Currency.

 

Applicable Equity Amount ” shall mean, at any time (the “ Applicable Equity Amount Reference Time ”), an amount equal to, without duplication,

 

(a)                                  the amount of any capital contributions made in cash to, or any proceeds of an equity issuance received by, the Borrower during the period from and including the Business Day immediately following the Closing Date, through and including the Applicable Equity Amount Reference Time, including proceeds from the issuance of Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, but excluding all proceeds from the issuance of Disqualified Stock;

 

minus

 

(b)                                  the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(i)                                      the aggregate amount of any Investments made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 10.5(g)(iii)(B) Section 10.5(h)(ii)  and Section 10.5(i)(B)  after the Closing Date, and prior to the Applicable Equity Amount Reference Time;

 

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(ii)                                   the aggregate amount of any Restricted Payments made by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.6(j)  after the Closing Date, and prior to the Applicable Equity Amount Reference Time; and

 

(iii)                                the aggregate amount of prepayments, repurchases, redemptions and defeasances made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 10.7(c)(iii)  after the Closing Date and prior to the Applicable Equity Amount Reference Time.

 

Applicable Margin ” shall mean, for any day, with respect to any ABR Loan or LIBOR Loan, as the case may be, the rate per annum set forth in the grid below based upon the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage in effect on such day:

 

Borrowing Base Utilization Grid

 

Borrowing Base Utiliza tion Percentage

 

X < 30%

 

> 30% X < 60%

 

>60% X < 80%

 

> 80% X < 90%

 

X >90%

LIBOR Loans

 

1.50%

 

1.75%

 

2.00%

 

2.25%

 

2.50%

ABR Loans

 

0.50%

 

0.75%

 

1.00%

 

1.25%

 

1.50%

Commitment Fee Rate

 

0.375%

 

0.375%

 

0.50%

 

0.50%

 

0.50%

 

Each change in the Commitment Fee Rate or Applicable Margin shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change.

 

Approved Fund ” shall mean any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

Approved Petroleum Engineers ” shall mean (a) Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., (b) Ryder Scott Company, L.P., (c) W. D. Van Gonten & Co. Petroleum Engineering, (d) DeGolyer and MacNaughton, (e) Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc., (f) Miller and Lents, Ltd. and (g) at the Borrower’s option, any other independent petroleum engineers selected by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

Assignment and Acceptance ” shall mean an assignment and acceptance substantially in the form of Exhibit G or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Authorized Officer ” shall mean as to any Person, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Treasurer, the Assistant or Vice Treasurer, the Vice President-Finance, the General Counsel and any manager, managing member or general partner, in each case, of such Person, and any other senior officer designated as such in writing to the Administrative Agent by such Person. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by an Authorized Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company, partnership and/or other action on the

 

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part of the Borrower or any other Credit Party and such Authorized Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Person.

 

Auto-Extension Letter of Credit ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.2(b) .

 

Available Commitment ” shall mean, at any time, (a) the Loan Limit at such time minus (b) the aggregate Total Exposures of all Lenders at such time.

 

Bank Price Deck ” shall mean the Administrative Agent’s forward curve for each of oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbons, as applicable, furnished to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Bankruptcy Code ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.5 .

 

benefited Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.8 .

 

Board ” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).

 

Board of Directors ” shall mean, as to any Person, the board of directors or other governing body of such Person, or if such Person is owned or managed by a single entity, the board of directors or other governing body of such entity.

 

Borrower ” shall have the meaning provided in the introductory paragraph hereto.

 

Borrowing ” shall mean the incurrence of one Type of Loan on a given date (or resulting from conversions on a given date) having, in the case of LIBOR Loans, the same Interest Period (provided that ABR Loans incurred pursuant to Section 2.10(b) shall be considered part of any related Borrowing of LIBOR Loans).

 

Borrowing Base ” shall mean, at any time, an amount equal to the amount determined in accordance with Section 2.14 , as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the provisions thereof.

 

Borrowing Base Deficiency ” occurs if, at any time, the aggregate Total Exposure of all Lenders exceeds the Borrowing Base then in effect. The amount of the Borrowing Base Deficiency is the amount by which the Total Exposure of all Lenders exceeds the Borrowing Base then in effect.

 

Borrowing Base Properties ” shall mean the Oil and Gas Properties of the Credit Parties included in the Initial Reserve Report and thereafter in the Reserve Report most recently delivered pursuant to Section 9.14 .

 

Borrowing Base Required Lenders ” shall mean, at any date, (a) Non-Defaulting Lenders having or holding at least 90% of the Adjusted Total Commitment at such date or (b) if the Total Commitment has been terminated, Lenders having or holding at least 90% of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans, the Swingline Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure

 

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(excluding the Loans, Swingline Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure of Defaulting Lenders) in the aggregate at such date.

 

Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage ” shall mean, as of any day, the fraction expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the sum of the aggregate Total Exposures of all Lenders on such day, and the denominator of which is the Borrowing Base in effect on such day.

 

Borrowing Base Value ” shall mean, with respect to any Oil and Gas Property of a Credit Party or any Hedge Agreement in respect of commodities, the value attributed to such asset in connection with the most recent determination of the Borrowing Base (which Borrowing Base was approved by the Borrowing Base Required Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable, in accordance with Section 2.14 ).

 

Budget ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.1(k) .

 

Business Day ” shall mean any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Houston, Texas are authorized by law or other governmental actions to close, and, if such day relates to (a) any interest rate settings as to a LIBOR Loan, (b) any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in respect of any such LIBOR Loan, or (c) any other dealings pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such LIBOR Loan, such day shall be a day on which dealings in deposits in Dollars are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

 

Capital Lease ” shall mean, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that, in conformity with GAAP, is, or is required to be, accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person; provided that leases that are recharacterized as Capital Leases due to a change in GAAP after January 1, 2011 shall not be treated as Capital Leases for any purpose under this Agreement but shall instead be treated as they would have been in accordance with GAAP as in effect on January 1, 2011.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligations ” shall mean, as applied to any Person, all obligations under Capital Leases of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case taken at the amount thereof accounted for as liabilities in accordance with GAAP; provided that obligations that are recharacterized as Capitalized Lease Obligations due to a change in GAAP after January 1, 2011 shall not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations for any purpose under this Agreement but shall instead be treated as they would have been in accordance with GAAP as in effect on January 1, 2011.

 

Capitalized Software Expenditures ” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a person during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in accordance with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its subsidiaries.

 

Cash Collateral ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.8 .

 

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Cash Collateralize ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.8(d) .

 

Cash Management Agreement ” shall mean any agreement entered into from time to time by the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with cash management services for collections, other Cash Management Services and for operating, payroll and trust accounts of such Person, including automatic clearing house services, controlled disbursement services, electronic funds transfer services, lockbox services, stop payment services and wire transfer services.

 

Cash Management Bank ” shall mean any Person that either (a) at the time it provides Cash Management Services, (b) on the Closing Date or (c) at any time after it has provided any Cash Management Services, is a Lender or an Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Agent.

 

Cash Management Obligations ” shall mean obligations owed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Cash Management Bank in connection with, or in respect of, any Cash Management Services.

 

Cash Management Services ” shall mean (a) commercial credit cards, merchant card services, purchase or debit cards, including non-card e-payables services, (b) treasury management services (including controlled disbursement, overdraft, automated clearing house fund transfer services, return items and interstate depository network services) and (c) any other demand deposit or operating account relationships or other cash management services, including any Cash Management Agreement.

 

Casualty Event ” shall mean, with respect to any Collateral, (a) any damage to, destruction of, or other casualty or loss involving, any property or asset or (b) any seizure, condemnation, confiscation or taking under the power of eminent domain of, or any requisition of title or use of, or relating to, or any similar event in respect of, any property or asset.

 

CFC ” shall mean a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

 

Change in Law ” shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, treaty, order, policy, rule or regulation after the Closing Date, (b) any change in any law, treaty, order, policy, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Closing Date or (c) compliance by any Lender with any guideline, request, directive or order enacted or promulgated after the Closing Date by any central bank or other governmental or quasi-governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law); provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Basel Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervisory Practices (or any successor or similar authority) and all guidelines, requests, directives, orders, rules and regulations adopted, enacted or promulgated in connection therewith shall be deemed to have gone into effect after the Closing Date regardless of the date adopted, enacted or promulgated and shall be included as a Change in Law but only to the extent a Lender is imposing applicable increased costs or costs in connection with capital adequacy requirements similar to those described in clauses (a)(ii)  and (c)  of Section 2.10 generally on other borrowers of loans under United States reserve-based credit facilities.

 

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Change of Control ” shall mean and be deemed to have occurred if:

 

(a)                                  (i) at any time prior to a Qualifying IPO, (x) the Permitted Holders shall at any time cease to have, directly or indirectly, the power to vote or direct the voting of at least 35% of the Voting Stock of the Borrower or (y) any Person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person, entity or “group” and its Subsidiaries and any Person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Permitted Holders, shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act) of a percentage of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Borrower that is greater than the percentage of such voting power of such Voting Stock in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders or (ii) at any time on and after a Qualifying IPO, any Person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person, entity or “group” and its Subsidiaries and any Person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Permitted Holders (or any holding company parent of Holdings owned directly or indirectly by the Permitted Holders), shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act) of voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Borrower having more than the greater of (A) 35% of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the Borrower and (B) the percentage of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the Borrower owned in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, beneficially, by the Permitted Holders, unless in the case of either clause (i) or   (ii)  of this clause (a), the Permitted Holders have, at such time, the right or the ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Borrower; or

 

(b)                                  at any time on or after a Qualifying IPO, during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the Board of Directors of the Borrower shall be occupied by individuals who were neither (1) nominated by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or a Permitted Holder, (2) appointed by directors so nominated nor (3) appointed by a Permitted Holder; or

 

(c)                                   a “Change of Control” (as defined in (i) the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, the Senior Secured Notes Indenture or the documentation governing the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility or (ii) any indenture or credit agreement in respect of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes or the Senior Secured Term Loans, in each case of this subclause (ii) constituting Material Indebtedness) shall have occurred.

 

Class ” (a) when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Existing Loans, Extended Loans (of the same Extension Series) or Swingline Loans; (b) when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is an Existing Commitment, an Extended Commitment (of each Extension Series) or a Swingline Commitment and (c) when used in reference to any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment with respect to a single class.

 

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Closing Date ” shall mean May 24, 2012.

 

Closing Date Loans ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

Co-Investors ” shall mean (a) the Sponsors, (b) any other investors party to that certain Interim Investors Agreement dated as of February 24, 2012 (as amended from time to time to the date hereof) and any other investors that may become party thereto prior to or upon the consummation of the Acquisition, in each case of this clause (b) disclosed to the Lead Arrangers on or prior to the Closing Date, and (c) the respective Affiliates of the investors described in clause (b), excluding in each case any of their respective operating portfolio companies.

 

Collateral ” shall have the meaning provided for such term in each of the Security Documents and shall include any and all assets securing any or all of the Obligations; provided that with respect to any Mortgages, “Collateral,” as defined herein, shall include “Mortgaged Property” as defined therein.

 

Collateral Agent ” shall mean JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as collateral agent under the Security Documents, or any successor collateral agent appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.9 .

 

Collateral Agreement ” shall mean the Collateral Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Borrower, the other grantors party thereto and the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto.

 

Collateral Coverage Minimum ” shall mean that the Mortgaged Properties shall represent (a) from the date that is 90 days following the Closing Date up to (but excluding) the date that is 120 days following the Closing Date, at least 50% of the PV-10 of the Credit Parties’ total Proved Reserves and (b) from the date that is 120 days following the Closing Date and thereafter, at least 80% of the PV-10 of the Credit Parties’ total Proved Reserves, in each case, included either in the Initial Reserve Report or in the most recent Reserve Report delivered pursuant to Section 9.14 .

 

Commitment ” shall mean, (a) with respect to each Lender that is a Lender on the Closing Date, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1(a)  as such Lender’s “Commitment” and (b) in the case of any Lender that becomes a Lender after the Closing Date, the amount specified as such Lender’s “Commitment” in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender assumed a portion of the Total Commitment, in each case as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The aggregate amount of the Commitments as of the Closing Date is $2,000,000,000.

 

Commitment Fee ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.1(a) .

 

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Commitment Fee Rate ” shall mean, for any day, with respect to the Available Commitment on such day, the applicable rate per annum set forth next to the row heading “Commitment Fee Rate” in the definition of “Applicable Margin” and based upon the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage in effect on such day.

 

Commitment Percentage ” shall mean, at any time, for each Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) such Lender’s Commitment at such time by (b) the amount of the Total Commitment at such time; provided that at any time when the Total Commitment shall have been terminated, each Lender’s Commitment Percentage shall be the percentage obtained by dividing (i) such Lender’s Total Exposure at such time by (ii) the aggregate Total Exposures of all Lenders at such time.

 

Company Material Adverse Effect ” shall mean a change, event, circumstance, development, state of facts, or condition that has or would reasonably be expected to (A) materially impair, prevent or delay any Seller’s timely consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement or (B) have a material adverse effect on the E&P Business or the ownership, assets, operations or financial condition of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however , that, for purposes of clause (B), Material Adverse Effect shall not include material adverse effects resulting from: (i) changes in the prices of Hydrocarbons; (ii) any declines in Company Well performance that do not result from the gross negligence of any Seller, Company, or Company Subsidiary; (iii) general changes in the industry in which the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries participate or in which the E&P Business is engaged; (iv) general changes in economic or political conditions, or financial markets; (v) changes in conditions or developments generally applicable to the oil and gas industry in any area or areas where the E&P Business is located; (vi) failure alone to meet internal or analyst projections or forecasts or estimates of revenues, earnings or other financial metrics for any period (provided, that the underlying reasons for such failure shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect); (vii) acts of God, including hurricanes and storms, acts or failures to act of Governmental Authorities (where not caused by the willful or negligent acts of Sellers, Companies, the Company Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates); (viii) civil unrest or similar disorder; terrorist acts; (ix) changes in applicable Laws or interpretations thereof by any Governmental Authority, including any changes in the deductibility of drilling completion or operating costs or other taxes; (x) any reclassification or recalculation of reserves in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (xi) effects or changes that are cured (provided that, except to the extent they would generate a downward adjustment to the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.3(g) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement or reduce the two percent (2%) deductible referred to in Section 10.4(c) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the costs of the cure to the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect) or no longer exist by the earlier of the Closing or the termination of the Purchase and Sale Agreement pursuant to Article 9 thereof, (xii) performance of the Purchase and Sale Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including compliance with covenants set forth therein or (xiii) changes resulting from the announcement of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement or the Kinder Morgan Merger. Notwithstanding the foregoing (1) for purposes of Sections 3.1(d)(ii), 3.1(d)(iii), 3.2(b)(ii), 3.2(b)(iii), 3.3(b)(ii), 3.3(b)(iii) and 3.14 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” shall be determined without giving effect to clause (xii)

 

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of the definition thereof and (2) changes, events, circumstances, developments, states of facts, and conditions referred to in clauses (iii), (iv), (v) and (ix) in the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” shall be considered for purposes of determining whether there has been (or would reasonably be expected to be) a “Material Adverse Effect” if, and only to the extent, such change, event, circumstance, development, state of facts, or condition has had (or would reasonably be expected to have) a disproportionate adverse effect on the E&P Business or the ownership, assets, operations or financial condition of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries, as opposed to other companies (and businesses) operating in the industries in which such Persons (and the E&P Business) operates. Capitalized terms used in this definition of “Company Material Adverse Effect”, other than the definition of “Purchase and Sale Agreement”, shall have the same meaning set forth in the Purchase and Sale Agreement as in effect on February 24, 2012.

 

Confidential Information ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.16 .

 

Consolidated Net Income ” shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its subsidiaries for such Period, on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that, without duplication,

 

(i)                                      any net after tax extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses or income or expense or charge ( less all fees and expenses relating thereto) including any severance, relocation, operating expenses directly attributable to the implementation of cost savings initiatives, any expenses related to any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternative uses, fees, expenses or charges relating to facilities closing costs, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, excess pension charges, acquisition integration costs, facilities opening costs, project start-up costs, signing, retention or completion bonuses, and expenses or charges related to any offering of Equity Interests or debt securities of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, any Investment, acquisition, Disposition, recapitalization or issuance, repayment, refinancing, amendment or modification of Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not successful), and any fees, expenses, charges or change in control payments related to the Transactions (including any Transaction Expenses incurred before, on or after the Closing Date), in each case, shall be excluded,

 

(ii)                                   any net aftertax income or loss from Disposed of, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets and any net aftertax gain or loss on disposal of Disposed of, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets shall be excluded,

 

(iii)                                any net aftertax gain or loss (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business Dispositions or asset Dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by the management of the Borrower) shall be excluded,

 

(iv)                               any net aftertax income or loss (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, Hedge Agreements or other derivative instruments shall be excluded,

 

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(v)                                  (A) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a subsidiary of such Person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a subsidiary thereof (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such referent Person) in respect of such period and (B) the Net Income for such period shall include any ordinary course dividend, distribution or other payment in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) received by the referent Person or a subsidiary thereof (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such referent Person) from any Person in excess of, but without duplication of, the amounts included in subclause (A) ,

 

(vi)                               the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period shall be excluded,

 

(vii)                            effects of purchase accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and its Subsidiaries) in component amounts required or permitted by GAAP, resulting from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded,

 

(viii)                         any impairment charges or asset write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP, and any impairment charges, asset write-offs or write-down, including ceiling test write-downs, on Oil and Gas Properties under GAAP or SEC guidelines shall be excluded,

 

(ix)                               any noncash compensation charge or expenses realized or resulting from stock option plans, employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, or grants or sales of stock, stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock or other rights shall be excluded,

 

(x)                                  accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve months after the Closing Date and that are so required to be established or adjusted in accordance with GAAP or as a result of adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded,

 

(xi)                               non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP and related interpretations shall be excluded,

 

(xii)                            any currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness, and any net loss or gain resulting from Hedge Agreements for currency exchange risk, shall be excluded,

 

(xiii)                         (i) the non-cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense shall be excluded and (ii) the cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense which exceeds the amount expensed in respect of such rent expense shall be included,

 

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(xiv)                        (a) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (i) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (ii) in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days), expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded and (b) amounts estimated in good faith to be received from insurance in respect of lost revenues or earnings in respect of liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be included (with a deduction for amounts actually received up to such estimated amount to the extent included in Net Income in a future period),

 

(xv)                           without duplication, an amount equal to the amount of distributions actually made to any parent or equity holder of such Person in respect of such period in accordance with Section 10.6(f)(i)(B)  shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such person for such period, and

 

(xvi)                        non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded (except to the extent reversing a previously recognized increase to net income).

 

Consolidated Total Assets ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the amount that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, without giving effect to any amortization of the amount of intangible assets since December 31, 2011, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any subsequent acquisition or Disposition of a Person or business.

 

Consolidated Total Debt ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, (a) the sum of (without duplication) all Indebtedness (other than letters of credit or bank guarantees, to the extent undrawn) consisting of Capital Lease Obligations, Indebtedness for borrowed money and Disqualified Stock of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on such date determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (provided that the amount of any Capitalized Lease Obligations or any such Indebtedness issued at a discount to its face value shall be determined in accordance with GAAP) minus (b) the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Cash on such date.

 

Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt as of the last day of the most recent Test Period to (b) EBITDAX for such Test Period; provided that the Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

 

Contractual Requirement ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 8.3 .

 

Credit Documents ” shall mean this Agreement, the Guarantee, the Security Documents, each Letter of Credit, any promissory notes issued by the Borrower under this Agreement, any Extension Amendment, any Incremental Agreement and any intercreditor agreement

 

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with respect to the Facility entered into on or after the Closing Date to which the Collateral Agent is party.

 

Credit Event ” shall mean and include the making (but not the conversion or continuation) of a Loan and the issuance of a Letter of Credit.

 

Credit Party ” shall mean each of the Borrower and the Guarantors.

 

Cure Amount ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.12(a) .

 

Cure Deadline ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.12(a) .

 

Cure Right ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.12(a) .

 

Debt Repayment ” shall mean the repayment in full of all outstanding Indebtedness (other than in respect of letters of credit issued thereunder that are either backstopped by Letter(s) of Credit or cash collateralized by the Borrower), and the termination of all commitments, under the Third Amended & Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 2, 2011, by and among El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (n/k/a EPE US LLC) and the lenders and other parties thereto.

 

Default ” shall mean any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Default Rate ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.8(c) .

 

Defaulting Lender ” shall mean any Lender whose acts or failures to act, whether directly or indirectly, cause it to meet any part of the definition of “Lender Default”.

 

Disposition ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.4 .

 

Dispose ” or “ Disposed of ” shall have a correlative meaning to the defined term of “Disposition”.

 

Disqualified Stock ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interests of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), other than as a result of a change of control or asset sale, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than as a result of a change of control or asset sale to the extent the terms of such Equity Interests provide that such Equity Interests shall not be required to be repurchased or redeemed until the Latest Maturity Date as in effect at the time of issuance has occurred or such repurchase or redemption is otherwise permitted by this Agreement (including as a result of a waiver hereunder)), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date hereunder as in effect at the time of issuance; provided that, if such Equity Interests are issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Equity Interests shall

 

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not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations; provided, further, that any Equity Interests held by any future, present or former employee, director, manager or consultant of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Parent Entities or any other entity in which the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary has an Investment and is designated in good faith as an “affiliate” by the board of directors or managers of the Borrower, in each case pursuant to any equity holders’ agreement, management equity plan or stock incentive plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

 

Distressed Person ” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of “Lender-Related Distress Event”.

 

Dollar-Denominated Production Payments ” shall mean production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Dollar Equivalent ” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any currency other than Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent at such time on the basis of the Exchange Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date or other applicable date of determination) for the purchase of Dollars with such currency.

 

Dollars ” and “ $ ” shall mean dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

Domestic Subsidiary ” shall mean each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, or the District of Columbia.

 

Drawing ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.4(b) .

 

EBITDAX ” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus (a) the sum of (in each case without duplication and to the extent the respective amounts described in subclauses (i) through (xii) of this clause (a) are otherwise deducted (and not added back) in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income for the respective period for which EBITDAX is being determined):

 

(i)                                      provision for Taxes based on income, profits or capital of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, including, without limitation, state, franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to taxes or arising from tax examinations),

 

(ii)                                   Interest Expense (and to the extent not included in Interest Expense, (x) solely to the extent deducted from Consolidated Net Income, all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of preferred stock or Disqualified

 

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Stock and (y) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities) of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (net of interest income of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period),

 

(iii)                                depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period including, the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees and Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits,

 

(iv)                               business optimization expenses and other restructuring charges or reserves (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include, without limitation, the effect of inventory optimization programs, facility closure, facility consolidations, retention, severance, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and excess pension charges),

 

(v)                                  any other non-cash charges; provided, that, for purposes of this subclause (v), any non-cash charges or losses shall be treated as cash charges or losses in any subsequent period during which cash disbursements attributable thereto are made (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period),

 

(vi)                               the amount of management, consulting, monitoring, transaction and advisory fees and related expenses paid to the Sponsors and any other Co-Investor (or any accruals related to such fees and related expenses) during such period to the extent permitted under Section 9.9(g)  and Section 9.9(j) ,

 

(vii)                            any costs or expense incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock),

 

(viii)                         any deductions (less any additions) attributable to minority interests except, in each case, to the extent of cash paid or received,

 

(ix)                               the amount of any loss attributable to a new plant or facility, until the date that is 12 months after the date of completing construction of or acquiring such plant or facility, as the case may be; provided that (A) such losses are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and certified by a responsible officer of the Borrower and (B) losses attributable to such plant or facility after 12 months from the date of completing such construction of or acquiring such plant or facility, as the case may be, shall not be included in this clause (ix),

 

(x)                                  exploration expenses or costs (to the extent the Borrower adopts the successful efforts method of accounting),

 

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(xi)                               with respect to any joint venture that is not a Restricted Subsidiary and solely to the extent relating to any net income referred to in clause (v) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income”, an amount equal to the proportion of those items described in clauses (i) and (ii) above relating to such joint venture corresponding to the Borrower’s and the Restricted Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of such joint venture’s Consolidated Net Income (determined as if such joint venture were a Restricted Subsidiary), and

 

(xii)                            one-time costs associated with commencing Public Company Compliance;

 

minus (b) the sum of (without duplication and to the extent the amounts described in this clause (b) increased such Consolidated Net Income for the respective period for which EBITDAX is being determined) non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (but excluding any such items (A) in respect of which cash was received in a prior period or will be received in a future period or (B) which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that reduced EBITDAX in any prior period).

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein and subject to adjustments as provided under clause (a)(x)  above and other adjustments permitted hereunder with respect to acquisitions, Dispositions and other transactions occurring following the Closing Date and pursuant to the definition of “Pro Forma Basis”, EBITDAX shall be deemed to be $338,000,000 for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011, $386,000,000 for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2011, $344,000,000 for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012 and $375,000,000 for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2012.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate amount of add-backs made pursuant to subclause (iv ) above and the aggregate amount of operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings reasonably expected to result from the Transactions that are included in EBITDAX in any four-fiscal-quarter period shall not exceed 15% of EBITDAX (prior to giving effect to such add-backs) for such period.

 

Engineering Reports ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.14(c) .

 

Environmental Claims ” shall mean any and all actions, suits, orders, decrees, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance, restrictions on use, operations or transferability, violation or potential responsibility or investigation (other than internal reports prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (a) in the ordinary course of such Person’s business or (b) as required in connection with a financing transaction or an acquisition or disposition of real estate) or proceedings arising under or based upon any Environmental Law or any permit issued, or any approval given, under any such Environmental Law (hereinafter, “ Claims ”), including, without limitation, (i) any and all Claims by governmental or regulatory authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law and (ii) any and all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief relating to the presence, release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to health or safety (to the extent relating to human exposure to Hazardous Materials), or the environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface

 

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water, groundwater, land surface and subsurface strata and natural resources such as wetlands.

 

Environmental Law ” shall mean any applicable Federal, state, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code and rule of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, and any binding judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any binding judicial or administrative order, consent decree or judgment, relating to the protection of the environment, including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface and subsurface strata and natural resources such as wetlands, or human health or safety (to the extent relating to human exposure to Hazardous Materials), or Hazardous Materials.

 

EP Brazil ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

EP Egypt ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

EPE US LLC ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Equity Interests ” of any person shall mean any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity or ownership of such person, including any preferred stock, any limited or general partnership interest and any limited liability company membership interest, and any securities or other rights or interests convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing.

 

Equity Investment ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

ERISA ” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time. Section references to ERISA are to ERISA as in effect on the Closing Date and any subsequent provisions of ERISA amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

 

ERISA Affiliate ” shall mean each person (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) that together with the Borrower would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

Euro ” means the lawful single currency unit of the Participating Member States.

 

Event of Default ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 11 .

 

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Exchange Rate ” shall mean on any day with respect to any currency (other than Dollars), the rate at which such currency may be exchanged into any other currency (including

 

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Dollars), as set forth at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such day on the Reuters World Currency Page for such currency. In the event that such rate does not appear on any Reuters World Currency Page, the Exchange Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, or, in the absence of such agreement, such Exchange Rate shall instead be the arithmetic average of the spot rates of exchange of the Administrative Agent in the market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such currency are then being conducted, at or about 11:00 a.m., local time, on such date for the purchase of the relevant currency for delivery two Business Days later.

 

Excluded Equity Interests ” shall mean (a) any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing delivered to the Agent, the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom, (b) solely in the case of any pledge of Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary or FSHCO (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Guarantor) to secure the Obligations, any Equity Interest that is Voting Stock of such Foreign Subsidiary or FSHCO in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class, (c) any Equity Interests to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law, (d) in the case of (i) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent the pledge of such Equity Interests is prohibited by Contractual Requirements or (ii) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly owned Subsidiary at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary, any Equity Interests of each such Subsidiary described in clause (i)  or (ii)  to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by any applicable Contractual Requirement (other than customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any Contractual Requirement prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided that this clause (B)  shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Credit Party or a Wholly owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain any such consent)) and for so long as such Contractual Requirement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Credit Party or a Wholly owned Subsidiary) to any Contractual Requirement governing such Equity Interests the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than customary non- assignment provisions that are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirement of Law), (e) the Equity Interests of any Immaterial Subsidiary and any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (f) the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, (g) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as reasonably determined by the Borrower in a writing delivered to the Administrative Agent, (h) with respect to Term/Notes Priority Collateral, any asset at any time that is not subject to a Lien securing the Senior Secured Notes or the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility, and (i) any Equity Interests set forth on Schedule 1.1(b)  which have been identified on or prior to the Closing Date in writing to the Administrative Agent by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower and agreed to by the Administrative Agent.

 

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Excluded Subsidiary ” shall mean (a) each Domestic Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.1(b)  and each future Domestic Subsidiary, in each case, for so long as any such Subsidiary does not constitute a Material Subsidiary, (b) each Domestic Subsidiary that is not a Wholly owned Subsidiary (for so long as such Subsidiary remains a non wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary), (c) each Domestic Subsidiary that is prohibited by any applicable Contractual Requirement or Requirement of Law from guaranteeing or granting Liens to secure the Obligations at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (and for so long as such restriction or any replacement or renewal thereof is in effect) or that would require consent, approval, license or authorization of a Governmental Authority to guarantee or grant Liens to secure the Obligations at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received), (d) any Foreign Subsidiary, (e) any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that owns no material assets (directly or through its Subsidiaries) other than equity interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs or (ii) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, (f) each other Domestic Subsidiary acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition financed with Indebtedness of the type incurred pursuant to Section 10.1(k) and would be permitted by the proviso contained in subclause (C) of Section 10.1(k)(i) and each Restricted Subsidiary thereof that guarantees such Indebtedness to the extent and so long as the financing documentation relating to such Permitted Acquisition to which such Restricted Subsidiary is a party prohibits such Restricted Subsidiary from guaranteeing or granting a Lien on any of its assets to secure the Obligations, (g) any other Domestic Subsidiary with respect to which, (x) in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the cost or other consequences of providing a Guarantee of or granting Liens to secure the Obligations shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom or (y) providing such a Guarantee or granting such Liens would result in material adverse tax consequences as reasonably determined by the Borrower, and (h) each Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Excluded Taxes ” shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder or under any other Credit Document, (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income or branch profits (however denominated, and including (for the avoidance of doubt) any backup withholding in respect thereof under Section 3406 of the Code or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), and franchise (and similar) Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), in each case by a jurisdiction (including any political subdivision thereof) as a result of such recipient being organized in, having its principal office in, or in the case of any Lender, having its applicable lending office in, such jurisdiction, or as a result of any other present or former connection with such jurisdiction (other than any such connection arising solely from this Agreement or any other Credit Documents or any transactions contemplated thereunder), (ii) U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed on any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder or under any other Credit Document that is required to be imposed on amounts payable to a Lender (other than to the extent such Lender is an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 13.7 ) pursuant to laws in force at the time such Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, immediately prior to the designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts or indemnification payments from any Credit Party with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 5.4 , (iii) any withholding Tax imposed on any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Credit

 

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Party hereunder or under any other Credit Document that is attributable to the Administrative Agent’s, any Lender’s or any other recipient’s failure to comply with Section 5.4(d)  or (e)  or (iv) any Tax imposed under FATCA.

 

Existing Class ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17 .

 

Existing Commitment ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17 .

 

Existing Commitment Class ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17 .

 

Existing Letters of Credit ” shall mean each letter of credit existing on the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 1.1(d) and any amendments, extensions and renewals thereof.

 

Existing Loans ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17 .

 

Extended Commitments ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17 .

 

Extended Loans ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17 .

 

Extending Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17 .

 

Extension Amendment ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17 .

 

Extension Date ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17 .

 

Extension Election ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17 .

 

Extension Request ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17 .

 

Extension Series ” shall mean all Extended Commitments that are established pursuant to the same Extension Amendment (or any subsequent Extension Amendment to the extent such Extension Amendment expressly provides that the Extended Commitments provided for therein are intended to be a part of any previously established Extension Series) and that provide for the same interest margins, extension fees, maturity and other terms.

 

Facility ” shall mean this Agreement and the Commitments and the extensions of credit made hereunder.

 

Fair Market Value ” shall mean, with respect to any asset or group of assets on any date of determination, the value of the consideration obtainable in a Disposition of such asset at such date of determination assuming a Disposition by a willing seller to a willing purchaser dealing at arm’s length and arranged in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time having regard to the nature and characteristics of such asset, as determined by the Borrower in good faith.

 

FATCA ” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not

 

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materially more onerous to comply with), or any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder or official administrative interpretations thereof.

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” shall mean, for any day, the weighted average of the per annum rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, if such rate is not so published for any date that is a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal Funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

Financial Officer ” of any Person shall mean the Chief Financial Officer, principal accounting officer, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of such Person.

 

Financial Performance Covenant ” shall mean the covenant of the Borrower set forth in Section 10.11 .

 

Foreign Corporate Subsidiary ” shall mean a Foreign Subsidiary that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Foreign Plan ” shall mean any employee benefit plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to employees employed outside the United States.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” shall mean each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

Formula Amount ”, at any time, shall mean an amount equal to the Borrowing Base (as defined in and determined pursuant to the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture in effect on the Closing Date (whether or not the Senior Unsecured Notes are outstanding) at such time.

 

Fronting Fee ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.1(c) .

 

FSHCO ” shall mean any Domestic Subsidiary that owns (directly or through its Subsidiaries) no material assets other than the Equity Interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs.

 

Fund ” shall mean any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course.

 

GAAP ” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect from time to time.

 

Governmental Authority ” shall mean any nation, sovereign or government, any state, province, territory or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity or authority exercising

 

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executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including a central bank or stock exchange.

 

Granting Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.6(g) .

 

Guarantee ” shall mean the Guarantee made by any Guarantor in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit C .

 

Guarantee Obligations ” shall mean, as to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such Indebtedness or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of any such Indebtedness or (ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain financial condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness, (c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such Indebtedness of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such Indebtedness or (d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term “Guarantee Obligations” shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or Disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the Indebtedness in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith.

 

Guarantors ” shall mean Holdings and each Domestic Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.1(e)  and each other Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) that becomes a party to the Guarantee after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 9.11 or otherwise.

 

Hazardous Materials ” shall mean (a) any petroleum or petroleum products, natural gas or natural gas liquids, radioactive materials, friable asbestos or asbestos containing materials, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing regulated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, and radon gas, (b) any chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances”, “hazardous waste”, “hazardous materials”, “extremely hazardous waste”, “restricted hazardous waste”, “toxic substances”, “toxic pollutants”, “contaminants”, or “pollutants”, or words of similar import, under any applicable Environmental Law and (c) any other chemical, material or substance, which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any Environmental Law.

 

Hedge Agreements ” shall mean (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, future contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions,

 

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cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, total return swap, credit spread transaction, repurchase transaction, reserve repurchase transaction, securities lending transaction, weather index transaction, spot contracts, fixed-price physical delivery contracts, whether or not exchange traded, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreements or obligations to physically sell any commodity at any index-based price shall not be considered Hedge Agreements.

 

Hedge Bank ” shall mean (a) any Person (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) that (x) at the time it enters into a Hedge Agreement is a Lender or Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or Agent, or (y) at any time after it enters into a Hedge Agreement it becomes a Lender or Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or Agent or (b) with respect to any Hedge Agreement that is in effect on the Closing Date, any Person (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) that (x) is a Lender or Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or Agent on the Closing Date or (y) is listed on Schedule 1.1(f)  (and, in the case of this clause (y) , any Affiliate of such Person).

 

Hedge PV ” shall mean, with respect to any commodity Hedge Agreement, the present value, discounted at 9% per annum, of the future receipts expected to be paid to the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries under such Hedge Agreement netted against the most recent Bank Price Deck provided to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.14(i)  in good faith; provided, however, that the “Hedge PV” shall never be less than $0.00.

 

Hedging Condition ” shall mean the circumstance that as of the date that is 90 days following the Closing Date, the Borrower shall have entered into or be subject to Hedge Agreements in respect of commodities the net notional volumes for which are not less than 40% of the reasonably anticipated projected Hydrocarbon production on a forward basis from the Credit Parties’ total Proved Developed Producing Reserves as forecast based upon the Initial Reserve Report for a term of five years (or for a shorter period if an equal amount of such notional volumes is hedged on a weighted-average basis (e.g., 80% of such anticipated production for a period of 2.5 years)). It is understood and agreed that the Hedging Condition is satisfied as of the Closing Date.

 

Hedging Obligations ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under Hedge Agreements.

 

Highest Lawful Rate ” means, with respect to each Lender, the maximum non-usurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Loans under laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter

 

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be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable laws allow as of the date hereof.

 

Historical Financial Statements ” shall mean (a) the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Acquired EP Business and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011, and the related audited statements of income and comprehensive income, statements of changes in shareholders’ equity and statements of cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 and (b) the unaudited interim consolidated balance sheet of the Acquired EP Business and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2012, and the related statement of income and comprehensive income, statement of changes in shareholders’ equity and statement of cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011; provided that the audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Registration Statement on Form 10 dated September 16, 2011 and filed with the SEC, together with consolidated financial statements for subsequent fiscal periods (to the extent required under Section 6(h) ) prepared on a basis substantially consistent therewith (subject to the absence of footnotes and audit adjustments), will satisfy the requirements of Section 6(h) .

 

Holdings ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Hydrocarbon Interests ” shall mean all rights, titles, interests and estates now or hereafter acquired in and to oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon leases, mineral fee interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profit interests and production payment interests, including any reserved or residual interests of whatever nature.

 

Hydrocarbons ” shall mean oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all products refined or separated therefrom.

 

Immaterial Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary.

 

Increasing Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.16 .

 

Incremental Agreement ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.16 .

 

Incremental Increase ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.16 .

 

Indebtedness ” of any Person shall mean, if and to the extent (other than with respect to clause (g) below) the same would constitute indebtedness or a liability in accordance with GAAP, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments, (c) the deferred purchase price of assets or services that in accordance with GAAP would be required to be shown as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person (other than (i) any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and (ii) obligations resulting under firm transportation contracts or take or pay contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business), (d) the face

 

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amount of all letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder, (e) the principal component of all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person, (f) net Hedging Obligations of such Person, (g) all indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) of any other Person secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person, (h) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase in respect of Disqualified Stock (excluding accrued dividends that have not increased the liquidation preference of such Disqualified Stock), (i) the undischarged balance of any production payment created by such Person or for the creation of which such Person directly or indirectly received payment and (j) without duplication, all Guarantee Obligations of such Person; provided that Indebtedness shall not include (i) trade and other ordinary-course payables and accrued expenses arising in the ordinary course of business, (ii) deferred or prepaid revenues, (iii) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller, (iv) in the case of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (A) all intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business and (B) intercompany liabilities in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (v) obligations under the Purchase and Sale Agreement and any other agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as amended, restated supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, (vi) Production Payments and Reserve Sales, (vii) in-kind obligations relating to net oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business and (viii) any obligation in respect of a farm-in agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property.

 

For purposes hereof, the amount of any net Hedging Obligations on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (g)  above shall be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the Fair Market Value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith.

 

Indemnified Liabilities ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.5 .

 

Indemnified Taxes ” shall mean all Taxes imposed on or with respect to or measured by, any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder or under any other Credit Document other than (a) Excluded Taxes and (b) Other Taxes.

 

Industry Investment ” shall mean Investments and/or expenditures made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business as a means of actively engaging therein through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements that permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of

 

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Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including: (1) ownership interests (directly or through equity) in oil and gas properties or gathering, transportation, processing, or related systems; and (2) Investments and/or expenditures in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, processing agreements, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling arrangements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies) with third parties.

 

Ineligible Institution ” shall mean the persons identified in writing to the Lead Arrangers by the Borrower on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

Information ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 8.8(a) .

 

Information Memorandum ” shall mean the Confidential Information Memorandum in respect of the Facility dated March 2012, as modified or supplemented prior to the Closing Date.

 

Initial Loans ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.1(a) .

 

Initial Maturity Date ” shall mean the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, or, if such anniversary is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately following such anniversary.

 

Initial Reserve Report ” shall mean the reserve engineers’ report, as of December 31, 2011, internally prepared by the Acquired EP Business and audited by Ryder Scott Company, L.P., with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Credit Parties.

 

Intercompany Note ” shall mean the Intercompany Subordinated Note, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit I executed by the Borrower and each other Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

Interest Expense ” shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of (a) gross interest expense of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis (including (i) the amortization of debt discounts, (ii) the amortization of all fees (including fees with respect to Hedge Agreements) payable in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness to the extent included in interest expense and (iii) the portion of any payments or accruals with respect to Capitalized Lease Obligations allocable to interest expense) and (b) capitalized interest of such Person. For purposes of the foregoing, gross interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received and costs incurred by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any interest rate Hedge Agreements, and interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

 

Interest Period ” shall mean, with respect to any Loan, the interest period applicable thereto, as determined pursuant to Section 2.9 .

 

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Interim Redetermination ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.14 .

 

Interim Redetermination Date ” shall mean the date on which a Borrowing Base that has been redetermined pursuant to an Interim Redetermination becomes effective as provided in Section 2.14 .

 

Investment ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.5 .

 

ISP ” shall mean, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

Issuer Documents ” shall mean, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the applicable Issuing Bank and the Borrower (or any Restricted Subsidiary) or in favor of the applicable Issuing Bank and relating to such Letter of Credit.

 

Issuing Bank ” shall mean (a) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., any of its Affiliates or any replacement or successor appointed pursuant to Section 3.6 , (b) Citibank, N.A. and any of its Affiliates, and (c) if requested by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, any other Person who is a Lender at the time of such request and who accepts such appointment (it being understood that, if any such Person ceases to be a Lender hereunder, such Person will remain an Issuing Bank with respect to any Letter of Credit issued by such Person that remained outstanding as of the date such Person ceased to be a Lender). If the Borrower requests JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to issue a Letter of Credit, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. may, in its discretion, arrange for such Letter of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, and in each such case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate or Lender with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate or Lender. References herein and in the other Credit Documents to an Issuing Bank shall be deemed to refer to the Issuing Bank in respect of the applicable Letter of Credit or to all Issuing Banks, as the context requires.

 

Joint Bookrunners ” shall mean J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., RBC Capital Markets, the investment banking division of Royal Bank of Canada, RBC Capital Markets, UBS Securities LLC and Nomura Securities International, Inc., each in its capacity as joint bookrunner in respect of the Facility.

 

Junior Liens ” means Liens on the Collateral (other than Liens securing the Obligations) that (i) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral (as defined in the Senior Lien Inter-creditor Agreement), are subordinated to the Liens granted under the Credit Documents and (ii) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, are senior to the Liens granted under the Credit Documents, in each case pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or another intercreditor agreement that is not materially less favorable to the Lenders than the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement (it being understood that Junior Liens are not required to be pari passu with other Junior Liens, and that Indebtedness secured by Junior Liens may have Liens that are

 

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senior in priority to, or pari passu with, or junior in priority to, other Liens constituting Junior Liens).

 

Latest Maturity Date ” shall mean, at any date of determination, the latest Maturity Date applicable to any Class of Commitments or Loans that is outstanding hereunder on such date of determination.

 

L/C Borrowing ” shall mean an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Borrowing. All L/C Borrowings shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

L/C Maturity Date ” shall mean the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.

 

L/C Obligations ” shall mean, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unpaid Drawings, including all L/C Borrowings. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

 

L/C Participant ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.3(a) .

 

L/C Participation ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.3(a) .

 

Lead Arrangers ” shall mean J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., each in its capacity as a lead arranger in respect of the Facility.

 

Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in the preamble to this Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender.

 

Lender Default ” shall mean (i) the refusal or failure of any Lender to make available its portion of any incurrence of Loans or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans, which refusal or failure is not cured within two Business Days after the date of such refusal or failure; (ii) the failure of any Lender to pay over to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within two Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute; (iii) a Lender has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations under the Facility, (iv) the failure by a Lender to confirm in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its obligations under the Facility, which failure is not cured after the date of such failure or (v) a Distressed Person has admitted in writing that it is insolvent or such Distressed Person becomes subject to a Lender-Related Distress Event.

 

Lender-Related Distress Event ” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, that such Lender or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender (each, a “ Distressed Person ”),

 

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as the case may be, is or becomes subject to a voluntary or involuntary case with respect to such Distressed Person under any debt relief law, or a custodian, conservator, receiver or similar official is appointed for such Distressed Person or any substantial part of such Distressed Person’s assets, or such Distressed Person or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Distressed Person is subject to a forced liquidation, or such Distressed Person makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or is otherwise adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Distressed Person or its assets to be, insolvent or bankrupt; provided that a Lender-Related Distress Event shall not be deemed to have occurred solely by virtue of (i) the ownership or acquisition of any equity interests in any Lender or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender by a Governmental Authority or an instrumentality thereof so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender or (ii) an undisclosed administration pursuant to the laws of the Netherlands.

 

Letter of Credit ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1 and shall include the Existing Letters of Credit and any Alternate Currency Letters of Credit.

 

Letter of Credit Application ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.2 .

 

Letter of Credit Commitment ” shall mean $250,000,000, as the same may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 3.1 (or the equivalent thereof in an Alternate Currency).

 

Letter of Credit Exposure ” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, at any time, the sum of (a) the principal amount of any Unpaid Drawings in respect of which such Lender has made (or is required to have made) payments to the applicable Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.4(a)  at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) and (b) such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Letters of Credit Outstanding at such time (excluding the portion thereof consisting of Unpaid Drawings in respect of which the Lenders have made (or are required to have made) payments to the applicable Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.4(a) ) minus the amount of cash or deposit account balances held by the Administrative Agent to Cash Collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit and Unpaid Drawings under Section 3.8 .

 

Letter of Credit Fee ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.1(b) .

 

Letters of Credit Outstanding ” shall mean, at any time, the sum of, without duplication, (a) the aggregate Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate principal amount of all Unpaid Drawings in respect of all Letters of Credit.

 

LIBOR Loan ” shall mean any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate (other than an ABR Loan bearing interest by reference to the LIBOR Rate by virtue of clause (c)  of the definition of ABR).

 

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LIBOR Rate ” shall mean, for any Interest Period with respect to any Borrowing of a LIBOR Loan, the interest rate per annum appearing on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or on any successor page or any successor service, or any substitute page or substitute for such service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “LIBOR Rate” with respect to such Borrowing of such LIBOR Loan for such Interest Period shall be determined by the Administrative Agent by reference to such other comparable publicly available service for displaying the offered rate for dollar deposits in the London interbank market as may be selected by the Administrative Agent and, in the absence of availability, then such rate shall be the rate at which dollar deposits of an amount comparable to the Borrowing of such LIBOR Loan and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal office of the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

 

Lien ” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, preferred mortgage, deed of trust, lien, notice of claim of lien, hypothecation, pledge, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance in or on such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset or (c) Production Payments and Reserve Sales and the like payable out of Oil and Gas Properties; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to be a Lien.

 

Liquidity ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the Available Commitment on such date and (b) the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Cash of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, less the amount of any Borrowing Base Deficiency existing on such date of determination.

 

Loan Limit ” shall mean, at any time, the lesser of (a) the Total Commitment at such time and (b) the Borrowing Base at such time (including as it may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.14(h) ).

 

Loan ” shall mean any Initial Loan, Extended Loan or Swingline Loan made by any Lender hereunder.

 

Majority Lenders ” shall mean, at any date, (a) Non-Defaulting Lenders having or holding a majority of the Adjusted Total Commitment at such date, or (b) if the Total Commitment has been terminated or for the purposes of acceleration pursuant to Section 11 , Non-Defaulting Lenders having or holding a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans, the Swingline Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure (excluding the Loans, Swingline Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure of Defaulting Lenders) in the aggregate at such date.

 

Mandatory Borrowing ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.1(c) .

 

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Material Adverse Effect ” shall mean a circumstance or condition affecting the business, assets, operations, properties or financial condition of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that would, individually or in the aggregate, materially adversely affect (a) the ability of the Borrower and the other Credit Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their payment obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents or (b) the rights and remedies of the Agents and the Lenders under this Agreement or under any of the other Credit Documents.

 

Material Indebtedness ” shall mean Indebtedness (other than Loans and Letters of Credit) of any one or more of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $125,000,000.

 

Material Subsidiary ” shall mean, at any date of determination, each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) whose Total Assets (when combined with the assets of such Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries, after eliminating intercompany obligations) at the last day of the Test Period were equal to or greater than 5% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries at such date or (b) whose revenues (when combined with the revenues of such Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries, after eliminating intercompany obligations) during such Test Period were equal to or greater than 5% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that if, at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date, Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries have, in the aggregate, (i) Total Assets (when combined with the assets of such Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries, after eliminating intercompany obligations) at the last day of such Test Period equal to or greater than 10.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries at such date or (ii) revenues (when combined with the revenues of such Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries, after eliminating intercompany obligations) during such Test Period equal to or greater than 10.0% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP, then the Borrower shall, on the date on which financial statements for such quarter are delivered pursuant to this Agreement, designate in writing to the Administrative Agent one or more of such Restricted Subsidiaries as “ Material Subsidiaries .”

 

Maturity Date ” shall mean, as to the applicable Loan, the Initial Maturity Date, any maturity date related to any Extension Series of Extended Commitments, or the Swingline Maturity Date, as applicable.

 

Minimum Borrowing Amount ” shall mean, with respect to any Borrowing of Loans, $500,000 (or, if less, the entire remaining Commitments at the time of such Borrowing).

 

Minimum Equity Amount ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Minority Investment ” shall mean any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary owns Equity Interests.

 

Moody’s ” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor by merger or consolidation to its business.

 

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Mortgage ” shall mean a mortgage or a deed of trust, deed to secure debt, trust deed, assignment of as-extracted collateral, fixture filing or other security document entered into by the owner of a Mortgaged Property and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in respect of that Mortgaged Property, substantially in the form of Exhibit D (with such changes thereto as may be necessary to account for local law matters) or otherwise in such form as agreed between the Borrower and the Collateral Agent.

 

Mortgaged Property ” shall mean, initially, each parcel of real estate and improvements thereto owned by a Credit Party and identified on Schedule 1.1(g) , and each other parcel of real property and improvements thereto with respect to which a Mortgage is required to be granted pursuant to Section 9.11 .

 

Multiemployer Plan ” shall mean a Plan that is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

Net Income ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends.

 

Net Working Capital ” shall mean (a) all current assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business less (b) all current liabilities of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities (i) associated with asset retirement obligations relating to Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) included in Indebtedness and (iii) any current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

New Borrowing Base Notice ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.14(d) .

 

New Facility ” means each plant or facility which is either a new plant or facility or an expansion of an existing plant or facility owned by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries which receives a certificate of completion or occupancy and all relevant licenses, and in fact commences operations.

 

Non-Consenting Lender ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.7(b) .

 

Non-Defaulting Lender ” shall mean and include each Lender other than a Defaulting Lender.

 

Non-Extension Notice Date ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.2(b) .

 

Non-U.S. Lender ” shall mean any Lender (a) that is not disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that is not a “United States person” as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. or (b) that is disregarded as separate from its owner

 

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for U.S. federal income tax purposes and whose regarded owner is not a “United States person” as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

Notice of Borrowing ” shall mean a request of the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.3(a)  and substantially in the form of Exhibit B or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent (acting reasonably).

 

Notice of Conversion or Continuation ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.6(a) .

 

NYMEX ” shall mean the New York Mercantile Exchange.

 

Obligations ” shall mean all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Credit Party arising under any Credit Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit or under any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement, in each case, entered into with the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof in any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of the Credit Parties under the Credit Documents (and any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent they have obligations under the Credit Documents) include the obligation (including Guarantee Obligations) to pay principal, interest, charges, expenses, fees, attorney costs, indemnities and other amounts payable by any Credit Party under any Credit Document. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary under any Secured Hedge Agreement and under any Secured Cash Management Agreement that has been secured at the option of the Borrower (such option shall be deemed exercised as reflected in the documents related to any such Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement among the Borrower and the applicable Hedge Bank or Cash Management Bank) shall be secured and guaranteed pursuant to the Security Documents and the Guarantee only to the extent that, and for so long as, the other Obligations are so secured and guaranteed and (b) any release of Collateral or Guarantors effected in the manner permitted by this Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall not require the consent of the holders of Hedge Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements or of the holders of Cash Management Obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements.

 

OFAC ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 8.22(b) .

 

Oil and Gas Business ” shall mean:

 

(a)                                  the business of acquiring, exploring, exploiting, developing, producing, operating and disposing of interests in oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas and other Hydrocarbons and mineral properties or products produced in association with any of the foregoing;

 

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(b)                                  the business of gathering, marketing, distributing, treating, processing, storing, refining, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties and products produced in association therewith and the marketing of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals obtained from unrelated Persons;

 

(c)                                   any other related energy business, including power generation and electrical transmission business, directly or indirectly, from oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbons and minerals produced substantially from properties in which Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, participate;

 

(d)                                  any business relating to oil field sales and service; and

 

(e)                                   any business or activity relating to, arising from, or necessary, appropriate, incidental or ancillary to the activities described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d) of this definition.

 

Oil and Gas Properties ” shall mean (a) Hydrocarbon Interests, (b) the properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with Hydrocarbon Interests, (c) all presently existing or future unitization, pooling agreements and declarations of pooled units and the units created thereby (including all units created under orders, regulations and rules of any Governmental Authority) which may affect all or any portion of the Hydrocarbon Interests, (d) all operating agreements, contracts and other agreements, including production sharing contracts and agreements, which relate to any of the Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, purchase, exchange or processing of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to such Hydrocarbon Interests, (e) all Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, including all oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, (f) all tenements, hereditaments, appurtenances and properties in any manner appertaining, belonging, affixed or incidental to the Hydrocarbon Interests and (g) all properties, rights, titles, interests and estates described or referred to above, including any and all property, real or personal, now owned or hereafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or useful in connection with the operating, working or development of any of such Hydrocarbon Interests or property (excluding drilling rigs, automotive equipment, rental equipment or other personal property which may be on such premises for the purpose of drilling a well or for other similar temporary uses) and including any and all oil wells, gas wells, injection wells or other wells, buildings, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, gas processing plants and pipeline systems and any related infrastructure to any thereof, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and servitudes together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing.

 

Ongoing Hedges ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.10(a) .

 

Other Currency ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.13 .

 

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Other Taxes ” shall mean any and all present or future stamp, registration, documentary, intangible, recording, filing or any other excise, property or similar Taxes (including related reasonable out-of-pocket expenses with regard thereto) arising from any payment made hereunder or made under any other Credit Document or from the execution or delivery of, registration or enforcement of, consummation or administration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Credit Document; provided that such term shall not include any of the foregoing Taxes (i) that result from an assignment, grant of a participation pursuant to Section 13.6(c)  or transfer or assignment to or designation of a new lending office or other office for receiving payments under any Credit Document (“ Assignment Taxes ”) to the extent such Assignment Taxes are imposed as a result of a connection between the assignor/participating Lender and/or the assignee/Participant and the taxing jurisdiction (other than a connection arising solely from any Credit Documents or any transactions contemplated thereunder), except to the extent that any such action described in this proviso is requested or required by the Borrower, or (ii) Excluded Taxes.

 

Overnight Rate ” shall mean, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (b) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

Parent Entity ” shall mean any Person that is a direct or indirect parent company (which may be organized as a partnership) of Holdings and/or the Borrower, as applicable.

 

Participant ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.6(c) .

 

Participant Register ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.6(c) .

 

Participating Member States ” means, together, each member state of the European Union that adopts or has adopted the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to the Economic and Monetary Union (as amended or reenacted from time to time).

 

Patriot Act ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.18 .

 

PBGC ” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Section 4002 of ERISA, or any successor thereto.

 

Pension Act ” shall mean the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as it presently exists or as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Permitted Acquisition ” shall mean the acquisition, by merger or otherwise, by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of assets (including any assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division) or Equity Interests, so long as (a) such acquisition and all transactions related thereto shall be consummated in all material respects in accordance with Requirements of Law; (b) if such acquisition involves the acquisition of Equity Interests of a Person that upon such acquisition would become a Subsidiary, such acquisition shall result in the issuer of such Equity Interests becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and, to the extent required by

 

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Section 9.11 , a Guarantor; (c) such acquisition shall result in the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, being granted a security interest in any Equity Interests or any assets so acquired to the extent required by Section 9.11 ; (d) after giving effect to such acquisition, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (e) after giving effect to such acquisition, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with Section 9.16 ; and (f) the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance after giving effect to such acquisition (including any Indebtedness assumed or permitted to exist pursuant to Section 10.1(k) ).

 

Permitted Acquisition Consideration ” shall mean in connection with any Permitted Acquisition, the aggregate amount (as valued at the Fair Market Value of such Permitted Acquisition at the time such Permitted Acquisition is made) of, without duplication: (a) the purchase consideration paid or payable in cash for such Permitted Acquisition, whether payable at or prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition or deferred for payment at any future time, whether or not any such future payment is subject to the occurrence of any contingency, and including any and all payments representing the purchase price and any assumptions of Indebtedness and/or Guarantee Obligations, “earn-outs” and other agreements to make any payment the amount of which is, or the terms of payment of which are, in any respect subject to or contingent upon the revenues, income, cash flow or profits (or the like) of any Person or business and (b) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition; provided, in each case, that any such future payment that is subject to a contingency shall be considered Permitted Acquisition Consideration only to the extent of the reserve, if any, required under GAAP (as determined at the time of the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition) to be established in respect thereof for the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Permitted Additional Debt ” shall mean any senior, senior subordinated or subordinated Indebtedness issued by the Borrower or a Guarantor, (a) the terms of which do not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligation prior to the 91st day after the Latest Maturity Date as in effect on the date of determination (other than customary offers to purchase upon a change of control, asset sale or casualty or condemnation event and customary acceleration rights after an event of default), (b) the covenants, events of default, guarantees and other terms of which (other than interest rate, fees, funding discounts and redemption or prepayment premiums determined by the Borrower to be “market” rates, fees, discounts and premiums at the time of issuance or incurrence of any such Indebtedness), taken as a whole, are determined by the Borrower to be “market” terms on the date of issuance or incurrence and in any event are not materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders, taken as a whole, relative to the terms of the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, taken as a whole, and do not require the maintenance or achievement of any financial performance standards other than as a condition to taking specified actions; provided that a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent at least three Business Days prior to the incurrence or issuance of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the relevant criteria set forth above, as applicable, shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy such relevant standard, (c) if such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, the terms of such Indebtedness provide for customary subordination

 

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of such Indebtedness to the Obligations and (d) no Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than a Guarantor) is an obligor under such Indebtedness.

 

Permitted Holders ” shall mean (i) the Co-Investors (and each Person to whom any Co-Investor transfers Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Parent Entity in connection with the primary equity syndication following the Closing Date), (ii) officers, directors, employees and other members of management of the Borrower (or any of its Parent Entities) or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries who are or become holders of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any Parent Entity), (iii) any Person that has no material assets other than the capital stock of the Borrower and that, directly or indirectly, holds or acquires beneficial ownership of 100% on a fully diluted basis of the voting Equity Interests of the Borrower, and of which no other Person or “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), other than any of the other Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii), beneficially owns more than 50% (or, following a Qualifying IPO, the greater of 35% and the percentage beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii)) on a fully diluted basis of the voting Equity Interests thereof and (iv) any “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date) the members of which include any of the other Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) and that, directly or indirectly, hold or acquire beneficial ownership of the voting Equity Interests of the Borrower (a “ Permitted Holder Group ”), so long as (1) each member of the Permitted Holder Group has voting rights proportional to the percentage of ownership interests held or acquired by such member and (2) no Person or other “group” (other than the other Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii)) beneficially owns more than 50% (or, following a Qualifying IPO, the greater of 35% and the percentage beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii)) on a fully diluted basis of the voting Equity Interests held by the Permitted Holder Group.

 

Permitted Investments ” shall mean:

 

(a)           securities issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, in each case having maturities and/or reset dates of not more than 24 months from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(b)           securities issued by any state, territory or commonwealth of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state, territory or commonwealth or any public instrumentality thereof or any political subdivision of any such state, territory or commonwealth or any public instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than 24 months from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having an investment grade rating generally obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, then from another nationally-recognized rating service);

 

(c)           commercial paper maturing no more than 12 months after the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-2 or P-2 from either S&P or Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally-recognized rating service);

 

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(d)                                  time deposits with, or domestic and LIBOR certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing no more than two years after the date of acquisition thereof issued by, any Lender or any other bank or trust company having combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000 in the case of domestic banks and $100,000,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof) in the case of foreign banks;

 

(e)                                   repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 180 days for underlying securities of the type described in clauses (a) , (b)  and (d)  above entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (d)  above or securities dealers of recognized national standing;

 

(f)                                    marketable short-term money market and similar funds (i) either having assets in excess of $500,000,000 or (ii) having a rating of at least A-2 or P-2 from either S&P or Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally-recognized rating service);

 

(g)                                   shares of investment companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and substantially all the investments of which are one or more of the types of securities described in clauses (a)  through (f)  above; and

 

(h)                                  in the case of Investments by any Restricted Foreign Subsidiary or Investments made in a country outside the United States of America, other customarily utilized high-quality Investments in the country where such Restricted Foreign Subsidiary is located or in which such Investment is made.

 

Permitted Junior Amount ”, at any time, shall mean an amount equal to (i) the greatest of (1) $3,000,000,000, (2) the sum of (x) $500,000,000 and (y) 30% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (measured at such time based upon the financial statements most recently available prior to such date) and (3) the Formula Amount in effect at such time, minus (ii) the amount of the Total Commitment in effect at such time.

 

Permitted Liens ” shall mean:

 

(a)                                  Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which appropriate reserves have been established to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP (or in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, the comparable accounting principles in the relevant jurisdiction), or for property taxes on property that the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries has determined to abandon if the sole recourse for such tax, assessment, charge or claim is to such property;

 

(b)                                  Liens in respect of property or assets of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries imposed by law, such as landlords’, vendors’, suppliers’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, construction contractors’, workers’ and mechanics’ Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business or incident to the exploration, development, operation or maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties, in each case so

 

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long as such Liens arise in the ordinary course of business and do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)                                   Liens arising from judgments or decrees in circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Section 11.9 ;

 

(d)                                  Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, old age pension, public liability obligations or similar legislation, and deposits securing liabilities to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations, or to secure (or secure the Liens securing) liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

(e)                                   deposits and other Liens securing (or securing the bonds or similar instruments securing) the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, plugging and abandonment obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (including letters of credit issued in lieu of such bonds or to support the issuance thereof) incurred in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business, or otherwise constituting Investments permitted by Section 10.5 ;

 

(e)                                   ground leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries are located;

 

(g)                                   easements, rights-of-way, licenses, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), title defects, exceptions, deficiencies or irregularities in title, encroachments, protrusions, servitudes, permits, conditions and covenants and other similar charges or encumbrances (including in any rights-of-way or other property of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries for the purpose of roads, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines for the removal of gas, oil or other minerals or timber, and other like purposes, or for joint or common use of real estate, rights of way, facilities and equipment) not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole and, to the extent reasonably agreed by the Administrative Agent, any exception on the title reports issued in connection with any Borrowing Base Property;

 

(h)                                  (i) any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor under any lease, liens reserved in oil, gas or other Hydrocarbons, minerals, leases for bonus, royalty or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such lease and (ii) any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor or secured by a lessor’s, sublessor’s, licensor’s or sublicensor’s interest under any lease, sublease, license or sublicense entered into by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or otherwise permitted by this Agreement;

 

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(i)                                      Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

 

(j)                                     Liens on goods or inventory the purchase, shipment or storage price of which is financed by a documentary letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance issued for the account of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such Lien secures only the obligations of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance to the extent permitted under Section 10.1 ;

 

(k)                                  leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(1)                                  Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statement or similar filings made in respect of operating leases entered into by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(m)                              Liens created in the ordinary course of business in favor of banks and other financial institutions over credit balances of any bank accounts of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries held at such banks or financial institutions, as the case may be, to facilitate the operation of cash pooling and/or interest set-off arrangements in respect of such bank accounts in the ordinary course of business;

 

(n)                                  Liens which arise in the ordinary course of business under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, oil and gas partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, overriding royalty agreements, marketing agreements, processing agreements, net profits agreements, development agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or other geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements that are usual or customary in the oil and gas business and are for claims which are not delinquent or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which appropriate reserves have been established to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP; provided that any such Lien referred to in this clause does not materially impair the use of the property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such property is held by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(o)                                  Liens on pipelines and pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law or other like Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business and incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties, each of which is in respect of obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness for borrowed money and are not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; and

 

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(p)                                  any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any real property that does not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ” shall mean, with respect to any Indebtedness (the “ Refinanced Indebtedness ”), any Indebtedness issued or incurred in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to modify, extend, refinance, renew, replace or refund (collectively to “ Refinance ” or a “ Refinancing ” or “ Refinanced ”), such Refinanced Indebtedness (or previous refinancing thereof constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness); provided that (A) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of any such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Refinanced Indebtedness outstanding immediately prior to such Refinancing except by an amount equal to the unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus other amounts paid and fees and expenses incurred in connection with such Refinancing plus an amount equal to any existing commitment unutilized and letters of credit undrawn thereunder, (B) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.1(i)  or 10.1(k) , the direct and contingent obligors with respect to such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness immediately prior to such Refinancing are not changed as a result of such Refinancing (except that a Credit Party may be added as an additional obligor), (C) other than with respect to a Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.1(h) , such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall have a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Refinanced Indebtedness, and (D) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.1(i)  or 10.1(k) , terms and conditions of any such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Lenders than the terms and conditions of the Refinanced Indebtedness being Refinanced (including, if applicable, as to collateral priority and subordination, but excluding as to interest rates, fees, floors, funding discounts and redemption or prepayment premiums); provided that a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent at least three Business Days prior to the incurrence or issuance of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement.

 

Person ” shall mean any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise or any Governmental Authority.

 

Petroleum Industry Standards ” shall mean the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question.

 

Plan ” shall mean any multiemployer or single-employer plan, as defined in Section 4001 of ERISA and subject to Title IV of ERISA, that is or was within any of the preceding

 

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six plan years maintained or contributed to by (or to which there is or was an obligation to contribute or to make payments to) the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate.

 

Pledge Agreement ” shall mean the Pledge Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Borrower, the other pledgors party thereto and the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto.

 

Pro Forma Basis ” shall mean, as to any Person, for any events as described below that occur subsequent to the commencement of a period for which the financial effect of such events is being calculated, and giving effect to the events for which such calculation is being made, such calculation as will give pro forma effect to such events as if such events occurred on the first day of the four consecutive fiscal quarter period ended on or before the occurrence of such event (the “ Reference Period ”): (i) in making any determination of EBITDAX, effect shall be given to any Disposition, any acquisition, Investment, capital expenditure, construction, repair, replacement, improvement, development, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation (including the Transactions or any similar transaction or transactions not otherwise permitted under Section 10.3 or Section 10.5 that require a waiver or consent of the Majority Lenders and such waiver or consent has been obtained), any dividend, distribution or other similar payment, any designation of any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and any Subsidiary Redesignation, and any restructurings of the business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries has determined to make and/or made and are expected to have a continuing impact and are factually supportable, which would include cost savings resulting from head count reduction, closure of facilities and similar operational and other cost savings, which adjustments the Borrower determines are reasonable as set forth in a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (the foregoing, together with any transactions related thereto or in connection therewith, the “ relevant transactions ”), in each case that occurred during the Reference Period (or, in the case of determinations made pursuant to the definition of the term “Pro Forma Compliance” or pursuant to Sections 10.1 , 10.2 , 10.5 and 10.6 , occurring during the Reference Period or thereafter and through and including the date upon which the respective Permitted Acquisition or relevant transaction is consummated), (ii) in making any determination on a Pro Forma Basis, (x) all Indebtedness (including Indebtedness issued, incurred or assumed as a result of, or to finance, any relevant transactions and for which the financial effect is being calculated, whether incurred under this Agreement or otherwise, but excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes) issued, incurred, assumed or permanently repaid during the Reference Period (or, in the case of determinations made pursuant to the definition of the term “Pro Forma Compliance” or pursuant to Sections 10.1 , 10.2 , 10.5 and 10.6 , occurring during the Reference Period or thereafter and through and including the date upon which the respective Permitted Acquisition or relevant transaction is consummated) shall be deemed to have been issued, incurred, assumed or permanently repaid at the beginning of such period, (y) Interest Expense of such person attributable to interest on any Indebtedness, for which pro forma effect is being given as provided in preceding clause (x), bearing floating interest rates shall be computed on a pro forma basis as if the rates that would have been in effect during the period for which pro forma effect is being given had been actually in effect during such periods, and (z) with respect to each New Facility which commences operations and records not less than one full fiscal quarter’s operations during the Reference Period, the operating results of such New Facility shall be annualized on a straight line basis during such

 

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period, and (iii) (A) any Subsidiary Redesignation then being designated, effect shall be given to such Subsidiary Redesignation and all other Subsidiary Redesignations after the first day of the relevant Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the respective Subsidiary Redesignation then being designated, collectively, and (B) any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, effect shall be given to such designation and all other designations of Restricted Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries after the first day of the relevant Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the then applicable designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, collectively.

 

Pro forma calculations made pursuant to the definition of the term “Pro Forma Basis” shall be determined in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Borrower and may include, (i) for any fiscal period ending on or prior to the third anniversary of any relevant pro forma event (but not for any fiscal period ending after such third anniversary), adjustments to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings reasonably expected to result from such relevant pro forma event (including, to the extent applicable, the Transactions) and (2) all adjustments of the type used in connection with the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA as set forth in the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data” under “Summary” in the Senior Notes Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable.

 

For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than Dollars will be converted to Dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDAX for the applicable period.

 

Pro Forma Compliance ” shall mean, at any date of determination, that the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to the relevant transactions (including the assumption, the issuance, incurrence and permanent repayment of Indebtedness), with the Financial Performance Covenant recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for which the financial statements and certificates required pursuant to Section 9.1(a)  or Section 9.1(b)  have been or were required to have been delivered.

 

Production Payments and Reserve Sales ” shall mean the grant or transfer by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar-denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers.

 

Proposed Acquisition ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.10(a) .

 

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Proposed Borrowing Base ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.14(c)(i) .

 

Proposed Borrowing Base Notice ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.14(c)(ii) .

 

Proved Developed Producing Reserves ” shall mean oil and gas reserves that, in accordance with Petroleum Industry Standards, are classified as both “Proved Reserves” and “Developed Producing Reserves.”

 

Proved Developed Reserves ” shall mean oil and gas reserves that, in accordance with Petroleum Industry Standards, are classified as both “Proved Reserves” and one of the following: (a) “Developed Producing Reserves” or (b) “Developed Non-Producing Reserves.”

 

Proved Reserves ” shall mean oil and gas reserves that, in accordance with Petroleum Industry Standards, are classified as both “Proved Reserves” and one of the following: (a) “Developed Producing Reserves”, (b) “Developed Non-Producing Reserves” or (c) “Undeveloped Reserves”.

 

Public Company Compliance ” shall mean compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules of national securities exchange listed companies (in each case, as applicable to companies with equity or debt securities held by the public), including procuring directors’ and officers’ insurance, legal and other professional fees, and listing fees.

 

Purchase and Sale Agreement ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

PV-9 ” shall mean, with respect to any Proved Reserves expected to be produced from any Borrowing Base Properties, the net present value, discounted at 9% per annum, of the future net revenues expected to accrue to the Borrower’s and the Credit Parties’ collective interests in such reserves during the remaining expected economic lives of such reserves, calculated in accordance with the most recent Bank Price Deck provided to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.14(i) .

 

PV-10 ” shall mean, with respect to any Proved Reserves expected to be produced from any Borrowing Base Properties, the net present value, discounted at 10% per annum, of the future net revenues expected to accrue to the Borrower’s and the Credit Parties’ collective interests in such reserves during the remaining expected economic lives of such reserves, calculated in accordance with the most recent Bank Price Deck provided to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.14(i) .

 

Qualified Equity Interests ” means any Equity Interests of Holdings or the Borrower or any Parent Entity other than Disqualified Stock.

 

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Qualifying IPO ” shall mean the issuance by the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower of its Equity Interests generating (individually or in the aggregate together with any prior initial public offering) gross proceeds exceeding $100,000,000, in an underwritten primary public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act (whether alone or in connection with a secondary public offering).

 

Redetermination Date ” shall mean, with respect to any Scheduled Redetermination or any Interim Redetermination, the date that the redetermined Borrowing Base related thereto becomes effective pursuant to Section 2.14(d) .

 

Refinance ” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.”

 

Register ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.6(b)(iv) .

 

Regulation T ” shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

 

Regulation U ” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

 

Regulation X ” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

 

Reimbursement Date ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.4(a) .

 

Related Parties ” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the directors, officers, employees, agents and members of such Person or such Person’s Affiliates and any Person that possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.

 

Reportable Event ” shall mean an event described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations thereunder, other than any event as to which the 30-day notice period has been waived.

 

Required Cash Collateral Amount ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.8(c) .

 

Required Lenders ” shall mean, at any date, (a) Non-Defaulting Lenders having or holding at least 66- 2 / 3 % of the Adjusted Total Commitment at such date or (b) if the Total Commitment has been terminated, Non-Defaulting Lenders having or holding at least 66- 2 / 3 % of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans, the Swingline Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure (excluding the Loans, Swingline Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure of Defaulting Lenders) in the aggregate at such date.

 

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Requirement of Law ” shall mean, as to any Person, any law, treaty, rule, regulation, statute, order, ordinance, decree, judgment, consent decree, writ, injunction, settlement agreement or governmental requirement enacted, promulgated or imposed or entered into or agreed by any Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or assets or to which such Person or any of its property or assets is subject.

 

Reserve Report ” shall mean the Initial Reserve Report and any other subsequent report, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth, as of each June 30th or December 31st (or such other date in the event of certain Interim Redeterminations) the Proved Reserves and the Proved Developed Reserves attributable to the Borrowing Base Properties of the Borrower and the Credit Parties, together with a projection of the rate of production and future net revenues, operating expenses (including production taxes and ad valorem expenses) and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of such date, based upon the most recent Bank Price Deck provided to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.14(i) ; provided that in connection with any Interim Redeterminations of the Borrowing Base pursuant to the last sentence of Section 2.14(b) , (i.e., as a result of the Borrower having acquired Oil and Gas Properties with Proved Reserves which are to be Borrowing Base Properties having a PV-10 (calculated at the time of acquisition) in excess of 5% of the Borrowing Base in effect immediately prior to such acquisition), the Borrower shall be required, for purposes of updating the Reserve Report, to set forth only such additional Proved Reserves and related information as are the subject of such acquisition.

 

Reserve Report Certificate ” shall mean a certificate of an Authorized Officer in substantially the form of Exhibit A certifying as to the matters set forth in Section 9.14(c) .

 

Restricted Foreign Subsidiary ” shall mean a Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Restricted Payments ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.6 .

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Revaluation Date ” means, with respect to any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance of an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, (ii) each date of an amendment of any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof (solely with respect to the increased amount), (iii) each date of any payment by an Issuing Bank under any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, and (iv) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank shall determine or the Majority Lenders shall require.

 

S&P ” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or any successor by merger or consolidation to its business.

 

Scheduled Dispositions ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.4(i) .

 

Scheduled Redetermination ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.14(b) .

 

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Scheduled Redetermination Date ” shall mean the date on which a Borrowing Base that has been redetermined pursuant to a Scheduled Redetermination becomes effective as provided in Section 2.14 .

 

SEC ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

Section 2.17 Additional Amendment ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17(c) .

 

Section 9.1 Financials ” shall mean the financial statements delivered, or required to be delivered, pursuant to Section 9.1(a)  or (b) , together with the accompanying Authorized Officer’s certificate delivered, or required to be delivered, pursuant to Section 9.1(c) .

 

Secured Cash Management Agreement ” shall mean any agreement related to Cash Management Services by and between the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Cash Management Bank.

 

Secured Hedge Agreement ” shall mean any Hedge Agreement by and between the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Hedge Bank.

 

Secured Parties ” shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Lender, each Hedge Bank that is party to any Secured Hedge Agreement, each Cash Management Bank that is a party to any Secured Cash Management Agreement and each sub-agent pursuant to Section 12.2 appointed by the Administrative Agent with respect to matters relating to the Credit Documents or by the Collateral Agent with respect to matters relating to any Security Document.

 

Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Security Agreements ” shall mean (a) the Collateral Agreement and (b) the Pledge Agreement.

 

Security Documents ” shall mean, collectively, (a) the Security Agreements, (b) the Mortgages and (c) each other security agreement or other instrument or document executed and delivered pursuant to Section 9.11 or 9.13 or pursuant to any other such Security Documents or otherwise to secure or perfect the security interest in any or all of the Obligations.

 

Seller ” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” shall mean the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement of even date herewith among the Agents, Citibank N.A., Wilmington Trust, National Association, the Borrower, the Subsidiary Grantors and the other parties party thereto from time to time, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, and any replacement of the foregoing on terms not materially adverse to the Lenders, taken as a whole, than the relevant replaced intercreditor agreement.

 

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Senior Managing Agents ” shall mean Compass Bank, Capital One, National Association, CIBC World Markets Corp., Comerica Bank, DNB Markets, Inc., ING Financial Markets LLC, Lloyds Securities Inc., The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., Union Bank, N.A., Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Société Générale, SunTrust Bank and TD Securities (USA) LLC.

 

Senior Notes Offering Memorandum ” shall mean the offering memorandum, dated April 10, 2012, in respect of the Senior Unsecured Notes and the Senior Secured Notes.

 

Senior Secured Notes ” shall mean the $750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Borrower’s Senior Secured Notes due 2019 having terms substantially as set forth in the Senior Notes Offering Memorandum issued pursuant to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture and any notes issued by the Borrower in exchange for, and as contemplated by, the Senior Secured Notes and the related registration rights agreement with substantially identical terms as the Senior Secured Notes.

 

Senior Secured Notes Indenture ” shall mean the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012, under which the Senior Secured Notes were issued, among the Borrower and certain of the Subsidiaries party thereto and the trustee named therein from time to time, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the requirements thereof and of this Agreement.

 

Senior Secured Term Loan Facility ” shall mean the term loan agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, by and among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, including any guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications or restatements thereof.

 

Senior Secured Term Loans ” shall mean the loans in an aggregate principal amount of $750,000,000 made under the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility.

 

Senior Unsecured Notes ” shall mean the $2,000,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Borrower’s Senior Unsecured Notes due 2020 having terms substantially as set forth in the Senior Notes Offering Memorandum issued pursuant to the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture and any notes issued by the Borrower in exchange for, and as contemplated by, the Senior Unsecured Notes and the related registration rights agreement with substantially identical terms as the Senior Unsecured Notes.

 

Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture ” shall mean the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012, under which the Senior Unsecured Notes were issued, among the Borrower and certain of the Subsidiaries party thereto and the trustee named therein from time to time, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the requirements thereof and of this Agreement.

 

Solvent ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, that as of the Closing Date, (i) the fair value of the assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair

 

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valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.

 

Specified Existing Commitment ” shall mean any Existing Commitments belonging to a Specified Existing Commitment Class.

 

Specified Existing Commitment Class ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.17(a) .

 

Specified Representations ” shall mean the representations and warranties with respect to the Borrower set forth in Sections 8.2 , 8.3(c) , 8.5 , 8.7 , 8.16 and 8.21 of this Agreement and in Section 3.02(c) of the Collateral Agreement.

 

Specified Subsidiary ” shall mean, at any date of determination any Restricted Subsidiary (i) whose Total Assets at the last day of the applicable Test Period were equal to or greater than 15% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, or (ii) whose revenues during such Test Period were equal to or greater than 15% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Sponsors ” shall mean (a) Apollo Global Management, LLC, (b) Access Industries, Inc., (c) Riverstone Holdings, L.P., (d) Korea National Oil Corporation, and (e) the respective Affiliates of the Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d), excluding in each case any of their respective operating portfolio companies.

 

SPV ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.6(g) .

 

Stated Amount ” of any Letter of Credit shall mean the maximum amount from time to time available to be drawn thereunder (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof), determined without regard to whether any conditions to drawing could then be met.

 

Subagent ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 12.2 .

 

Subsidiary ” of any Person shall mean and include (a) any corporation more than 50% of whose Equity Interests of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time Equity Interests of any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have

 

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voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries and (b) any limited liability company, partnership, association, joint venture or other entity of which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has more than a 50% equity interest at the time. Unless otherwise expressly provided, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” shall mean each Subsidiary that is a Guarantor.

 

Subsidiary Redesignation ” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” contained in this Section 1.1(a) .

 

Successor Borrower ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.3(a) .

 

Swap Termination Value ” shall mean, in respect of any one or more Hedge Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Hedge Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the date such Hedge Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a) , the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Hedge Agreements, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Hedge Agreements (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

 

Swingline Commitment ” shall mean the obligation of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.1 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $50,000,000.

 

Swingline Exposure ” shall mean at any time the aggregate principal amount at such time of all outstanding Swingline Loans. The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall equal its Commitment Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

 

Swingline Lender ” shall mean JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as the lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

 

Swingline Loan ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.1(b) .

 

Swingline Maturity Date ” shall mean, with respect to any Swingline Loan, the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.

 

Taxes ” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments, deductions, withholdings or other similar charges imposed by any Governmental Authority whether computed on a separate, consolidated, unitary, combined or other basis and any interest, fines, penalties or additions to tax with respect to the foregoing.

 

Termination Date ” shall mean the earlier to occur of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) the date on which the Total Commitment shall have terminated.

 

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Term/Notes Priority Collateral ” shall have the meaning provided in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement as in effect on the date hereof.

 

Test Period ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower then last ended and for which Section 9.1 Financials have been delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

Total Assets ” shall mean, as of any date of determination with respect to any Person, the amount that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total assets” (or any like caption) on a balance sheet of such Person at such date.

 

Total Commitment ” shall mean the sum of the Commitments of the Lenders.

 

Total Exposure ” shall mean, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans of such Lender then outstanding, (b) such Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure at such time and (c) such Lender’s Swingline Exposure at such time.

 

Transaction Expenses ” shall mean any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates (including the Co-Investors, the Acquired EP Business and its Subsidiaries) in connection with the Transactions, this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

Transactions ” shall mean, collectively, the Acquisition and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement or related thereto, this Agreement, the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility, the Equity Investment, the Debt Repayment, the payment of Transaction Expenses and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Credit Documents (including the Closing Date Loans).

 

Transferee ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.6(e) .

 

Type ” shall mean, as to any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or a LIBOR Loan.

 

UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York or of any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the perfection of security interests in any Collateral.

 

Unfunded Current Liability ” of any Plan shall mean the amount, if any, by which the Accumulated Benefit Obligation (as defined under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87 (“ SFAS 87 ”)) under the Plan as of the close of its most recent plan year, determined in accordance with SFAS 87 as in effect on the date hereof, exceeds the Fair Market Value of the assets allocable thereto.

 

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Uniform Customs ” shall mean, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits as approved by the International Chamber of Commerce, commencing on July 1, 2007 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

Unpaid Drawing ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.4(a) .

 

Unrestricted Cash ” shall mean cash or cash equivalents of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that would not appear as “restricted” on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” shall mean (a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is formed or acquired after the Closing Date if, at such time or promptly thereafter, the Borrower designates such Subsidiary as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” in a written notice to the Administrative Agent, (b) any Restricted Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided that in the case of each of (a) and (b), (i) such designation shall be deemed to be an Investment (or reduction in an outstanding Investment, in the case of a designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary) on the date of such designation in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Borrower’s investment therein on such date and such designation shall be permitted only to the extent such Investment is permitted under Section 10.5 on the date of such designation, (ii) in the case of clause (b), such designation shall be deemed to be a Disposition pursuant to which the provisions of Section 2.14(g)  will apply to the extent contemplated thereby and (iii) no Default or Event of Default would result from such designation immediately after giving effect thereto and (c) each Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. No Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if, after such designation, it would be a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of any Permitted Additional Debt or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any of the foregoing. The Borrower may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, re-designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (each, a “ Subsidiary Redesignation ”), and thereafter, such Subsidiary shall no longer constitute an Unrestricted Subsidiary, but only if (A) to the extent such Subsidiary has outstanding Indebtedness on the date of such designation, immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance and (B) no Default or Event of Default would result from such Subsidiary Redesignation.

 

U.S. Lender ” shall mean any Lender other than a Non-U.S. Lender.

 

Volumetric Production Payments ” shall mean production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Voting Stock ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Equity Interests having the right to vote for the election of directors of such Person under ordinary circumstances.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” shall mean, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or

 

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other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

Wholly owned Domestic Subsidiary ” of any person shall mean a Domestic Subsidiary of such person that is a Wholly owned Subsidiary.

 

Wholly owned Foreign Subsidiary ” of any person shall mean a Foreign Subsidiary of such person that is a Wholly owned Subsidiary.

 

Wholly owned Subsidiary ” of any person shall mean a subsidiary of such person, all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or nominee or other similar shares required pursuant to applicable law) are owned by such person or another Wholly owned Subsidiary of such person.

 

1.2                                Other Interpretive Provisions . With reference to this Agreement and each other Credit Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Credit Document:

 

(a)                                  The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

 

(b)                                  The words “herein”, “hereto”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in any Credit Document shall refer to such Credit Document as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof.

 

(c)                                   Article, Section, Exhibit and Schedule references are to the Credit Document in which such reference appears.

 

(d)                                  The term “including” is by way of example and not limitation.

 

(e)                                   The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form.

 

(f)                                    In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”; and the word “through” means “to and including”.

 

(g)                                   Section headings herein and in the other Credit Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Credit Document.

 

(h)                                  Any reference to any Person shall be constructed to include such Person’s successors or assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignment set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all of the functions thereof.

 

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(i)                                      Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.

 

(j)                                     The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning as the word “shall”.

 

(k)                                  The words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

1.3                                Accounting Terms . All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Historical Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein; provided , however , that if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Closing Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (i) without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein, and (ii) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.

 

1.4                                Rounding . Any financial ratios required to be maintained or complied with by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement (or required to be satisfied in order for a specific action to be permitted under this Agreement) shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

1.5                                References to Agreements, Laws, Etc . Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to organizational documents, agreements (including the Credit Documents) and other Contractual Requirements shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, amendment and restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, amendment and restatements,

 

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extensions, supplements and other modifications are permitted by any Credit Document and (b) references to any Requirement of Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Requirement of Law.

 

1.6                                Times of Day . Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to New York City (daylight saving or standard, as applicable).

 

1.7                                Timing of Payment or Performance . When the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment (other than as described in Section 2.9 ) or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day.

 

1.8                                Currency Equivalents Generally .

 

(a)                                  For purposes of any determination under Section 9 , Section 10 (other than Section 10.11 ) or Section 11 or any determination under any other provision of this Agreement requiring the use of a current exchange rate, all amounts incurred, outstanding or proposed to be incurred or outstanding in currencies other than Dollars shall be translated into Dollars at the Exchange Rate then in effect on the date of such determination; provided , however , that (w) the Administrative Agent shall determine the Exchange Rate as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit. Such Exchange Rate shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Exchange Rate employed in converting any amounts between Dollars and each Alternate Currency until the next Revaluation Date to occur, (x) for purposes of determining compliance with Section 10 with respect to the amount of any Indebtedness, Investment, Disposition, Restricted Payment or payment under Section 10.7 in a currency other than Dollars, no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of changes in rates of exchange occurring after the time such Indebtedness or Investment is incurred or Disposition, Restricted Payment or payment under Section 10.7 is made, (y) for purposes of determining compliance with any Dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, if such Indebtedness is incurred to Refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such Refinancing would cause the applicable Dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such Refinancing, such Dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such Refinanced Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being Refinanced and (z) for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.8 shall otherwise apply to such Sections, including with respect to determining whether any Indebtedness or Investment may be incurred or Disposition, Restricted Payment or payment under Section 10.7 may be made at any time under such Sections. For purposes of Section 10.11 , amounts in currencies other than Dollars shall be translated into Dollars at the applicable exchange rates used in preparing the most recently delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 9.1(a)  or (b) .

 

(b)                             Wherever in this Agreement in connection with an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, such amount shall be the Dollar Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest

 

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unit of such Alternate Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

(c)                                   Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify with the Borrower’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) to appropriately reflect a change in currency of any country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to such change in currency.

 

1.9                                Classification of Loans and Borrowings . For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., an “ Extended Loan ”) or by Type (e.g., a “ LIBOR Loan ”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “ LIBOR Extended Loan ”).

 

SECTION 2. Amount and Terms of Credit

 

2.1                                Commitments.

 

(a)                                  (i)                                      Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, each Lender severally, but not jointly, agrees to make a loan or loans denominated in Dollars (each an “ Initial Loan ” and, collectively, the “ Initial Loans ”) to the Borrower, which Loans (i) shall be made at any time and from time to time on and after the Closing Date and prior to the Termination Date, (ii) may, at the option of the Borrower, be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, ABR Loans or LIBOR Loans; provided that all Loans made by each of the Lenders pursuant to the same Borrowing shall, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, consist entirely of Loans of the same Type, (iii) may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof, (iv) shall not, for any Lender at any time, after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds thereof, result in such Lender’s Total Exposure at such time exceeding such Lender’s Commitment Percentage at such time of the Loan Limit and (v) shall not, after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds thereof, result in the aggregate amount of all Lenders’ Total Exposures at such time exceeding the Loan Limit

 

(ii)                                   Each Lender may at its option make any LIBOR Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan, provided that (i) any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan and (ii) in exercising such option, such Lender shall use its reasonable efforts to minimize any increased costs to the Borrower resulting therefrom (which obligation of the Lender shall not require it to take, or refrain from taking, actions that it determines would result in increased costs for which it will not be compensated hereunder or that it determines would be otherwise disadvantageous to it and in the event of such request for costs for which compensation is provided under this Agreement, the provisions of Section 2.10 shall apply).

 

(b)                                       Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Swingline Lender in its individual capacity agrees, at any time and from time to time on and after the Closing Date and prior to the Swingline Maturity Date, to make a loan or loans (each a “ Swingline Loan ” and, collectively, the “ Swingline Loans ”) to the Borrower in Dollars, which Swingline Loans (i) shall be ABR Loans, (ii) shall have the benefit of the provisions of Section 2.1(c) , (iii) shall not exceed at any time outstanding the Swingline Commitment, (iv) shall not, after giving

 

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effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds thereof, result at any time in the aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Total Exposure at such time exceeding the Total Commitment then in effect and (v) may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof. Each outstanding Swingline Loan shall be repaid in full on the earlier of (a) 15 Business Days after such Swingline Loan is initially borrowed and (b) the Swingline Maturity Date. The Swingline Lender shall not make any Swingline Loan after receiving a written notice from the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender stating that an Event of Default exists and is continuing until such time as the Swingline Lender shall have received written notice of (i) rescission of all such notices from the party or parties originally delivering such notice or (ii) the waiver of such Event of Default in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.1 .

 

(c)                                   On any Business Day, the Swingline Lender may, in its sole discretion, give notice to each Lender that all then-outstanding Swingline Loans shall be funded with a Borrowing of Loans, in which case Loans constituting ABR Loans (each such Borrowing, a “ Mandatory Borrowing ”) shall be made on the immediately succeeding Business Day by each Lender pro rata based on each Lender’s Commitment Percentage, and the proceeds thereof shall be applied directly to the Swingline Lender to repay the Swingline Lender for such outstanding Swingline Loans. Each Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make such Loans upon one Business Days’ notice pursuant to each Mandatory Borrowing in the amount and in the manner specified in the preceding sentence and on the date specified to it in writing by the Swingline Lender notwithstanding (i) that the amount of the Mandatory Borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for each Borrowing specified in Section 2.2 , (ii) whether any conditions specified in Section 7 are then satisfied, (iii) whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (iv) the date of such Mandatory Borrowing or (v) any reduction in the Total Commitment after any such Swingline Loans were made. In the event that, in the sole judgment of the Swingline Lender, any Mandatory Borrowing cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code in respect of the Borrower), each Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase from the Swingline Lender (without recourse or warranty) such participation of the outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary to cause the Lenders to share in such Swingline Loans ratably based upon their respective Commitment Percentages; provided that all principal and interest payable on such Swingline Loans shall be for the account of the Swingline Lender until the date the respective participation is purchased and, to the extent attributable to the purchased participation, shall be payable to such Lender purchasing same from and after such date of purchase.

 

2.2                                Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing; Maximum Number of Borrowings . The aggregate principal amount of each Borrowing shall be in a minimum amount of at least the Minimum Borrowing Amount for such Type of Loans and in a multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof and Swingline Loans shall be in a minimum amount of $100,000 and in a multiple of $10,000 in excess thereof (except that Mandatory Borrowings shall be made in the amounts required by Section 2.1(c)  and Loans to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank with respect to any Unpaid Drawing shall be made in the amounts required by Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 , as applicable). More than one Borrowing may be incurred on any date; provided, that at no time shall there be outstanding more than ten Borrowings of LIBOR Loans under this Agreement.

 

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2.3                                Notice of Borrowing .

 

(a)                                  Whenever the Borrower desires to incur Loans (other than Swingline Loans, Mandatory Borrowings or borrowings to repay Unpaid Drawings), the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office, (i) prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least three Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing of Loans if such Loans are to be initially LIBOR Loans (or prior to 12:00 p.m. noon (New York City time) two Business Days’ prior written notice in the case of a Borrowing of Loans to be made on the Closing Date initially as LIBOR Loans) and (ii) written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date of each Borrowing of Loans that are to be ABR Loans. Such notice (together with each notice of a Borrowing of Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.3(b) , a “ Notice of Borrowing ”) shall specify (A) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans to be made pursuant to such Borrowing, (B) the date of the Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day) and (C) whether the respective Borrowing shall consist of ABR Loans and/or LIBOR Loans and, if LIBOR Loans, the Interest Period to be initially applicable thereto (if no Interest Period is selected, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration). The Administrative Agent shall promptly give each Lender written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each proposed Borrowing of Loans, of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage thereof and of the other matters covered by the related Notice of Borrowing.

 

(b)                                  Whenever the Borrower desires to incur Swingline Loans hereunder, it shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing of Swingline Loans prior to 3:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date of such Borrowing. Each such notice shall specify (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Swingline Loans to be made pursuant to such Borrowing and (ii) the date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day). The Administrative Agent shall promptly give the Swingline Lender written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each proposed Borrowing of Swingline Loans and of the other matters covered by the related Notice of Borrowing.

 

(c)                                   Mandatory Borrowings shall be made upon the notice specified in Section 2.1(c) , with the Borrower irrevocably agreeing, by its incurrence of any Swingline Loan, to the making of Mandatory Borrowings as set forth in such Section.

 

(d)                                  Borrowings to reimburse Unpaid Drawings shall be made upon the notice specified in Section 3.4(a) .

 

(e)                                   Without in any way limiting the obligation of the Borrower to confirm in writing any notice it may give hereunder by telephone, the Administrative Agent may act prior to receipt of written confirmation without liability upon the basis of such telephonic notice believed by the Administrative Agent in good faith to be from an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

 

2.4                                Disbursement of Funds .

 

(a)                                  No later than 1.00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date specified in each Notice of Borrowing (including Mandatory Borrowings), each Lender will make available its pro

 

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rata portion of each Borrowing requested to be made on such date in the manner provided below; provided that on the Closing Date, such funds shall be made available by 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) or such earlier time as may be agreed among the Lenders, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent for the purpose of consummating the Transactions; provided, further, that all Swingline Loans shall be made available in the full amount thereof by the Swingline Lender no later than 3.30 p.m. (New York City time) on the date requested.

 

(b)                                  Each Lender shall make available all amounts it is to fund to the Borrower under any Borrowing in immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars, and the Administrative Agent will (except in the case of Mandatory Borrowings and Borrowings to repay Unpaid Drawings) make available to the Borrower, by depositing or wiring to an account as designated by the Borrower in the Borrowing Notice to the Administrative Agent the aggregate of the amounts so made available in Dollars. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the date of any such Borrowing (or, with respect to an ABR Loan, the date of such Borrowing prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York City time)) that such Lender does not intend to make available to the Administrative Agent its portion of the Borrowing or Borrowings to be made on such date, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on such date of Borrowing, and the Administrative Agent, in reliance upon such assumption, may (in its sole discretion and without any obligation to do so) make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender and the Administrative Agent has made available such amount to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount from such Lender. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent’s demand therefor the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent in Dollars. The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover from such Lender or the Borrower, as the case may be, interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by the Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (i) if paid by such Lender, the Overnight Rate or (ii) if paid by the Borrower, the then-applicable rate of interest or fees, calculated in accordance with Section 2.8 , for the respective Loans.

 

(c)                                   Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its commitments hereunder).

 

2.5                                Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the applicable Lenders, (i) on the Initial Maturity Date, the then outstanding Initial Loans, (ii) on the relevant maturity date for any Extension Series of Extended Commitments, all then

 

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outstanding Extended Loans in respect of such Extension Series and (iii) on the Swingline Maturity Date, the then outstanding Swingline Loans.

 

(b)                                  Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to the appropriate lending office of such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such lending office from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such lending office from time to time under this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Borrower, shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 13.6(b) , and a subaccount for each Lender, in which Register and subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder (whether such Loan is an Initial Loan, an Extended Loan or Swingline Loan, as applicable), the Type of each Loan made and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender or the Swingline Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(d)                                  The entries made in the Register and accounts and subaccounts maintained pursuant to clauses (b)  and (c)  of this Section 2.5 shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such account, such Register or such subaccount, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to the Borrower by such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

2.6                                Conversions and Continuations.

 

(a)                                  Subject to the penultimate sentence of this clause (a) , (i) the Borrower shall have the option on any Business Day to convert all or a portion equal to at least the Minimum Borrowing Amount (and in multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof) of the outstanding principal amount of Loans of one Type into a Borrowing or Borrowings of another Type and (ii) the Borrower shall have the option on any Business Day to continue the outstanding principal amount of any LIBOR Loans as LIBOR Loans for an additional Interest Period; provided that (A) no partial conversion of LIBOR Loans shall reduce the outstanding principal amount of LIBOR Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing to less than the Minimum Borrowing Amount, (B) ABR Loans may not be converted into LIBOR Loans if an Event of Default is in existence on the date of the conversion and the Administrative Agent has or the Majority Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such conversion, (C) LIBOR Loans may not be continued as LIBOR Loans for an additional Interest Period if an Event of Default is in existence on the date of the proposed continuation and the Administrative Agent has or the Majority Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such continuation, and (D) Borrowings resulting from conversions pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be limited in number as provided in Section 2.2. Each such conversion or continuation shall be effected by the Borrower by giving the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least (1) three Business Days’, in the case of a continuation of

 

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or conversion to LIBOR Loans or (2) the date of conversion, in the case of a conversion into ABR Loans, prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) (each, a “ Notice of Conversion or Continuation ”) specifying the Loans to be so converted or continued, the Type of Loans to be converted into or continued and, if such Loans are to be converted into or continued as LIBOR Loans, the Interest Period to be initially applicable thereto (if no Interest Period is selected, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration). The Administrative Agent shall give each applicable Lender notice as promptly as practicable of any such proposed conversion or continuation affecting any of its Loans.

 

(b)                                  If any Event of Default is in existence at the time of any proposed continuation of any LIBOR Loans and the Administrative Agent has or the Majority Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such continuation, such LIBOR Loans shall be automatically converted on the last day of the current Interest Period into ABR Loans. If upon the expiration of any Interest Period in respect of LIBOR Loans, the Borrower has failed to elect a new Interest Period to be applicable thereto as provided in clause (a)  above, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Borrowing of LIBOR Loans into a Borrowing of ABR Loans, effective as of the expiration date of such current Interest Period.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Borrower may deliver a Notice of Conversion or Continuation pursuant to which the Borrower elects to irrevocably continue the outstanding principal amount of any Loan subject to an interest rate Hedge Agreement as LIBOR Loans for each Interest Period until the expiration of the term of such applicable Hedge Agreement; provided that any Notice of Conversion or Continuation delivered pursuant to this Section 2.6(c)  shall include a schedule attaching the relevant interest rate Hedge Agreement or related trade confirmation.

 

2.7                                Pro Rata Borrowings . Each Borrowing of Initial Loans under this Agreement shall be made by the Lenders pro rata on the basis of their then applicable Commitment Percentages with respect to the applicable Class. Each Borrowing of Extended Loans under this Agreement shall be granted by the Lenders of the relevant Extension Series thereof pro rata on the basis of their then-applicable Extended Commitments for the applicable Extension Series. It is understood that (a) no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in its obligation to make Loans hereunder and that each Lender severally but not jointly shall be obligated to make the Loans provided to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its commitments hereunder and (b) failure by a Lender to perform any of its obligations under any of the Credit Documents shall not release any Person from performance of its obligation under any Credit Document.

 

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2.8                                Interest .

 

(a)                                  The unpaid principal amount of each ABR Loan shall bear interest from the date of the Borrowing thereof until maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate per annum that shall at all times be the Applicable Margin plus the ABR, in each case, in effect from time to time.

 

(b)                                  The unpaid principal amount of each LIBOR Loan shall bear interest from the date of the Borrowing thereof until maturity thereof (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate per annum that shall at all times be the Applicable Margin plus the relevant LIBOR Rate, in each case, in effect from time to time.

 

(c)                                   If all or a portion of (i) the principal amount of any Loan or (ii) any interest payable thereon shall not be paid when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum that is (the “ Default Rate ”) (A) in the case of overdue principal, the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto plus 2% or (B) in the case of any overdue interest, to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, the rate described in Section 2.8(a)  plus 2% from the date of such nonpayment to the date on which such amount is paid in full (after as well as before judgment).

 

(d)                                  Interest on each Loan shall accrue from and including the date of any Borrowing to but excluding the date of any repayment thereof and shall be payable in Dollars; provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same date on which it is made shall bear interest for one day. Except as provided below, interest shall be payable (i) in respect of each ABR Loan, quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, (ii) in respect of each LIBOR Loan, on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto and, in the case of an Interest Period in excess of three months, on each date occurring at three-month intervals after the first day of such Interest Period, (iii) in respect of each Loan, (A) on any prepayment (on the amount prepaid), (B) at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) and (C) after such maturity, on demand.

 

(e)                                   All computations of interest hereunder shall be made in accordance with Section 5.5.

 

(f)                                    The Administrative Agent, upon determining the interest rate for any Borrowing of LIBOR Loans, shall promptly notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders thereof. Each such determination shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

 

2.9                                Interest Periods . At the time the Borrower gives a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion or Continuation in respect of the making of, or conversion into or continuation as, a Borrowing of LIBOR Loans in accordance with Section 2.6(a) , the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of the Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing, which Interest Period shall, at the option of the Borrower be (i) a one-, two-, three- or six- or (if available to all the Lenders making such LIBOR Loans as determined by such Lenders in good faith based on prevailing market conditions) a nine- or twelve-month period or (ii) any period shorter than one month (if available

 

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to all the Lenders making such LIBOR Loans as determined by such Lenders in good faith based on prevailing market conditions) as requested by the Borrower.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above:

 

(a)                                  the initial Interest Period for any Borrowing of LIBOR Loans shall commence on the date of such Borrowing (including the date of any conversion from a Borrowing of ABR Loans) and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Borrowing shall commence on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period expires;

 

(b)                                  if any Interest Period relating to a Borrowing of LIBOR Loans begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month or begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period;

 

(c)                                   if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided that, if any Interest Period in respect of a LIBOR Loan would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day; and

 

(d)                                  the Borrower shall not be entitled to elect any Interest Period in respect of any LIBOR Loan if such Interest Period would extend beyond the Maturity Date.

 

2.10                         Increased Costs, Illegality, Etc .

 

(a)                                  In the event that (x) in the case of clause (i)  below, the Majority Lenders or (y) in the case of clauses (ii)  and (iii)  below, any Lender, shall have reasonably determined (which determination shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto):

 

(i)                                      on any date for determining the LIBOR Rate for any Interest Period that (A) deposits in the principal amounts of the Loans comprising such LIBOR Borrowing are not generally available in the relevant market or (B) by reason of any changes arising on or after the Closing Date affecting the interbank LIBOR market, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in the definition of LIBOR Rate; or

 

(ii)                                   that, due to a Change in Law occurring at any time after the Closing Date, which Change in Law shall (A) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender, (B) subject any Lender to any Tax with respect to any Credit Document or any LIBOR Loan made by it (other than (i) Taxes indemnifiable under Section 5.4 , or (ii) Excluded Taxes), or

 

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(C) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or LIBOR Loans made by such Lender, which results in the cost to such Lender of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining LIBOR Loans or participating in Letters of Credit (in each case hereunder) increasing by an amount which such Lender reasonably deems material or the amounts received or receivable by such Lender hereunder with respect to the foregoing shall be reduced; or

 

(iii)                                at any time, that the making or continuance of any LIBOR Loan has become unlawful as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any Requirement of Law (or would conflict with any such Requirement of Law not having the force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful);

 

then, and in any such event, such Lenders (or the Administrative Agent, in the case of clause (i)  above) shall within a reasonable time thereafter give notice (if by telephone, confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the other Lenders). Thereafter (x) in the case of clause (i)  above, LIBOR Loans shall no longer be available until such time as the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice by the Administrative Agent no longer exist (which notice the Administrative Agent agrees to give at such time when such circumstances no longer exist), and any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion given by the Borrower with respect to LIBOR Loans that have not yet been incurred shall be deemed rescinded by the Borrower, (y) in the case of clause (ii)  above, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender, promptly (but no later than fifteen days) after receipt of written demand therefor such additional amounts as shall be required to compensate such Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amounts receivable hereunder (it being agreed that a written notice as to the additional amounts owed to such Lender, showing in reasonable detail the basis for the calculation thereof, submitted to the Borrower by such Lender shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) and (z) in the case of clause (iii)  above, the Borrower shall take one of the actions specified in Section 2.10(b) as promptly as possible and, in any event, within the time period required by applicable Requirements of Law.

 

(b)                                  At any time that any LIBOR Loan is affected by the circumstances described in Section 2.10(a)(ii)  or (iii), the Borrower may (and in the case of a LIBOR Loan affected pursuant to Section 2.10(a)(iii)  shall) either if the affected LIBOR Loan is then being made pursuant to a Borrowing, cancel such Borrowing by giving the Administrative Agent telephonic notice (confirmed promptly in writing) thereof on the same date that the Borrower was notified by a Lender pursuant to Section  2.10(a)(ii)  or (iii)  or if the affected LIBOR Loan is then outstanding, upon at least three Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, require the affected Lender to convert each such LIBOR Loan into an ABR Loan; provided that if more than one Lender are affected at any time, then all affected Lenders must be treated in the same manner pursuant to this Section 2.10(b).

 

(c)                                   If, after the Closing Date, any Change in Law relating to capital adequacy or liquidity requirements of any Lender or compliance by any Lender or its parent with any Change in Law relating to capital adequacy or liquidity requirements occurring after the Closing

 

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Date, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or its parent’s capital or assets as a consequence of such Lender’s commitments or obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or its parent could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or its parent’s policies with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity requirements), then from time to time, promptly (but in any event no later than fifteen days) after written demand by such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or its parent for such reduction, it being understood and agreed, however, that a Lender shall not be entitled to such compensation as a result of such Lender’s compliance with, or pursuant to any request or directive to comply with, any applicable Requirement of Law as in effect on the Closing Date. Each Lender, upon determining in good faith that any additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 2.10(c), will give prompt written notice thereof to the Borrower, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis of the calculation of such additional amounts, although the failure to give any such notice shall not, subject to Section 2.13, release or diminish the Borrower’s obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.10(c)  upon receipt of such notice.

 

2.11                         Compensation . If (a) any payment of principal of any LIBOR Loan is made by the Borrower to or for the account of a Lender other than on the last day of the Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan as a result of a payment or conversion pursuant to Section 2.5, 2.6 , 2.10 , 5.1 , 5.2 or 13.7 , as a result of acceleration of the maturity of the Loans pursuant to Section 11 or for any other reason, (b) any Borrowing of LIBOR Loans is not made on the date specified in a Notice of Borrowing, (c) any ABR Loan is not converted into a LIBOR Loan on the date specified in a Notice of Conversion or Continuation, (d) any LIBOR Loan is not continued as a LIBOR Loan on the date specified in a Notice of Conversion or Continuation or (e) any prepayment of principal of any LIBOR Loan is not made as a result of a withdrawn notice of prepayment pursuant to Section 5.1 or 5.2 , the Borrower shall after the Borrower’s receipt of a written request by such Lender (which request shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount), pay to the Administrative Agent (within fifteen days after such request) for the account of such Lender any amounts required to compensate such Lender for any additional losses, costs or expenses that such Lender may reasonably incur as a result of such payment, failure to convert, failure to continue or failure to prepay, including any loss, cost or expense (excluding loss of anticipated profits) actually incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by any Lender to fund or maintain such LIBOR Loan.

 

2.12                         Change of Lending Office . Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.10(a)(ii) , 2.10(a)(iii) , 2.10(c) , 3.5 or 5.4 with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event; provided that such designation does not cause such Lender or its lending office to suffer any economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, with the object of avoiding the consequence of the event giving rise to the operation of any such Section. Nothing in this Section 2.12 shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of the Borrower or the right of any Lender provided in Section 2.10 , 3.5 or 5.4 .

 

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2.13                         Notice of Certain Costs . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent any notice required by Section 2.10 , 2.11 , 3.5 or 5.4 is given by any Lender more than 180 days after such Lender has knowledge (or should have had knowledge) of the occurrence of the event giving rise to the additional cost, reduction in amounts, loss, tax or other additional amounts described in such Sections, such Lender shall not be entitled to compensation under Section 2.10 , 2.11 , 3.5 or 5.4 , as the case may be, for any such amounts incurred or accruing prior to the 181 st  day prior to the giving of such notice to the Borrower; provided that if the circumstance giving rise to such claim is retroactive, then such 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

2.14                         Borrowing Base .

 

(a)                                  Initial Borrowing Base . For the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the first Redetermination Date, the amount of the Borrowing Base shall be $2,000,000,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowing Base may be subject to further adjustments from time to time pursuant to Section 2.14(e) , (f) , (g)  and (h) .

 

(b)                                  Scheduled and Interim Redeterminations . The Borrowing Base shall be redetermined semi-annually in accordance with this Section 2.14 (a “ Scheduled Redetermination ”), and, subject to Section 2.14(d) , such redetermined Borrowing Base shall become effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders on April 30 th  (or April 1, 2013 with respect to the first Scheduled Redetermination) and October 31 st  of each year (or as promptly as possible thereafter), commencing 2013. In addition, the Borrower may at any time (including prior to the first Scheduled Redetermination date of April 1, 2013), by notifying the Administrative Agent thereof not more than twice during any period of 12 consecutive calendar months, and the Administrative Agent, following the first Scheduled Redetermination date of April 1, 2013, may, at the direction of the Required Lenders, by notifying the Borrower thereof, one time during any period of 12 consecutive calendar months, in each case elect to cause the Borrowing Base to be redetermined between Scheduled Redeterminations (an “ Interim Redetermination ”) in accordance with this Section 2.14 ; provided that the Required Lenders may direct the Administrative Agent to initiate an Interim Redetermination prior to the first Scheduled Redetermination of April 1, 2013 in the event that the Hedging Condition is not satisfied (in which case, such Interim Redetermination shall not count against the first such Interim Redetermination otherwise permitted to be initiated pursuant to this Section 2.14(b)  by the Administrative Agent). In addition to, and not including and/or limited by the annual Interim Redeterminations allowed above, the Borrower may, by notifying the Administrative Agent thereof, at any time between Scheduled Redeterminations, request additional Interim Redeterminations of the Borrowing Base in the event it acquires Oil and Gas Properties with Proved Reserves which are to be Borrowing Base Properties having a PV-10 (calculated at the time of acquisition) in excess of 5% of the Borrowing Base in effect immediately prior to such acquisition.

 

(c)                                   Scheduled and Interim Redetermination Procedure .

 

(i)                                      Each Scheduled Redetermination and each Interim Redetermination shall be effectuated as follows: Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of (A) the Reserve Report and the Reserve Report Certificate, and (B) such other reports, data and supplemental information, including the information provided pursuant to

 

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Section 9.14(c) , as may, from time to time, be reasonably requested by the Required Lenders (the Reserve Report, such Reserve Report Certificate and such other reports, data and supplemental information being the “ Engineering Reports ”), the Administrative Agent shall evaluate the information contained in the Engineering Reports and shall in good faith propose a new Borrowing Base (the “ Proposed Borrowing Base ”) based upon such information and such other information (including the status of title information with respect to the Borrowing Base Properties as described in the Engineering Reports and the existence of any Hedge Agreements or any other Indebtedness) as the Administrative Agent deems appropriate in good faith in accordance with its usual and customary oil and gas lending criteria as they exist at the particular time.

 

(ii)                                   The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Proposed Borrowing Base (the “ Proposed Borrowing Base Notice ”):

 

(A)                                in the case of a Scheduled Redetermination, (1) if the Administrative Agent shall have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 9.14(a) and (c) in a timely manner, then on or before the April 15 th  and October 15 th  of such year following the date of delivery or (2) if the Administrative Agent shall not have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 9.14(a)  and (c)  in a timely manner, then promptly after the Administrative Agent has received complete Engineering Reports from the Borrower and has had a reasonable opportunity to determine the Proposed Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.14(c)(i) ; and

 

(B)                                in the case of an Interim Redetermination, promptly, and in any event, within 15 days after the Administrative Agent has received the required Engineering Reports.

 

(iii)                                Any Proposed Borrowing Base that would increase the Borrowing Base then in effect must be approved or deemed to have been approved by the Borrowing Base Required Lenders in each such Lender’s sole discretion and consistent with each such Lender’s normal and customary oil and gas lending criteria as they exist at the particular time as provided in this Section 2.14(c)(iii)  and any Proposed Borrowing Base that would decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base then in effect must be approved or be deemed to have been approved by Lenders constituting at least the Required Lenders in each such Lender’s sole discretion and consistent with each such Lender’s normal and customary oil and gas lending criteria as they exist at the particular time as provided in this Section 2.14(c)(iii) . Upon receipt of the Proposed Borrowing Base Notice, each Lender shall have 15 days to agree with the Proposed Borrowing Base or disagree with the Proposed Borrowing Base by proposing an alternate Borrowing Base. If at the end of such 15-day period, any Lender has not communicated its approval or disapproval in writing to the Administrative Agent, such silence shall be deemed to be an approval of the Proposed Borrowing Base. If, at the end of such 15-day period, the Borrowing Base Required Lenders, in the case of a Proposed Borrowing Base that would increase the Borrowing Base then in effect, or the Required Lenders, in the case of a Proposed Borrowing Base that would decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base then in effect, have approved

 

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or deemed to have approved, as aforesaid, then the Proposed Borrowing Base shall become the new Borrowing Base, effective on the date specified in Section 2.14(d) . If, however, at the end of such 15-day period, the Borrowing Base Required Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable, have not approved or deemed to have approved, as aforesaid, then the Administrative Agent shall promptly thereafter poll the Lenders to ascertain the highest Borrowing Base then acceptable to the Borrowing Base Required Lenders (in the case of any increase to the Borrowing Base) or a number of Lenders sufficient to constitute the Required Lenders (in any other case) and such amount shall be come the new Borrowing Base, effective on the date specified in Section 2.14(d) .

 

(d)                                  Effectiveness of a Redetermined Borrowing Base . Subject to Section 2.14(h) , after a redetermined Borrowing Base is approved or is deemed to have been approved by the Borrowing Base Required Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable, pursuant to Section 2.14(c)(iii) , the Administrative Agent shall promptly thereafter notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the amount of the redetermined Borrowing Base (the “ New Borrowing Base Notice ”), and such amount shall become the new Borrowing Base, effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders:

 

(i)                                 in the case of a Scheduled Redetermination, (A) if the Administrative Agent shall have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 9.14(a)  and (c)  in a timely and complete manner, on the April 30 th  or October 31 st , as applicable, following such notice, or (B) if the Administrative Agent shall not have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 9.14(a)  and (c)  in a timely and complete manner, then on the Business Day next succeeding delivery of such New Borrowing Base Notice; and

 

(ii)                              in the case of an Interim Redetermination, on the Business Day next succeeding delivery of such New Borrowing Base Notice.

 

Subject to Section 2.14(h) , such amount shall then become the Borrowing Base until the next Scheduled Redetermination Date, the next Interim Redetermination Date or the next adjustment to the Borrowing Base under Section 2.14(e) , (f) , (g) or (h) , whichever occurs first. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Scheduled Redetermination or Interim Redetermination shall become effective until the New Borrowing Base Notice related thereto is received by the Borrower.

 

(e)                                   Reduction of Borrowing Base Upon Incurrence of Permitted Additional Debt.

 

(i)                                      Upon the issuance or incurrence of any Permitted Additional Debt in accordance with Section 10.1(p) (other than (x) Permitted Additional Debt constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness, but only to the extent that the aggregate principal amount of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness does not result in an increase in the principal amount thereof above the principal amount originally incurred or issued up to the original principal amount of the Refinanced Indebtedness and (y) Permitted Additional Debt that is secured by a Junior Lien on the Collateral pursuant to Section 10.2(x)  or (z) ), the

 

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Borrowing Base then in effect shall be reduced by an amount equal to the product of 0.25 multiplied by the stated principal amount of such Permitted Additional Debt (without regard to any original issue discount), and the Borrowing Base as so reduced shall become the new Borrowing Base immediately upon the date of such issuance or incurrence, effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders on such date until the next redetermination or modification thereof hereunder.

 

(ii)                                   Upon the issuance or incurrence of any Indebtedness (including any Permitted Additional Debt) that is secured by Junior Liens on the Collateral pursuant to Section 10.2(x)  or (z)  (other than Indebtedness constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness, but only to the extent that the aggregate principal amount of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness does not result in an increase in the principal amount thereof above the principal amount originally incurred or issued up to the original principal amount of the Refinanced Indebtedness), the Borrowing Base then in effect shall be reduced by an amount equal to the product of 0.30 multiplied by the stated principal amount of such Indebtedness (without regard to any original issue discount), and the Borrowing Base as so reduced shall become the new Borrowing Base immediately upon the date of such issuance or incurrence, effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders on such date until the next redetermination or modification thereof hereunder.

 

(f)                               Reduction of Borrowing Base Upon Termination of Hedge Positions . If the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall terminate or create any off-setting positions in respect of any commodity hedge positions (whether evidenced by a floor, put or Hedge Agreement) upon which (i) the Lenders relied in determining the Borrowing Base and (ii) the Borrowing Base Value of such terminated and/or offsetting positions (after taking into account any other Hedge Agreement, executed contemporaneously with the taking of such actions) exceeds 10% of the then-effective Borrowing Base, then, the Required Lenders shall have the right to adjust the Borrowing Base in an amount equal to the Borrowing Base Value, if any, attributable to such terminated or off-setting hedge positions in the calculation of the then-effective Borrowing Base and (if the Required Lenders in fact make any such adjustment) the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing of the Borrowing Base Value, if any, attributable to such hedge positions in the calculation of the then-effective Borrowing Base and upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowing Base shall be simultaneously reduced by such amount.

 

(g)                              Reduction of Borrowing Base Upon Asset Dispositions . If (i) the Borrower or one of the other Credit Parties Disposes of Oil and Gas Properties or Disposes of any Equity Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary or Minority Investment owning Oil and Gas Properties and none of the foregoing Dispositions is a Scheduled Disposition, (ii) such Disposition described in clause (i) involves Borrowing Base Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and (iii) the aggregate Borrowing Base Value of all such Borrowing Base Properties Disposed of (except in connection with a Scheduled Disposition) since the later of (A) the last Scheduled Redetermination Date and (B) the last adjustment of the Borrowing Base made pursuant to this Section 2.14(g)  exceeds 10% of the then-effective Borrowing Base, then, after the Administrative Agent has received the notice required to be delivered by the Borrower

 

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pursuant to Section 10.4(b) , no later than two Business Days’ after the date of consummation of any such Disposition, the Required Lenders shall have the right to adjust the Borrowing Base in an amount equal to the Borrowing Base Value, if any, attributable to such Disposed of Borrowing Base Properties in the calculation of the then-effective Borrowing Base and, if the Required Lenders in fact make any such adjustment, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing of the Borrowing Base Value, if any, attributable to such Disposed of Borrowing Base Properties in the calculation of the then-effective Borrowing Base and upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowing Base shall be simultaneously reduced by such amount.

 

(h)                             Borrower’s Right to Elect Reduced Borrowing Base . Within three Business Days of its receipt of a New Borrowing Base Notice, the Borrower may provide written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that specifies for the period from the effective date of the New Borrowing Base Notice until the next succeeding Scheduled Redetermination Date, the Borrowing Base will be a lesser amount than the amount set forth in such New Borrowing Base Notice, whereupon such specified lesser amount will become the new Borrowing Base. The Borrower’s notice under this Section 2.14(h)  shall be irrevocable, but without prejudice to its rights to initiate Interim Redeterminations.

 

(i)                                 Administrative Agent Data . The Administrative Agent hereby agrees to provide, promptly, and in any event within 3 Business Days, following its receipt of a request by the Borrower, an updated Bank Price Deck. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree, upon request, to meet with the Borrower to discuss their evaluation of the reservoir engineering of the Oil and Gas Properties included in the Reserve Report and their respective methodologies for valuing such properties and the other factors considered in calculating the Borrowing Base.

 

2.15                         Defaulting Lenders . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)                                  Commitment Fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 4.1(a) ;

 

(b)                                  The Commitment and Total Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders, the Majority Lenders or the Required Lenders or Borrowing Base Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 13.1 ); provided that (i) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders pursuant to Section 13.1 (other than Section 13.1(x) ) or requiring the consent of each affected Lender pursuant to Section 13.1(i)  or (ix)  shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender (which for the avoidance of doubt would include any change to the Maturity Date applicable to such Defaulting Lender, decreasing or forgiving any principal or interest due to such Defaulting Lender, any decrease of any interest rate applicable to Loans made by such Defaulting Lender (other than the waiving of post-default interest rates) and any increase in such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) and (ii) any redetermination, whether an increase, decrease or affirmation, of the Borrowing Base shall occur without the participation of a Defaulting Lender, but the Commitment (i.e., the Commitment

 

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Percentage of the Borrowing Base) of a Defaulting Lender may not be increased without the consent of such Defaulting Lender;

 

(c)                                   If any Swingline Exposure or Letter of Credit Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then all or any part of such Swingline Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender will, subject to the limitation in the first proviso below, automatically be reallocated (effective on the day such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender) among the Non-Defaulting Lenders pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages; provided that (A) each Non-Defaulting Lender’s Total Exposure may not in any event exceed the Commitment Percentage of the Loan Limit of such Non-Defaulting Lender as in effect at the time of such reallocation and (B) neither such reallocation nor any payment by a Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant thereto will constitute a waiver or release of any claim the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or any other Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender or cause such Defaulting Lender to be a Non-Defaulting Lender, to the extent that all or any portion (the “ unreallocated portion ”) of the Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure or Letter of Credit Exposure cannot, or can only partially, be so reallocated to Non-Defaulting Lenders, whether by reason of the first proviso in Section 2.15(c)(i)  or otherwise, the Borrower shall within two Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y)  second , Cash Collateralize for the benefit of the applicable Issuing Bank only the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above), in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.8 for so long as such Letter of Credit Exposure is outstanding, if the Borrower Cash Collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure pursuant to this Section 2.15(c) , the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 4.1(b)  with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is Cash Collateralized, if the Letter of Credit Exposure of the Non- Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.15(c) , then the Letter of Credit Fees payable for the account of the Lenders pursuant to Section 4.1(b)  shall be adjusted in accordance with such Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitment Percentages and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any Swingline Loan fees (if any) or Letter of Credit Fees to the Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 4.1(b)  with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure during the period that such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is reallocated, or if any Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is neither Cash Collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.15(c) , then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of any Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, all Letter of Credit Fees payable under Section 4.1(b)  with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure shall be payable to such Issuing Bank until such Letter of Credit Exposure is Cash Collateralized and/or reallocated;

 

(d)                                  So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and no Issuing Bank will be required to issue any new Letter of Credit or amend any outstanding Letter of Credit to increase the Stated Amount thereof, alter the drawing terms thereunder or extend the expiry date thereof,

 

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unless each Issuing Bank is reasonably satisfied that any exposure that would result from the exposure to such Defaulting Lender is eliminated or fully covered by the Commitments of the Non-Defaulting Lenders or by Cash Collateralization or a combination thereof in accordance with clause (c)  above or otherwise in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank, and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit or newly made Swingline Loan shall be allocated among Non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.15(c)(i)  (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein); and

 

(e)                                   If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank agree in writing in their discretion that a Lender that is a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon, as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender and will be a Non-Defaulting Lender and any applicable Cash Collateral shall be promptly returned to the Borrower and any Letter of Credit Exposure of such Lender reallocated pursuant to Section 2.15(c)  shall be reallocated back to such Lender; provided that, except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Non-Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from such Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

(f)                                    Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 11 or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 13.8 ), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender hereunder; third , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fourth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; fifth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, each Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; sixth , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and seventh , to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or Unpaid Drawings, such payment shall

 

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be applied solely to pay the relevant Loans of, and Unpaid Drawings owed to, the relevant non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied in the manner set forth in this Section 2.15(f) . Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 3.8 shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

2.16                         Increase of Total Commitment .

 

(a)                                  Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 2.16(b) , the Borrower may increase the Total Commitment then in effect (any such increase an “ Incremental Increase ”) by increasing the Commitment of a Lender (an “ Increasing Lender ”) or by causing a Person that at such time is not a Lender to become a Lender (an “ Additional Lender ”).

 

(b)                                  Any increase in the Total Commitment shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(i)                                      such increase shall not be less than $10,000,000 (and increments of $1,000,000 above that minimum) unless the Administrative Agent otherwise consents, and no such increase shall be permitted if after giving effect thereto the Total Commitment would exceed $4,000,000,000;

 

(ii)                                   no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing after giving effect to such increase;

 

(iii)                                no Lender’s Commitment may be increased without the consent of such Lender;

 

(iv)                               the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank must consent to the increase in Commitments of an Increasing Lender and the addition of any Additional Lender, in each case, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed;

 

(v)                                  the maturity date of such increase shall be the same as the Maturity Date; and

 

(vi)                               the increase shall be on the exact same terms and pursuant to the exact same documentation applicable to this Agreement (other than with respect to any arrangement, structuring, upfront or other fees or discounts payable in connection with such Incremental Increase) (provided that the Applicable Margin of the Facility may be increased to be consistent with that for such Incremental Increases).

 

(c)                                   Any increase in the Total Commitment shall be implemented using customary documentation (any such documentation, an “ Incremental Agreement ”).

 

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2.17                         Extension Offers .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower may at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the Commitments of any Class, existing at the time of such request (each, an “ Existing Commitment ” and any related revolving credit loans under any such facility, “ Existing Loans ”; each Existing Commitment and related Existing Loans together being referred to as an “ Existing Class ”) be converted to extend the termination date thereof and the scheduled maturity date(s) of any payment of principal with respect to all or a portion of any principal amount of Existing Loans related to such Existing Commitments (any such Existing Commitments which have been so Extended, “ Extended Commitments ” and any related revolving credit loans, “ Extended Loans ”) and to provide for other terms consistent with this Section 2.17 . Prior to entering into any Extension Amendment with respect to any Extended Commitments, the Borrower shall provide a notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall provide a copy of such notice to each of the Lenders of the applicable Class of Existing Commitments and which such request shall be offered equally to all Lenders under such Class) (an “ Extension Request ”) setting forth the proposed terms of the Extended Commitments to be established thereunder, which terms shall be substantially similar to those applicable to the Existing Commitments from which they are to be Extended (the “ Specified Existing Commitment Class ”), except that (w) all or any of the final maturity dates of such Extended Commitments may be delayed to later dates than the final maturity dates of the Existing Commitments of the Specified Existing Commitment Class, (x)(A) the interest rates, interest margins, rate floors, upfront fees, funding discounts, original issue discounts and premiums with respect to the Extended Commitments may be different from those for the Existing Commitments of the Specified Existing Commitment Class and/or (B) additional fees and/or premiums may be payable to the Lenders providing such Extended Commitments in addition to or in lieu of any of the items contemplated by the preceding clause (A) , (y)(1) the undrawn revolving credit commitment fee rate with respect to the Extended Commitments may be different from such rate for Existing Commitments of the Specified Existing Commitment Class and (2) the Extension Amendment may provide for other covenants and terms that apply to any period after the Latest Maturity Date in effect at such time; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.17 or otherwise, (1) the borrowing and repayment (other than in connection with a permanent repayment and termination of commitments (which shall be governed by clause (3)  below)) of the Extended Loans under any Extended Commitments shall be made on a pro rata basis with any borrowings and repayments of the Existing Loans of the Specified Existing Commitment Class (the mechanics for which may be implemented through the applicable Extension Amendment and may include technical changes related to the borrowing and replacement procedures of the Specified Existing Commitment Class), (2) assignments and participations of Extended Commitments and Extended Loans shall be governed by the assignment and participation provisions set forth in Section 13.6 and (3) subject to the applicable limitations set forth in Section 4.2 , permanent repayments of Extended Loans (and corresponding permanent reduction in the related Extended Commitments) shall be permitted as may be agreed upon between the Borrower and the Lenders thereof. No Lender shall have any obligation to agree to have any of its Loans or Commitments of any Existing Class converted into Extended Loans or Extended Commitments pursuant to any Extension Request. Any Extended Commitments of any Extension Series shall constitute a separate Class of revolving credit commitments from Existing Commitments of the Specified Existing Commitment Class and from any other Existing Commitments (together with any other Extended Commitments so established on such date).

 

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(b)                                  The Borrower shall provide the applicable Extension Request at least five (5) Business Days (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent may determine in its reasonable discretion) prior to the date on which Lenders under the Existing Class are requested to respond, and shall agree to such procedures, if any, as may be established by, or acceptable to, the Administrative Agent, in each case acting reasonably, to accomplish the purpose of this Section 2.17 . Any Lender (an “ Extending Lender ”) wishing to have all or a portion of its Commitments (or any earlier Extended Commitments) of an Existing Class subject to such Extension Request converted into Extended Commitments shall notify the Administrative Agent (an “ Extension Election ”) on or prior to the date specified in such Extension Request of the amount of its Commitments (and/or any earlier Extended Commitments) which it has elected to convert into Extended Commitments (subject to any minimum denomination requirements imposed by the Extension Request). In the event that the aggregate amount of Commitments (and any earlier Extended Commitments) subject to Extension Elections exceeds the amount of Extended Commitments requested pursuant to the Extension Request, Commitments and (and any earlier Extended Commitments) subject to Extension Elections shall be converted to Extended Commitments on a pro rata basis based on the amount of Commitments (and any earlier Extended Commitments) included in each such Extension Election or as may be otherwise agreed to in the applicable Extension Amendment and in the event that the aggregate amount of Commitments (and any earlier Extended Commitments) subject to Extension Elections is less than the amount of Extended Commitments requested pursuant to the Extension Request, the Borrower may cause Additional Lenders to become Extending Lenders hereunder with Extended Commitments by executing an Extension Amendment on the terms specified in such Extension Request in an amount agreed to by such Additional Lenders (the “ Additional Lender Extended Amount ”) (and in such case the Borrower will either (i) reduce Commitments hereunder (other than Commitments that are subject to Extension Elections pursuant to such Extension Request) by an aggregate amount equal to the Additional Lender Extended Amount, (ii) increase Commitments hereunder by an amount equal to the Additional Lender Extended Amount (up to an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount that would be permitted in an Incremental Increase pursuant to Section 2.16 at such time) or (iii) implement a combination of Commitment reductions under the foregoing clause (i) and Commitment increases under the foregoing clause (ii) in an aggregate amount equal to Additional Lender Extended Amount. Notwithstanding the conversion of any Existing Commitment into an Extended Commitment, such Extended Commitment shall be treated identically to all Existing Commitments of the Specified Existing Commitment Class for purposes of the obligations of a Lender in respect of Swingline Loans under Section 2.1(c)  and Letters of Credit under Section 3 , except that the applicable Extension Amendment may provide that the Swingline Maturity Date and/or the last day for issuing Letters of Credit may be extended and the related obligations to make Swingline Loans and issue Letters of Credit may be continued (pursuant to mechanics to be specified in the applicable Extension Amendment) so long as the applicable Swingline Lender and/or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, have consented to such extensions (it being understood that no consent of any other Lender shall be required in connection with any such extension).

 

(c)                                   Extended Commitments shall be established pursuant to an amendment (an “ Extension Amendment ”) to this Agreement (which, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 13.1 , shall not require the consent of any Lender other than the Extending Lenders with respect to the Extended Commitments established thereby) executed by the Credit

 

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Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Extending Lenders. It is understood and agreed that each Lender hereunder has consented, and shall at the effective time thereof be deemed to consent to each amendment to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents authorized by this Section 2.17 (and approved by the applicable Extending Lenders with respect to the Extended Commitments established thereby) and the arrangements described above in connection therewith. No Extension Amendment shall provide for any tranche of Extended Commitments in an aggregate principal amount that is less than $200,000,000 (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.17(c)  and without limiting the generality or applicability of Section 13.1 to any Section 2.17 Additional Amendments (as defined below), any Extension Amendment may provide for additional terms and/or additional amendments other than those referred to or contemplated above (any such additional amendment, a “ Section 2.17 Additional Amendment ”) to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such Section 2.17 Additional Amendments are within the requirements of Section 2.17(a)  and do not become effective prior to the time that such Section 2.17 Additional Amendments have been consented to (including, without limitation, pursuant to consents applicable to holders of any Extended Loans provided for in any Extension Amendment) by such of the Lenders, Credit Parties and other parties (if any) as may be required in order for such Section 2.17 Additional Amendments to become effective in accordance with Section 13.1 .

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (A) on any date on which any Class of Existing Commitments is converted to extend the related scheduled maturity date(s) in accordance with paragraph (a) above (an “ Extension Date ”), in the case of the Existing Commitments of each Extending Lender under any Specified Existing Commitment Class, the aggregate principal amount of such Existing Commitments shall be deemed reduced by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Extended Commitments so converted by such Lender on such date, and such Extended Commitments shall be established as a separate Class of revolving credit commitments from the Specified Existing Commitment Class and from any other Existing Commitments (together with any other Extended Commitments so established on such date) and (B) if, on any Extension Date, any Existing Loans of any Extending Lender are outstanding under the Specified Existing Commitment Class, such Existing Loans (and any related participations) shall be deemed to be allocated as Extended Loans (and related participations) in the same proportion as such Extending Lender’s Specified Existing Commitments to Extended Commitments.

 

(e)                                   No exchange of Loans or Commitments pursuant to any Extension Amendment in accordance with this Section 2.17 shall constitute a voluntary or mandatory payment or prepayment for purposes of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 3.                             Letters of Credit

 

3.1                                Letters of Credit.

 

(a)                                  Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, at any time and from time to time on and after the Closing Date and prior to the L/C Maturity Date, each Issuing Bank agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 3 , to issue upon the request of the Borrower and for the direct or indirect benefit of the Borrower and

 

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the Restricted Subsidiaries, a letter of credit or letters of credit (the “ Letters of Credit ” and each, a “ Letter of Credit ”) in such form and with such Issuer Documents as may be approved by the applicable Issuing Bank in its reasonable discretion; provided that the Borrower shall be a co-applicant of, and jointly and severally liable with respect to, each Letter of Credit issued for the account of a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Letter of Credit shall be issued the Stated Amount of which, when added to the Letters of Credit Outstanding at such time, would exceed the Letter of Credit Commitment then in effect, (ii) no Letter of Credit shall be issued the Stated Amount of which would cause the aggregate amount of all Lenders’ Total Exposures at such time to exceed the Loan Limit then in effect, (iii) each Letter of Credit shall have an expiration date occurring no later than one year after the date of issuance or such longer period of time as may be agreed by the applicable Issuing Bank, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank or as provided under Section 3.2(b) ; provided that any Letter of Credit may provide for automatic renewal thereof for additional periods of up to 12 months or such longer period of time as may be agreed upon by the applicable Issuing Bank, subject to the provisions of Section 3.2(b) ; provided, further, that in no event shall such expiration date occur later than the L/C Maturity Date unless arrangements which are reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank to Cash Collateralize (or backstop) such Letter of Credit have been made, (iv) no Alternate Currency Letter of Credit shall be issued if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of the Letter of Credit Exposure with respect to all Alternate Currency Letters of Credit would exceed $37,500,000, (v) no Letter of Credit shall be issued if it would be illegal under any applicable Requirement of Law for the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit to have a Letter of Credit issued in its favor and (vi) no Letter of Credit shall be issued by an Issuing Bank after it has received a written notice from any Credit Party or the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders stating that a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing until such time as such Issuing Bank shall have received a written notice (A) of rescission of such notice from the party or parties originally delivering such notice, (B) of the waiver of such Default or Event of Default in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.1 or (C) that such Default or Event of Default is no longer continuing.

 

(c)                                   Upon at least one Business Day’s prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the applicable Lenders), the Borrower shall have the right, on any day, permanently to terminate or reduce the Letter of Credit Commitment in whole or in part; provided that, after giving effect to such termination or reduction, the Letters of Credit Outstanding shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Commitment.

 

3.2                                Letter of Credit Applications.

 

(a)                                  Whenever the Borrower desires that a Letter of Credit be issued, amended or renewed for its account on its own behalf, or on behalf of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent a Letter of Credit application, amendment request or any such document as may be approved by the applicable Issuing Bank (each, a “ Letter of Credit

 

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Application ”). Upon receipt of any Letter of Credit Application or amendment request, (i) in the case of Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars, (A) the applicable Issuing Bank will use its best efforts to process such Letter of Credit Application on the Business Day on which such Letter of Credit Application is received, provided that such Letter of Credit Application is received no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such Business Day, or (B) otherwise, the first Business Day next succeeding receipt of such Letter of Credit Application, and (ii) in the case of Letters of Credit denominated in an Alternate Currency, (A) the applicable Issuing Bank will use its best efforts to process such Letter of Credit Application on the second Business Day after the day on which such Letter of Credit Application is received, or (B) otherwise, the fifth Business Day after the day on which such Letter of Credit Application is received. No Issuing Bank shall issue any Letters of Credit unless such Issuing Bank shall have received notice from the Administrative Agent that the conditions to such issuance have been met.

 

(b)                                  If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the applicable Issuing Bank may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “ Auto-Extension Letter of Credit ”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit such Issuing Bank to prevent any such extension at least once in each 12-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “ Non-Extension Notice Date ”) in each such 12-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to such Issuing Bank for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the applicable Issuing Bank to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the L/C Maturity Date; provided, however, that such Issuing Bank shall not permit any such extension if (i) such Issuing Bank has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (b)  of Section 3.1 or otherwise), or (ii) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is five Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (A) from the Administrative Agent that the Majority Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (B) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 7 are not then satisfied, and in each such case directing such Issuing Bank not to permit such extension.

 

(c)                                   Each Issuing Bank (other than the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates) shall, at least once each week, provide the Administrative Agent with a list of all Letters of Credit issued by it that are outstanding at such time; provided that, upon written request from the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank shall thereafter notify the Administrative Agent in writing on each Business Day of all Letters of Credit issued on the prior Business Day by such Issuing Bank; provided further that the notification requirements of this Section 3.2(c)  shall not apply with respect to any Existing Letter of Credit.

 

(d)                                  The making of each Letter of Credit Request shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower that the Letter of Credit may be issued in accordance with, and will not violate the requirements of, Section 3.1(b) .

 

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3.3                                Letter of Credit Participations .

 

(a)                                  Immediately upon the issuance by an Issuing Bank of any Letter of Credit (and on the Closing Date, with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each Lender (each such Lender, in its capacity under this Section 3.3 , an “ L/C Participant ”), and each such L/C Participant shall be deemed irrevocably and unconditionally to have purchased and received from such Issuing Bank, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation (each an “ L/C Participation ”), to the extent of such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage, in each Letter of Credit, each substitute therefor, each drawing made thereunder and the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement with respect thereto, and any security therefor or guaranty pertaining thereto.

 

(b)                                  In determining whether to pay under any Letter of Credit, the relevant Issuing Bank shall have no obligation relative to the L/C Participants other than to confirm that (i) any documents required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit have been delivered, (ii) such Issuing Bank has examined the documents with reasonable care and (iii) the documents appear to comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit. Any action taken or omitted to be taken by the relevant Issuing Bank under or in connection with any Letter of Credit issued by it, if taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, shall not create for such Issuing Bank any resulting liability.

 

(c)                                   In the event that an Issuing Bank makes any payment under any Letter of Credit issued by it and the Borrower shall not have repaid such amount (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) in full to such Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.4(a) , such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each L/C Participant of such failure, and each such L/C Participant shall promptly and unconditionally pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank, the amount of such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage of such unreimbursed payment in Dollars and in immediately available funds; provided, however, that no L/C Participant shall be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank its Commitment Percentage of such unreimbursed amount arising from any wrongful payment made by such Issuing Bank under any such Letter of Credit as a result of acts or omissions constituting willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of such Issuing Bank. Each L/C Participant shall make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Issuing Bank such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage of the amount of such payment no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the first Business Day after the date notified by such Issuing Bank in immediately available funds. If and to the extent such L/C Participant shall not have so made its Commitment Percentage of the amount of such payment available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Issuing Bank, such L/C Participant agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank, forthwith on demand, such amount, together with interest thereon for each day from such date until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight Rate from time to time then in effect, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by such Issuing Bank in connection with the foregoing. The failure of any L/C Participant to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Issuing Bank its Commitment Percentage of any payment under any Letter of Credit shall not relieve any

 

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other L/C Participant of its obligation hereunder to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank its Commitment Percentage of any payment under such Letter of Credit on the date required, as specified above, but no L/C Participant shall be responsible for the failure of any other L/C Participant to make available to the Administrative Agent such other L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage of any such payment.

 

(d)                                  Whenever an Issuing Bank receives a payment in respect of an unpaid reimbursement obligation as to which the Administrative Agent has received for the account of such Issuing Bank any payments from the L/C Participants pursuant to clause (c)  above, such Issuing Bank shall pay to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to each L/C Participant that has paid its Commitment Percentage of such reimbursement obligation, in Dollars and in immediately available funds, an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s share (based upon the proportionate aggregate amount originally funded by such L/C Participant to the aggregate amount funded by all L/C Participants) of the principal amount so paid in respect of such reimbursement obligation and interest thereon accruing after the purchase of the respective L/C Participations at the Overnight Rate.

 

(e)                                   The obligations of the L/C Participants to make payments to the Administrative Agent for the account of an Issuing Bank with respect to Letters of Credit shall be irrevocable and not subject to counterclaim, set-off or other defense or any other qualification or exception whatsoever and shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement under all circumstances, including under any of the following circumstances:

 

(i)                                      any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents;

 

(ii)                                   the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right that the Borrower may have at any time against a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit, any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such transferee may be acting), the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions (including any underlying transaction between the Borrower and the beneficiary named in any such Letter of Credit);

 

(iii)                                any draft, certificate or any other document presented under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

 

(iv)                               the surrender or impairment of any security for the performance or observance of any of the terms of any of the Credit Documents; or

 

(v)                                  the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

 

provided, however, that no L/C Participant shall be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Issuing Bank its Commitment Percentage of any unreimbursed amount arising from any wrongful payment made by such Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit as a

 

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result of acts or omissions constituting willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of such Issuing Bank.

 

3.4                                Agreement to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse the relevant Issuing Bank by making payment in Dollars or, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, in the applicable Alternate Currency to such Issuing Bank or to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank (whether with its own funds or with proceeds of the Loans) in immediately available funds, for any payment or disbursement made by such Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit issued by it (each such amount so paid until reimbursed, an “ Unpaid Drawing ” (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof)) (i) within one Business Day of the date of such payment or disbursement if such Issuing Bank provides notice to the Borrower of such payment or disbursement prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on such next succeeding Business Day (from the date of such payment or disbursement or (ii) if such notice is received after such time, on the next Business Day following the date of receipt of such notice (such required date for reimbursement under clause (i)  or (ii) , as applicable, on such Business Day (the “ Reimbursement Date ”)), with interest on the amount so paid or disbursed by such Issuing Bank, from and including the date of such payment or disbursement to but excluding the Reimbursement Date, at the per annum rate for each day equal to the rate described in Section 2.8(a) ; provided that, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, with respect to any Letter of Credit, (i) unless the Borrower shall have notified the Administrative Agent and such Issuing Bank prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Reimbursement Date that the Borrower intends to reimburse such Issuing Bank for the amount of such drawing with funds other than the proceeds of Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have given a Notice of Borrowing requesting that the Lenders make Loans (which shall be ABR Loans) on the Reimbursement Date in an amount equal to the amount at such drawing (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof), and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each L/C Participant of such drawing and the amount of its Loan to be made in respect thereof, and each L/C Participant shall be irrevocably obligated to make a Loan to the Borrower in the manner deemed to have been requested in the amount of its Commitment Percentage of the applicable Unpaid Drawing by 12:00 noon (New York City time) on such Reimbursement Date by making the amount of such Loan available to the Administrative Agent. Such Loans made in respect of such Unpaid Drawing on such Reimbursement Date shall be made without regard to the Minimum Borrowing Amount and without regard to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 7 . The Administrative Agent shall use the proceeds of such Loans solely for purpose of reimbursing the relevant Issuing Bank for the related Unpaid Drawing. In the event that the Borrower fails to Cash Collateralize any Letter of Credit that is outstanding on the L/C Maturity Date, the full amount of the Letters of Credit Outstanding in respect of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be an Unpaid Drawing subject to the provisions of this Section 3.4 except that such Issuing Bank shall hold the proceeds received from the Lenders as contemplated above as cash collateral for such Letter of Credit to reimburse any Drawing under such Letter of Credit and shall use such proceeds first, to reimburse itself for any Drawings made in respect of such Letter of Credit following the L/C Maturity Date, second, to the extent such Letter of Credit expires or is returned undrawn while any such cash collateral remains, to the repayment of obligations in

 

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respect of any Loans that have not paid at such time and third, to the Borrower or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction. Nothing in this Section 3.4(a)  shall affect the Borrower’s obligation to repay all outstanding Loans when due in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The obligations of the Borrower under this Section 3.4 to reimburse the relevant Issuing Bank with respect to Unpaid Drawings (including, in each case, interest thereon) shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any set-off, counterclaim or defense to payment that the Borrower or any other Person may have or have had against such Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including in its capacity as an L/C Participant), including any defense based upon (i) the failure of any drawing under a Letter of Credit (each a “ Drawing ”) to conform to the terms of the Letter of Credit, (ii) any non-application or misapplication by the beneficiary of the proceeds of such Drawing, (iii) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (iv) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect or (v) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the relevant Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted to be taken by an Issuing Bank under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), shall be binding on the Borrower and shall not result in any liability of such Issuing Bank to the Borrower; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse such Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care, when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank that issued such Letter of Credit may in its sole discretion, either accept or make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit (unless the Borrower shall consent to payment thereon not withstanding such lack of strict compliance).

 

3.5                                Increased Costs . If, after the Closing Date, the adoption of any Change in Law shall either (a) impose, modify or make applicable any reserve, deposit, capital adequacy or similar requirement against Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Bank, or any L/C Participant’s L/C Participation therein, or (b) impose on any Issuing Bank or any L/C Participant any other conditions, costs or expenses affecting its obligations under this Agreement in respect of

 

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Letters of Credit or L/C Participations therein or any Letter of Credit or such L/C Participant’s L/C Participation therein, and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant of issuing, maintaining or participating in any Letter of Credit, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant hereunder (other than (i) Taxes indemnifiable under Section 5.4 , or (ii) Excluded Taxes) in respect of Letters of Credit or L/C Participations therein, then, promptly (and in any event no later than 15 days) after receipt of written demand to the Borrower by such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant, as the case may be (a copy of which notice shall be sent by such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant for such increased cost or reduction, it being understood and agreed, however, that no Issuing Bank or L/C Participant shall be entitled to such compensation as a result of such Person’s compliance with, or pursuant to any request or directive to comply with, any such Requirement of Law as in effect on the Closing Date. A certificate submitted to the Borrower by the relevant Issuing Bank or an L/C Participant, as the case may be (a copy of which certificate shall be sent by such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant to the Administrative Agent), setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for the determination of such additional amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Issuing Bank or such L/C Participant as aforesaid shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower absent clearly demonstrable error.

 

3.6                                New or Successor Issuing Bank .

 

(a)                                  Any Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower. The Borrower may replace any Issuing Bank for any reason upon written notice to such Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent and may add Issuing Banks at any time upon notice to the Administrative Agent. If an Issuing Bank shall resign or be replaced, or if the Borrower shall decide to add a new Issuing Bank under this Agreement, then the Borrower may appoint from among the Lenders a successor issuer of Letters of Credit or a new Issuing Bank, as the case may be, or, with the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) and such new Issuing Bank, another successor or new issuer of Letters of Credit, whereupon such successor issuer shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the replaced or resigning Issuing Bank under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, or such new issuer of Letters of Credit shall be granted the rights, powers and duties of an Issuing Bank hereunder, and the term “Issuing Bank” shall mean such successor or such new issuer of Letters of Credit effective upon such appointment. The acceptance of any appointment as an Issuing Bank hereunder whether as a successor issuer or new issuer of Letters of Credit in accordance with this Agreement, shall be evidenced by an agreement entered into by such new or successor issuer of Letters of Credit, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, such new or successor issuer of Letters of Credit shall become an “Issuing Bank” hereunder. After the resignation or replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such resignation or replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit. In connection with any resignation or

 

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replacement pursuant to this clause (a)  (but, in case of any such resignation, only to the extent that a successor issuer of Letters of Credit shall have been appointed), either (i) the Borrower, the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank and the successor issuer of Letters of Credit shall arrange to have any outstanding Letters of Credit issued by the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank replaced with Letters of Credit issued by the successor issuer of Letters of Credit or (ii) the Borrower shall cause the successor issuer of Letters of Credit, if such successor issuer is reasonably satisfactory to the replaced or resigning Issuing Bank, to issue “back-stop” Letters of Credit naming the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank as beneficiary for each outstanding Letter of Credit issued by the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank, which new Letters of Credit shall have a Stated Amount equal to the Letters of Credit being back-stopped and the sole requirement for drawing on such new Letters of Credit shall be a drawing on the corresponding back- stopped Letters of Credit. After any resigning or replaced Issuing Bank’s resignation or replacement as Issuing Bank, the provisions of this Agreement relating to an Issuing Bank shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it (A) while it was an Issuing Bank under this Agreement or (B) at any time with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.

 

(b)                                  To the extent that there are, at the time of any resignation or replacement as set forth in clause (a)  above, any outstanding Letters of Credit, nothing herein shall be deemed to impact or impair any rights and obligations of any of the parties hereto with respect to such outstanding Letters of Credit (including any obligations related to the payment of fees or the reimbursement or funding of amounts drawn), except that the Borrower, the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank and the successor issuer of Letters of Credit shall have the obligations regarding outstanding Letters of Credit described in clause (a)  above.

 

3.7                                Role of Issuing Bank . Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, no Issuing Bank shall have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the Issuing Banks, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective affiliates nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of any Issuing Bank shall be liable to any Lender for (a) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Majority Lenders, (b) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct or (c) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the Issuing Banks, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective affiliates nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of any Issuing Bank shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in Section 3.3(e) ; provided that anything in such Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against an Issuing Bank, and such Issuing Bank may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by such Issuing Bank’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or such Issuing Bank’s unlawful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the

 

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beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, any Issuing Bank may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and no Issuing Bank shall be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.

 

3.8                                Cash Collateral .

 

(a)                                  Upon the request of the Majority Lenders if, as of the L/C Maturity Date, there are any Letters of Credit Outstanding, the Borrower shall immediately Cash Collateralize the then Letters of Credit Outstanding.

 

(b)                                  If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Majority Lenders may require that the L/C Obligations be Cash Collateralized; provided that, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default referred to in Section 11.5 with respect to the Borrower, the Borrower shall immediately Cash Collateralize the Letters of Credit then outstanding and no notice or request by or consent from the Majority Lenders shall be required.

 

(c)                                   For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cash Collateralize ” shall mean to (i) pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Banks and the Lenders, as collateral for the L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances in an amount equal to the amount of the Letters of Credit Outstanding required to be Cash Collateralized (the “ Required Cash Collateral Amount ”) or (ii) if the relevant Issuing Bank benefiting from such collateral shall agree in its reasonable discretion, other forms of credit support (including any backstop letter of credit) in a face amount equal to 105% of the Required Cash Collateral Amount from an issuer reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank, in each case under clause (i) and (ii) above pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the relevant Issuing Bank (which documents are hereby consented to by the Lenders). Derivatives of such term have corresponding meanings. The Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Banks and the L/C Participants, a security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein and all proceeds of the foregoing. Such cash Collateral shall be maintained in blocked, interest bearing deposit accounts established by and in the name of the Borrower, but under the “control” (as defined in Section 9-104 of the UCC) of the Administrative Agent.

 

3.9                                Existing Letters of Credit . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Existing Letter of Credit that is outstanding on the Closing Date, listed on Schedule 3.9 shall, effective as of the Closing Date and without any further action by the Borrower, be continued as a Letter of Credit hereunder and from and after the Closing Date shall be deemed a Letter of Credit for all purposes hereof and shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.

 

3.10                         Applicability of ISP and UCP . Unless otherwise expressly agreed to by the relevant Issuing Bank and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, (a) the rules of the ISP or the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits shall apply to each standby

 

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Letter of Credit and (b) the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce at the time of issuance, shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.

 

3.11                         Conflict with Issuer Documents . In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.

 

3.12                         Letters of Credit Issued for Restricted Subsidiaries . Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Restricted Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the relevant Issuing Bank hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Restricted Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

3.13                         Alternate Currency . If any amounts received or owing hereunder in connection with Alternate Currency Letters of Credit are paid in a currency other than the applicable Alternate Currency (the “ Other Currency ”), the applicable Issuing Bank may convert (actually or notionally) such Other Currency into the applicable Alternate Currency and such conversion shall be effected at the Exchange Rate for the time being for obtaining such Alternate Currency and the Borrower shall indemnify such Issuing Bank on demand in respect of any resulting loss in respect of such conversion. The Borrower waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under this Section 3.13 in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable.

 

SECTION 4.  Fees; Commitments.

 

4.1                                Fees .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent in Dollars, for the account of each Lender (in each case pro rata according to the respective Commitment Percentages of the Lenders), a commitment fee (the “ Commitment Fee ”) for each day from the Closing Date until but excluding the Termination Date. Each Commitment Fee shall be payable by the Borrower quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December (for the three-month period (or portion thereof) ended on such day for which no payment has been received) and on the Termination Date (for the period ended on such date for which no payment has been received pursuant to clause (i) above), and shall be computed for each day during such period at a rate per annum equal to the Commitment Fee Rate in effect on such day on the Available Commitment (assuming for this purpose that there is no reference to “Swingline Exposure” in the definition of Total Exposure) in effect on such day.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent in Dollars for the account of the Lenders pro rata on the basis of their respective Letter of Credit Exposure, a fee in respect of each Letter of Credit (the “ Letter of Credit Fee ”), for the period from the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit until the termination or expiration date of such Letter of Credit computed at the per annum rate for each day equal to the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Loans on the average daily Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit. Such Letter of Credit Fees shall be

 

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due and payable (i) quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and (ii) on the Termination Date (for the period for which no payment has been received pursuant to clause (i)  above).

 

(c)                              The Borrower agrees to pay to each Issuing Bank a fee in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by it (the “ Fronting Fee ”), for the period from the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to the termination or expiration date of such Letter of Credit, computed at the rate for each day equal to 0.125% per annum (or such other amount as may be agreed in a separate writing between the Borrower and the relevant Issuing Bank) on the average daily Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit (or at such other rate per annum as agreed in writing between the Borrower and the relevant Issuing Bank). Such Fronting Fees shall be due and payable by the Borrower (i) quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and (ii) on the Termination Date (for the period for which no payment has been received pursuant to clause (i)  above).

 

(d)                             The Borrower agrees to pay directly to each Issuing Bank upon each issuance of, drawing under, and/or amendment of, a Letter of Credit issued by it such amount as the relevant Issuing Bank and the Borrower shall have agreed upon for issuances of, drawings under or amendments of, letters of credit issued by it.

 

(e)                              The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the administrative agent fees in the amounts and on the dates as set forth in writing from time to time between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

4.2                                Voluntary Reduction of Commitments .

 

(a)                                  Upon at least two Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders), the Borrower shall have the right, without premium or penalty, on any day, permanently to terminate or reduce the Commitments of any Class, as determined by the Borrower, in whole or in part; provided that (a) with respect to the Commitments, any such termination or reduction shall apply proportionately and permanently to reduce the Commitments of each of the Lenders of such Class, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) the Borrower may allocate any termination or reduction of Commitments among classes of Commitments either (A) ratably among Classes or (B) first to the Commitments with respect to any Existing Commitments and second to any Extended Commitments and (2) in connection with the establishment on any date of any Extended Commitments pursuant to Section 2.17 , (i) the Existing Commitments of each Lender providing any such Extended Commitments on such date shall be reduced in an amount equal to the amount of Specified Existing Commitments so extended on such date by such Lender and (ii) the Existing Commitments of any Lender not providing such Extended Commitments shall be reduced, solely to the extent elected to be reduced by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.17 , among the Class or Classes of Commitments elected by the Borrower ( provided that (x) after giving effect to any such reduction and to the repayment of any Loans made on such date, the Total Exposure of any such Lender does not exceed the Commitment of such Lender (such Total Exposure and Commitment in the case of an Extending Lender being determined for purposes of this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, exclusive of such Extending Lender’s Extended Commitment

 

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and any exposure in respect thereof) and (y) for the avoidance of doubt, any such repayment of Loans contemplated by the preceding clause shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 5.3(a)  with respect to the ratable allocation of payments hereunder, with such allocation being determined after giving effect to any conversion pursuant to Section 2.17   of Existing Commitments and Existing Loans into Extended Commitments and Extended Loans respectively, and prior to any reduction being made to the Commitment of any other Lender), (b) any partial reduction pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be in the amount of at least $1,000,000 and (c) after giving effect to such termination or reduction and to any prepayments of Loans or cancellation or Cash Collateralization of Letters of Credit made on the date thereof in accordance with this Agreement, the aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Total Exposures shall not exceed the Loan Limit

 

(b)                                  The Borrower may terminate the unused amount of the Commitment of a Defaulting Lender upon not less than two (2) Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly notify the Lenders thereof), and in such event the provisions of Section 2.15(f)  will apply to all amounts thereafter paid by the Borrower for the account of such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement (whether on account of principal, interest, fees, indemnity or other amounts), provided that such termination will not be deemed to be a waiver or release of any claim the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender.

 

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4.3                                Mandatory Termination of Commitments .

 

(a)                                  The Total Commitment shall terminate at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Termination Date.

 

(b)                                  The Swingline Commitment shall terminate at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the earlier of (x) the Swingline Maturity Date and (y) the Termination Date.

 

SECTION 5.  Payments.

 

5.1                                Voluntary Prepayments . The Borrower shall have the right to prepay Loans and Swingline Loans, in each case, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part from time to time on the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)                                  the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of its intent to make such prepayment, the amount of such prepayment and (in the case of LIBOR Loans) the specific Borrowing(s) being prepaid, which notice shall be given by the Borrower no later than 1.00 p.m. (New York City time) (i) in the case of LIBOR Loans, three Business Days prior to and (ii) in the case of ABR Loans on the date of such prepayment and shall promptly be transmitted by the Administrative Agent to each of the Lenders;

 

(b)                                  each partial prepayment of (i) LIBOR Loans shall be in a minimum amount of $500,000 and in multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, and (ii) any ABR Loans shall be in a minimum amount of $500,000 and in multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof; provided that no partial prepayment of LIBOR Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing shall reduce the outstanding LIBOR Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than the applicable Minimum Borrowing Amount for such LIBOR Loans; and

 

(c)                                   any prepayment of LIBOR Loans pursuant to this Section 5.1 on any day other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto shall be subject to compliance by the Borrower with the applicable provisions of Section 2.11 .

 

Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type of Loans to be prepaid. At the Borrower’s election in connection with any prepayment pursuant to this Section 5.1 , such prepayment shall not be applied to any Loans of a Defaulting Lender.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing (and as provided in clause (1)  of the proviso to Section 2.17(a)) , the Borrower may not prepay Extended Loans of any Extension Series unless such prepayment, to the extent any such Existing Loans are outstanding, is accompanied by a pro rata repayment of Existing Loans of the Specified Existing Commitment Class of the Existing Class from which such Extended Loans and Extended Commitments were converted (or such Loans and Commitments of the Existing Class have otherwise been repaid and terminated in full).

 

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5.2                                Mandatory Prepayments .

 

(a)                                  Repayment following Optional Reduction of Commitments . If, after giving effect to any termination or reduction of the Commitments pursuant to Section 4.2(a) , the aggregate Total Exposures of all Lenders exceeds the Loan Limit (as reduced), then the Borrower shall on the same Business Day (i) prepay the Swingline Loans and, after all Swingline Loans have been paid in full, the remaining Loans on the date of such termination or reduction in an aggregate principal amount equal to such excess and (ii) if any excess remains after prepaying all of the Loans as a result of any Letter of Credit Exposure, pay to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Issuing Banks and the L/C Participants an amount in cash or otherwise Cash Collateralize an amount equal to such excess as provided in Section 3.8 .

 

(b)                                  Repayment of Loans Following Redetermination or Adjustment of Borrowing Base .

 

(i)                                      Upon any redetermination of the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.14(b) , if the aggregate Total Exposures of all Lenders exceeds the redetermined Borrowing Base, then the Borrower shall, within 10 Business Days after its receipt of a New Borrowing Base Notice indicating such Borrowing Base Deficiency, inform the Administrative Agent of the Borrower’s election to: (A) within 30 days following such election prepay the Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to such excess, (B) prepay the Loans in six equal monthly installments, commencing on the 30th day following such election with each payment being equal to 1/6th of the aggregate principal amount of such excess, (C) within 30 days following such election, provide additional Collateral in the form of additional Oil and Gas Properties not evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report or other Collateral reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent having a Borrowing Base Value (as proposed by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Required Lenders in good faith in accordance with their respective usual and customary oil and gas lending criteria as they exist at the particular time) sufficient, after giving effect to any other actions taken pursuant to this Section 5.2(b)(i)  to eliminate any such excess or (D) undertake a combination of clauses (A) , (B)  and (C) ; provided that if, because of Letter of Credit Exposure, a Borrowing Base Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Loans, the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize such remaining Borrowing Base Deficiency as provided in Section 3.8 ; provided further, that all payments required to be made pursuant to this Section 5.2(b)(i)  must be made on or prior to the Termination Date.

 

(ii)                                   Upon any adjustment to the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 2.14(e) , (f)  or (g) , if the aggregate Total Exposures of all Lenders exceeds the Borrowing Base, as adjusted, then the Borrower shall (A) prepay the Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to such excess and (B) if any excess remains after prepaying all of the Loans as a result of any Letter of Credit Exposure, Cash Collateralize such excess as provided in Section 3.8 . The Borrower shall be obligated to make such prepayment and/or deposit of cash collateral no later than two Business Days following the date it receives written notice from the Administrative Agent of the adjustment of the Borrowing

 

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Base and the resulting Borrowing Base Deficiency; provided that all payments required to be made pursuant to this clause must be made on or prior to the Termination Date.

 

(c)                              Application to Loans . With respect to each prepayment of Loans elected under Section 5.1 or required by Section 5.2 , the Borrower may designate (i) the Types of Loans that are to be prepaid and the specific Borrowing(s) being repaid and (ii) the Loans to be prepaid; provided that (A) each prepayment of any Loans made pursuant to a Borrowing shall be applied pro rata among such Loans, (B) notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding clause (A) , no prepayment of Loans shall be applied to the Loans of any Defaulting Lender unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Borrower and (C) notwithstanding the foregoing (as provided in clause (1)  of the proviso to Section 2.17(a)) , the Borrower may not prepay Extended Loans of any Extension Series unless such prepayment, to the extent any such Existing Loans are outstanding, is accompanied by a pro rata repayment of Existing Loans of the Specified Existing Commitment Class of the Existing Class from which such Extended Loans and Extended Commitments were converted (or such Loans and Commitments of the Existing Class have otherwise been repaid and terminated in full). In the absence of a designation by the Borrower as described in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the above, make such designation in its reasonable discretion with a view, but no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing under Section 2.11 .

 

(d)                                  LIBOR Interest Periods . In lieu of making any payment pursuant to this Section 5.2 in respect of any LIBOR Loan, other than on the last day of the Interest Period therefor so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower at its option may deposit, on behalf of the Borrower, with the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the amount of the LIBOR Loan to be prepaid and such LIBOR Loan shall be repaid on the last day of the Interest Period therefor in the required amount. Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent in a corporate time deposit account established on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, earning interest at the then customary rate for accounts of such type. The Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein and all proceeds of the foregoing. Such deposit shall constitute cash collateral for the LIBOR Loans to be so prepaid; provided that the Borrower may at any time direct that such deposit be applied to make the applicable payment required pursuant to this Section 5.2 .

 

(e)                                   Application of Proceeds . The application of proceeds pursuant to this Section 5.2 shall not reduce the aggregate amount of Commitments under the Facility and amounts prepaid may be reborrowed subject to the Available Commitment.

 

5.3                                Method and Place of Payment .

 

(a)                                  Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all payments under this Agreement shall be made by the Borrower without set-off, counterclaim or deduction of any kind, to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders entitled thereto or the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender entitled thereto, as the case may be, not later than 2.00 p.m. (New York City time), in each case, on the date when due and shall be made in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office or at such other office as the Administrative Agent shall specify for such purpose by notice to the Borrower, it being understood that written

 

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or facsimile notice by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent to make a payment from the funds in the Borrower’s account at the Administrative Agent’s Office shall constitute the making of such payment to the extent of such funds held in such account. All repayments or prepayments of any Loans (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) hereunder and all other payments under each Credit Document shall be made in Dollars. The Administrative Agent will thereafter cause to be distributed on the same day (if payment was actually received by the Administrative Agent prior to 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) or, otherwise, on the next Business Day in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent) like funds relating to the payment of principal or interest or fees ratably to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as applicable, entitled thereto.

 

(b)                                  For purposes of computing interest or fees, any payments under this Agreement that are made later than 2.00 p.m. (New York City time) shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent. Whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and, with respect to payments of principal, interest shall be payable during such extension at the applicable rate in effect immediately prior to such extension.

 

5.4                                Net Payments .

 

(a)                                  Any and all payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Guar-antor under this Agreement or any other Credit Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any Taxes; provided that if the Borrower, any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent or any other applicable withholding agent shall be required by applicable Requirements of Law to deduct or withhold any Taxes from such payments, then (i) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions or withholdings as are reasonably determined by the applicable withholding agent to be required by any applicable Requirement of Law, (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority within the time allowed and in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law, and (iii) to the extent withholding or deduction is required to be made on account of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the Borrower or such Guarantor shall be increased as necessary so that after all required deductions and withholdings have been made (including deductions or withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 5.4) the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, or the applicable Issuing Bank or Lender, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made. Whenever any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by the Borrower or such Guarantor, as promptly as possible thereafter, the Borrower or Guarantor shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of such Issuing Bank or Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an official receipt (or other evidence acceptable to such Issuing Bank or Lender, acting reasonably) received by the Borrower or such Guarantor showing payment thereof. Without duplication, after any payment of Taxes by any Credit Party or the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 5.4 , the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, a copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of

 

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any return required by laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower shall timely pay and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender with regard to any Other Taxes (whether or not such Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority).

 

(c)                                   The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender within 15 Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or such Lender, as the case may be (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 5.4) , and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent (as applicable) on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)                                  Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law and such other reasonably requested information as will permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine (A) whether or not any payments made hereunder or under any other Credit Document are subject to Taxes, (B) if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction, and (C) such Lender’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, applicable Taxes in respect of any payments to be made to such Lender by any Credit Party pursuant to any Credit Document or otherwise to establish such Lender’s status for withholding tax purposes in the applicable jurisdiction. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.

 

(e)                                   Without limiting the generality of Section 5.4(d) , each Non-U.S. Lender with respect to any Loan made to the Borrower shall, to the extent it is legally eligible to do so:

 

(i)                                      deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, prior to the date on which the first payment to the Non-U.S. Lender is due hereunder, two copies of (A) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest”, United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or any applicable successor form) (together with a certificate (substantially in the form of Exhibit K hereto) representing that such Non-U.S. Lender is not a bank for purposes of Section 881(c) of the Code, is not a “10-percent shareholder” (within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code) of the Borrower, is not a CFC related to the Borrower (within the meaning of

 

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Section 864(d)(4) of the Code) and the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the conduct by such Lender of a trade or business within the United States), (B) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8ECI (or any applicable successor form), in each case properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption from, or reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on payments by the Borrower under this Agreement, (C) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY (or any applicable successor form) and all necessary attachments (including the forms described in clauses (A)  and (B)  above, provided that if the Non-U.S. Lender is a partnership and not a participating Lender, and one or more of the partners is claiming portfolio interest treatment, the Non-Bank Tax Certificate may be provided by such Non-U.S. Lender on behalf of such partners) or (D) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

(ii)                                   deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further copies of any such form or certification (or any applicable successor form) on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

 

Any Non-U.S. Lender that becomes legally ineligible to update any form or certification previously delivered shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of such Non-U.S. Lender’s inability to do so.

 

Each Person that shall become a Participant pursuant to Section 13.6 or a Lender pursuant to Section 13.6 shall, upon the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all the forms and statements required pursuant to this Section 5.4(e) ; provided that in the case of a Participant such Participant shall furnish all such required forms and statements to the Person from which the related participation shall have been purchased.

 

In addition, to the extent it is legally eligible to do so, each Agent shall deliver to the Borrower (x)(I) prior to the date on which the first payment by the Borrower is due hereunder or (II) prior to the first date on or after the date on which such Agent becomes a successor Agent pursuant to Section 12.9 on which payment by the Borrower is due hereunder, as applicable, two copies of a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 certifying its exemption from U.S. Federal backup withholding or a properly completed and executed applicable IRS Form W-8 certifying its non-U.S. status and its entitlement to any treaty benefits, and (y) on or before the date on which any such previously delivered documentation expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent documentation previously delivered by it to the Borrower, and from time to time if reasonably requested by the Borrower, two further copies of such documentation.

 

(f)                                    If any Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, determines, in its sole discretion, that it had received a refund of an Indemnified Tax or

 

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Other Tax for which a payment has been made by the Borrower or any Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement or any other Credit Document, which refund in the good faith judgment of such Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, is attributable to such payment made by the Borrower or any Guarantor, then the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Borrower or such Guarantor for such amount (net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, and without interest other than any interest received thereon from the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund) as the Lender, Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, determines in its sole discretion to be the proportion of the refund as will leave it, after such reimbursement, in no better or worse position (taking into account expenses or any taxes imposed on the refund) than it would have been in if the payment had not been required; provided that the Borrower or such Guarantor, upon the request of the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower or such Guarantor (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in the event the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. In such event, such Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, shall, at the Borrower’s request, provide the Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant Governmental Authority (provided that such Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may delete any information therein that it deems confidential). A Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall claim any refund that it determines is available to it, unless it concludes in its sole discretion that it would be adversely affected by making such a claim. No Lender nor the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be obliged to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Credit Party in connection with this clause (f)  or any other provision of this Section 5.4 .

 

(g)                              If the Borrower determines that a reasonable basis exists for contesting an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax for which a Credit Party has paid additional amounts or indemnification payments, each Lender or Agent, as the case may be, shall use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower as the Borrower may reasonably request in challenging such Tax. The Borrower shall indemnify and hold each Lender and Agent harmless against any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Person in connection with any request made by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 5.4(g) . Nothing in this Section 5.4(g)  shall obligate any Lender or Agent to take any action that such Person, in its sole judgment, determines may result in a material detriment to such Person.

 

(h)                             Each U.S. Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two Internal Revenue Service Forms W-9 (or substitute or successor form), properly completed and duly executed, certifying that such U.S. Lender is exempt from United States federal backup withholding (i) on or prior to the Closing Date (or on or prior to the date it becomes a party to this Agreement), (ii) on or before the date that such form expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, (iii) after the occurrence of a change in the U.S. Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative

 

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Agent, and (iv) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

 

(i)                                      If a payment made to any Lender or any Agent under this Agreement or any other Credit Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender or such Agent were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender or such Agent shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA, to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 5.4(i) , “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

(j)                                     For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Section 5.4 , the term “ Lender ” includes any Issuing Bank and any Swingline Lender.

 

(k)                                  The agreements in this Section 5.4 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

(l)                                      Computations of Interest and Fees .

 

(m)                              Except as provided in the next succeeding sentence, Interest on LIBOR Loans and ABR Loans shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed. Interest on ABR Loans in respect of which the rate of interest is calculated on the basis of the Administrative Agent’s prime rate and interest on overdue interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed.

 

(n)                                  Fees and the average daily Stated Amount of Letters of Credit shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed.

 

5.5                                Limit on Rate of Interest .

 

(a)                                  No Payment Shall Exceed Lawful Rate . Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay any interest or other amounts under or in connection with this Agreement or otherwise in respect to any of the Obligations in excess of the amount or rate permitted under or consistent with any applicable law, rule or regulation.

 

(b)                                  Payment at Highest Lawful Rate . If the Borrower is not obliged to make a payment that it would otherwise be required to make, as a result of Section 5.6(a) , the Borrower shall make such payment to the maximum extent permitted by or consistent with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

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(c)                                   Adjustment if Any Payment Exceeds Lawful Rate . If any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents would obligate the Borrower or any other Credit Party to make any payment of interest or other amount payable to any Lender in an amount or calculated at a rate that would be prohibited by any applicable Requirement of Law, then notwithstanding such provision, such amount or rate shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by applicable Requirements of Law, such adjustment to be effected, to the extent necessary, by reducing the amount or rate of interest required to be paid by the Borrower to the affected Lender under Section 2.8 .

 

(d)                                  Rebate of Excess Interest . Notwithstanding the foregoing, and after giving effect to all adjustments contemplated thereby, if any Lender shall have received from the Borrower an amount in excess of the maximum permitted by any applicable Requirement of Law, then the Borrower shall be entitled, by notice in writing to the Administrative Agent to obtain reimbursement from that Lender in an amount equal to such excess, and pending such reimbursement, such amount shall be deemed to be an amount payable by that Lender to the Borrower.

 

SECTION 6. Conditions Precedent to Initial Borrowing.

 

The initial Borrowing under this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent, except as otherwise agreed or waived pursuant to Section 13.1 .

 

(a)                                  The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties on the Closing Date, a written opinion of (i) Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, counsel to the Credit Parties, and (ii) each local counsel specified on Schedule 6(b) , in each case (A) dated the Closing Date, (B) addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders and each Issuing Bank and (C) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower, the other Credit Parties and the Administrative Agent hereby instruct such counsels to deliver such legal opinions.

 

(c)                                   The Administrative Agent shall have received, in the case of each Credit Party, each of the items referred to in subclauses (i) , (ii)  and (iii)  below:

 

(i)                                      a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership or certificate of formation, including all amendments thereto, of each Credit Party, in each case, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or other similar official) of the jurisdiction of its organization, and a certificate as to the good standing (to the extent such concept or a similar concept exists under the laws of such jurisdiction) of each such Credit Party as of a recent date from such Secretary of State (or other similar official);

 

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(ii)                                   a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer of each Credit Party dated the Closing Date and certifying:

 

(A)                                that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws (or partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other equivalent governing documents) of such Credit Party as in effect on the Closing Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (B) below,

 

(B)                                that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors (or managing general partner, managing member or equivalent) of such Credit Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents to which such person is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Closing Date,

 

(C)                                that the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, articles of incorporation or certificate of formation of such Credit Party has not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto disclosed pursuant to subclause (i)  above,

 

(D)                                as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Credit Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Credit Party, and

 

(E)                                 as to the absence of any pending proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of such Credit Party; and

 

a certificate of a director or an officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer executing the certificate pursuant to subclause (ii)  above.

 

(d)                                  The Guarantee shall be in full force and effect.

 

(e)                                   Except for any items referred to on Schedule 9.13(b) :

 

(i)                                      All documents and instruments, including Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable personal property and financing statements, reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to be filed, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by any Security Document and perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, such Security Document shall have been delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing, registration or recording and none of the Collateral shall be subject to any other pledges, security interests or mortgages, except for Liens permitted under Section 10.2 .

 

(ii)                                   All Equity Interests of the Borrower and all Equity Interests of each Material Subsidiary directly owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case as of the Closing Date, shall have been pledged pursuant to the Security

 

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Agreements (except that such Credit Parties shall not be required to pledge any Excluded Equity Interests) and the Collateral Agent (or, in respect of the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the collateral agent under the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility) shall have received all certificates, if any, representing such securities pledged under the Security Agreements, accompanied by instruments of transfer and/or undated powers endorsed in blank.

 

(iii)                                Except with respect to intercompany Indebtedness, all evidences of Indebtedness for borrowed money in a principal amount in excess of $10,000,000 (individually) that is owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be evidenced by a promissory note and shall have been pledged pursuant to the Security Agreements, and the Collateral Agent shall have received all such promissory notes, together with undated instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank.

 

(iv)                               All Indebtedness of the Borrower and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is owing to any Credit Party shall be evidenced by the Intercompany Note, which shall be executed and delivered by the Borrower and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries and shall have been pledged pursuant to the Security Agreements, and the Collateral Agent shall have received such Intercompany Note, together with undated instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank.

 

(f)                                    The Acquisition shall, substantially concurrently with the initial borrowing under this Agreement, be consummated in all material respects in accordance with the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, without giving effect to any modification, consent or waiver thereto that is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders without the consent of the Lead Arrangers (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

(g)                                   Equity Investments in an aggregate amount not less than the Minimum Equity Amount shall have been made.

 

(h)                                  The Lead Arrangers shall have received (i) true, correct and complete copies of the Historical Financial Statements and (ii) a pro forma balance sheet as of December 31, 2011, and pro forma related statement of income for the last 12 months ended December 31, 2011, in each case prepared after giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred as of such dates (in the case of such balance sheet) or at the beginning of such periods (in the case of such other income statement).

 

(i)                                      Substantially concurrently with the initial Borrowing under the Facility, the Debt Repayment shall have been made.

 

(j)                                     On the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto and signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower.

 

(k)                                  The Agents shall have received all fees payable thereto or to any Lender (including any agent and arranger in respect of this Facility) on or prior to the Closing Date and, to the extent invoiced, all other amounts due and payable pursuant to the Credit Documents on or

 

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prior to the Closing Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon and Reindel LLP and Mayer Brown LLP) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Credit Parties hereunder or under any Credit Document.

 

(1)                                  The Administrative Agent, the other Joint Bookrunners and the Senior Managing Agents shall have received at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the Patriot Act that has been requested not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

 

(m)                              Since December 31, 2010, no change, event, circumstance, development, state of facts, or condition has occurred (or existed, as applicable) that would, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(n)                                  On the Closing Date, the Acquired Business Representations and the Specified Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects.

 

(o)                                  The Administrative Agent shall have received, in the case of a Borrowing, a Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.3(a)(i)  or, in the case of a Letter of Credit Extension, the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a Letter of Credit Application as required by Section 3.2(a) .

 

(p)                                  The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) the Collateral Agreement, executed and delivered by the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor and (ii) the Pledge Agreement, executed and delivered by the Borrower and each Guarantor.

 

SECTION 7. Conditions Precedent to All Subsequent Credit Events.

 

The agreement of each Lender to make any Loan requested to be made by it on any date after the Closing Date (excluding Mandatory Borrowings and Loans required to be made by the Lenders in respect of Unpaid Drawings pursuant to Sections 3.3 and 3.4) , and the obligation of any Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit on any date (other than any Existing Letter of Credit) after the Closing Date, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                                  At the time of each such Credit Event and also after giving effect thereto, (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (b) all representations and warranties made by any Credit Party contained herein or in the other Credit Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the date of such Credit Event (except where such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).

 

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(b)                                  Prior to the making of each Loan (other than any Loan made pursuant to Section 3.4(a) ) and each Swingline Loan, the Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing (whether in writing or by telephone) meeting the requirements of Section 2.3(a) .

 

(c)                                   Prior to the issuance of each Letter of Credit (other than any Existing Letter of Credit), the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank shall have received a Letter of Credit Application meeting the requirements of Section 3.2(a) .

 

The acceptance of the benefits of each Credit Event after the Closing Date shall constitute a representation and warranty by each Credit Party to each of the Lenders that all the applicable conditions specified in Section 7 above have been satisfied as of that time.

 

SECTION 8.  Representations, Warranties and Agreements

 

In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement, to make the Loans and issue or participate in Letters of Credit as provided for herein, the Borrower makes, on the date of each Credit Event, the following representations and warranties to, and agreements with, the Lenders, all of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit:

 

8.1                                Corporate Status . Each of the Borrower and each Material Subsidiary (a) is a duly organized and validly existing corporation or other entity in good standing (or, if applicable in a foreign jurisdiction, enjoys the equivalent status under the laws of such jurisdiction of organization outside the United States) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to own its property and assets and to transact its business as now conducted and (b) has duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing (if applicable) in all jurisdictions where it is required to be so qualified, except where the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.2                                Corporate Power and Authority; Enforceability . Each Credit Party has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of the Credit Documents to which it is a party and has taken all necessary corporate or other organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents to which it is a party. Each Credit Party has duly executed and delivered each Credit Document to which it is a party and each such Credit Document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law).

 

8.3                                No Violation . None of the execution, delivery or performance by any Credit Party of the Credit Documents to which it is a party or the compliance with the terms and provisions thereof will contravene any Requirement of Law except to the extent such contravention would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under,

 

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or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the property or assets of such Credit Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Liens created under the Credit Documents and Permitted Liens) pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan agreement, lease agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, agreement or other instrument to which such Credit Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound (any such term, covenant, condition or provision, a “ Contractual Requirement ”) except to the extent such breach, default or Lien that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents of such Credit Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

8.4                                Litigation . Except as set forth on Schedule 8.4 , there are no actions, suits or proceedings (including Environmental Claims) pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened with respect to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.5                                Margin Regulations . Neither the making of any Loan hereunder nor the use of the proceeds thereof will violate the provisions of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board.

 

8.6                                Governmental Approvals . The execution, delivery and performance of each Credit Document do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or other action by, any Governmental Authority, except for (a) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) filings and recordings in respect of the Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents and (c) such consents, approvals, registrations, filings or actions the failure of which to obtain or make would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.7                                Investment Company Act . No Credit Party is required to be registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

8.8                                True and Complete Disclosure .

 

(a)                                  All written information (other than the Budget, estimates and information of a general economic nature or general industry nature) (the “ Information ”) concerning Holdings, the Borrower, the Subsidiaries, the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated hereby included in the Information Memorandum or otherwise prepared by or on behalf of the foregoing or their representatives and made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby, when taken as a whole, was true and correct in all material respects, as of the date such Information was furnished to the Lenders and as of the Closing Date (with respect to Information provided prior to the Closing Date) and did not, taken as a whole, contain any untrue statement of a material fact as of any such date or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, taken as a whole, not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made.

 

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(b)                                  The Budget and estimates and information of a general economic nature or general industry nature prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its representatives and that have been made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date thereof (it being understood that actual results may vary materially from the Budget), as of the date such Budget and estimates were furnished to the Lenders (with respect to any such Budget, estimates or information of a general economic nature or general industry nature provided prior to the Closing Date) and as of the Closing Date.

 

8.9                                Financial Condition; Financial Statements .

 

(a)                                  The Historical Financial Statements present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Acquired EP Business and its consolidated Subsidiaries at the date of such information and for the period covered thereby and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied except to the extent provided in the notes thereto, if any, subject, in the case of the unaudited financial information, to changes resulting from audit, normal year end audit adjustments and to the absence of footnotes. Since the Closing Date, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                                  As of the Closing Date, neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any material Indebtedness (including Disqualified Stock), any material guarantee obligations, contingent liabilities, off balance sheet liabilities, partnership liabilities for taxes or unusual forward or long-term commitments that, in each case, are not reflected or provided for in the Historical Financial Statements, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.10                         Tax Matters . Except where the failure of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has filed all federal income Tax returns and all other Tax returns, domestic and foreign, required to be filed by it (including in its capacity as withholding agent) and has paid all Taxes payable by it that have become due, other than those (i) not yet delinquent or (ii) being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have been provided to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP (or in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, the comparable accounting principles in the relevant jurisdiction) and (b) the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries have provided adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP (or in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, the comparable accounting principles in the relevant jurisdiction) for all Taxes of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries not yet due and payable.

 

8.11                         Compliance with ERISA .

 

(a)                                  Each Plan is in compliance with ERISA, the Code and any applicable Requirement of Law; no Reportable Event has occurred (or is reasonably likely to occur) with respect to any Plan; no Plan is “insolvent” (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) or in “reorganization” (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) (or is reasonably likely to be insolvent or in reorganization) or is in “endangered” or “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA), and no written notice of any such insolvency,

 

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reorganization, or endangered or critical status has been given to the Borrower or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate; each Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA has satisfied the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, and there has been no determination that any such Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA); none of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred (or is reasonably likely to incur) any liability to or on account of a Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(1), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code nor has the Borrower or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate, been notified in writing that it will incur any liability under any of the foregoing Sections with respect to any Plan; no proceedings have been instituted (or are reasonably likely to be instituted) to terminate or to reorganize any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, and no written notice of any such proceedings has been given to the Borrower or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate; and no lien imposed under the Code or ERISA on the assets of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate exists (or is reasonably likely to exist) nor has the Borrower or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate been notified in writing that such a lien will be imposed on the assets of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate on account of any Plan, except to the extent that a breach of any of the representations or warranties in this Section 8.11(a)  would not result, individually or in the aggregate, in an amount of liability that would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) has an Unfunded Current Liability that would, individually or when taken together with any other liabilities referenced in this Section 8.11(a) , be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. With respect to Plans that are Multiemployer Plans, the representations and warranties in this Section 8.11(a) , other than any made with respect to (i) liability under Section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or (ii) liability for “termination” or “reorganization” (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA) of such Plans under ERISA, are made to the best knowledge of the Borrower.

 

(b)                                  All Foreign Plans are in compliance with, and have been established, administered and operated in accordance with, the terms of such Foreign Plans and applicable law, except for any failure to so comply, establish, administer or operate the Foreign Plans as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All contributions or other payments which are due with respect to each Foreign Plan have been made in full and there are no funding deficiencies thereunder, except to the extent any such events would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.12                         Subsidiaries . Schedule 8.12 lists each Subsidiary of the Borrower (and the direct and indirect ownership interest of the Borrower therein), in each case existing on the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Transactions). Each Guarantor, Material Subsidiary and Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the Closing Date has been so designated on Schedule 8.12 .

 

8.13                         Intellectual Property . The Borrower and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries own or have obtained valid rights to use all intellectual property, free from any burdensome restrictions, that is necessary for the operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted, except where the failure to obtain any such rights would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The operation of the respective businesses of the Borrower and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries, as currently conducted and as

 

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proposed to be conducted, do not infringe, misappropriate, violate or otherwise conflict with the proprietary rights of any third party have obtained all intellectual property, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.14                         Environmental Laws .

 

Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(a)                                  (i) the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries and all Oil and Gas Properties are in compliance with all Environmental Laws; (ii) neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has received written notice of any Environmental Claim or any other liability under any Environmental Law; (iii) neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is conducting any investigation, removal, remedial or other corrective action pursuant to any Environmental Law at any location; and (iv) no underground storage tank or related piping, or any impoundment or disposal area containing Hazardous Materials has been used by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, is located at, on or under any Oil and Gas Properties currently owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                                  Neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries has treated, stored, transported, released or disposed or arranged for disposal or transport for disposal of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or from any currently or formerly owned or leased Oil and Gas Properties or facility in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to liability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under Environmental Law.

 

8.15                         Properties .

 

(a)                                  Each Credit Party has good and defensible title to the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (other than those (i) disposed of in compliance with Section 10.4 since delivery of such Reserve Report, (ii) leases that have expired in accordance with their terms and (iii) with title defects disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent), and valid title to all its material personal properties, in each case, free and clear of all Liens other than Liens permitted by Section 10.2 , except in each case where the failure to have such title would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. After giving full effect to the Liens permitted by Section 10.2 , the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiary specified as the owner owns the working interests and net revenue interests attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests as reflected in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, and the ownership of such properties shall not in any material respect obligate the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations of each such property in an amount in excess of the working interest of each property set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report that is not offset by a corresponding proportionate increase in the Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s net revenue interest in such property.

 

(b)                                  All material leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting, in full force and

 

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effect, except to the extent that any such failure to be valid or subsisting would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)                                   The rights and properties presently owned, leased or licensed by the Credit Parties including all easements and rights of way, include all rights and properties necessary to permit the Credit Parties to conduct their respective businesses as currently conducted, except to the extent any failure to have any such rights or properties would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)                                  All of the properties of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance with prudent business standards, except to the extent any failure to satisfy the foregoing would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.16                         Solvency . On the Closing Date (after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions (including the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the making of the Closing Date Loans and the use of proceeds of such Closing Date Loans on the Closing Date)), (i) the Borrower on a consolidated basis with its Restricted Subsidiaries will be Solvent and (ii) the Borrower does not intend to, and the Borrower does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debt or the debt of any such Subsidiary.

 

8.17                         Insurance . The properties of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries are insured in the manner contemplated by Section 9.3 .

 

8.18                         Gas Imbalances, Prepayments . On the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 8.18 , on a net basis, there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments exceeding 2.5 Bcfe of Hydrocarbon volumes (stated on a gas equivalent basis) in the aggregate, with respect to the Credit Parties’ Oil and Gas Properties that would require any Credit Party to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from their Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor.

 

8.19                         Marketing of Production . On the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 8.19 , no material agreements exist (which are not cancelable on 60 days’ notice or less without penalty or detriment) for the sale of production of the Credit Parties’ Hydrocarbons at a fixed non-index price (including calls on, or other rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (i) represent in respect of such agreements 2.5% or more of the Borrower’s average monthly production of Hydrocarbon volumes and (ii) have a maturity or expiry date of longer than six months from the Closing Date.

 

8.20                         Hedge Agreements . Schedule 8.20 sets forth, as of the Closing Date, a true and complete list of all material commodity Hedge Agreements of each Credit Party, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value thereof (as of the last Business Day of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the Closing Date and for which a mark to market value is

 

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reasonably available), all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied) and the counterparty to each such agreement.

 

8.21                         Patriot Act; OFAC .

 

(a)                                  On the Closing Date, each Credit Party is in compliance in all material respects with the material provisions of the Patriot Act, and the Borrower has provided to the Administrative Agent all information related to the Credit Parties (including but not limited to names, addresses and tax identification numbers (if applicable)) reasonably requested in writing by the Administrative Agent and mutually agreed to be required by the Patriot Act to be obtained by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

(b)                                  None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”); and the Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit or otherwise make available such proceeds to any person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

8.22                         No Material Adverse Effect .

 

After the Closing Date, there has been no event or circumstance that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.23                         Foreign Corrupt Practices Act .

 

None of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, or any of their directors, officers, agents or employees has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity, (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any government official or employee from corporate funds, (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom or similar law of the European Union or any European Union Member State or similar law of a jurisdiction in which the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries conduct their business and to which they are lawfully subject or (iv) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

 

SECTION 9.  Affirmative Covenants

 

The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that on the Closing Date and thereafter, until the Total Commitment and each Letter of Credit have terminated (unless such Letters of Credit have been collateralized on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to each applicable Issuing Bank following the termination of the Total Commitment) and the Loans, the Swingline Loans and Unpaid Drawings, together with interest, fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder (other than Hedging Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements, Cash Management

 

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Obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements or contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable), are paid in full:

 

9.1                                Information Covenants . The Borrower will furnish (or in the case of Section 9.1(k) , use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and furnish) to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly make such information available to the Lenders in accordance with its customary practice):

 

(a)                                  Annual Financial Statements . Within five days after the date on which such financial statements are required to be filed with the SEC (after giving effect to any permitted extensions) (or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 105 days after the end of each such fiscal year (120 days in the case of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012)), the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and, if different, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth comparative consolidated figures for the preceding fiscal years (or, in lieu of such audited financial statements of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, a detailed reconciliation, reflecting such financial information for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, on the other hand, reflecting adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements) prepared in accordance with GAAP, and, except with respect to such reconciliation, certified by independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing whose opinion shall not be materially qualified with a “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than with respect to, or resulting from, (x) the occurrence of the Maturity Date within one year from the date such opinion is delivered or (y) any potential inability to satisfy the Financial Performance Covenant on a future date or in a future period), together in any event, if the accounting firm is not restricted from providing such a certificate by its policies, with a certificate of such accounting firm stating that in the course of either (i) its regular audit of the business of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, which audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards or (ii) performing certain other procedures permitted by professional standards, such accounting firm has obtained no knowledge of any Event of Default relating to the Financial Performance Covenant that has occurred and is continuing or, if in the opinion of such accounting firm such an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in this Section 9.1(a)  may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the applicable financial statements of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or (B) the Borrower’s (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), as applicable, Form 10-K filed with the SEC; provided that, with respect to each of clauses (A)  and (B) , (i) to the extent such information relates to a Parent Entity of the Borrower, such information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such Parent Entity and its consolidated Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries and the Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries

 

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on a standalone basis, on the other hand and (ii) to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under the first sentence of this Section 9.1(a) , such materials are accompanied by an opinion of an independent registered public accounting firm of recognized national standing, which opinion shall not be materially qualified with a “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than with respect to, or resulting from, (x) the occurrence of the Maturity Date within one year from the date such opinion is delivered or (y) any potential inability to satisfy the Financial Performance Covenant on a future date or in a future period).

 

(b)                                  Quarterly Financial Statements . Within five days after the date on which such financial statements are required to be filed with the SEC (after giving effect to any permitted extensions) with respect to each of the first three quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of the Borrower (or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 60 days after the end of each such quarterly accounting period (or, in the case of any fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date and prior to December 31, 2012, 75 days)), the consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and, if different, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case as at the end of such quarterly period and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such quarterly accounting period and for the elapsed portion of the fiscal year ended with the last day of such quarterly period, and setting forth comparative consolidated figures for the related periods in the prior fiscal year or, in the case of such consolidated balance sheet, for the last day of the prior fiscal year (or, in lieu of such unaudited financial statements of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, a detailed reconciliation reflecting such financial information for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, on the other hand, reflecting adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements), all of which shall be certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows, of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in this Section 9.1(b)  may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the applicable financial statements of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or (B) the Borrower’s (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), as applicable, Form 10-Q filed with the SEC; provided that, with respect to each of clauses (A)  and (B) , to the extent such information relates to a parent of the Borrower, such information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries and the Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other.

 

(c)                                   Officer’s Certificates . At the time of the delivery of the financial statements provided for in Section 9.1(a) and Section 9.1(b) , a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower to the effect that no Default or Event of Default exists or, if any Default

 

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or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof, which certificate shall set forth (i) beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2012, the calculations required to establish whether the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries were in compliance with the Financial Performance Covenant as at the end of such fiscal year or period, as the case may be, and (ii) a specification of any change in the identity of the Restricted Subsidiaries, Guarantors and Unrestricted Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year or period, as the case may be, from the Restricted Subsidiaries, Guarantors and Unrestricted Subsidiaries, respectively, provided to the Lenders on the Closing Date or the most recent fiscal year or period, as the case may be.

 

(d)                                  Notice of Default; Litigation . Promptly after an Authorized Officer of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries obtains actual knowledge thereof, notice of (i) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, which notice shall specify the nature thereof, the period of existence thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto and (ii) any litigation or governmental proceeding pending against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to be determined adversely and, if so determined, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e)                                   Environmental Matters . Promptly after obtaining actual knowledge of any one or more of the following environmental matters, unless such environmental matters would not, individually, or when aggregated with all other such matters, be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, notice of:

 

(i)                                      any pending or threatened Environmental Claim against any Credit Party or any Oil and Gas Properties;

 

(ii)                                   any condition or occurrence on any Oil and Gas Properties that (A) would reasonably be expected to result in noncompliance by any Credit Party with any applicable Environmental Law or (B) would reasonably be anticipated to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against any Credit Party or any Oil and Gas Properties;

 

(iii)                                any condition or occurrence on any Oil and Gas Properties that would reasonably be anticipated to cause such Oil and Gas Properties to be subject to any restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, use or transferability of such Oil and Gas Properties under any Environmental Law; and

 

(iv)                               the conduct of any investigation, or any removal, remedial or other corrective action in response to the actual or alleged presence, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material on, at, under or from any Oil and Gas Properties.

 

All such notices shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of the claim, investigation, condition, occurrence or removal or remedial action and the response thereto.

 

(f)                                    Other Information . (i) Promptly upon filing thereof, copies of any filings (including on Form 10-K, 10-Q or 8-K) or registration statements with, and reports to, the

 

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SEC or any analogous Governmental Authority in any relevant jurisdiction by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (other than amendments to any registration statement (to the extent such registration statement, in the form it becomes effective, is delivered to the Administrative Agent), exhibits to any registration statement and, if applicable, any registration statements on Form S-8), (ii) copies of all financial statements, proxy statements, notices and reports that the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries shall send to the holders of any publicly issued debt of the Borrower and/or any of the Subsidiaries, in each case in their capacity as such holders, lenders or agents (in each case to the extent not theretofore delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement) and, (iii) with reasonable promptness, but subject to the limitations set forth in the last sentences of Section 9.2(a)  and Section 13.6 , such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and the financial condition of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of any Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably request in writing from time to time.

 

(g)                                   Certificate of Authorized Officer — Hedge Agreements . Concurrently with any delivery of each Reserve Report, a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, setting forth as of the last Business Day of the most recently ended fiscal year or period, as applicable, a true and complete list of all material commodity Hedge Agreements of the Borrower and each Credit Party, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark-to-market value thereof (as of the last Business Day of such fiscal year or period, as applicable and for which a mark-to-market value is reasonably available), any new credit support agreements relating thereto not listed on Schedule 8.20 or on any previously delivered certificate delivered pursuant to this clause (g) , any margin required or supplied under any credit support document and the counterparty to each such agreement.

 

(h)                                  Certificate of Authorized Officer — Gas Imbalances . Concurrently with any delivery of each Reserve Report, a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, certifying that as of the last Business Day of the most recently ended fiscal year or period, as applicable, except as specified in such certificate, on a net basis, there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments exceeding 2.5 Bcfe of Hydrocarbon volumes (stated on a gas equivalent basis) in the aggregate, with respect to the Credit Parties’ Oil and Gas Properties that would require any Credit Party to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from their Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor.

 

(i)                                      Certificate of Authorized Officer — Production Report and Lease Operating Statement . Concurrently with any delivery of each Reserve Report in connection with a Scheduled Redetermination, a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, setting forth, for each calendar month during the then current fiscal year to date, the volume of production of Hydrocarbons and sales attributable to production of Hydrocarbons (and the prices at which such sales were made and the revenues derived from such sales) for each such calendar month from the Borrowing Base Properties, and setting forth the related ad valorem, severance and production taxes and lease operating expenses attributable thereto for each such calendar month.

 

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(j)                                     Lists of Purchasers . At the time of the delivery of the financial statements provided for in Section 9.1(a) , a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth a list of Persons purchasing Hydrocarbons from the Borrower or any other Credit Party who collectively account for at least 85% of the revenues resulting from the sale of all Hydrocarbons from the Borrower and such other Credit Parties during the fiscal year for which such financial statements relate.

 

(k)                                  Budget . Within 105 days after the end of each fiscal year (beginning with (and 120 days in the case of) the fiscal year ending on or about December 31, 2012) of the Borrower or, if not delivered by the Borrower and requested in writing by the Administrative Agent and any Lender, as soon thereafter as is commercially reasonable, a reasonably detailed consolidated budget for the following fiscal year as customarily prepared by management of the Borrower (including a projected consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year, the related consolidated statements of projected cash flow and projected income and a summary of the material underlying assumptions applicable thereto) (collectively, the “ Budget ”), which Budget shall in each case be accompanied by a certificate of an Authorized Officer stating that such Budget has been prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation of such Budget, it being understood that actual results may vary from such Budget.

 

(l)                                      Certificate of Authorized Officer — Marketing Agreements . Concurrently with any delivery of each Reserve Report, a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, setting forth as of the last Business Day of the most recently ended fiscal year or period, as applicable, a true and complete list of all material marketing agreements (which are not cancellable on 60 days’ notice or less without penalty or detriment) for the sale of production of the Credit Parties’ Hydrocarbons at a fixed non-index price (including calls on, or other parties rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (i) represent in respect of such agreements 2.5% or more of the Borrower’s average monthly production of Hydrocarbon volumes and (ii) have a maturity or expiry date of longer than six months from the last day of such fiscal year or period, as applicable.

 

It is understood that (A) in the event that in respect of the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto, the rules and regulations of the SEC permit the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity to report at Holdings’ or such Parent Entity’s level on a consolidated basis, such consolidated reporting at Holdings’ or such Parent Entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 9.1 for the Borrower (together with a reconciliation showing the adjustments necessary to determine compliance by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with the Financial Performance Covenant) will satisfy the requirements of Section 9.1(a) or Section 9.1(b), as applicable, and (B) documents required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 9.1(a), Section 9.1(b) and Section 9.1(f) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 13.2 or (ii) on which such documents are transmitted by electronic mail to the Administrative

 

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Agent; provided that: (i) upon written request by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents delivered pursuant to Sections 9.1(a), 9.1(b), 9.1(c) and 9.1(f) to the Administrative Agent for further distribution to each Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such documents from the Administrative Agent and maintaining its copies of such documents.

 

9.2                                Books, Records and Inspections .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, permit officers and designated representatives of the Administrative Agent or officers and designated representatives of the Majority Lenders (as accompanied by the Administrative Agent), to visit and inspect any of the properties or assets of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in whomsoever’s possession to the extent that it is within such party’s control to permit such inspection (and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such inspection to be permitted to the extent that it is not within such party’s control to permit such inspection), and to examine the financial records of the Borrower and any such Restricted Subsidiary and discuss the affairs, finances, accounts and condition of the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary with its and their officers and independent accountants therefor, in each case of the foregoing upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower, all at such reasonable times and intervals during normal business hours and to such reasonable extent as the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders may desire (and subject, in the case of any such meetings or advice from such independent accountants, to such accountants’ customary policies and procedures); provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default (i) only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Majority Lenders may exercise rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Section 9.2 , and (ii) only one such visit per fiscal year shall be at the Borrower’s expense; provided , further , that when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent (or any of its representatives or independent contractors) or any representative of the Majority Lenders may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice. The Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders shall give the Borrower the opportunity to participate in any discussions with the Borrower’s independent public accountants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.1(f)(iii)  or this Section 9.2 , neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary will be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other matter (i) that constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or their respective representatives or contractors) is prohibited by any Requirement of Law or any binding agreement or (iii) that is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, maintain financial records in accordance with GAAP.

 

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9.3                                Maintenance of Insurance . The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, at all times maintain in full force and effect, pursuant to self-insurance arrangements or with insurance companies that the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Borrower) are financially sound and reputable at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance in at least such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance which the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of management of the Borrower) is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business) and against at least such risks (and with such risk retentions) as the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of management of the Borrower) is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business; and will furnish to the Administrative Agent, upon written request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried. The Secured Parties shall be the additional insureds on any such liability insurance as their interests may appear and, if property insurance is obtained, the Collateral Agent shall be the loss payee under any such property insurance; provided that, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, the Secured Parties will provide any proceeds of such property insurance to the Borrower to the extent that the Borrower undertakes to apply such proceeds to the reconstruction, replacement or repair of the property insured thereby. The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent within 45 Business Days following the Closing Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree), copies of insurance certificates evidencing the insurance required to be maintained by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries pursuant to this Section 9.3 .

 

9.4                                Payment of Taxes . The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, pay its obligations in respect of all Tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (i) the amount or validity thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof has set aside on its books adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP or (ii) the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

9.5                                Consolidated Corporate Franchises . The Borrower will do, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, corporate rights and authority, except to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may consummate any transaction permitted under Section 10.3 , 10.4 or 10.5 .

 

9.6                                Compliance with Statutes, Regulations, Etc . The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, comply with all Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property, including all governmental approvals or authorizations required to conduct its business, and to maintain all such governmental approvals or authorizations in full force and effect, in each case except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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9.7                                ERISA .

 

(a)                                  Promptly after the Borrower knows or has reason to know of the occurrence of any of the following events that, individually or in the aggregate (including in the aggregate such events previously disclosed or exempt from disclosure hereunder, to the extent the liability therefor remains outstanding), would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer or any other senior officer of the Borrower setting forth details as to such occurrence and the action, if any, that the Borrower or such ERISA Affiliate is required or proposes to take, together with any notices (required, proposed or otherwise) given to or filed with or by the Borrower, such ERISA Affiliate, the PBGC, a Plan participant (other than notices relating to an individual participant’s benefits) or the Plan administrator with respect thereto: that a Reportable Event has occurred; that an accumulated funding deficiency has been incurred or an application is to be made to the Secretary of the Treasury for a waiver or modification of the minimum funding standard (including any required installment payments) or an extension of any amortization period under Section 412 of the Code with respect to a Plan; that a Plan having an Unfunded Current Liability has been or is to be terminated, reorganized, partitioned or declared insolvent under Title IV of ERISA (including the giving of written notice thereof); that a Plan has an Unfunded Current Liability that has or will result in a lien under ERISA or the Code; that proceedings will be or have been instituted to terminate a Plan having an Unfunded Current Liability (including the giving of written notice thereof); that a proceeding has been instituted against the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 515 of ERISA to collect a delinquent contribution to a Plan; that the PBGC has notified the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of its intention to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; that the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has failed to make a required installment or other payment pursuant to Section 412 of the Code with respect to a Plan; or that the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or will incur (or has been notified in writing that it will incur) any liability (including any contingent or secondary liability) to or on account of a Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(1), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code.

 

(b)                                  Promptly following any request therefor, on and after the effectiveness of the Pension Act, the Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent copies of (i) any documents described in Section 101(k) of ERISA that the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan and (ii) any notices described in Section 101(1) of ERISA that the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan; provided that if the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan, the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiaries shall promptly make a request for such documents or notices from such administrator or sponsor and shall provide copies of such documents and notices promptly after receipt thereof.

 

9.8                                Maintenance of Properties . The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, except in each case, where the failure to so comply would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (it being understood that this Section 9.8 shall not restrict any transaction otherwise permitted by Section 10.3 , 10.4 or 10.5 ):

 

(a)                                  operate its Oil and Gas Properties and other material properties or cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other material properties to be operated in a careful and

 

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efficient manner in accordance with the practices of the industry and in compliance with all applicable Contractual Requirements and all applicable Requirements of Law, including applicable proration requirements and Environmental Laws, and all applicable Requirements of Law of every other Governmental Authority from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operation of its Oil and Gas Properties and the production and sale of Hydrocarbons and other minerals therefrom;

 

(b)                                  keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and preserve, maintain and keep in good repair, working order and efficiency (ordinary wear and tear excepted) all of its material Oil and Gas Properties and other material properties, including all equipment, machinery and facilities; and

 

(c)                                   to the extent a Credit Party is not the operator of any property, the Borrower shall use reasonable efforts to cause the operator to comply with this Section 9.8 .

 

9.9                                Transactions with Affiliates . The Borrower will conduct, and cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to conduct, all transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $20,000,000 with any of its Affiliates (other than the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) on terms that are substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary as it would obtain at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate, as determined by the board of directors or managers of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in good faith; provided that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to:

 

(a)                                  the consummation of the Transactions, including the payment of Transaction Expenses;

 

(b)                                  the issuance of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any Parent Entity thereof) to the Co-Investors or the management of the Borrower (or any Parent Entity thereof) or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(c)                                   equity issuances, repurchases, retirements, redemptions or other acquisitions or retirements of Equity Interests by the Borrower (or any Parent Entity thereof) permitted under Section 10.6 ;

 

(d)                                  the payment of indemnities and reasonable expenses incurred by the Co-Investors and their Affiliates in connection with management or monitoring or the provision of other services rendered to the Borrower (or any parent entity thereof) or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(e)                                   loans, advances and other transactions between or among the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has invested (and which Subsidiary or joint venture would not be an Affiliate of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, but for the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s ownership of Equity Interests in such joint venture or such Subsidiary) to the extent permitted under Section 10 ;

 

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(f)                                    employment and severance arrangements and health, disability and similar insurance or benefit plans between the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and the Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees or consultants (including management and employee benefit plans or agreements, subscription agreements or similar agreements pertaining to the repurchase of Equity Interests pursuant to put/call rights or similar rights with current or former employees, officers, directors or consultants and equity option or incentive plans and other compensation arrangements) in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise approved by the board of directors or managers of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof);

 

(g)                                   any one or more agreements in respect of payments of monitoring, consulting, management, transaction, advisory or similar fees to the Co-Investors that are approved by the majority of the members of the board of directors or managers of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), in good faith, and payments pursuant thereto which shall consist of (i) payments of management fees not to exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year plus reimbursements of reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection therewith, (ii) any deferred management fees (to the extent such fees were within such amount described in the foregoing subclause (i)   originally); (iii) 1.0% of the value of transactions with respect to which the Sponsors and/or any other Co-Investor provides any transaction, advisory or other services to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (iv) so long as, after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, no Event of Default under Section 11.1 or Borrowing Base Deficiency shall have occurred and be continuing, in the event of a Qualifying IPO, the present value of all future amounts payable pursuant to any agreement referred to in subclause (i)  above in connection with the termination of any such agreement with the Co-Investors; provided that, if any such payment pursuant to this subclause (iv)  is not permitted to be paid as a result of an Event of Default or a Borrowing Base Deficiency, such payment shall accrue and may be payable when no Event of Default under Section 11.1 or Borrowing Base Deficiency, as the case may be, is continuing;

 

(h)                                  transactions pursuant to agreements in existence on the Closing Date and to the extent involving aggregate consideration in excess of $1,000,000 individually, set forth on Schedule 9.9 or any amendment thereto or arrangement similar thereto to the extent such an amendment or arrangement is not adverse, taken as a whole, to the Lenders in any material respect (as determined by the Borrower in good faith);

 

(i)                                      Restricted Payments, redemptions, repurchases and other actions permitted under Section 10.6 , and Section 10.7 ;

 

(j)                                     without duplicating any payments made pursuant to Section 9.9(g)  above, customary payments (including reimbursement of fees and expenses) by the Borrower and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Co-Investors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities (including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, whether or not consummated), which payments are approved by the majority of the members of the board of

 

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directors or managers or a majority of the disinterested members of the board of directors or managers of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), in good faith;

 

(k)                                  any issuance of Equity Interests or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities, Equity Interests or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, equity options and equity ownership plans approved by the board of directors or board of managers of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof);

 

(l)                                      transactions with joint ventures for the purchase or sale of goods, equipment and services entered into in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with prudent business practice followed by companies in the industry of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

(m)                              sales or conveyances of net profits interests for cash at Fair Market Value allowed under Section 10.4 ,

 

(n)                                  the issuance, sale or transfer of Equity Interests of the Borrower to Holdings (or another Parent Entity) in connection with capital contributions by Holdings or such other Parent Entity to the Borrower;

 

(o)                                  any transaction in respect of which the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter addressed to the board of directors or managers of the Borrower from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm, in each case of nationally-recognized standing that is in the good faith determination of the Borrower qualified to render such letter, which letter states that such transaction is (i) fair, from a financial point of view, to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) on terms, taken as a whole, that are no less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a person that is not an Affiliate;

 

(p)                                  transactions undertaken in good faith (as certified by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower) for the purpose of improving the consolidated tax efficiency of the Borrower, Holdings and the Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth in this Agreement; and

 

(q)                                  customary agreements and arrangements with oil and gas royalty trusts and master limited partnership agreements that comply with the affiliate transaction provisions of such royalty trust or master limited partnership agreement.

 

9.10                         End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters . The Borrower will, for financial reporting purposes, cause each of its, and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries’, fiscal years and fiscal quarters to end on dates consistent with past practice; provided, however, that the Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent change the financial reporting convention specified above to any other financial reporting convention reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary in order to reflect such change in financial reporting.

 

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9.11                         Additional Guarantors, Grantors and Collateral .

 

(a)                                  Subject to any applicable limitations set forth in the Guarantee or the Security Documents, the Borrower will cause (i) any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) formed or otherwise purchased or acquired after the Closing Date (including pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition) and (ii) any Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary, in each case within 30 days from the date of such formation, acquisition or cessation, as applicable (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) to execute (A) a supplement to the Guarantee, substantially in the form of Exhibit I thereto, in order to become a Guarantor, (B) a supplement to the Collateral Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit I thereto, in order to become a grantor and a pledger thereunder, (C) a supplement to the Pledge Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit I thereto, in order to become a pledger thereunder and (D) a joinder to the Intercompany Note.

 

(b)                                  Subject to any applicable limitations set forth in the Security Agreements, the Borrower will pledge, and, if applicable, will cause each other Subsidiary Guarantor (or Person required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.11(a) ) to pledge, to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, (i) all of the Equity Interests (other than any Excluded Equity Interests) of each Subsidiary directly owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor (or Person required to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.11(a)) , in each case, formed or otherwise purchased or acquired after the Closing Date, pursuant to supplements to the applicable Security Agreements substantially in the form of Exhibit I, thereto and, (ii) except with respect to intercompany Indebtedness, all evidences of Indebtedness for borrowed money in a principal amount in excess of $10,000,000 (individually) that is owing to the Borrower or any Guarantor (or Person required to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.11(a) ) (which shall be evidenced by a promissory note), in each case pursuant to supplements to the applicable Security Agreements substantially in the form of Exhibit I thereto.

 

(c)                                   The Borrower agrees that all Indebtedness of the Borrower and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is owing to any Credit Party (or a Person required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.11(a) ) shall be evidenced by the Intercompany Note, which promissory note shall be required to be pledged to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Agreements.

 

(d)                                  In connection with each redetermination (but not any adjustment) of the Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall review the applicable Reserve Report, if any, and the list of current Mortgaged Properties (as described in Section 9.14(c) ), to ascertain whether the PV-10 of the Mortgaged Properties (calculated at the time of redetermination) meets the Collateral Coverage Minimum after giving effect to exploration and production activities, acquisitions, Dispositions and production. In the event that the PV-10 of the Mortgaged Properties (calculated at the time of redetermination) does not meet the Collateral Coverage Minimum, then the Borrower shall, and shall cause its Credit Parties to, grant, within 75 days of delivery of the certificate required under Section 9.14(c)  (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), to the Collateral Agent as security for the Obligations a first-priority Lien interest (subject to Liens permitted by Section 10.2 ) on additional Oil and Gas Properties not already

 

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subject to a Lien of the Security Documents such that, after giving effect thereto, the PV- 10 of the Mortgaged Properties (calculated at the time of redetermination) meets the Collateral Coverage Minimum. All such Liens will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents, including, if applicable, any additional Mortgages. In order to comply with the foregoing, if any Restricted Subsidiary places a Lien on its property and such Subsidiary is not a Guarantor, then it shall become a Guarantor and comply with the provisions of Sections 9.11(a) , (b)  and (c) .

 

9.12                         Use of Proceeds .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Closing Date Loans, together with the net proceeds of the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the loans under the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility and the net proceeds of the Equity Investments, on the Closing Date to consummate the Transactions, including the Acquisition, the Debt Repayments and the payments of Transaction Expenses. Following the Closing Date, the Borrower will use the proceeds of Loans for the acquisition, development and exploration of Oil and Gas Properties and for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including Permitted Acquisitions).

 

(b)                                  The Borrower will use Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit for general corporate purposes and to support deposits required under purchase agreements pursuant to which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries may acquire Oil and Gas Properties and other assets.

 

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9.13                         Further Assurances .

 

(a)                                  Subject to the applicable limitations set forth in the Security Documents, the Borrower will, and will cause each other Credit Party to, execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture, filings, assignments of as extracted collateral, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents) that the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, in order to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and priority of the security interests created or intended to be created by the applicable Security Documents, all at the expense of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower agrees that it will, or will cause its relevant Subsidiaries to, complete each of the actions described on Schedule 9.13(b)  as soon as commercially reasonable and by no later than the date set forth in Schedule 9.13(b)  with respect to such action or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Collateral Agent and the Borrower reasonably determine in writing that the cost of creating or perfecting any Lien on any property is excessive in relation to the benefits afforded to the Lenders thereby, then such property may be excluded from the Collateral for all purposes of the Credit Documents. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Security Agreement, or any other Credit Document, (i) the Administrative Agent may grant extensions of time for or waivers of the requirements of the creation or perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of title opinions or other title information, legal opinions, appraisals, flood insurance and surveys with respect to particular assets (including extensions beyond the Closing Date for the perfection of security interests in the assets of the Credit Parties on such date) where it reasonably determines, in consultation with the Borrower, that perfection or obtaining of such items is not required by law or cannot be accomplished without undue effort or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required by this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, (ii) Liens required to be granted from time to time pursuant to this Agreement and the Security Documents shall be subject to exceptions and limitations set forth in the Security Documents and, to the extent appropriate in any applicable jurisdiction, as otherwise agreed between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and (iii) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may make such modifications to the Security Documents, and execute and/or consent to such easements, covenants, rights of way or similar instruments (and Administrative Agent may agree to subordinate the lien of any mortgage to any such easement, covenant, right of way or similar instrument or record or may agree to recognize any tenant pursuant to an agreement in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), as are reasonable or necessary and otherwise permitted by this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

 

9.14                         Reserve Reports .

 

(a)                                  On or before March 31 st  (or March 1 st  in the case of the Reserve Report in respect of December 31, 2012) and September 30 th  of each year, commencing March 2013, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a Reserve Report evaluating, as of the immediately preceding December 31 st  and June 30 th , the Proved Reserves of the Borrower and the Credit Parties located within the geographic boundaries of the United States of America (or the

 

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Outer Continental Shelf adjacent to the United States of America) that the Borrower desires to have included in any calculation of the Borrowing Base. Each Reserve Report as of December 31 and June 30 shall be prepared, at the sole election of the Borrower, (x) by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers or (y) by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that Reserve Reports as of December 31 of each year that are prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary shall in each case be accompanied by an audit letter issued by the applicable Approved Petroleum Engineer that has audited at least 80% of the Proved Reserves attributable to the Borrowing Base Properties of the Credit Parties by value, so long as such Approved Petroleum Engineer is not restricted from providing such a letter, or having such a letter provided, by its internal policies.

 

(b)                                  In the event of an Interim Redetermination, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a Reserve Report prepared by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers or prepared under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary. For any Interim Redetermination pursuant to Section 2.14(b) , the Borrower shall provide such Reserve Report with an “as of” date as required by the Administrative Agent, as soon as possible, but in any event no later than 30 days, in the case of any Interim Redetermination requested by the Borrower or 45 days, in the case of any Interim Redetermination requested by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, following the receipt of such request.

 

(c)                                   With the delivery of each Reserve Report, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent a Reserve Report Certificate from an Authorized Officer of the Borrower certifying that in all material respects:

 

(i)                                      in the case of Reserve Reports prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than December 31 Reserve Reports), such Reserve Report has been prepared, except as otherwise specified therein, in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding December 31 Reserve Report or the Initial Reserve Report, if no December 31 Reserve Report has been delivered;

 

(ii)                                   the information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct in all material respects;

 

(iii)                                except as set forth in an exhibit to such certificate, the Borrower or another Credit Party has good and defensible title to the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report (other than those (x) Disposed of in compliance with Section 10.4 since delivery of such Reserve Report, (y) leases that have expired in accordance with their terms and (z) with title defects disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent) and such Borrowing Base Properties are free of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 10.2 ;

 

(iv)                               except as set forth on an exhibit to such certificate, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in Section 8.18 with respect to the Credit Parties’ Oil and Gas Property evaluated in such Reserve Report that would require the Borrower or any other Credit Party to

 

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deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor;

 

(v)                                  none of the Borrowing Base Properties have been Disposed of since the date of the last Borrowing Base determination except those Borrowing Base Properties listed on such certificate as having been Disposed of; and

 

(vi)                               the certificate shall also attach, as schedules thereto, a list of (1) all material marketing agreements (which are not cancellable on 60 days’ notice or less without penalty or detriment) entered into subsequent to the later of the Closing Date and the most recently delivered Reserve Report for the sale of production of the Credit Parties’ Hydrocarbons at a fixed non-index price (including calls on, or other parties rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that represent in respect of such agreements 2.5% or more of the Borrower’s average monthly production of Hydrocarbon volumes and that have a maturity date or expiry date of longer than six months from the last day of such fiscal year or period, as applicable and (2) all Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that are Collateral and demonstrating that the PV-10 of the Collateral (calculated at the time of delivery of such Reserve Report) meets the Collateral Coverage Minimum.

 

9.15                         Title Information . On or before the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of each Reserve Report required by Section 9.14(a) , the Borrower will use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver, if requested by the Administrative Agent, title information consistent with usual and customary standards for the geographic regions in which the Borrowing Base Properties are located, taking into account the size, scope and number of leases and wells of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

9.16                         Change in Business . The Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will not fundamentally and substantively alter the character of their business, taken as a whole, from the business conducted by them on the Closing Date, the business of Industry Investments by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and other business activities incidental, reasonably related or ancillary to any of the foregoing.

 

9.17                         Holdings Covenant .

 

Holdings covenants and agrees that on the Closing Date and thereafter, until the Total Commitment and each Letter of Credit have terminated (unless such Letters of Credit have been collateralized on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the relevant Issuing Banks following the termination of the Total Commitment) and the Loans, the Swingline Loans and Unpaid Drawings, together with interest, fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder (other than Hedging Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements, Cash Management Obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements or contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable), are paid in full, unless the Majority Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, Holdings will not engage at any time in any business or business activity other than (i) ownership of the Equity Interests in the Borrower, together with activities related thereto, (ii) performance of its obligations under and in connection with the Credit Documents, the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility and the incurrence and

 

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performance of Indebtedness not prohibited by Section 10.1 , (iii) issuing, selling and redeeming its Equity Interests, (iv) paying taxes, (v) holding directors’ and shareholders’ meetings, preparing corporate and similar records and other activities (including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such maintenance) required to maintain its corporate or other legal structure or to participate in tax, accounting or other administrative matters as a member of the consolidated group of the Credit Parties, (vi) preparing reports to, and preparing and making notices to and filings with, Governmental Authorities and to its holders of Equity Interests, (vii) receiving, and holding proceeds of, Restricted Payments from the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and distributing the proceeds thereof to the extent not prohibited by Section 9.9 or Section 10.6 , (viii) activities in connection with the formation and maintenance of the existence of any Parent Entity (it being understood that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any Credit Document, there shall be no restriction on the formation of any Parent Entity), (ix) providing indemnification to officers and directors, (x) activities permitted hereunder or as otherwise required by Requirements of Law and (xi) activities incidental to the business or activities described in each foregoing clause of this Section 9.17 .

 

SECTION 10.                      Negative Covenants .

 

The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that on the Closing Date and thereafter, until the Total Commitment and each Letter of Credit have terminated (unless such Letters of Credit have been collateralized on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the relevant Issuing Banks following the termination of the Total Commitment) and the Loans, the Swingline Loans and Unpaid Drawings, together with interest, fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder (other than Hedging Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements, Cash Management Obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements or contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable), are paid in full:

 

10.1                         Limitation on Indebtedness . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness other than the following:

 

(a)                                  Indebtedness arising under the Credit Documents (including pursuant to Sections 2.16 and 2.17 and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness);

 

(b)                                  Indebtedness (including Guarantee Obligations thereunder) (meeting the definition of Permitted Additional Debt) including in respect of the Senior Unsecured Notes and any fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing and in an aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed $2,000,000,000 and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

 

(c)                                   Indebtedness (including Guarantee Obligations thereunder) (meeting the definition of Permitted Additional Debt) including in respect of the Senior Secured Notes and the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility (and any fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing) in an aggregate

 

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principal amount outstanding not in excess of $1,500,000,000 and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

 

(d)                                  Indebtedness of (i) the Borrower or any Guarantor owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness owing by a Credit Party to a Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor shall (x) be evidenced by the Intercompany Note or (y) otherwise be outstanding on the Closing Date so long as such Indebtedness is evidenced by an intercompany note substantially in the form of Exhibit I or otherwise subject to subordination terms substantially identical to the subordination terms set forth in Exhibit I , in each case, to the extent permitted by Requirements of Law and not giving rise to material adverse tax consequences, (ii) any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor owing to any other Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor and (iii) to the extent permitted by Section 10.5 , any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor owing to the Borrower or any Guarantor;

 

(e)                                   Indebtedness in respect of any bankers’ acceptance, bank guarantees, letter of credit, warehouse receipt or similar facilities entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice (including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims);

 

(f)                                    subject to compliance with Section 10.5 , Guarantee Obligations incurred by (i) Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower or other Restricted Subsidiaries that is permitted to be incurred under this Agreement (except that a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party may not, by virtue of this Section 10.1(f)   guarantee Indebtedness that such Restricted Subsidiary could not otherwise incur under this Section 10.1 ) and (ii) the Borrower in respect of Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that is permitted to be incurred under this Agreement; provided that (A) if the Indebtedness being guaranteed under this Section 10.1(f)  is subordinated to the Obligations, such Guarantee Obligations shall be subordinated to the Guarantee of the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the subordination of such Indebtedness and (B) no guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary of any Permitted Additional Debt (or Indebtedness under clause (b)  or clause (c)  above) shall be permitted unless such Restricted Subsidiary shall have also provided a guarantee of the Obligations substantially on the terms set forth in the Guarantee;

 

(g)                                   Guarantee Obligations (i) incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations of (or to) suppliers, customers, franchisees, lessors, licensees or sub-licensees or (ii) otherwise constituting Investments permitted by Sections 10.5(d) , (g) , (h) , (i) , (q) , (r) and (s) ;

 

(h)                                  (i) Indebtedness (including Indebtedness arising under Capital Leases) incurred prior to or within 270 days following the acquisition, construction, lease, repair, replacement, expansion or improvement of assets (real or personal, and whether through the direct purchase of property or the Equity Interests of a Person owning such property) to finance the acquisition, construction, lease, repair, replacement expansion, or improvement

 

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of such assets; (ii) Indebtedness arising under Capital Leases, other than (A) Capital Leases in effect on the Closing Date and (B) Capital Leases entered into pursuant to subclause (i)  above (provided that, in the case of each of the foregoing subclauses (i)  and (ii) , the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness (and the use of proceeds thereof); and (iii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance any such Indebtedness;

 

(i)                                      Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof (provided that any Indebtedness that is in excess of $1,000,000 individually shall only be permitted under this clause (i) to the extent such Indebtedness is set forth on Schedule 10.1 ) and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

 

(j)                                     Indebtedness in respect of Hedge Agreements, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 10.10 ;

 

(k)                                  (i)                                      Indebtedness of a Person or Indebtedness attaching to the assets of a Person that, in either case, becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or is a Restricted Subsidiary that survives a merger with such Person or any of its Subsidiaries) or Indebtedness attaching to the assets that are acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case after the Closing Date as the result of a Permitted Acquisition; provided that:

 

(A)                                such Indebtedness existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time such assets were acquired and, in each case, was not created in anticipation thereof,

 

(B)                                such Indebtedness is not guaranteed in any respect by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any such Person that so becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is the survivor of a merger with such Person or any of its Subsidiaries),

 

(C)                                (1) the Equity Interests of such Person is pledged to the Collateral Agent to the extent required under Section 9.11(b)  and (2) such Person executes a supplement to each of the Guarantee, the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreement and a joinder to the Intercompany Note, in each case to the extent required under Section 9.11 ; provided that the assets covered by such pledges and security interests may, at the option of the Borrower, to the extent permitted by Section 10.2 , equally and ratably secure such Indebtedness assumed with the Secured Parties subject to intercreditor arrangements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided, further, that the requirements of this clause C shall not apply to any Indebtedness of the type that could have been incurred under Section 10.1(g) , and

 

(D)                                immediately after giving effect to the assumption of any such Indebtedness, such acquisition and any related transactions, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance;

 

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(ii)                                   any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

 

(1)                                  (i)                                      Indebtedness incurred to finance a Permitted Acquisition; provided that:

 

(A)                                (1) the Equity Interests of such Person acquired in such Permitted Acquisition, if any, is pledged to the Collateral Agent to the extent required under Section 9.11(b)  and (2) such Person executes supplements to each of the Guarantee and the applicable Security Agreements and a joinder to the Intercompany Note, in each case to the extent required under Section 9.11 ;

 

(B)                                immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Indebtedness, such acquisition and any related transactions, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance;

 

(C)                                the maturity of such Indebtedness is not earlier than, and no mandatory repayment or redemption (other than customary change of control or asset sale offers or upon any event of default) is required prior to, 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date of any Facility hereunder (determined at the time of issuance or incurrence); and

 

(D)                                such Indebtedness is not guaranteed in any respect by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor except to the extent (1) such guarantee is permitted under Section 10.5 and (2) that after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Indebtedness, such acquisition and any related transactions, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance;

 

(ii)                                   any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

 

(m)                              Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary or a Domestic Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that no Credit Party’s assets are used to secure any such Indebtedness;

 

(n)                                  Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and completion guarantees and similar obligations not in connection with money borrowed, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

 

(o)                                  (i) other additional Indebtedness and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness, provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding at any time pursuant to this Section 10.1(o)  shall not at the time of incurrence thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto and the use of proceeds thereof on a Pro Forma Basis, exceed the greater of $500,000,000 and 7% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (measured as of the

 

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date of incurrence of such Indebtedness based upon the financial statements most recently available prior to such date);

 

(p)                                  Indebtedness in respect of Permitted Additional Debt and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness; provided that (x) after giving effect to the incurrence or issuance thereof and the use of proceeds therefrom, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance and (y) the Borrowing Base shall be adjusted as set forth in Section 2.14(e) ;

 

(q)                                  Cash Management Obligations, Cash Management Services and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, automatic clearing house arrangements, employees’ credit or purchase cards, overdraft protections and similar arrangements in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(r)                                     Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services;

 

(s)                                    Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations (including earn-outs), in each case assumed or entered into in connection with the Transactions, any Permitted Acquisitions, other Investments and the Disposition of any business, assets or Equity Interests not prohibited hereunder;

 

(t)                                     Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of (i) obligations to pay insurance premiums or (ii) obligations contained in firm transportation or supply agreements or other take or pay contracts, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(u)                                  Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees, consultants or independent contractors of the Borrower (or, to the extent such work is done for the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, any direct or indirect parent thereof) and the Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(v)                                  Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued by the Borrower or any Guarantor to current or former officers, managers, consultants, directors and employees (or their respective spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legatees or distributees) to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) permitted by Section 10.6 ;

 

(w)                                Indebtedness consisting of obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements incurred by such Person in connection with the Transactions, Permitted Acquisitions or any other Investment permitted hereunder;

 

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(x)                                  Indebtedness associated with bonds or surety obligations required by Requirements of Law or by Governmental Authorities in connection with the operation of Oil and Gas Properties in the ordinary course of business;

 

(y)                                  Indebtedness consisting of the undischarged balance of any Production Payment, subject to adjustment of the Borrowing Base as set forth in Section 2.14(g)  to the extent required under Section 10.4(b) ;

 

(z)                                   Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) that is not a Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the Cash Management Services (including with respect to intercompany self-insurance arrangements) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(aa)                           Indebtedness incurred on behalf of, or Guarantee Obligations in respect of the Indebtedness of, joint ventures (regardless of the form of legal entity) that are not Subsidiaries in principal amount, when aggregated with the outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (aa) , not to exceed, at the time of incurrence thereof, the greater of $150,000,000 and 2% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (measured as of the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness based on the financial statements most recently available prior to such date); and

 

(bb)                           all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges, and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a)  through (z)  above.

 

10.2                         Limitation on Liens . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any property or assets of any kind (real or personal, tangible or intangible) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

 

(a)                                  Liens arising under the Credit Documents to secure the Obligations (including Liens contemplated by Section 3.8 ) or permitted in respect of any Mortgaged Property by the terms of the applicable Mortgage;

 

(b)                                  Permitted Liens;

 

(c)                                   (x) Liens (including liens arising under Capital Leases to secure Capital Lease Obligations) securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.1(h) ; provided that (i) such Liens attach concurrently with or within 270 days after the acquisition, lease, repair, replacement, construction, expansion or improvement (as applicable) financed thereby, (ii) other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, such Liens do not at any time encumber any property, except for replacements thereof and accessions and additions to such property and the proceeds and the products thereof and customary security deposits and (iii) with respect to Capital Leases, such Liens do not at any time extend to or cover any assets (except for accessions and additions to such assets, replacements and products thereof and customary security deposits) other than the assets subject to such

 

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Capital Leases; provided that in each case individual financings provided by one lender may be cross collateralized to other financings provided by such lender (and its Affiliates), and (y) Liens on the assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.1 ;

 

(d)                                  Liens existing on the date hereof; provided that any Lien securing Indebtedness in excess of $5,000,000 individually or $10,000,000 in the aggregate (when taken together with all other Liens securing obligations outstanding in reliance on this clause (d) that are not listed on Schedule 10.2(d) ) shall only be permitted to the extent such Lien is listed on Schedule 10.2(d) ;

 

(e)                                   Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by this Section 10.2 ; provided, however, that (x) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same type of property that secured the original Lien ( plus improvements on and accessions to such property), (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the applicable Indebtedness at the time the original Lien became a Lien permitted hereunder, and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement and (z) on the date of the incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by such Liens, the grantors of any such Liens shall not be any different than the grantors of the Liens securing the debt being refinanced, refunded, extended, renewed or replaced;

 

(f)                                    Liens existing on the assets of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary, or existing on assets acquired, pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition; provided that (1) if the Liens on such assets secure Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is permitted under Section  10.1(k)  and (2) such Liens attach at all times only to the same assets that such Liens (or upon or in after-acquired property that is (i) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (ii) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1(k) , the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (iii) the proceeds and products thereof) attached to, and to the extent such Liens secure Indebtedness, secure only the same Indebtedness (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness) that such Liens secured, immediately prior to such Permitted Acquisition;

 

(g)                                   Liens on the Equity Interests of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition, or the assets of such a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, to secure Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 10.1(1) ; provided that such Liens attach at all times only to the Equity Interests or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries;

 

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(h)                                  Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations (i) of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in favor of a Credit Party and (ii) of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party in favor of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party;

 

(i)                                      Liens (i) of a collecting bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-oft);

 

(j)                                     Liens (i) on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 10.5 to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment, and (ii) consisting of an agreement to Dispose of any property in a transaction permitted under Section 10.4 , in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or Disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

 

(k)                                  Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale or purchase of goods entered into by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business permitted by this Agreement;

 

(l)                                      Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under Section 10.5 ;

 

(m)                              Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

(n)                                  Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o)                                  Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

 

(p)                                  Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

 

(q)                                  Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales, subject to adjustment of the Borrowing Base as set forth in Section 2.14(g)  to the extent required under Section 10.4(b) ;

 

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(r)                                     the prior right of consignees and their lenders under consignment arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(s)                                    agreements to subordinate any interest of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any accounts receivable or other proceeds arising from inventory consigned by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(t)                                     Liens on Equity Interests in a joint venture securing obligations of such joint venture so long as the assets of such joint venture do not constitute Collateral;

 

(u)                                  (i) Liens securing any Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.1(c)   (provided that any Liens on the Collateral pursuant to this Section 10.2(u)(i)  shall be Junior Liens) and (ii)  Section 10.1(m) ;

 

(v)                                  Liens arising pursuant to Section 107(1) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9607(1), or other Environmental Law, unless such Lien (i) by action of the lienholder, or by operation of law, takes priority over any Liens arising under the Credit Documents on the property upon which it is a Lien, and (ii) such Lien materially impairs the use of the property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such property is held;

 

(w)                                Liens on not more than $50,000,000 of deposits securing Hedging Obligations in respect of Hedge Agreements that were not entered into for speculative purposes;

 

(x)                                  Junior Liens on the Collateral so long as the outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness secured thereby, when aggregated with the outstanding principal amount of other Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted under this clause (x) , at the time of the incurrence thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto and the use of proceeds thereof on a Pro Forma Basis, does not exceed an amount equal to the Permitted Junior Amount at the time of incurrence.

 

(y)                                  any amounts held by a trustee under any indenture or other debt agreement issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof, or under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions; and

 

(z)                                   additional Liens on property not constituting Borrowing Base Properties and/or Junior Liens on Collateral so long as the outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby, when aggregated with the outstanding principal amount of other obligations secured by Liens permitted under this clause (z) , at the time of the incurrence thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto and the use of proceeds thereof on a Pro Forma Basis, does not exceed the greater of $500,000,000 and 7% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (measured as of the date on which such Lien or the Indebtedness secured is incurred based upon the financial statements most recently available prior to such date).

 

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10.3                         Limitation on Fundamental Changes . Except as permitted by Section 10.4   or 10.5 , the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any merger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of, all or substantially all its business units, assets or other properties, except that:

 

(a)                                  any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any other Person may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Borrower; provided that (i) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or, in the case of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Borrower, the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, amalgamation or consolidation (if other than the Borrower) shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (the Borrower or such Person, as the case may be, being herein referred to as the “ Successor Borrower ”), (ii) the Successor Borrower (if other than the Borrower) shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (iii) no Borrowing Base Deficiency, Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the date of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation or would result from such consummation of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, and (iv) if such merger, amalgamation or consolidation involves the Borrower and a Person that, prior to the consummation of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, is not a Subsidiary of the Borrower (A) the Successor Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance after giving effect to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, (B) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation or unless the Successor Borrower is the Borrower, shall have by a supplement to the Guarantee confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (C) each Subsidiary grantor and each Subsidiary pledgor, unless it is the other party to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation or unless the Successor Borrower is the Borrower, shall have by a supplement to the Credit Documents confirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (D) each mortgagor of a Mortgaged Property, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation or unless the Successor Borrower is the Borrower, shall have by an amendment to or restatement of the applicable Mortgage confirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (E) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate stating that such merger, amalgamation or consolidation and any supplements to the Credit Documents preserve the enforceability of the Guarantee and the perfection and priority of the Liens under the Security Documents, (F) if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, an opinion of counsel shall be required to be provided to the effect that such merger, amalgamation or consolidation does not violate this Agreement or any other Credit Document; provided, further, that if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Borrower (if other than the Borrower) will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement and (G) such merger, amalgamation or consolidation shall comply with all the conditions set forth in the definition of the term “Permitted Acquisition” or is otherwise permitted under Section 10.5 ;

 

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(b)                                  any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any other Person may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into any one or more Subsidiaries of the Borrower; provided that (i) in the case of any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, (A) a Restricted Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (B) the Borrower shall take all steps necessary to cause the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, amalgamation or consolidation (if other than a Restricted Subsidiary) to become a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) in the case of any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving one or more Guarantors, a Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, amalgamation or consolidation (if other than a Guarantor) shall execute a supplement to the Guarantee, each applicable Security Agreement and any applicable Mortgage, and a joinder to the Intercompany Note, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent in order for the surviving Person to become a Guarantor, and pledgor, mortgagor and grantor of Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties and to acknowledge and agree to the terms of the Intercompany Note, (iii) no Borrowing Base Deficiency, Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation or would result from the consummation of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation and (iv) if such merger, amalgamation or consolidation involves a Subsidiary and a Person that, prior to the consummation of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, (A) the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance after giving effect to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, (B) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate stating that such merger, amalgamation or consolidation and such supplements to any Credit Document preserve the enforceability of the Guarantee and the perfection and priority of the Liens under the Security Agreements and (C) such merger, amalgamation or consolidation shall comply with all the conditions set forth in the definition of the term “Permitted Acquisition” or is otherwise permitted under Section 10.5 ;

 

(c)                                   any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor may (i) merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any other Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) Dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower, a Guarantor or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower;

 

(d)                                  any Subsidiary Guarantor may (i) merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any other Subsidiary Guarantor, (ii) merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any other Subsidiary which is not a Guarantor or Dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to any other Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor; provided that if such Subsidiary Guarantor is not the surviving entity, such merger, amalgamation or consolidation shall be deemed to be, and any such Disposition shall be, an “Investment” and subject to the limitations set forth in Section 10.5 and (iii) Dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or any other Guarantor;

 

(e)                                   any Restricted Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if (i) the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the

 

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Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders and (ii) to the extent such Restricted Subsidiary is a Credit Party, any assets or business of such Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise Disposed of or transferred in accordance with Section 10.4 or 10.5 , in the case of any such business, discontinued, shall be transferred to, or otherwise owned or conducted by, a Credit Party after giving effect to such liquidation or dissolution;

 

(f)                                    the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may consummate the Transactions; and

 

(g)                                   to the extent that no Borrowing Base Deficiency, Default or Event of Default would result from the consummation of such Disposition, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may consummate a merger, dissolution, liquidation, consolidation or Disposition, the purpose of which is to effect a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 10.4 .

 

10.4                         Limitation on Sale of Assets . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, (x) convey, sell, lease, sell and leaseback, assign, farm-out, transfer or otherwise dispose (each of the foregoing a “ Disposition ”) of any of its property, business or assets (including receivables and leasehold interests), whether now owned or hereafter acquired or (y) sell to any Person (other than the Borrower or a Guarantor) any shares owned by it of any Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests, except that:

 

(a)                                  the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may Dispose of (i) inventory and other goods held for sale, including Hydrocarbons, obsolete, worn out, used or surplus equipment, vehicles and other assets (other than accounts receivable) in the ordinary course of business (including equipment that is no longer necessary for the business of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries or is replaced by equipment of at least comparable value and use), (ii) Permitted Investments, and (iii) assets for the purposes of charitable contributions or similar gifts to the extent such assets are not material to the ability of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to conduct its business in the ordinary course;

 

(b)                                  the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may Dispose of any Oil and Gas Properties or any interest therein or the Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary or of any Minority Investment owning Oil and Gas Properties (and including, but without limitation, Dispositions in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales and in connection with net profits interests, operating agreements, farm-ins, joint exploration and development agreements and other agreements customary in the oil and gas industry for the purpose of developing such Oil and Gas Properties); provided that such Disposition is for Fair Market Value; provided, further, that if such Disposition of Oil and Gas Properties or of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary or Minority Investment owning Oil and Gas Properties involves Borrowing Base Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and the aggregate Borrowing Base Value of all such Borrowing Base Properties Disposed of since the later of (i) the last Scheduled Redetermination Date and (ii) the last adjustment of the Borrowing Base made pursuant to Section 2.14(g)  exceeds 10% of the then-effective Borrowing Base, then no later than two Business Days after the date of consummation of any such Disposition, the Borrower

 

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shall provide notice to the Administrative Agent of such Disposition and the Borrowing Base Properties so Disposed and the Borrowing Base shall be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.14(g) ; provided, further, that to the extent that the Borrower is notified by the Administrative Agent that a Borrowing Base Deficiency could result from an adjustment to the Borrowing Base resulting from such Disposition, after the consummation of such Disposition(s), the Borrower shall have received net cash proceeds, or shall have cash on hand, sufficient to eliminate any such potential Borrowing Base Deficiency;

 

(c)                                   the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may Dispose of property or assets to the Borrower or to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor of such property is a Credit Party (i) the transferee thereof must either be a Credit Party or (ii) such transaction is permitted under Section10.5 ;

 

(d)                                  the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary may affect any transaction permitted by Section 10.2 , 10.3 , 10.5 or 10.6 ;

 

(e)                                   the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may lease, sublease, license or sublicense (on a non-exclusive basis with respect to any intellectual property) real, personal or intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(f)                                    Dispositions (including like-kind exchanges) of property (other than Borrowing Base Properties) to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are applied to the purchase price of such replacement property, in each case under Section 1031 of the Code or otherwise;

 

(g)                                   Dispositions of Hydrocarbon Interests to which no Proved Reserves are attributable and farm-outs of undeveloped acreage to which no Proved Reserves are attributable and assignments in connection with such farm-outs;

 

(h)                                  Dispositions of Investments in joint ventures (regardless of the form of legal entity) to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements to the extent the same would be permitted under Section 10.5(i) ;

 

(i)                                      Dispositions listed on Schedule 10.4(i)  (each, a “ Scheduled Disposition ” and collectively, the “ Scheduled Dispositions ”);

 

(j)                                     transfers of property (i) subject to a Casualty Event or in connection with any condemnation proceeding with respect to Collateral; provided that the net cash proceeds of such Casualty Event or condemnation proceeding, if any, are received by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor or (ii) in connection with any Casualty Event or any condemnation proceeding, in each case with respect to property that does not constitute Collateral;

 

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(k)                                  Dispositions of accounts receivable (i) in connection with the collection or compromise thereof or (ii) to the extent the proceeds thereof are used to prepay any Loans then outstanding;

 

(1)                                  the unwinding of any Hedge Agreement (subject to the terms of Section 2.14(f) );

 

(m)                              Dispositions of Oil and Gas Properties that are not Borrowing Base Properties and other assets not included in the Borrowing Base; and

 

(n)                                  Disposition of any asset between or among the Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries as a substantially concurrent interim Disposition in connection with an Investment otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 10.5 or a Disposition otherwise permitted pursuant to clauses (a) through (m) above.

 

10.5                         Limitation on Investments . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, to (i) purchase or acquire (including pursuant to any merger, consolidation or amalgamation with a person that is not a Wholly owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation) any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of any other Person, (ii) make any loans or advances to or guarantees of the Indebtedness of any other person, or (iii) purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) (x) all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or (y) assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person (each, an “ Investment ”), except:

 

(a)                                  extensions of trade credit and purchases of assets and services (including purchases of inventory, supplies and materials) in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)                                  Investments in assets that constituted Permitted Investments at the time such Investments were made;

 

(c)                                   loans and advances to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) for reasonable and customary business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes (including employee payroll advances), (ii) in connection with such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof; provided that, to the extent such loans and advances are made in cash, the amount of such loans and advances used to acquire such Equity Interests shall be contributed to the Borrower in cash) and (iii) for purposes not described in the foregoing subclauses (i) and (ii) ; provided that the aggregate principal amount outstanding pursuant to subclause (iii) shall not exceed $25,000,000;

 

(d)                                  (i) Investments existing on, or made pursuant to legally binding written commitments in existence on, the Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 10.5(d) , (ii) Investments existing on the Closing Date of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in any other Subsidiary and (iii) any extensions, renewals or reinvestments thereof, so long as the amount of any Investment made pursuant to this clause (d) is not increased at any

 

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time above the amount of such Investment set forth on Schedule 10.5(d) (other than pursuant to an increase as required by the terms of any such Investment as in existence on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 10.5(d) as of the Closing Date);

 

(e)                                   Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers arising in the ordinary course of business or upon foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment;

 

(f)                                    Investments to the extent that payment for such Investments is made with Qualified Equity Interests;

 

(g)                                   Investments (i) by the Borrower in any Guarantor or by any Guarantor in the Borrower, (ii) by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor in the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, and (iii) by the Borrower or any Guarantor in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, valued at the Fair Market Value (determined by the Borrower in good faith) of such Investment at the time each such Investment is made, in an aggregate amount outstanding pursuant to this Section 10.5(g)(iii) that, at the time such Investment is made, would not exceed the sum of (A) the greater of $100,000,000 and 1.5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (measured as of the date such Investment is made based upon the financial statements most recently available prior to such date), (B) the Applicable Equity Amount at such time and (C) to the extent not otherwise included in the determination of the Applicable Equity Amount, an amount equal to any repayments, interest, returns, profits, distributions, income and similar amounts actually received in cash in respect of any such Investment (which amount shall not exceed the amount of such Investment valued at the Fair Market Value of such Investment at the time such Investment was made) (it being understood that to the extent any Investment made pursuant to this Section 10.5(g)(iii) was made by using the Applicable Equity Amount, then the amounts referred to in clause (C) shall, to the extent of the original usage of the Applicable Equity Amount, be deemed to reconstitute such amounts);

 

(h)                                  Investments constituting Permitted Acquisitions; provided that the aggregate amount of Permitted Acquisition Consideration of such Permitted Acquisitions made or provided by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor to acquire any Restricted Subsidiary that does not become a Subsidiary Guarantor or merge, consolidate or amalgamate into the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor or any assets that shall not, immediately after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition, be owned by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, shall not exceed the sum of (i) the greater of $350,000,000 and 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisitions, (ii) the Applicable Equity Amount at such time and (iii) to the extent not otherwise included in the determination of the Applicable Equity Amount, an amount equal to any repayments, interest, returns, profits, distributions, income and similar amounts actually received in cash in respect of any such Investment (which amount shall not exceed the amount of such Investment valued at the Fair Market Value of such Investment at the

 

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time such Investment was made) (it being understood that to the extent any Investment made pursuant to this Section 10.5(h) was made by using the Applicable Equity Amount, then the amounts referred to in this clause (iii) shall, to the extent of the original usage of the Applicable Equity Amount, be deemed to reconstitute such amounts);

 

(i)                                      Investments (including but not limited to (i) Minority Investments and Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries, (ii) Investments in joint ventures (regardless of the form of legal entity) or similar Persons that do not constitute Restricted Subsidiaries, (iii) Investments in Subsidiaries that are not Credit Parties, (iv) Permitted Acquisitions and (v) Investments in respect of royalty trusts and master limited partnerships), in each case valued at the Fair Market Value (determined by the Borrower acting in good faith) of such Investment at the time each such Investment is made, in an aggregate amount outstanding pursuant to this Section 10.5(i) not to exceed the sum of (A) the greater of (1) $250,000,000 and (2) 3.5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (measured as of the date such Investment is made based upon the financial statements most recently available prior to such date) plus (B) the Applicable Equity Amount at such time plus (C) to the extent not otherwise included in the determination of the Applicable Equity Amount, an amount equal to any repayments, interest, returns, profits, distributions, income and similar amounts actually received in cash in respect of any such Investment (which amount shall not exceed the amount of such Investment valued at the Fair Market Value of such Investment at the time such Investment was made) (it being understood that to the extent any Investment made pursuant to this Section 10.5(i) was made by using the Applicable Equity Amount, then the amounts referred to in the clause (C) shall, to the extent of the original usage of the Applicable Equity Amount, be deemed to reconstitute such amounts); provided that intercompany current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, in connection with the cash management operations of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall not be included in calculating any limitations in this paragraph at any time;

 

(j)                                     Investments made at any such time during which, after giving effect to the making of any such Investment on a Pro Forma Basis, (i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) Liquidity is not less than 10% of the then effective Borrowing Base;

 

(k)                                  Investments constituting non-cash proceeds of Dispositions of assets to the extent permitted by Section 10.4 ;

 

(1)                                  Investments made to repurchase or retire Equity Interests of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent thereof owned by the Co-Investors or its Affiliates or any employee or any stock ownership plan or key employee stock ownership plan of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof);

 

(m)                              Investments consisting of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 10.6 ;

 

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(n)                                  loans and advances to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of, Restricted Payments to the extent permitted to be made to such parent in accordance with Section 10.6 ;

 

(o)                                  Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

 

(p)                                  Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit and customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

 

(q)                                  advances of payroll payments to employees, consultants or independent contractors or other advances of salaries or compensation to employees, consultants or independent contractors, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(r)                                     guarantee obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of leases (other than Capital Leases) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(s)                                    Investments held by a Person acquired (including by way of merger or consolidation) after the Closing Date otherwise in accordance with this Section 10.5 to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

 

(t)                                     Investments in Industry Investments and in interests in additional Oil and Gas Properties and gas gathering systems related thereto or Investments related to farm-out, farm-in, joint operating, joint venture, joint development or other area of mutual interest agreements, other similar industry investments, gathering systems, pipelines or other similar oil and gas exploration and production business arrangements whether through direct ownership or ownership through a joint venture or similar arrangement;

 

(u)                                  to the extent constituting Investments, the Transactions;

 

(v)                                  Investments in Hedge Agreements permitted by Section 10.1 and Section 10.10 ;

 

(w)                                Investments consisting of Indebtedness, fundamental changes, Dispositions and Restricted Payments permitted under Sections 10.1 , 10.3 , 10.4 and 10.6 (other than 10.6(c) );

 

(x)                                  in the case of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, Investment consisting of (i) intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business

 

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and (ii) intercompany current liabilities in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(y)                                  Investments resulting from pledges and deposits under clauses (c) , (d) and (e) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and clauses (j) , (o) , (w) and (x) of Sections 10.2 ;

 

(z)                                   advances in the form of a prepayment of expenses, so long as such expenses are being paid in accordance with customary trade terms of the Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(aa)                           Investments consisting of licensing of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(bb)                           any Investment constituting a Disposition or transfer of any asset between or among the Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries as a substantially concurrent interim Disposition or transfer in connection with an Investment otherwise permitted pursuant to clauses (a) through (aa) above or in connection with a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 10.4 .

 

10.6                         Limitation on Restricted Payments . The Borrower will not directly or indirectly pay any dividend or make any other distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise), whether in cash, property, securities or a combination thereof, with respect to any of its Equity Interests (other than dividends and distributions on Equity Interests payable solely by the issuance of additional Qualified Equity Interests) or redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for value any of its Equity Interests or the Equity Interests of any Parent Entity or set aside any amount for any such purpose (other than through the issuance of additional Qualified Equity Interests), or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration (except in connection with an Investment permitted under Section 10.5) any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Parent Entity, now or hereafter outstanding (all of the foregoing, “ Restricted Payments ”); except that:

 

(a)                                  the Borrower may (or may pay Restricted Payments to permit any Parent Entity thereof to) redeem in whole or in part any of its or a Parent Entity’s Equity Interests in exchange for another class of its (or such parent’s) Equity Interests or with proceeds from substantially concurrent equity contributions or issuances of new Equity Interests; provided that such new Equity Interests contain terms and provisions at least as advantageous to the Lenders in all material respects to their interests as those contained in the Equity Interests redeemed thereby, and the Borrower may pay Restricted Payments payable solely in the Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock not otherwise permitted by Section 10.1) of the Borrower;

 

(b)                                  the Borrower may (i) (or may make Restricted Payments to permit any Parent Entity thereof to) redeem, acquire, retire or repurchase shares of its (or such Parent Entity’s) Equity Interests held by any present or former officer, manager, consultant, director or employee (or their respective Affiliates, estates, spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legatees, distributees or immediate family members)

 

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of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity thereof, upon the death, disability, retirement or termination of employment of any such Person or otherwise in accordance with any equity option or equity appreciation rights plan, any management, director and/or employee equity ownership, benefit or incentive plan or agreement, equity subscription plan, employment termination agreement or any other employment agreements or equity holders’ agreement; provided that, non-discretionary repurchases, acquisitions, retirements or redemptions pursuant to the terms of any equity option or equity appreciation rights plan, any management, director and/or employee equity ownership, benefit or incentive plan or agreement, equity subscription plan, employment termination agreement or any other employment agreements or equity holders’ agreement, the aggregate amount of all cash paid in respect of all such Equity Interests so redeemed, acquired, retired or repurchased in any calendar year does not exceed the sum of (A) $50,000,000 (which shall increase to $100,000,000 subsequent to the consummation of Qualifying IPO) (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $75,000,000 in any calendar year (which shall increase to $150,000,000 subsequent to the consummation of a Qualifying IPO) plus (B) all net cash proceeds obtained by or contributed to the Borrower during such calendar year from the sales of Equity Interests to other present or former officers, consultants, employees, directors and managers in connection with any permitted compensation and incentive arrangements plus (C) all net cash proceeds obtained from any key-man life insurance policies received during such calendar year plus (D) the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to members of management, directors or consultants of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions that are foregone in return for the receipt of Equity Interests; notwithstanding the foregoing, 100% of the unused amount of payments in respect of Section 10.6(b)(i) (before giving effect to any carry-forward described in clause (A) of the foregoing proviso) may be carried forward to the two immediately succeeding fiscal years (but not any other) and utilized to make payments pursuant to this Section 10.6(b)(i) ; and provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from members of management of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of Holdings or any other Parent Entity will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 10.6 ; and (ii) pay Restricted Payments in an amount equal to withholding or similar Taxes payable or expected to be payable by any present or former employee, director, manager or consultant (or their respective Affiliates, estates or immediate family members) and any repurchases of Equity Interests in consideration of such payments including deemed repurchases in connection with the exercise of stock options so long as the amount of such payments does not exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate;

 

(c)                                   to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, the Borrower may make Investments permitted by Section 10.5 ;

 

(d)                                  to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, the Borrower may enter into and consummate transactions expressly permitted by Section 10.3 ;

 

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(e)                                   the Borrower may repurchase Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any Parent Entity thereof) upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represents all or a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

 

(f)                                    the Borrower may make and pay Restricted Payments to Holdings or any other Parent Entity of the Borrower:

 

(i)                                      the proceeds of which will be used to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow Holdings or any other Parent Entity to pay): (A) with respect to any taxable period for which the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar income tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes of which a Parent Entity is the common parent, or for which the Borrower is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly owned (directly or indirectly) by a C corporation for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes, distributions to any Parent Entity of the Borrower in an amount not to exceed the amount of any U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes that the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, would have paid for such taxable period had the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, been a stand-alone corporate taxpayer or a stand-alone corporate group, and (B) with respect to any taxable period ending after the Closing Date for which the Borrower is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (other than a partnership or disregarded entity described in subclause (1)), distributions to any Parent Entity in an amount necessary to permit such Parent Entity to make a pro rata distribution to its equity holders such that each such equity holder receives an amount from such pro rata distribution sufficient to enable such equity holder to pay its U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes (as applicable) attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with respect to such taxable period (assuming that each such equity holder is subject to tax at the highest combined marginal federal, state, and/or local income tax rate applicable to any such equity holder for such taxable period and taking into account the deductibility of state and local income taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and any limitations thereon), the alternative minimum tax, any cumulative net taxable loss of the Borrower for prior taxable periods ending after the Closing Date to the extent such loss is of a character that would allow such loss to be available to reduce taxes in the current taxable period (taking into account any limitations on the utilization of such loss to reduce such taxes and assuming such loss had not already been utilized) and the character (e.g., long-term or short-term capital gain or ordinary or exempt) of the applicable income);

 

(ii)                                   the proceeds of which shall be used to allow any Parent Entity to pay its operating expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and other corporate overhead costs and expenses (including administrative, legal, accounting and other professional costs and expenses) to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower, it being understood that 100% of the

 

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foregoing costs and expenses shall be deemed attributable to the ownership and operation of the Borrower at all times when Holdings owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower;

 

(iii)                                the proceeds of which shall be used by such Parent Entities to pay Restricted Payments contemplated by Section 10.6(b) ;

 

(iv)                               the proceeds of which shall be used to make Restricted Payments to allow any Parent Entity to pay fees and expenses related to any equity issuance or offering or debt issuance, incurrence or offering, Disposition or acquisition or investment transaction permitted by this Agreement, whether or not consummated;

 

(v)                                  the proceeds of which shall be used to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar taxes) required to maintain its corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers, employees and consultants of any Parent Entity, to the extent such salaries, bonuses, other benefits and indemnities are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, it being understood that 100% of the foregoing costs and expenses shall be deemed attributable to the ownership and operation of the Borrower at all times when Holdings owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower; and

 

(vi)                               in the form of Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock not otherwise permitted by Section 10.1 );

 

(g)                                   the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries may (i) pay cash in lieu of fractional shares in connection with any dividend, split or combination thereof or any Permitted Acquisition and (ii) so long as, after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (B) no Borrowing Base Deficiency exists, honor any conversion request by a holder of convertible Indebtedness and make cash payments in lieu of fractional shares in connection with any such conversion and may make payments on convertible Indebtedness in accordance with its terms;

 

(h)                                  the Borrower may pay any dividends or distributions within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(i)                                      so long as, after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, together with any concurrent Restricted Payments being paid under Sections 10.6(i) and (j) , (i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (ii) Liquidity is not less than 10% of the then effective Borrowing Base (on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment), the Borrower may declare and pay additional Restricted Payments without limit in cash or otherwise to the holders of its or any Parent Entity’s Equity Interests; provided, that, in the case of any Restricted Payment in the form of assets other than cash, no such Restricted Payment shall be made if a Borrowing Base Deficiency

 

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would result from an adjustment to the Borrowing Base resulting from such Restricted Payment (unless the Borrower shall have cash on hand sufficient to eliminate any such potential Borrowing Base Deficiency);

 

(j)                                     in addition to the foregoing Restricted Payments and so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and after giving effect to the making of any such Restricted Payment, together with any concurrent Restricted Payments being paid under Section 10.6(i) and Section 10.6(j) , the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance (with the Financial Performance Covenant recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period as if (i) such Restricted Payment had been paid on the first day of such Test Period and (ii) the amount of any Cure Amount made during such Test Period were not made to the extent (A) the amount of the Applicable Equity Amount after making the proposed Restricted Payment is less than or equal to the amount of such Cure Amount and (B) such Cure Amount was necessary for the Borrower to be in Pro Forma Compliance), the Borrower may declare and pay Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Applicable Equity Amount at the time such Restricted Payment is paid; and

 

(k)                                  the Borrower may consummate the Transactions (and pay fees and expenses in connection therewith on or following the Closing Date) and make payments described in Sections 9.9(a) , (f) , (g) , (h) , (j) and (l) (subject to the conditions set out therein).

 

10.7                         Limitations on Debt Payments and Amendments .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to prepay, repurchase or redeem or otherwise defease the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Term Loans (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any of the foregoing) or any Permitted Additional Debt comprising senior subordinated or subordinated Indebtedness (it being understood that payments of regularly-scheduled cash interest in respect of the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Term Loans (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any of the foregoing) or such Permitted Additional Debt shall be permitted); provided, however, that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may prepay, repurchase, redeem or defease the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Term Loans (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any of the foregoing) or any such Permitted Additional Debt (A) in exchange for or with the proceeds of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, (B) by converting or exchanging the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Term Loans (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any of the foregoing) or any such Permitted Additional Debt to Qualified Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Parent Entity or (C) so long as, after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, (1) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (2) Liquidity is not less than 10% of the then effective Borrowing Base (on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance) provided, further, that, after giving effect to any adjustment of the Borrowing Base made pursuant to Section 2.14(g) and any repayment of the Loans required in connection therewith, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may make mandatory prepayments in respect of

 

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the Senior Secured Term Loans or the Senior Secured Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof that is secured by a Lien on the assets the disposition of which are the subject of the mandatory prepayment) with the proceeds of the disposition of any assets that have been pledged to secure such Senior Secured Term Loans or the Senior Secured Notes (or such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, if applicable);

 

(b)                                  The Borrower will not amend or modify the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, the documentation governing the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility, the documentation governing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes or the Senior Secured Term Loans or the documentation governing any senior subordinated or subordinated Permitted Additional Debt that constitutes Material Indebtedness or the terms applicable thereto, other than amendments or modifications that (A) would not be materially adverse to the Lenders (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), taken as a whole, or (B) otherwise comply with the definition of “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” that may be incurred to Refinance any such Indebtedness; and

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 10.7 shall prohibit (i) the repayment or prepayment of intercompany subordinated Indebtedness owed among the Borrower and/or the Restricted Subsidiaries, in either case unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Borrower has received a notice from the Collateral Agent instructing it not to make or permit the Borrower and/or the Restricted Subsidiaries to make any such repayment or prepayment, (ii) substantially concurrent transfers of credit positions in connection with intercompany debt restructurings so long as such Indebtedness is permitted by Section 10.1 after giving effect to such transfer or (iii) the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or other defeasance of the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Term Loans (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any of the foregoing) or any Permitted Additional Debt comprising senior subordinated or subordinated Indebtedness with an aggregate amount not to exceed the Applicable Equity Amount (with the Applicable Equity Amount being re-computed as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period as if (i) such prepayment, repurchase, redemption or other defeasance had occurred on the first day of such Test Period and (ii) the amount of any Cure Amount made during such Test Period were not made to the extent (A) the amount of the Applicable Equity Amount after making the proposed prepayment, repurchase, redemption or other defeasance is less than or equal to the amount of such Cure Amount and (B) such Cure Amount was necessary for the Borrower to be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the Financial Performance Covenant) at the time of such prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance.

 

10.8                         Negative Pledge Agreements . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into or permit to exist any Contractual Requirement (other than this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any documentation in respect of secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder) that limits the ability of the Borrower or any Guarantor to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person for the benefit of the Secured Parties with respect to the Obligations or under the Credit Documents; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to each of the following Contractual Requirements that:

 

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(a)                                  (i) exist on the Closing Date and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section 10.8) are listed on Schedule 10.8 and (ii) to the extent Contractual Requirements permitted by subclause (i) are set forth in an agreement evidencing Indebtedness or other obligations, are set forth in any agreement evidencing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness or obligation so long as such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not expand the scope of such Contractual Requirement;

 

(b)                                  are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, so long as such Contractual Requirements were not entered into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower;

 

(c)                                   represent Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1 of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Guarantor so long as such Contractual Requirement applies only to such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries;

 

(d)                                  arise pursuant to agreements entered into with respect to any sale, transfer, lease or other Disposition permitted by Section 10.4 and applicable solely to assets under such sale, transfer, lease or other Disposition;

 

(e)                                   are customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements permitted by Section 10.5 and applicable to joint ventures or otherwise arise in agreements which restrict the Disposition or distribution of assets or property in oil and gas leases, joint operating agreements, joint exploration and/or development agreements, participation agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of the oil and gas exploration and development business;

 

(f)                                    are negative pledges and restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1 , but solely to the extent any negative pledge relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness;

 

(g)                                   are customary restrictions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions relate to the assets subject thereto;

 

(h)                                  comprise restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.1 to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

(i)                                      are customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(j)                                     are customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(k)                                  restrict the use of cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(l)                                      are imposed by Requirements of Law;

 

(m)                              exist under any documentation governing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance any Indebtedness but only to the extent such Contractual Requirement is not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

(n)                                  customary net worth provisions contained in real property leases entered into by any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, so long as the Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions would not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligation;

 

(o)                                  are customary restrictions and conditions contained in the document relating to any Lien, so long as (i) such Lien is a Permitted Lien and such restrictions or conditions relate only to the specific asset subject to such Lien and (ii) such restrictions and conditions are not created for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this Section 10.8 ;

 

(p)                                  are restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 10.1 or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, to the extent such restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the restrictions contained in the Credit Documents or documentation with respect to the Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes or the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility as determined by the Borrower in good faith;

 

(q)                                  are restrictions regarding licenses or sublicenses by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business (in which case such restriction shall relate only to such intellectual property);

 

(r)                                     are encumbrances or restrictions contained in an agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, or that is assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case that is in existence at the time of such transaction (but not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired or designated; and

 

(s)                                    are encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (a) through (r) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of

 

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the Borrower’s board of directors, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

10.9                         Limitation on Subsidiary Distributions . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary on its Equity Interests or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits or transfer any property to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary except (in each case) for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

(a)                                  contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Closing Date, including pursuant to the Credit Documents and any Hedging Obligations;

 

(b)                                  the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, the Senior Unsecured Notes and related guarantees, the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility and related guarantees and any related collateral documents;

 

(c)                                   purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on transferring the property so acquired;

 

(d)                                  any applicable Requirement of Law;

 

(e)                                   any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, or that is assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case that is in existence at the time of such transaction (but not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired or designated;

 

(f)                                    contracts for the sale of assets, including customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary of the Borrower pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Equity Interests or assets of such Subsidiary;

 

(g)                                   secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 10.1 and Section 10.2 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

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(h)                                  restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(i)                                      other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of (i) Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Closing Date pursuant to Section 10.1 so long as either (A) the provisions relating to such encumbrance or restriction contained in such Indebtedness are no less favorable to the Borrower, taken as a whole, as determined by the board of directors of the Borrower in good faith, than the provisions contained in this Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date or (B) any such encumbrance or restriction contained in such Indebtedness does not prohibit (except upon a default or an event of default thereunder) the payment of dividends in an amount sufficient, as determined by the board of directors of the Borrower in good faith, to impair the ability of the Borrower to make scheduled payments of cash interest on the Loans when due or (ii) Foreign Subsidiaries as to such Foreign Subsidiaries and their Subsidiaries;

 

(j)                                     customary provisions in joint venture agreements or agreements governing property held with a common owner and other similar agreements or arrangements relating solely to such joint venture or property;

 

(k)                                  customary provisions contained in leases, sub-leases, licenses, sub-licenses or similar agreements, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(1)                                  any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (a) through (k)   above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower’s board of directors, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

10.10                  Hedge Agreements . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Hedge Agreements with any Person other than:

 

(a)                                  Hedge Agreements in respect of commodities entered into not for speculative purposes the net notional volumes for which (when aggregated with other commodity Hedge Agreements then in effect, other than puts, floors and basis differential swaps on volumes already hedged pursuant to other Hedge Agreements) do not exceed, as of the date the latest hedging transaction is entered into under a Hedge Agreement, 85% of the reasonably anticipated Hydrocarbon production from the Credit Parties’ total Proved Reserves (as forecast based upon the Initial Reserve Report or the most recent Reserve Report delivered pursuant to Section 9.14(a) , as applicable) for the sixty-six (66) month period from the date of creation of such hedging arrangement (the “ Ongoing Hedges ”). In addition to the Ongoing Hedges, in connection with a proposed Permitted Acquisition (a “ Proposed Acquisition ”), the Credit Parties may also enter into incremental hedging

 

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contracts with respect to the Credit Parties’ reasonably anticipated projected production from the total Proved Reserves of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as forecast based upon the most recent Reserve Report having notional volumes not in excess of 15% of the Credit Parties’ existing projected production prior to the consummation of such Proposed Acquisition for a period not exceeding 36 months from the date such hedging arrangement is created during the period between (i) the date on which such Credit Party signs a definitive acquisition agreement in connection with a Proposed Acquisition and (ii) the earliest of (A) the date of consummation of such Proposed Acquisition, (B) the date of termination of such Proposed Acquisition and (C) 90 days after the date of execution of such definitive acquisition agreement (or such longer period as to which the Administrative Agent may agree). However, all such incremental hedging contracts entered into with respect to a Proposed Acquisition must be terminated or unwound within 90 days following the date of termination of such Proposed Acquisition. It is understood that commodity Hedge Agreements which may, from time to time, “hedge” the same volumes, but different elements of commodity risk thereof, shall not be aggregated together when calculating the foregoing limitations on notional volumes.

 

(b)                                  Other Hedge Agreements (other than any Hedge Agreements in respect of equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions) entered into not for speculative purposes.

 

(c)                                   It is understood that for purposes of this Section 10.10 , the following Hedge Agreements shall not be deemed speculative or entered into for speculative purposes: (i) any commodity Hedge Agreement intended, at inception of execution, to hedge or manage any of the risks related to existing and or forecasted Hydrocarbon production of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not contracted) and (ii) any Hedge Agreement intended, at inception of execution, (A) to hedge or manage the interest rate exposure associated with any debt securities, debt facilities or leases (existing or forecasted) of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, (B) for foreign exchange or currency exchange management, (C) to manage commodity portfolio exposure associated with changes in interest rates or (D) to hedge any exposure that the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries may have to counterparties under other Hedge Agreements such that the combination of such Hedge Agreements is not speculative taken as a whole.

 

(d)                                  For purposes of entering into or maintaining Ongoing Hedges under Section 10.10(a) , forecasts of reasonably projected Hydrocarbon production volumes and reasonably anticipated Hydrocarbon production from the Credit Parties’ total Proved Reserves based upon the Initial Reserve Report or the most recent Reserve Report delivered pursuant to Section 9.14(a) , as applicable, shall be revised to account for any increase or decrease therein anticipated because of information obtained by Borrower or any other Credit Party subsequent to the publication of such Reserve Report including the Borrower’s or any other Credit Party’s internal forecasts of production decline rates for existing wells and additions to or deletions from anticipated future production from new wells and acquisitions coming on stream or failing to come on stream.

 

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10.11                  Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio . The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDAX Ratio for any Test Period ending on each date set forth below to be greater than the ratio set forth below opposite such date:

 

Test Period Ending

 

Ratio

September 30, 2012

 

5.00 to 1.00

December 31, 2012

 

5.00 to 1.00

March 31, 2013

 

5.00 to 1.00

June 30, 2013

 

5.00 to 1.00

September 30, 2013

 

4.75 to 1.00

December 31, 2013

 

4.75 to 1.00

March 31, 2014

 

4.75 to 1.00

June 30, 2014

 

4.75 to 1.00

September 30, 2014

 

4.50 to 1.00

December 31, 2014

 

4.50 to 1.00

March 31, 2015

 

4.50 to 1.00

June 30, 2015

 

4.50 to 1.00

September 30, 2015

 

4.50 to 1.00

December 31, 2015

 

4.50 to 1.00

March 31, 2016

 

4.50 to 1.00

June 30, 2016

 

4.50 to 1.00

September 30, 2016

 

4.50 to 1.00

December 31, 2016

 

4.50 to 1.00

March 31, 2017

 

4.50 to 1.00

Maturity Date

 

4.50 to 1.00

 

SECTION 11. Events of Default

 

Upon the occurrence of any of the following specified events (each an “ Event of Default ”):

 

11.1                         Payments . The Borrower shall (a) default in the payment when due of any principal of the Loans or (b) default, and such default shall continue for five or more days, in the payment when due of any interest on the Loans or any Unpaid Drawings, fees or of any other amounts owing hereunder or under any other Credit Document (other than any amount referred to in clause (a) above).

 

11.2                         Representations, Etc. Any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed made by any Credit Party herein or in any other Credit Document or any certificate delivered or required to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to be untrue in any material respect on the date as of which made or deemed made; provided that the failure of any representation or warranty made by any Credit Party (other than the Acquired Business Representations and the Specified Representations) to be true and correct in any material respect on the Closing Date will not constitute an Event of Default hereunder.

 

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11.3                         Covenants . Any Credit Party shall:

 

(a)                                  default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 9.1(d)(i) , 9.5 (solely with respect to the Borrower) or Section 10 ; or

 

(b)                                  default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in Section 11.1 or 11.2 or clause (a) of this Section 11.3 ) contained in this Agreement or any Security Document and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 30 days after receipt of written notice thereof by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent.

 

11.4                         Default Under Other Agreements .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall (i) default in any payment with respect to any Material Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness described in Section 11.1 ) beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument of agreement under which such Indebtedness was created or (ii) default in the observance or performance of any agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist (other than, (1) with respect to Indebtedness in respect of any Hedge Agreements, termination events or equivalent events pursuant to the terms of such Hedge Agreements and (2) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of a Disposition (including as a result of Casualty Event) of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement), the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, any such Indebtedness to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, unless, in the case of each of the foregoing, such holder or holders shall have (or through its or their trustee or agent on its or their behalf) waived such default in a writing to the Borrower, or

 

(b)                                  Without limiting the provisions of clause (a) above, any such default under any such Material Indebtedness shall cause such Material Indebtedness to be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or as a mandatory prepayment (and, (i) with respect to Indebtedness consisting of any Hedge Agreements, other than due to a termination event or equivalent event pursuant to the terms of such Hedge Agreements and (ii) other than secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of a Disposition (including as a result of Casualty Event) of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement), prior to the stated maturity thereof.

 

11.5                         Bankruptcy, Etc. The Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case, proceeding or action concerning itself under (a) Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy” or any other applicable insolvency, debtor relief, or debt adjustment law; or (b) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Specified Subsidiary, any domestic or foreign law relating to bankruptcy, judicial management, insolvency, reorganization, administration or relief of debtors in effect in its jurisdiction of incorporation, in each case as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto (collectively, the “ Bankruptcy Code ”); or an involuntary case, proceeding or action is commenced against the Borrower or any Specified

 

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Subsidiary and the petition is not dismissed or stayed within 60 days after commencement of the case, proceeding or action, the Borrower or the applicable Specified Subsidiary consents to the institution of such case, proceeding or action prior to such 60-day period, or any order of relief or other order approving any such case, proceeding or action is entered; or a custodian (as defined in the Bankruptcy Code), receiver, receiver manager, trustee, conservator, liquidator, examiner, rehabilitator, administrator, or similar person is appointed for, or takes charge of, the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary or all or any substantial portion of the property or business thereof; or the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary suffers any appointment of any custodian, receiver, receiver manager, trustee, conservator, liquidator, examiner, rehabilitator, administrator, or the like for it or any substantial part of its property or business to continue undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days; or the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors.

 

11.6                         ERISA .

 

(a)                                  Any Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standard required for any plan year or part thereof or a waiver of such standard or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under Section 412 of the Code; any Plan is or shall have been terminated or is the subject of termination proceedings under ERISA (including the giving of written notice thereof); an event shall have occurred or a condition shall exist in either case entitling the PBGC to terminate any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan (including the giving of written notice thereof); any Plan shall have an accumulated funding deficiency (whether or not waived); the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or is likely to incur a liability to or on account of a Plan under Section 409, 502(i), 502(1), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code (including the giving of written notice thereof); and

 

(b)                                  there would result from any event or events set forth in clause (a) of this Section 11.6 the imposition of a lien, the granting of a security interest, or a liability, or the reasonable likelihood of incurring a lien, security interest or liability; and

 

(c)                                   such lien, security interest or liability will or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

11.7                         Guarantee . The Guarantee or any material provision thereof shall cease to be in full force or effect (other than pursuant to the terms hereof and thereof) or any Guarantor or any other Credit Party shall assert in writing that any such Guarantor’s obligations under the Guarantee are not to be in effect or are not to be legal, valid and binding obligations (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof).

 

11.8                         Security Documents . The Security Agreements, Mortgage or any other Security Document pursuant to which assets of the Borrower and the Credit Parties with an aggregate fair market value in excess of $125,000,000 are pledged as Collateral or any material provision thereof shall cease to be in full force or effect (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof) or any grantor thereunder or any other Credit Party shall assert in writing that any grantor’s obligations under the Security Agreements, the Mortgage or any other Security

 

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Document are not in effect or not legal, valid and binding obligations (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof).

 

11.9                         Judgments . One or more monetary judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries involving a liability of $125,000,000 or more in the aggregate for all such judgments and decrees for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent not paid or covered by insurance provided by a carrier not disputing coverage), which judgments are not discharged or effectively waived or stayed for a period of 60 consecutive days.

 

11.10                  Change of Control . A Change of Control shall have occurred, then, and in any such event, and at any time thereafter, if any Event of Default shall then be continuing, the Administrative Agent may and, upon the written request of the Majority Lenders, shall, by written notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, without prejudice to the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to enforce its claims against the Borrower or any other Credit Party, except as otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement ( provided that, if an Event of Default specified in Section 11.5 shall occur with respect to the Borrower, the result that would occur upon the giving of written notice by the Administrative Agent as specified in clauses (a) , (b) and (c) below shall occur automatically without the giving of any such notice): (a) declare the Total Commitment and Swingline Commitment terminated, whereupon the Commitment of each Lender and the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, shall forthwith terminate immediately and any fees theretofore accrued shall forthwith become due and payable without any other notice of any kind; (b) declare the principal of and any accrued interest and fees in respect of any or all Loans and any or all Obligations owing hereunder and thereunder to be, whereupon the same shall become, forthwith due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and/or (c) demand cash collateral in respect of any outstanding Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 3.8(b) in an amount equal to the aggregate Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit issued and then outstanding. In addition, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will have all other rights and remedies available at law and equity.

 

11.11                  Application of Proceeds . Any amount received by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent from any Credit Party (or from proceeds of any Collateral) following any acceleration of the Obligations under this Agreement or any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower under Section 11.5 shall be applied:

 

First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel payable under Section 12.7 and amounts payable under Article II ) payable to the Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent in such Person’s capacity as such;

 

Second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks (including fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel payable under Section 12.7 ) arising under the Credit Documents and amounts

 

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payable under Article II , ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans and Unpaid Drawings, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

Fourth , (i) to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, the Unpaid Drawings and Obligations then owing under Secured Hedge Agreements and the Secured Cash Management Agreements and (ii) to Cash Collateralize that portion of Letters of Credit Outstanding comprising the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.8 , ratably among the Lenders, the Issuing Banks, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; provided that (x) any such amounts applied pursuant to the foregoing clause (ii) shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the applicable Issuing Bank to Cash Collateralize such Letters of Credit Outstanding, (y) subject to Section 3.8 , amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to this clause Fourth shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur and (z) upon the expiration of any Letter of Credit, the pro rata share of Cash Collateral attributable to such expired Letter of Credit shall be distributed in accordance with this clause Fourth;

 

Fifth , to the payment of all other Obligations of the Credit Parties owing under or in respect of the Credit Documents that are due and payable to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties on such date, ratably based upon the respective aggregate amounts of all such Obligations owing to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties on such date; and

 

Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Requirements of Law.

 

Subject to Section 3.8 , amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

 

11.12                  Equity Cure .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 11 or in any Credit Document, in the event that the Borrower fails to comply with the Financial Performance Covenant, then until the expiration of the tenth Business Day subsequent to the date the compliance certificate for calculating such Financial Performance Covenant is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 9.1(c) (the “ Cure Deadline ”), the Borrower shall have the right to

 

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cure such failure (the “ Cure Right ”) by receiving cash proceeds from an issuance of common Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) as a cash capital contribution, and upon receipt by the Borrower of such cash proceeds (such cash amount being referred to as the “ Cure Amount ”) pursuant to the exercise of such Cure Right, the Financial Performance Covenant shall be recalculated giving effect to the following pro forma adjustments:

 

(i)             EBITDAX shall be increased, solely for the purpose of determining the existence of an Event of Default resulting from a breach of the Financial Performance Covenant with respect to any Test Period that includes the fiscal quarter for which the Cure Right was exercised and not for any other purpose under this Agreement, by an amount equal to the Cure Amount;

 

(ii)            Consolidated Total Debt for such Test Period shall be decreased solely to the extent proceeds of the Cure Amount, if any, are actually applied to prepay any Indebtedness (provided that any such Indebtedness so prepaid shall be a permanent repayment of such Indebtedness and termination of commitments thereunder) included in the calculation of Consolidated Total Debt; and

 

(iii)           if, after giving effect to the foregoing recalculations, the Borrower shall then be in compliance with the requirements of the Financial Performance Covenant, the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of the Financial Performance Covenant as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of the Financial Performance Covenant that had occurred shall be deemed cured for the purposes of this Agreement; provided that (i) in each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters there shall be at least two fiscal quarters in which no Cure Right is exercised, (ii) Cure Rights shall not be exercised more than five times during the term of this Agreement, (iii) each Cure Amount shall be no greater than the amount required to cause the Borrower to be in compliance with the Financial Performance Covenant (such amount, the “ Necessary Cure Amount ”); provided that if the Cure Right is exercised prior to the date financial statements are required to be delivered for such fiscal quarter, then the Cure Amount shall be equal to the amount reasonably determined by the Borrower in good faith that is required for purposes of complying with the Financial Performance Covenant for such fiscal quarter (such amount, the “ Expected Cure Amount ”), (iv) all Cure Amounts shall be disregarded for the purposes of any financial ratio determination under the Credit Documents other than for determining compliance with the Financial Performance Covenant and (v) no Lender or Issuing Bank shall be required to make any extension of credit hereunder during the 10 Business Day period referred to above, unless the Borrower shall have received the Cure Amount.

 

(b)            Expected Cure Amount . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent that the Expected Cure Amount is (i) greater than the Necessary Cure Amount, then such difference may be used for the purposes of determining the Applicable Equity Amount and (ii) less than the Necessary Cure Amount, then not later than the applicable Cure Deadline, the Borrower must receive cash proceeds from issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified

 

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Stock) or a cash capital contribution, which cash proceeds received by Borrower shall be equal to the shortfall between such Expected Cure Amount and such Necessary Cure Amount.

 

SECTION 12.                      The Agents

 

12.1                         Appointment .

 

(a)            Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Section 12 (other than Section 12.1(c)   with respect to the Lead Arrangers and the Joint Bookrunners and Section 12.9 with respect to the Borrower) are solely for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, and the Borrower shall not have rights as third party beneficiary of any such provision. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Credit Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)            The Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender, each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Collateral Agent as the agent with respect to the Collateral, and each of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender, each Lender and each Issuing Bank irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender, the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Credit Document or otherwise exist against the Collateral Agent.

 

(c)            Each of the Lead Arrangers, the Joint Bookrunners and the Senior Managing Agents, each in its capacity as such, shall not have any obligations, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement but shall be entitled to all benefits of this Section 12 .

 

12.2         Delegation of Duties . The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may each execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents by or through agents, sub-agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact (each, a “ Subagent ”) and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties; provided , however , that no such Subagent shall be authorized to take any action with respect to any Collateral unless and except to the extent expressly authorized in writing by the Administrative Agent. If any

 

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Subagent, or successor thereto, shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all rights, powers, privileges and duties of such Subagent, to the extent permitted by law, shall automatically vest in and be exercised by the Administrative Agent until the appointment of a new Subagent. Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any Subagents selected by it in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined in the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

 

12.3         Exculpatory Provisions . No Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates shall be (a) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document (except for its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined in the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, in connection with its duties expressly set forth herein) or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders or any participant for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any of the Borrower, any other Credit Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Credit Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by such Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Credit Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or, except with respect to any physical certificate or instrument representing Pledged Securities (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) in the possession of the Agent, the perfection or priority of any Lien or security interest created or purported to be created under the Security Documents or for any failure of the Borrower or any other Credit Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent shall be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof. The Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Credit Party.

 

12.4         Reliance by Agents . The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or instruction believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the Lender specified in the Register with respect to any amount owing hereunder as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Credit Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Majority Lenders as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall in all

 

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cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents in accordance with a request of the Majority Lenders, and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans; provided that the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or in the opinion of its counsel, may expose it to liability or that is contrary to any Credit Document or applicable Requirements of Law. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Section 6 and Section 7 on the Closing Date, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

12.5         Notice of Default . Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, it shall give notice thereof to the Lenders and the Collateral Agent. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Majority Lenders; provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders except to the extent that this Agreement requires that such action be taken only with the approval of the Majority Lenders, the Required Lenders or each individual lender, as applicable.

 

12.6         Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Other Lenders . Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent to any Lender, the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank. Each Lender, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank represents to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and each other Credit Party and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the

 

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Borrower and any other Credit Party. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, assets, operations, properties, financial condition, prospects or creditworthiness of the Borrower or any other Credit Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.

 

12.7        Indemnification . The Lenders severally agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, each in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Credit Parties and without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), ratably according to their respective portions of the Commitments or Loans, as applicable, outstanding in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with their respective portions of the Total Exposure in effect immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time occur (including at any time following the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in any way relating to or arising out of the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Administrative Agent’s or the Collateral Agent’s, as applicable, gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; provided , further , that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the Majority Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be required by the Credit Documents) shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section 12.7 . In the case of any investigation, litigation or proceeding giving rise to any liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time occur (including at any time following the payment of the Loans), this Section 12.7 applies whether any such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Lender or any other Person. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice rendered in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that such Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Borrower; provided that such reimbursement by the Lenders shall not affect the Borrower’s continuing reimbursement obligations with respect thereto. If any indemnity furnished to any Agent for any purpose shall, in the opinion of such Agent, be insufficient or become impaired, such Agent may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do

 

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the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished; provided, in no event shall this sentence require any Lender to indemnify any Agent against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement in excess of such Lender’s pro rata portion thereof; and provided further, this sentence shall not be deemed to require any Lender to indemnify any Agent against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement resulting from such Agent’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section 12.7 shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

12.8         Agents in Its Individual Capacities . Each Agent and its Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower and any other Credit Party as though such Agent were not an Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents. With respect to the Loans made by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

 

12.9         Successor Agents . Each of the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Swingline Lender, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower. If the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and/or Collateral Agent becomes a Defaulting Lender, then such Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or Collateral Agent, may be removed as the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, at the reasonable request of the Borrower and the Required Lenders. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation or removal, as the case may be, the Majority Lenders shall have the right, subject to the consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) so long as no Default under Section 11.1 or 11.5 is continuing, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If, in the case of a resignation of a retiring Agent, no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may on behalf of the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, hereunder, and upon the execution and filing or recording of such financing statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Majority Lenders may request, in order to continue the perfection of the Liens granted or purported to be granted by the Security Documents, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Credit Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section 12.9 ). The fees payable by the Borrower (following the effectiveness of such appointment) to such Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, the provisions of this Section 12 (including Section 12.7 ) and Section 13.5 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its Subagents and their respective

 

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Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Agent was acting as an Agent.

 

Any resignation of any Person as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 12.9 shall also constitute its resignation as Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Bank, (b) the retiring Issuing Bank shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Credit Documents, and (c) the successor Issuing Bank shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring Issuing Bank to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring Issuing Bank with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

12.10       Withholding Tax . To the extent required by any applicable Requirement of Law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. If the Internal Revenue Service or any authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective), such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by any applicable Credit Party and without limiting the obligation of any applicable Credit Party to do so) fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Tax or otherwise, including penalties, additions to Tax and interest, together with all expenses incurred, including legal expenses, allocated staff costs and any out of pocket expenses. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Credit Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section 12.10 . For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Section 12.10 , the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and any Swingline Lender.

 

12.11       Security Documents and Collateral Agent under Security Documents and Guarantee . Each Secured Party hereby further authorizes the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, on behalf of and for the benefit of Secured Parties, to be the agent for and representative of the Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral and the Security Documents. Subject to Section 13.1 , without further written consent or authorization from any Secured Party, the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, may (a) execute any documents or instruments necessary in connection with a Disposition of assets permitted by this Agreement, (b) release any Lien encumbering any item of Collateral that is the subject of such Disposition of assets or with respect to which Majority Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section 13.1 ) have otherwise consented or (c) release any applicable Guarantor from the Guarantee in connection with such Disposition or with respect to which Majority Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section 13.1 ) have otherwise consented. The Lenders and the Issuing Banks (including in their

 

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capacities as potential Cash Management Banks and potential Hedge Banks) irrevocably agree that (x) the Collateral Agent may, without any further consent of any Lender, enter into or amend the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any other intercreditor agreement with the collateral agent or other representatives of the holders of Indebtedness that is permitted to be secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is permitted under this Agreement, (y) the Collateral Agent may rely exclusively on a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower as to whether any such other Liens are permitted and (z) the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any such intercreditor agreement referred to in clause (x) above, entered into by the Collateral Agent, shall be binding on the Secured Parties. Furthermore, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks (including in their capacities as potential Cash Management Bank and potential Hedge Banks) hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent under any Credit Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by clause (j) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and clauses (c) , (e) (with respect to Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 10. 1), (f) , (j) , (o) , (p) and (t) of Section 10.2 or otherwise permitted to be senior to the Liens of Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent on such property; provided that prior to any such request, the Borrower shall have in each case delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower certifying that such subordination is permitted under this Agreement.

 

12.12       Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guarantee. Anything contained in any of the Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower, the Agents and each Secured Party hereby agree that (a) no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guarantee, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and all powers, rights and remedies under the Security Documents may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent, and (b) in the event of a foreclosure by the Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Collateral Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition and the Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of the Secured Parties (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless the Majority Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Collateral Agent at such sale or other disposition.

 

12.13       Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding, constituting an Event of Default under Section 11.5 , the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

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(a)            to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Indebtedness that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel, to the extent due under Section 13.5 ) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b)            to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, to the extent due under Section 13.5 .

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Indebtedness or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 13. Miscellaneous

 

13.1         Amendments, Waivers and Releases .

 

(a)            Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any other Credit Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof, may be amended, supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 13.1 . The Majority Lenders may, or, with the written consent of the Majority Lenders, the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent shall, from time to time, (a) enter into with the relevant Credit Party or Credit Parties written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Credit Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Credit Parties hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive in writing, on such terms and conditions as the Majority Lenders or the Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that each such waiver and each such amendment, supplement or modification shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, further, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall (i) forgive or reduce any portion of any Loan or reduce the stated rate (it being understood that only the consent of the Majority Lenders shall be necessary to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate or amend Section 2.8(e) ), or forgive any portion, or extend the date for the payment, of any interest or fee payable hereunder (other than as a result of waiving the applicability of any post-default increase in

 

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interest rates and any change due to a change in the Borrowing Base or Available Commitment), or extend the final expiration date of any Lender’s Commitment (provided that (1) any Lender, upon the request of the Borrower, may extend the final expiration date of its Commitment without the consent of any other Lender, including the Majority Lenders and (2) it is being understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Default shall not constitute an increase of the Commitments of any Lender) or extend the final expiration date of any Letter of Credit beyond the L/C Maturity Date, or increase the amount of the Commitment of any Lender (provided that, any Lender, upon the request of the Borrower, may increase the amount of its Commitment without the consent of any other Lender, including the Majority Lenders), or make any Loan, interest, fee or other amount payable in any currency other than Dollars, in each case without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, or (ii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 13.1 in a manner that would reduce the voting rights of any Lender, or reduce the percentages specified in the definitions of the terms “Majority Lenders”, “Required Lenders” or “Borrowing Base Required Lenders” (it being understood that, with the consent of the Majority Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the Majority Lenders, Required Lenders and Borrowing Base Required Lender on substantially the same basis as the Loans and Commitments are included on the Closing Date), consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of its rights and obligations under any Credit Document to which it is a party (except as permitted pursuant to Section 10.3 ), in each case without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, or (iii) amend the provisions of Section 11.11 or any analogous provision of any Security Document, in a manner that would by its terms alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, or (iv) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 12 without the written consent of the then-current Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, as applicable, or any other former or current Agent to whom Section 12 then applies in a manner that directly and adversely affects such Person, or (v) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 3 with respect to any Letter of Credit without the written consent of each Issuing Bank to whom Section 3 then applies in a manner that directly and adversely affects such Person, or (vi) amend, modify or waive any provisions hereof relating to Swingline Loans without the written consent of the Swingline Lender, or (vii) release all or substantially all of the Guarantors under the Guarantee (except as expressly permitted by the Guarantee or this Agreement) without the prior written consent of each Lender, or (viii) release all or substantially all of the Collateral under the Security Documents (except as expressly permitted by the Security Documents or this Agreement) without the prior written consent of each Lender, or (ix) amend Section 2.9 so as to permit Interest Period intervals greater than six months without regard to availability to Lenders, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, or (x) increase the Borrowing Base without the written consent of the Borrowing Base Required Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders), decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base without the written consent of the Required Lenders or otherwise modify Section 2.14(b) , (c) , (d) , (e) , (f) or (g) if such modification would have the effect of increasing the Borrowing Base without the written consent of Borrowing Base Required Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders); provided that a Scheduled Redetermination may be postponed by the Majority Lenders, or (xi) affect the rights or duties of, or any fees or other amounts payable to, any Agent under this Agreement or any other Credit Document without the prior written consent of such Agent. Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of

 

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the affected Lenders and shall be binding upon the Borrower, such Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all future holders of the affected Loans. In the case of any waiver, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; it being understood that no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. In connection with the foregoing provisions, the Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligations to, with the concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, modifications, waivers or consents on behalf of such Lender whose consent is required hereunder.

 

(b)            Without the consent of any Lender or Issuing Bank, the Credit Parties and the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may (in their respective sole discretion, or shall, to the extent required by any Credit Document) enter into any amendment, modification or waiver of any Credit Document, or enter into any new agreement or instrument, to effect the granting, perfection, protection, expansion or enhancement of any security interest in any Collateral or additional property to become Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties, or as required by local law to give effect to, or protect any security interest for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in any property or so that the security interests therein comply with applicable law or this Agreement or in each case to otherwise enhance the rights or benefits of any Lender under any Credit Document.

 

(c)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Majority Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (a) to add one or more additional credit or debt facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents with the Loans and the Commitments and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (b) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit or debt facilities in any determination of the Majority Lenders, the Required Lenders and the Borrowing Base Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Lenders prior to such inclusion.

 

(d)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, technical and conforming modifications to the Credit Documents may be made with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (i) if such modifications are not adverse to the Lenders or (ii) to the extent necessary (A) to integrate any Incremental Increase or Extended Commitment contemplated by Sections 2.16   and 2.17 or (B) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency so long as, in each case with respect to this clause (B), the Lenders shall have received at least five Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date of such notice to the Lenders, a written notice from the Majority Lenders stating that the Majority Lenders object to such amendment.

 

13.2         Notices . Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications provided for hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall be in writing (including by facsimile transmission). All such written notices shall be mailed, faxed or delivered to the applicable address, facsimile number or electronic mail address, and all notices and

 

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other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

(a)            if to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 13.2 or to such other address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number as shall be designated by such party in a notice to the other parties; and

 

(b)            if to any other Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire or to such other address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number as shall be designated by such party in a notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks.

 

All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to be given or made upon the earlier to occur of (i) actual receipt by the relevant party hereto and (ii)(A) if delivered by hand or by courier, when signed for by or on behalf of the relevant party hereto; (B) if delivered by mail, three Business Days after deposit in the mails, postage prepaid; (C) if delivered by facsimile, when sent and receipt has been confirmed by telephone; and (D) if delivered by electronic mail, when delivered; provided that notices and other communications to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders pursuant to Sections 2.3 , 2.6 , 2.9 , 4.2 and 5.1 shall not be effective until received.

 

13.3         No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Credit Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Requirements of Law.

 

13.4         Survival of Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Credit Documents and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans hereunder.

 

13.5         Payment of Expenses; Indemnification . The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Agents for all their reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation and execution and delivery of, and any amendment, waiver, supplement or modification to, this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP and Mayer Brown LLP, in their capacity as counsel to the Lead Arrangers, the Joint Bookrunners and the Senior Managing Agents, and one counsel in each appropriate local jurisdiction (excluding any allocated costs of

 

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in-house counsel), (b) to pay or reimburse each Issuing Bank and Agent for all its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any such other documents, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel to the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and the other Agents (unless there is an actual or perceived conflict of interest in which case each such Person may, with the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), retain its own counsel), (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold harmless each Lender, Issuing Bank and Agent from, any and all recording and filing fees and (d) to pay, indemnify, and hold harmless each Lender, Issuing Bank and Agent and their respective Related Parties from and against any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether or not such proceedings are brought by the Borrower, any of its Related Parties or any other third Person, including reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of one primary counsel for all such Persons, taken as a whole, and, if necessary, by a single firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction for all such Persons, taken as a whole (unless there is an actual or perceived conflict of interest in which case each such Person may, with the consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), retain its own counsel), with respect (i) the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any such other documents and (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), including, without limitation, any of the foregoing relating to the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law (other than by such indemnified person or any of its Related Parties (other than any trustee or advisor)) or to any actual or alleged presence, release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials involving or attributable to the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Oil and Gas Properties (all the foregoing in this clause (d) , collectively, the “ Indemnified Liabilities ”); provided that the Borrower shall have no obligation hereunder to any Agent or any Lender or any of their respective Related Parties with respect to Indemnified Liabilities to the extent to have resulted from (i) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, (ii) any material breach of any Credit Document by the party to be indemnified or (iii) disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits not arising from any act or omission by the Borrower or its Affiliates, brought by an indemnified Person against any other indemnified Person (other than disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits involving claims against any Agent in its capacity as such). No Person entitled to indemnification under clause (d) of this Section 13.5   shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through internet, electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems (including IntraLinks or SyndTrak Online) in connection with this Agreement, except to the extent that such damages have resulted from the willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision), nor (except solely as a result of the indemnification obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries set forth above) shall any such Person, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (including, without limitation, any loss of profits, business

 

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or anticipated savings) relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Closing Date). All amounts payable under this Section 13.5 shall be paid within 10 Business Days of receipt by the Borrower of an invoice relating thereto setting forth such expense in reasonable detail, accompanied, if requested by the Borrower, by reasonable supporting documentation. The agreements in this Section 13.5 shall survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder. This Section 13.5 shall not apply with respect to any Taxes other than Taxes that represent liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever resulting from a non-Tax claim, which shall be governed exclusively by Section 5.4 and, to the extent set forth therein, Sections 2.10 and 3.5 .

 

13.6         Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments .

 

(a)            The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of each Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) except as expressly permitted by Section 10.3 , the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 13.6 . Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of each Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in clause (c) of this Section 13.6 ) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders and each other Person entitled to indemnification under Section 13.5 ) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)            (i)             Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (b)(ii) below, any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees (other than Holdings, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries, any natural person, any Ineligible Institution or any Defaulting Lender) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans (including participations in L/C Obligations or Swingline Loans) at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent of:

 

(A)           the Borrower; provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment if an Event of Default under Section 11.1 or Section 11.5 has occurred and is continuing or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and

 

(B)           the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank (in each case, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

(ii)            Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

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(A)           except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 and increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, unless each of the Borrower, each Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent otherwise consents (which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 11.1 or Section 11.5 has occurred and is continuing; provided, further, that contemporaneous assignments to a single assignee made by Affiliates of Lenders and related Approved Funds shall be aggregated for purposes of meeting the minimum assignment amount requirements stated above;

 

(B)           each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

 

(C)           the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment; and

 

(D)           the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and applicable Tax forms (including those described in Sections 5.4(d) , (e) , (h) and (i) , as applicable.

 

(iii)           Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to clause (b)(iv) of this Section 13.6 , from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.10 , 2.11 , 3.5 , 5.4 and 13.5 ). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 13.6 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with clause (c) of this Section 13.6 .

 

(iv)           The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amount (and stated

 

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interest amounts) of the Loans and L/C Obligations and any payment made by each Issuing Bank under any applicable Letter of Credit owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). Further, the Register shall contain the name and address of the Administrative Agent and the lending office through which each such Person acts under this Agreement. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Collateral Agent, each Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and, solely with respect to itself, each other Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(v)            Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in clause (b) of this Section 13.6 (unless waived) and any written consent to such assignment required by clause (b) of this Section 13.6 , the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance and record the information contained therein in the Register.

 

(c)            (i)             Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities other than any Defaulting Lender, any Ineligible Institution (to the extent that the list of Ineligible Institutions has been made available to all Lenders), the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in clause (i) or (ii) of the second proviso of the second sentence of Section 13.1(a) that affects such Participant, provided that the Participant shall have no right to consent to any modification to the percentages specified in the definitions of the terms “Majority Lenders”, “Required Lenders” or “Borrowing Base Required Lenders”. Subject to clause (c)(ii) of this Section 13.6 , the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.10 , 2.11 , 3.5 and 5.4 to the same extent as if it were a Lender (subject to the limitations and requirements of those Sections and Sections 2.12   and 13.7 )as though it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 13.6 ). To the extent permitted by Requirements of Law, each Participant

 

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also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 13.8(b) as though it were a Lender; provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 13.8(a) as though it were a Lender.

 

(ii)            A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.10 , 2.11 , 3.5 or 5.4 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided that the Participant shall be subject to the provisions in Section 2.12 as if it were an assignee under clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 13.6 . Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a nonfiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each participant and the principal amounts (and related interest amounts) of each participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “ Participant Register ”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and each party hereto shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. No Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Credit Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.

 

(d)            Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Swingline Lender, any Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender, and this Section 13.6 shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. In order to facilitate such pledge or assignment or for any other reason, the Borrower hereby agrees that, upon request of any Lender at any time and from time to time after the Borrower has made its initial borrowing hereunder, the Borrower shall provide to such Lender, at the Borrower’s own expense, a promissory note, substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 or H-2 , as the case may be, evidencing the Loans and Swingline Loans, respectively, owing to such Lender.

 

(e)            Subject to Section 13.16 , the Borrower authorizes each Lender to disclose to any Participant, secured creditor of such Lender or assignee (each, a “ Transferee ”) and any prospective Transferee any and all financial information in such Lender’s possession concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates that has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower and its Affiliates pursuant to this Agreement or that has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower and its Affiliates in connection with such Lender’s credit evaluation of the Borrower and its Affiliates prior to becoming a party to this Agreement.

 

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(f)             The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Acceptance shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

(g)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “ Granting Lender ”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (a “ SPV ”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender). In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPV, it shall not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13.6 , any SPV may (A) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by the Borrower and Administrative Agent) providing liquidity and/or credit support to or for the account of such SPV to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (B) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPV. This Section 13.6(g) may not be amended without the written consent of the SPV. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, subject to the following sentence, each SPV shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.10 , 2.11 , 3.5 and 5.4 to the same extent as if it were a Lender (subject to the limitations and requirements of Sections 2.10 , 2.11 , 3.5 and 5.4 as though it were a Lender, and Sections 2.12 and 13.7 , and has acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 13.6 . Notwithstanding the prior sentence, an SPV shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.10 , 2.11 , 3.5 or 5.4 than its Granting Lender would have been entitled to receive absent the grant to such SPV, unless such grant to such SPV is made with the Borrowers’ prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

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(h)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender may, at any time, assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of its Loans to an Affiliated Lender; provided that, by its acquisition of Loans, an Affiliated Lender shall be deemed to have acknowledged and agreed that:

 

(i)             it shall not have any right to (A) attend (including by telephone) any meeting or discussions (or portion thereof) among the Administrative Agent or any Lender to which representatives of the Borrower are not then present, (B) receive any information or material prepared by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender or any communication by or among Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and one or more Lenders, except to the extent such information or materials have been made available to the Borrower or its representatives (and in any case, other than the right to receive notices of prepayments and other administrative notices in respect of its Loans required to be delivered to Lenders pursuant to Section 2 ), or (C) make or bring (or participate in, other than as a passive participant in or recipient of its pro rata benefits of) any claim, in its capacity as a Lender, against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Lender with respect to any duties or obligations or alleged duties or obligations of such Agent or any other such Lender under the Credit Documents;

 

(ii)            except with respect to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action described in clause (i) of the second proviso of the second sentence of Section 13.1(a) or that alters an Affiliated Lender’s pro rata share of any payments given to all Lenders, the Loans held by an Affiliated Lender shall be disregarded in both the numerator and denominator in the calculation of any Lender vote (and shall be deemed to have been voted in the same percentage as all other applicable Lenders that are not Affiliated Lenders voted if necessary to give legal effect to this paragraph) under any Credit Document;

 

(iii)           the aggregate principal amount of Loans held at any one time by Affiliated Lenders may not exceed 30% of the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding at such time under this Agreement; and

 

(iv)           any such Loans acquired by an Affiliated Lender may, with the consent of the Borrower, be contributed to the Borrower and exchanged for debt or equity securities that are otherwise permitted to be issued at such time (and such contribution and/or exchange shall be permitted hereunder notwithstanding the non-pro rata reduction and repayment of such Lender’s Loans and Commitments hereunder as a result thereof).

 

For the avoidance of doubt, assignments to Affiliated Institutional Lenders will be permitted hereunder and the foregoing limitations in this clause (h) shall not be applicable to Affiliated Institutional Lenders.

 

13.7         Replacements of Lenders under Certain Circumstances .

 

(a)            The Borrower shall be permitted to replace any Lender that (i) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.10 , 3.5 or 5.4 (other than Section 5.4(b)) , (ii) is affected in the manner described in Section 2.10(a)(iii) and as a result thereof any of the

 

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actions described in such Section is required to be taken or (iii) becomes a Defaulting Lender, with a replacement bank, lending institution or other financial institution; provided that (A) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (B) no Event of Default under Section 11.1 or 11.5 shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, (C) the replacement bank or institution shall purchase, at par, all Loans and the Borrower shall pay all other amounts (other than any disputed amounts), pursuant to Section 2.10 , 3.5 or 5.4 , as the case may be) owing to such replaced Lender prior to the date of replacement, (D) the replacement bank or institution, if not already a Lender, and the terms and conditions of such replacement, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (E) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.6(b) (provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein) and (F) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender.

 

(b)            If any Lender (such Lender, a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”) has failed to consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination that pursuant to the terms of Section 13.1 requires the consent of all of the Lenders affected or the Required Lenders and with respect to which the Majority Lenders shall have granted their consent, then provided no Event of Default then exists, the Borrower shall have the right (unless such Non-Consenting Lender grants such consent) to replace such Non-Consenting Lender by requiring such Non-Consenting Lender to assign its Loans and its Commitments hereunder to one or more assignees reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; provided that: (i) all Obligations of the Borrower owing to such Non-Consenting Lender being replaced (other than principal and interest) shall be paid in full to such Non-Consenting Lender concurrently with such assignment, and (ii) the replacement Lender shall purchase the foregoing by paying to such Non-Consenting Lender a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. In connection with any such assignment, the Borrower, Administrative Agent, such Non-Consenting Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 13.6 .

 

(c)            Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each party hereto agrees that any assignment pursuant to the terms of this Section 13.7 may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and that the Lender making such assignment need not be a party thereto.

 

13.8         Adjustments; Set-off.

 

(a)            If any Lender (a “ benefited Lender ”) shall at any time receive any payment in respect of any principal of or interest on all or part of the Loans made by it, or the participations in Letter of Credit Obligations held by it, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 11.5 , or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender entitled thereto, if any, in respect of such other Lender’s Loans, or interest thereon, such benefited Lender shall (i) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (ii) purchase for cash at face value from the other Lenders a participating interest in such portion of each such other Lender’s Loans, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such benefited

 

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Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral or proceeds ratably in accordance with the aggregate principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them; provided, however, that, (A) if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such benefited Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest and (B) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (1) any payment made by the Borrower or any other Credit Party pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, (2) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans, Commitments or participations in Drawings to any assignee or participant or (3) any disproportionate payment obtained by a Lender as a result of the extension by Lenders of the maturity date or expiration date of some but not all Loans or Commitments or any increase in the Applicable Margin in respect of Loans or Commitments of Lenders that have consented to any such extension. Each Credit Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under Requirements of Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Credit Party rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Credit Party in the amount of such participation.

 

(b)            After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by Requirements of Law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, upon any amount becoming due and payable by the Borrower hereunder or under any Credit Document (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) to set-off and appropriate and apply against such amount any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower (and the Credit Parties, if applicable) and the Administrative Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

 

13.9         Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic transmission, i.e. a “pdf’ or a “tif ), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

13.10       Severability . Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

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13.11       Integration . This Agreement and the other Credit Documents represent the agreement of the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Borrower, the Guarantors, any Agent nor any Lender relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Credit Documents.

 

13.12       GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

13.13       Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers . Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)            submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, in each case located in New York County, and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(b)            consents that any such action or proceeding shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

(c)            agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Person at its address set forth on Schedule 13.2 at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant to Section 13.2 ;

 

(d)            agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by Requirements of Law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction;

 

(e)            waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 13.13 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages; and

 

(f)             agrees that a final judgment in any action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

 

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13.14       Acknowledgments . The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a)            it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents;

 

(b)            (i) the credit facility provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Borrower and the other Credit Parties, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the other Agents on the other hand, and the Borrower and the other Credit Parties are capable of evaluating and understanding and understand and accept the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Credit Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof); (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, each of the Administrative Agent, other Agents and the Lenders, is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary for any of the Borrower, any other Credit Parties or any of their respective Affiliates, equity holders, creditors or employees or any other Person; (iii) neither the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, any Joint Bookrunner, any Lead Arranger, any Senior Managing Agent, nor any Lender has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower or any other Credit Party with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document (irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent or any other Agent, any Joint Bookrunner, any Lead Arranger, any Senior Managing Agent, or any Lender has advised or is currently advising any of the Borrower, the other Credit Parties or their respective Affiliates on other matters) and none of the Administrative Agent, any Agent, any Joint Bookrunner, any Senior Managing Agent, any Lead Arranger or any Lender has any obligation to any of the Borrower, the other Credit Parties or their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents; (iv) the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, each other Agent and each of its Affiliates and each Lender and its Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its respective Affiliates, and none of the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship; and (v) none of the Administrative Agent, any Agent or any Lender has provided and none will provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document) and the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate. The Borrower hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and each Agent with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty; and

 

(c)            no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Credit Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Borrower, on the one hand, and any Lender, on the other hand.

 

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13.15       WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL . THE BORROWER, EACH AGENT, EACH ISSUING BANK AND EACH LENDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

13.16       Confidentiality . The Administrative Agent, each other Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and each other Lender shall hold all information not marked as “public information” and furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Lender’s evaluation of whether to become a Lender hereunder or obtained by such Lender, the Swingline Lender, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or such other Agent pursuant to the requirements of this Agreement (“ Confidential Information ”), confidential in accordance with its customary procedure for handling confidential information of this nature and in any event may make disclosure (a) as required or requested by any Governmental Authority, self-regulatory agency or representative thereof or pursuant to legal process or applicable Requirements of Law, (b) to such Lender’s or the Administrative Agent’s, any Issuing Bank’s or such other Agent’s attorneys, professional advisors, independent auditors, trustees, agents or Affiliates (and any Affiliate’s attorneys, professional advisors, independent auditors, trustees or agents), in each case who need to know such information in connection with the administration of the Credit Documents and are informed of the confidential nature of such information, (c) to an investor or prospective investor in a securitization that agrees its access to information regarding the Credit Parties, the Loans and the Credit Documents is solely for purposes of evaluating an investment in a securitization and who agrees to treat such information as confidential, (d) to a trustee, collateral manager, servicer, backup servicer, noteholder or secured party in connection with the administration, servicing and reporting on the assets serving as collateral for a securitization and who agrees to treat such information as confidential, (e) to a nationally recognized ratings agency that requires access to information regarding the Credit Parties, the Loans and Credit Documents in connection with ratings issued with respect to a securitization, and (t) to the extent such Confidential Information becomes public other than by reason of disclosure by such Person in breach of this Agreement; provided that unless specifically prohibited by applicable Requirements of Law, each Lender, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender, any Issuing Bank and each other Agent shall endeavor to notify the Borrower (without any liability for a failure to so notify the Borrower) of any request made to such Lender, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or such other Agent, as applicable, by any governmental, regulatory or self- regulatory agency or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with an examination of the financial condition of such Lender by such governmental agency) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such information; provided further that in no event shall any Lender, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any other Agent be obligated or required to return any materials furnished by the Borrower or any Subsidiary. In addition, each Lender, the Administrative Agent and each other Agent may provide Confidential Information to prospective Transferees or to any pledgee referred to in Section 13.6 or to prospective direct or indirect contractual counterparties in Hedge Agreements to be entered into in connection with Loans made hereunder as long as such Person is advised of and agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 13.16 or confidentiality provisions at least as restrictive as those set forth in the Section 13.16 .

 

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13.17       Release of Collateral and Guarantee Obligations.

 

(a)            The Lenders hereby irrevocably agree that the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent by the Credit Parties on any Collateral shall be automatically released (i) in full, as set forth in clause (b) below, (ii) upon the Disposition of such Collateral (including as part of or in connection with any other Disposition permitted hereunder) to any Person other than another Credit Party (other than Holdings), to the extent such Disposition is made in compliance with the terms of this Agreement (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Credit Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), (iii) to the extent such Collateral is comprised of property leased to a Credit Party, upon termination or expiration of such lease, (iv) if the release of such Lien is approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Majority Lenders (or such other percentage of the Lenders whose consent may be required in accordance with Section 13.1 ), (v) to the extent the property constituting such Collateral is owned by any Guarantor, upon the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee in accordance with the second succeeding sentence and Section 5(g) of the Guarantee) and (vi) as required by the Collateral Agent to effect any Disposition of Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents. Any such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those being released) upon (or obligations (other than those being released) of the Credit Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Credit Parties, including the proceeds of any Disposition, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral except to the extent otherwise released in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Documents. Additionally, the Lenders hereby irrevocably agree that the Guarantors shall be released from the Guarantees upon consummation of any transaction permitted hereunder resulting in such Subsidiary ceasing to constitute a Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise becoming an Excluded Subsidiary. The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, as applicable, to execute and deliver any instruments, documents, and agreements necessary or desirable to evidence and confirm the release of any Guarantor or Collateral pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, all without the further consent or joinder of any Lender. Any representation, warranty or covenant contained in any Credit Document relating to any such Collateral or Guarantor shall no longer be deemed to be repeated. In connection with any release hereunder, the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall promptly (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to) take such action and execute any such documents as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower and at the Borrower’s expense in connection with the release of any Liens created by any Credit Document in respect of such Subsidiary, property or asset.

 

(b)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or any other Credit Document, when all Obligations (other than (i) Hedging Obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements, (ii) Cash Management Obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (iii) any contingent or indemnification obligations not then due) have been paid in full in cash or equivalents thereof, all Commitments have terminated or expired and no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding that is not Cash Collateralized or back-stopped, upon request of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall (without notice to, or vote or consent of, any Secured Party) take such actions as shall be required to release its security interest in all Collateral, and to release all obligations under any

 

185



 

Credit Document, whether or not on the date of such release there may be any (i) Hedging Obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements, (ii) Cash Management Obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (iii) any contingent or indemnification obligations not then due. Any such release of Obligations shall be deemed subject to the provision that such Obligations shall be reinstated if after such release any portion of any payment in respect of the Obligations guaranteed thereby shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

 

13.18       USA PATRIOT Act . The Agents and each Lender hereby notify the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “ Patriot Act ”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of each Credit Party and other information that will allow such Agent and such Lender to identify each Credit Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

13.19       Payments Set Aside . To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to any Agent or any Lender, or any Agent or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by any Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect.

 

13.20       Reinstatement . This Agreement shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

 

13.21       Disposition of Proceeds . The Security Documents contain an assignment by the Borrower and/or the Guarantors unto and in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders of all of the Borrower’s or each Guarantor’s interest in and to their as-extracted collateral in the form of production and all proceeds attributable thereto which may be produced from or allocated to the Mortgaged Property. The Security Documents further provide in general for the application of such proceeds to the satisfaction of the Obligations described therein and secured thereby. Notwithstanding the assignment contained in such Security Documents, until

 

186



 

the occurrence of an Event of Default, (a) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that they will neither notify the purchaser or purchasers of such production nor take any other action to cause such proceeds to be remitted to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, but the Lenders will instead permit such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (b) the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to take such actions as may be necessary to cause such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and/or such Subsidiaries.

 

13.22       Collateral Matters; Hedge Agreements . The benefit of the Security Documents and of the provisions of this Agreement relating to any Collateral securing the Obligations shall also extend to and be available on a pro rata basis pursuant to terms agreed upon in the Credit Documents to any Person (a) under any Secured Hedge Agreement, in each case, after giving effect to all netting arrangements relating to such Hedge Agreements or (b) under any Secured Cash Management Agreement. No Person shall have any voting rights under any Credit Document solely as a result of the existence of obligations owed to it under any such Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement.

 

13.23       Agency of the Borrower for the Other Credit Parties . Each of the other Credit Parties hereby appoints the Borrower as its agent for all purposes relevant to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, including the giving and receipt of notices and the execution and delivery of all documents, instruments and certificates contemplated herein and therein and all modifications hereto and thereto.

 

[Signature Pages Follow.]

 

187



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

EPE HOLDINGS LLC, as Holdings

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST
ACQUISITION LLC), as the Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:

Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Credit Agreement

 



 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, an Issuing Bank, Swingline Lender and a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ryan Fuessel

 

 

Name:

Ryan Fuessel

 

 

Title:

Authorized signor

 

[Signature Page – Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

Citibank, N.A.,
as an Issuing Bank and a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Name:

Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mikhail Faybusovich

 

 

Name:

Mikhail Faybusovich

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kevin Buddhdew

 

 

Name:

Kevin Buddhdew

 

 

Title:

Associate

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 


 

 

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Getz

 

 

Name: Michael Getz

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Dusan Lazarov

 

 

Name: Dusan Lazarov

 

 

Title: Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

BMO Harris Financing, Inc., as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kevin Utsey

 

 

Name: Kevin Utsey

 

 

Title: Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

Royal Bank of Canada, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark Lumpkin, Jr.

 

 

Name: Mark Lumpkin, Jr.

 

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

UBS LOAN FINANCE LLC, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Irja R. Otsa

 

 

Name: Irja R. Otsa

 

 

Title: Associate Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David Urban

 

 

Name: David Urban

 

 

Title: Associate Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

NOMURA CORPORATE FUNDING AMERICAS, LLC, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Carl A. Mayer III

 

 

Name: Carl A. Mayer III

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

Compass Bank, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kathleen J. Bowen

 

 

Name: Kathleen J. Bowen

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

Capital One, National Association, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Nancy Mak

 

 

Name: Nancy Mak

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York
Agency, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Trudy Nelson

 

 

Name: Trudy Nelson

 

 

Title: Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert Casey

 

 

Name: Robert Casey

 

 

Title: Executive Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

Bank of Scotland plc, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Julia R. Franklin

 

 

Name:  Julia R. Franklin

 

 

Title:  Vice President

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

The Bank of Nova Scotia, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Terry Donovan

 

 

Name: Terry Donovan

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 


 

 

SOCIÉTÉ GENERALE, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Elena Robciuc

 

 

Name: Elena Robciuc

 

 

Title: Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

SUNTRUST BANK, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Scott Mackey

 

 

Name: Scott Mackey

 

 

Title: Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

 

Toronto Dominion (New York) LLC as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Vicki Ferguson

 

 

Name: Vicki Ferguson

 

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

DNB Bank ASA, Grand Cayman Branch, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sanjiv Nayar

 

 

Name: Sanjiv Nayar

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kai M. Blache

 

 

Name: Kai M. Blache

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

INC Capital LLC, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Juli Bieser

 

 

Name: Juli Bieser

 

 

Title: Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD., as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ William Getz

 

 

Name: William Getz

 

 

Title: Deputy General Manager

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND plc, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sanjay Remond

 

 

Name: Sanjay Remond

 

 

Title: Authorised Signatory

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Shuji Yabe

 

 

Name: Shuji Yabe

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD. as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Andrew Oram

 

 

Name: Andrew Oram

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

Union Bank, N.A., as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Josh Patterson

 

 

Name: Josh Patterson

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 


 

 

COMERICA BANK, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Justin Crawford

 

 

Name: Justin Crawford

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lila Jordan

 

 

Name: Lila Jordan

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ronald E. McKaig

 

 

Name: Ronald E. McKaig

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark Walton

 

 

Name: Mark Walton

 

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

 

MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A., as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sherrese Clarke

 

 

Name: Sherrese Clarke

 

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page – Credit Agreement

 



 

EXHIBIT A TO

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF] RESERVE REPORT CERTIFICATE

 

This Reserve Report Certificate (this “ Certificate ”), dated as of                           , 201[ ], relates to the Reserve Report dated as of [December 31][June 30] [other date in case of Interim Redetermination], 201[ ] delivered pursuant to Section 9.14 [(a)] [(b)] of that certain Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings (the “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Swingline Lender, and an Issuing Bank. Each capitalized term used herein having the same meaning given to it in the Credit Agreement unless otherwise specified.  The undersigned certifies he/she is an Authorized Officer and, on behalf of the Borrower, certifies that in all material respects:

 

(a)            in the case of Reserve Reports prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than December 31 Reserve Reports) such Reserve Report has been prepared, except as set forth in an exhibit to such Reserve Report, in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding December 31 Reserve Report or the Initial Reserve Report, if no December 31 Reserve Report has been delivered;

 

(b)            the information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct in all material respects;

 

(c)            except as set forth on Annex I hereto, the Borrower or another Credit Party has good and defensible title to the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report (other than those (i) Disposed of in compliance with Section 10.4 of the Credit Agreement since delivery of such Reserve Report, (ii) leases that have expired in accordance with their terms and (iii) with title defects disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent) and such Borrowing Base Properties are free of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement;

 

(d)            except as set forth on Annex II hereto, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in Section 8.18 of the Credit Agreement with respect to the Credit Parties’ Oil and Gas Property evaluated in such Reserve Report that would require the Borrower or any other Credit Party to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor;

 

(e)            none of the Borrowing Base Properties have been Disposed of since the date of the last Borrowing Base determination except those Borrowing Base Properties set forth on Annex III hereto; and

 

(f)             Annex IV sets forth a list of (A) all material marketing agreements (which are not cancellable on 60 days’ notice or less without penalty or detriment) entered into subsequent to the later of the Closing Date and the most recently delivered Reserve Report for the sale of production of the Credit Parties’ Hydrocarbons at a fixed non-index price (including calls on, or other parties’ rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that represent in respect of such agreements 2.5% or more of the Borrower’s average monthly production of Hydrocarbon volumes and that have a maturity date or expiry date of longer than six months from the last day of such fiscal year or period, as applicable and (B) all Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that are

 

A-1



 

Collateral and demonstrating that the PV-10 of the Collateral (calculated at the time of delivery of such Reserve Report) meets the Collateral Coverage Minimum.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

A-2



 

EXECUTED AND DELIVERED as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

EXHIBIT B TO

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

FORM OF

NOTICE OF BORROWING

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

[ADDRESS]

Attention: [          ]

 

[Date]

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May [24], 2012, among EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank, and each other Issuing Bank from time to time party thereto (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

The Borrower hereby gives you notice pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Credit Agreement that it requests a Borrowing under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection sets forth below the terms on which such Borrowing is requested to be made:

 

(A)

 

The aggregate principal amount of Borrowing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(B)

 

The date of Borrowing(1) (which is a Business Day):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(C)

 

The type of Borrowing(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(D)

 

Interest Period (if LIBOR Borrowing)(3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(E)

 

The location and number of the Borrower’s Account to which funds are to be disbursed:

 

 

 


(1)                     Date of Notice of Borrowing: To be submitted (A) prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least three Business Days prior to each Borrowing of Loans if such Loans are to be initially LIBOR Loans; (B) prior to 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date of each Borrowing of Loans that are to be ABR Loans; or (C) prior to 3:00 p.m. on the date of each Borrowing of Loans that are to be Swingline Loans.

(2)                     Specify a LIBOR Borrowing, an ABR Borrowing or Swingline Borrowing.

(3)                     The Interest Period applicable to a LIBOR Borrowing shall be subject to the definition of “Interest Period” in the Credit Agreement. If no Interest Period is selected, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 



 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 


 

Exhibit C to the Credit Agreement

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

 

This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this “ Guaranty ”), dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among EPE HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), the Domestic Subsidiaries of the Borrower (defined below) listed on the signature page hereof (together with Holdings, each a “ Guarantor ” and collectively, the “ Guarantors ”), and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as collateral agent for the Secured Parties referred to below (in such capacity, together with any successor thereto, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, Holdings, EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto from time to time, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank, and each other Issuing Bank from time to time party thereto, have entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), providing for the making of Loans, the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower and the extension of credit in the form of Swingline Loans to the Borrower;

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition to the making of Loans to, and the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of, and the extension of credit in the form of Swingline Loans to, the Borrower under the Credit Agreement that each Guarantor shall have executed and delivered this Guaranty; and

 

WHEREAS, each Guarantor will obtain benefits from the incurrence of Loans by, the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of, and the extension of credit in the form of Swingline Loans to, the Borrower, and accordingly desires to execute this Guaranty in order to satisfy the conditions described in the preceding paragraph and to induce the Lenders to make Loans to, each Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit for the account of, and the Swingline Lender to extend credit in the form of Swingline Loans to, the Borrower.

 

1.              DEFINITIONS

 

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement, unless otherwise defined herein. References to this “Guaranty” shall mean this Guaranty, including all amendments, modifications and supplements and any annexes, exhibits and schedules to any of the foregoing, and shall refer to this Guaranty as the same may be in effect at the time such reference becomes operative.

 

2.              THE GUARANTY

 

(a)            Guaranty of Guaranteed Obligations . Each Guarantor unconditionally guarantees to the Collateral Agent, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as a

 



 

primary obligor and not merely as a surety, the due and punctual payment and performance of the Obligations (the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”) for the ratable benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank, each Lender, each Hedge Bank that is party to any Secured Hedge Agreement, each Cash Management Bank that is a party to any Secured Cash Management Agreement and each sub-agent appointed pursuant to Section 12.2 of the Credit Agreement by the Administrative Agent with respect to matters relating to the Credit Documents or by the Collateral Agent with respect to matters relating to any Security Document (collectively, the “ Secured Parties ”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended, modified, amended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any extension, modification, amendment or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation. Each Guarantor waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Borrower or any other Credit Party of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its guarantee and notice of protest for nonpayment.

 

(b)            Guaranty of Payment . Each Guarantor further agrees that its guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to any security held for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party in favor of the Borrower or any other person.

 

(c)            No Limitations . Except for termination or release of a Guarantor’s obligations hereunder as expressly provided for in Section 5(g), the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense or set off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise (other than defense of payment or performance). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by: (i) the failure of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to assert any claim or demand or to exercise or enforce any right or remedy under the provisions of any Credit Document or otherwise; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, any Credit Document or any other agreement, including with respect to any other Guarantor under this Guaranty; (iii) the release of, or the failure to perfect any security interest in, or the exchange, substitution, release or any impairment of, any security held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party for the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or otherwise operate as a discharge of any Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the payment in full in cash or immediately available funds of all the Guaranteed Obligations); (vi) any illegality, lack of validity or enforceability of any Guaranteed Obligation; (vii) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of the Borrower, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting the

 

2



 

Borrower or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any Guaranteed Obligation (other than the payment in full in cash or immediately available funds of all the Guaranteed Obligations); (viii) the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights that the Guarantor may have at any time against the Borrower, the Collateral Agent, or any other corporation or person, whether in connection herewith or any unrelated transactions, provided that nothing herein will prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim; and (ix) any other circumstance (including, without limitation, any statute of limitations) or any existence of or reliance on any representation by the Collateral Agent that might otherwise constitute a defense to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, the Borrower or any other Credit Party or any other guarantor or surety. Each Guarantor expressly authorizes the Secured Parties to take and hold security for the payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, to exchange, waive or release any or all such security (with or without consideration), to enforce or apply such security and direct the order and manner of any sale thereof in their sole discretion or to release or substitute any one or more other guarantors or obligors upon or in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, all without affecting the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any other Guarantor or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any other Guarantor, other than the payment in full in cash or immediately available funds of all the Guaranteed Obligations. The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties may, at their election, foreclose on any security held by one or more of them by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such security in lieu of foreclosure, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Borrower or any other Credit Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to them against the Borrower or any other Credit Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against any other Guarantor, as the case may be, or any security.

 

(d)            Reinstatement . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5(g)(i), each Guarantor agrees that its guarantee hereunder shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any other Credit Party or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

 

(e)            Agreement To Pay; Subrogation . In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Borrower

 

3



 

or any other Credit Party to pay any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Collateral Agent of such unpaid Guaranteed Obligation. Upon payment by any Guarantor of any sums to the Collateral Agent as provided above, all rights of such Guarantor against the Borrower or Credit Party arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be fully subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations (except for contingent indemnities and cost and expense reimbursement obligations to the extent no claim has been made).

 

(f)             Information . Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrower’s and each other Credit Party’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party will have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to it or any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.

 

(g)            Holdings . The Obligations of Holdings under this Guarantee are limited recourse obligations payable solely from the Collateral pledged by Holdings pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and, following realization of the Collateral pledged by Holdings (whether through sale, foreclosure or otherwise) and the application thereof in accordance with this Guarantee and the Pledge Agreement, such Obligations of Holdings hereunder shall be extinguished and shall not revive.

 

3.              FURTHER ASSURANCES

 

Each Guarantor agrees, upon the written request of the Collateral Agent, to execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent, from time to time, any additional instruments or documents reasonably considered necessary by the Collateral Agent to cause this Guaranty to be, become or remain valid and effective in accordance with its terms.

 

4.              PAYMENTS FREE AND CLEAR OF TAXES

 

Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor will perform or observe all of the terms, covenants and agreements that Section 5.4 of the Credit Agreement requires such Guarantor to perform or observe, subject to the qualifications set forth therein.

 

5.              OTHER TERMS

 

(a)            Entire Agreement . This Guaranty, together with the other Credit Documents, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements relating to a guaranty of the loans and advances under the Credit Documents.

 

4



 

(b)            Headings . The headings in this Guaranty are for convenience of reference only and are not part of the substance of this Guaranty.

 

(c)            Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Guaranty shall be interpreted in such a manner to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Guaranty shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

(d)            Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be given as provided in Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(e)            Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Guaranty any Guarantor is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party (in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement); and all covenants, promises and agreements by any Guarantor that are contained in this Guaranty shall bind and inure to the benefit of its respective permitted successors and assigns.

 

(f)             No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Amendments . No failure or delay by the Collateral Agent in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver hereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that it would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Guaranty or consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by this Section 5(f), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of any Loan, the issuance of any Letter of Credit or any extension of credit in the form of Swingline Loans shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Collateral Agent may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Guarantor in any case shall entitle any Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. When making any demand hereunder against any of the Guarantors, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on the Borrower or any other Guarantor or guarantor, and any failure by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to make any such demand or to collect any payments from the Borrower or any such other Guarantor or guarantor or any release of the Borrower or such other Guarantor or guarantor shall not relieve any of the Guarantors in respect of which a demand or collection is not made or any of the Guarantors not so released of their several obligations or liabilities hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, express or implied, or as a matter of law, of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party against any of the Guarantors. For the purposes hereof “ demand ” shall include the

 

5



 

commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings. Neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified (other than termination of this Guaranty pursuant to Section 5(g)) except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Collateral Agent and the Guarantor or Guarantors with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(g)            Termination and Release .

 

(i)             This Guaranty shall terminate, when all the Guaranteed Obligations (other than (i) Hedging Obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements, (ii) Cash Management Obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (iii) any contingent or indemnification obligations not then due) have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds, all Commitments have terminated or expired and no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding that is not Cash Collateralized or back-stopped (“ Payment in Full ”).

 

(ii)            A Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement resulting in such Guarantor ceasing to constitute a Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise becoming an Excluded Subsidiary.

 

(iii)           In connection with any release pursuant to this Section 5(g), the Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s expense, all documents that the Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5(g) shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Collateral Agent.

 

(h)            Counterparts . This Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall collectively and separately constitute one and the same agreement.

 

6.              INDEMNITY. SUBROGATION AND SUBORDINATION

 

(a)            Indemnity and Subrogation . In addition to all such rights of indemnity and subrogation as the Guarantors may have under applicable law (but subject to Section 6(c)), the Borrower agrees that (i) in the event a payment shall be made by any Guarantor under this Guaranty in respect of any Obligation of the Borrower, the Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment and (ii) in the event any assets of any Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to this Guaranty or any other Security Document to satisfy in whole or in part an Obligation of the Borrower, the Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor in an amount equal to the greater of the book value or the fair market value of the assets so sold.

 

(b)            Contribution and Subrogation . Each Guarantor (a “ Contributing Guarantor ”) agrees (subject to Section 6(c)) that, in the event a payment shall be made by any other Guarantor hereunder in respect of any Obligation or assets of any other

 

6



 

Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to any Security Document to satisfy any Obligation owed to any Secured Party and such other Guarantor (the “ Claiming Guarantor ”) shall not have been fully indemnified by the Borrower as provided in Section 6(a), the Contributing Guarantor shall indemnify the Claiming Guarantor in an amount equal to the amount of such payment or the greater of the book value or the fair market value of such assets, as applicable, in each case multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the net worth of such Contributing Guarantor on the date hereof and the denominator shall be the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors on the date hereof (or, in the case of any Guarantor becoming a party hereto pursuant to Section 9.11 of the Credit Agreement, the date of the supplement hereto executed and delivered by such Guarantor). Any Contributing Guarantor making any payment to a Claiming Guarantor pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be subrogated to the rights of such Claiming Guarantor under Section 6(a) to the extent of such payment. The provisions of this Section 6(b) shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

 

(c)            Subordination . Notwithstanding any provision of this Guaranty to the contrary, all rights of the Guarantors under Sections 6(a) and 6(b) and all other rights of indemnity, contribution or subrogation of any Guarantor under applicable law or otherwise shall be fully subordinated to Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities to the extent no claim therefor has been made). Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by any of the Guarantors hereunder or any set-off or appropriation or application of funds of any of the Guarantors by any Secured Party, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party against the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by any Secured Party for the payment of the Obligations until Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Borrower or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder until Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time prior to Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be paid to the Collateral Agent to be credited and applied against the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. No failure on the part of the Borrower or any Guarantor to make the payments required by Sections 6(a) and 6(b) (or any other payments required under applicable law or otherwise) shall in any respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor with respect to its obligations hereunder, and each Guarantor shall remain liable for the full amount of the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.

 

7



 

7.              GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS

 

(a)            The terms of Sections 13.12, 13.13 and 13.15 of the Credit Agreement with respect to governing law, submission of jurisdiction, venue and waiver of trial by jury are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis , and the parties hereto agree to such terms.

 

(b)            Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5(d). Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

8.              RIGHT OF SET OFF

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any of and all the obligations of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under this Guaranty owed to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Guaranty and although such obligations may be unmatured. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Lender or any of its respective Affiliates shall have a right to set off and apply any deposits held by, or other Indebtedness owing by, such Lender or any of its Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of any Subsidiary of a Credit Party that (i) is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (ii) is a Subsidiary of a Person described in clause (i), unless (in either case) such Subsidiary is not a direct or indirect subsidiary of Holdings. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Collateral Agent after any such set off and application made by such Lender; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set off and application. The rights of each Lender under this Section 8 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set off) that such Lender may have.

 

9.              ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARIES

 

Upon execution and delivery by the Collateral Agent and any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is required to become a party hereto by Section 9.11 of the Credit Agreement of an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party to this Guaranty. The rights and obligations of each party to this Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Guaranty. Each reference to “Guarantor” in this Guaranty shall be deemed to include such Subsidiary.

 

8



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Guaranty to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

EPE HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty]

 



 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Signature Page to Guaranty]

 


 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Signature Page to Guaranty]

 



 

 

Accepted and Agreed to:

 

 

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Signature Page to Guaranty]

 



 

Exhibit I

to Guaranty

 

SUPPLEMENT NO.                dated as of                (this “ Supplement ”), to the Guarantee Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (the “ Guaranty ”), among EPE HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), each Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower (defined below) party thereto (the “ Existing Guarantors ”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Lenders (as defined therein).

 

A.             Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Holdings, EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto from time to time, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank, and each other Issuing Bank from time to time party thereto.

 

B.             Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and the Guaranty, as applicable.

 

C.             The Existing Guarantors have entered into the Guaranty in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans, each Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit and the Swingline Lender to extend credit in the form of Swingline Loans. Section 9 of the Guaranty provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Guarantors under the Guaranty by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary of the Borrower (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement to become a Guarantor under the Guaranty in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans, each Issuing Bank to issue additional Letters of Credit and the Swingline Lender to extend additional credit in the form of Swingline Loans, and as consideration for Loans previously made, Letters of Credit previously issued and credit previously extended in the form of Swingline Loans.

 

Accordingly, the Collateral Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 9 of the Guaranty, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Guarantor under the Guaranty with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and the New Subsidiary hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Guaranty applicable to it as a Guarantor thereunder. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary does hereby guarantee to the Collateral Agent the due and punctual payment of the Guaranteed Obligations as set forth in the Guaranty. Each reference to a “Guarantor” in the Guaranty and in this Supplement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Guaranty is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 



 

SECTION 2. The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

 

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 5. THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 6. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Guaranty shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5(d) of the Guaranty.

 

SECTION 8. The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Collateral Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel to the Collateral Agent.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has duly executed this Supplement to the Guaranty as of the day and year first above written.

 

[Remainder of page left intentionally blank.]

 

2



 

 

[Name of New Subsidiary]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

EXHIBIT D TO

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF]

MORTGAGE/DEED OF TRUST (TEXAS)

 

WHEN RECORDED OR FILED,

PLEASE RETURN TO:

 

Mayer Brown LLP

700 Louisiana Street, Suite 3400

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn: Suzanne B. Snow, Paralegal

Phone 713-238-2669

 

 

 

 

Space above for County Recorder’s Use

 

 

DEED OF TRUST, ASSIGNMENT OF AS-EXTRACTED COLLATERAL, SECURITY AGREEMENT, FIXTURE FILING AND FINANCING STATEMENT

(FIRST LIEN)

 

FROM

 

[                   ]

(Organizational ID: [        ])

 

TO

 

RYAN A. FUESSEL, AS TRUSTEE

 

FOR THE BENEFIT OF

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

 

as Collateral Agent,

 

and the Other Secured Persons

 

A CARBON, PHOTOGRAPHIC, OR OTHER REPRODUCTION OF THIS INSTRUMENT IS SUFFICIENT AS A FINANCING STATEMENT.

 

1,369,767

 



 

A POWER OF SALE HAS BEEN GRANTED IN THIS INSTRUMENT. IN CERTAIN STATES, A POWER OF SALE MAY ALLOW THE TRUSTEE OR THE MORTGAGEE TO TAKE THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY AND SELL IT WITHOUT GOING TO COURT IN A FORECLOSURE ACTION UPON DEFAULT BY THE MORTGAGOR UNDER THIS INSTRUMENT .

 

THIS INSTRUMENT CONTAINS AFTER-ACQUIRED PROPERTY PROVISIONS.

 

THIS INSTRUMENT SECURES PAYMENT OF FUTURE ADVANCES.

 

THIS INSTRUMENT COVERS PROCEEDS OF MORTGAGED PROPERTY.

 

THIS INSTRUMENT COVERS MINERALS, AS EXTRACTED COLLATERAL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES OF VALUE THAT MAY BE EXTRACTED FROM THE EARTH (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION OIL AND GAS) AND THE ACCOUNTS RELATED THERETO, WHICH WILL BE FINANCED AT THE WELLHEADS OF THE WELL OR WELLS LOCATED ON THE PROPERTIES DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT A HERETO.  THIS FINANCING STATEMENT IS TO BE FILED OR FILED FOR RECORD, AMONG OTHER PLACES, IN THE REAL ESTATE RECORDS OR SIMILAR RECORDS OF THE RECORDERS OF THE COUNTIES LISTED ON THE EXHIBITS HERETO. THE MORTGAGOR HAS AN INTEREST OF RECORD IN THE REAL ESTATE AND IMMOVABLE PROPERTY CONCERNED, WHICH INTEREST IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXHIBITS ATTACHED HERETO.

 

PORTIONS OF THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY ARE GOODS THAT ARE OR ARE TO BECOME AFFIXED TO OR FIXTURES ON THE LAND DESCRIBED IN OR REFERRED TO IN THE EXHIBIT HERETO. THIS FINANCING STATEMENT IS TO BE FILED FOR RECORD OR RECORDED, AMONG OTHER PLACES, IN THE REAL ESTATE RECORDS OR SIMILAR RECORDS OF EACH COUNTY IN WHICH SAID LAND OR ANY PORTION THEREOF IS LOCATED.  THE MORTGAGOR IS THE OWNER OF RECORD INTEREST IN THE REAL ESTATE CONCERNED.  THIS INSTRUMENT IS ALSO TO BE INDEXED IN THE INDEX OF FINANCING STATEMENTS OR THE UCC RECORDS.

 

2


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 1

 

 

 

Definitions

 

 

 

 

 

1.1.

 

Terms Defined Above

2

1.2.

 

UCC and Other Defined Terms

2

1.3.

 

Definitions

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2

 

 

 

Grant of Lien and Obligations

 

 

 

 

 

2.1.

 

Grant of Liens

4

2.2.

 

Grant of Security Interest

5

2.3.

 

Obligations

6

2.4.

 

Fixture Filing, Etc.

6

2.5.

 

Pro Rata Benefit

7

2.6.

 

Excluded Properties

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3

 

 

 

Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral

 

 

 

 

 

3.1.

 

Assignment

7

3.2.

 

No Modification of Payment Obligations

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4

 

 

 

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

 

 

 

 

 

4.1.

 

Title

9

4.2.

 

Defend Title

9

4.3.

 

Not a Foreign Person

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5

 

 

 

Rights and Remedies

 

 

 

 

 

5.1.

 

Event of Default

10

5.2.

 

Foreclosure and Sale

10

5.3.

 

Substitute Trustees and Agents

11

5.4.

 

Judicial Foreclosure; Receivership

11

5.5.

 

Foreclosure for Installments

11

5.6.

 

Separate Sales

12

5.7.

 

Possession of Mortgaged Property

12

5.8.

 

Occupancy After Foreclosure

12

5.9.

 

Remedies Cumulative, Concurrent and Nonexclusive

12

 

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5.10.

 

Discontinuance of Proceedings

13

5.11.

 

No Release of Obligations

13

5.12.

 

Release of and Resort to Collateral

13

5.13.

 

Waiver of Redemption, Notice and Marshalling of Assets, Etc.

13

5.14.

 

Application of Proceeds

14

5.15.

 

Resignation of Operator

14

5.16.

 

Indemnity

14

5.17.

 

Failure to Perform

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6

 

 

 

The Trustee.

 

 

 

 

 

6.1.

 

Duties, Rights, and Powers of Trustee

15

6.2.

 

Successor Trustee

15

6.3.

 

Retention of Moneys

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7

 

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

 

 

 

7.1.

 

Releases

16

7.2.

 

Severability

16

7.3.

 

Successors and Assigns

17

7.4.

 

Satisfaction of Prior Encumbrance

17

7.5.

 

Application of Payments to Certain Obligations

17

7.6.

 

Nature of Covenants

17

7.7.

 

Notices

17

7.8.

 

Expenses

17

7.9.

 

Counterparts

17

7.10.

 

Governing Law

18

7.11.

 

Financing Statement; Fixture Filing

18

7.12.

 

Filing of Financing Statements

18

7.13.

 

Limit on Obligations and Collateral

19

7.14.

 

References

19

7.15.

 

Intercreditor Agreement

19

 

Exhibit A  Hydrocarbon Interests

 

ii



 

THIS DEED OF TRUST, ASSIGNMENT OF AS-EXTRACTED COLLATERAL, SECURITY AGREEMENT, FIXTURE FILING AND FINANCING STATEMENT (FIRST LIEN) (this “ Mortgage ”) is entered into as of [    ], 2012 (the “ Effective Date ”) by [                  ], a Delaware [                          ] (the “ Mortgagor ”), in favor of RYAN A. FUESSEL , as Trustee for the benefit of JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. , in its capacity as Collateral Agent (as defined in the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “ Mortgagee ”), for its benefit and the benefit of the Other Secured Persons (as hereinafter defined) with respect to all Mortgaged Properties (as hereinafter defined) and with respect to all UCC Collateral (as hereinafter defined).

 

R E C I T A L S

 

A.             EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings (the “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Swingline Lender, and an Issuing Bank (as each such term is defined in the Credit Agreement) executed a Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (such agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) pursuant to which, upon the terms and conditions stated therein, the Lenders agreed to make loans and other extensions of credit to the Borrower.

 

B.             The Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and certain Hedge Banks have or may enter into Secured Hedge Agreements (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

C.             The Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and certain Cash Management Banks have or may enter into Secured Cash Management Agreements (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

D.             The Credit Agreement, the Secured Hedge Agreements and the Secured Cash Management Agreements are collectively referred to herein as the “ Secured Transaction Documents ”.

 

E.              The Mortgagor, each of the other signatories thereto, and Mortgagee, executed a Guarantee dated as of May 24, 2012 (such agreement, as may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Guarantee ”) pursuant to which, upon terms and conditions stated therein, the Mortgagor has agreed to guarantee the Obligations under the Secured Transaction Documents.

 

F.              The Mortgagee and the Other Secured Persons have conditioned their obligations under the Secured Transaction Documents upon the execution and delivery by the Mortgagor of this Mortgage, and the Mortgagor has agreed to enter into this Mortgage to secure all obligations owing to the Mortgagee and the Other Secured Persons under the Secured Transaction Documents and the other Credit Documents.

 

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G.             [The Mortgagor was previously known as “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” and changed its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” effective June [      ], 2012, pursuant to an [Amendment to [ ]] filed with the Delaware Secretary of State].(1)

 

H.             Therefore, in order to comply with the terms and conditions of the Secured Transaction Documents and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Mortgagor hereby agrees as follows:

 

SECTION 1

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1.           Terms Defined Above . As used in this Mortgage, each term defined above has the meaning indicated above.

 

1.2.           UCC and Other Defined Terms . Each capitalized term used in this Mortgage and not defined in this Mortgage shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Credit Agreement. Any capitalized term not defined in either this Mortgage or the Credit Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Applicable UCC. The rules of construction and other interpretive provisions specified in Sections 1.2, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 of the Credit Agreement shall apply to this Mortgage, including terms defined in the preamble and recitals to this Mortgage.

 

1.3.           Definitions .

 

Applicable UCC ” means the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code presently in effect in the jurisdiction in which the relevant UCC Collateral is situated or that otherwise is applicable to the creation or perfection of the Liens described herein or the rights and remedies of Mortgagee under this Mortgage.

 

Collateral ” means collectively all the Mortgaged Property and all the UCC Collateral.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.1 .

 

Future Advances ” means future obligations and future advances that the Mortgagee or any Other Secured Person may make pursuant to any Secured Transaction Document.

 

Hydrocarbon Interests ” means all rights, titles, interests and estates now owned or hereafter acquired by the Mortgagor in and to the oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, wellbore interests, and/or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon leases, mineral fee interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profit interests and production payment interests, and other interests and estates and the lands and premises covered or affected thereby, including any reserved or residual interests of whatever nature, in each case, that are described on Exhibit A .

 

Hydrocarbons ” means all oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all products refined or

 


(1) Insert in applicable mortgage only.

 

2



 

separated therefrom and all other minerals that may be produced and saved from or attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties, including all oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests or other properties constituting Oil and Gas Properties.

 

Indemnified Parties ” means the Trustee, the Mortgagee, each Other Secured Person and their Related Parties.

 

Mortgaged Property ” means the Oil and Gas Properties and other properties and assets described in Section 2.1(a)  through Section 2.1(f) .

 

Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3 .

 

Oil and Gas Properties ” means (a) the Hydrocarbon Interests; (b) the properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with the Hydrocarbon Interests; (c) all presently existing or future unitization, communitization, pooling agreements and declarations of pooled units and the units created thereby (including without limitation all units created under orders, regulations and rules or other official acts of any Governmental Authority and units created solely among working interest owners pursuant to operating agreements or otherwise) that may affect all or any portion of the Hydrocarbon Interests; (d) all operating agreements, contracts and other agreements, including, without limitation, production sharing contracts and agreements, production sales contracts, farmout agreements, farm-in agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, and equipment leases, described or referred to in this Mortgage or that relate to any of the Hydrocarbon Interests or interests in the Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, purchase, exchange, processing, handling, storage, transporting or marketing of the Hydrocarbons from or attributable to such Hydrocarbon Interests; (e) all Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, the lands pooled or unitized therewith and the Mortgagor’s interests therein, including all oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, the lands pooled or unitized therewith and the Mortgagor’s interests therein; and (f) all tenements, hereditaments, appurtenances and properties in any manner appertaining, belonging, affixed or incidental to the Hydrocarbon Interests, the rights, titles, interests and estates described or referred to above, that are now owned or that are hereafter acquired by the Mortgagor, including, without limitation, any and all property, real or personal, immoveable or moveable, now owned or hereinafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or useful in connection with the operating, working or development of any of such Hydrocarbon Interests or property or the lands pooled or unitized therewith, including any and all oil wells, gas wells, injection wells or other wells, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, gas processing plants, pipeline systems, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements, servitudes, licenses and other surface and subsurface rights, together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing.

 

3



 

Other Secured Persons ” means each Lender, each Agent under the Credit Agreement, each Issuing Bank under the Credit Agreement, each Hedge Bank, each Cash Management Bank and each sub-agent pursuant to Section 12 of the Credit Agreement.

 

Permitted Encumbrances ” means all Liens permitted under Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement.

 

Termination Date ” shall mean the date on which all Obligations are paid in full (other than Hedging Obligations under any Secured Hedge Agreements, Cash Management Obligations under any Secured Cash Management Agreements or contingent indemnification obligations not then due) and the Total Commitment and all Letters of Credit are terminated (other than Letters of Credit that have been cash collateralized on terms reasonably satisfactory to each Issuing Bank in respect thereof or back-stopped following the termination of the Commitments).

 

Trustee ” means Ryan A. Fuessel of Harris County, Texas, 77002 whose address for notice hereunder is c/o JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 712 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77002, and any successors and substitutes in trust hereunder.

 

UCC Collateral ” means the property and other assets described in Section 2.2 .

 

SECTION 2

GRANT OF LIEN AND OBLIGATIONS

 

2.1.           Grant of Liens . To secure payment of the Obligations when due, the Mortgagor does by these presents hereby:

 

GRANT, BARGAIN, SELL, WARRANT, MORTGAGE, ASSIGN, TRANSFER, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATE and CONVEY to the Trustee, for the use and benefit of the Mortgagee and the Other Secured Persons, all the following properties, rights and interests that are located in Texas, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD unto the Trustee forever to secure the Obligations:

 

(a)            All rights, titles, interests and estates now owned or hereafter acquired by the Mortgagor in and to the Oil and Gas Properties.

 

(b)            All rights, titles, interests and estates now owned or hereafter acquired by the Mortgagor in and to all geological, geophysical, engineering, accounting, title and other technical or business data concerning the Oil and Gas Properties or the Hydrocarbons, and all books, files, records, magnetic media, computer records and other forms of recording or obtaining access to such data.

 

(c)            All rights, titles, interests and estates now owned or hereafter acquired by the Mortgagor in and to all Hydrocarbons.

 

(d)            Any property that may from time to time hereafter, by delivery or by writing of any kind, be subjected to the Liens hereof by the Mortgagor or by anyone on the Mortgagor’s behalf; and the Trustee and/or the Mortgagee are hereby authorized to receive the same at any time as additional security hereunder.

 

4



 

(e)            All of the rights, titles and interests of every nature whatsoever now owned or hereafter acquired by the Mortgagor in and to the Oil and Gas Properties and all other rights, titles, interests and estates and every part and parcel thereof, including, without limitation, any rights, titles, interests and estates as the same may be enlarged by the discharge of any payments out of production or by the removal of any charges or Permitted Encumbrances to which any of such Oil and Gas Properties or other rights, titles, interests or estates are subject or otherwise; all rights of the Mortgagor to Liens securing payment of proceeds from the sale of production from any of such Oil and Gas Properties, together with any and all renewals and extensions of any of such related rights, titles, interests or estates; all contracts and agreements supplemental to or amendatory of or in substitution for the contracts and agreements described or mentioned above; and any and all additional interests of any kind hereafter acquired by the Mortgagor in and to such related rights, titles, interests or estates.

 

(f)             All of the Mortgagor’s rights, titles and interests in and to all surface fees and fee estates described in Exhibit A , if any, compressor sites, settling ponds, equipment or pipe yards, office sites and all property and fixtures located thereon, whether such surface fees, fee estates, compressor sites, settling ponds, equipment or pipe yards, office sites, office buildings are fee simple estates, leasehold estates or otherwise, together with all present and future rights, titles, easements and estates now owned or hereafter acquired by the Mortgagor under or in connection with such interest.

 

It is the intention of the Mortgagor and the Mortgagee herein to cover and affect hereby all interests that the Mortgagor may now own or may hereafter acquire in and to the interests and Property described on Exhibit A , even though the Mortgagor’s interests or the property be incorrectly described on Exhibit A or a description of a part or all of the interests or property described on Exhibit A or the Mortgagor’s interests therein be omitted, and notwithstanding that the interests as specified on Exhibit A may be limited to particular lands, specified depths or particular types of property interests.

 

Notwithstanding any provision in this Mortgage to the contrary, in no event is any Building (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) or Manufactured (Mobile) Home (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) included in the definition of “Mortgaged Property” and no Building or Manufactured (Mobile) Home is hereby encumbered by this Mortgage. As used herein, “Flood Insurance Regulations” shall mean (i) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statue thereto, (iii) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (amending 42 USC 4001, et seq.), as the same may be amended or recodified from time to time, and (iv) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

2.2.           Grant of Security Interest .  To further secure payment of the Obligations when due, the Mortgagor hereby grants to the Mortgagee, for its benefit and the benefit of the Other Secured Persons, a security interest in and to all of the following (whether now or hereafter acquired by operation of law or otherwise):

 

(a)            all As-Extracted Collateral from or attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties;

 

5



 

(b)            all Fixtures on the Mortgaged Property described or to which reference is made herein or on Exhibit A ; and

 

(c)           to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security, guarantees and other Supporting Obligations given with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

2.3.           Obligations . This Mortgage is executed and delivered by the Mortgagor to secure the payment and performance when due of the following (the “ Obligations ”): all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Credit Party (and any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower in the case of any Secured Transaction Document) arising under any Credit Document or arising otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit or under any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement, in each case, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Credit Party, Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of the Credit Parties under the Credit Documents and the other Secured Transaction Documents (and any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent they have obligations under the Credit Documents or the other Secured Transaction Documents) include the obligation (including Guarantee Obligations) to pay principal, interest, charges, expenses, fees, attorney costs, indemnities and other amounts (including reimbursement obligations for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit) payable by any Credit Party (or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) under any Credit Document or any other Secured Transaction Document (including amounts payable in respect of an early termination under Secured Hedge Agreements and any unpaid amounts owing in respect thereof).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary under any Secured Hedge Agreement and under any Secured Cash Management Agreement shall be secured and guaranteed pursuant to the Security Documents and the Guarantee only to the extent that, and for so long as, the other Obligations are so secured and guaranteed and (b) any release of Collateral or Guarantors effected in the manner permitted by this Mortgage and the other Credit Documents shall not require the consent of the holders of Hedge Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements or of the holders of Cash Management Obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements.

 

2.4.           Fixture Filing, Etc . Without in any manner limiting the generality of any of the other provisions of this Mortgage: (i) some portions of the goods described or to which reference is made herein are or are to become Fixtures on the land described or to which reference is made herein or on Exhibit A ; (ii) the security interests created hereby under applicable provisions of the Applicable UCC will attach to all As-Extracted Collateral and all other Hydrocarbons; (iii) this Mortgage is to be filed of record in the real estate records or other appropriate records as a financing statement; and (iv) the Mortgagor is the record owner of the real estate or interests in the real estate or immoveable property comprised of the Mortgaged Property.

 

6



 

2.5.           Pro Rata Benefit . This Mortgage is executed and granted for the pro rata benefit and security of the Mortgagee and the Other Secured Persons to secure the Obligations for so long as same remains unpaid and thereafter until the Termination Date.

 

2.6.           Excluded Properties .  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Mortgaged Property include, and the Mortgagor shall not be deemed to have granted a Lien under this Mortgage in, any of the Mortgagor’s right, title or interest in any of the following property:

 

(a)            (i) any property to the extent that such grant of a Lien is prohibited by any Requirement of Law or requires a consent not obtained of any Governmental Authority pursuant to such Requirement of Law, (ii) any property to the extent that such grant of a Lien is (x) prohibited by, or constitutes a breach or default under, or results in (or would result in) the termination of (or would give any other party a right of termination of), or requires any consent not obtained under, any Contractual Requirement or (y) otherwise constitutes or results (or would result) in the abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability of (or would give any other party a right of abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability of) any right, title or interest of the Mortgagor under any Contractual Requirement, except, in each case, to the extent that such Requirement of Law or the term in such Contractual Requirement or equity holder or similar agreement providing for such prohibition, breach, default or termination or requiring such consent is ineffective under applicable Requirements of Law or purports to prohibit the granting of a Lien over all assets of the Mortgagor or (iii) any property to the extent that such grant of a Lien would result in the forfeiture of the Mortgagor’s rights in the property; provided , however , that the foregoing exclusions shall not apply to the extent that any such prohibition, default or other term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Applicable UCC of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable Requirement of Law; and provided, further, that the Mortgagor shall be deemed to have granted a Lien in all its rights, title and interests in any portion of such property that does not result in any of the consequences specified above including any Proceeds of such property; or

 

(b)            any property constituting “Excluded Assets” as such term is defined in the Collateral Agreement.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 2.6 shall be deemed to negate the requirement in the Credit Agreement that the Collateral Coverage Minimum be satisfied.

 

SECTION 3

ASSIGNMENT OF AS-EXTRACTED COLLATERAL

 

3.1.           Assignment .

 

(a)            The Mortgagor has assigned, transferred, conveyed and granted a security interest, to the Mortgagee, for its benefit and the benefit of the Other Secured Persons in and to the property described in Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of this Mortgage, including all of its As-Extracted Collateral from or attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties.

 

7


 

(b)            If an Event of Default shall occur and only for so long as such event shall be continuing, after written notice is provided to the Mortgagor by the Mortgagee, and to the extent permitted by applicable Requirement of Law:

 

(i)             All Hydrocarbons and products thereof shall be delivered into pipe lines connected with the Mortgaged Property, or to the purchaser thereof, to the credit of the Mortgagee, for its benefit and the benefit of the Other Secured Persons and all such revenues and proceeds thereof shall be paid directly to the Mortgagee, at its offices in New York, New York, with no duty or obligation of any party paying the same to inquire into the rights of the Mortgagee to receive the same, what application is made thereof, or as to any other matter;

 

(ii)            The Mortgagor agrees to perform all such acts, and to execute all such further assignments, transfers and division orders and other instruments as may be reasonably required or desired by the Mortgagee, after receipt of a written request from the Mortgagee, in order to have said proceeds and revenues so paid to the Mortgagee and, in addition to any and all rights of a secured party under Sections 9-607 and 9-609 of the Applicable UCC, the Mortgagee is fully authorized to receive and receipt for said revenues and proceeds, to endorse and cash any and all checks and drafts payable to the order of the Mortgagor or the Mortgagee for the account of the Mortgagor received from or in connection with said revenues or proceeds and to hold the proceeds thereof in a Deposit Account with the Mortgagee, a Lender or other acceptable commercial bank as additional collateral securing the Obligations, and to execute transfer and division orders in the name of the Mortgagor, or otherwise, with warranties binding the Mortgagor (all proceeds received by the Mortgagee pursuant to this grant and assignment shall be applied as provided in Section 5.14 );

 

(iii)           The Mortgagee shall not be liable for any delay, neglect or failure to effect collection of any proceeds or to take any other action in connection therewith or hereunder, but the Mortgagee shall have the right, at its election after written notice is provided to the Mortgagor, in the name of the Mortgagor or otherwise, to prosecute and defend any and all actions or legal proceedings deemed advisable by the Mortgagee in order to collect such funds and to protect the interests of the Mortgagee and/or the Mortgagor, with all costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection therewith being paid by the Mortgagor; and

 

(iv)           The Mortgagor hereby appoints the Mortgagee as its attorney-in-fact to pursue any and all rights of the Mortgagor to Liens in the Hydrocarbons securing payment of proceeds of runs attributable to the Hydrocarbons, which power of attorney shall be coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable until the Termination Date.

 

(c)            The Mortgagor does hereby specifically agree that third-parties shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any written notice by the Mortgagee that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing for the purposes of clause (b)  above.

 

3.2.           No Modification of Payment Obligations .  Nothing herein contained shall modify or otherwise alter the obligation of the Mortgagor to make prompt payment of all amounts

 

8



 

constituting Obligations when and as the same become due regardless of whether the proceeds of the As-Extracted Collateral and Hydrocarbons are sufficient to pay the same and the rights provided in accordance with the foregoing assignment provision shall be cumulative of all other security of any and every character now or hereafter existing to secure payment of the Obligations.  Nothing in this Article III is intended to be an acceptance of collateral in satisfaction of the Obligations.

 

SECTION 4

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

The Mortgagor hereby represents, warrants and covenants as follows:

 

4.1.           Title .  The Mortgagor has good and defensible title to and is possessed of the Hydrocarbon Interests and has good title to the UCC Collateral.  The Collateral is free of all Liens except Permitted Encumbrances.

 

4.2.           Defend Title .  This Mortgage is, and always will be kept, a first priority Lien upon the Collateral, subject to any Permitted Encumbrances (provided that Liens permitted by Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement may exist and attach to the Mortgaged Properties and may have whatever priority such Liens have under applicable law, provided that for the avoidance of doubt, no intent to subordinate priority of the Liens created hereby is intended or to be inferred by the existence thereof). The Mortgagor will not create or suffer to be created or permit to exist any Lien, security interest or charge prior or junior to or on a parity with the Lien of this Mortgage upon the Collateral or any part thereof other than Permitted Encumbrances. Subject to any Liens permitted by Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement, the Mortgagor will warrant and defend the title to the Collateral against the claims and demands of all other Persons whomsoever and will maintain and preserve the Lien created hereby (and its priority) until the Termination Date. If (i) an adverse claim be made against or a cloud develop upon the title to any part of the Collateral other than a Permitted Encumbrance or (ii) any Person shall challenge the priority or validity of the Liens created by this Mortgage, then the Mortgagor agrees to defend immediately against such adverse claim or take appropriate action to remove such cloud, in each case, at the Mortgagor’s sole cost and expense. The Mortgagor further agrees that the Trustee and/or the Mortgagee may take such other action as they deem advisable to protect and preserve their interests in the Collateral, and in such event the Mortgagor will indemnify the Trustee and/or the Mortgagee against any and all cost, attorneys’ fees and other expenses that they may incur in defending against any such adverse claim or taking action to remove any such cloud. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 4.1 and Section 4.2 shall not restrict, and are subject to, any disposition permitted by Section 10.4 of the Credit Agreement.

 

4.3.           Not a Foreign Person .  The Mortgagor is not a “foreign person” within the meaning of the Code, Sections 1445 and 7701 (i.e., the Mortgagor is not a non-resident alien, foreign corporation, foreign partnership, foreign trust or foreign estate as those terms are defined in the Code and any regulations promulgated thereunder).

 

9



 

SECTION 5

RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

 

5.1.           Event of Default .  An Event of Default under the Credit Agreement shall be an “Event of Default” under this Mortgage.

 

5.2.           Foreclosure and Sale .

 

(a)            If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, to the extent provided by applicable Requirement of Law, the Mortgagee shall have the right and option to proceed with foreclosure by directing the Trustee to proceed with foreclosure and to sell all or any portion of such Mortgaged Property at one or more sales, as an entirety or in parcels, at such place or places in otherwise such manner and upon such notice as may be required by law, or, in the absence of any such requirement, as the Mortgagee may deem appropriate, and to make conveyance to the purchaser or purchasers.  Where the Mortgaged Property is situated in more than one jurisdiction, notice as above provided shall be posted and filed in all such jurisdictions (if such notices are required by law), and all such Mortgaged Property may be sold in any such jurisdiction and any such notice shall designate the jurisdiction where such Mortgaged Property is to be sold. Nothing contained in this Section 5.2 shall be construed so as to limit in any way any rights to sell the Mortgaged Property or any portion thereof by private sale if and to the extent that such private sale is permitted under the Requirements of Law of the applicable jurisdiction or by public or private sale after entry of a judgment by any court of competent jurisdiction so ordering.  The Mortgagor hereby irrevocably appoints, effective upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee and the Mortgagee, with full power of substitution, to be the attorney-in-fact of the Mortgagor and in the name and on behalf of the Mortgagor to execute and deliver any deeds, transfers, conveyances, assignments, assurances and notices that the Mortgagor ought to execute and deliver and do and perform any and all such acts and things that the Mortgagor ought to do and perform under the covenants herein contained and generally, to use the name of the Mortgagor in the exercise of all or any of the powers hereby conferred on the Trustee and/or the Mortgagee. At any such sale: (i) whether made under the power herein contained or any other legal enactment, or by virtue of any judicial proceedings or any other legal right, remedy or recourse, it shall not be necessary for the Trustee or the Mortgagee, as appropriate, to have physically present, or to have constructive possession of, the Mortgaged Property (the Mortgagor hereby covenanting and agreeing to deliver any portion of the Mortgaged Property not actually or constructively possessed by the Trustee or the Mortgagee immediately upon the Mortgagee’s demand) and the title to and right of possession of any such property shall pass to the purchaser thereof as completely as if the same had been actually present and delivered to purchaser at such sale, (ii) each instrument of conveyance executed by the Trustee or the Mortgagee shall contain a general warranty of title, binding upon the Mortgagor and its successors and assigns, (iii) each and every recital contained in any instrument of conveyance made by the Trustee or the Mortgagee shall conclusively establish the truth and accuracy of the matters recited therein, including, without limitation, nonpayment of the Obligations, advertisement and conduct of such sale in the manner provided herein and otherwise by law and appointment of any successor trustee hereunder, (iv) any and all prerequisites to the validity thereof shall be conclusively presumed to have been performed, (v) the receipt of the Trustee, Mortgagee or of such other party or officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers for its purchase money and no such purchaser

 

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or purchasers, or its assigns or personal representatives, shall thereafter be obligated to see to the application of such purchase money, or be in any way answerable for any loss, misapplication or nonapplication thereof, (vi) to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Mortgagor shall be completely and irrevocably divested of all of its right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever, either at law or in equity, in and to the property sold and such sale shall be a perpetual bar both at law and in equity against the Mortgagor, and against any and all other persons claiming or to claim the property sold or any part thereof, by, through or under the Mortgagor, and (vii) to the extent and under such circumstances as are permitted by law, the Mortgagee may be a purchaser at any such sale, and shall have the right, after paying or accounting for all costs of said sale or sales, to credit the amount of the bid upon the amount of the Obligations (in the order of priority set forth in Section 5.14 ) in lieu of cash payment.

 

(b)            If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, then (i) the Mortgagee shall be entitled to all of the rights, powers and remedies afforded a secured party by the Applicable UCC with reference to the UCC Collateral and/or (ii) the Trustee or the Mortgagee may proceed as to any Collateral in accordance with the rights and remedies granted under this Mortgage or applicable law in respect of the Collateral. Such rights, powers and remedies shall be cumulative and in addition to those granted to the Trustee or the Mortgagee under any other provision of this Mortgage or under any other Credit Document.  Written notice mailed to the Mortgagor as provided herein at least ten (10) days prior to the date of public sale of any part of the Collateral that is personal property subject to the provisions of the Applicable UCC, or prior to the date after which private sale of any such part of the Collateral will be made, shall constitute reasonable notice.

 

5.3.           Substitute Trustees and Agents .  The Trustee or Mortgagee may appoint or delegate any one or more persons as agent to perform any act or acts necessary or incident to any sale held by the Trustee or Mortgagee, including the posting of notices and the conduct of sale, but in the name and on behalf of the Trustee or Mortgagee. If the Trustee or Mortgagee shall have given notice of sale hereunder, any successor or substitute trustee or mortgagee agent thereafter appointed may complete the sale and the conveyance of the property pursuant thereto as if such notice had been given by the successor or substitute trustee or mortgagee agent conducting the sale.

 

5.4.           Judicial Foreclosure; Receivership .  Upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Mortgagee shall have the right and power to proceed by a suit or suits in equity or at law, whether for the specific performance of any covenant or agreement herein contained or in aid of the execution of any power herein granted, or for any foreclosure hereunder or for the sale of the Collateral under the judgment or decree of any court or courts of competent jurisdiction, or for the appointment of a receiver pending any foreclosure hereunder or the sale of the Collateral under the order of a court or courts of competent jurisdiction or under executory or other legal process, or for the enforcement of any other appropriate legal or equitable remedy.

 

5.5.           Foreclosure for Installments .  Upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Mortgagee shall also have the option to proceed with foreclosure in satisfaction of any installments of the Obligations that have not been paid when due either through the courts or by directing the Trustee to proceed with foreclosure in satisfaction of the

 

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matured but unpaid portion of the Obligations as if under a full foreclosure, conducting the sale as herein provided and without declaring the entire principal balance and accrued interest and other Obligations then due; such sale may be made subject to the unmatured portion of the Obligations, and any such sale shall not in any manner affect the unmatured portion of the Obligations, but as to such unmatured portion of the Obligations this Mortgage shall remain in full force and effect just as though no sale had been made hereunder. It is further agreed that upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default, several sales may be made hereunder without exhausting the right of sale for any unmatured part of the Obligations, it being the purpose hereof to provide for a foreclosure and sale of the security for any matured portion of the Obligations without exhausting the power to foreclose and sell the Mortgaged Property for any subsequently maturing portion of the Obligations.

 

5.6.           Separate Sales .  Upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral may be sold in one or more parcels and to the extent permitted by applicable Requirement of Law in such manner and order as the Mortgagee, in its sole discretion, may elect, it being expressly understood and agreed that the right of sale arising out of any Event of Default shall not be exhausted by any one or more sales.

 

5.7.           Possession of Mortgaged Property .  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Trustee or the Mortgagee shall have the right and power to enter into and upon and take possession of all or any part of the Collateral in the possession of the Mortgagor, its successors or assigns, or its or their agents or servants, and may exclude the Mortgagor, its successors or assigns, and all persons claiming under the Mortgagor, and its or their agents or servants wholly or partly therefrom; and, holding the same, the Mortgagee may use, administer, manage, operate and control the Collateral and conduct the business thereof to the same extent as the Mortgagor, its successors or assigns, might at the time do and may exercise all rights and powers of the Mortgagor, in the name, place and stead of the Mortgagor, or otherwise as the Mortgagee shall deem best.

 

5.8.           Occupancy After Foreclosure .  In the event there is a foreclosure sale hereunder and at the time of such sale the Mortgagor or the Mortgagor’s heirs, devisees, representatives, successors or assigns or any other person claiming any interest in the Collateral by, through or under the Mortgagor, are occupying or using the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof, each and all shall immediately become the tenant of the purchaser at such sale, which tenancy shall be a tenancy from day to day, terminable at the will of either the landlord or tenant, or at a reasonable rental per day based upon the value of the property occupied, such rental to be due daily to the purchaser; to the extent permitted by applicable law, the purchaser at such sale shall, notwithstanding any language herein apparently to the contrary, have the sole option to demand immediate possession following the sale or to permit the occupants to remain as tenants at will. In the event the tenant fails to surrender possession of said property upon demand, the purchaser shall be entitled to institute and maintain a summary action for possession of the Mortgaged Property (such as an action for forcible entry and detainer) in any court having jurisdiction.

 

5.9.           Remedies Cumulative, Concurrent and Nonexclusive .  Every right, power, privilege and remedy herein given to the Trustee or the Mortgagee shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right, power and remedy herein specifically given or now or hereafter existing in equity, at law or by statute (including specifically those granted by the Applicable

 

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UCC in effect and applicable to the Collateral or any portion thereof). Each and every right, power, privilege and remedy whether specifically herein given or otherwise existing may be exercised from time to time and so often and in such order as may be deemed expedient by the Trustee or the Mortgagee, and the exercise, or the beginning of the exercise, or the abandonment, of any such right, power, privilege or remedy shall not be deemed a waiver of the right to exercise, at the same time or thereafter any other right, power, privilege or remedy. No delay or omission by the Trustee or the Mortgagee or any Other Secured Person in the exercise of any right, power or remedy shall impair any such right, power, privilege or remedy or operate as a waiver thereof or of any other right, power, privilege or remedy then or thereafter existing.

 

5.10.         Discontinuance of Proceedings .  If the Trustee or the Mortgagee shall have proceeded to invoke any right, remedy or recourse permitted hereunder or under any Credit Document or available at law and shall thereafter elect to discontinue or abandon same for any reason, then it shall have the unqualified right so to do and, in such an event, the parties shall be restored to their former positions with respect to the Obligations, this Mortgage, the Credit Agreement, the Collateral and otherwise, and the rights, remedies, recourses and powers of the Trustee and the Mortgagee, as applicable, shall continue as if same had never been invoked.

 

5.11.         No Release of Obligations .  Neither the Mortgagor, any Guarantor nor any other person hereafter obligated for payment of all or any part of the Obligations shall be relieved of such obligation, to the extent the Obligations remain due and owing, by reason of: (a) the release, regardless of consideration, of the Mortgaged Property or any portion thereof or interest therein or the addition of any other property to the Mortgaged Property; (b) any agreement or stipulation between any subsequent owner of the Mortgaged Property and the Mortgagee extending, renewing, rearranging or in any other way modifying the terms of this Mortgage without first having obtained the consent of, given notice to or paid any consideration to the Mortgagor, any Guarantor or such other Person, and in such event the Mortgagor, Guarantor and all such other Persons shall continue to be liable to make payment according to the terms of any such extension or modification agreement unless expressly released and discharged in writing by the Mortgagee; or (c) by any other act or occurrence save and except upon the Termination Date.

 

5.12.         Release of and Resort to Collateral .  The Mortgagee may release, regardless of consideration, any part of the Collateral without, as to the remainder, in any way impairing, affecting, subordinating or releasing the Lien created in or evidenced by this Mortgage or its stature as a first and prior Lien, in and to the Collateral, provided that Permitted Encumbrances may exist, and without in any way releasing or diminishing the liability of any Person liable for the repayment of the Obligations. For payment of the Obligations, the Mortgagee may resort to any other security therefor held by the Mortgagee in such order and manner as the Mortgagee may elect.

 

5.13.         Waiver of Redemption, Notice and Marshalling of Assets, Etc .  To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Mortgagor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and releases (a) all benefits that might accrue to the Mortgagor by virtue of any present or future moratorium law or other law exempting the Collateral from attachment, levy or sale on execution or providing for any appraisement, valuation, stay of execution, exemption from civil process, redemption or extension of time for payment and (b) any right to a marshalling of assets or a sale in inverse order of alienation. If any law referred to in this Mortgage and now in force, of which

 

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the Mortgagor or its successor or successors might take advantage despite the provisions hereof, shall hereafter be repealed or cease to be in force, such law shall thereafter be deemed not to constitute any part of the contract herein contained or to preclude the operation or application of the provisions hereof.  If the laws of any state that provides for a redemption period do not permit the redemption period to be waived, the redemption period shall be specifically reduced to the minimum amount of time allowable by statute.

 

5.14.         Application of Proceeds .  The proceeds of any sale of the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof and all other monies received in any proceedings for the enforcement hereof or otherwise, whose application has not elsewhere herein been specifically provided for, shall be applied:

 

(a)            First, to the payment of all reasonable expenses incurred by the Trustee or the Mortgagee incident to the enforcement of this Mortgage, the Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document to collect any portion of the Obligations, including expenses of any entry or taking of possession, of any sale, of advertisement thereof, and of conveyances, and court costs, compensation of agents and employees, a reasonable commission to the Trustee acting and reasonable legal fees, and to the payment of all other reasonable charges, expenses, liabilities and advances incurred or made by the Trustee or the Mortgagee under this Mortgage or in executing any trust or power hereunder; and

 

(b)            Second, as set forth in Section 11 of the Credit Agreement.

 

5.15.         Resignation of Operator .  In addition to all rights and remedies under this Mortgage, at law and in equity, if any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the Trustee or the Mortgagee shall exercise any remedies under this Mortgage with respect to any portion of the Mortgaged Property (or the Mortgagor shall transfer any Mortgaged Property “in lieu of” foreclosure) whereupon the Mortgagor is divested of its title to any of the Collateral, the Mortgagee shall have the right to request that any operator of any Mortgaged Property that is either the Mortgagor or any Affiliate of the Mortgagor to resign as operator under the joint operating agreement applicable thereto, and no later than 60 days after receipt by the Mortgagor of any such request, the Mortgagor shall resign (or, to the extent it is able to do so, cause such other Person to resign) as operator of such Collateral.

 

5.16.         Indemnity .  THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTION TAKEN, FOR ANY LOSS SUSTAINED BY THE MORTGAGOR RESULTING FROM AN ASSERTION THAT THE MORTGAGEE HAS RECEIVED FUNDS FROM THE PRODUCTION OF HYDROCARBONS CLAIMED BY THIRD PERSONS OR ANY ACT OR OMISSION OF ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY IN ADMINISTERING, MANAGING, OPERATING OR CONTROLLING THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY INCLUDING SUCH LOSS THAT MAY RESULT FROM THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF AN INDEMNIFIED PARTY UNLESS SUCH LOSS IS CAUSED BY THE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, BAD FAITH OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY SEEKING INDEMNITY OR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES. NO INDEMNIFIED PARTY SHALL BE OBLIGATED TO PERFORM OR DISCHARGE ANY OBLIGATION, DUTY OR LIABILITY OF THE MORTGAGOR. THE MORTGAGOR AGREES TO PAY, AND TO SAVE THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES HARMLESS FROM,

 

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ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES OR DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY, ENFORCEMENT, PERFORMANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF THIS MORTGAGE TO THE EXTENT THE BORROWER WOULD BE REQUIRED TO DO SO PURSUANT TO SECTION 13.5 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. THE LIABILITIES OF THE MORTGAGOR AS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 5.16 SHALL SURVIVE THE TERMINATION OF THIS MORTGAGE.

 

5.17.         Failure to Perform .  The Mortgagor agrees that if it fails to perform any act or to take any action that it is required to perform or take hereunder or pay any money that the Mortgagor is required to pay hereunder, the Mortgagee, in the Mortgagor’s name or its or their own name or names, may, but shall not be obligated to, perform or cause to perform such act or take such action or pay such money.

 

SECTION 6

THE TRUSTEE.

 

6.1.           Duties, Rights, and Powers of Trustee .  The Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of this Mortgage or any other instrument in addition or supplemental thereto, or to give any notice thereof, or to see to the payment of or be under any duty in respect of any tax or assessment or other governmental charge that may be levied or assessed on the Mortgaged Property, or any part thereof, or against the Mortgagor, or to see to the performance or observance by the Mortgagor of any of the covenants and agreements contained herein.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for the execution, acknowledgment or validity of this Mortgage or of any instrument in addition or supplemental hereto or for the sufficiency of the security purported to be created hereby, and makes no representation in respect thereof or in respect of the rights of the Mortgagee. The Trustee shall have the right to consult with counsel upon any matters arising hereunder and shall be fully protected in relying as to legal matters on the advice of counsel. The Trustee shall not incur any personal liability hereunder except for the Trustee’s own willful misconduct; and the Trustee shall have the right to rely on any instrument, document or signature authorizing or supporting any action taken or proposed to be taken by him hereunder, believed by him in good faith to be genuine.

 

6.2.           Successor Trustee .  The Trustee may resign by written notice addressed to the Mortgagee or be removed at any time with or without cause by an instrument in writing duly executed on behalf of the Mortgagee. In case of the death, resignation or removal of the Trustee, a successor may be appointed by the Mortgagee by instrument of substitution complying with any applicable Governmental Requirements, or, in the absence of any such requirement, without formality other than appointment and designation in writing. Written notice of such appointment and designation shall be given by the Mortgagee to the Mortgagor, but the validity of any such appointment shall not be impaired or affected by failure to give such notice or by any defect therein. Such appointment and designation shall be full evidence of the right and authority to make the same and of all the facts therein recited. Upon the making of any such appointment and designation, this Mortgage shall vest in the successor all the estate and title in and to all of the Mortgaged Property, and the successor shall thereupon succeed to all of the rights, powers, privileges, immunities and duties hereby conferred upon the Trustee named herein, and one such

 

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appointment and designation shall not exhaust the right to appoint and designate an additional successor but such right may be exercised repeatedly until the Termination Date has occurred. To facilitate the administration of the duties hereunder, the Mortgagee may appoint multiple trustees to serve in such capacity or in such jurisdictions as the Mortgagee may designate.

 

6.3.           Retention of Moneys .  All moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated in any manner from any other moneys (except to the extent required by law) and the Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any moneys received by him hereunder.

 

SECTION 7

MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1.           Releases .

 

(a)            Full Release .  On the Termination Date, the Mortgagee shall forthwith cause satisfaction and discharge of this Mortgage to be entered upon the record at the expense of the Mortgagor and shall execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered such instruments of satisfaction and reassignment as may be reasonably necessary or desirable for the release of the Liens created hereby on the Mortgaged Property. Other than as set forth in the foregoing sentence, this Mortgage shall remain and continue in full force and effect and be binding in accordance with and to the extent of its terms upon the Mortgagor and the successors and assigns thereof and shall inure to the benefit of the Mortgagee and the Other Secured Persons and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns; notwithstanding that from time to time prior to the Termination Date, the Mortgagor may be free from any Obligations.

 

(b)            Partial Release .  The Mortgagee, at the request and sole expense of the Mortgagor, shall promptly execute and deliver to the Mortgagor all releases, re-conveyances or other documents reasonably necessary or desirable for the release of the Liens created hereby on the Mortgaged Property, which shall include, without limitation, the agreement of the Mortgagee (on behalf of itself and on behalf of the Other Secured Persons) to release the security interests in, and the Liens on, the Collateral granted herein and created hereby, (i) upon any Disposition by the Mortgagor of any Mortgaged Property that is permitted under the Credit Agreement (other than to a Guarantor) and (ii) to the extent that the first sentence of Section 13.17(a) of the Credit Agreement provides for such release with respect to the Mortgaged Property.

 

(c)            Possession of Notes .  The Mortgagor acknowledges and agrees that possession of any Note (or any replacements of any said Note or other instrument evidencing any part of the Obligations) at any time by the Mortgagor or any other guarantor shall not in any manner extinguish the Obligations or this Mortgage, and the Mortgagor shall have the right to issue and reissue any of the Notes from time to time as its interest or as convenience may require, without in any manner extinguishing or affecting the Obligations or the Lien of this Mortgage.

 

7.2.           Severability .  If any provision hereof is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect in such jurisdiction and the remaining provisions hereof shall be liberally construed in favor of the Mortgagee and

 

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the Other Secured Persons in order to effectuate the provisions hereof.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

7.3.           Successors and Assigns .  The terms used to designate any party or group of persons shall be deemed to include the respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of such Persons.

 

7.4.           Satisfaction of Prior Encumbrance .  To the extent that proceeds of the Credit Agreement are used to pay indebtedness secured by any outstanding Lien against the Mortgaged Property then the parties agree that: (a) such proceeds have been advanced at the Mortgagor’s request, and (b) the Mortgagee and the Lenders shall be subrogated to any and all rights and Liens owned by any owner or holder of such outstanding Liens, irrespective of whether said Liens are or have been released. It is expressly understood that, in consideration of the payment of such other indebtedness, the Mortgagor hereby waives and releases all demands and causes of action for offsets and payments to, upon and in connection with the said indebtedness.  This Mortgage is made with full substitution and subrogation of the Trustee and the Mortgagee and their successors and assigns in and to all covenants and warranties by others heretofore given or made in respect of the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof.

 

7.5.           Application of Payments to Certain Obligations .  If any part of the Obligations cannot be lawfully secured by this Mortgage or if any part of the Collateral cannot be lawfully subject to the Lien hereof to the full extent of the Obligations, then all payments made shall be applied on said Obligations first in discharge of that portion thereof that is not secured by this Mortgage.

 

7.6.           Nature of Covenants .  The covenants and agreements herein contained shall constitute covenants running with the land and interests covered or affected hereby and shall be binding upon the heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

7.7.          Notices .  All notices, requests and demands pursuant hereto shall be made in accordance with Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement.

 

7.8.          Expenses .  The Mortgagor agrees to pay any and all reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses (including all reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that may be paid or incurred by the Mortgagee in enforcing, or obtaining advice of counsel in respect of, any rights with respect to, or collecting, any or all of the Obligations and/or enforcing any rights with respect to, or collecting against, the Mortgagor under this Mortgage to the extent the Borrower would be required to do so pursuant to Section 13.5 of the Credit Agreement.

 

7.9.          Counterparts .  This Mortgage is being executed in several counterparts, all of which are identical, except that to facilitate recordation, if the Mortgaged Property is situated in more than one county, descriptions of only those portions of the Mortgaged Property located in the county in which a particular counterpart is recorded shall be attached as Exhibit A to such counterpart. Each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Complete copies of this Mortgage containing the entire Exhibit A have been retained by the Mortgagee.

 

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7.10.         Governing Law . Insofar as permitted by otherwise applicable law, this Mortgage shall be construed under and governed by the laws of the State of Texas.

 

7.11.         Financing Statement; Fixture Filing .  This Mortgage shall be effective as a financing statement filed as a fixture filing with respect to all Fixtures included within the Mortgaged Property and is to be filed or filed for record in the real estate records, mortgage records or other appropriate records of each jurisdiction where any part of the Mortgaged Property (including said fixtures) are situated.  This Mortgage shall also be effective as a financing statement covering As-Extracted Collateral (including oil and gas and all other substances of value that may be extracted from the ground) and accounts financed at the wellhead or minehead of wells or mines located on the properties subject to the Applicable UCC and is to be filed for record in the real estate records, UCC records or other appropriate records of each jurisdiction where any part of the Mortgaged Property is situated.

 

7.12.         Filing of Financing Statements . Pursuant to the Applicable UCC, the Mortgagor authorizes the Mortgagee, its counsel or its representative, at any time and from time to time, to file or record financing statements, continuation statements, amendments thereto and other filing or recording documents or instruments with respect to the Mortgaged Property without the signature of the Mortgagor in such form and in such offices as the Mortgagee reasonably determines appropriate to perfect the security interests of the Mortgagee under this Mortgage. The Mortgagor also authorizes the Mortgagee, its counsel or its representative, at any time and from time to time, to file or record such financing statements that describe the collateral covered thereby as “all assets of the Mortgagor”, “all personal property of the Mortgagor” or words of similar effect. The Mortgagor shall pay all costs associated with the filing of such instruments.

 

In that regard, the following information is provided:

 

Name of Debtor:

 

[EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.] [Crystal E&P Company, LLC]

 

 

 

Address of Debtor:

 

c/o EP Energy LLC

 

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

Houston, TX 77002

 

 

Attention: Kyle McCuen, Adrianne Griffin, Dane
Whitehead and Marguerite Woung-Chapman

 

 

Fax: (713) 420-6603

 

 

 

State of Formation/Location:

 

Delaware

 

 

 

With a copy of any notice to :

 

c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

 

 

9 West 57 th  Street, 43 rd  Floor

 

 

New York, NY 10019

 

 

Attention: Sam Oh and John Suydam

 

 

Fax: (646) 417-6651

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

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Vinson & Elkins LLP

 

 

First City Tower

 

 

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

 

 

Houston, TX 77002

 

 

Attention: Darin W. Schultz

 

 

Fax: (713) 615-5175

 

 

 

Name of Secured Party:

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

 

as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

Address of Secured Party:

 

712 Main Street

 

 

Houston, TX 77002

 

 

 

Facsimile:

 

(713) 216-7770

Telephone:

 

(713) 216-7739

 

 

 

Owner of Record of

 

 

Real Property:

 

Mortgagor

 

7.13.         Limit on Obligations and Collateral .  It is the intention of the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee and the Other Secured Persons that this Mortgage not constitute a fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance under any state or federal law that may be applied hereto.  The Mortgagor and, by the Mortgagee’s acceptance hereof, the Mortgagee and the Other Secured Persons hereby acknowledge and agree that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Mortgage, the indebtedness secured hereby shall be limited to the maximum amount of indebtedness that can be incurred or secured by the Mortgagor without rendering this Mortgage voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyances or fraudulent transfers.

 

7.14.         References .  The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import when used in this Mortgage refer to this Mortgage as a whole, and not to any particular article, section or subsection. Any reference herein to a Section shall be deemed to refer to the applicable Section of this Mortgage unless otherwise stated herein. Any reference herein to an exhibit or schedule shall be deemed to refer to the applicable exhibit or schedule attached hereto unless otherwise stated herein.

 

7.15.         Intercreditor Agreement .  Reference is made to that certain Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, EP Energy LLC, the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC named therein and the other parties thereto. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Mortgage, the Liens created hereby and the rights, remedies, duties and obligations provided for herein are subject to the provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of this

 

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Mortgage and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall govern and control.

 

[SIGNATURES BEGIN NEXT PAGE]

 

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EXECUTED this                day of                 , 2012, to be effective as of the date first written above.

 

 

[                   ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

STATE OF                          

§

 

 

§

 

COUNTY OF                        

§

 

 

 

On this            day of                     , 2012, before me, a notary public personally appeared                                                    , known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the                                                    of [                          ], a Delaware [limited partnership/ limited liability company], and who acknowledged that such person, being authorized to do so, executed the foregoing instrument as such officer on behalf of such [limited partnership/ limited liability company] for the purposes therein provided.

 

Witness my hand and Official Seal.

 

 

 

 

 

Notary Public

 

 

 

 

 

Seal:

 

21



 

EXHIBIT A

 

to

 

DEED OF TRUST, ASSIGNMENT OF AS-EXTRACTED COLLATERAL, SECURITY AGREEMENT, FIXTURE FILING AND FINANCING STATEMENT (FIRST LIEN)

 

Introduction

 

All references contained in this Exhibit A to the wells are intended to include references to Mortgagor’s well identification number and well name for any existing well, including any replacement well drilled in lieu thereof from which crude oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons are now or hereafter produced. All references contained in this Exhibit A to the Oil and Gas Properties are intended to include: (i) the volume or book and page, file, entry or instrument number of the appropriate records of the particular county or parish in the state where each such lease or other such lease or other instrument is recorded and (ii) all valid and existing amendments to such lease or other instrument of record in such county or parish record, as applicable, regardless of whether such amendments are expressly described herein.  A special reference is herein made to each such lease or other instrument and the record thereof for a more particular description of the property and the interest sought to be affected by this Mortgage and for all other purposes.

 

1



 

Exhibit E to the Credit Agreement

 

COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

dated and effective as of

 

May 24, 2012,

 

among

 

EPE HOLDINGS LLC,

 

EP ENERGY LLC

(f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC),

 

each Subsidiary of EP Energy LLC identified herein,

 

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Collateral Agent

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Credit Agreement

 

2

SECTION 1.02.

Other Defined Terms

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLEDGE OF SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Pledge

 

6

SECTION 2.02.

Delivery of the Pledged Collateral

 

7

SECTION 2.03.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

 

8

SECTION 2.04.

Certification of Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership Interests

 

9

SECTION 2.05.

Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

 

9

SECTION 2.06.

Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc.

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECURITY INTERESTS IN PERSONAL PROPERTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3.01.

Security Interest

 

12

SECTION 3.02.

Representations and Warranties

 

14

SECTION 3.03.

Covenants

 

16

SECTION 3.04.

Other Actions

 

18

SECTION 3.05.

Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REMEDIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Remedies upon Default

 

20

SECTION 4.02.

Application of Proceeds

 

22

SECTION 4.03.

Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property

 

22

SECTION 4.04.

Securities Act, etc.

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

Notices

 

23

SECTION 5.02.

Security Interest Absolute

 

23

 

i



 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.03.

Limitation by Law

 

24

SECTION 5.04.

Binding Effect; Several Agreement

 

24

SECTION 5.05.

Successors and Assigns

 

24

SECTION 5.06.

Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

 

24

SECTION 5.07.

Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

 

25

SECTION 5.08.

GOVERNING LAW

 

26

SECTION 5.09.

Waivers; Amendment

 

26

SECTION 5.10.

Severability

 

27

SECTION 5.11.

Counterparts

 

27

SECTION 5.12.

Headings

 

27

SECTION 5.13.

Termination or Release

 

27

SECTION 5.14.

Additional Subsidiaries

 

28

SECTION 5.15.

Right of Set-off

 

28

SECTION 5.16.

No Recourse

 

29

SECTION 5.17.

Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 

29

 

Schedules

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule I

Subsidiary Parties

 

 

Schedule II

Pledged Stock; Debt Securities

 

 

Schedule III

Intellectual Property

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit I

Form of Supplement to the Collateral Agreement

 

 

Exhibit II

Form of Perfection Certificate

 

 

 

ii


 

This COLLATERAL AGREEMENT dated and effective as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is among EPE HOLDINGS LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company and a direct Subsidiary of Holdings (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower listed on Schedule I hereto and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that becomes a party hereto after the date hereof (each, a “ Subsidiary Party ”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. , as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ” or the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Holdings, the Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time parties thereto, the Borrower will from time to time incur loans and letter of credit obligations;

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) among the Borrower and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as co-issuers (the “ Co-Issuers ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Co-Issuers are issuing 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (together with any and all exchange notes and/or additional notes issued pursuant to the Indenture, collectively the “ Notes ”) and (2) pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Term Loan Agent ”), the Borrower is incurring Loans (as defined therein, the “ Term Loans ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Notes, the Term Loans and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are and will be secured on a second-priority, pari passu basis by the Collateral and, on the date hereof, Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the Trustee are entering into the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ”), which sets forth the rights and remedies of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties in the Collateral as amongst each other;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among the Pledgors and Citibank, N.A., the Pledgors have granted to Citibank, N.A., as the Second Lien Agent, a second-priority lien and security interest in the Collateral to secure their obligations under the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent (as each such terms are defined in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement), Wilmington Trust, National

 

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Association, as Trustee under the Indenture, EP Energy LLC, the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC named therein and the other parties thereto, the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted by this Agreement are and shall be prior in all respects to the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

WHEREAS, each Pledgor is executing and delivering this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement to induce the Lenders to extend credit;

 

WHEREAS, the Subsidiary Parties are Subsidiaries of the Borrower, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit thereunder.

 

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01. Credit Agreement .

 

(a)         Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. All capitalized terms referred to in Article III hereof that are defined in Article 9 of the New York UCC and not defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. The term “instrument” shall have the meaning specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC.

 

(b)         The rules of construction specified in Section 1.2 of the Credit Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 1.02.         Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Account Debtor ” means any person who is or who may become obligated to any Grantor under, with respect to or on account of an Account.

 

Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor (including successors under the Credit Agreement) replaces it and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Article 9 Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

 

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

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Collateral ” means Article 9 Collateral and Pledged Collateral.

 

Collateral Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor (including successors under the Credit Agreement) replaces it and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Copyright License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting any right to any Grantor under any Copyright now or hereafter owned by any third party, and all rights of any Grantor under any such agreement (including any such rights that such Grantor has the right to license).

 

Copyrights ” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor (or, as required in the context of the definition of “Copyright License,” any third party licensor): (a) all copyright rights in any work subject to the copyright laws of the United States or any other country, whether as author, assignee, transferee or otherwise; and (b) all registrations and applications for registration of any such Copyright in the United States or any other country, including registrations, supplemental registrations and pending applications for registration in the United States Copyright Office, including those listed on Schedule III .

 

Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Excluded Assets ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(a).

 

Excluded Securities ” means:

 

(a)  any Equity Interests or debt with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing, the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests or debt in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom;

 

(b)  solely in the case of any pledge of Equity Interests of any FSHCO (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Party) to secure the Obligations, any Equity Interest that is Voting Stock of such FSHCO in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class (such percentages to be adjusted upon any change of law as may be required to avoid adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary);

 

(c)  any Equity Interests or debt to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law;

 

(d)  any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement (other than customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided that this clause (B)  shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being

 

3



 

understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain any such consent)) and for so long as such organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) to any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement governing such Equity Interests the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than customary non-assignment provisions that are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirement of Law);

 

(e)  any Equity Interests of any Immaterial Subsidiary and any Unrestricted Sub-sidiary;

 

(f)  any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary;

 

(g)  any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as reasonably determined by the Borrower in writing delivered to the Agent;

 

(h)  any Equity Interests set forth on Schedule 1.1(b) of the Credit Agreement which have been identified on or prior to the Closing Date in writing to the Agent by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower and agreed to by the Agent;

 

(i)  any of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary (the pledge of which, if any, is governed by the Pledge Agreement); and

 

(j)  any “Margin Stock” as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

Federal Securities Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.04.

 

General Intangibles ” means all “general intangibles” as defined in the New York UCC, including all choses in action and causes of action and all other intangible personal property of any Grantor of every kind and nature (other than Accounts) now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor, including corporate or other business records, indemnification claims, contract rights (including rights under leases, whether entered into as lessor or lessee, swap agreements and other agreements), Intellectual Property, goodwill, registrations, franchises and tax refund claims.

 

Grantor ” means the Borrower and each Subsidiary Party.

 

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06.

 

Indenture ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Intellectual Property ” means all intellectual and similar property of every kind and nature now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor, including inventions, designs, Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Patent Licenses, Copyright Licenses, Trademark Licenses, trade

 

4



 

secrets, domain names, confidential or proprietary technical and business information, know-how, show-how or other data or information and all related documentation.

 

New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Patent License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Grantor any right to make, use or sell any invention covered by a Patent, now or hereafter owned by any third party (including any such rights that such Grantor has the right to license).

 

Patents ” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor (or, as required in the context of the definition of “Patent License,” any third party licensor): (a) all patents of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, and all applications for patents of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, including those listed on Schedule III , and (b) all reissues, continuations, divisions, continuations-in-part or extensions thereof, and the inventions disclosed or claimed therein, including the right to make, use and/or sell the inventions disclosed or claimed therein.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Perfection Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit II or another form reasonably acceptable to the Agent, completed and supplemented with the schedules and attachments contemplated thereby, and duly executed by an officer of the Borrower.

 

Permitted Liens ” means Liens that are not prohibited by the Credit Agreement.

 

Pledged Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledged Debt Securities ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledged Securities ” means any promissory notes, stock certificates or other certificated securities now or hereafter included in the Pledged Collateral, including all certificates, instruments or other documents representing or evidencing any Pledged Collateral.

 

Pledged Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledgor ” shall mean Holdings, the Borrower and each Subsidiary Party.

 

Second Lien Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Security Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Subsidiary Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Trademark License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Grantor any right to use any Trademark now or hereafter owned by any third party (including any such rights that such Grantor has the right to license).

 

Trademarks ” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor (or, as required in the context of the definition of “Trademark License,” any third party licensor): (a) all trademarks, service marks, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, trade dress, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of like nature, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations thereof (if any), and all registration and recording applications filed in connection therewith, including registrations and registration applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any State of the United States or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, and all renewals thereof, including those listed on Schedule III and (b) all goodwill associated therewith or symbolized thereby.

 

Term Loans ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Term Loan Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Trustee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

ARTICLE II.

 

Pledge of Securities

 

SECTION 2.01.         Pledge . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Pledgor hereby assigns and pledges to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security

 

6



 

interest in all of such Pledgor’s right, title and interest in, to and under (a) the Equity Interests in each Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary directly owned by it (which such Equity Interests constituting Pledged Stock as of the date hereof shall be listed on Schedule II ) and any other Equity Interests in a Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary obtained in the future by such Pledgor and any certificates representing all such Equity Interests (collectively, the “ Pledged Stock ”); provided that (i) the Pledged Stock shall not include any Excluded Securities and (ii) in the case of Holdings, such pledge shall be limited to the Equity Interests of the Borrower directly owned by it; (b)(i) the debt securities currently issued to any Grantor (which such debt securities constituting Pledged Debt Securities as of the date hereof shall be listed on Schedule II) , (ii) any debt securities in the future issued to such Grantor and (iii) the promissory notes and any other instruments, if any, evidencing such debt securities (collectively, the “ Pledged Debt Securities ”); provided that the Pledged Debt Securities shall not include any Excluded Securities; (c) subject to Section 2.06, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other proceeds received in respect of, the securities referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; (d) subject to Section 2.06, all rights and privileges of such Pledgor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above; and (e) all Proceeds of any of the foregoing (the items referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above being collectively referred to as the “ Pledged Collateral ”).

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Pledged Collateral, together with all right, title, interest, powers, privileges and preferences pertaining or incidental thereto, unto the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, forever; subject , however , to the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

SECTION 2.02.         Delivery of the Pledged Collateral .

 

(a)         Each Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 45 days after the acquisition (or such longer time as the Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, any and all Pledged Securities to the extent such Pledged Securities, in the case of promissory notes or other instruments evidencing Indebtedness, are required to be delivered pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.02.

 

(b)         Each Pledgor will cause any Indebtedness (other than Excluded Securities) (i) having an aggregate principal amount in excess of $15,000,000 or (ii) payable by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days and made in the ordinary course of business) to be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note that is pledged and delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the terms hereof. To the extent any such promissory note is a demand note, each Pledgor party thereto agrees, if requested by the Agent, to immediately demand payment thereunder upon an Event of Default specified under Section 11.1 or 11.5 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(c)         Upon delivery to the Agent, (i) any Pledged Securities required to be delivered pursuant to the foregoing paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 2.02 shall be accompanied by stock powers or note powers, as applicable, duly executed in blank or other instruments of transfer reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and by such other instruments and documents as

 

7



 

the Agent may reasonably request and (ii) all other property comprising part of the Pledged Collateral delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be accompanied to the extent necessary to perfect the security interest in or allow realization on the Pledged Collateral by proper instruments of assignment duly executed by the applicable Pledgor and such other instruments or documents as the Agent may reasonably request. Each delivery of Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by a schedule describing the securities, which schedule shall be attached hereto as Schedule II (or a supplement to Schedule II, as applicable) and made a part hereof; provided that failure to attach any such schedule hereto shall not affect the validity of such pledge of such Pledged Securities. Each schedule so delivered shall supplement any prior schedules so delivered.

 

SECTION 2.03.         Representations, Warranties and Covenants . Each Grantor (and Holdings solely with respect to its Pledged Stock consisting of the Borrower’s Equity Interests) represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

 

(a)         Schedule II correctly sets forth the percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by such Pledged Stock and includes all Equity Interests, debt securities and promissory notes or instruments evidencing Indebtedness required to be (i) pledged in order to satisfy Section 9.11 of the Credit Agreement or (ii) delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(b);

 

(b)         the Pledged Stock, to the best of each Pledgor’s knowledge, have been duly and validly authorized and issued by the issuers thereof and are fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(c)         except for the security interests granted hereunder, each Pledgor (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Credit Agreement, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Securities indicated on Schedule II as owned by such Pledgor, (ii) holds the same free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, (iii) will make no assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of, or create or permit to exist any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Collateral, other than pursuant to a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement and other than Permitted Liens, and (iv) subject to the rights of such Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Pledged Collateral, will use commercially reasonable efforts to defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), however arising, of all persons;

 

(d)         other than as set forth in the Credit Agreement or the schedules thereto and except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Credit Documents or securities laws generally, the Pledged Collateral is and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Collateral is or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement, charter, by-law, memorandum of association or articles of association provisions or contractual restriction of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect the pledge of such Pledged Collateral hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Agent of rights and remedies hereunder other than under applicable Requirements of Law;

 

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(e)         each Pledgor has the power and authority to pledge the Pledged Collateral pledged by it hereunder in the manner hereby done or contemplated;

 

(f)         other than as set forth in the Credit Agreement or the schedules thereto, no consent or approval of any Governmental Authority, any securities exchange or any other person was or is necessary to the validity of the pledge effected hereby (other than such as have been obtained and are in full force and effect);

 

(g)         by virtue of the execution and delivery by the Pledgors of this Agreement, when any Pledged Securities are delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with this Agreement, and a financing statement in respect of the Pledged Securities is filed in the appropriate filing office, the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected (except for any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing delivered to the Agent, the costs or other consequences of perfecting such a security interest are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom) lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Securities, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations; and

 

(h)         the pledge effected hereby is effective to vest in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the rights of the Agent in the Pledged Collateral as set forth herein.

 

SECTION 2.04.         Certification of Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership Interests .

 

(a)         Each interest in any limited liability company or limited partnership controlled by any Pledgor, pledged hereunder and represented by a certificate, shall be a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC and shall be governed by Article 8 of the New York UCC, and each such interest shall at all times hereafter be represented by a certificate unless and until such interest is no longer such a “security” and the Pledgor complies with Section 2.04(b).

 

(b)         Each interest in any limited liability company or limited partnership controlled by a Pledgor, pledged hereunder and not represented by a certificate shall not be a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC and shall not be governed by Article 8 of the New York UCC (or other applicable Uniform Commercial Code in effect in another jurisdiction), and the Pledgors shall at no time elect to treat any such interest as a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC or issue any certificate representing such interest, unless promptly thereafter (and in any event within 30 days (or such longer period as the Agent may agree to)) the applicable Pledgor provides notification to the Agent of such election and delivers, as applicable, any such certificate to the Agent pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

SECTION 2.05.         Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (a) the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to hold the Pledged Securities in its own name as pledgee or the name of its nominee (as pledgee or as sub-agent), or the name of the

 

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applicable Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank in favor of the Agent, and (b) each Pledgor will promptly give to the Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Securities registered in the name of such Pledgor. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Agent shall have the right to exchange the certificates representing Pledged Securities for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with this Agreement. Each Pledgor shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Subsidiary that is not a party to this Agreement to comply with a request by the Agent, pursuant to this Section 2.05, to exchange certificates representing Pledged Securities of such Subsidiary for certificates of smaller or larger denominations.

 

SECTION 2.06.         Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc .

 

(a)         Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Pledgors of the Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder:

 

(i)         Each Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that could be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the rights and remedies of any of the Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same.

 

(ii)         The Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to each Pledgor, or cause to be executed and delivered to such Pledgor, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as such Pledgor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to subparagraph (i) above.

 

(iii)         Each Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Collateral to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are permitted by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and applicable laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Securities, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Securities or received in exchange for Pledged Securities or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Collateral, and, if received by any Pledgor, shall be promptly (and in any event within 45 days of their receipt (or such longer time as the Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Agent).

 

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(b)           After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and upon notice by the Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, all rights of any Pledgor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions; provided that the Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to receive and retain such amounts. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.06 shall not be commingled by such Pledgor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Agent). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Agent in an account to be established by the Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Agent a certificate to that effect, the Agent shall promptly repay to each Pledgor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06 and that remain in such account.

 

(c)           Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice by the Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, subject to applicable Requirements of Law, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06, and the obligations of the Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.06, shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers; provided that the Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to exercise such rights. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Agent a certificate to that effect, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06, and the obligations of the Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.06, shall in each case be reinstated.

 

(d)           Any notice given by the Agent to the Pledgors suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 2.06 (i) shall be in writing, (ii) may be given to one or more of the Pledgors at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Pledgors under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(iii) in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

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ARTICLE III.

 

Security Interests in Personal Property

 

SECTION 3.01.          Security Interest .

 

(a)           As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Grantor hereby assigns and pledges to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “ Security Interest ”) in all right, title and interest in or to any and all of the following assets and properties now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “ Article 9 Collateral ”):

 

(i)            all Accounts;

 

(ii)           all Chattel Paper;

 

(iii)          all cash and Deposit Accounts;

 

(iv)          all Documents;

 

(v)           all Equipment;

 

(vi)          all Fixtures;

 

(vii)         all General Intangibles;

 

(viii)        Goods;

 

(ix)           all Instruments;

 

(x)            all Intellectual Property;

 

(xi)           all Inventory;

 

(xii)          all Investment Property other than the Pledged Collateral;

 

(xiii)         all Letters of Credit and Letter of Credit Rights;

 

(xiv)        all minerals, oil, gas and As-Extracted Collateral;

 

(xv)         all books and records pertaining to the Article 9 Collateral; and

 

(xvi)        substitutions, replacements, accessions, products and proceeds (including insurance proceeds, licenses, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit) and to the extent not otherwise included, all proceeds, Supporting Obligations and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any person with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Credit Documents, this Agreement shall not constitute a grant of a security interest in (and the Article 9 Collateral shall not include) and the other provisions of the Credit Documents with respect to Collateral need not be satisfied with respect to (a) motor vehicles or other assets subject to certificates of title and commercial tort claims, (b) any assets over which the granting of security interests in such assets would be prohibited by an enforceable contractual obligation binding on the assets that existed at the time of the acquisition thereof and was not created or made binding on the assets in contemplation or in connection with the acquisition of such assets (except in the case of assets owned on the Closing Date or acquired after the Closing Date with Indebtedness of the type permitted pursuant to Section 10.1(g) of the Credit Agreement), applicable law or regulation (in each case, except to the extent such prohibition is unenforceable after giving effect to applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, other than proceeds thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the Uniform Commercial Code notwithstanding such prohibitions) or to the extent that such security interests would require obtaining the consent of any governmental authority or would result in materially adverse tax consequences as reasonably determined by the Borrower in writing delivered to the Collateral Agent, (c) those assets with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent and the Borrower, evidenced in writing delivered to the Agent, the costs or other consequences of obtaining or perfecting such a security interest are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom, (d) any Letter of Credit Rights (other than to the extent a Lien thereon can be perfected by filing a customary financing statement), (e) any Excluded Securities, (f) any Grantor’s right, title or interest in any license, contract or agreement to which such Grantor is a party or any of its right, title or interest thereunder to the extent, but only to the extent, that such a grant would violate the terms of applicable law or of such license, contract or agreement, or result in a breach of the terms of, or constitute a default under, any such license, contract or agreement to which such Grantor is a party (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the New York UCC or any other applicable law or regulation (including Title 11 of the United States Code) or principles of equity); provided that, immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse or termination of any such provision, the Collateral shall include, and such Grantor shall be deemed to have granted a security interest in, all such rights and interests as if such provision had never been in effect, (g) any equipment or other asset owned by any Grantor that is subject to a purchase money lien or a Capitalized Lease Obligation, in each case, as permitted under the Credit Agreement, if the contract or other agreement in which such Lien is granted (or the documentation providing for such Capitalized Lease Obligation) prohibits or requires the consent of any person other than the Grantors as a condition to the creation of any other security interest on such equipment or asset and, in each case, such prohibition or requirement is permitted by the Credit Agreement, (h) any foreign collateral or credit support with respect to such foreign collateral (other than any such assets pledged pursuant to the Pledge Agreement) or (i) any real property (owned or leased) or oil and gas properties (owned or leased) other than the Mortgaged Properties (the foregoing clauses (a) through (i), the “ Excluded Assets ”). With respect to the Collateral, no control agreements or control arrangements will be required with respect to any Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts, Commodity Contracts or any other asset, the perfection of a security interest in which specifically requires a control arrangement or control agreement (other than the delivery of Pledged Securities to the Agent to the extent required by Article II).

 

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(b)           Each Grantor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Agent at any time and from time to time to file in any relevant jurisdiction any initial financing statements (including fixture filings) with respect to the Article 9 Collateral or any part thereof and amendments thereto that contain the information required by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of each applicable jurisdiction for the filing of any financing statement or amendment, including (i) whether such Grantor is an organization, the type of organization and any organizational identification number issued to such Grantor, (ii) in the case of a financing statement filed as a fixture filing, a sufficient description of the real property to which such Article 9 Collateral relates and (iii) a description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Agent may reasonably determine is necessary or advisable to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Article 9 Collateral granted under this Agreement, including describing such property as “all assets” or “all property” or words of similar effect. Each Grantor agrees to provide such information to the Agent promptly upon request.

 

The Agent is further authorized to file with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office (or any successor office or any similar office in any other country) such documents as may be necessary or advisable for the purpose of perfecting, confirming, continuing, enforcing or protecting the Security Interest granted by each Grantor, without the signature of any Grantor, and naming any Grantor or the Grantors as debtors and the Agent as secured party.

 

(c)           The Security Interest is granted as security only and shall not subject the Agent or any other Secured Party to, or in any way alter or modify, any obligation or liability of any Grantor with respect to or arising out of the Article 9 Collateral.

 

SECTION 3.02.          Representations and Warranties. The Grantors jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Agent and the Secured Parties that:

 

(a)           Each Grantor has good and valid rights in and title to the Article 9 Collateral with respect to which it has purported to grant a Security Interest hereunder and has full power and authority to grant to the Agent the Security Interest in such Article 9 Collateral pursuant hereto and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without the consent or approval of any other person other than any consent or approval that has been obtained and is in full force and effect or has otherwise been disclosed herein or in the Credit Agreement and the Schedules thereto.

 

(b)           The Perfection Certificate has been duly prepared, completed and executed and the information set forth therein, including the exact legal name of each Grantor, is correct and complete, in all material respects, as of the Closing Date. Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations containing a description of the Article 9 Collateral have been prepared by the Agent based upon the information provided to the Agent in the Perfection Certificate for filing in each governmental, municipal or other office specified in the Perfection Certificate (or specified by notice from the Borrower to the Agent after the Closing Date in the case of filings, recordings or registrations required by Section 9.13 of the Credit Agreement), and constitute all the filings, recordings and

 

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registrations (other than filings required to be made in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office in order to perfect the Security Interest in Article 9 Collateral consisting of United States Patents, United States registered Trademarks and United States registered Copyrights) that are necessary to publish notice of and protect the validity of and to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in respect of all Article 9 Collateral in which the Security Interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registration in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration is necessary in any such jurisdiction, except as provided under applicable law with respect to the filing of continuation statements or amendments. Each Grantor represents and warrants that a fully executed agreement in the form hereof (or a short form hereof which form shall be reasonably acceptable to the Agent) containing a description of all Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property with respect to registered United States Patents (and Patents for which registration applications are pending), registered United States Trademarks (and Trademarks for which registration applications are pending) and registered United States Copyrights (and Copyrights for which registration applications are pending) has been delivered to the Agent for recording with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 261, 15 U.S.C. § 1060 or 17 U.S.C. § 205 and the regulations thereunder, as applicable, to protect the validity of and to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in respect of all Article 9 Collateral consisting of such Intellectual Property in which a security interest may be perfected by recording with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration is necessary (other than such actions as are necessary to perfect the Security Interest with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights (or registration or application for registration thereof) acquired or developed after the Closing Date).

 

(c)           The Security Interest constitutes (i) a legal and valid security interest in all the Article 9 Collateral securing the payment and performance of the Obligations, (ii) subject to the filings described in Section 3.02(b), a perfected security interest in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registering a financing statement or analogous document in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law in such jurisdictions and (iii) subject to Section 3.02(b), a security interest that shall be perfected in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected upon the receipt and recording of this Agreement (or a short form hereof) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, as applicable. The Security Interest is and shall be prior to any other Lien on any of the Article 9 Collateral other than Permitted Liens.

 

(d)           The Article 9 Collateral is owned by the Grantors free and clear of any Lien, other than Permitted Liens. None of the Grantors has filed or consented to the filing of (i) any financing statement or analogous document under the Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable laws covering any Article 9 Collateral, (ii) any assignment

 

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in which any Grantor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office or (iii) any assignment in which any Grantor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with any foreign governmental, municipal or other office, which financing statement or analogous document, assignment, security agreement or similar instrument is still in effect, except, in each case, for Permitted Liens.

 

(e)           Except as set forth in the Perfection Certificate, as of the Closing Date, all Accounts owned by the Grantors have been originated by the Grantors and all Inventory owned by the Grantors has been acquired by the Grantors in the ordinary course of business.

 

SECTION 3.03.          Covenants.

 

(a)           Each Grantor agrees promptly (and in any event within 10 days thereof, or such longer period of time as may be agreed by the Agent) to notify the Agent in writing of any change (i) in its legal name, (ii) in its identity or type of organization or corporate structure, (iii) in its Federal Taxpayer Identification Number or organizational identification number or (iv) in its jurisdiction of organization. Each Grantor agrees promptly to provide the Agent with certified organizational documents reflecting any of the changes described in the immediately preceding sentence. Each Grantor agrees that if it effects or permits any change referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph (a) it will ensure that all filings have been made, or will have been made within any applicable statutory period, under the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise that are required in order for the Agent at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected first priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in all the Article 9 Collateral, for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Each Grantor agrees promptly to notify the Agent if any material portion of the Article 9 Collateral owned or held by such Grantor is damaged or destroyed.

 

(b)           Subject to the rights of such Grantor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Collateral, each Grantor shall, at its own expense, use commercially reasonable efforts to defend title to the Article 9 Collateral against all persons and to defend the Security Interest of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Article 9 Collateral and the priority thereof against any Lien that is not a Permitted Lien.

 

(c)           Each Grantor agrees, at its own expense, to execute, acknowledge, deliver and cause to be duly filed all such further instruments and documents and take all such actions as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request to better assure, preserve, protect and perfect the Security Interest and the rights and remedies created hereby, including the payment of any fees and taxes required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the granting of the Security Interest and the filing of any financing statements (including fixture filings) or other documents in connection herewith or therewith.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby authorizes the Agent, with prompt notice thereof to the Grantors, to supplement this Agreement by supplementing Schedule III or adding additional schedules hereto to specifically identify any asset or

 

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item that may constitute Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, Copyright Licenses, Patent Licenses or Trademark Licenses; provided that any Grantor shall have the right, exercisable within 90 days after it has been notified by the Agent of the specific identification of such Collateral, to advise the Agent in writing of any inaccuracy of the representations and warranties made by such Grantor hereunder with respect to such Article 9 Collateral. Each Grantor agrees that it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to take such action as shall be necessary in order that all representations and warranties hereunder shall be true and correct with respect to such Article 9 Collateral within 90 days after the date it has been notified by the Agent of the specific identification of such Article 9 Collateral.

 

(d)           (i) After the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the continuance thereof, the Agent shall have the right to verify under reasonable procedures the validity, amount, quality, quantity, value, condition and status of, or any other matter relating to, the Article 9 Collateral, including, in the case of Accounts or Article 9 Collateral in the possession of any third person, by contacting Account Debtors or the third person possessing such Article 9 Collateral for the purpose of making such a verification and each Grantor shall furnish all such assistance and information as Agent may reasonably request in connection with any such verification. The Agent shall have the right to share any information it gains from such inspection or verification with any Secured Party.

 

(ii)           The Agent hereby authorizes each Grantor to collect such Grantor’s Accounts and the Agent may curtail or terminate said authority at any time after written notice is provided by the Agent to such Grantor after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

 

(iii)          At the Agent’s written request at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor shall deliver to the Agent all original and other documents evidencing, and relating to, the agreements and transactions which gave rise to the Accounts, including all original orders, invoices and shipping receipts.

 

(e)           At its option, the Agent may discharge any past due taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on the Article 9 Collateral and that is not a Permitted Lien, and may pay for the maintenance and preservation of the Article 9 Collateral to the extent any Grantor fails to do so as required by the Credit Agreement or this Agreement, and each Grantor jointly and severally agrees to reimburse the Agent on demand for any reasonable payment made or any reasonable expense incurred by the Agent pursuant to the foregoing authorization; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 3.03(e) shall be interpreted as excusing any Grantor from the performance of, or imposing any obligation on the Agent or any Secured Party to cure or perform, any covenants or other promises of any Grantor with respect to taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances and maintenance as set forth herein or in the other Credit Documents.

 

(f)            Each Grantor (rather than the Agent or any Secured Party) shall remain liable for the observance and performance of all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it under each contract, agreement or instrument relating to the Article 9 Collateral

 

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and each Grantor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent and the Secured Parties from and against any and all liability for such performance.

 

(g)           None of the Grantors shall make or permit to be made an assignment, pledge or hypothecation of the Article 9 Collateral or shall grant any other Lien in respect of the Article 9 Collateral, except as expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement. None of the Grantors shall make or permit to be made any transfer of the Article 9 Collateral except as permitted by the Credit Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Agent shall have notified the Grantors that an Event of Default under Section 11.1 or 11.5 of the Credit Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing, and during the continuance thereof, the Grantors shall not sell, convey, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Article 9 Collateral to the extent requested by the Agent (which notice may be given by telephone if promptly confirmed in writing).

 

(h)           None of the Grantors will, without the Agent’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), grant any extension of the time of payment of any Accounts included in the Article 9 Collateral, compromise, compound or settle the same for less than the full amount thereof, release, wholly or partly, any person liable for the payment thereof or allow any credit or discount whatsoever thereon, other than extensions, credits, discounts, compromises or settlements granted or made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with prudent business practices, except as permitted by the Credit Agreement.

 

(i)            Each Grantor irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Agent (and all officers, employees or agents designated by the Agent) as such Grantor’s true and lawful agent (and attorney-in-fact) for the purpose, during the continuance of an Event of Default, of making, settling and adjusting claims in respect of Article 9 Collateral under policies of insurance, endorsing the name of such Grantor on any check, draft, instrument or other item of payment for the proceeds of such policies of insurance and for making all determinations and decisions with respect thereto. In the event that any Grantor at any time or times shall fail to obtain or maintain any of the policies of insurance required by the Credit Documents or to pay any premium in whole or part relating thereto, the Agent may, without waiving or releasing any obligation or liability of the Grantors hereunder or any Event of Default, in its sole discretion, obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and pay such premium and take any other actions with respect thereto as the Agent reasonably deems advisable. All sums disbursed by the Agent in connection with this Section 3.03(i), including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto, shall be payable, upon demand, by the Grantors to the Agent and shall be additional Obligations secured hereby.

 

SECTION 3.04.               Other Actions.   In order to further ensure the attachment, perfection and priority of, and the ability of the Agent to enforce, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Agent’s security interest in the Article 9 Collateral, each Grantor agrees, in each case at such Grantor’s own expense, to take the following actions with respect to the following Article 9 Collateral:

 

(a)           Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper.   If any Grantor shall at any time own or acquire any Instruments or Tangible Chattel Paper evidencing an amount in excess of $15,000,000, such Grantor shall promptly (and in any event within 30 days of its acquisition (or such longer period as the Agent may agree to)) notify the Agent and

 

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promptly endorse, assign and deliver the same to the Agent, accompanied by such instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

 

SECTION 3.05.          Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral. Except as permitted by the Credit Agreement:

 

(a)           Each Grantor agrees that it will not knowingly do any act or omit to do any act (and will exercise commercially reasonable efforts to prevent its licensees from doing any act or omitting to do any act) whereby any Patent material to the normal conduct of such Grantor’s business may become prematurely invalidated or dedicated to the public, and agrees that it shall take commercially reasonable steps with respect to any material products covered by any such Patent as necessary and sufficient to establish and preserve its rights under applicable patent laws.

 

(b)           Each Grantor will, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its licensees or its sublicensees to, for each Trademark material to the normal conduct of such Grantor’s business, (i) maintain such Trademark in full force free from any adjudication of abandonment or invalidity for non-use, (ii) maintain the quality of products and services offered under such Trademark, (iii) display such Trademark with notice of federal or foreign registration or claim of trademark or service mark as required under applicable law and (iv) not knowingly use or knowingly permit its licensees’ use of such Trademark in violation of any third-party rights.

 

(c)           Each Grantor will, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its licensees or its sublicensees to, for each work covered by a material Copyright necessary to the normal conduct of such Grantor’s business that it publishes, displays and distributes, use copyright notice as required under applicable copyright laws.

 

(d)           Each Grantor shall notify the Agent promptly if it knows that any Patent, Trademark or Copyright material to the normal conduct of such Grantor’s business may imminently become prematurely abandoned, lost or dedicated to the public, or of any materially adverse determination or development, excluding office actions and similar determinations or developments, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, United States Copyright Office, any court or any similar office of any country, regarding such Grantor’s ownership of any such material Patent, Trademark or Copyright or its right to register or to maintain the same.

 

(e)           Each Grantor, either itself or through any agent, employee, licensee or designee, shall (i) inform the Agent on an annual basis on or about the time of delivery of financial statements for such year (commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012) of each application by itself, or through any agent, employee, licensee or designee, for any Patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and each registration of any Trademark or Copyright with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any comparable office or agency in any other country filed during the preceding twelve-month period, and (ii) upon the reasonable request of the Agent, execute and deliver any and all agreements,

 

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instruments, documents and papers as the Agent may reasonably request to evidence the Agent’s security interest in such Patent, Trademark or Copyright.

 

(f)            Each Grantor shall exercise its reasonable business judgment consistent with the practice in any proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any comparable office or agency in any other country with respect to maintaining and pursuing each material application relating to any Patent, Trademark and/or Copyright (and obtaining the relevant grant or registration) material to the normal conduct of such Grantor’s business and to maintain (i) each issued Patent and (ii) the registrations of each Trademark and each Copyright that is material to the normal conduct of such Grantor’s business, including, when applicable and necessary in such Grantor’s reasonable business judgment, timely filings of applications for renewal, affidavits of use, affidavits of incontestability and payment of maintenance fees, and, if any Grantor believes necessary in its reasonable business judgment, to initiate opposition, interference and cancellation proceedings against third parties.

 

(g)           In the event that any Grantor knows or has reason to know that any Article 9 Collateral consisting of a Patent, Trademark or Copyright material to the normal conduct of its business has been materially infringed, misappropriated or diluted by a third party, such Grantor shall promptly notify the Agent and shall, if such Grantor deems it necessary in its reasonable business judgment, promptly sue and recover any and all damages, and take such other actions as are reasonably appropriate under the circumstances.

 

(h)           Upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default, at the request of the Agent, each Grantor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all requisite consents or approvals from the licensor under each Copyright License, Patent License or Trademark License to effect the assignment of all such Grantor’s right, title and interest thereunder to (in the Agent’s sole discretion) the designee of the Agent or the Agent.

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

Remedies

 

SECTION 4.01.      Remedies upon Default.    Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, subject to applicable Requirements of Law, each Pledgor agrees to deliver each item of Collateral to the Agent on demand, and it is agreed that the Agent shall have the right to take any of or all the following actions at the same or different times: (a) with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property, on demand, to cause the Security Interest to become an assignment, transfer and conveyance of any of or all such Article 9 Collateral by the applicable Pledgors to the Agent or to license or sublicense, whether general, special or otherwise, and whether on an exclusive or a nonexclusive basis, any such Article 9 Collateral throughout the world on such terms and conditions and in such manner as the Agent shall determine (other than in violation of any then-existing licensing arrangements to the extent that waivers thereunder cannot be obtained) and (b) with or without legal process and with or without prior notice or demand for performance, to take possession of the Article 9 Collateral and without liability for trespass to the applicable Pledgor to enter any premises where

 

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the Article 9 Collateral may be located for the purpose of taking possession of or removing the Article 9 Collateral and, generally, to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor agrees that the Agent shall have the right, subject to the requirements of applicable law, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Agent shall deem appropriate. The Agent shall be authorized in connection with any sale of a security (if it deems it advisable to do so) pursuant to the foregoing to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to persons who represent and agree that they are purchasing such security for their own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof. Upon consummation of any such sale of Collateral pursuant to this Section 4.01, the Agent shall have the right to assign, transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of any Pledgor, and each Pledgor hereby waives and releases (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay, valuation and appraisal that such Pledgor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

 

The Agent shall give the applicable Pledgors 10 days’ written notice (which each Pledgor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. At any such sale, the Collateral, or the portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In the case of any sale of all or any part of the Collateral made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Agent shall not incur any liability in the event that any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in the case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon notice given in accordance with provisions above. At any public (or, to the extent permitted by law, private) sale made pursuant to this Section 4.01, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase for cash, free (to the extent permitted by law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the part of any Pledgor (all such rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Pledgor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and no Pledgor shall be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Obligations paid in full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction

 

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or pursuant to a proceeding by a court-appointed receiver. To the extent provided in this Section 4.01, any sale that complies with such provisions shall be deemed to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided in Section 9-610(b) of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.

 

SECTION 4.02.          Application of Proceeds. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall promptly apply the proceeds, moneys or balances of any collection or sale of Collateral, as well as any Collateral consisting of cash, in accordance with Section 11 of the Credit Agreement.

 

The Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the purchase money by the Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

 

SECTION 4.03.          Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property. For the purpose of enabling the Agent to exercise rights and remedies under this Agreement at such time as the Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, each Grantor grants (such grant effective solely after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default) to (in the Agent’s sole discretion) a designee of the Agent or the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an irrevocable, non-exclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to any Pledgor) to use, license or sublicense any of the Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Pledgor, wherever the same may be located, and including in such license reasonable access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof, the right to prosecute and maintain all Intellectual Property and the right to sue for past infringement of the Intellectual Property; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 4.03 shall require Grantors to grant any license that is prohibited by any rule of law, statute or regulation, or is prohibited by, or constitutes a breach or default under or results in the termination of, any contract, license, instrument or other agreement with an unaffiliated third party, to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement, with respect to such Intellectual Property Collateral; and provided, further, that such licenses to be granted hereunder with respect to Trademarks shall be subject to the maintenance of quality standards with respect to the goods and services on which such Trademarks are used sufficient to preserve the validity of such Trademarks. For the avoidance of doubt, the use of such license by the Agent may be exercised, at the option of the Agent, only during the continuation of an Event of Default. Furthermore, each Grantor hereby grants to the Agent an absolute power of attorney to sign, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, any document which may be required by the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any state office in order to effect an absolute assignment of all right, title and interest in each Patent, Trademark or Copyright, and to record the same.

 

SECTION 4.04.          Securities Act, etc. In view of the position of the Pledgors in relation to the Pledged Collateral, or because of other current or future circumstances, a question

 

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may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as now or hereafter in effect, or any similar federal statute hereafter enacted analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar statute as from time to time in effect being called the “ Federal Securities Laws ”) with respect to any disposition of the Pledged Collateral permitted hereunder. Each Pledgor understands that compliance with the Federal Securities Laws might very strictly limit the course of conduct of the Agent if the Agent were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Pledged Collateral, and might also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any Pledged Collateral could dispose of the same. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Agent in any attempt to dispose of all or part of the Pledged Collateral under applicable Blue Sky or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that in light of such restrictions and limitations, the Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) may proceed to make such a sale whether or not a registration statement for the purpose of registering such Pledged Collateral or part thereof shall have been filed under the Federal Securities Laws or, to the extent applicable, Blue Sky or other state securities laws and (b) may approach and negotiate with a single potential purchaser to effect such sale. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that any such sale might result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale without such restrictions. In the event of any such sale, the Agent shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Collateral at a price that the Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a single purchaser were approached. The provisions of this Section 4.04 will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Agent sells.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01.          Notices. All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement (whether or not then in effect), as such address may be changed by written notice to the Agent and the Borrower. All communications and notices hereunder to any Pledgor shall be given to it in care of the Borrower, with such notice to be given as provided in Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement (whether or not then in effect).

 

SECTION 5.02.          Security Interest Absolute. All rights of the Agent hereunder, the Security Interest, the security interest in the Pledged Collateral and all obligations of each Pledgor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any other agreement or instrument, (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee, securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Obligations or (d) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense

 

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available to, or a discharge of, any Pledgor in respect of the Obligations or this Agreement (other than a defense of payment or performance).

 

SECTION 5.03.          Limitation by Law. All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable Requirements of Law, and all the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable Requirements of Law that may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they shall not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable, in whole or in part, or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable law or regulation.

 

SECTION 5.04.          Binding Effect; Several Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective as to any party to this Agreement when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such party shall have been delivered to the Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such party and the Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such party, the Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no party shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein or in the Collateral (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as not prohibited by this Agreement or the Credit Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each party and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released in accordance with Section 5.09.

 

SECTION 5.05.          Successors and Assigns. Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Pledgor or the Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns. The Agent hereunder shall at all times be the same person that is the “Collateral Agent” under the Credit Agreement. Written notice of resignation by the “Collateral Agent” pursuant to the Credit Agreement shall also constitute notice of resignation as the Agent under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the “Collateral Agent” under the Credit Agreement by a successor “Collateral Agent”, that successor “Collateral Agent” shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent pursuant hereto.

 

SECTION 5.06.          Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification.

 

(a)           The parties hereto agree that the Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 13.5 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)           Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Credit Documents, each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify the Agent and the other Persons entitled to indemnification under Section 13.5 of the Credit Agreement (each, an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (limited to not more than one counsel, plus, if necessary, one local counsel per jurisdiction) (except the allocated costs of in-house counsels), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee

 

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arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with the appointment of any successor Agent in accordance with the applicable Credit Documents and in connection with any filings, registrations or any other actions to be taken to reflect the security interest of such successor Agent), (ii) the use of proceeds of the Loans or the use of any Letter of Credit or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, or to the Collateral, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or any Pledgor; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses have resulted from (i) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, (ii) any material breach (or, in the case of a proceeding brought by the Borrower, any breach) of any Credit Document by the Indemnitee or (iii) disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits not arising from any act or omission by the Borrower or its Affiliates, brought by an indemnified Person against any other indemnified Person (other than disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits involving claims against the Agent in its capacity as such).

 

(c)           Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Obligations secured hereby and by the other Security Documents. The provisions of this Section 5.06 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or any other Secured Party. All amounts due under this Section 5.06 shall be payable within fifteen days of written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 5.07.          Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact. Each Pledgor hereby appoints the Agent the attorney-in-fact of such Pledgor for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, subject to applicable Requirements of Law, the Agent shall have the right, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, with full power of substitution either in the Agent’s name or in the name of such Pledgor, (a) to receive, endorse, assign or deliver any and all notes, acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, (b) to demand, collect, receive payment of, give receipt for and give discharges and releases of all or any of the Collateral; (c) to ask for, demand, sue for, collect, receive and give acquittance for any and all moneys due or to become due under and by virtue of any Collateral; (d) to sign the name of any Pledgor on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any of the Collateral; (e) to send verifications of Accounts to any Account Debtor; (f) to commence and prosecute any and all suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect or otherwise realize on all or any of the Collateral or to enforce any rights in respect of any Collateral; (g) to settle, compromise, compound, adjust or defend any actions, suits or proceedings relating to all or any of the Collateral; (h) to notify, or to require any

 

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Pledgor to notify, Account Debtors to make payment directly to the Agent; and (i) to use, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with all or any of the Collateral, and to do all other acts and things necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, as fully and completely as though the Agent were the absolute owner of the Collateral for all purposes; provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring or obligating the Agent to make any commitment or to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Agent, or to present or file any claim or notice, or to take any action with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof or the moneys due or to become due in respect thereof or any property covered thereby. The Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts actually received as a result of the exercise of the powers granted to them herein, and neither they nor their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Pledgor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own or their Related Parties’ gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

SECTION 5.08.          GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS.

 

(a)           THE TERMS OF SECTIONS 13.12, 13.13 AND 13.15 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS , AND THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE TO SUCH TERMS.

 

(b)           EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN SECTION 5.01. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVICE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

 

SECTION 5.09.          Waivers; Amendment.

 

(a)           No failure or delay by the Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Secured Party in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Lenders or any other Secured Party hereunder and under the other Credit Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.09, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other Secured Party may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

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(b)           Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof or of any other Security Document may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Agent and the Credit Party or Credit Parties with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement. The Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate of an officer of the Borrower as to whether any amendment contemplated by this Section 5.09(b) is permitted.

 

SECTION 5.10.          Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.11.          Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 5.04. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original.

 

SECTION 5.12.          Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.13.          Termination or Release.

 

(a)           This Agreement, the pledges made herein, the Security Interest and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgors, as of the date when all the Obligations (other than (i) Hedging Obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements, (ii) Cash Management Obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (iii) any contingent or indemnification obligations not then due) have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds and the Lenders and any other Secured Parties have no further commitment to lend under the Credit Agreement, the aggregate Total Exposure has been reduced to zero and each Issuing Bank has no further obligations to issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)           A Subsidiary Party shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the security interests in the Collateral of such Subsidiary Party shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction not prohibited by the Credit Agreement as a result of which such Subsidiary Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Subsidiary is released from its Subsidiary Guarantee and from its Subsidiary guarantees of all Credit Documents or otherwise ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor, all without delivery of any instrument or

 

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performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to such Subsidiary Party.

 

(c)           (i) Upon any sale or other transfer by any Pledgor of any Collateral that is not prohibited by the Credit Agreement to any person that is not a Pledgor (including in connection with a Casualty Event), or (ii) upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement, the security interest in such Collateral shall be automatically released, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party.

 

(d)           A Subsidiary Party shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and/or the security interests in any Collateral shall in each case be automatically released upon the occurrence of any of the circumstances set forth in Section 13.17 of the Credit Agreement, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to any applicable Subsidiary Party.

 

(e)           In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 5.13, the Agent shall execute and deliver to any Pledgor, at such Pledgor’s expense, all documents that such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release (including, without limitation, UCC termination statements), and will duly assign and transfer to such Pledgor, such of the Pledged Collateral that may be in the possession of the Agent and has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5.13 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Agent. In connection with any release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) above, the Pledgors shall be permitted to take any action in connection therewith consistent with such release including, without limitation, the filing of UCC termination statements. Upon the receipt of any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Borrower, the Agent shall execute, deliver or acknowledge such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents.

 

SECTION 5.14.          Additional Subsidiaries. Upon execution and delivery by the Agent and any Subsidiary that is required to become a party hereto by Section 9.11 of the Credit Agreement of an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Party hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Subsidiary Party herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party to this Agreement. The rights and obligations of each party to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.15.          Right of Set-off. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Agent and each Issuing Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender, the Agent or such Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of any party to this Agreement against any of and all the obligations of such party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement owed to such Lender, the Agent or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the Agent or such Issuing Bank shall have

 

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made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender, the Agent and Issuing Bank under this Section 5.15 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender, the Agent and such Issuing Bank may have. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Secured Party or any of its respective Affiliates shall have a right to set off and apply any deposits held by, or other Indebtedness owing by, such Secured Party or any of its Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of any Subsidiary of a Credit Party that (i) is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (ii) is a Subsidiary of a Person described in clause (i), unless (in either case) such Subsidiary is not a direct or indirect subsidiary of Holdings. Each Secured Party agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Secured Party; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

 

SECTION 5.16.          No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no recourse shall be had, whether by levy or execution, or under any law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, for the payment of any of the Obligations, against Holdings or any of the assets of Holdings, other than the Pledged Collateral consisting of the Equity Interests in the Borrower directly owned by Holdings, it being expressly understood that the sole remedies available to the Agent and the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Obligations of Holdings shall be against such Pledged Collateral.

 

SECTION 5.17.          Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Agent hereunder is subject to the limitations and provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

EPE HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

30


 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

31



 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

32



 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

33



 

Schedule I

to the Collateral Agreement

 

Subsidiary Parties

 

See attached.

 



 

Schedule II

to the Collateral Agreement

 

Pledged Stock; Debt Securities

 

See attached.

 



 

Schedule III

to the Collateral Agreement

 

Intellectual Property

 

See attached.

 



 

Exhibit I

to the Collateral Agreement

 

SUPPLEMENT NO.                      dated as of                              (this “ Supplement ”), to the Collateral Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as heretofore amended and/or supplemented, the “ Collateral Agreement ”), among EPE HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary Party party thereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

 

A.            Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Holdings, the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, the Agent and the other parties named therein.

 

B.            Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and the Collateral Agreement referred to therein.

 

C.            The Pledgors have entered into the Collateral Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans and each Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit. Section 5.14 of the Collateral Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Subsidiary Parties under the Collateral Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement to become a Subsidiary Party under the Collateral Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and each Issuing Bank to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued.

 

Accordingly, the Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.           In accordance with Section 5.14 of the Collateral Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor under the Collateral Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor, and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Collateral Agreement applicable to it as a Subsidiary Party and Pledgor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Pledgor thereunder are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary, as security for the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, does hereby create and grant to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, their successors and assigns, a security interest in and Lien on all the New Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral of the New Subsidiary. Each reference to a “Subsidiary Party” or a “Pledgor” in the Collateral Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Collateral Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2.           The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it

 



 

and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 3.           This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

 

SECTION 4.           The New Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants that (a) set forth on Schedule I attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all the Pledged Stock and Pledged Debt Securities of the New Subsidiary as of the date hereof, (b) set forth on Schedule II attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all Intellectual Property constituting United States registered Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights as of the date hereof and (c) set forth under its signature hereto, is the true and correct legal name of the New Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of formation and organizational ID number as of the date hereof.

 

SECTION 5.           Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Collateral Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6.         THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 7.           In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Collateral Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 8.           All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Collateral Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.           The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Agent.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has duly executed this Supplement to the Collateral Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

[Name of New Subsidiary]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

3



 

Schedule I

to Supplement No.   to the

Collateral Agreement

 

Pledged Collateral of the New Subsidiary

 

EQUITY INTERESTS

 

Number of Issuer

 

 

 

Number and Class of 

 

Percentage of

 

Certificate

 

Registered Owner

 

Equity Interests

 

Equity Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEBT SECURITIES

 

Issuer

 

Principal Amount

 

Date of Note

 

Maturity Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Schedule II

to Supplement No.   to the

Collateral Agreement

 

Intellectual Property of the New Subsidiary

 



 

Exhibit II

to the Collateral Agreement

 

Form of Perfection Certificate

 

See attached.

 



 

Exhibit F to the Credit Agreement

 

PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

dated and effective as of

 

May 24, 2012,

 

among

 

EP ENERGY LLC
(f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC),

 

each Subsidiary of EP Energy LLC identified herein,

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent

 

THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED HEREIN), AS SET FORTH MORE FULLY IN SECTION 5.15 HEREOF. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE LIENS AND SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED TO THE COLLATERAL AGENT, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SECURED PARTIES, PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR REMEDY BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE OTHER SECURED PARTIES HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

 

Credit Agreement

 

2

SECTION 1.02.

 

Other Defined Terms

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLEDGE OF EQUITY INTERESTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

 

Pledge

 

6

SECTION 2.02.

 

Delivery of the Pledged Stock

 

6

SECTION 2.03.

 

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

 

6

SECTION 2.04.

 

Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

 

8

SECTION 2.05.

 

Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc.

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RESERVED.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REMEDIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

 

Remedies upon Default

 

10

SECTION 4.02.

 

Application of Proceeds

 

11

SECTION 4.03.

 

Securities Act, etc.

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

 

Notices

 

12

SECTION 5.02.

 

Security Interest Absolute

 

13

SECTION 5.03.

 

Limitation by Law

 

13

SECTION 5.04.

 

Binding Effect; Several Agreement

 

13

SECTION 5.05.

 

Successors and Assigns

 

13

SECTION 5.06.

 

Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

 

14

SECTION 5.07.

 

Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

 

14

SECTION 5.08.

 

GOVERNING LAW

 

15

SECTION 5.09.

 

Waivers; Amendment

 

15

SECTION 5.10.

 

Severability

 

16

SECTION 5.11.

 

Counterparts

 

16

 

i



 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.12.

 

Headings

 

16

SECTION 5.13.

 

Termination or Release

 

16

SECTION 5.14.

 

Additional Subsidiaries

 

17

SECTION 5.15.

 

Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 

18

SECTION 5.16.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents

 

18

SECTION 5.17.

 

Right of Set-Off

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

Schedules

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule I

 

Subsidiary Parties

 

 

Schedule II

 

Pledged Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit I

 

Form of Supplement to the Pledge Agreement

 

 

 

ii



 

This PLEDGE AGREEMENT dated and effective as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is among EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower listed on Schedule I hereto and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that becomes a party hereto after the date hereof (each, a “ Subsidiary Party ”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ” or the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EPE Holdings LLC (“ Holdings ”), the Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time parties thereto, the Borrower will from time to time incur loans and letter of credit obligations;

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) among the Borrower and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as co-issuers (the “ Co-Issuers ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Co-Issuers are issuing 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (together with any and all exchange notes and/or additional notes issued pursuant to the Indenture, collectively the “ Notes ”) and (2) pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Term Loan Agent ”), the Borrower is incurring Loans (as defined therein, the “ Term Loans ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Notes, the Term Loans and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are and will be secured on a first-priority, pari passu basis by the Collateral and, on the date hereof, Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the Trustee are entering into the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ”), which sets forth the rights and remedies of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties in the Collateral as amongst each other;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among the Pledgors and Citibank, N.A., the Pledgors have granted to Citibank, N.A., as the Second Lien Agent, a first-priority lien and security interest in the Collateral to secure their obligations under the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent (as each such terms are defined in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture, EP Energy LLC, the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC

 

1



 

named therein and the other parties thereto, the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted by this Agreement are and shall be subordinated in all respects to the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

WHEREAS, each Pledgor is executing and delivering this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement to induce the Lenders to extend credit;

 

WHEREAS, the Subsidiary Parties are Subsidiaries of the Borrower, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit thereunder.

 

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.                  Credit Agreement .

 

(a)           Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. All capitalized terms referred to herein that are defined in Article 9 of the New York UCC and not defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. The term “instrument” shall have the meaning specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. If the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date has occurred, a reference in this Agreement to the Applicable Second Lien Agent shall, unless the context requires otherwise, be construed as a reference to the Agent and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.

 

(b)           The rules of construction specified in Section 1.2 of the Credit Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 1.02.      Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Applicable Agent ” means the Applicable Second Lien Agent (or, if the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date has occurred, the Agent).

 

Applicable Second Lien Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

2



 

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Collateral ” means the Pledged Stock.

 

Collateral Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Discharge ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Federal Securities Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.03.

 

Egypt Purchase Agreement ” shall mean the Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2012, by and among the Borrower and El Paso Preferred Holdings Company, as sellers, and TransGlobe Petroleum International Inc., as purchaser.

 

Excluded Securities ” means:

 

(a) any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing, the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom;

 

(b) solely in the case of any pledge of Equity Interests of any Foreign Corporate Subsidiary (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Party) to secure the Obligations, any Equity Interest that is Voting Stock of such Foreign Corporate Subsidiary in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class (such percentages to be adjusted upon any change of law as may be required to avoid adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary);

 

(c) any Equity Interests to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law;

 

(d) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement (other than customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided that this clause (B)  shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain any such consent)) and for so long as such organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to

 

3



 

secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) to any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement governing such Equity Interests the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than customary non-assignment provisions that are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirement of Law);

 

(e) any Equity Interests of (i) any Immaterial Subsidiary and (ii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(f) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary;

 

(g) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as reasonably determined by the Borrower in writing delivered to the Agent;

 

(h) any Equity Interests set forth on Schedule 1.1(b) of the Credit Agreement which have been identified on or prior to the Closing Date in writing to the Agent by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower and agreed to by the Agent;

 

(i) any “Margin Stock”, as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America;

 

(j) any Equity Interests at any time that is not then subject to a Lien securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations at such time; and

 

(k) any Equity Interests of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company; provided that if the sale of such Equity Interests pursuant to the Egypt Purchase Agreement has not been consummated by the 91st day after the date hereof, subject to the other clauses of the definition of Excluded Securities, such Equity Interests shall no longer be Excluded Securities.

 

Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06.

 

Indenture ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

4



 

Permitted Liens ” means Liens that are not prohibited by the Credit Agreement.

 

Pledged Securities ” means any stock certificates or other certificated securities now or hereafter included in the Pledged Stock, including all certificates, instruments or other documents representing or evidencing any Pledged Stock.

 

Pledged Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledgor ” shall mean the Borrower and each Subsidiary Party.

 

Second Lien Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date ” means, subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the date on which the Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations occurs; provided that if, at any time after the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations is deemed not to have occurred under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement (other than with respect to any actions taken prior to the date of incurrence and designation of any new Second-Priority Lien Obligations as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations).

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Subsidiary Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Trustee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

5


 

ARTICLE II.

 

Pledge of Equity Interests

 

SECTION 2.01.           Pledge . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Pledgor hereby assigns and pledges to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of such Pledgor’s right, title and interest in, to and under (a) the Equity Interests in each first-tier Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by it (which such Equity Interests constituting Pledged Stock as of the date hereof shall be listed on Schedule II ) and any other Equity Interests in a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary obtained in the future by such Pledgor and any certificates representing all such Equity Interests; provided that the pledged Equity Interests shall not include any Excluded Securities; (b) subject to Section 2.05, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other proceeds received in respect of, the securities referred to in clause (a) above; (c) subject to Section 2.05, all rights and privileges of such Pledgor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; and (d) all Proceeds of any of the foregoing (the items referred to in clauses (a) through (d) above being collectively referred to as the “ Pledged Stock ”).

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Pledged Stock, together with all right, title, interest, powers, privileges and preferences pertaining or incidental thereto, unto the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, forever; subject , however , to the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

SECTION 2.02.           Delivery of the Pledged Stock .

 

(a)            Each Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 45 days after the acquisition (or such longer time as the Applicable Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, any and all Pledged Securities.

 

(b)            Upon delivery to the Applicable Agent, any Pledged Securities required to be delivered pursuant to the foregoing paragraph (a) of this Section 2.02 shall be accompanied by stock powers, duly executed in blank or other instruments of transfer reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent and by such other instruments and documents as the Applicable Agent may reasonably request. Each delivery of Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by a schedule describing the securities, which schedule shall be attached hereto as Schedule II (or a supplement to Schedule II, as applicable) and made a part hereof; provided that failure to attach any such schedule hereto shall not affect the validity of such pledge of such Pledged Securities. Each schedule so delivered shall supplement any prior schedules so delivered.

 

SECTION 2.03.           Representations, Warranties and Covenants . Each Pledgor represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

 

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(a)              Schedule II correctly sets forth the percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by such Pledged Stock and includes all Equity Interests of each Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by each Pledgor on the date hereof, other than the Excluded Securities;

 

(b)              the Pledged Stock, to the best of each Pledgor’s knowledge, have been duly and validly authorized and issued by the issuers thereof and are fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(c)              except for the security interests granted hereunder (and those securing Second-Priority Lien Obligations), each Pledgor (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Credit Agreement, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Securities indicated on Schedule II as owned by such Pledgor, (ii) holds the same free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, (iii) will make no assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of, or create or permit to exist any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Stock, other than pursuant to a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement and other than Permitted Liens, and (iv) subject to the rights of such Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Pledged Stock, will use commercially reasonable efforts to defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), however arising, of all persons;

 

(d)              other than as set forth in the Credit Agreement or the schedules thereto or in the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Credit Documents, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or securities laws generally, the Pledged Stock is and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Stock is or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement, charter, by-law, memorandum of association or articles of association provisions or contractual restriction of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect the pledge of such Pledged Stock hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Agent of rights and remedies hereunder other than under applicable Requirements of Law;

 

(e)              each Pledgor has the power and authority to pledge the Pledged Stock pledged by it hereunder in the manner hereby done or contemplated;

 

(f)               other than as set forth in the Credit Agreement or the schedules thereto or in the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, no consent or approval of any Governmental Authority, any securities exchange or any other person was or is necessary to the validity of the pledge effected hereby (other than such as have been obtained and are in full force and effect);

 

(g)              by virtue of the execution and delivery by the Pledgors of this Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, when any Pledged Stock is delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with this Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and a financing statement in respect of the Pledged Stock is filed in the appropriate filing office, the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected (except for any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing delivered to the

 

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Agent, the costs or other consequences of perfecting such a security interest are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom) lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Stock, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations;

 

(h)              the pledge effected hereby is effective to vest in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the rights of the Agent in the Pledged Stock as set forth herein; and

 

(i)               if the sale of the Equity Interests of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company pursuant to the Egypt Purchase Agreement has not been consummated by the 91st day after the date hereof, the Borrower shall, within 10 Business Days following such 91st day, file a financing statement in respect of such Equity Interests in the appropriate state filing office so that the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected lien upon and security interest in such Equity Interests, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations.

 

SECTION 2.04.           Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (a) the Applicable Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to hold the Pledged Securities in its own name as pledgee or the name of its nominee (as pledgee or as sub-agent), or the name of the applicable Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank in favor of the Applicable Agent, and (b) each Pledgor will promptly give to the Applicable Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Securities registered in the name of such Pledgor. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Applicable Agent shall have the right to exchange the certificates representing Pledged Securities for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with this Agreement. Each Pledgor shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Subsidiary that is not a party to this Agreement to comply with a request by the Applicable Agent, pursuant to this Section 2.04, to exchange certificates representing Pledged Securities of such Subsidiary for certificates of smaller or larger denominations.

 

SECTION 2.05.           Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc .

 

(a)             Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Applicable Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder:

 

(i)         Each Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Stock or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that could be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the rights and remedies of any of the Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same.

 

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(ii)        The Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to each Pledgor, or cause to be executed and delivered to such Pledgor, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as such Pledgor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to subparagraph (i) above.

 

(iii)       Each Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Stock to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are permitted by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and applicable laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Stock, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Stock or received in exchange for Pledged Stock or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Stock, and, if received by any Pledgor, shall be promptly (and in any event within 45 days of their receipt (or such longer time as the Applicable Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent).

 

(b)            After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and upon notice by the Applicable Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, all rights of any Pledgor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.05 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Applicable Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions; provided that the Applicable Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to receive and retain such amounts. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.05 shall not be commingled by such Pledgor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Applicable Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Applicable Agent in an account to be established by the Applicable Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Applicable Agent a certificate to that effect, the Applicable Agent shall promptly repay to each Pledgor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.05 and that remain in such account.

 

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(c)             Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice by the Applicable Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, subject to applicable Requirements of Law, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.05, and the obligations of the Applicable Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.05, shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers; provided that the Applicable Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to exercise such rights. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Applicable Agent a certificate to that effect, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.05, and the obligations of the Applicable Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.05, shall in each case be reinstated.

 

(d)            Any notice given by the Applicable Agent to the Pledgors suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 2.05 (i) shall be in writing, (ii) may be given to one or more of the Pledgors at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Pledgors under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(iii) in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Applicable Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Applicable Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

ARTICLE III.

 

[Reserved.]

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

Remedies

 

SECTION 4.01.           Remedies upon Default . Subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and applicable Requirements of Law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Pledgor agrees to deliver each item of Collateral to the Applicable Agent on demand and it is agreed that the Applicable Agent shall have the right generally to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor agrees that the Agent shall have the right, subject to the requirements of applicable law and subject to the terms and conditions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Agent shall deem appropriate. The Agent shall be authorized in connection with any sale of a security (if it deems it advisable to do so) pursuant to the foregoing to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to persons who represent and agree that they are purchasing such security for their own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof. Upon consummation of any such sale of Collateral pursuant to this Section 4.01, the Agent shall have the right to assign,

 

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transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of any Pledgor, and each Pledgor hereby waives and releases (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay, valuation and appraisal that such Pledgor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

 

The Agent shall give the applicable Pledgors 10 days’ written notice (which each Pledgor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. At any such sale, the Collateral, or the portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In the case of any sale of all or any part of the Collateral made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Agent shall not incur any liability in the event that any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in the case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon notice given in accordance with provisions above. At any public (or, to the extent permitted by law, private) sale made pursuant to this Section 4.01, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase for cash, free (to the extent permitted by law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the part of any Pledgor (all such rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Pledgor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and no Pledgor shall be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Obligations paid in full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court-appointed receiver. To the extent provided in this Section 4.01, any sale that complies with such provisions shall be deemed to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided in Section 9-610(b) of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.

 

SECTION 4.02.           Application of Proceeds . Subject to the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall promptly apply the proceeds, moneys or balances of any collection or sale of Collateral, as well as any Collateral consisting of cash, in accordance with Section 11 of the Credit Agreement.

 

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The Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the purchase money by the Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

 

SECTION 4.03.           Securities Act, etc . In view of the position of the Pledgors in relation to the Pledged Stock, or because of other current or future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as now or hereafter in effect, or any similar federal statute hereafter enacted analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar statute as from time to time in effect being called the “ Federal Securities Laws ”) with respect to any disposition of the Pledged Stock permitted hereunder. Each Pledgor understands that compliance with the Federal Securities Laws might very strictly limit the course of conduct of the Applicable Agent if the Applicable Agent were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Pledged Stock, and might also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any Pledged Stock could dispose of the same. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Applicable Agent in any attempt to dispose of all or part of the Pledged Stock under applicable Blue Sky or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that in light of such restrictions and limitations, the Applicable Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) may proceed to make such a sale whether or not a registration statement for the purpose of registering such Pledged Stock or part thereof shall have been filed under the Federal Securities Laws or, to the extent applicable, Blue Sky or other state securities laws and (b) may approach and negotiate with a single potential purchaser to effect such sale. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that any such sale might result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale without such restrictions. In the event of any such sale, the Applicable Agent shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Stock at a price that the Applicable Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a single purchaser were approached. The provisions of this Section 4.03 will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Applicable Agent sells.

 

ARTICLE V.


Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01.           Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement (whether or not then in effect), as such address may be changed by written notice to the Agent and the Borrower. All communications and notices hereunder to any Pledgor shall be given to it in care of the Borrower, with such notice to be given as provided in Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement (whether or not then in effect).

 

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SECTION 5.02.           Security Interest Absolute . All rights of the Agent hereunder, the security interest in the Pledged Stock and all obligations of each Pledgor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any other agreement or instrument, (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee, securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Obligations or (d) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Pledgor in respect of the Obligations or this Agreement (other than a defense of payment or performance).

 

SECTION 5.03.           Limitation by Law . All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable Requirements of Law, and all the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable Requirements of Law that may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they shall not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable, in whole or in part, or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable law or regulation.

 

SECTION 5.04.           Binding Effect; Several Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as to any party to this Agreement when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such party shall have been delivered to the Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such party and the Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such party, the Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no party shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein or in the Collateral (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Credit Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each party and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released in accordance with Section 5.09.

 

SECTION 5.05.           Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Pledgor or the Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns. The Agent hereunder shall at all times be the same person that is the “Collateral Agent” under the Credit Agreement. Written notice of resignation by the “Collateral Agent” pursuant to the Credit Agreement shall also constitute notice of resignation as the Agent under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the “Collateral Agent” under the Credit Agreement by a successor “Collateral Agent”, that successor “Collateral Agent” shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent pursuant hereto.

 

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SECTION 5.06.           Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

 

(a)              The parties hereto agree that the Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 13.5 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)              Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Credit Documents, each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify the Agent and the other Persons entitled to indemnification under Section 13.5 of the Credit Agreement (each, an “ Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (limited to not more than one counsel, plus, if necessary, one local counsel per jurisdiction) (except the allocated costs of in-house counsels), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with the appointment of any successor Agent in accordance with the applicable Credit Documents and in connection with any filings, registrations or any other actions to be taken to reflect the security interest of such successor Agent), (ii) the use of proceeds of the Loans or the use of any Letter of Credit or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, or to the Collateral, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or any Pledgor; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses have resulted from (i) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, (ii) any material breach (or, in the case of a proceeding brought by the Borrower, any breach) of any Credit Document by the Indemnitee or (iii) disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits not arising from any act or omission by the Borrower or its Affiliates, brought by an indemnified Person against any other indemnified Person (other than disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits involving claims against the Agent in its capacity as such).

 

(c)              Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Obligations secured hereby and by the other Security Documents. The provisions of this Section 5.06 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or any other Secured Party. All amounts due under this Section 5.06 shall be payable on written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 5.07.           Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . Each Pledgor hereby appoints, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest, the Agent as such Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Pledgor and in the name of such Pledgor or otherwise, to take any action and to execute any instrument, in each case subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and with notice to such Pledgor, that the Agent may deem reasonably

 

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necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including to receive, indorse and collect all instruments made payable to such Pledgor representing any dividend or distribution payment in respect of the Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same.

 

SECTION 5.08.           GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS .

 

(a)              THE TERMS OF SECTIONS 13.12, 13.13 AND 13.15 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS, AND THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE TO SUCH TERMS.

 

(b)              EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESSIN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN SECTION 5.01. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVICE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

 

SECTION 5.09.           Waivers; Amendment .

 

(a)              No failure or delay by the Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Secured Party in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Lenders or any other Secured Party hereunder and under the other Credit Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.09, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other Secured Party may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)            Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Agent and the Credit Party or Credit Parties with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement and except as otherwise provided in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate of an officer of the Borrower as to whether any amendment contemplated by this Section 5.09(b) is permitted.

 

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(c)             For the purpose of Section 5.09(b) above, the Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person and the Agent need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document. At any time that the Borrower desires that this Agreement be amended as provided in Section 5.09(b) above, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a certificate signed by an officer of the Borrower stating that the amendment of this Agreement is permitted pursuant to Section 5.09(b) above.

 

SECTION 5.10.           Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.11.           Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 5.04. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original.

 

SECTION 5.12.           Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.13.           Termination or Release .

 

(a)              This Agreement, the pledges made herein and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgors, as of the date when all the Obligations (other than (i) Hedging Obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements, (ii) Cash Management Obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (iii) any contingent or indemnification obligations not then due) have been paid in full or defeased in cash or immediately available funds and the Lenders and any other Secured Parties have no further commitment to lend under the Credit Agreement, the aggregate Total Exposure has been reduced to zero and each Issuing Bank has no further obligations to issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)              A Subsidiary Party shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the security interests in the Collateral of such Subsidiary Party shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction not prohibited by the Credit Agreement as a result of which such Subsidiary Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Subsidiary is released from its Subsidiary Guarantee and from its Subsidiary guarantees of all Credit Documents or otherwise ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor, all without delivery of any instrument or

 

16



 

performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to such Subsidiary Party.

 

(c)              (i) Upon any sale or other transfer by any Pledgor of any Collateral that is not prohibited by the Credit Agreement to any person that is not a Pledgor (including in connection with a Casualty Event), or (ii) upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement, the security interest in such Collateral shall be automatically released, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party.

 

(d)              If any of the Collateral shall become subject to the release provision set forth in Section 2.05(b) of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, such Collateral shall be automatically released from the security interest in such Collateral to the extent provided therein.

 

(e)              In respect of any assets or property constituting Collateral, such Collateral shall be released from the security interest created hereunder upon the release of the security interest in such assets or property securing any Second-Priority Lien Obligations, other than in connection with a Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

(f)               A Subsidiary Party shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and/or the security interests in any Collateral shall in each case be automatically released upon the occurrence of any of the circumstances set forth in Section 13.17 of the Credit Agreement, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to any applicable Subsidiary Party.

 

(g)              In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this Section 5.13, the Agent shall execute and deliver to any Pledgor, at such Pledgor’s expense, all documents that such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release (including, without limitation, UCC termination statements), and will duly assign and transfer to such Pledgor, such of the Pledged Stock that may be in the possession of the Agent and has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5.13 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Agent. In connection with any release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) above, the Pledgors shall be permitted to take any action in connection therewith consistent with such release including, without limitation, the filing of UCC termination statements. Upon the receipt of any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Borrower, the Agent shall execute, deliver or acknowledge such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents or the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.14.           Additional Subsidiaries . Upon execution and delivery by the Agent and any Subsidiary that is required to become a party hereto by Section 9.11 of the Credit Agreement of an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Party hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Subsidiary Party herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any

 

17



 

other party to this Agreement. The rights and obligations of each party to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.15.           Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement .

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject and subordinate to the liens and security interests granted to the Second Lien Agent pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), from the “Pledgors” referred to therein, in favor of the Second Lien, as collateral agent for the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Agent hereunder or the application of proceeds (including insurance proceeds and condemnation proceeds) of any Collateral are subject to the limitations and provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.

 

SECTION 5.16.           Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents .

 

The Agent acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and any Secured Party, that any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, until the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the Pledgors shall not be required to act or refrain from acting pursuant to the Security Documents or with respect to any Collateral on which the Applicable Second Lien Agent has a Lien superior in priority to the Agent’s Lien thereon in any manner that would result in a default under the terms and provisions of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

SECTION 5.17.           Right of Set-Off .

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Agent and each Issuing Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender, the Agent or such Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of any party to this Agreement against any of and all the obligations of such party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement owed to such Lender, the Agent or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the Agent or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender, the Agent and Issuing Bank under this Section 5.17 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender, the Agent and such Issuing Bank may have. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Secured Party or any of its respective Affiliates shall have a right to set off and apply any deposits held by, or other Indebtedness owing by, such Secured Party or any of its Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of any Subsidiary of a Credit Party that (i) is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (ii) is a Subsidiary of a Person described in clause (i), unless (in either case) such Subsidiary is not a direct or indirect subsidiary of Holdings. Each Secured Party agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Secured

 

18



 

Party; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

19



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

20



 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

21



 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

22



 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

23



 

Schedule I

to the Pledge Agreement

 

Subsidiary Parties

 

See attached.

 



 

Schedule II

to the Pledge Agreement

 

Pledged Stock

 

See attached.

 


 

Exhibit I

to the Pledge Agreement

 

SUPPLEMENT NO.             dated as of                        (this “ Supplement ”), to the Pledge Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as heretofore amended and/or supplemented, the “ Pledge Agreement ”), among EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary Party party thereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

 

A.           Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Holdings, the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, the Agent and the other parties named therein.

 

B.            Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and the Pledge Agreement referred to therein.

 

C.            The Pledgors have entered into the Pledge Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans and each Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit. Section 5.14 of the Pledge Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Subsidiary Parties under the Pledge Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement to become a Subsidiary Party under the Pledge Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and each Issuing Bank to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued .

 

Accordingly, the Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.            In accordance with Section 5.14 of the Pledge Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor under the Pledge Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor, and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Pledge Agreement applicable to it as a Subsidiary Party and Pledgor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Pledgor thereunder are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary, as security for the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, does hereby create and grant to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, their successors and assigns, a security interest in and Lien on all the New Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral of the New Subsidiary. Each reference to a “Subsidiary Party” or a “Pledgor” in the Pledge Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Pledge Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2.            The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with

 



 

its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 3.            This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

 

SECTION 4.            The New Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants that (a) set forth on Schedule I attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all the Pledged Stock of the New Subsidiary as of the date hereof and (b) set forth under its signature hereto, is the true and correct legal name of the New Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of formation and organizational ID number as of the date hereof.

 

SECTION 5.            Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Pledge Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6.          THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 7.            In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Pledge Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 8.            All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Pledge Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.            The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Agent.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has duly executed this Supplement to the Pledge Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

[Name of New Subsidiary]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

3



 

Schedule I

to Supplement No.   to the

Pledge Agreement

 

Pledged Stock of the New Subsidiary

 

EQUITY INTERESTS

 

Number of Issuer

 

 

 

Number and Class of

 

Percentage of

 

Certificate

 

Registered Owner

 

Equity Interests

 

Equity Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT G TO

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF]
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE(1)

 

This Assignment and Acceptance (this “ Assignment and Acceptance ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [ Insert name of Assignor ] (the “ Assignor ”) and [ Insert name of Assignee ] (the “ Assignee ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Acceptance as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below, (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any participations in L/C Obligations or Swingline Loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement) against any person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “ Assigned Interest ”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.           Assignor:                                         

 

2.           Assignee:                                         

 

3.           Is Assignee a Lender/an Affiliate of a Lender/an “Approved Fund”/Is this an “assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans”? Yes: o

 


(1)      To be used in the case of any sale, assignment or transfer by a Lender to an assignee other than Holdings, the Borrower or the Borrower’s Subsidiaries.

 

G-1



 

No: o

Specify if “Yes”:                                               .

 

4.           Is Assignee an “Affiliated Lender”? Yes: o No: o

Specify if “Yes”:                                              .

 

5.           Is Assignee an “Affiliated Institutional Lender”? Yes: o No: o

Specify if “Yes”:                                               .

 

6.           Borrower:  EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”).

 

7.           Administrative Agent:  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, under the Credit Agreement.

 

8.           Credit Agreement:  Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 among EPE Holdings LLC, the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank, and each other Issuing Bank from time to time party thereto.

 

9.           Assigned Interest:

 

 

Commitments / Loans

 

Aggregate
Amount of
Commitments of
all Lenders

 

Amount of
Commitments /
Loans Assigned

 

Percentage
Assigned of
Commitments of
all Lenders(2)

 

 

Commitments / Loans

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

[                ](3)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

Effective Date:                                      , 20    [TO BE INSERTED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR].

 

10.         Notice and Wire Instructions:

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

 

 

 

 

Notices :

Notices :

 


(2)      Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

(3)      [In the event any new Class of Commitments / Loans is established under Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, refer to the Class of Commitments / Loans assigned.]

 

G-2



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attention:

 

Attention:

 

Facsimile:

 

Facsimile:

 

 

 

 

with a copy to:

with a copy to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attention:

 

Attention:

 

Facsimile:

 

Facsimile:

 

 

 

 

Wire Instructions :

Wire Instructions :

 

G-3



 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Acceptance are hereby agreed to:

 

 

ASSIGNOR

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNEE

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

Accepted and Consented to:

 

 

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Swingline Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Issuing Bank

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[INSERT NAME], as Issuing Bank

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

[EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC), as Borrower](1)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 


(1)    Borrower’s consent shall not be required if an Event of Default under Section 11.1 or Section 11.5 of the Credit Agreement has occurred and is continuing.

 


 

ANNEX 1

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

 

1.             Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document, other than as to the matters set forth in this Section 1, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates or any other person obligated in respect of any Credit Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates or any other person of any of their respective obligations under any Credit Document.

 

2              Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement [(subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13.6(h) of the Credit Agreement)](1), (ii) it is not Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary of the Borrower, a natural person, an Ineligible Institution or a Defaulting Lender and otherwise satisfies all other requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 9.1(a)-(b) thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and (vi) if it is a Non-U.S. Lender, attached to this Assignment and Acceptance is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender and, based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at that time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit

 


(1)                     Insert if Assignee is an Affiliated Lender.

 



 

Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

3.              Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

4.              General Provisions. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Acceptance by fax or other electronic delivery shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Acceptance. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

2



 

EXHIBIT H-1 TO

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

FORM OF NOTE

 

                          ,        

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to                                               or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan (other than Swingline Loans) from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ,” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank, and each other Issuing Bank from time to time party thereto.

 

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan (other than Swingline Loans) from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in Section 2.8(c) of the Agreement. This Note is subject to mandatory prepayments and to voluntary prepayments and to all other terms and conditions as provided in the Agreement.

 

This Note is one of the promissory notes referred to in the Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereof. This Note is also entitled to the benefits of the other Credit Documents and is secured by the Collateral. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Loans (other than Swingline Loans) made by the Lender shall be evidenced by an account or accounts maintained by the Lender and by the Register and subaccounts maintained by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the Agreement. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans (other than Swingline Loans) and payments with respect thereto.

 

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note.

 

No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the Credit Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. A waiver by the Administrative Agent of any right, remedy,

 



 

power or privilege hereunder or under any Credit Document on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy that the Administrative Agent would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Note is executed as of the date set forth above.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST

 

ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

2



 

LOANS (OTHER THAN SWINGLINE LOANS) AND
PAYMENTS WITH RESPECT THERETO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of

 

Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal or

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

Type of

 

Amount of

 

End of 

 

Interest Paid

 

Balance This

 

Notation

 

Date

 

Loan Made

 

Loan Made

 

Interest Period

 

This Date

 

Date

 

Made By

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3



 

EXHIBIT H-2 TO

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

FORM OF SWINGLINE NOTE

 

                          ,       

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Swingline Lender (in such capacity, the “ Swingline Lender ”) or its registered assigns, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the lesser of (a)  FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($50,000,000) and (b) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all advances made by the Swingline Lender to the Borrower as Swingline Loans under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ,” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank, and each other Issuing Bank from time to time party thereto.

 

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof, from the date hereof until paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Swingline Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in Section 2.8(c) of the Agreement. This Swingline Note is subject to mandatory prepayments and to voluntary prepayments and to all other terms and conditions as provided in the Agreement.

 

This Swingline Note is one of the promissory notes referred to in the Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereof. This Swingline Note is also entitled to the benefits of the other Credit Documents and is secured by the Collateral. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Swingline Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender shall be evidenced by an account or accounts maintained by the Swingline Lender and by the Register and subaccounts maintained by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the Agreement. The Swingline Lender may also attach schedules to this Swingline Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Swingline Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Swingline Note.

 

No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Swingline Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the Credit Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other

 



 

right, remedy, power or privilege. A waiver by the Swingline Lender of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any Credit Document on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy that the Swingline Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

THIS SWINGLINE NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Swingline Note is executed as of the date set forth above.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST

 

ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

SWINGLINE LOANS AND PAYMENTS WITH RESPECT
THERETO

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal or

 

Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of

 

Interest Paid This 

 

Principal Balance

 

Notation Made 

 

Date

 

Loan Made

 

Date

 

This Date

 

By

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

EXHIBIT I TO

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

GLOBAL INTERCOMPANY NOTE

 

May 24, 2012

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, each of the undersigned, to the extent a borrower from time to time from any other entity listed on the signature pages hereto (each, in such capacity, an “ Issuer ”), hereby promises to pay on demand to the order of such other entity listed below (each, in such capacity as lender to the applicable Issuer, a “ Holder and, together with each Issuer, a “ Note Party ”), in immediately available funds in the currencies as shall be agreed upon from time to time, at such location as the applicable Holder shall from time to time designate, the unpaid principal amount of all loans and advances or other credit extensions made by such Holder to such Issuer. Each Issuer promises also to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of all such loans and advances or other credit extensions in like money at said location from the date of such loans and advances until paid at such rate per annum as shall be agreed upon from time to time by the applicable Issuer and the applicable Holder.

 

With respect to any Issuer and any Holder between whom loans, advances or other credit extensions exist as of the date of this Note (such loans, advances or other credit extensions, “ Existing Obligations ”), (a) if any Existing Obligation is evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument or agreement in existence as of the date hereof (an “ Existing Note ”), it is agreed to between such Issuer and such Holder that the obligations under such Existing Note are hereafter to be evidenced by this Note and (b) it is agreed to between such Issuer and such Holder that the agreements in existence as of the date hereof with respect to any Existing Obligation (including agreements contained in any Existing Note) as to principal, amortization, currency, payment location and interest rate (if any) will continue to have effect under this Note until modified by agreement between such Issuer and such Holder.

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) among EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto from time to time (collectively, the “ Lenders and individually, a “ Lender ”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ”) and the other parties party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

 

Upon the earlier to occur of (x) the commencement of any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency or liquidation or similar proceeding of any jurisdiction relating to the applicable Issuer or (y) any exercise of remedies (including the termination of the Commitments) pursuant to Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement, the unpaid principal amount of all loans and advances evidenced by this note (the “ Note ”) shall become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind in connection with this Note. This Note is subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, and shall be pledged by each applicable Holder that is Credit Party pursuant to the Collateral Agreement. The applicable Issuer hereby acknowledges and agrees that the

 



 

Secured Parties may, pursuant to the Collateral Agreement as in effect from time to time, exercise all rights provided therein with respect to this Note.

 

The indebtedness evidenced by this Note owed by any Issuer shall rank pari passu in right of payment with any other obligation of such Issuer, except as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence. The indebtedness evidenced by this Note owed by any Issuer that is a Credit Party to any Holder that is not a Credit Party shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, to (i) all Obligations of the Borrower or such Issuer under the Credit Agreement and (ii) all other Indebtedness of the Borrower or such Issuer or any guaranty thereof (including, without limitation, the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Unsecured Notes and the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility) other than Indebtedness that by its terms expressly provides that it shall not be Senior Indebtedness hereunder (such Obligations and such Indebtedness and other indebtedness and obligations in connection with any renewal, refunding, restructuring or refinancing thereof, including interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any proceedings referred to in clause (i) below, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim in such proceeding, being hereinafter collectively referred to as “Senior Indebtedness” ):

 

(i) In the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, and any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings in connection therewith, relative to any Issuer or to its creditors, as such, or to its property, and in the event of any proceedings for voluntary liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of such Issuer, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, then (x) the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be paid in full in cash in respect of all amounts constituting Senior Indebtedness before any Holder is entitled to receive (whether directly or indirectly), or make any demands for, any payment on account of this Note and (y) until the holders of Senior Indebtedness are paid in full in cash in respect of all amounts constituting Senior Indebtedness, any payment or distribution to which such Holder would otherwise be entitled (other than Indebtedness of such Issuer that is subordinated, to at least the same extent as this Note, to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness then outstanding (such Indebtedness being hereinafter referred to as “Restructured Debt” )) shall be made to the holders of Senior Indebtedness;

 

(ii) if any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, then no payment or distribution of any kind or character shall be made by or on behalf of the Issuer or any other Person on its behalf with respect to this Note; and

 

(iii) if any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or other property (other than Restructured Debt), in respect of this Note shall (despite these subordination provisions) be received by any Holder in violation of clause (i) or (ii) before all Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full in cash, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness (or their representatives), ratably according to the respective aggregate amounts remaining unpaid thereon, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full in cash.

 

To the fullest extent permitted by law, no present or future holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be prejudiced in its right to enforce the subordination of this Note by any act or failure to act on the part of any Issuer or by any act or failure to act on the part of such holder or any trustee or agent for such holder. Each Holder and each Issuer hereby agree that the subordination of this Note is for the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders and the Agent and the

 

2



 

Lenders are obligees under this Note to the same extent as if their names were written herein as such and the Agent may, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, proceed to enforce the subordination provisions herein.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in the subordination provisions set forth above is intended to or will impair, as between each Issuer and each Holder, the obligations of such Issuer, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay to such Holder the principal of and interest on this Note as and when due and payable in accordance with its terms, or is intended to or will affect the relative rights of such Holder and other creditors of such Issuer other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

 

Each Holder is hereby authorized to record all loans and advances or other credit extensions made by it to any Issuer (all of which shall be evidenced by this Note), and all repayments or prepayments thereof, in its books and records, such books and records constituting prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information contained therein. For the avoidance of doubt, this Note as between each Issuer and each Holder contains additional terms to any intercompany loan agreement between them and this Note does not in any way replace such intercompany loans between them nor does this Note in any way change the principal amount of any intercompany loans between them.

 

Upon execution and delivery after the date hereof by the Borrower or any subsidiary of the Borrower of a counterpart signature page hereto, such subsidiary shall become a Note Party hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Note Party hereunder. The rights and obligations of each Note Party hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Note Party as a party to this Note.

 

Each Issuer hereby waives presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind in connection with this Note. All payments under this Note shall be made without offset, counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

 

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

[SEPARATE SIGNATURE PAGES TO BE ATTACHED]

 

3



 

 

EACH AS ISSUER AND HOLDER:

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST

 

ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[Signature Page to Global Intercompany Note]

 



 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS

 

COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE

 

COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS

 

GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[Signature Page to Global Intercompany Note]

 



 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P S. ALAMEIN CAYMAN

 

COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO EGYPT S. ALAMEIN

 

COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO EGYPT TANTA COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO EGYPT PRODUCTION

 

COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNOPASO EXPLORACAO E

 

PRODUCAO DE PETROLEO E GAS

 

LTDA.

 

[Signature Page to Global Intercompany Note]

 



 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL HOLDINGS

 

COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO OLEO E GAS DO BRASIL

 

LTDA.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO MARITIME B.V.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[Signature Page to Global Intercompany Note]

 



 

EXHIBIT J TO

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

FORM OF
SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE

 

May 24, 2012

 

This solvency certificate (“ Solvency Certificate ”) is delivered pursuant to Section 6(j) of the Credit Agreement dated of even date herewith, among EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank, and each other Issuing Bank from time to time party thereto (the “ Credit Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies, solely in his capacity as an officer of the Borrower and not in his individual capacity, as follows:

 

1.               I am the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower. I am familiar with the Transactions, and have reviewed the Credit Agreement, financial statements referred to in Section 8.9 of the Credit Agreement and such documents and made such investigation as I have deemed relevant for the purposes of this Solvency Certificate.

 

2.               As of the date hereof, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, on and as of such date (i) the fair value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.

 

3.               As of the date hereof, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, the Borrower does not intend to, and the Borrower does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debts or the debts of any such Subsidiary.

 

4.               The financial information and assumptions which underlie and form the basis for the representations made in this Solvency Certificate were fair and reasonable

 



 

when made and were made in good faith and continue to be fair and reasonable as of the date hereof.

 

This Solvency Certificate is being delivered by the undersigned officer only in his capacity as the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower and not individually and the undersigned shall have no personal liability to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders with respect thereto.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Solvency Certificate on the date first written above.

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST

 

ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[Signature Page to Solvency Certificate]

 


 

EXHIBIT K-1

 

FORM OF NON-BANK TAX CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Treated As Partnerships For
U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) (the “Credit Agreement”), among EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”), and JPMorgan Chase, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.4(e)(i) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) no payments in connection with any Credit Document are effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing and (2) the undersigned shall furnish the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which payment is to be made by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding each such payment.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 



 

 

[Foreign Lender]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

[Address]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:                                      , 20[  ]

 

 



 

EXHIBIT K-2

 

FORM OF NON-BANK TAX CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Treated As Partnerships For
U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) (the “Credit Agreement”), among EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”), and JPMorgan Chase, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.4(e)(i) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1441-1(c)(6)) of payments on such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) no payments in connection with any Credit Document are effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its direct or indirect partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding each such payment.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 



 

 

[Foreign Lender]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Address]

 

 

Dated:                                             , 20[  ]

 



 

EXHIBIT K-3

 

FORM OF NON-BANK TAX CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Treated As Partnerships For
U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) (the “Credit Agreement”), among EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”), and JPMorgan Chase, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.4(e)(i) and Section 13.6(c) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) no payments in connection with any Credit Document are effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding each such payment.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 



 

 

[Foreign Participant]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Address]

 

 

Dated:                                             , 20[  ]

 



 

EXHIBIT K-4

 

FORM OF NON-BANK TAX CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Treated As Partnerships For
U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) (the “Credit Agreement”), among EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”), and JPMorgan Chase, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.4(e)(i) and Section 13.6(c) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1441 -1(c)(6)) of payments on such participation, (iii) neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) no payments in connection with any Credit Document are effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its direct or indirect partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding each such payment.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 



 

 

[Foreign Participant]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Address]

 

 

Dated:                                             , 20[  ]

 



 

FINAL VERSION

 

Schedule 1.1(a)

 

Commitments

 

 

 

Commitment

 

Lender

 

Amount in USD$

 

 

 

 

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

$

140,018,218.62

 

Citibank, N.A.

 

140,018,218.62

 

Credit Suisse AG

 

126,016,396.76

 

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

 

126,016,396.76

 

Bank of Montreal

 

126,016,396.76

 

Royal Bank of Canada

 

126,016,396.76

 

UBS Loan Finance LLC

 

126,016,396.76

 

Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC

 

50,000,000.00

 

Compass Bank

 

69,078,947.37

 

Capital One, National Association

 

69,078,947.37

 

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Agency

 

69,078,947.37

 

Bank of Scotland plc

 

69,078,947.37

 

The Bank of Nova Scotia

 

69,078,947.37

 

Sociètè Gènèrale, acting through its New York branch

 

69,078,947.37

 

SunTrust Bank

 

69,078,947.37

 

Toronto Dominion (New York) LLC

 

69,078,947.37

 

DNB Bank ASA, Grand Cayman Branch

 

46,052,631.58

 

ING Capital LLC

 

46,052,631.58

 

Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.

 

46,052,631.58

 

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

 

46,052,631.58

 

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

 

46,052,631.58

 

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.

 

34,539,473.68

 

Union Bank, N.A.

 

34,539,473.68

 

Comerica Bank

 

23,026,315.79

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

 

69,078,947.37

 

Bank of America, N.A.

 

46,052,631.58

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

25,000,000.00

 

Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

 

24,750,000.00

 

Total

 

$

2,000,000,000.00

 

 

RBL Schedules - 1



 

Schedule 1.1(b)

 

Excluded Equity Interests

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of Equity

 

Registered Owner

 

Name of Issuer

 

Interests Excluded

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW Four Star Corporation)

 

Four Star Oil & Gas Company

 

48.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(1)

 

Starr County Gathering System

 

30

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(2)

 

Black Warrior Transmission Corp.

 

50

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(3)

 

Black Warrior Methane Corp.

 

50

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(4)

 

EnerVest Energy, L.P.

 

23

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company(5)

 

100

%

 


(1) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(2) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(3) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(4) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(5) Note: Exclusion of the Equity Interests in El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company is subject to provisions described in Schedule 9.13(b).

 

RBL Schedules - 2



 

Schedule 1.1(c)

 

Excluded Subsidiaries

 

None.

 

RBL Schedules - 3


 

Schedule 1.1(d)

 

Existing Letters of Credit

 

 

 

LC Applicant

 

 

 

Expiration

 

Evergreen

 

 

 

 

 

LC

Beneficiary

 

(Obligor)

 

Account Party

 

Date

 

Y/N

 

Amount

 

Issuing Bank

 

Number

Chevron USA

 

EP Energy LLC

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

4/9/2013

 

Y

 

$

50,000

 

Citibank, N.A.

 

63660466

Devon Energy Production Company

 

EP Energy LLC

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

4/13/2013

 

Y

 

$

2,115,000

 

Citibank, N.A.

 

63660512

Springer Electric Cooperative, Inc

 

EP Energy LLC

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

1/31/2013

 

N

 

$

1,500,000

 

Citibank, N.A.

 

63660468

HSBC Egypt Bank S.A.E.

 

EP Energy LLC

 

El Paso Egypt Production Co.*

 

6/15/2012

 

Y

 

$

500,000

 

Citibank, N.A.

 

63659640

HSBC Egypt Bank S.A.E.

 

EP Energy LLC

 

El Paso Egypt Production Co.*

 

6/15/2012

 

Y

 

$

3,000,000

 

Citibank, N.A.

 

63659637

HSBC Egypt Bank S.A.E.

 

EP Energy LLC

 

El Paso Egypt Production Co.*

 

6/15/2012

 

Y

 

$

3,000,000

 

Citibank, N.A.

 

63659639

HSBC Egypt Bank S.A.E.

 

EP Energy LLC

 

El Paso Egypt Production Co.*

 

6/15/2012

 

Y

 

$

3,000,000

 

Citibank, N.A.

 

63659638

Citibank Brazil

 

EP Energy LLC

 

El Paso Oleo E Gas Do Brasil Ltda.

 

7/29/2014

 

N

 

$

729,600

 

Citibank

 

63653807

Citibank Brazil

 

EP Energy LLC

 

El Paso Oleo E Gas Do Brasil Ltda.

 

7/30/2014

 

N

 

$

3,129,600

 

Citibank

 

63653806

Citibank Brazil

 

EP Energy LLC

 

El Paso Oleo E Gas Do Brasil Ltda.

 

7/31/2014

 

N

 

BRL$

1,966,800

 

Citibank

 

63658934

Total Outstanding Letters of Credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

17,024,200

 

 

 

 

 


* Note: The Letter of Credit in the amount of $500,000 is expected to be cancelled shortly after the Closing Date, May 24, 2012. Each Letter of Credit in the amount of $3,000,000.00 will be replaced by the buyer party to the EP Egypt Purchase Agreement (defined in Schedule 10.4(i)) prior to the expected May 31, 2012 closing of the acquisition contemplated by the EP Egypt Purchase Agreement.

 

RBL Schedules - 4



 

Schedule 1.1(e)

 

Closing Date Subsidiary Guarantors

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of Organization

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

Delaware

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

Delaware

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(6)

 

Delaware

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

Delaware

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Preferred Holdings Company)

 

Delaware

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW Four Star Corporation)

 

Delaware

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(7)

 

Delaware

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.(8)

 

Delaware

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(9)

 

Delaware

EPE Nominee Corp.

 

Delaware

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 


(6) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(7) “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(8) “El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(9) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 

RBL Schedules - 5



 

Schedule 1.1(f)

 

Closing Date Hedge Banks

 

None.

 

RBL Schedules - 6



 

Schedule 1.1(g)

 

Closing Date Mortgaged Property

 

Those certain properties of El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (which entity will change its name to EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. following the Closing Date) and Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C. described in greater detail in a spreadsheet delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date (with such modifications thereto as the Borrower may make prior to the recording of the applicable Mortgages, provided that the Collateral Coverage Minimum is satisfied) and located in the following wells and fields:

 

FIELD NAME

 

COUNTY

 

STATE

ALTAMONT BLUEBELL-SWD WELLS

 

DUCHESNE

 

UT

 

 

UINTAH

 

UT

ALTAMONT FIELD

 

DUCHESNE

 

UT

 

 

UINTAH

 

UT

ALTAMONT OUTSIDE OPERATED

 

DUCHESNE

 

UT

 

 

UINTAH

 

UT

ARKOMA - KINTA

 

HASKELL

 

OK

 

 

LEFLORE

 

OK

 

 

PITTSBURG

 

OK

ARKOMA - POTEAU

 

LEFLORE

 

OK

ARKOMA OUTSIDE OPERATED

 

BEAVER

 

OK

 

 

BECKHAM

 

OK

 

 

ELLIS

 

OK

 

 

HASKELL

 

OK

 

 

LATIMER

 

OK

 

 

LEFLORE

 

OK

 

 

PITTSBURG

 

OK

 

 

WOODS

 

OK

B LONGSTREET HAYNESVILLE

 

DE SOTO

 

LA

 

RBL Schedules - 7



 

FIELD NAME

 

COUNTY

 

STATE

 

 

PANOLA

 

TX

BALD PRAIRIE

 

ROBERTSON

 

TX

BEAR CREEK

 

BIENVILLE

 

LA

 

 

WEBSTER

 

LA

BLACK WARRIOR OUTSIDE OPERATED

 

TUSCALOOSA

 

AL

BOB WEST

 

STARR

 

TX

 

 

ZAPATA

 

TX

BRANCH

 

ACADIA

 

LA

BROOKWOOD

 

JEFFERSON

 

AL

 

 

TUSCALOOSA

 

AL

BRUSHY CREEK

 

LAVACA

 

TX

BUSTAMANTE

 

ZAPATA

 

TX

CORPUS CHRISTI

 

NUECES

 

TX

DRY HOLLOW

 

DEWITT

 

TX

 

 

LAVACA

 

TX

EAGLE FORD CENTRAL

 

LA SALLE

 

TX

EAGLE FORD NORTH

 

LA SALLE

 

TX

EAGLE FORD SOUTH

 

LA SALLE

 

TX

EAST TEXAS/NLA OTHER

 

BIENVILLE

 

LA

 

 

CLAIBORNE

 

LA

 

 

HARRISON

 

TX

 

 

PANOLA

 

TX

ETX/NLA OUTSIDE OPER

 

ANGELINA

 

TX

 

 

BIENVILLE

 

LA

 

RBL Schedules - 8



 

FIELD NAME

 

COUNTY

 

STATE

 

 

BOSSIER

 

LA

 

 

DE SOTO

 

LA

 

 

MILAM

 

TX

 

 

UPSHUR

 

TX

 

 

WEBSTER

 

LA

GRACELAND

 

COLORADO

 

TX

HAYNESVILLE OUTSIDE OPER

 

BOSSIER

 

LA

 

 

CADDO

 

LA

 

 

DE SOTO

 

LA

HOLLY FIELD

 

DE SOTO

 

LA

HOLLY HAYNESVILLE

 

DE SOTO

 

LA

HURRICANE CREEK

 

BEAUREGARD

 

LA

JEFFRESS

 

HIDALGO

 

TX

 

 

STARR

 

TX

KELSEY

 

STARR

 

TX

LAS COMITAS

 

ZAPATA

 

TX

LOGANSPORT

 

DE SOTO

 

LA

 

 

PANOLA

 

TX

LOGANSPORT HAYNESVILLE

 

DE SOTO

 

LA

LONGVILLE

 

BEAUREGARD

 

LA

LOST CREEK

 

FAYETTE

 

AL

 

 

WALKER

 

AL

MIDDLE BOSSIER

 

DE SOTO

 

LA

MONTE CHRISTO

 

HIDALGO

 

TX

 

RBL Schedules - 9



 

FIELD NAME

 

COUNTY

 

STATE

OUTSIDE OPERATED - EAST TX

 

ORANGE

 

TX

OUTSIDE OPERATED MCCOOK

 

HIDALGO

 

TX

 

 

KLEBERG

 

TX

OUTSIDE OPERATED ROCKIES

 

DUCHESNE

 

UT

 

 

LA PLATA

 

CO

OUTSIDE OPERATED VICTORIA

 

CHAMBERS

 

TX

 

 

DEWITT

 

TX

 

 

DUVAL

 

TX

 

 

GOLIAD

 

TX

 

 

LAVACA

 

TX

 

 

SAN PATRICIO

 

TX

 

 

WHARTON

 

TX

PEP

 

JASPER

 

TX

RENGER FIELD

 

LAVACA

 

TX

ROLETA

 

ZAPATA

 

TX

SALT DRAW

 

CROCKETT

 

TX

SHORT CREEK

 

JEFFERSON

 

AL

SPEAKS

 

LAVACA

 

TX

VACHERIE DOME

 

BIENVILLE

 

LA

 

 

CLAIBORNE

 

LA

 

 

WEBSTER

 

LA

WHITE OAK CREEK

 

TUSCALOOSA

 

AL

 

 

WALKER

 

AL

WHITE POINT EAST

 

SAN PATRICIO

 

TX

 

RBL Schedules - 10



 

FIELD NAME

 

COUNTY

 

STATE

WOLFCAMP CENTRAL

 

CROCKETT

 

TX

WOLFCAMP EAST

 

CROCKETT

 

TX

WOLFCAMP WEST

 

CROCKETT

 

TX

ZACHRY/SAN YGNACIO

 

ZAPATA

 

TX

 

RBL Schedules - 11


 

Schedule 6(b)

 

Local Counsel

 

1. Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados

 

RBL Schedules - 12



 

Schedule 8.4

 

Litigation

 

None.

 

RBL Schedules - 13



 

Schedule 8.12

 

Subsidiaries

 

 

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

Direct/Indirect Ownership

 

Name of Subsidiary

 

by EP Energy LLC

 

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

100

%

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

100

%

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(10)

 

100

%

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

100

%

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Preferred Holdings Company)

 

100

%

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW Four Star Corporation)

 

100

%

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(11)

 

100

%

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.(12)

 

100

%

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(13)

 

100

%

EPE Nominee Corp.

 

100

%

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

100

%

El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company**

 

100

%

 


(10) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(11) “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(12) “El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(13) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 

RBL Schedules - 14



 

 

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

Direct/Indirect Ownership

 

Name of Subsidiary

 

by EP Energy LLC

 

El Paso Egypt S. Alamein Company**

 

100

%

El Paso Egypt Tanta Company**

 

100

%

El Paso Egypt Production Company**

 

100

%

UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda.(14)

 

100

%

El Paso Brazil Holdings Company(15)

 

100

%

El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.(16)

 

100

%

El Paso Maritime B.V.(17)

 

100

%

 


** Equity interests in El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company, El Paso Egypt S. Alamein Company, El Paso Egypt Tanta Company and El Paso Egypt Production Company will be purchased by the seller party to the EP Egypt Purchase Agreement (as defined in Schedule 10.4(i)).

 

(14) “UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda.” will change its name to “EP Energia Pescada Ltda.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(15) “El Paso Brazil Holdings Company” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil Holdings Company” on or around June 1, 2012.

(16) “El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.” will change its name to “EP Energia do Brasil Ltda.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(17) “El Paso Maritime B.V.” will change its name to “EP Energy Maritime B.V.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 

RBL Schedules - 15



 

Schedule 8.18

 

Closing Date Gas Imbalance

 

None.

 

RBL Schedules - 16



 

Schedule 8.19

 

Closing Date Marketing Agreements

 

None.

 

RBL Schedules - 17



 

Schedule 8.20

 

Closing Date Hedge Agreements

 

Existing Agreements:

 

1.                ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2001, by and between El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (surviving entity from merger with El Paso Production Company) and El Paso Marketing Company, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Merchant Energy, L.P.).(18)

 

2.                ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of March 21, 2006, by and between EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC), El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and Deutsche Bank, AG.

 

3.                ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, by and between EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC), El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and J. Aron Company.

 

4.                ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2006, by and between EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC), El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc.

 

5.                ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2006, by and between EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC), El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and The Bank of Nova Scotia.

 

6.                ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2007, by and between EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC), El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and Societe Generale.

 

7.                ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2007, by and between EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC), El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc.

 

8.                ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2008, by and between El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and Citibank, N.A.

 

9.                ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of July 6, 2009, by and between EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC), El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

 

10.          ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of March 24, 2010, by and between EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC), El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and Credit Suisse Energy LLC.

 

11.          ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2010, by and between EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC), El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 


(18) Note: There is currently no trade under this ISDA.

 

RBL Schedules - 18



 

12.          ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2010, by and between EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC), El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and Royal Bank of Canada.(19)

 

13.          ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2010, by and between EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC), El Paso E&P Company, L.P. and BNP Paribas.(20)

 

14.          ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2011, by and between EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC) and Shell Trading (US) Company.(21)

 

Existing trades: See attached.

 


(19) Note: There has never been any trade under this ISDA.

(20) Note: There is currently no trade under this ISDA.

(21) Note: There has never been any trade under this ISDA.

 

RBL Schedules - 19


 

Hedges (Swaps)

 

Deal ID 

 

Deal Type

 

Commodity

 

Counterparty

 

Trade Date

 

Price

 

Term

 

Strike

 

Call/Put

 

Daily Volume

 

MTM 5-21-2012

 

1301288

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

Bank of Nova Scotia

 

2/2/2011

 

$

100.030

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(250

)

$

341,483

 

1301605

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

Bank of Nova Scotia

 

3/23/2012

 

$

96.000

 

Cal -15

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(2,000

)

$

5,800,328

 

1301606

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

Bank of Nova Scotia

 

3/23/2012

 

$

108.070

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(785

)

$

2,418,800

 

1301608

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

Bank of Nova Scotia

 

3/26/2012

 

$

96.100

 

Cal -15

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(750

)

$

2,201,760

 

1301577

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

3/1/2012

 

$

104.200

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(2,000

)

$

8,034,066

 

1301587

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

3/8/2012

 

$

94.625

 

Cal -15

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(2,000

)

$

4,823,639

 

1301592

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

3/12/2012

 

$

95.150

 

Cal -15

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(1,000

)

$

2,598,278

 

1301286

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

Credit Suisse Energy LLC

 

2/1/2011

 

$

100.000

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(500

)

$

679,765

 

1301572

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

Credit Suisse Energy LLC

 

2/28/2012

 

$

99.250

 

Cal -14

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(1,000

)

$

3,305,430

 

1301609

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

Credit Suisse Energy LLC

 

3/26/2012

 

$

96.050

 

Cal -15

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(1,000

)

$

2,917,922

 

1301289

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

J. Aron

 

2/2/2011

 

$

100.250

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(500

)

$

706,434

 

1301617

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

J. Aron

 

4/20/2012

 

$

104.880

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(1,000

)

$

2,400,676

 

1301618

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

J. Aron

 

4/23/2012

 

$

103.700

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(1,000

)

$

2,148,919

 

1301619

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

J. Aron

 

4/24/2012

 

$

104.350

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(1,000

)

$

2,287,599

 

1301620

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

J. Aron

 

4/24/2012

 

$

104.550

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(1,000

)

$

2,330,270

 

1301628

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

J. Aron

 

5/2/2012

 

$

103.700

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(2,178

)

$

8,356,284

 

1301561

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

2/27/2012

 

$

109.050

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(1,637

)

$

5,386,320

 

1301562

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

2/27/2012

 

$

105.098

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(8,904

)

$

38,650,858

 

1301569

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

2/28/2012

 

$

108.750

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(819

)

$

2,640,771

 

1301570

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

2/28/2012

 

$

105.390

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(4,452

)

$

19,794,828

 

1301571

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

2/28/2012

 

$

98.400

 

Cal -14

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(5,000

)

$

15,001,621

 

1301575

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/1/2012

 

$

99.017

 

Cal -14

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(3,000

)

$

9,665,030

 

1301576

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/1/2012

 

$

104.300

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(1,000

)

$

4,053,104

 

1301581

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/5/2012

 

$

104.038

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(4,000

)

$

15,834,391

 

1301582

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/5/2012

 

$

98.488

 

Cal -14

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(2,000

)

$

6,063,823

 

1301586

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/7/2012

 

$

98.508

 

Cal -14

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(12,000

)

$

36,469,086

 

1301588

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/8/2012

 

$

94.880

 

Cal -15

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(2,500

)

$

6,255,963

 

1301589

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/9/2012

 

$

100.000

 

Cal -14

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(1,000

)

$

3,574,641

 

1301590

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/9/2012

 

$

95.610

 

Cal -15

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(2,500

)

$

6,904,129

 

1301591

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/12/2012

 

$

95.517

 

Cal -15

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(3,000

)

$

8,185,865

 

1301598

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/13/2012

 

$

96.000

 

Cal -15

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(2,000

)

$

5,800,328

 

1301610

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/27/2012

 

$

96.350

 

Cal -15

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(250

)

$

756,117

 

1301290

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

MLCI

 

2/2/2011

 

$

100.200

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(500

)

$

701,100

 

1301611

 

CAL SWP

 

Crude

 

SOCIETE GENERALE

 

4/2/2012

 

$

96.600

 

Cal -15

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(1,500

)

$

4,669,890

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1300997

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Bank of Nova Scotia

 

8/3/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(12,100

)

$

9,393,570

 

1300998

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Bank of Nova Scotia

 

8/3/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(11,900

)

$

9,238,304

 

1301016

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Bank of Nova Scotia

 

8/4/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(5,000

)

$

3,881,640

 

1301131

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Bank of Nova Scotia

 

11/17/2010

 

$

4.940

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(5,000

)

$

2,216,024

 

1301140

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Bank of Nova Scotia

 

11/18/2010

 

$

4.950

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,000

)

$

4,453,401

 

1301613

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Bank of Nova Scotia

 

4/12/2012

 

$

3.345

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(20,000

)

$

(1,657,697

)

1301640

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Bank of Nova Scotia

 

5/18/2012

 

$

3.650

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(14,000

)

$

381,021

 

1300981

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

7/6/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,000

)

$

7,763,281

 

1301142

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

11/19/2010

 

$

5.000

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(5,000

)

$

2,280,086

 

 

1


 

Hedges (Swaps)

 

Deal ID 

 

Deal Type

 

Commodity

 

Counterparty

 

Trade Date

 

Price

 

Term

 

Strike

 

Call/Put

 

Daily Volume

 

MTM 5-21-2012

 

1301565

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

2/28/2012

 

$

2.828

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(160,000

)

$

(1,263,979

)

1301566

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

2/28/2012

 

$

3.590

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,000

)

$

55,567

 

1301567

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

2/28/2012

 

$

3.570

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(26,000

)

$

(43,239

)

1301568

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

2/28/2012

 

$

3.948

 

Cal -14

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(50,000

)

$

460,717

 

1301593

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

3/13/2012

 

$

3.410

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,000

)

$

(594,208

)

1301594

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

3/13/2012

 

$

3.825

 

Cal -14

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(20,000

)

$

(695,676

)

1301595

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

3/13/2012

 

$

3.405

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,000

)

$

(612,257

)

1301596

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

3/13/2012

 

$

3.820

 

Cal -14

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(20,000

)

$

(731,593

)

1301597

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

3/13/2012

 

$

3.890

 

Cal -14

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(3,500

)

$

(40,032

)

1301607

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

3/26/2012

 

$

3.553

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,000

)

$

(79,803

)

1301014

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Credit Suisse Energy LLC

 

8/4/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(11,900

)

$

9,238,304

 

1301136

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Credit Suisse Energy LLC

 

11/17/2010

 

$

6.000

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(25,700

)

$

17,207,635

 

1301138

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Credit Suisse Energy LLC

 

11/17/2010

 

$

6.000

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(25,500

)

$

17,073,723

 

1300996

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Deutsche Bank AG (New York)

 

8/3/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(11,805

)

$

9,164,553

 

1301137

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Deutsche Bank AG (New York)

 

11/17/2010

 

$

6.000

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(25,000

)

$

16,738,944

 

1300995

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

J. Aron

 

8/3/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(9,925

)

$

7,705,056

 

1301013

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

J. Aron

 

8/4/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,000

)

$

7,763,281

 

1301015

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

J. Aron

 

8/4/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(12,100

)

$

9,393,570

 

1301017

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

J. Aron

 

8/4/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,800

)

$

8,384,343

 

1301559

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

2/27/2012

 

$

2.969

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(120,000

)

$

2,671,513

 

1301560

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

2/27/2012

 

$

3.707

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(50,000

)

$

2,380,575

 

1301563

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

2/28/2012

 

$

2.816

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(80,000

)

$

(824,175

)

1301564

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

2/28/2012

 

$

3.577

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(50,000

)

$

43,192

 

1301578

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/1/2012

 

$

2.830

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

30,000

 

$

220,981

 

1301579

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/2/2012

 

$

2.830

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

50,000

 

$

368,301

 

1301580

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/2/2012

 

$

3.555

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(40,000

)

$

(283,114

)

1301585

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

 

3/7/2012

 

$

3.370

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,000

)

$

(738,602

)

1301475

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

MLCI

 

9/30/2011

 

$

10.000

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(500

)

$

543,101

 

1301477

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

MLCI

 

10/13/2011

 

$

10.150

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(500

)

$

570,177

 

1301631

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

MLCI

 

5/7/2012

 

$

3.508

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(20,000

)

$

(480,883

)

1301638

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

MLCI

 

5/16/2012

 

$

3.660

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(7,500

)

$

231,193

 

1301011

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc.

 

8/4/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(7,000

)

$

5,434,297

 

1301139

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc.

 

11/18/2010

 

$

4.950

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(15,000

)

$

6,680,102

 

1170918

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

NA Natgas Derivative (El Paso Marketing)

 

6/30/1995

 

$

3.933

 

6/1/2012

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(4,518

)

$

184,518

 

1170923

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

NA Natgas Derivative (El Paso Marketing)

 

6/30/1995

 

$

3.933

 

6/1/2012

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(5,397

)

$

214,620

 

1170925

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

NA Natgas Derivative (El Paso Marketing)

 

6/30/1995

 

$

3.933

 

6/1/2012

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(2,635

)

$

92,245

 

1300982

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

SOCIETE GENERALE

 

7/6/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,000

)

$

7,763,281

 

1300994

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

SOCIETE GENERALE

 

8/3/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(20,000

)

$

15,526,562

 

1301021

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

SOCIETE GENERALE

 

8/5/2010

 

$

6.500

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(5,400

)

$

4,192,172

 

1301130

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

SOCIETE GENERALE

 

11/17/2010

 

$

4.910

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,000

)

$

4,367,985

 

1301133

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

SOCIETE GENERALE

 

11/17/2010

 

$

4.930

 

Bal -12

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,000

)

$

4,410,693

 

1301612

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

SOCIETE GENERALE

 

4/3/2012

 

$

3.550

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(10,000

)

$

(88,828

)

1301614

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

SOCIETE GENERALE

 

4/12/2012

 

$

3.350

 

Cal -13

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(30,000

)

$

(2,432,398

)

1301573

 

FFSW

 

NatGas

 

Wells Fargo

 

2/28/2012

 

$

3.972

 

Cal -14

 

(blank)

 

(blank)

 

(50,000

)

$

900,698

 

 

2


 

Schedule 9.9

 

Closing Date Affiliate Transactions

 

1.

Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9.9(g) of the Credit Agreement, if applicable, the Management Fee Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.), EPE Acquisition, LLC, Apollo Management VII, L.P., Apollo Commodities Management, L.P. with respect to Series I, Riverstone V Everest Holdings, L.P., Access Industries, Inc. and Korea National Oil Corporation.

 

RBL Schedules - 20



 

Schedule 9.13(b)

 

Further Assurances

 

1.

(a) Mortgage filings within 90 days following the Closing Date, such that properties mortgaged pursuant to clause (a) shall represent at least 50% of the PV-10 of the Credit Parties’ total Proved Reserves; and (b) further mortgage filings, if applicable, from the date that is 90 days following the Closing Date up to (but excluding) the date that is 120 days following the Closing Date, such that properties mortgaged pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) shall represent at least 80% of the PV-10 of the Credit Parties’ total Proved Reserves; together with favorable opinions from local counsel to the Credit Parties in each state in which any such Mortgage is to be recorded (dated as of the date of delivery thereof), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel (which shall in any event include an opinion that such Mortgage (including the form of acknowledgment and property descriptions thereto) and a favorable and customary opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, counsel to the Credit Parties and any corresponding UCC financing statements to be filed in such state are effective to create a valid, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent on the Mortgaged Properties located in such state and are in proper form for recordation in such state), and any other any other documents (including tax affidavits or certificates, certified resolutions, global promissory notes) that are necessary or desirable (in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent) for the prompt recordation of such Mortgage.

 

 

2.

The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent within 45 Business Days following the Closing Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree), copies of insurance certificates evidencing the insurance required to be maintained by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 9.3 of the Credit Agreement.

 

 

3.

Within 90 days following the Closing Date, registration of (a) the Brazilian pledge agreements with the relevant Registry of Deeds and Documents and (b) the amendments to the articles of association of UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda. and of El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda. with the Registry of Companies of the State of Rio de Janeiro.

 

 

4.

If the sale of the Equity Interests of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company pursuant to the EP Egypt Purchase Agreement (as defined in Schedule 10.4(i)) has not been consummated by the 91 st day after the Closing Date, the Borrower shall, subject to the terms of the Pledge Agreement, within 10 Business Days following such 91 st day, file a financing statement in respect of such Equity Interests in the appropriate state filing office so that the Collateral Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected lien upon and security interest in such Equity Interests, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations.

 

RBL Schedules - 21



 

Schedule 10.1(h)

 

Closing Date Indebtedness

 

1.

7 3 / 4 % senior notes due 2013, in outstanding principal amount of $906,000 as of May 24, 2012, issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2003, among EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and El Paso Exploration & Production Company and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC), the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee.(22)

 

 

2.

Indebtedness with respect to the Hedge Agreements specified on Schedule 8.20.

 


(22) Note: This note will be redeemed on June 11, 2012.

 

RBL Schedules - 22


 

3. Surety bonds:

 

Bond Number

 

Surety

 

Principal(23)

 

Obligee/Estate

 

State

 

Bond Details

 

Bond Amount

 

23000028

 

Liberty Mututal

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

UINTAH COUNTY

 

UT

 

BLANKET STREET EXCAVATION PERMIT BOND

 

10,000.00

 

23003267

 

Liberty Mututal

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

 

WA

 

BLANKET DRILLING AND PRODUCTION

 

250,000.00

 

23003277

 

Liberty Mututal

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING, L.L.C

 

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

 

TX

 

BLANKET PERFORMANCE BOND FOR OIL & GAS OPERATIONS

 

25,000.00

 

103331400

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

STATE OF TEXAS

 

TX

 

MOTOR FUEL TAX BOND - DYED DIESEL FUEL BONDED USER*

 

150,000.00

 

103483749

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

UINTAH COUNTY BUILDING & ZONING

 

UT

 

ROW ENCROACHMENT PERMIT #1187 - SECTION 32 TS7 R22E

 

2,500.00

 

103483752

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

US EPA

 

UT

 

PLUGGING BOND FOR MULITPLE INJECTION WELLS

 

900,000.00

 

103551804

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

ANR PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

 

ND

 

BLANKET DRILL > 10 WELLS

 

100,000.00

 

103601420

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT INC, EL PASO E&P COMPANY LP., COASTAL OIL & GAS HOLDINGS INC, EL PASO OIL & GAS RESOURCES COMPANY LP, CIG EXPLORATION LLC

 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

 

USA

 

NATIONWIDE OIL & GAS OR GEOTHERMAL LEASE BOND

 

150,000.00

 

103601455

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC

 

MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE

 

USA

 

OCS LEASE DEVELOPMENT BOND

 

3,000,000.00

 

103601456

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC

 

MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE

 

USA

 

OCS RIGHT OF WAY

 

300,000.00

 

103601473

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

El Paso Prod O&G Co., CIG, Coastal O&G, Coastal O&G Resources, El Paso E&P Co, LP

 

US Dept of Revenue Bureau of Indian Affairs

 

USA

 

Nationwide oil and gas lease bond

 

150,000.00

 

103859558

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

VERMEJO PARK, LLC

 

NM

 

MINERALS EXTRACTION AGREEMENT

 

1,200,000.00

 

104214764

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

OKLAHOMA DEPT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

 

OK

 

WELL DRILLING

 

10,000.00

 

 


(23) See the table immediately following this summary for the current name of each applicable principal (if different from the name specified herein and in the relevant surety bonds).

 

RBL Schedules - 23


 

Bond Number

 

Surety

 

Principal(23)

 

Obligee/Estate

 

State

 

Bond Details

 

Bond Amount

 

104293269

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

STATE OF TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE

 

TX

 

WELL PLUGGING-SURFACE USE AGREEMENT #05/04-W729 - MAD ISLAND WM FACILITY, MATAGORDA COUNTY

 

30,000.00

 

104293323

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

ALABAMA DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

AL

 

HIGHWAY 269 PIPELINE CROSSING MP13

 

5,000.00

 

104758964

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

LOUISIANA OFFICE OF CONSERVATION

 

LA

 

PERFORMANCE BOND FOR 836 ONSHORE WELLS

 

250,000.00

 

104758979

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE

 

USA

 

OCS LEASE DEVELOPMENT BOND GULF OF MEXICO

 

3,000,000.00

 

104758980

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

MINERAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE

 

USA

 

OCS RIGHT OF WAY

 

300,000.00

 

104769878

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

 

TX

 

BLANKET PERFORMANCE BOND

 

250,000.00

 

104769886

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

ALABAMA OIL AND GAS BOARD

 

AL

 

BLANKET BOND (ARKLATEX/UNCOVENTIONAL LAND)
2 wells are on Federal Lands - will need new Entity

 

400,000.00

 

104784409

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION

 

OK

 

GROSS PRODUCTION TAX BOND (ARKLATEX/UNCOVENTIONAL LAND)*

 

1,437,804.96

 

104784414

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

WYOMING OIL & GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

 

WY

 

OWNER’S SURETY BOND FOR KAYE FIELD COMPOST AREA LOCATED IN THE SW/SW QTR OF SECTION 4, TOWNSHIP 36N, RANGE 67W

 

10,000.00

 

104784418

 

Travelers
Casualty Surety

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC

 

WYOMING DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT

 

WY

 

NON-RESIDENT EMPLOYERS’ SURETY BOND

 

15,100.00

 

400DH9843

 

St Paul Fire &
Marine

 

SONAT EXPLORATION COMPANY

 

NEW ORLEANS DISTRICT CORPS OF ENGINEERS

 

LA

 

BLANKET OIL & GAS BOND- OFFSHORE-BLOCK 69 AND 70 IN THE EUGENE ISLAND AREA

 

100,000.00

 

400JU0705

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY AND CIG EXPLORATIONS AND EL PASO OIL & GAS RESOURCES COMPANY, INC AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

UTAH SCHOOL & INSTITUTIONAL TRUST LANDS ADMINISTRATION

 

UT

 

BOND OF LESSEE STATEWIDE

 

15,000.00

 

400JU0706

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

COLORADO OIL & GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

 

CO

 

BLANKET SURFACE BOND

 

25,000.00

 

400JU0707

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

COLORADO OIL & GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

 

CO

 

BLANKET PLUGGING BOND

 

100,000.00

 

 

RBL Schedules - 24


 

Bond Number

 

Surety

 

Principal(23)

 

Obligee/Estate

 

State

 

Bond Details

 

Bond Amount

 

400JU0708

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

UTAH DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

 

UT

 

BLANKET BOND TO COVER ALL WELLS DRILLED IN THE STATE OF UTAH

 

120,000.00

 

400JU0717

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS COMPANY

 

WYOMING STATE LANDS AND INVESTMENTS

 

WY

 

BOND OF LESSEE FOR DRILLING

 

100,000.00

 

400JZ7663

 

St Paul Fire &
Marine

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

 

MI

 

OIL & GAS OPERATIONS BLANKET BOND

 

50,000.00

 

400JZ7671

 

St Paul Fire &
Marine

 

CIG EXPLORATION, INC

 

Oil & Gas Commission of the STATE OF COLORADO

 

CO

 

BLANKET OIL OR GAS WELL DRILLING-STAYS ACTIVE UNTIL CF&I 29 #2 IS RECLAIMED & reinspected

 

30,000.00

 

400KC3309

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

OKLAHOMA SECRETARY OF STATE

 

OK

 

SURFACE DAMAGE BOND FOR DRILLING OIL & GAS WELLS (ARKLATEX/UNCOVENTIONAL LAND)

 

25,000.00

 

400KC3311

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

OKLAHOMA CORPORATION COMMISSION

 

OK

 

PLUGGING OIL , GAS & SERVICE WELLS (ARKLATEX/UNCOVENTIONAL LAND)

 

25,000.00

 

400KC3314

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P. AND EL PASO ENERGY RATON, L.L.C.

 

OIL & GAS COMMISSION

 

CO

 

BLANKET DRILLING/WELL PLUGGING BOND

 

100,000.00

 

400KC3315

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

OIL & GAS COMMISSION

 

CO

 

BLANKET SURFACE WELL PLUGGING BOND

 

25,000.00

 

400KC3321

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

COMMISSIONER OF LAND

 

OK

 

BLANKET BOND FOR OIL & GAS WELLS

 

10,000.00

 

400KC3322

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

DEPARTMENT OF MINES

 

WV

 

BLANKET BOND FOR OIL & GAS WELL OPERATIONS

 

50,000.00

 

400KC3325

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

OIL & GAS BOARD

 

AL

 

STATE OIL & GAS BLANKET BOND

 

100,000.00

 

400KC3330

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

OIL & GAS COMMISSION

 

WY

 

OWNER’S BLANKET BOND

 

25,000.00

 

400KC3927

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P. AND CORONADO ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

STATE OF NEW MEXICO

 

NM

 

STATE BLANKET PLUGGING BOND

 

50,000.00

 

400KC8333

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION

 

CHEVRON USA, INC

 

USA

 

PERFORMANCE BOND-PROPERTY TRANSFER AGREEMENT- VERMILION 250 FIELD OFFSHORE LOUISIANA

 

5,325,000.00

 

400KC8336

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

WHARTON COUNTY

 

TX

 

SUPERHEAVY/OVERSIZE PERMIT BOND

 

50,000.00

 

400KC8343

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

UNITAH COUNTY BUILDING & ZONING

 

UT

 

ROW ENCROACHMENT PERMIT #1109

 

2,500.00

 

 

RBL Schedules - 25


 

 

Bond Number

 

Surety

 

Principal(23)

 

Obligee/Estate

 

State

 

Bond Details

 

Bond Amount

 

400KG9593

 

St Paul
Travelers

 

COASTAL OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

UNITAH COUNTY

 

UT

 

PERMITS 1150, 1149, 1148, 1147-GLEN BENCH ROAD

 

10,000.00

 

400SB0019

 

St Paul Fire &
Marine

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

 

USA

 

NATIONWIDE OIL & GAS LEASE BOND

 

150,000.00

 

400SB0025

 

St Paul Fire &
Marine

 

FIELD GAS GATHERING, INC.

 

MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE

 

USA

 

OCS RIGHT OF WAY GRANT BOND - MS5421-Must REMAIN ACTIVE UNTIL OCTOBER 2, 2016

 

300,000.00

 

400SB3854

 

St Paul Fire &
Marine

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

COLORADO OIL & GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

 

CO

 

BLANKET SEISMIC PLUGGING

 

25,000.00

 

400SB3855

 

St Paul Fire &
Marine

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

COUNTY JUDGE OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TX

 

TX

 

BLANKET OVERSIZE ROAD USE BOND

 

50,000.00

 

400SB3856

 

St Paul Fire &
Marine

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

CITY OF LAREDO

 

TX

 

WELL OPERATORS PERMIT BOND

 

100,000.00

 

400SB3871

 

St Paul Fire &
Marine

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

MARTIN TIMBER COMPANY

 

LA

 

ALL SURFACE OBLIGATIONS ARISING FROM MARTIN TIMBER 7 #1 WELL SECTION 7 TOWNSHIP 14N RANGE 5W-SERIAL 223029

 

25,000.00

 

400SB3881

 

St Paul Fire &
Marine

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

ARKANSAS OIL & GAS COMMISSION

 

AR

 

BLANKET OIL & GAS PERMIT BOND

 

50,000.00

 

LPM4138532

 

Fidelity &
Deposit

 

MEDICINE BOW OPERATING COMPANY AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

WYOMING BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS

 

WY

 

BOND OF LESSEE 69-13122,88-364,67- 11474,71-10417A,88-840,88-361,88-841 (CBM)

 

100,000.00

 

LPM4138535

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

WYOMING OIL & GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

 

WY

 

OWNER’S BLANKET BOND

 

75,000.00

 

LPM8756562

 

Fidelity &
Deposit

 

MEDICINE BOW OPERATING COMPANY AND EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

NAVARRO COUNTY JUDGE

 

TX

 

RIGHT OF WAY BOND FOR NAVARRO COUNTY PRECINCT 3 ROADS

 

10,000.00

 

RLB0009692

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

 

UT

 

COLLECTIVE BOND

 

300,000.00

 

RLB0009915

 

RLI

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

ALABAMA DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

AL

 

RIGHT OF WAY-JEFFERSON COUNTY HIGHWAY 269

 

10,000.00

 

RLB0010119

 

RLI

 

EL PASO CORPORATION

 

DUCHESNE COUNTY

 

UT

 

BLANKET BOND FOR ROAD CROSSING AND EASEMENT ENCROACHMENT FOR PAVED AND UNPAVED SURFACES

 

100,000.00

 

RLB0010157

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P ZAPATA, L.P.

 

EL CLARENO MINERAL LTD

 

TX

 

P & A OF WELL EL CLARENO NO 6

 

10,000.00

 

RLB0010159

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P ZAPATA, L.P.

 

EL CLARENO MINERAL LTD

 

TX

 

P & A OF WELL EL CLARENO NO 7

 

10,000.00

 

RLB0010221

 

RLI

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

ALABAMA DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

AL

 

ROAD BORE AT HIGHWAY 79 MM 181

 

5,000.00

 

 

RBL Schedules - 26


 

 

Bond Number

 

Surety

 

Principal(23)

 

Obligee/Estate

 

State

 

Bond Details

 

Bond Amount

 

RLB0010811

 

RLI

 

CORONADO ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

MISSISSIPPI STATE OIL & GAS BOARD

 

MS

 

PLUGGING PERFORMANCE BOND

 

100,000.00

 

RLB0010814

 

RLI

 

CORONADO ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

NEW MEXICO OIL CONSERVATION DIVISION

 

NM

 

ONE WELL PLUGGING BOND - BLANCETT COM NO. 1 - SAN JUAN COUNTY

 

10,786.00

 

RLB0010815

 

RLI

 

CORONADO ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

NEW MEXICO OIL CONSERVATION DIVISION

 

NM

 

SURETY BOND FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES - TWO EVAPORATION PONDS IN SAN JUAN COUNTY

 

50,000.00

 

RLB0010816

 

RLI

 

CORONADO ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

 

TX

 

BLANKET PERFORMANCE BOND

 

250,000.00

 

RLB0010817

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI

 

TX

 

BOND OF LICENSEE FOR PERMITS TO DRILL WITHIN CITY LIMITS

 

20,000.00

 

RLB0010818

 

RLI

 

CORONADO ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.L.C., El Paso E&P LP

 

CITY OF PORT ARTHUR

 

TX

 

LICENSE OR PERMIT BOND-OIL &GAS WELL DRILLING-AMOCO FEE#1 AND AMOCO FEE#2 SWD

 

25,000.00

 

RLB0010819

 

RLI

 

CORONADO ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

AMOCO PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

TX

 

SALTWATER DISPOSAL WELL DRILLING, PLUGGING, AND OPERATING BOND-BLOCK 10-J, LOT 5, WILLIAM KYLE SURVEY 12M, A-413, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS

 

100,000.00

 

RLB0011141

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

UINTAH COUNTY

 

UT

 

RIGHT OF WAY ENCROACHMENT-ROAD BORE FOR HARVEST 2-141B SWD & GAS LINES 2-18B ROW

 

20,000.00

 

RLB0011651

 

RLI

 

CORONADO ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

GALVESTON COUNTY

 

TX

 

PERMIT BOND FOR OVERSIZE LOADS TO MOVE A RIG TO DRILL THE SUNNY ERNST #2 WELL LOCATED IN THE ALTA LOMA PROSPECT

 

10,000.00

 

RLB0012005

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

COLORADO STATE BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS

 

CO

 

EXPLORATION PERMIT FOR SOIL SURVEYS IN MOFFAT COUNTY

 

1,000.00

 

RLB0012230

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES

 

UT

 

RIGHT OF WAY PERMIT FOR WELLSITES DWR 3-22C6, DWR 3-32B5, DWR 3-14C6 - MOUNTAIN WILD MANAGEMENT AREA, EASEMENT LEASE #DUC-0806EA-028

 

208,633.00

 

RLB0012466

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

COLORADO STATE BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS

 

CO

 

BLANKET BOND FOR SURFACE RESTORATION OF WELLS CDOW 1-36-1076,3-25-10-76,4-16-11-75,11-13-10-76 IN PARK COUNTY

 

25,000.00

 

RLB0012669

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES

 

UT

 

ROW EASEMENT LEASE NO. DUC-0901EA-063 FOR WELLS DWR3-17C6, DWR3-28C6, DWR3-19C6.

 

283,000.00

 

 

RBL Schedules - 27


 

 

Bond Number

 

Surety

 

Principal(23)

 

Obligee/Estate

 

State

 

Bond Details

 

Bond Amount

 

RLB0012958

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION

 

AL

 

CLEARING, EARTHWORK, AND OTHER LAND DISTURBING ACTIVITY BOND

 

66,810.00

 

RLB0013328

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

 

CO

 

PERFORMANCE BOND FOR SURFACE USE AGREEMENT ON STATE LAND IN PARK COUNTY

 

20,000.00

 

RLB0013381

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES

 

UT

 

RIGHT OF WAY BOND KOCH FIELD 4” SWD

 

130,000.00

 

RLB0013505

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES

 

UT

 

RIGHT OF WAY BOND FOR DWR3-15C6 AND DWR4-15C6 PRODUCTION WELL SITES

 

461,017.50

 

RLB0013746

 

RLI

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

 

TX

 

BLANKET PERFORMANCE BOND FOR IDLE WELLS

 

2,000,000.00

 

SUR0015003

 

Argonaut

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

LA SALLE COUNTY

 

TX

 

PERMIT BOND FOR HIXON EAST GATHERING 6 INCH C

 

25,000.00

 

SUR0015004

 

Argonaut

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

LA SALLE COUNTY

 

TX

 

PERMIT BOND FOR HIXON EAST GATHERING 6 INCH B

 

25,000.00

 

SUR0015005

 

Argonaut

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

LA SALLE COUNTY

 

TX

 

PERMIT BOND FOR HIXON EAST GATHERING 6 INCH A

 

25,000.00

 

SUR0015006

 

Argonaut

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

LA SALLE COUNTY

 

TX

 

PERMIT BOND FOR HIXON EAST GATHERING 4 INCH D

 

25,000.00

 

SUR0015025

 

Argonaut

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

COLORADO OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

 

CO

 

BLANKET PERFORMANCE BOND FOR DOWNSTREAM GAS FACILITIES

 

50,000.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sum:

 

23,534,151.46

 

 


* All bonds are performance bonds, except those indicated by an asterisk.

 

RBL Schedules - 28


 

 

* Current Name of Each Applicable Principal Listed Above:

 

Principal’s Name on the Bonds

 

Principal’s Current Name

 

 

 

ANR Production Company

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (t/b/n EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. on June 1, 2012)

 

 

 

CIG Exploration Inc.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (t/b/n EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. on June 1, 2012)

 

 

 

CIG Exploration LLC

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (t/b/n EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. on June 1, 2012)

 

 

 

Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

 

 

Coronado Energy E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (t/b/n EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. on June 1, 2012)

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (t/b/n EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. on June 1, 2012)

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Zapata, L.P.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (t/b/n EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. on June 1, 2012)

 

 

 

El Paso Energy Raton, L.L.C.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (t/b/n EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. on June 1, 2012)

 

 

 

El Paso Exploration & Production Company

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C. and f/k/a EP Energy Corporation)

 

 

 

El Paso Oil & Gas Resources Company L.P.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (t/b/n EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. on June 1, 2012)

 

 

 

El Paso Production Company

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (t/b/n EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. on June 1, 2012)

 

 

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

 

 

Field Gas Gathering, Inc.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (t/b/n EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. on June 1, 2012)

 

RBL Schedules - 29



 

Principal’s Name on the Bonds

 

Principal’s Current Name

 

 

 

Medicine Bow Operating Company

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (t/b/n EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. on June 1, 2012)

 

 

 

Sonat Exploration Company

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (t/b/n EP Energy E&P Company, L.P. on June 1, 2012)

 

RBL Schedules - 30


 

 

4. Performance and trade guarantees:

 

On Behalf of Applicant

 

El Paso Entity

 

Issuer

 

Amount

 

Expiration Date

 

Guaranty Type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENCIA NACIONAL DO PETROLEO

 

El Paso Oleo y Gas do Brasil Ltda.

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

N/A

 

No Expiration

 

Non-Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENCIA NACIONAL DO PETROLEO

 

El Paso Oleo y Gas do Brasil Ltda.

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

N/A

 

No Expiration

 

Non-Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENCIA NACIONAL DO PETROLEO

 

UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda.

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

N/A

 

No Expiration

 

Non-Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENCIA NACIONAL DO PETROLEO

 

UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda.

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

N/A

 

No Expiration

 

Non-Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENCIA NACIONAL DO PETROLEO

 

UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda.

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

N/A

 

No Expiration

 

Non-Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENCIA NACIONAL DO PETROLEO

 

El Paso Oleo y Gas do Brasil Ltda.

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

N/A

 

No Expiration

 

Non-Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENCIA NACIONAL DO PETROLEO

 

El Paso Oleo y Gas do Brasil Ltda.

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

N/A

 

No Expiration

 

Non-Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENCIA NACIONAL DO PETROLEO

 

El Paso Oleo y Gas do Brasil Ltda.

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

N/A

 

No Expiration

 

Non-Trade

 

RBL Schedules - 31



 

On Behalf of Applicant

 

El Paso Entity

 

Issuer

 

Amount

 

Expiration Date

 

Guaranty Type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENCIA NACIONAL DO PETROLEO

 

UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda.

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

N/A

 

No Expiration

 

Non-Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BP ENERGY NORTH AMERICA*

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(30,000,000)

 

07/02/2050

 

Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY GAS TRANSMISSION

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(5,000,000)

 

05/31/2012

 

Transport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CITIGROUP ENERGY INC.*

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(5,000,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CITIGROUP INC. AND EACH SUB OR AFFILIATE*

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(2,000,000)

 

No Expiration

 

Non-Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DB ENERGY TRADING LLC

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(10,000,000)

 

05/31/2012

 

Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DCP MIDSTREAM, LP

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(3,000,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Transport/Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS OPERATING LLC*

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(10,000,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Transport/Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ETC MARKETING, LTD.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(4,000,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Transport/Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GULF SOUTH PIPELINE COMPANY, LP

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(500,000)

 

03/01/2013

 

Transport

 

RBL Schedules - 32



 

On Behalf of Applicant

 

El Paso Entity

 

Issuer

 

Amount

 

Expiration Date

 

Guaranty Type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MIECO, INC.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(1,000,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REGENCY FIELD SERVICES LLC

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(500,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Transport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REGENCY INTRASTATE GAS LP

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(1,100,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Transport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTH JERSEY RESOURCES GROUP, LLC

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(4,000,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STINGRAY PIPELINE COMPANY*

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(500,000)

 

12/31/2050

 

Transport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEXON, L.P.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(1,500,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Trade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPELINE COMPANY

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(500,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Transport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRITON GATHERING, LLC*

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(509,506)

 

06/15/2012

 

Transport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRUNKLINE GAS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(500,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Transport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILLIAMS ARKOMA GATHERING COMPANY*

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(500,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Transport

 

RBL Schedules - 33



 

On Behalf of Applicant

 

El Paso Entity

 

Issuer

 

Amount

 

Expiration Date

 

Guaranty Type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILLIAMS FIELD SERVICES COMPANY, LLC*

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

(500,000)

 

06/15/2012

 

Transport

 


*The intention is to replace the existing El Paso Corporation guaranty by a guaranty issued by EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition), but guaranty format is still under negotiation, and will only finalize after the Closing Date.

 

RBL Schedules - 34


 

 

Schedule 10.2(d)

 

Closing Date Liens

 

1.                mortgage, preferred mortgage, deed of trust, lien notice of claim of lien, hypothecation, pledge, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance

 

None.

 

2.                interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing)

 

None.

 

3.                Production Payments and Reserve Sales and the like payable out of Oil and Gas properties, excluding any operating lease

 

None.

 

RBL Schedules - 35



 

Schedule 10.4(i)

 

Scheduled Dispositions

 

1.                The Share Purchase Agreement, executed as of April 27, 2012 (the “EP Egypt Purchase Agreement”), by and among EP Energy L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation and t/b/n EP Energy Global LLC) and El Paso Preferred Holdings Company (t/b/n EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C.) (collectively, and to the extent applicable, Everest Acquisition LLC (t/b/n EP Energy LLC), “Seller”) and TransGlobe Petroleum International Inc. (“Buyer”).

 

Buyer will acquire, on the expected closing date of May 31, 2012, all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company and its subsidiaries. The acquired entities own interests in two concessions along the northern coast of Egypt in the Western Desert: the South Mariut concession, in which El Paso owns a 60% operated working interest, and the South Alamein concession, in which El Paso owns a non-operated 50% working interest.

 

The South Mariut concession consists of approximately 495,000 net acres. RWE is El Paso’s partner, holding a 40% working interest. The South Alamein concession consists of roughly 178,000 net acres. TransGlobe acquired CEPSA’s 50% operated working interest in 2011 and will be the operator of record pending Egyptian government approval, which is expected sometime over the next month.

 

Under the terms of the share purchase agreement with Buyer, Buyer would inherit all obligations, including drilling, in-country employee liabilities and the office lease.

 

2.                The Purchase and Sale Agreement, executed as of April 26, 2012 (the “EP Indiana Purchase and Sale Agreement”), by El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (“Seller”) and Riverside Petroleum Indiana, LLC (“Buyer”).

 

The assets being disposed include all of Seller’s oil and gas leases, wells, contracts and equipment in Daviess, Knox, Greene, Martin and Dubois counties in Indiana. The assets include approximately 26 producing wells and almost 3,000 leases in Indiana.

 

3.                The unexecuted Purchase and Sale Agreement (“PSA”) among El Paso E&P Company, L.P., as Seller, and Energy XXI Natural Gas Partners, LLC, as Buyer.

 

The assets being disposed include all of Seller’s assets located in the Gulf of Mexico, including but not limited to, Leases, Wells, Units, Oil and Gas Properties, Contracts, Equipment, Hydrocarbons, all of which are defined in the referenced PSA.

 

RBL Schedules - 36



 

Schedule 10.5(d)

 

Closing Date Investments

 

1.                The list of joint ventures set forth on Schedule 1.1(b) is incorporated herein by reference.

 

2.                Investments with respect to the Hedge Agreements specified in Schedule 8.20.

 

RBL Schedules - 37



 

Schedule 10.8(a)

 

Closing Date Negative Pledge Agreements

 

1.                Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Four Star Oil & Gas Company, dated August 29, 2005.

 

2.                Amended and Restated By-Laws of Four Star Oil & Gas Company, as of July 20, 2000.

 

3.                Agreement of Limited Partnership of EnerVest Energy, L.P., dated April 16, 1998.

 

4.                Restated Bylaws of Black Warrior Transmission Corp., dated February 20, 1995.

 

5.                Restated Bylaws of Black Warrior Transmission Corp., dated February 20, 1995.

 

6.                EP Egypt Purchase Agreement (as defined in Schedule 10.4(i)).

 

7.                EP Indiana Purchase and Sale Agreement (as defined in Schedule 10.4(i)).

 

RBL Schedules - 38



 

Schedule 13.2

 

Notice Addresses

 

Party

 

Notice Address

EP Energy LLC

 

EP Energy LLC

 

 

1001 Louisiana St.

 

 

Houston, TX 77002

 

 

Attn: Kyle McCuen, Vice President & Treasurer

 

 

Tel: (713) 997-3058

 

 

Fax: (713) 445-8590

 

 

Kyle.McCuen@EPEnergy.com

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy LLC

 

 

1001 Louisiana St.

 

 

Houston, TX 77002

 

 

Attn: Adrianne Griffin, Treasury Manager

 

 

Tel: (713) 997-2697

 

 

Fax: (713) 997-2640

 

 

Adrianne.Griffin@EPEnergy.com

 

 

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

 

712 Main Street, Floor 8 S

 

 

Houston, TX, 77002

 

 

Attn: Jo Linda Papadakis

 

 

Tel:(713) 216-7743

 

 

Fax: (713) 216-7770

 

 

jo.l.papadakis@jpmorgan.com

 

RBL Schedules - 39


 



Exhibit 10.2

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

 

This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this “ Guaranty ”), dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among EPE HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), the Domestic Subsidiaries of the Borrower (defined below) listed on the signature page hereof (together with Holdings, each a “ Guarantor ” and collectively, the “ Guarantors ”), and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as collateral agent for the Secured Parties referred to below (in such capacity, together with any successor thereto, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, Holdings, EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto from time to time, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank, and each other Issuing Bank from time to time party thereto, have entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), providing for the making of Loans, the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower and the extension of credit in the form of Swingline Loans to the Borrower;

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition to the making of Loans to, and the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of, and the extension of credit in the form of Swingline Loans to, the Borrower under the Credit Agreement that each Guarantor shall have executed and delivered this Guaranty; and

 

WHEREAS, each Guarantor will obtain benefits from the incurrence of Loans by, the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of, and the extension of credit in the form of Swingline Loans to, the Borrower, and accordingly desires to execute this Guaranty in order to satisfy the conditions described in the preceding paragraph and to induce the Lenders to make Loans to, each Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit for the account of, and the Swingline Lender to extend credit in the form of Swingline Loans to, the Borrower.

 

1.                                       DEFINITIONS

 

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement, unless otherwise defined herein. References to this “Guaranty” shall mean this Guaranty, including all amendments, modifications and supplements and any annexes, exhibits and schedules to any of the foregoing, and shall refer to this Guaranty as the same may be in effect at the time such reference becomes operative.

 

2.                                       THE GUARANTY

 

(a)                                   Guaranty of Guaranteed Obligations . Each Guarantor unconditionally guarantees to the Collateral Agent, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as a

 



 

primary obligor and not merely as a surety, the due and punctual payment and performance of the Obligations (the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”) for the ratable benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank, each Lender, each Hedge Bank that is party to any Secured Hedge Agreement, each Cash Management Bank that is a party to any Secured Cash Management Agreement and each sub-agent appointed pursuant to Section 12.2 of the Credit Agreement by the Administrative Agent with respect to matters relating to the Credit Documents or by the Collateral Agent with respect to matters relating to any Security Document (collectively, the “ Secured Parties ”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended, modified, amended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any extension, modification, amendment or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation. Each Guarantor waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Borrower or any other Credit Party of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its guarantee and notice of protest for nonpayment.

 

(b)                                  Guaranty of Payment . Each Guarantor further agrees that its guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to any security held for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party in favor of the Borrower or any other person.

 

(c)                                   No Limitations . Except for termination or release of a Guarantor’s obligations hereunder as expressly provided for in Section 5(g), the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense or set off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise (other than defense of payment or performance). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by: (i) the failure of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to assert any claim or demand or to exercise or enforce any right or remedy under the provisions of any Credit Document or otherwise; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, any Credit Document or any other agreement, including with respect to any other Guarantor under this Guaranty; (iii) the release of, or the failure to perfect any security interest in, or the exchange, substitution, release or any impairment of, any security held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party for the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or otherwise operate as a discharge of any Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the payment in full in cash or immediately available funds of all the Guaranteed Obligations); (vi) any illegality, lack of validity or enforceability of any Guaranteed Obligation; (vii) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of the Borrower, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting the

 

2



 

Borrower or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any Guaranteed Obligation (other than the payment in full in cash or immediately available funds of all the Guaranteed Obligations); (viii) the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights that the Guarantor may have at any time against the Borrower, the Collateral Agent, or any other corporation or person, whether in connection herewith or any unrelated transactions, provided that nothing herein will prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim; and (ix) any other circumstance (including, without limitation, any statute of limitations) or any existence of or reliance on any representation by the Collateral Agent that might otherwise constitute a defense to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, the Borrower or any other Credit Party or any other guarantor or surety. Each Guarantor expressly authorizes the Secured Parties to take and hold security for the payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, to exchange, waive or release any or all such security (with or without consideration), to enforce or apply such security and direct the order and manner of any sale thereof in their sole discretion or to release or substitute any one or more other guarantors or obligors upon or in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, all without affecting the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any other Guarantor or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any other Guarantor, other than the payment in full in cash or immediately available funds of all the Guaranteed Obligations. The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties may, at their election, foreclose on any security held by one or more of them by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such security in lieu of foreclosure, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Borrower or any other Credit Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to them against the Borrower or any other Credit Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against any other Guarantor, as the case may be, or any security.

 

(d)                                  Reinstatement . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5(g)(i), each Guarantor agrees that its guarantee hereunder shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any other Credit Party or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

 

(e)                                   Agreement To Pay; Subrogation . In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Borrower

 

3



 

or any other Credit Party to pay any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Collateral Agent of such unpaid Guaranteed Obligation. Upon payment by any Guarantor of any sums to the Collateral Agent as provided above, all rights of such Guarantor against the Borrower or Credit Party arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be fully subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations (except for contingent indemnities and cost and expense reimbursement obligations to the extent no claim has been made).

 

(f)                                     Information . Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrower’s and each other Credit Party’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party will have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to it or any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.

 

(g)                                  Holdings . The Obligations of Holdings under this Guarantee are limited recourse obligations payable solely from the Collateral pledged by Holdings pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and, following realization of the Collateral pledged by Holdings (whether through sale, foreclosure or otherwise) and the application thereof in accordance with this Guarantee and the Pledge Agreement, such Obligations of Holdings hereunder shall be extinguished and shall not revive.

 

3.                                       FURTHER ASSURANCES

 

Each Guarantor agrees, upon the written request of the Collateral Agent, to execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent, from time to time, any additional instruments or documents reasonably considered necessary by the Collateral Agent to cause this Guaranty to be, become or remain valid and effective in accordance with its terms.

 

4.                                       PAYMENTS FREE AND CLEAR OF TAXES

 

Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor will perform or observe all of the terms, covenants and agreements that Section 5.4 of the Credit Agreement requires such Guarantor to perform or observe, subject to the qualifications set forth therein.

 

5.                                       OTHER TERMS

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement . This Guaranty, together with the other Credit Documents, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements relating to a guaranty of the loans and advances under the Credit Documents.

 

4



 

(b)                                  Headings . The headings in this Guaranty are for convenience of reference only and are not part of the substance of this Guaranty.

 

(c)                                   Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Guaranty shall be interpreted in such a manner to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Guaranty shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

(d)                                  Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be given as provided in Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(e)                                   Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Guaranty any Guarantor is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party (in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement); and all covenants, promises and agreements by any Guarantor that are contained in this Guaranty shall bind and inure to the benefit of its respective permitted successors and assigns.

 

(f)                                     No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Amendments . No failure or delay by the Collateral Agent in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver hereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that it would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Guaranty or consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by this Section 5(f), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of any Loan, the issuance of any Letter of Credit or any extension of credit in the form of Swingline Loans shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Collateral Agent may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Guarantor in any case shall entitle any Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. When making any demand hereunder against any of the Guarantors, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on the Borrower or any other Guarantor or guarantor, and any failure by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to make any such demand or to collect any payments from the Borrower or any such other Guarantor or guarantor or any release of the Borrower or such other Guarantor or guarantor shall not relieve any of the Guarantors in respect of which a demand or collection is not made or any of the Guarantors not so released of their several obligations or liabilities hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, express or implied, or as a matter of law, of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party against any of the Guarantors. For the purposes hereof “ demand ” shall include the

 

5



 

commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings. Neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified (other than termination of this Guaranty pursuant to Section 5(g)) except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Collateral Agent and the Guarantor or Guarantors with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(g)                                  Termination and Release .

 

(i)                                      This Guaranty shall terminate, when all the Guaranteed Obligations (other than (i) Hedging Obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements, (ii) Cash Management Obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (iii) any contingent or indemnification obligations not then due) have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds, all Commitments have terminated or expired and no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding that is not Cash Collateralized or back-stopped (“ Payment in Full ”).

 

(ii)                                   A Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement resulting in such Guarantor ceasing to constitute a Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise becoming an Excluded Subsidiary.

 

(iii)                                In connection with any release pursuant to this Section 5(g), the Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s expense, all documents that the Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5(g) shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Collateral Agent.

 

(h)                                  Counterparts . This Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall collectively and separately constitute one and the same agreement.

 

6.                                       INDEMNITY. SUBROGATION AND SUBORDINATION

 

(a)                                   Indemnity and Subrogation . In addition to all such rights of indemnity and subrogation as the Guarantors may have under applicable law (but subject to Section 6(c)), the Borrower agrees that (i) in the event a payment shall be made by any Guarantor under this Guaranty in respect of any Obligation of the Borrower, the Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment and (ii) in the event any assets of any Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to this Guaranty or any other Security Document to satisfy in whole or in part an Obligation of the Borrower, the Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor in an amount equal to the greater of the book value or the fair market value of the assets so sold.

 

(b)                                  Contribution and Subrogation . Each Guarantor (a “ Contributing Guarantor ”) agrees (subject to Section 6(c)) that, in the event a payment shall be made by any other Guarantor hereunder in respect of any Obligation or assets of any other

 

6



 

Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to any Security Document to satisfy any Obligation owed to any Secured Party and such other Guarantor (the “ Claiming Guarantor ”) shall not have been fully indemnified by the Borrower as provided in Section 6(a), the Contributing Guarantor shall indemnify the Claiming Guarantor in an amount equal to the amount of such payment or the greater of the book value or the fair market value of such assets, as applicable, in each case multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the net worth of such Contributing Guarantor on the date hereof and the denominator shall be the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors on the date hereof (or, in the case of any Guarantor becoming a party hereto pursuant to Section 9.11 of the Credit Agreement, the date of the supplement hereto executed and delivered by such Guarantor). Any Contributing Guarantor making any payment to a Claiming Guarantor pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be subrogated to the rights of such Claiming Guarantor under Section 6(a) to the extent of such payment. The provisions of this Section 6(b) shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

 

(c)                                   Subordination . Notwithstanding any provision of this Guaranty to the contrary, all rights of the Guarantors under Sections 6(a) and 6(b) and all other rights of indemnity, contribution or subrogation of any Guarantor under applicable law or otherwise shall be fully subordinated to Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities to the extent no claim therefor has been made). Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by any of the Guarantors hereunder or any set-off or appropriation or application of funds of any of the Guarantors by any Secured Party, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party against the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by any Secured Party for the payment of the Obligations until Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Borrower or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder until Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time prior to Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be paid to the Collateral Agent to be credited and applied against the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. No failure on the part of the Borrower or any Guarantor to make the payments required by Sections 6(a) and 6(b) (or any other payments required under applicable law or otherwise) shall in any respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor with respect to its obligations hereunder, and each Guarantor shall remain liable for the full amount of the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.

 

7



 

7.                                       GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS

 

(a)                                   The terms of Sections 13.12, 13.13 and 13.15 of the Credit Agreement with respect to governing law, submission of jurisdiction, venue and waiver of trial by jury are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis , and the parties hereto agree to such terms.

 

(b)                                  Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5(d). Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

8.                                       RIGHT OF SET OFF

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any of and all the obligations of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under this Guaranty owed to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Guaranty and although such obligations may be unmatured. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Lender or any of its respective Affiliates shall have a right to set off and apply any deposits held by, or other Indebtedness owing by, such Lender or any of its Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of any Subsidiary of a Credit Party that (i) is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (ii) is a Subsidiary of a Person described in clause (i), unless (in either case) such Subsidiary is not a direct or indirect subsidiary of Holdings. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Collateral Agent after any such set off and application made by such Lender; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set off and application. The rights of each Lender under this Section 8 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set off) that such Lender may have.

 

9.                                       ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARIES

 

Upon execution and delivery by the Collateral Agent and any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is required to become a party hereto by Section 9.11 of the Credit Agreement of an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party to this Guaranty. The rights and obligations of each party to this Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Guaranty. Each reference to “Guarantor” in this Guaranty shall be deemed to include such Subsidiary.

 

8


 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Guaranty to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

EPE HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (f/k/a EP
ENERGY, L.L.C.)

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
(f/k/a EL PASO EXPLORATION &
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.)

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS
COMPANY, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO
PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY)

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW
FOUR STAR CORPORATION)

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE
COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS
GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

 

Signature Page to Guarantee Agreement (First Lien)

 



 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

 

Signature Page to Guaranty (First Lien)

 



 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Name: Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Title: President

 

 

Signature Page to Guarantee Agreement (First Lien)

 



 

 

Accepted and Agreed to:

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ryan Fuessel

 

 

Name:

Ryan Fuessel

 

 

Title:

Authorized signor

 

 

[Signature Page – Guarantee Agreement]

 


 

 

Exhibit I

to Guaranty

 

SUPPLEMENT NO.                dated as of                (this “ Supplement ”), to the Guarantee Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (the “ Guaranty ”), among EPE HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), each Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower (defined below) party thereto (the “ Existing Guarantors ”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Lenders (as defined therein).

 

A.                                    Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Holdings, EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto from time to time, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent, the Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank, and each other Issuing Bank from time to time party thereto.

 

B.                                      Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and the Guaranty, as applicable.

 

C.                                      The Existing Guarantors have entered into the Guaranty in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans, each Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit and the Swingline Lender to extend credit in the form of Swingline Loans. Section 9 of the Guaranty provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Guarantors under the Guaranty by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary of the Borrower (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement to become a Guarantor under the Guaranty in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans, each Issuing Bank to issue additional Letters of Credit and the Swingline Lender to extend additional credit in the form of Swingline Loans, and as consideration for Loans previously made, Letters of Credit previously issued and credit previously extended in the form of Swingline Loans.

 

Accordingly, the Collateral Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.  In accordance with Section 9 of the Guaranty, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Guarantor under the Guaranty with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and the New Subsidiary hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Guaranty applicable to it as a Guarantor thereunder. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary does hereby guarantee to the Collateral Agent the due and punctual payment of the Guaranteed Obligations as set forth in the Guaranty. Each reference to a “Guarantor” in the Guaranty and in this Supplement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Guaranty is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 



 

SECTION 2.  The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 3.  This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

 

SECTION 4.  Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 5.  THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 6.  In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Guaranty shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 7.  All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5(d) of the Guaranty.

 

SECTION 8.  The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Collateral Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel to the Collateral Agent.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has duly executed this Supplement to the Guaranty as of the day and year first above written.

 

[Remainder of page left intentionally blank.]

 

2



 

 

[Name of New Subsidiary]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 




Exhibit 10.3

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

dated and effective as of

 

May 24, 2012,

 

among

 

EP ENERGY LLC
(f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC),

 

each Subsidiary of EP Energy LLC identified herein,

 

and

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent

 

 

THIS COLLATERAL AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF (I) THE SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED HEREIN), AS SET FORTH MORE FULLY IN SECTION 5.15 HEREOF AND (II) THE PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED HEREIN). NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE LIENS AND SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED TO THE COLLATERAL AGENT, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SECURED PARTIES, PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR REMEDY BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE OTHER SECURED PARTIES HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENTS.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Term Loan Agreement

2

SECTION 1.02.

Other Defined Terms

2

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

PLEDGE OF SECURITIES

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Pledge

10

SECTION 2.02.

Delivery of the Pledged Collateral

11

SECTION 2.03.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

12

SECTION 2.04.

Certification of Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership Interests

13

SECTION 2.05.

Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

14

SECTION 2.06.

Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc.

14

 

 

ARTICLE III.

 

SECURITY INTERESTS IN PERSONAL PROPERTY

 

 

SECTION 3.01.

Security Interest

16

SECTION 3.02.

Representations and Warranties

18

SECTION 3.03.

Covenants

20

SECTION 3.04.

Other Actions

23

SECTION 3.05.

Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral

23

 

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

REMEDIES

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Remedies upon Default

25

SECTION 4.02.

Application of Proceeds

26

SECTION 4.03.

Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property

26

SECTION 4.04.

Securities Act, etc.

27

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

Notices

28

SECTION 5.02.

Security Interest Absolute

28

 

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SECTION 5.03.

Limitation by Law

28

SECTION 5.04.

Binding Effect; Several Agreement

28

SECTION 5.05.

Successors and Assigns

29

SECTION 5.06.

Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

29

SECTION 5.07.

Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

30

SECTION 5.08.

GOVERNING LAW

30

SECTION 5.09.

Waivers; Amendment

31

SECTION 5.10.

Severability

31

SECTION 5.11.

Counterparts

32

SECTION 5.12.

Headings

32

SECTION 5.13.

Termination or Release

32

SECTION 5.14.

Additional Subsidiaries

34

SECTION 5.15.

Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement

34

SECTION 5.16.

First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents

34

SECTION 5.17.

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations

34

SECTION 5.18.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

35

SECTION 5.19.

Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

35

 

Schedules

 

Schedule I

Subsidiary Parties

Schedule II

Pledged Stock; Debt Securities

Schedule III

Intellectual Property

 

Exhibits

 

Exhibit I

Form of Supplement to the Collateral Agreement

Exhibit II

Form of Perfection Certificate

 

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This COLLATERAL AGREEMENT dated and effective as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is among EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower listed on Schedule I hereto and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that becomes a party hereto after the date hereof (each, a “ Subsidiary Party ”) and CITIBANK, N.A. , as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ” or the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in Section 1.02 below).

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) among the Borrower and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as co-issuers (the “ Co-Issuers ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Co-Issuers are issuing 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (together with any and all exchange notes and/or additional notes issued pursuant to the Indenture, collectively the “ Notes ”) and (2) pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Term Loan Agent ”), the Borrower is incurring Loans (as defined therein, the “ Term Loans ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Notes, the Term Loans and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are and will be secured on a second-priority, pari passu basis by the Collateral and, on the date hereof, the Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the Trustee are entering into the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ”), which sets forth the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties in the Collateral as amongst each other;

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EPE Holdings LLC (“ Holdings ”), the Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time parties thereto, the Borrower will from time to time incur loans and letter of credit obligations and (2) pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among the Pledgors, Holdings and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the Pledgors have granted to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the RBL Facility Agent, a first-priority lien and security interest in the Collateral to secure their obligations under the Credit Agreement and related documents;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent (as each such terms are defined in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture, EP Energy LLC, the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC named therein and the other parties thereto, the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted by this Agreement are and shall be subordinated in all respects to the liens upon and security

 

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interest in the Collateral granted pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Credit Agreement and other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

WHEREAS, each Pledgor is executing and delivering this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, Term Loan Agreement and any applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document to induce the Lenders to extend credit and to induce the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes and the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, the Subsidiary Parties are Subsidiaries of the Borrower, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Indenture, Term Loan Agreement and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit and to induce the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes and the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder.

 

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.            Term Loan Agreement .

 

(a)                                       Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Term Loan Agreement as in effect on the date hereof and without regard to any amendments, modifications, or supplements thereto from time to time. All capitalized terms referred to in Article III hereof that are defined in Article 9 of the New York UCC and not defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. The term “instrument” shall have the meaning specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. If the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date has occurred, a reference in this Agreement to the Applicable First Lien Agent shall, unless the context requires otherwise, be construed as a reference to the Agent and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.

 

(b)                                       The rules of construction specified in Section 1.02 of the Term Loan Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 1.02.            Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Account Debtor ” means any person who is or who may become obligated to any Pledgor under, with respect to or on account of an Account.

 

Acquisition Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture.

 

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Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Applicable Agent ” means the Applicable First Lien Agent (or, if the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date has occurred, the Agent).

 

Applicable First Lien Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Authorized Representative ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Article 9 Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

 

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Collateral ” means Article 9 Collateral and Pledged Collateral.

 

“Collateral Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Copyright License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting any right to any Pledgor under any Copyright now or hereafter owned by any third party, and all rights of any Pledgor under any such agreement (including any such rights that such Pledgor has the right to license).

 

Copyrights ” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor (or, as required in the context of the definition of “Copyright License,” any third party licensor): (a) all copyright rights in any work subject to the copyright laws of the United States or any other country, whether as author, assignee, transferee or otherwise; and (b) all registrations and applications for registration of any such Copyright in the United States or any other country, including registrations, supplemental registrations and pending applications for registration in the United States Copyright Office, including those listed on Schedule III .

 

Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Credit Documents ” means the Term Loan Documents, the Indenture Documents and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Default ” means a “Default” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any other Credit Document.

 

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Discharge ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Event of Default ” means an “Event of Default” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any other Credit Document.

 

Excluded Assets ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(a).

 

Excluded Securities ” means:

 

(a)               any Equity Interests or debt with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing, the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests or debt in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom;

 

(b)               solely in the case of any pledge of Equity Interests of any FSHCO (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Party) to secure the Obligations, any Equity Interest that is Voting Stock of such FSHCO in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class (such percentages to be adjusted upon any change of law as may be required to avoid adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary);

 

(c)                any Equity Interests or debt to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law;

 

(d)               any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement (other than customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided that this clause (B)  shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain any such consent)) and for so long as such organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) to any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement governing such Equity Interests the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than customary non-assignment provisions that are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirement of Law);

 

(e)                any Equity Interests of (i) any Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary and (ii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(f)                 any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary;

 

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(g)                any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as reasonably determined by the Borrower in writing delivered to the Agent;

 

(h)               any Equity Interests or debt at any time that is not then subject to a Lien securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations at such time;

 

(i)              any of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary (the pledge of which is governed by the Pledge Agreement);

 

(j)                  any “Margin Stock”, as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America; and

 

(k)               any Equity Interests or securities of a Subsidiary to the extent excluded by the last paragraph of Section 2.01.

 

Federal Securities Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.04.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date ” means, subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the date on which the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations occurs; provided that if, at any time after the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations is deemed not to have occurred under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement (other than with respect to any actions taken prior to the date of incurrence and designation of any new First-Priority Lien Obligations as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations).

 

Foreign Corporate Subsidiary ” shall mean a Foreign Subsidiary that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

FSHCO ” shall mean any direct or indirect Subsidiary that owns (directly or through Subsidiaries) no material assets other than the Equity Interests of one or more direct or indirect Foreign Corporate Subsidiaries.

 

General Intangibles ” means all “general intangibles” as defined in the New York UCC, including all choses in action and causes of action and all other intangible personal property of any Pledgor of every kind and nature (other than Accounts) now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor, including corporate or other business records, indemnification claims, contract rights (including rights under leases, whether entered into as lessor or lessee, swap agreements and other agreements), Intellectual Property, goodwill, registrations, franchises and tax refund claims.

 

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Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06.

 

Indenture ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Indenture Documents ” means (a) the Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and this Agreement and (b) any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Indenture or any Security Document, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Indenture Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Notes, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties under the Indenture and each of the other Indenture Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Indenture and each of the other Indenture Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Indenture Documents; provided that Indenture Obligations shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the Notes.

 

Intellectual Property ” means all intellectual and similar property of every kind and nature now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor, including inventions, designs, Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Patent Licenses, Copyright Licenses, Trademark Licenses, trade secrets, domain names, confidential or proprietary technical and business information, know-how, show-how or other data or information and all related documentation.

 

Material Subsidiary ” means, at any date of determination, each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Excluded Subsidiary pursuant to clause (f) of the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary” in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Obligations ” means (a) the Indenture Obligations, (b) the Term Loan Obligations and (c) if any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are incurred, (1) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing

 

6



 

during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) owing to any holder of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations under any Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any holder of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations under the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (2) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents and (3) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations ” means other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is equally and ratably secured with the Term Loans and Notes as permitted by the Indenture Documents, the Term Loan Documents and any Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and is designated by the Borrower as an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligation in accordance with Section 5.17 hereof and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” means any document or instrument executed and delivered with respect to any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, including the Security Documents and this Agreement, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement ” means a Joinder Agreement (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) executed by the Authorized Representative of any holders of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 5.17 and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Patent License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Pledgor any right to make, use or sell any invention covered by a Patent, now or hereafter owned by any third party (including any such rights that such Pledgor has the right to license).

 

Patents ” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor (or, as required in the context of the definition of “Patent License,” any third party licensor): (a) all patents of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, and all applications for patents of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, including those listed on Schedule III , and (b) all reissues, continuations, divisions, continuations-

 

7



 

in-part or extensions thereof, and the inventions disclosed or claimed therein, including the right to make, use and/or sell the inventions disclosed or claimed therein.

 

Perfection Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit II or another form reasonably acceptable to the Agent, completed and supplemented with the schedules and attachments contemplated thereby, and duly executed by an officer of the Borrower.

 

Permitted Liens ” means Liens that are not prohibited by the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document.

 

Pledge Agreement ” means the Pledge Agreement, dated May 24, 2012, by and among the Borrower, each Subsidiary of the Borrower identified therein and the Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Pledged Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledged Debt Securities ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledged Securities ” means any promissory notes, stock certificates or other certificated securities now or hereafter included in the Pledged Collateral, including all certificates, instruments or other documents representing or evidencing any Pledged Collateral.

 

Pledged Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledgor ” shall mean the Borrower and each Subsidiary Party.

 

RBL Facility Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

RBL Priority Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Secured Parties ” means (a) the Collateral Agent, (b) each holder of a Note, (c) each Lender, (d) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Pledgor under any Credit Documents, (e) the Trustee, (f) the Term Loan Agent, (g) the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations and their Authorized Representative, provided that such Authorized Representative executes an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement, and (h) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing. When used in the phrase “the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties” at any time when the Applicable First Lien Agent is the Applicable Agent, the term “Secured Parties” includes holders of the First-Priority Lien Obligations as well as the Persons described in first sentence of this definition.

 

Security Documents ” means this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, any agreement pursuant to which assets are added to the Collateral or otherwise pledged or mortgaged to secure the Obligations and any other instruments or documents entered into and delivered in

 

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connection with any of the foregoing, as such agreements, instruments or documents may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Security Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Subsidiary Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Documents ” means (a) the Term Loan Agreement, the Notes (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement), the Security Documents and this Agreement and (b) any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement or any Security Document, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Term Loan Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Term Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties under the Term Loan Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents.

 

Trademark License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Pledgor any right to use any Trademark now or hereafter owned by any third party (including any such rights that such Pledgor has the right to license).

 

Trademarks ” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor (or, as required in the context of the definition of “Trademark License,” any third party

 

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licensor): (a) all trademarks, service marks, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, trade dress, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of like nature, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations thereof (if any), and all registration and recording applications filed in connection therewith, including registrations and registration applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any State of the United States or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, and all renewals thereof, including those listed on Schedule III and (b) all goodwill associated therewith or symbolized thereby.

 

Trustee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE II.

 

Pledge of Securities

 

SECTION 2.01.            Pledge . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Pledgor hereby assigns and pledges to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of such Pledgor’s right, title and interest in, to and under (a) the Equity Interests in each Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary directly owned by it (which such Equity Interests constituting Pledged Stock as of the date hereof shall be listed on Schedule II ) and any other Equity Interests in a Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary obtained in the future by such Pledgor and any certificates representing all such Equity Interests (collectively, the “ Pledged Stock ”); provided that the Pledged Stock shall not include any Excluded Securities; (b)(i) the debt securities currently issued to any Pledgor (which such debt securities constituting Pledged Debt Securities as of the date hereof shall be listed on Schedule II ), (ii) any debt securities in the future issued to such Pledgor and (iii) the promissory notes and any other instruments, if any, evidencing such debt securities (collectively, the “ Pledged Debt Securities ”); provided that the Pledged Debt Securities shall not include any Excluded Securities; (c) subject to Section 2.06, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other proceeds received in respect of, the securities referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; (d) subject to Section 2.06, all rights and privileges of such Pledgor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above; and (e) all Proceeds of any of the foregoing (the items referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above being collectively referred to as the “ Pledged Collateral ”).

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Pledged Collateral, together with all right, title, interest, powers, privileges and preferences pertaining or incidental thereto, unto the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, forever; subject , however , to the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“ Rule 3-10 ” or “ Rule 3-16 ”, as applicable) requires or is amended, modified or interpreted by the Securities Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) to require (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation

 

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is adopted, which would require) the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Authority) of separate financial statements of any Subsidiary of the Borrower due to the fact that such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests or other securities secure Obligations, then the Equity Interests or other securities of such Subsidiary will automatically be deemed not to be part of the Collateral securing any of the Obligations (whether or not affected thereby) but only to the extent necessary to not be subject to such requirement and only for so long as required to not be subject to such requirement. In such event, this Agreement may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Secured Party, to the extent necessary to release the Lien in favor of the Agent on the Equity Interests or other securities that are so deemed to no longer constitute part of the Collateral for the Obligations. In the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 is amended, modified or interpreted by the SEC to permit (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would permit) such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests or other securities to secure the Obligations in excess of the amount then pledged without the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Authority) of separate financial statements of such Subsidiary, then the Equity Interests or other securities of such Subsidiary will automatically be deemed to be a part of the Collateral for the Obligations (but only to the extent that will not result in such Subsidiary being subject to any such financial statement requirement). In such event, this Agreement may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Secured Party, to the extent necessary to subject to the Lien in favor of the Agent such additional Equity Interests or other securities, on the terms contemplated herein.

 

SECTION 2.02.         Delivery of the Pledged Collateral .

 

(a)                                       Each Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 45 days after the acquisition (or such longer time as the Applicable Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, any and all Pledged Securities to the extent such Pledged Securities, in the case of promissory notes or other instruments evidencing Indebtedness, are required to be delivered pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.02.

 

(b)                                       Each Pledgor will cause any Indebtedness (other than Excluded Securities) (i) having an aggregate principal amount in excess of $15,000,000 or (ii) payable by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days and made in the ordinary course of business) to be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note that is pledged and delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the terms hereof. To the extent any such promissory note is a demand note, each Pledgor party thereto agrees, if requested by the Applicable Agent, to immediately demand payment thereunder upon an Event of Default specified under Section 7.01(a), (b), (f) or (g) of the Term Loan Agreement or under any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document.

 

(c)                                        Upon delivery to the Applicable Agent, (i) any Pledged Securities required to be delivered pursuant to the foregoing paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 2.02 shall be accompanied by stock powers or note powers, as applicable, duly executed in blank or other instruments of transfer reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent and by such other instruments and documents as the Applicable Agent may reasonably request and (ii) all other property comprising part of the Pledged Collateral delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be accompanied to the extent necessary to perfect the security interest in or allow realization on

 

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the Pledged Collateral by proper instruments of assignment duly executed by the applicable Pledgor and such other instruments or documents as the Applicable Agent may reasonably request. Each delivery of Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by a schedule describing the securities, which schedule shall be attached hereto as Schedule II (or a supplement to Schedule II, as applicable) and made a part hereof; provided that failure to attach any such schedule hereto shall not affect the validity of such pledge of such Pledged Securities. Each schedule so delivered shall supplement any prior schedules so delivered.

 

SECTION 2.03.         Representations, Warranties and Covenants . Each Pledgor represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

 

(a)                                       Schedule II correctly sets forth the percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by such Pledged Stock and includes all debt securities and promissory notes or instruments evidencing Indebtedness required to be delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(b);

 

(b)                                       the Pledged Stock, to the best of each Pledgor’s knowledge, have been duly and validly authorized and issued by the issuers thereof and are fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(c)                                        except for the security interests granted hereunder (and those securing First-Priority Lien Obligations), each Pledgor (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Term Loan Agreement and each other Credit Document, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Securities indicated on Schedule II as owned by such Pledgor, (ii) holds the same free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, (iii) will make no assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of, or create or permit to exist any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Collateral, other than pursuant to a transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document and other than Permitted Liens, and (iv) subject to the rights of such Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Pledged Collateral, will use commercially reasonable efforts to defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), however arising, of all persons;

 

(d)                                       other than as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or the schedules thereto, in the other Credit Documents or in the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Credit Documents, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or securities laws generally, the Pledged Collateral is and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Collateral is or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement, charter, by-law, memorandum of association or articles of association provisions or contractual restriction of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect the pledge of such Pledged Collateral hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Agent of rights and remedies hereunder other than under applicable Requirements of Law;

 

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(e)                                        each Pledgor has the power and authority to pledge the Pledged Collateral pledged by it hereunder in the manner hereby done or contemplated;

 

(f)                                         other than as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or the schedules thereto, in the other Credit Documents or in the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, no consent or approval of any Governmental Authority, any securities exchange or any other person was or is necessary to the validity of the pledge effected hereby (other than such as have been obtained and are in full force and effect);

 

(g)                                        by virtue of the execution and delivery by the Pledgors of this Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, when any Pledged Securities are delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with this Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and a financing statement in respect of the Pledged Securities is filed in the appropriate filing office, the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected (except for any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing delivered to the Agent, the costs or other consequences of perfecting such a security interest are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom) lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Securities, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations; and

 

(h)                                       the pledge effected hereby is effective to vest in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the rights of the Agent in the Pledged Collateral as set forth herein.

 

SECTION 2.04.         Certification of Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership Interests .

 

(a)                                       Each interest in any limited liability company or limited partnership controlled by any Pledgor, pledged hereunder and represented by a certificate, shall be a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC and shall be governed by Article 8 of the New York UCC, and each such interest shall at all times hereafter be represented by a certificate unless and until such interest is no longer such a “security” and the Pledgor complies with Section 2.04(b).

 

(b)                                       Each interest in any limited liability company or limited partnership controlled by a Pledgor, pledged hereunder and not represented by a certificate shall not be a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC and shall not be governed by Article 8 of the New York UCC (or other applicable Uniform Commercial Code in effect in another jurisdiction), and the Pledgors shall at no time elect to treat any such interest as a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC or issue any certificate representing such interest, unless promptly thereafter (and in any event within 30 days (or such longer period as the Agent may agree to)) the applicable Pledgor provides notification to the Applicable Agent of such election and delivers, as applicable, any such certificate to the Applicable Agent pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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SECTION 2.05.         Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (a) the Applicable Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to hold the Pledged Securities in its own name as pledgee or the name of its nominee (as pledgee or as sub-agent), or the name of the applicable Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank in favor of the Applicable Agent, and (b) each Pledgor will promptly give to the Applicable Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Securities registered in the name of such Pledgor. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Applicable Agent shall have the right to exchange the certificates representing Pledged Securities for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with this Agreement. Each Pledgor shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Subsidiary that is not a party to this Agreement to comply with a request by the Applicable Agent, pursuant to this Section 2.05, to exchange certificates representing Pledged Securities of such Subsidiary for certificates of smaller or larger denominations.

 

SECTION 2.06.         Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc .

 

(a)                                   Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Applicable Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder:

 

(i)                                           Each Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that could be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the rights and remedies of any of the Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same.

 

(ii)                                        The Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to each Pledgor, or cause to be executed and delivered to such Pledgor, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as such Pledgor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to subparagraph (i) above.

 

(iii)                                     Each Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Collateral to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are not prohibited by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and applicable laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Securities, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Securities or received in exchange for Pledged Securities or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become

 

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part of the Pledged Collateral, and, if received by any Pledgor, shall be promptly (and in any event within 45 days of their receipt (or such longer time as the Applicable Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent).

 

(b)                                       After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and upon notice by the Applicable Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, all rights of any Pledgor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Applicable Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions; provided that the Applicable Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to receive and retain such amounts. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.06 shall not be commingled by such Pledgor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Applicable Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Applicable Agent in an account to be established by the Applicable Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Applicable Agent a certificate to that effect, the Applicable Agent shall promptly repay to each Pledgor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06 and that remain in such account.

 

(c)                                        Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice by the Applicable Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, subject to applicable Requirements of Law, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06, and the obligations of the Applicable Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.06, shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers; provided that the Applicable Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to exercise such rights. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Applicable Agent a certificate to that effect, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06, and the obligations of the Applicable Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.06, shall in each case be reinstated.

 

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(d)                                         Any notice given by the Applicable Agent to the Pledgors suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 2.06 (i) shall be in writing, (ii) may be given to one or more of the Pledgors at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Pledgors under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(iii) in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Applicable Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Applicable Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

ARTICLE III.

 

Security Interests in Personal Property

 

SECTION 3.01.            Security Interest .

 

(a)                                          As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Pledgor hereby assigns and pledges to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “ Security Interest ”) in all right, title and interest in or to any and all of the following assets and properties now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Pledgor or in which such Pledgor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “ Article 9 Collateral ”):

 

(i)                                           all Accounts;

 

(ii)                                        all Chattel Paper;

 

(iii)                                     all cash and Deposit Accounts;

 

(iv)                                    all Documents;

 

(v)                                       all Equipment;

 

(vi)                                    all Fixtures;

 

(vii)                                 all General Intangibles;

 

(viii)                              Goods;

 

(ix)                                    all Instruments;

 

(x)                                       all Intellectual Property;

 

(xi)                                    all Inventory;

 

(xii)                                 all Investment Property other than the Pledged Collateral;

 

(xiii)                              all Letters of Credit and Letter of Credit Rights;

 

(xiv)                             all minerals, oil, gas and As-Extracted Collateral;

 

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(xv)                                all books and records pertaining to the Article 9 Collateral; and

 

(xvi)                             substitutions, replacements, accessions, products and proceeds (including insurance proceeds, licenses, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit) and to the extent not otherwise included, all proceeds, Supporting Obligations and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any person with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Credit Documents, this Agreement shall not constitute a grant of a security interest in (and the Article 9 Collateral shall not include) and the other provisions of the Credit Documents with respect to Collateral need not be satisfied with respect to (a) motor vehicles or other assets subject to certificates of title and commercial tort claims, (b) any assets over which the granting of security interests in such assets would be prohibited by an enforceable contractual obligation binding on the assets that existed at the time of the acquisition thereof and was not created or made binding on the assets in contemplation or in connection with the acquisition of such assets (except in the case of assets owned on the Acquisition Date or acquired after the Acquisition Date with Indebtedness of the type permitted pursuant to Section 6.03(b)(iv) of the Term Loan Agreement and any equivalent provision in the Indenture), applicable law or regulation (in each case, except to the extent such prohibition is unenforceable after giving effect to applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, other than proceeds thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the Uniform Commercial Code notwithstanding such prohibitions) or to the extent that such security interests would require obtaining the consent of any governmental authority or would result in materially adverse tax consequences as reasonably determined by the Borrower in writing delivered to the Collateral Agent, (c) those assets with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower, evidenced in writing delivered to the Agent, the costs or other consequences of obtaining or perfecting such a security interest are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom, (d) any Letter of Credit Rights (other than to the extent a Lien thereon can be perfected by filing a customary financing statement), (e) any Excluded Securities, (f) any Pledgor’s right, title or interest in any license, contract or agreement to which such Pledgor is a party or any of its right, title or interest thereunder to the extent, but only to the extent, that such a grant would violate the terms of applicable law or of such license, contract or agreement, or result in a breach of the terms of, or constitute a default under, any such license, contract or agreement to which such Pledgor is a party (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the New York UCC or any other applicable law or regulation (including Title 11 of the United States Code) or principles of equity); provided that, immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse or termination of any such provision, the Collateral shall include, and such Pledgor shall be deemed to have granted a security interest in, all such rights and interests as if such provision had never been in effect, (g) any equipment or other asset owned by any Pledgor that is subject to a purchase money lien or a Capitalized Lease Obligation, in each case, as permitted under the Term Loan Agreement and the Indenture and not prohibited by any other Credit Document, if the contract or other agreement in which such Lien is granted (or the documentation providing for such Capitalized Lease Obligation) prohibits or requires the consent of any person other than the Pledgors as a condition to the creation of any other security interest on such equipment or asset and, in each case, such prohibition or requirement is permitted by under Term Loan Agreement and the Indenture and not prohibited by any other Credit Document, (h) any

 

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foreign collateral or credit support with respect to such foreign collateral (other than any such assets pledged pursuant to the Pledge Agreement), (i) any real property (owned or leased) or oil and gas properties (owned or leased) other than the Mortgaged Properties, and (j) any asset at any time that is not then subject to a Lien securing First-Priority Lien Obligations at such time (the foregoing clauses (a) through (j), the “ Excluded Assets ”). With respect to the Collateral, no control agreements or control arrangements will be required with respect to any Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts, Commodity Contracts or any other asset, the perfection of a security interest in which specifically requires a control arrangement or control agreement (other than the delivery of Pledged Securities to the Applicable Agent to the extent required by Article II).

 

(b)                                       Each Pledgor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Agent at any time and from time to time to file in any relevant jurisdiction any initial financing statements (including fixture filings) with respect to the Article 9 Collateral or any part thereof and amendments thereto that contain the information required by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of each applicable jurisdiction for the filing of any financing statement or amendment, including (i) whether such Pledgor is an organization, the type of organization and any organizational identification number issued to such Pledgor, (ii) in the case of a financing statement filed as a fixture filing, a sufficient description of the real property to which such Article 9 Collateral relates and (iii) a description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Agent may reasonably determine is necessary or advisable to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Article 9 Collateral granted under this Agreement, including describing such property as “all assets” or “all property” or words of similar effect. Each Pledgor agrees to provide such information to the Agent promptly upon request.

 

The Agent is further authorized to file with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office (or any successor office or any similar office in any other country) such documents as may be necessary or advisable for the purpose of perfecting, confirming, continuing, enforcing or protecting the Security Interest granted by each Pledgor, without the signature of any Pledgor, and naming any Pledgor or the Pledgors as debtors and the Agent as secured party.

 

(c)                                   The Security Interest is granted as security only and shall not subject the Agent or any other Secured Party to, or in any way alter or modify, any obligation or liability of any Pledgor with respect to or arising out of the Article 9 Collateral.

 

SECTION 3.02.         Representations and Warranties . The Pledgors jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Agent and the Secured Parties as of the Acquisition Date that:

 

(a)                                  Each Pledgor has good and valid rights in and title to the Article 9 Collateral with respect to which it has purported to grant a Security Interest hereunder and has full power and authority to grant to the Agent the Security Interest in such Article 9 Collateral pursuant hereto and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without the consent or approval of any other person other than any consent or approval that has been obtained and is in full force and effect or has otherwise been disclosed herein, in the Term Loan Agreement and the Schedules thereto or in the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

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(b)                                  The Perfection Certificate has been duly prepared, completed and executed and the information set forth therein, including the exact legal name of each Pledgor, is correct and complete, in all material respects, as of the Acquisition Date. Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations containing a description of the Article 9 Collateral have been prepared by the Agent based upon the information provided to the Agent in the Perfection Certificate for filing in each governmental, municipal or other office specified in the Perfection Certificate (or specified by notice from the Borrower to the Agent after the Acquisition Date in the case of filings, recordings or registrations required by Section 6.16 of the Term Loan Agreement or any equivalent provision of each other Credit Document), and constitute all the filings, recordings and registrations (other than filings required to be made in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office in order to perfect the Security Interest in Article 9 Collateral consisting of United States Patents, United States registered Trademarks and United States registered Copyrights) that are necessary to publish notice of and protect the validity of and to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in respect of all Article 9 Collateral in which the Security Interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registration in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration is necessary in any such jurisdiction, except as provided under applicable law with respect to the filing of continuation statements or amendments. Each Pledgor represents and warrants that a fully executed agreement in the form hereof (or a short form hereof which form shall be reasonably acceptable to the Agent) containing a description of all Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property with respect to registered United States Patents (and Patents for which registration applications are pending), registered United States Trademarks (and Trademarks for which registration applications are pending) and registered United States Copyrights (and Copyrights for which registration applications are pending) has been delivered to the Agent for recording with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 261, 15 U.S.C. § 1060 or 17 U.S.C. § 205 and the regulations thereunder, as applicable, to protect the validity of and to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in respect of all Article 9 Collateral consisting of such Intellectual Property in which a security interest may be perfected by recording with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration is necessary (other than such actions as are necessary to perfect the Security Interest with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights (or registration or application for registration thereof) acquired or developed after the Acquisition Date).

 

(c)                                   The Security Interest constitutes (i) a legal and valid security interest in all the Article 9 Collateral securing the payment and performance of the Obligations, (ii) subject to the filings described in Section 3.02(b), a perfected security interest in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registering a financing statement or analogous document in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions pursuant to the Uniform

 

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Commercial Code or other applicable law in such jurisdictions and (iii) subject to Section 3.02(b), a security interest that shall be perfected in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected upon the receipt and recording of this Agreement (or a short form hereof) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, as applicable. The Security Interest is and shall be a second priority security interest, prior to any other Lien on any of the Article 9 Collateral, other than Liens in respect of the First-Priority Lien Obligations and any other Permitted Liens.

 

(d)                             The Article 9 Collateral is owned by the Pledgors free and clear of any Lien, other than Permitted Liens. None of the Pledgors has filed or consented to the filing of (i) any financing statement or analogous document under the Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable laws covering any Article 9 Collateral, (ii) any assignment in which any Pledgor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office or (iii) any assignment in which any Pledgor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with any foreign governmental, municipal or other office, which financing statement or analogous document, assignment, security agreement or similar instrument is still in effect, except, in each case, for Permitted Liens.

 

(e)                              Except as set forth in the Perfection Certificate, as of the Acquisition Date, all Accounts owned by the Pledgors have been originated by the Pledgors and all Inventory owned by the Pledgors has been acquired by the Pledgors in the ordinary course of business.

 

SECTION 3.03.         Covenants .

 

(a)                                  Each Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 10 days thereof, or such longer period of time as may be agreed by the Applicable Agent) to notify the Agent in writing of any change (i) in its legal name, (ii) in its identity or type of organization or corporate structure, (iii) in its Federal Taxpayer Identification Number or organizational identification number or (iv) in its jurisdiction of organization. Each Pledgor agrees promptly to provide the Agent with certified organizational documents reflecting any of the changes described in the immediately preceding sentence. Each Pledgor agrees that if it effects or permits any change referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph (a) it will ensure that all filings have been made, or will have been made within any applicable statutory period, under the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise that are required in order for the Agent at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected second priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in all the Article 9 Collateral, for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Each Pledgor agrees promptly to notify the Agent if any material portion of the Article 9 Collateral owned or held by such Pledgor is damaged or destroyed.

 

(b)                                  Subject to the rights of such Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Collateral, each Pledgor shall, at its own expense, use commercially reasonable efforts to defend title to the Article 9 Collateral against all persons and to defend the Security Interest of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Article 9 Collateral and the priority thereof against any Lien that is not a Permitted Lien.

 

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(c)                                   Each Pledgor agrees, at its own expense, to execute, acknowledge, deliver and cause to be duly filed all such further instruments and documents and take all such actions as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request to better assure, preserve, protect and perfect the Security Interest and the rights and remedies created hereby, including the payment of any fees and taxes required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the granting of the Security Interest and the filing of any financing statements (including fixture filings) or other documents in connection herewith or therewith.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor hereby authorizes the Agent, with prompt notice thereof to the Pledgors, to supplement this Agreement by supplementing Schedule III or adding additional schedules hereto to specifically identify any asset or item that may constitute Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, Copyright Licenses, Patent Licenses or Trademark Licenses; provided that any Pledgor shall have the right, exercisable within 90 days after it has been notified by the Agent of the specific identification of such Collateral, to advise the Agent in writing of any inaccuracy of the representations and warranties made by such Pledgor hereunder with respect to such Article 9 Collateral. Each Pledgor agrees that it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to take such action as shall be necessary in order that all representations and warranties hereunder shall be true and correct with respect to such Article 9 Collateral within 90 days after the date it has been notified by the Agent of the specific identification of such Article 9 Collateral.

 

(d)                                  (i) Following the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, and subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, after the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the continuance thereof, the Agent shall have the right to verify under reasonable procedures the validity, amount, quality, quantity, value, condition and status of, or any other matter relating to, the Article 9 Collateral, including, in the case of Accounts or Article 9 Collateral in the possession of any third person, by contacting Account Debtors or the third person possessing such Article 9 Collateral for the purpose of making such a verification and each Pledgor shall furnish all such assistance and information as Agent may reasonably request in connection with any such verification. The Agent shall have the right to share any information it gains from such inspection or verification with any Secured Party.

 

(ii)                                        The Applicable Agent hereby authorizes each Pledgor to collect such Pledgor’s Accounts and the Applicable Agent may curtail or terminate said authority at any time after written notice is provided by the Applicable Agent to such Pledgor after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

 

(iii)                                     At the Applicable Agent’s written request at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Pledgor shall deliver to the Applicable Agent all original and other documents evidencing, and relating to, the agreements and transactions which gave rise to the Accounts, including all original orders, invoices and shipping receipts.

 

(e)                                   Following the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, and subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, at its option, the Agent may discharge any past due taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on the Article 9 Collateral and that is not a Permitted Lien, and may pay for the

 

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maintenance and preservation of the Article 9 Collateral to the extent any Pledgor fails to do so as required by the Term Loan Agreement, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, and each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to reimburse the Agent on demand for any reasonable payment made or any reasonable expense incurred by the Agent pursuant to the foregoing authorization; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 3.03(e) shall be interpreted as excusing any Pledgor from the performance of, or imposing any obligation on the Agent or any Secured Party to cure or perform, any covenants or other promises of any Pledgor with respect to taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances and maintenance as set forth herein or in the other Credit Documents.

 

(f)                                         Each Pledgor (rather than the Agent or any Secured Party) shall remain liable for the observance and performance of all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it under each contract, agreement or instrument relating to the Article 9 Collateral and each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent and the Secured Parties from and against any and all liability for such performance.

 

(g)                                        None of the Pledgors shall make or permit to be made an assignment, pledge or hypothecation of the Article 9 Collateral or shall grant any other Lien in respect of the Article 9 Collateral, except as not prohibited by any Credit Document. None of the Pledgors shall make or permit to be made any transfer of the Article 9 Collateral, except as not prohibited by any Credit Document. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Applicable Agent shall have notified the Grantors that an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (f) or (g) of the Term Loan Agreement or any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document shall have occurred and be continuing, and during the continuance thereof, the Pledgors shall not sell, convey, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Article 9 Collateral to the extent requested by the Applicable Agent (which notice may be given by telephone if promptly confirmed in writing).

 

(h)                                       None of the Pledgors will, without the Applicable Agent’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), grant any extension of the time of payment of any Accounts included in the Article 9 Collateral, compromise, compound or settle the same for less than the full amount thereof, release, wholly or partly, any person liable for the payment thereof or allow any credit or discount whatsoever thereon, other than extensions, credits, discounts, compromises or settlements granted or made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with prudent business practices, except as not prohibited by the Credit Documents.

 

(i)                                           Each Pledgor irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Applicable Agent (and all officers, employees or agents designated by the Applicable Agent) as such Pledgor’s true and lawful agent (and attorney-in-fact) for the purpose, during the continuance of an Event of Default, of making, settling and adjusting claims in respect of Article 9 Collateral under policies of insurance, endorsing the name of such Pledgor on any check, draft, instrument or other item of payment for the proceeds of such policies of insurance and for making all determinations and decisions with respect thereto. In the event that any Pledgor at any time or times shall fail to obtain or maintain any of the policies of insurance required by the Credit Documents or to pay any premium in whole or part relating thereto, the Applicable Agent may, without waiving or releasing any obligation or liability of the Pledgors hereunder or any Event of Default, in its sole discretion, obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and pay such premium and take

 

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any other actions with respect thereto as the Applicable Agent reasonably deems advisable. All sums disbursed by the Applicable Agent in connection with this Section 3.03(i), including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto, shall be payable, upon demand, by the Pledgors to the Applicable Agent and shall be additional Obligations secured hereby.

 

SECTION 3.04.    Other Actions . In order to further ensure the attachment, perfection and priority of, and the ability of the Agent to enforce, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Agent’s security interest in the Article 9 Collateral, each Pledgor agrees, in each case at such Pledgor’s own expense, to take the following actions with respect to the following Article 9 Collateral:

 

(a)                             Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper. If any Pledgor shall at any time own or acquire any Instruments or Tangible Chattel Paper evidencing an amount in excess of $15,000,000, such Pledgor shall promptly (and in any event within 30 days of its acquisition (or such longer period as the Agent may agree to)) notify the Applicable Agent and promptly endorse, assign and deliver the same to the Applicable Agent, accompanied by such instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as the Applicable Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

 

SECTION 3.05.    Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral . Except as not prohibited by any Credit Documents:

 

(a)                             Each Pledgor agrees that it will not knowingly do any act or omit to do any act (and will exercise commercially reasonable efforts to prevent its licensees from doing any act or omitting to do any act) whereby any Patent material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business may become prematurely invalidated or dedicated to the public, and agrees that it shall take commercially reasonable steps with respect to any material products covered by any such Patent as necessary and sufficient to establish and preserve its rights under applicable patent laws.

 

(b)                             Each Pledgor will, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its licensees or its sublicensees to, for each Trademark material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business, (i) maintain such Trademark in full force free from any adjudication of abandonment or invalidity for non-use, (ii) maintain the quality of products and services offered under such Trademark, (iii) display such Trademark with notice of federal or foreign registration or claim of trademark or service mark as required under applicable law and (iv) not knowingly use or knowingly permit its licensees’ use of such Trademark in violation of any third-party rights.

 

(c)                              Each Pledgor will, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its licensees or its sublicensees to, for each work covered by a material Copyright necessary to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business that it publishes, displays and distributes, use copyright notice as required under applicable copyright laws.

 

(d)                             Each Pledgor shall notify the Applicable Agent promptly if it knows that any Patent, Trademark or Copyright material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s

 

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business may imminently become prematurely abandoned, lost or dedicated to the public, or of any materially adverse determination or development, excluding office actions and similar determinations or developments, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, United States Copyright Office, any court or any similar office of any country, regarding such Pledgor’s ownership of any such material Patent, Trademark or Copyright or its right to register or to maintain the same.

 

(e)                                   Each Pledgor, either itself or through any agent, employee, licensee or designee, shall (i) inform the Agent on an annual basis on or about the time of delivery of financial statements for such year (commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012) of each application by itself, or through any agent, employee, licensee or designee, for any Patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and each registration of any Trademark or Copyright with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any comparable office or agency in any other country filed during the preceding twelve-month period, and (ii) upon the reasonable request of the Agent, execute and deliver any and all agreements, instruments, documents and papers as the Agent may reasonably request to evidence the Agent’s security interest in such Patent, Trademark or Copyright.

 

(f)                                    Each Pledgor shall exercise its reasonable business judgment consistent with the practice in any proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any comparable office or agency in any other country with respect to maintaining and pursuing each material application relating to any Patent, Trademark and/or Copyright (and obtaining the relevant grant or registration) material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business and to maintain (i) each issued Patent and (ii) the registrations of each Trademark and each Copyright that is material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business, including, when applicable and necessary in such Pledgor’s reasonable business judgment, timely filings of applications for renewal, affidavits of use, affidavits of incontestability and payment of maintenance fees, and, if any Pledgor believes necessary in its reasonable business judgment, to initiate opposition, interference and cancellation proceedings against third parties.

 

(g)                                   In the event that any Pledgor knows or has reason to know that any Article 9 Collateral consisting of a Patent, Trademark or Copyright material to the normal conduct of its business has been materially infringed, misappropriated or diluted by a third party, such Pledgor shall promptly notify the Applicable Agent and shall, if such Pledgor deems it necessary in its reasonable business judgment, promptly sue and recover any and all damages, and take such other actions as are reasonably appropriate under the circumstances.

 

(h)                                  Upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default, at the request of the Applicable Agent, each Pledgor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all requisite consents or approvals from the licensor under each Copyright License, Patent License or Trademark License to effect the assignment of all such Pledgor’s right, title and interest thereunder to (in the Applicable Agent’s sole discretion) the designee of the Applicable Agent or the Applicable Agent.

 

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ARTICLE IV.

 

Remedies

 

SECTION 4.01.         Remedies upon Default . Subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and applicable Requirements of Law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Pledgor agrees to deliver each item of Collateral to the Applicable Agent on demand, and it is agreed that the Applicable Agent shall have the right to take any of or all the following actions at the same or different times: (a) with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property, on demand, to cause the Security Interest to become an assignment, transfer and conveyance of any of or all such Article 9 Collateral by the applicable Pledgors to the Applicable Agent or to license or sub-license, whether general, special or otherwise, and whether on an exclusive or a nonexclusive basis, any such Article 9 Collateral throughout the world on such terms and conditions and in such manner as the Applicable Agent shall determine (other than in violation of any then-existing licensing arrangements to the extent that waivers thereunder cannot be obtained) and (b) with or without legal process and with or without prior notice or demand for performance, to take possession of the Article 9 Collateral and without liability for trespass to the applicable Pledgor to enter any premises where the Article 9 Collateral may be located for the purpose of taking possession of or removing the Article 9 Collateral and, generally, to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor agrees that the Agent shall have the right, subject to the requirements of applicable law and subject to the terms and conditions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Agent shall deem appropriate. The Agent shall be authorized in connection with any sale of a security (if it deems it advisable to do so) pursuant to the foregoing to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to persons who represent and agree that they are purchasing such security for their own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof. Upon consummation of any such sale of Collateral pursuant to this Section 4.01, the Agent shall have the right to assign, transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of any Pledgor, and each Pledgor hereby waives and releases (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay, valuation and appraisal that such Pledgor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

 

The Agent shall give the applicable Pledgors 10 days’ written notice (which each Pledgor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. At any such sale, the Collateral, or the portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale

 

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may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In the case of any sale of all or any part of the Collateral made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Agent shall not incur any liability in the event that any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in the case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon notice given in accordance with provisions above. At any public (or, to the extent permitted by law, private) sale made pursuant to this Section 4.01, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase for cash, free (to the extent permitted by law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the part of any Pledgor (all such rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Pledgor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and no Pledgor shall be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Obligations paid in full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court-appointed receiver. To the extent provided in this Section 4.01, any sale that complies with such provisions shall be deemed to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided in Section 9-610(b) of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.

 

SECTION 4.02.         Application of Proceeds . Subject to the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall promptly apply the proceeds, moneys or balances of any collection or sale of Collateral, as well as any Collateral consisting of cash, in accordance with Section 2.01 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement. Upon the request of the Agent prior to any distribution under this Section 4.02, each Authorized Representative shall provide to the Agent certificates, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, setting forth the respective amounts referred to in this Section 4.02, that each applicable Secured Party or their Authorized Representative believes it is entitled to receive, and the Agent shall be fully entitled to rely on such certificates. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the purchase money by the Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

 

SECTION 4.03.         Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property . For the purpose of enabling the Agent to exercise rights and remedies under this Agreement at such time as the Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, each Pledgor grants (such

 

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grant effective solely after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default) to (in the Agent’s sole discretion) a designee of the Applicable Agent or the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an irrevocable, non-exclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to any Pledgor) to use, license or sublicense any of the Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Pledgor, wherever the same may be located, and including in such license reasonable access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof, the right to prosecute and maintain all Intellectual Property and the right to sue for past infringement of the Intellectual Property; provided , however, that nothing in this Section 4.03 shall require Pledgors to grant any license that is prohibited by any rule of law, statute or regulation, or is prohibited by, or constitutes a breach or default under or results in the termination of, any contract, license, instrument or other agreement with an unaffiliated third party, to the extent not prohibited by the Credit Documents, with respect to such Intellectual Property Collateral; and provided , further, that such licenses to be granted hereunder with respect to Trademarks shall be subject to the maintenance of quality standards with respect to the goods and services on which such Trademarks are used sufficient to preserve the validity of such Trademarks. For the avoidance of doubt, the use of such license by the Agent may be exercised, at the option of the Agent, only during the continuation of an Event of Default after the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date. Furthermore, each Pledgor hereby grants to the Applicable Agent an absolute power of attorney to sign, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, any document which may be required by the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any state office in order to effect an absolute assignment of all right, title and interest in each Patent, Trademark or Copyright, and to record the same.

 

SECTION 4.04.         Securities Act, etc . In view of the position of the Pledgors in relation to the Pledged Collateral, or because of other current or future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as now or hereafter in effect, or any similar federal statute hereafter enacted analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar statute as from time to time in effect being called the “ Federal Securities Laws ”) with respect to any disposition of the Pledged Collateral permitted hereunder. Each Pledgor understands that compliance with the Federal Securities Laws might very strictly limit the course of conduct of the Applicable Agent if the Applicable Agent were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Pledged Collateral, and might also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any Pledged Collateral could dispose of the same. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Applicable Agent in any attempt to dispose of all or part of the Pledged Collateral under applicable Blue Sky or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that in light of such restrictions and limitations, the Applicable Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) may proceed to make such a sale whether or not a registration statement for the purpose of registering such Pledged Collateral or part thereof shall have been filed under the Federal Securities Laws or, to the extent applicable, Blue Sky or other state securities laws and (b) may approach and negotiate with a single potential purchaser to effect such sale. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that any such sale might result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale without such restrictions. In the event of any such sale, the Applicable Agent shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Collateral at a price that the Applicable Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith

 

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deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a single purchaser were approached. The provisions of this Section 4.04 will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Applicable Agent sells.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01.         Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 9.02 of the Term Loan Agreement (whether or not then in effect), as such address may be changed by written notice to the Agent and the Borrower. All communications and notices hereunder to any Pledgor shall be given to it in care of the Borrower, with such notice to be given as provided in Section 9.02 of the Term Loan Agreement (whether or not then in effect).

 

SECTION 5.02.         Security Interest Absolute . All rights of the Agent hereunder, the Security Interest, the security interest in the Pledged Collateral and all obligations of each Pledgor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Term Loan Agreement, any other Credit Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Term Loan Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any other agreement or instrument, (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee, securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Obligations or (d) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Pledgor in respect of the Obligations or this Agreement (other than a defense of payment or performance).

 

SECTION 5.03.         Limitation by Law . All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable Requirements of Law, and all the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable Requirements of Law that may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they shall not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable, in whole or in part, or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable law or regulation.

 

SECTION 5.04.         Binding Effect; Several Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as to any party to this Agreement when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such party shall have been delivered to the Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such party and the Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such party, the Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no party shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein or in the Collateral (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as

 

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not prohibited by this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each party and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released in accordance with Section 5.09.

 

SECTION 5.05.            Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Pledgor or the Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns. The Agent hereunder shall at all times be the same person that is the “Second Lien Agent” under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. Written notice of resignation by the “Second Lien Agent” pursuant to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall also constitute notice of resignation as the Agent under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the “Second Lien Agent” under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement by a successor “Second Lien Agent”, that successor “Second Lien Agent” shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent pursuant hereto.

 

SECTION 5.06.         Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

 

(a)                                       The parties hereto agree that the Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 9.05 of the Term Loan Agreement, and any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)                                       Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Credit Documents, each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify the Agent, the Term Loan Agent, the Trustee and each Affiliate of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (limited to not more than one counsel, plus, if necessary, one local counsel per jurisdiction) (except the allocated costs of in-house counsels), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with the appointment of any successor Agent in accordance with the applicable Credit Documents and in connection with any filings, registrations or any other actions to be taken to reflect the security interest of such successor Agent), (ii) the use of proceeds of the Term Loans, the Notes or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, or to the Collateral, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or any Pledgor; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

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(c)                                   Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Obligations secured hereby and by the other Security Documents. The provisions of this Section 5.06 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or any other Secured Party. All amounts due under this Section 5.06 shall be payable within fifteen days of written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 5.07.         Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . Subject to the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, each Pledgor hereby appoints the Agent the attorney-in-fact of such Pledgor for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, subject to applicable Requirements of Law and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Agent shall have the right, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, with full power of substitution either in the Agent’s name or in the name of such Pledgor, (a) to receive, endorse, assign or deliver any and all notes, acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, (b) to demand, collect, receive payment of, give receipt for and give discharges and releases of all or any of the Collateral; (c) to ask for, demand, sue for, collect, receive and give acquittance for any and all moneys due or to become due under and by virtue of any Collateral; (d) to sign the name of any Pledgor on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any of the Collateral; (e) to send verifications of Accounts to any Account Debtor; (f) to commence and prosecute any and all suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect or otherwise realize on all or any of the Collateral or to enforce any rights in respect of any Collateral; (g) to settle, compromise, compound, adjust or defend any actions, suits or proceedings relating to all or any of the Collateral; (h) to notify, or to require any Pledgor to notify, Account Debtors to make payment directly to the Agent; and (i) to use, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with all or any of the Collateral, and to do all other acts and things necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, as fully and completely as though the Agent were the absolute owner of the Collateral for all purposes; provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring or obligating the Agent to make any commitment or to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Agent, or to present or file any claim or notice, or to take any action with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof or the moneys due or to become due in respect thereof or any property covered thereby. The Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts actually received as a result of the exercise of the powers granted to them herein, and neither they nor their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Pledgor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own or their Related Parties’ gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

SECTION 5.08.         GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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SECTION 5.09.         Waivers; Amendment .

 

(a)                                       No failure or delay by the Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Agent, the Lenders or any other Secured Party hereunder and under the other Credit Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.09, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)                                       Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Agent and the Credit Party or Credit Parties with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement, Article IX of the Indenture and any equivalent provision in each applicable other Credit Document and except as otherwise provided in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pan Passu Intercreditor Agreement. The Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate of an officer of the Borrower as to whether any amendment contemplated by this Section 5.09(b) is permitted.

 

(c)                                        For the purpose of Section 5.09(b) above, the Agent shall be entitled to rely upon (i) written confirmation from the agent managing the solicitation of consents, provided by the Trustee, as to the receipt of valid consents from the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Notes to amend this Agreement (or two-thirds in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Notes if required by the Indenture), and (ii) any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person and the Agent need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document. At any time that the Borrower desires that this Agreement be amended as provided in Section 5.09(b) above, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a certificate signed by an officer of the Borrower stating that the amendment of this Agreement is permitted pursuant to Section 5.09(b) above. If requested by the Agent (although the Agent shall have no obligation to make any such request), the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent copies of officers’ certificates and legal opinions delivered to the Trustee in connection with any amendment to the Indenture affecting the operation of this Section 5.09. The Agent shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificates or opinions.

 

SECTION 5.10.         Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties

 

31



 

shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.11.         Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 5.04. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original.

 

SECTION 5.12.         Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.13.         Termination or Release .

 

(a)                                       Subject to any applicable terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, this Agreement, the pledges made herein and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgors, upon the Discharge of First- Priority Lien Obligations and the concurrent release of all other Liens on the collateral (except cash collateral in respect of any letters of credit) or assets securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations (including all commitments and letters of credit thereunder); provided , however, that if any Pledgor subsequently incurs First-Priority Lien Obligations that are secured by Liens on property or assets of a Pledgor of the type constituting the RBL Priority Collateral and the related Liens are incurred in reliance on clause (6)(B) or (6)(C) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” in the Term Loan Agreement, the equivalent provisions in the Indenture and any equivalent provision in any other Credit Document, then the Pledgors will be required to reinstitute the security arrangements hereunder with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, and then Liens securing the Obligations will be second priority Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing such First- Priority Lien Obligations to the same extent provided by the Security Documents and subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an intercreditor agreement that provides the Agent, the Secured Parties and the holders of such new First-Priority Lien Obligations substantially the same rights and obligations as afforded under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default exists on the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the second priority Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral granted hereunder will not be released, except to the extent the RBL Priority Collateral or any portion thereof was disposed of in order to repay the First-Priority Lien Obligations secured by the RBL Priority Collateral, and thereafter the Agent will have the right to foreclose or direct the Applicable First Lien Agent to foreclose upon the RBL Priority Collateral (but in such event, the Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the Obligations will be released when such Event of Default and all other Events of Default cease to exist).

 

(b)                                       A Subsidiary Party shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the security interests in the Collateral of such Subsidiary Party shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document

 

32



 

as a result of which such Subsidiary Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Subsidiary is released from its Subsidiary Guarantee and from its Subsidiary guarantees of all Credit Documents or otherwise ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to such Subsidiary Party.

 

(c)                                        (i) Upon any sale or other transfer by any Pledgor of any Collateral that is not prohibited by any Credit Document to any person that is not a Pledgor (including in connection with a Casualty Event), or (ii) upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement and any equivalent provision of each applicable other Credit Document, the security interest in such Collateral shall be automatically released, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party.

 

(d)                                       If any of the Collateral shall become subject to the release provision set forth in Section 2.05(a) of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, such Collateral shall be automatically released from the security interest in such Collateral to the extent provided therein.

 

(e)                                        This Agreement, the pledges made herein, the Security Interest and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgors, as of the date when all the Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities not then due) have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds.

 

(f)                                         The security interest securing Term Loan Obligations will be released as provided in Section 9.19 of the Term Loan Agreement, the security interest securing Indenture Obligations will be released as provided in Section 11.04 of the Indenture, and the security interest securing any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations will be released as provided in the applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Documents.

 

(g)                                        In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of this Section 5.13, the Agent shall execute and deliver to any Pledgor, at such Pledgor’s expense, all documents that such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release (including, without limitation, UCC termination statements), and will duly assign and transfer to such Pledgor, such of the Pledged Collateral that may be in the possession of the Agent and has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5.13 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Agent. In connection with any release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above, the Pledgors shall be permitted to take any action in connection therewith consistent with such release including, without limitation, the filing of UCC termination statements. Upon the receipt of any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Borrower, the Agent shall execute, deliver or acknowledge such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents or the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

33



 

SECTION 5.14.         Additional Subsidiaries . Upon execution and delivery by the Agent and any Subsidiary that is required to become a party hereto by Section 6.09 of the Term Loan Agreement, Section 4.11 of the Indenture or any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document of an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Party hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Subsidiary Party herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party to this Agreement. The rights and obligations of each party to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.15.         Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement .

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject and subordinate to the liens and security interests granted to the RBL Facility Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), from the “Pledgors” and “Grantors” referred to therein, in favor of the RBL Facility Agent, as collateral agent for the secured parties referred to therein, and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Agent hereunder or the application of proceeds (including insurance proceeds and condemnation proceeds) of any Collateral are subject to the limitations and provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, shall govern.

 

SECTION 5.16.         First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents .

 

The Agent acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and any Secured Party, that any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, until the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the Pledgors shall not be required to act or refrain from acting pursuant to the Security Documents or with respect to any Collateral on which the Applicable First Lien Agent has a Lien superior in priority to the Agent’s Lien thereon in any manner that would result in a default under the terms and provisions of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

SECTION 5.17.         Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations . On or after the date hereof and so long as such obligations are not prohibited by any Credit Document then in effect, the Borrower may from time to time designate obligations in respect of Indebtedness to be secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations hereunder and under the other Security Documents by delivering to the Agent and each Authorized Representative (a) a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower (i) identifying the obligations so designated and the initial aggregate principal amount or face amount thereof, (ii) stating that such obligations are designated as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations for purposes hereof and of the other Security Documents, (iii) representing that such designation of such obligations as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations complies with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture and any other Credit Document then in effect, (iv) specifying the name and address of the Authorized Representative for such obligations and (v) identifying the documents to be designated as the related Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents

 

34



 

and Other Second Lien Agreements (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) and (b) a fully executed Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement. The Agent and each Authorized Representative agree that upon the satisfaction of all conditions set forth in the preceding sentence, the Agent shall act as agent under and subject to the terms of the Security Documents for the benefit of all Secured Parties, including without limitation, any Secured Parties that hold any such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, and the Agent and each Authorized Representative agree to the appointment, and acceptance of the appointment, of the Agent as agent for the holders of such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations as set forth in each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement and agree, on behalf of itself and each Secured Party it represents, to be bound by this Agreement, the other Security Documents, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.18.         WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

 

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.18.

 

SECTION 5.19.         Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

 

(a)                                       Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Agent or any Secured Party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document against any Pledgor, or its properties, in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(b)                                       Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document in any New York State or federal court of the

 

35



 

United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(c)                                   Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Credit Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

36



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (f/k/a EP ENERGY, L.L.C)

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY)

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION)

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.)

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to the Collateral Agreement (Second Lien)

 



 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to the Collateral Agreement (Second Lien)

 



 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Name: Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Title: President

 

Signature Page to the Collateral Agreement (Second Lien)

 



 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Name: Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to the Collateral Agreement (Second Lien)

 


 

Exhibit I

to the Collateral Agreement

 

SUPPLEMENT NO.                                      dated as of                   (this “ Supplement ”), to the Collateral Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as heretofore amended and/or supplemented, the “ Collateral Agreement ”), among EPE HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary Party party thereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

 

A.                                Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Holdings, the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, the Agent and the other parties named therein.

 

B.                                Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and the Collateral Agreement referred to therein.

 

C.                                The Pledgors have entered into the Collateral Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans and each Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit. Section 5.14 of the Collateral Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Subsidiary Parties under the Collateral Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement to become a Subsidiary Party under the Collateral Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and each Issuing Bank to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued.

 

Accordingly, the Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.                          In accordance with Section 5.14 of the Collateral Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor under the Collateral Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor, and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Collateral Agreement applicable to it as a Subsidiary Party and Pledgor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Pledgor thereunder are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary, as security for the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, does hereby create and grant to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, their successors and assigns, a security interest in and Lien on all the New Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral of the New Subsidiary. Each reference to a “Subsidiary Party” or a “Pledgor” in the Collateral Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Collateral Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2.                          The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it

 



 

and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 3.                          This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

 

SECTION 4.                          The New Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants that (a) set forth on Schedule I attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all the Pledged Stock and Pledged Debt Securities of the New Subsidiary as of the date hereof, (b) set forth on Schedule II attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all Intellectual Property constituting United States registered Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights as of the date hereof and (c) set forth under its signature hereto, is the true and correct legal name of the New Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of formation and organizational ID number as of the date hereof.

 

SECTION 5.                          Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Collateral Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6.                       THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 7.                          In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Collateral Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 8.                          All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Collateral Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.                          The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Agent.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has duly executed this Supplement to the Collateral Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

[Name of New Subsidiary]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

3



 

 

 

Schedule I

 

 

to Supplement No.       to the

 

 

Collateral Agreement

 

Pledged Collateral of the New Subsidiary

 

EQUITY INTERESTS

 

Number of Issuer

 

 

 

Number and Class of

 

Percentage of

 

Certificate

 

Registered Owner

 

Equity Interests

 

Equity Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEBT SECURITIES

 

Issuer

 

Principal Amount

 

Date of Note

 

Maturity Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Schedule II

 

to Supplement No.        to the

 

Collateral Agreement

 

Intellectual Property of the New Subsidiary

 


 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

PERFECTION CERTIFICATE

 

Reference is hereby made to that certain Collateral Agreement of even date herewith (the “ Collateral Agreement ”) by and among EPE HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), as a Pledgor, EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower party thereto (together with the Borrower, the “ Grantors ”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “ Collateral Agent ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned in the Collateral Agreement.

 

The undersigned hereby certify to the Collateral Agent as follows:

 

1.             Names and Locations . Schedule I sets forth, as of the Closing Date: (a) for each Grantor and Holdings, (i) its full legal name (including all other legal names used by it during the past five years, together with the date of the relevant name change), (ii) to its knowledge, all trade names or other names under which it currently conducts business, (iii) its type of organization or corporate structure, (iv) its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, (v) its Federal Taxpayer Identification Number, (vi) its organizational identification number, if any, and (vii) the address of its chief executive office; and (b) the appropriate filing offices for Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations containing a description of the Article 9 Collateral, as contemplated under the Collateral Agreement.

 

2.             Pledged Stock . Schedule II sets forth, as of the Closing Date: (a) (i) for Holdings, the Equity Interests in the Borrower, and (ii) for each Grantor, the Equity Interests in each Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary directly owned by it, which Equity Interests set forth in clause (a) constitute Pledged Stock; and (b) the debt securities currently issued to any Grantor, which debt securities set forth in clause (b) constitute Pledged Debt Securities.

 

3.             Intellectual Property . Schedule III sets forth, as of the Closing Date, for each Grantor, as owned by such Grantor: (a) all registrations and applications for registration of any Copyright in the United States or any other country; (b) all patents of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, and all applications for patents of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country; and (c) all trademarks, service marks, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, trade dress, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of like nature, all registrations thereof (if any), and all registration and recording applications filed in connection therewith, including registrations and registration applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any State of the United States or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, and all renewals thereof.

 

4.             Accounts and Inventory . Except as set forth on Schedule IV , all Accounts owned by the Grantors have been originated by the Grantors and all Inventory owned by the Grantors has been acquired by the Grantors in the ordinary course of business.

 

5.             Letters of Credit . Schedule V sets forth a true and correct list of all Letters of Credit issued in favor of each Grantor, as beneficiary thereunder.

 

[The Remainder of this Page has been intentionally left blank]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto signed this Perfection Certificate as of this 24th day of May, 2012.

 

 

 

 

EPE HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (f/k/a EP ENERGY, L.L.C)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:

Vice President and Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Perfection Certificate (First Lien)

 



 

 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:

Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Perfection Certificate (First Lien)

 



 

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Name:

Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Title:

President

 

Signature Page to Perfection Certificate (First Lien)

 


 

Perfection Certificate - Collateral Agreement

EPE Holdings, EP Energy, JPMorgan

 

Schedule I

 

Holdings and Grantors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade

 

Type of

 

Incorporation /

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Executive

 

 

Name of Entity

 

Name

 

Organization

 

Formation

 

EIN

 

Organizational ID

 

Office

1.

 

EPE Holdings LLC

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

45-4870925

 

5129541

 

c/o EP Energy Global LLC,
1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

45-4871021

 

5129536

 

c/o EP Energy Global LLC,
1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

 

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

None

 

Corporation

 

Delaware

 

45-4870996

 

5129542

 

1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

76-0637534

 

3136209

 

1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(1)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

45-3953911

 

3522643

 

1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.

 

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Preferred Holdings Company)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

72-1543718

 

3522642

 

1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 


(1) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade

 

Type of

 

Incorporation /

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Executive

 

 

Name of Entity

 

Name

 

Organization

 

Formation

 

EIN

 

Organizational ID

 

Office

7.

 

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW Four Star Corporation)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

20-0707537

 

3749729

 

1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

74-1405013

 

0610204

 

1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(2)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

76-0429561

 

2377052

 

1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.(3)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

76-0607609

 

3044912

 

1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(4)

 

None

 

Limited Partnership

 

Delaware

 

76-0487092

 

2543123

 

1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.

 

EPE Nominee Corp.

 

None

 

Corporation

 

Delaware

 

80-0817606

 

5155305

 

c/o El Paso E&P Company, L.P.
1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.

 

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

No EIN

 

2878523

 

1001 Louisiana
St., Houston,
TX 77002

 


(2)   “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(3)   “El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(4)   “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 

2


 

Perfection Certificate - Collateral Agreement

EPE Holdings, EP Energy, JPMorgan

 

Prior Names

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date of

 

 

Entity

 

Prior Name

 

Change

1.

 

EPE Holdings LLC

 

·

None

 

·

N/A

2.

 

EP Energy LLC

 

·

Everest Acquisition LLC

 

·

5/24/12

3.

 

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

·

None

 

·

N/A

4.

 

EP Energy Global LLC

 

·

El Paso Exploration & Production Company

 

·

7/27/11

 

 

 

 

·

EP Energy Corporation

 

·

3/12/12

 

 

 

 

·

EP Energy, L.L.C.

 

·

5/24/12

5.

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(5)

 

·

None

 

·

N/A

6.

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C.

 

·

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

·

6/9/06

 

 

 

 

·

El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.

 

·

5/24/12

7.

 

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C.

 

·

MBOW Four Star Corporation

 

·

5/23/12

8.

 

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C.

 

·

El Paso Preferred Holdings Company

 

·

5/23/12

9.

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(6)

 

·

GOGC Resale Company

 

·

10/31/02

 

 

 

 

·

El Paso Production Resale Company

 

·

12/18/09

 


(5)     “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(6)     “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date of

 

 

Entity

 

Prior Name

 

Change

10.

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.(7)

 

·

Coastal Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P.

 

·

4/17/01

 

·

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P.

 

·

12/17/08

11.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(8)

 

·

El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

·

12/28/05

12.

 

EPE Nominee Corp.

 

·

None

 

·

N/A

13.

 

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

·

Peoples Energy Production Partners, L.P.

 

·

9/27/07

 

 

 

 

·

Coronado Energy Production Partners, L.L.C.

 

·

6/2/09

 


(7)     “El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(8)     “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 

4


 

Perfection Certificate - Collateral Agreement

EPE Holdings, EP Energy, JPMorgan

 

Schedule II

 

Pledged Stock; Debt Securities

 

1)              Pledged Stock

 

 

 

 

 

Number and Class of

 

Percentage of Equity

 

Number of Issuer

Registered Owner

 

Name of Issuer

 

Equity Interests

 

Interests Pledged

 

Certificate

EPE Holdings LLC

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

100 shares of Common Stock

 

100%

 

C-1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(9)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 


(9)     “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 



 

 

 

 

 

Number and Class of

 

Percentage of Equity

 

Number of Issuer

Registered Owner

 

Name of Issuer

 

Equity Interests

 

Interests Pledged

 

Certificate

 

 

Management, Inc.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Preferred Holdings Company)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW Four Star Corporation)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(10)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(11)

 

General Partner interest in Limited Partnership

 

1%

 

N/A

 


(10)   “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(11)   “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 

6



 

 

 

 

 

Number and Class of

 

Percentage of Equity

 

Number of Issuer

 

Registered Owner

 

Name of Issuer

 

Equity Interests

 

Interests Pledged

 

Certificate

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(12)

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.(13)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(14)

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(15)

 

Limited Partner interest in Limited Partnership

 

99%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(16)

 

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(17)

 

EPE Nominee Corp.

 

100 shares of common stock

 

100%

 

CS-1

 

 

2)              Pledged Debt Securities

 

None.

 


(12)   “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(13)   “El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(14)   “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(15)   “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(16)   “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(17)   “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 

7


 

Perfection Certificate - Collateral Agreement

EPE Holdings, EP Energy, JPMorgan

 

Schedule III

 

Intellectual Property

 

None.

 



 

Perfection Certificate - Collateral Agreement

EPE Holdings, EP Energy, JPMorgan

 

Schedule IV

 

Accounts and Inventory

 

None.

 



 

Perfection Certificate - Collateral Agreement

EPE Holdings, EP Energy, JPMorgan

 

Schedule V

 

Letters of Credit

 

None.

 




Exhibit 10.4

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

dated and effective as of

 

May 24, 2012,

 

among

 

EP ENERGY LLC
(f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC),

 

each Subsidiary of EP Energy LLC identified herein,

 

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent

 

THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED HEREIN), AS SET FORTH MORE FULLY IN SECTION 5.15 HEREOF. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE LIENS AND SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED TO THE COLLATERAL AGENT, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SECURED PARTIES, PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR REMEDY BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE OTHER SECURED PARTIES HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

 

Credit Agreement

 

2

SECTION 1.02.

 

Other Defined Terms

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLEDGE OF EQUITY INTERESTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

 

Pledge

 

6

SECTION 2.02.

 

Delivery of the Pledged Stock

 

6

SECTION 2.03.

 

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

 

6

SECTION 2.04.

 

Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

 

8

SECTION 2.05.

 

Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc.

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RESERVED.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REMEDIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

 

Remedies upon Default

 

10

SECTION 4.02.

 

Application of Proceeds

 

11

SECTION 4.03.

 

Securities Act, etc.

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

 

Notices

 

12

SECTION 5.02.

 

Security Interest Absolute

 

13

SECTION 5.03.

 

Limitation by Law

 

13

SECTION 5.04.

 

Binding Effect; Several Agreement

 

13

SECTION 5.05.

 

Successors and Assigns

 

13

SECTION 5.06.

 

Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

 

14

SECTION 5.07.

 

Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

 

14

SECTION 5.08.

 

GOVERNING LAW

 

15

SECTION 5.09.

 

Waivers; Amendment

 

15

SECTION 5.10.

 

Severability

 

16

SECTION 5.11.

 

Counterparts

 

16

 

i



 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.12.

 

Headings

 

16

SECTION 5.13.

 

Termination or Release

 

16

SECTION 5.14.

 

Additional Subsidiaries

 

17

SECTION 5.15.

 

Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 

18

SECTION 5.16.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents

 

18

SECTION 5.17.

 

Right of Set-Off

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

Schedules

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule I

 

Subsidiary Parties

 

 

Schedule II

 

Pledged Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit I

 

Form of Supplement to the Pledge Agreement

 

 

 

ii


 

This PLEDGE AGREEMENT dated and effective as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is among EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower listed on Schedule I hereto and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that becomes a party hereto after the date hereof (each, a “ Subsidiary Party ”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ” or the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EPE Holdings LLC (“ Holdings ”), the Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time parties thereto, the Borrower will from time to time incur loans and letter of credit obligations;

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) among the Borrower and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as co-issuers (the “ Co-Issuers ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Co-Issuers are issuing 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (together with any and all exchange notes and/or additional notes issued pursuant to the Indenture, collectively the “ Notes ”) and (2) pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Term Loan Agent ”), the Borrower is incurring Loans (as defined therein, the “ Term Loans ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Notes, the Term Loans and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are and will be secured on a first-priority, pari passu basis by the Collateral and, on the date hereof, Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the Trustee are entering into the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ”), which sets forth the rights and remedies of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties in the Collateral as amongst each other;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among the Pledgors and Citibank, N.A., the Pledgors have granted to Citibank, N.A., as the Second Lien Agent, a first-priority lien and security interest in the Collateral to secure their obligations under the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent (as each such terms are defined in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture, EP Energy LLC, the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC

 

1



 

named therein and the other parties thereto, the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted by this Agreement are and shall be subordinated in all respects to the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

WHEREAS, each Pledgor is executing and delivering this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement to induce the Lenders to extend credit;

 

WHEREAS, the Subsidiary Parties are Subsidiaries of the Borrower, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit thereunder.

 

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.            Credit Agreement .

 

(a)                                  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. All capitalized terms referred to herein that are defined in Article 9 of the New York UCC and not defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. The term “instrument” shall have the meaning specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. If the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date has occurred, a reference in this Agreement to the Applicable Second Lien Agent shall, unless the context requires otherwise, be construed as a reference to the Agent and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.

 

(b)                                  The rules of construction specified in Section 1.2 of the Credit Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 1.02.            Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Applicable Agent ” means the Applicable Second Lien Agent (or, if the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date has occurred, the Agent).

 

Applicable Second Lien Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

2



 

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Collateral ” means the Pledged Stock.

 

Collateral Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Discharge ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Federal Securities Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.03.

 

Egypt Purchase Agreement ” shall mean the Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2012, by and among the Borrower and El Paso Preferred Holdings Company, as sellers, and TransGlobe Petroleum International Inc., as purchaser.

 

Excluded Securities ” means:

 

(a)          any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing, the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom;

 

(b)          solely in the case of any pledge of Equity Interests of any Foreign Corporate Subsidiary (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Party) to secure the Obligations, any Equity Interest that is Voting Stock of such Foreign Corporate Subsidiary in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class (such percentages to be adjusted upon any change of law as may be required to avoid adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary);

 

(c)           any Equity Interests to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law;

 

(d)          any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement (other than customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided that this clause (B)  shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain any such consent)) and for so long as such organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to

 

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secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) to any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement governing such Equity Interests the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than customary non-assignment provisions that are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirement of Law);

 

(e)           any Equity Interests of (i) any Immaterial Subsidiary and (ii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(f)            any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary;

 

(g)           any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as reasonably determined by the Borrower in writing delivered to the Agent;

 

(h)          any Equity Interests set forth on Schedule 1.1(b) of the Credit Agreement which have been identified on or prior to the Closing Date in writing to the Agent by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower and agreed to by the Agent;

 

(i)              any “Margin Stock”, as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America;

 

(j)             any Equity Interests at any time that is not then subject to a Lien securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations at such time; and

 

(k)          any Equity Interests of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company; provided that if the sale of such Equity Interests pursuant to the Egypt Purchase Agreement has not been consummated by the 91st day after the date hereof, subject to the other clauses of the definition of Excluded Securities, such Equity Interests shall no longer be Excluded Securities.

 

Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06.

 

Indenture ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

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Permitted Liens ” means Liens that are not prohibited by the Credit Agreement.

 

Pledged Securities ” means any stock certificates or other certificated securities now or hereafter included in the Pledged Stock, including all certificates, instruments or other documents representing or evidencing any Pledged Stock.

 

Pledged Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledgor ” shall mean the Borrower and each Subsidiary Party.

 

Second Lien Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date ” means, subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the date on which the Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations occurs; provided that if, at any time after the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations is deemed not to have occurred under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement (other than with respect to any actions taken prior to the date of incurrence and designation of any new Second-Priority Lien Obligations as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations).

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Subsidiary Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Trustee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE II.

 

Pledge of Equity Interests

 

SECTION 2.01.                          Pledge . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Pledgor hereby assigns and pledges to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of such Pledgor’s right, title and interest in, to and under (a) the Equity Interests in each first-tier Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by it (which such Equity Interests constituting Pledged Stock as of the date hereof shall be listed on Schedule II ) and any other Equity Interests in a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary obtained in the future by such Pledgor and any certificates representing all such Equity Interests; provided that the pledged Equity Interests shall not include any Excluded Securities; (b) subject to Section 2.05, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other proceeds received in respect of, the securities referred to in clause (a) above; (c) subject to Section 2.05, all rights and privileges of such Pledgor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; and (d) all Proceeds of any of the foregoing (the items referred to in clauses (a) through (d) above being collectively referred to as the “ Pledged Stock ”).

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Pledged Stock, together with all right, title, interest, powers, privileges and preferences pertaining or incidental thereto, unto the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, forever; subject , however, to the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

SECTION 2.02.                          Delivery of the Pledged Stock .

 

(a)                                  Each Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 45 days after the acquisition (or such longer time as the Applicable Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, any and all Pledged Securities.

 

(b)                                  Upon delivery to the Applicable Agent, any Pledged Securities required to be delivered pursuant to the foregoing paragraph (a) of this Section 2.02 shall be accompanied by stock powers, duly executed in blank or other instruments of transfer reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent and by such other instruments and documents as the Applicable Agent may reasonably request. Each delivery of Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by a schedule describing the securities, which schedule shall be attached hereto as Schedule II (or a supplement to Schedule II, as applicable) and made a part hereof; provided that failure to attach any such schedule hereto shall not affect the validity of such pledge of such Pledged Securities. Each schedule so delivered shall supplement any prior schedules so delivered.

 

SECTION 2.03.                          Representations, Warranties and Covenants . Each Pledgor represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

 

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(a)                                  Schedule II correctly sets forth the percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by such Pledged Stock and includes all Equity Interests of each Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by each Pledgor on the date hereof, other than the Excluded Securities;

 

(b)                                  the Pledged Stock, to the best of each Pledgor’s knowledge, have been duly and validly authorized and issued by the issuers thereof and are fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(c)                                   except for the security interests granted hereunder (and those securing Second-Priority Lien Obligations), each Pledgor (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Credit Agreement, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Securities indicated on Schedule II as owned by such Pledgor, (ii) holds the same free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, (iii) will make no assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of, or create or permit to exist any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Stock, other than pursuant to a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement and other than Permitted Liens, and (iv) subject to the rights of such Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Pledged Stock, will use commercially reasonable efforts to defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), however arising, of all persons;

 

(d)                                  other than as set forth in the Credit Agreement or the schedules thereto or in the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Credit Documents, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or securities laws generally, the Pledged Stock is and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Stock is or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement, charter, by-law, memorandum of association or articles of association provisions or contractual restriction of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect the pledge of such Pledged Stock hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Agent of rights and remedies hereunder other than under applicable Requirements of Law;

 

(e)                                   each Pledgor has the power and authority to pledge the Pledged Stock pledged by it hereunder in the manner hereby done or contemplated;

 

(f)                                    other than as set forth in the Credit Agreement or the schedules thereto or in the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, no consent or approval of any Governmental Authority, any securities exchange or any other person was or is necessary to the validity of the pledge effected hereby (other than such as have been obtained and are in full force and effect);

 

(g)                                   by virtue of the execution and delivery by the Pledgors of this Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, when any Pledged Stock is delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with this Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and a financing statement in respect of the Pledged Stock is filed in the appropriate filing office, the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected (except for any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing delivered to the

 

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Agent, the costs or other consequences of perfecting such a security interest are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom) lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Stock, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations;

 

(h)                                  the pledge effected hereby is effective to vest in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the rights of the Agent in the Pledged Stock as set forth herein; and

 

(i)                                      if the sale of the Equity Interests of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company pursuant to the Egypt Purchase Agreement has not been consummated by the 91st day after the date hereof, the Borrower shall, within 10 Business Days following such 91st day, file a financing statement in respect of such Equity Interests in the appropriate state filing office so that the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected lien upon and security interest in such Equity Interests, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations.

 

SECTION 2.04.                            Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (a) the Applicable Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to hold the Pledged Securities in its own name as pledgee or the name of its nominee (as pledgee or as sub-agent), or the name of the applicable Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank in favor of the Applicable Agent, and (b) each Pledgor will promptly give to the Applicable Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Securities registered in the name of such Pledgor. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Applicable Agent shall have the right to exchange the certificates representing Pledged Securities for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with this Agreement. Each Pledgor shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Subsidiary that is not a party to this Agreement to comply with a request by the Applicable Agent, pursuant to this Section 2.04, to exchange certificates representing Pledged Securities of such Subsidiary for certificates of smaller or larger denominations.

 

SECTION 2.05.                            Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc .

 

(a)                                  Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Applicable Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder:

 

(i)                        Each Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Stock or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that could be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the rights and remedies of any of the Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same.

 

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(ii)                     The Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to each Pledgor, or cause to be executed and delivered to such Pledgor, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as such Pledgor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to subparagraph (i) above.

 

(iii)                  Each Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Stock to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are permitted by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and applicable laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Stock, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Stock or received in exchange for Pledged Stock or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Stock, and, if received by any Pledgor, shall be promptly (and in any event within 45 days of their receipt (or such longer time as the Applicable Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same fore as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent).

 

(b)                                  After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and upon notice by the Applicable Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, all rights of any Pledgor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.05 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Applicable Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions; provided that the Applicable Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to receive and retain such amounts. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.05 shall not be commingled by such Pledgor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Applicable Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Applicable Agent in an account to be established by the Applicable Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Applicable Agent a certificate to that effect, the Applicable Agent shall promptly repay to each Pledgor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.05 and that remain in such account.

 

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(c)                                   Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice by the Applicable Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, subject to applicable Requirements of Law, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.05, and the obligations of the Applicable Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.05, shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers; provided that the Applicable Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to exercise such rights. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Applicable Agent a certificate to that effect, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.05, and the obligations of the Applicable Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.05, shall in each case be reinstated.

 

(d)                                  Any notice given by the Applicable Agent to the Pledgors suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 2.05 (i) shall be in writing, (ii) may be given to one or more of the Pledgors at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Pledgors under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(iii) in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Applicable Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Applicable Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

ARTICLE III.

 

[Reserved.]

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

Remedies

 

SECTION 4.01.                            Remedies upon Default . Subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and applicable Requirements of Law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Pledgor agrees to deliver each item of Collateral to the Applicable Agent on demand and it is agreed that the Applicable Agent shall have the right generally to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor agrees that the Agent shall have the right, subject to the requirements of applicable law and subject to the terms and conditions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Agent shall deem appropriate. The Agent shall be authorized in connection with any sale of a security (if it deems it advisable to do so) pursuant to the foregoing to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to persons who represent and agree that they are purchasing such security for their own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof. Upon consummation of any such sale of Collateral pursuant to this Section 4.01, the Agent shall have the right to assign,

 

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transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of any Pledgor, and each Pledgor hereby waives and releases (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay, valuation and appraisal that such Pledgor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

 

The Agent shall give the applicable Pledgors 10 days’ written notice (which each Pledgor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. At any such sale, the Collateral, or the portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In the case of any sale of all or any part of the Collateral made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Agent shall not incur any liability in the event that any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in the case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon notice given in accordance with provisions above. At any public (or, to the extent permitted by law, private) sale made pursuant to this Section 4.01, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase for cash, free (to the extent permitted by law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the part of any Pledgor (all such rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Pledgor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and no Pledgor shall be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Obligations paid in full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court-appointed receiver. To the extent provided in this Section 4.01, any sale that complies with such provisions shall be deemed to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided in Section 9-610(b) of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.

 

SECTION 4.02.                            Application of Proceeds . Subject to the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall promptly apply the proceeds, moneys or balances of any collection or sale of Collateral, as well as any Collateral consisting of cash, in accordance with Section 11 of the Credit Agreement.

 

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The Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the purchase money by the Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

 

SECTION 4.03.                            Securities Act, etc . In view of the position of the Pledgors in relation to the Pledged Stock, or because of other current or future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as now or hereafter in effect, or any similar federal statute hereafter enacted analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar statute as from time to time in effect being called the “ Federal Securities Laws ”) with respect to any disposition of the Pledged Stock permitted hereunder. Each Pledgor understands that compliance with the Federal Securities Laws might very strictly limit the course of conduct of the Applicable Agent if the Applicable Agent were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Pledged Stock, and might also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any Pledged Stock could dispose of the same. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Applicable Agent in any attempt to dispose of all or part of the Pledged Stock under applicable Blue Sky or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that in light of such restrictions and limitations, the Applicable Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) may proceed to make such a sale whether or not a registration statement for the purpose of registering such Pledged Stock or part thereof shall have been filed under the Federal Securities Laws or, to the extent applicable, Blue Sky or other state securities laws and (b) may approach and negotiate with a single potential purchaser to effect such sale. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that any such sale might result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale without such restrictions. In the event of any such sale, the Applicable Agent shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Stock at a price that the Applicable Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a single purchaser were approached. The provisions of this Section 4.03 will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Applicable Agent sells.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01.                            Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement (whether or not then in effect), as such address may be changed by written notice to the Agent and the Borrower. All communications and notices hereunder to any Pledgor shall be given to it in care of the Borrower, with such notice to be given as provided in Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement (whether or not then in effect).

 

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SECTION 5.02.                            Security Interest Absolute . All rights of the Agent hereunder, the security interest in the Pledged Stock and all obligations of each Pledgor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any other agreement or instrument, (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee, securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Obligations or (d) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Pledgor in respect of the Obligations or this Agreement (other than a defense of payment or performance).

 

SECTION 5.03.                            Limitation by Law . All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable Requirements of Law, and all the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable Requirements of Law that may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they shall not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable, in whole or in part, or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable law or regulation.

 

SECTION 5.04.                            Binding Effect; Several Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as to any party to this Agreement when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such party shall have been delivered to the Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such party and the Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such party, the Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no party shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein or in the Collateral (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Credit Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each party and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released in accordance with Section 5.09.

 

SECTION 5.05.                            Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Pledgor or the Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns. The Agent hereunder shall at all times be the same person that is the “Collateral Agent” under the Credit Agreement. Written notice of resignation by the “Collateral Agent” pursuant to the Credit Agreement shall also constitute notice of resignation as the Agent under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the “Collateral Agent” under the Credit Agreement by a successor “Collateral Agent”, that successor “Collateral Agent” shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent pursuant hereto.

 

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SECTION 5.06.                            Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  The parties hereto agree that the Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 13.5 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Credit Documents, each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify the Agent and the other Persons entitled to indemnification under Section 13.5 of the Credit Agreement (each, an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (limited to not more than one counsel, plus, if necessary, one local counsel per jurisdiction) (except the allocated costs of in-house counsels), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with the appointment of any successor Agent in accordance with the applicable Credit Documents and in connection with any filings, registrations or any other actions to be taken to reflect the security interest of such successor Agent), (ii) the use of proceeds of the Loans or the use of any Letter of Credit or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, or to the Collateral, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or any Pledgor; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses have resulted from (i) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, (ii) any material breach (or, in the case of a proceeding brought by the Borrower, any breach) of any Credit Document by the Indemnitee or (iii) disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits not arising from any act or omission by the Borrower or its Affiliates, brought by an indemnified Person against any other indemnified Person (other than disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits involving claims against the Agent in its capacity as such).

 

(c)                                   Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Obligations secured hereby and by the other Security Documents. The provisions of this Section 5.06 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or any other Secured Party. All amounts due under this Section 5.06 shall be payable on written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 5.07.                            Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . Each Pledgor hereby appoints, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest, the Agent as such Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Pledgor and in the name of such Pledgor or otherwise, to take any action and to execute any instrument, in each case subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and with notice to such Pledgor, that the Agent may deem reasonably

 

14



 

necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including to receive, indorse and collect all instruments made payable to such Pledgor representing any dividend or distribution payment in respect of the Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same.

 

SECTION 5.08.                            GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS .

 

(a)                                  THE TERMS OF SECTIONS 13.12, 13.13 AND 13.15 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS, AND THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE TO SUCH TERMS.

 

(b)                                  EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESSIN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN SECTION 5.01. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVICE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

 

SECTION 5.09.                            Waivers; Amendment .

 

(a)                                  No failure or delay by the Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Secured Party in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Lenders or any other Secured Party hereunder and under the other Credit Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.09, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other Secured Party may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)                                  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Agent and the Credit Party or Credit Parties with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement and except as otherwise provided in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate of an officer of the Borrower as to whether any amendment contemplated by this Section 5.09(b) is permitted.

 

15



 

(c)                                   For the purpose of Section 5.09(b) above, the Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person and the Agent need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document. At any time that the Borrower desires that this Agreement be amended as provided in Section 5.09(b) above, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a certificate signed by an officer of the Borrower stating that the amendment of this Agreement is permitted pursuant to Section 5.09(b) above.

 

SECTION 5.10.                            Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.11.                            Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 5.04. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original.

 

SECTION 5.12.                            Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.13.                            Termination or Release .

 

(a)                                  This Agreement, the pledges made herein and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgors, as of the date when all the Obligations (other than (i) Hedging Obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements, (ii) Cash Management Obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (iii) any contingent or indemnification obligations not then due) have been paid in full or defeased in cash or immediately available funds and the Lenders and any other Secured Parties have no further commitment to lend under the Credit Agreement, the aggregate Total Exposure has been reduced to zero and each Issuing Bank has no further obligations to issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)                                  A Subsidiary Party shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the security interests in the Collateral of such Subsidiary Party shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction not prohibited by the Credit Agreement as a result of which such Subsidiary Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Subsidiary is released from its Subsidiary Guarantee and from its Subsidiary guarantees of all Credit Documents or otherwise ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor, all without delivery of any instrument or

 

16



 

performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to such Subsidiary Party.

 

(c)                                   (i) Upon any sale or other transfer by any Pledgor of any Collateral that is not prohibited by the Credit Agreement to any person that is not a Pledgor (including in connection with a Casualty Event), or (ii) upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement, the security interest in such Collateral shall be automatically released, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party.

 

(d)                                  If any of the Collateral shall become subject to the release provision set forth in Section 2.05(b) of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, such Collateral shall be automatically released from the security interest in such Collateral to the extent provided therein.

 

(e)                                   In respect of any assets or property constituting Collateral, such Collateral shall be released from the security interest created hereunder upon the release of the security interest in such assets or property securing any Second-Priority Lien Obligations, other than in connection with a Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

(f)                                    A Subsidiary Party shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and/or the security interests in any Collateral shall in each case be automatically released upon the occurrence of any of the circumstances set forth in Section 13.17 of the Credit Agreement, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to any applicable Subsidiary Party.

 

(g)                                   In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this Section 5.13, the Agent shall execute and deliver to any Pledgor, at such Pledgor’s expense, all documents that such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release (including, without limitation, UCC termination statements), and will duly assign and transfer to such Pledgor, such of the Pledged Stock that may be in the possession of the Agent and has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5.13 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Agent. In connection with any release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) above, the Pledgors shall be permitted to take any action in connection therewith consistent with such release including, without limitation, the filing of UCC termination statements. Upon the receipt of any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Borrower, the Agent shall execute, deliver or acknowledge such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents or the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.14.                            Additional Subsidiaries . Upon execution and delivery by the Agent and any Subsidiary that is required to become a party hereto by Section 9.11 of the Credit Agreement of an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Party hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Subsidiary Party herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any

 

17



 

other party to this Agreement. The rights and obligations of each party to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.15.                            Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement .

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject and subordinate to the liens and security interests granted to the Second Lien Agent pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), from the “Pledgors” referred to therein, in favor of the Second Lien, as collateral agent for the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Agent hereunder or the application of proceeds (including insurance proceeds and condemnation proceeds) of any Collateral are subject to the limitations and provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.

 

SECTION 5.16.                            Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents .

 

The Agent acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and any Secured Party, that any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, until the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the Pledgors shall not be required to act or refrain from acting pursuant to the Security Documents or with respect to any Collateral on which the Applicable Second Lien Agent has a Lien superior in priority to the Agent’s Lien thereon in any manner that would result in a default under the terms and provisions of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

SECTION 5.17.                            Right of Set-Off .

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Agent and each Issuing Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender, the Agent or such Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of any party to this Agreement against any of and all the obligations of such party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement owed to such Lender, the Agent or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the Agent or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender, the Agent and Issuing Bank under this Section 5.17 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender, the Agent and such Issuing Bank may have. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Secured Party or any of its respective Affiliates shall have a right to set off and apply any deposits held by, or other Indebtedness owing by, such Secured Party or any of its Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of any Subsidiary of a Credit Party that (i) is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (ii) is a Subsidiary of a Person described in clause (i), unless (in either case) such Subsidiary is not a direct or indirect subsidiary of Holdings. Each Secured Party agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Secured

 

18



 

Party; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

19


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (f/k/a EP ENERGY, L.L.C)

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY)

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION)

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.)

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:

Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Pledge Agreement (Second Lien — US)

 



 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:

Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Pledge Agreement (Second Lien — US)

 



 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Name:

Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Title:

President

 

Signature Page to Pledge Agreement (Second Lien — US)

 



 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ryan Fuessel

 

 

Name:

Ryan Fuessel

 

 

Title:

Authorized signor

 

[Signature Page — Second Lien Pledge Agreement]

 


 

 

Exhibit I

to the Pledge Agreement

 

SUPPLEMENT NO.            dated as of                                  (this “ Supplement ”), to the Pledge Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as heretofore amended and/or supplemented, the “ Pledge Agreement ”), among EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary Party party thereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

 

A.            Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Holdings, the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, the Agent and the other parties named therein.

 

B.            Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and the Pledge Agreement referred to therein.

 

C.            The Pledgors have entered into the Pledge Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans and each Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit. Section 5.14 of the Pledge Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Subsidiary Parties under the Pledge Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement to become a Subsidiary Party under the Pledge Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and each Issuing Bank to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued .

 

Accordingly, the Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.                             In accordance with Section 5.14 of the Pledge Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor under the Pledge Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor, and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Pledge Agreement applicable to it as a Subsidiary Party and Pledgor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Pledgor thereunder are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary, as security for the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, does hereby create and grant to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, their successors and assigns, a security interest in and Lien on all the New Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral of the New Subsidiary. Each reference to a “Subsidiary Party” or a “Pledgor” in the Pledge Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Pledge Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2.                             The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with

 



 

its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 3.                             This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

 

SECTION 4.                             The New Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants that (a) set forth on Schedule I attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all the Pledged Stock of the New Subsidiary as of the date hereof and (b) set forth under its signature hereto, is the true and correct legal name of the New Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of formation and organizational ID number as of the date hereof.

 

SECTION 5.                             Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Pledge Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6.                          THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 7.                             In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Pledge Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 8.                             All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Pledge Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.                             The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Agent.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has duly executed this Supplement to the Pledge Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

[Name of New Subsidiary]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

3



 

Schedule I

to Supplement No.   to the

Pledge Agreement

 

Pledged Stock of the New Subsidiary

 

EQUITY INTERESTS

 

 

Number of Issuer

 

 

 

Number and Class of

 

Percentage of

Certificate

 

Registered Owner

 

Equity Interests

 

Equity Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Pledge Agreement

EP Energy, JPMorgan

 

Schedule I

 

Subsidiary Parties

 

 

 

State of

Name of Entity

 

Incorporation

 

 

 

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

Delaware

 

 

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(1)

 

Delaware

 

 

 

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Preferred Holdings Company)

 

Delaware

 

 

 

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW Four Star Corporation)

 

Delaware

 

 

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

Delaware

 

 

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(2)

 

Delaware

 

 

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.(3)

 

Delaware

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(4)

 

Delaware

 

 

 

EPE Nominee Corp.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 


(1) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(2) “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(3) “El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(4) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 


 

Pledge Agreement

EP Energy, JPMorgan

 

Schedule II

 

Pledged Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jurisdiction of

 

Number and Class

 

Equity Interests

 

Number of Issuer

Registered Owner

 

Name of Issuer

 

Issuer

 

of Equity Interests

 

Pledged

 

Certificate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(5)

 

UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda.(6)

 

Brazil

 

Brazil limited liability company quota

 

99.99%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(7)

 

El Paso Brazil Holdings Company(8)

 

Cayman Islands

 

Cayman Islands exempted company interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(9)

 

El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.(10)

 

Brazil

 

Brazil limited liability company quota

 

99.80%

 

N/A

 


(5) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(6) “UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda.” will change its name to “EP Energia Pescada Ltda.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(7) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(8) “El Paso Brazil Holdings Company” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil Holdings Company” on or around June 1, 2012.

(9) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(10) “El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.” will change its name to “EP Energia do Brasil Ltda.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 


 

 



Exhibit 10.5

 

PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

dated and effective as of

 

May 24, 2012,

 

among

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.,

 

as Pledgor

 

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent

 

EL PASO ÓLEO E GÁS DO BRASIL LTDA.

 

and

 

UNOPASO EXPLORAÇÃO E PRODUÇÃO DE PETRÓLEO E GÁS LTDA.,
as intervening parties

 

THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED HEREIN), AS SET FORTH MORE FULLY IN SECTION 5.13 HEREOF. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE LIENS AND SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED TO THE COLLATERAL AGENT, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SECURED PARTIES, PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR REMEDY BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE OTHER SECURED PARTIES HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Credit Agreement

2

SECTION 1.02.

Other Defined Terms

2

 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

PLEDGE OF EQUITY INTERESTS

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Pledge

5

SECTION 2.02.

Registration of the Pledged Quotas

5

SECTION 2.03.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

6

SECTION 2.04.

Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

7

SECTION 2.05.

Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc

8

 

 

 

ARTICLE III.

 

[RESERVED.]

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

REMEDIES

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Remedies upon Default

9

SECTION 4.02.

Application of Proceeds

10

 

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 5.01.

Notices

11

SECTION 5.02.

Security Interest Absolute

12

SECTION 5.03.

Limitation by Law

12

SECTION 5.04.

Binding Effect; Several Agreement

12

SECTION 5.05.

Successors and Assigns

13

SECTION 5.06.

Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

13

SECTION 5.07.

Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

14

SECTION 5.08.

GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION

14

SECTION 5.09.

Waivers; Amendment

14

SECTION 5.10.

Severability

15

SECTION 5.11.

Headings

15

 

i



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 5.12.

Termination or Release

15

SECTION 5.13.

Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

16

SECTION 5.14.

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents

17

SECTION 5.15.

Specific Performance

17

SECTION 5.16.

Right of Set-Off

17

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI.

 

BRAZIL’S NATIONAL PETROLEUM AGENCY’S (AGÊNCIA NACIONAL DO
PETRÓLEO, GÁS NATURAL E BIOCOMBUSTÍVEIS) REQUIREMENTS

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01.

Transfer of Oil and Gas Concession Rights

17

SECTION 6.02.

Pledgor’s Voting Rights

18

 

 

 

 

Schedules

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule I

Obligations

 

Schedule II

Pledged Quotas

 

 

ii



 

This PLEDGE AGREEMENT dated and effective as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is among EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C. , a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Pledgor ”), JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. , as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ” or the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties, EL PASO ÓLEO E GÁS DO BRASIL, LTDA. (“ EP Brazil ”) and UNOPASO EXPLORAÇÃO E PRODUÇÃO DE PETR Ó LEO E G Á S LTDA. (“ UNOPASO and, together with EP Brazil, the “ Companies ”), as intervening parties.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EPE Holdings LLC (“ Holdings ”), EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the Agent, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time parties thereto, the Borrower will from time to time incur loans and letter of credit obligations;

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) among the Borrower and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as co-issuers (the “ Co-Issuers ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Co-Issuers have issued 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (together with any and all exchange notes and/or additional notes issued pursuant to the Indenture, collectively the “ Notes ”) and (2) pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Term Loan Agent ”), the Borrower is incurring Loans (as defined therein, the “ Term Loans ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Notes, the Term Loans and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are and will be secured on a first-priority, pari passu basis by the Collateral and, on the date hereof, Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Term Loan Agent, and the Trustee are entering into the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ”), which sets forth the rights and remedies of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties in the Collateral as amongst each other;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among the Pledgor, Citibank, N.A. and certain other parties thereto (the “ First Lien Pledge Agreement  (Brazil) ”), the Pledgor has granted to Citibank, N.A., as the Second Lien Agent, a first-priority lien and security interest in the Collateral to secure their obligations under the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent (as each such

 

1



 

terms are defined in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture, EP Energy LLC, the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC named therein and the other parties thereto, the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted by this Agreement are and shall be subordinated in all respects to the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

WHEREAS, the Pledgor is executing and delivering this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement to induce the Lenders to extend credit;

 

WHEREAS, the Pledgor is the holder of 1,677,018,183 (one billion, six hundred seventy-seven million, eighteen thousand, one hundred and eighty-three) quotas issued by EP Brazil (“ Issued EP Brazil Quotas ”), which represents 99.99% (ninety-nine point ninety-nine percent) of the total quota capital of EP Brazil, and 108,841,986 (one hundred and eight million, eight hundred, forty-one thousand and nine hundred eighty-six) quotas issued by UNOPASO (“ Issued UNOPASO Quotas ”), which, represents 99.99% (ninety-nine point ninety-nine percent) of the total quota capital of UNOPASO;

 

WHEREAS, the Pledgor, as a Subsidiary of the Borrower, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement and is willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit thereunder.

 

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.                               Credit Agreement .

 

(a)                                  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. If the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date has occurred, a reference in this Agreement to the Applicable Second Lien Agent shall, unless the context requires otherwise, be construed as a reference to the Agent and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.

 

(b)                                  The rules of construction specified in Section 1.2 of the Credit Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 1.02.                               Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Additionally Issued Quotas has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02(c).

 

Agent or “ Collateral Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

2



 

Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Applicable Agent means the Applicable Second Lien Agent (or, if the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date has occurred, the Agent).

 

Applicable Second Lien Agent has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Borrower has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Brazilian Civil Code ” means Brazilian Federal Law number 10.406 of 10/01/2002.

 

Brazilian Requirements of Law means, as to any Person, any law, treaty, rule, regulation, statute, order, ordinance, decree, judgment, consent decree, writ, injunction, settlement agreement or governmental requirement enacted, promulgated or imposed or entered into or agreed by any Brazilian Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or assets or to which such Person or any of its property or assets is subject.

 

Collateral means the Pledged Quotas.

 

Credit Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Discharge has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

First Lien Pledge Agreements means, together, the First Lien Pledge Agreement (Brazil) and the First Lien Pledge Agreement (U.S.).

 

First Lien Pledge Agreement (Brazil) has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

First Lien Pledge Agreement (U.S.) means that certain Pledge Agreement of even date herewith (as amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among the Borrower, each Subsidiary of the Borrower party thereto and the Second Lien Agent.

 

Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Indemnitee has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06.

 

Indenture has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

3



 

Issued EP Brazil Quotas has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Issued UNOPASO Quotas has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Notes has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Permitted Liens means Liens that are not prohibited by the Credit Agreement and those created by the First Lien Pledge Agreements.

 

Pledged Quotas has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01, including the Additionally Issued Quotas.

 

Pledgor has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Second Lien Agent has the meaning assigned to such term in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date means, subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the date on which the Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations occurs; provided that if, at any time after the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations is deemed not to have occurred under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement (other than with respect to any actions taken prior to the date of incurrence and designation of any new Second-Priority Lien Obligations as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations).

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

4



 

Term Loan has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agent has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Trustee has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

U.S. Pledge Agreement means the U.S. law pledge agreement entered into by and between the Pledgor and the Collateral Agent on this date.

 

ARTICLE II.

 

Pledge of Equity Interests

 

SECTION 2.01.                               Pledge . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations (detailed on Schedule I, for the purposes of Article 1424 of the Brazilian Civil Code), the Pledgor hereby pledges to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a second lien security interest in all of the Pledgor’s right, title and interest in,:(a) the Equity Interests in the Companies, including the Issued EP Brazil Quotas and the Issued UNOPASO Quotas and any other Equity Interests in the Companies obtained in the future by the Pledgor together with all right, title, interest, powers, privileges and preferences pertaining or incidental thereto; (b) subject to Section 2.05, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other proceeds received in respect of, the securities referred to in clause (a) above; (c) subject to Section 2.05, all rights and privileges of the Pledgor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; and (d) all proceeds of any of the foregoing (the items referred to in clauses (a) through (d) above being collectively referred to as the “Pledged Quotas”).

 

SECTION 2.02.                               Registration of the Pledged Quotas .

 

(a)                                  The Pledgor undertakes to register this Agreement with the competent Registry of Deeds and Documents (Registro de Titulos e Documentos) in the City of Rio de Janeiro. Furthermore, the Pledgor shall file an amendment to the articles of association of the Companies with the Registry of Companies of the Rio de Janeiro State, duly reflecting the pledge created hereby.

 

(b)                                  The Pledgor shall, within 60 (sixty) calendar days from the date hereof, provide evidence to the Agent of the registration of this Agreement with the relevant Registry of Deeds and Documents, and of the registration of the relevant amendment to the articles of association of each Company with the Registry of Companies of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The

 

5



 

Applicable Agent in its reasonable discretion may elect to extend the term provided in this clause.

 

(c)                              The Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 45 days after the acquisition (or such longer time as the Applicable Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) to execute an Amendment to this Agreement in relation to any and all other quotas of the Companies which may be held by the Pledgor in the future (the “ Additionally Issued Quotas ”), in addition to performing any and all acts necessary to include such Additionally Issued Quotas as Pledged Quotas, subject to the pledge provided for hereunder. In particular, (i) the Amendment shall be submitted for annotation on the margin of the registration of this Agreement with the Registry of Deeds and Documents where it was registered, and (ii) the pledge of such Additionally Issued Quotas shall be duly reflected in the amendment to each applicable Company’s articles of association which provides for the issuing of such Additionally Issued Quotas and their acquisition by the Pledgor, indicating that such Additionally Issued Quotas are subject to the pledge created under this Agreement.

 

SECTION 2.03.                          Representations, Warranties and Covenants . The Pledgor represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

 

(a)                                  Schedule II correctly sets forth the percentage of the issued and outstanding quotas of the Companies;

 

(b)                                  the Pledged Quotas, to the best of the Pledgor’s knowledge, have been duly and validly authorized and issued by the issuers thereof and are fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(c)                                   except for the security interests granted hereunder (and those securing Second-Priority Lien Obligations), the Pledgor (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Credit Agreement and with the First Lien Pledge Agreements, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Quotas indicated on Schedule II as owned by the Pledgor, (ii) possesses the same free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, (iii) will make no assignment, pledge or transfer of, or create or permit to exist, any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Quotas, other than pursuant to a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement and by the First Lien Pledge Agreements and other than Permitted Liens, and (iv) subject to the rights of the Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Pledged Quotas, will use commercially reasonable efforts to defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), however arising, of all persons;

 

(d)                                  other than as set forth in the Credit Agreement or the schedules thereto or in the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Credit Documents and by the First Lien Pledge Agreements, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or securities laws generally, the Pledged Quotas are and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Quotas is or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal (which are mutually waived by the Pledgor hereby), shareholders agreement or articles of association provisions or contractual restriction (except for

 

6



 

the First Lien Pledge Agreements) of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect the pledge of such Pledged Quotas hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Agent of rights and remedies hereunder other than under applicable Requirements of Law;

 

(e)                                   it has all corporate power and authorizations and others, including,  from third parties, to execute this Agreement and any amendment hereto, as well as to take all actions and perform all obligations hereunder and thereunder;

 

(f)                                    this Agreement is, and any amendment thereto on its respective date shall be, valid, binding and enforceable obligations to be performed by Pledgor, and shall thus remain valid, binding and enforceable, according to their terms;

 

(g)                                   execution of this Agreement or, as applicable, execution of any amendment and compliance with their respective terms and conditions, do not breach and are not contrary to any law, decree, rule, order, decision or resolution of any authority or government entity or to any contractual provision that is binding on Pledgor or that affects any of its assets and rights

 

(h)                                  other than as set forth in the Credit Agreement or the schedules thereto or in the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, no consent or approval of any Governmental Authority (other than Brazil’s National Petroleum Agency’s (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis) authorization for purpose of transfer of oil and gas concession rights„ any securities exchange or any other person was or is necessary to the validity of the pledge effected hereby (other than such as have been obtained and are in full force and effect);

 

(i)                                      by virtue of the execution and registry with the Registries of Deeds and Documents of this Agreement by the Pledgor, and of the filing of the amendments to the Companies’ Articles of Association with the competent Commercial Registry, in accordance with this Agreement, the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Quotas, subject only to Permitted Liens and to the First Lien Pledge Agreements, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations; and

 

(j)                                     the pledge effected hereby is effective to vest in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the rights of the Agent in the Pledged Quotas as set forth herein.

 

SECTION 2.04.                          Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (a) the Applicable Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to maintain the Pledged Quotas in its own name as pledgee or the name of its nominee ( as pledgee or as sub-agent), or the name of the Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank in favor of the Applicable Agent, and (b) the Pledgor will promptly give to the Applicable Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Quotas registered in the name of the Pledgor.

 

7


 

SECTION 2.05.                               Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc .

 

(a)                                  Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Applicable Agent shall have given notice to the Pledgor of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder:

 

(i)                             The Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Quotas or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that could be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the rights and remedies of any of the Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same.

 

(ii)                          The Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Quotas to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are permitted by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and applicable laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Quotas, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Quotas or received in exchange for any Pledged Quotas or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Quotas, and, if received by the Pledgor, shall be promptly (and in any event within 45 days following their receipt (or such longer time as the Applicable Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent).

 

(b)                                  After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and upon notice by the Applicable Agent to the Pledgor of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, all rights of the Pledgor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that the Pledgor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.05 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Applicable Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions; provided that the Applicable Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgor to receive and retain such amounts. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by the Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.05 shall not be commingled by the Pledgor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall be forthwith received by the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent) by the Pledgor. Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Applicable Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph(b) shall be retained by the Applicable Agent in an account to

 

8



 

be established by the Applicable Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Applicable Agent a certificate to that effect, the Applicable Agent shall promptly repay to the Pledgor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that the Pledgor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.05 and that remain in such account.

 

(c)                                   Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice by the Applicable Agent to the Pledgor of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, subject to applicable Requirements of Law, all rights of the Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.05 shall cease, and, to the fullest extent permitted by Brazilian Requirements of Law, the Pledgor shall exercise (or refrain from exercising) all voting, consent and other rights in respect of the Pledged Quotas in accordance with, and shall take no action that is inconsistent with, the written instructions of the Applicable Agent, acting for the benefit of the Secured Parties; provided that the Applicable Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgor to exercise such rights. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Applicable Agent a certificate to that effect, all rights of the Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.05 shall in each case be reinstated.

 

(d)                                  Any notice given by the Applicable Agent to the Pledgor suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 2.05(i) shall be in writing, (ii) may be given to one or more of the Pledgor at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Pledgor under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.05 in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Applicable Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Applicable Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

ARTICLE III.


[Reserved.]


ARTICLE IV.


Remedies

 

SECTION 4.01.                               Remedies upon Default . Subject to the Senior Lien I ntercreditor Agreement and applicable Brazilian Requirements of Law (including Brazil’s National Petroleum Agency’s ( Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis ) authorization for purpose of transfer of oil and gas concession rights), upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Pledgor agrees to deliver each item of Collateral to the Applicable Agent on demand and it is agreed that the Applicable Agent shall have the right generally to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the applicable Brazilian Requirements of Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Pledgor agrees that the Agent shall have the right, subject to the requirements of applicable law

 

9



 

and subject to the terms and conditions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale, for cash, upon credit or for future disposal as the Agent shall deem appropriate. The Agent shall be authorized in connection with any sale of a security (if it deems it advisable to do so) pursuant to the foregoing to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to persons who represent and agree that they are purchasing such security for their own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof. Upon consummation of any such sale of Collateral pursuant to this Section 4.01, the Agent shall have the right to assign and transfer to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. The property sold shall be done so absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of the Pledgor, and the Pledgor hereby waives and releases (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay, valuation and appraisal that the Pledgor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

 

The Agent shall give the Pledgor 10 days’ written notice (which each Pledgor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. At any such sale, the Collateral, or the portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. At any public (or, to the extent permitted by law, private) sale made pursuant to this Section 4.01, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase for cash, free (to the extent permitted by law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the pal of the Pledgor (all such rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by law ), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, possess, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to the Pledgor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and the Pledgor shall not be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Obligations paid in full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court-appointed receiver. To the extent provided in this Section 4.01, any sale that complies with such provisions shall be deemed to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided by the Brazilian Civil Code.

 

SECTION 4.02.                          Application of Proceeds . Subject to the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall promptly apply the proceeds, moneys or balances of any collection or sale of Collateral, as well as any Collateral consisting of cash, in accordance with Section 11 of the Credit Agreement.

 

10



 

The Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Agent(including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the purchase money by the Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01.                          Notices . The notices to be sent by any of the parties hereto shall be deemed delivered when sent by public notary or judicial means, or when received against return receipt or notice by Empresa Brasileira de Correio e Telégrafos or else transmitted by telegram to the addresses below. Notices sent by fax or electronic mail shall be deemed received on the date of actual sending, provided that receipt thereof is confirmed by answerback (i.e., receipt issued by the sender’s machine). The respective originals shall be sent to the address below within two (2) business days from transmission of the message by fax or electronic mail, under penalty of voidability thereof.

 

For Pledgor:

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.

1001 Louisiana St.

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: General Counsel

 

For Intervening Parties:

 

El Paso Óleo e Gás do Brasil Ltda.

Av. das Américas, 3434, Bloco 7, 3º andar

Centro Empresarial Mário Henrique Simonsen

Barra da Tijuca - Rio de Janeiro — RJ — Brazil

22.640-102

Attention: André Frei tas dos Santos

Tel: (55 21) 3288-6063

andre.freitas@elpaso.com

 

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For Agent:

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

712 Main Street, Floor 8 S

Houston, TX, 77002

Attn: Jo Linda Papadakis

Tel: (713) 216-7743

Fax: (713) 216-7770

jo.l.papadakis@jpmorgan.com

 

The parties hereto clarify that, during foreclosure of the guarantee hereunder, all notices referring to this Agreement and its provisions shall be sent as provided for above. Any notices to be sent by the parties hereto prior to any foreclosure of the guarantee hereunder shall follow the procedures set out in Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement (whether or not then in effect).

 

SECTION 5.02.                          Security Interest Absolute . All rights of the Agent hereunder, the security interest in the Pledged Quotas and all obligations of the Pledgor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any other agreement or instrument, (b) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee, securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Obligations or (c) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Pledgor in respect of the Obligations or this Agreement (other than a defense of payment or performance).

 

SECTION 5.03.                          Limitation by Law . All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable Requirements of Law, and all the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable Requirements of Law that may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they shall not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable, in whole or in part, or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable law or regulation.

 

SECTION 5.04.                          Binding Effect; Several Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as to any party to this Agreement when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such party shall have been delivered to the Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such party and the Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such party, the Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no party shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein or in the Collateral (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Credit Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each party and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released in accordance with Section 5.09.

 

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SECTION 5.05.                          Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of the Pledgor or the Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns. The Agent hereunder shall at all times be the same person that is the “Collateral Agent” under the Credit Agreement. Written notice of resignation by the “Collateral Agent” pursuant to the Credit Agreement shall also constitute notice of resignation as the Agent under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the “Collateral Agent” under the Credit Agreement by a successor “Collateral Agent”, that successor “Collateral Agent” shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent pursuant hereto.

 

SECTION 5.06.                          Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  The parties hereto agree that the Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 13.5 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Credit Documents, the Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify the Agent and the other Persons entitled to indemnification under Section 13.5 of the Credit Agreement (each, an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (limited to not more than one counsel, plus, if necessary, one local counsel per jurisdiction) (except the allocated costs of in-house counsels), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with the appointment of any successor Agent in accordance with the applicable Credit Documents and in connection with any filings, registrations or any other actions to be taken to reflect the security interest of such successor Agent), (ii) the use of proceeds of the Loans or the use of any Letter of Credit or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, or to the Collateral, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or the Pledgor; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses have resulted from (i) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, (ii) any material breach (or, in the case of a proceeding brought by the Borrower, any breach) of any Credit Document by the Indemnitee or (iii) disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits not arising from any at or omission by the Borrower or its Affiliates, brought by an indemnified Person against any other indemnified Person (other than disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits involving claims against the Agent in its capacity as such).

 

(c)                                   Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Obligations secured hereby and by the other Security Documents. The provisions of this Section 5.06 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of

 

13



 

this Agreement or any other Credit Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or any other Secured Party. All amounts due under this Section 5.06 shall be payable on written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 5.07.                          Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . The Pledgor hereby appoints, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest, the Agent as the Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of the Pledgor and in the name of the Pledgor or otherwise, to take any action and to execute any instrument, in each case subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and with notice to the Pledgor, that the Agent may deem reasonably necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including to receive, indorse and collect all instruments made payable to the Pledgor representing any dividend or distribution payment in respect of the Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same.

 

SECTION 5.08.                          GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION .

 

(a)                                  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL.

 

(b)                                  ANY DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SETTLED BY THE COURTS OF THE CITY OF RIO DE JANEIRO, RIO DE JANEIRO STATE, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ANY OTHER, HOWEVER PRIVILEGED IT MAY BE.

 

SECTION 5.09.                          Waivers; Amendment .

 

(a)                             No failure or delay by the Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Secured Party in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Lenders or any other Secured Party hereunder and under the other Credit Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.09, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other Secured Party may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

14



 

(b)                                  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Parties with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement and except as otherwise provided in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate of an officer of the Borrower as to whether any amendment contemplated by this Section 5.09(b) is permitted.

 

(c)                                   For the purpose of Section 5.09(b) above, the parties hereto agree that the Agent will follow the procedure as provided for in the U.S. Pledge Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.10.                          Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.11.                          Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.12.                          Termination or Release .

 

(a)                                  This Agreement, the pledges made herein and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Pledgor, as of the date when all the Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities not then due) have been paid in full or defeased in cash or immediately available funds and the Lenders and any other Secured Parties have no further commitment to lend under the Credit Agreement, the aggregate Total Exposure has been reduced to zero and each Issuing Bank has no further obligations to issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The Pledgor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the security interests in the Collateral of the Pledgor shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction not prohibited by the Credit Agreement as a result of which the Pledgor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Subsidiary is released from its Subsidiary Guarantee and from its Subsidiary guarantees of all Credit Documents or otherwise ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Pledgor.

 

(c)                                   (i) Upon any sale or other transfer by the Pledgor of any Collateral that is not prohibited by the Credit Agreement to any person that is not a Grantor under the Collateral Agreement (including in connection with a Casualty Event), or (ii) upon the effectiveness of any

 

15



 

written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement, the security interest in such Collateral shall be automatically released, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party.

 

(d)                                  If any of the Collateral shall become subject to the release provision set forth in Section 2.05(b) of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, such Collateral shall be automatically released from the security interest in such Collateral to the extent provided therein.

 

(e)                                   In respect of any assets or property constituting Collateral, such Collateral shall be released from the security interest created hereunder upon the release of the security interest in such assets or property securing any Second-Priority Lien Obligations, other than in connection with a Discharge of Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

(f)                                    The Pledgor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and/or the security interests in any Collateral shall in each case be automatically released upon the occurrence of any of the circumstances set forth in Section 13.17 of the Credit Agreement, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any at by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Pledgor.

 

(g)                                   In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e)of this Section 5.12, the Agent shall execute and deliver to the Pledgor, at the Pledgor’s expense, all documents that the Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release, and will duly assign and transfer to the Pledgor, such of the Pledged Quotas that may be in the possession of the Agent and has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5.12 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Agent. In connection with any release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this Section 5.12, the Pledgor shall be permitted to take any action in connection therewith consistent with such release. Upon the receipt of any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Borrower, the Agent shall execute, deliver or acknowledge such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents or the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.13.                               Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement .

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject and subordinate to the liens and security interests granted to the Second Lien Agent pursuant to the First Lien Pledge Agreements, and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Agent hereunder or the application of proceeds (including insurance proceeds and condemnation proceeds) of any Collateral are subject to the limitations and provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.

 

16



 

SECTION 5.14.                            Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents .

 

The Agent acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and any Secured Party, that any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, until the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the Pledgor shall not be required to act or refrain from acting pursuant to the Security Documents or with respect to any Collateral on which the Applicable Second Lien Agent has a Lien superior in priority to the Agent’s Lien thereon in any manner that would result in a default under the terms and provisions of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

SECTION 5.15.                       Specific Performance .

 

This Agreement is and extrajudicial enforcement instrument (título executivo extrajudicial) and, for the purposes of this Agreement and of each addendum hereto, the Agent, representing the Secured Parties, may pursue specific performance of the obligations of Pledgor according to the Brazilian Civil Procedure Code.

 

SECTION 5.16.                       Right of Set-Off .

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Agent and each Issuing Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender, the Agent or such Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of any party to this Agreement against any of and all the obligations of such party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement owed to such Lender, the Agent or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the Agent or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender, the Agent and Issuing Bank under this Section 5.15 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender, the Agent and such Issuing Bank may have. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Secured Party or any of its respective Affiliates shall have a right to set off and apply any deposits held by, or other Indebtedness owing by, such Secured Party or any of its Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of any Subsidiary of a Credit Party that (i) is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (ii) is a Subsidiary of a Person described in clause (i), unless (in either case) such Subsidiary is not a direct or indirect subsidiary of Holdings. Each Secured Party agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Secured Party; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

 

ARTICLE VI.

 

Brazil’s National Petroleum Agency’s (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e
Biocombustíveis) Requirements

 

SECTION 6.01.                          Transfer of Oil and Gas Concession Rights . For avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any transfer of oil and gas concession

 

17



 

rights (including the enforcement of the Pledge) shall be subject to Brazil’s National Petroleum Agency’s (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis) approval.

 

SECTION 6.02.                          Pledgor’s Voting Rights . For avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement does not limit, in any way, the Pledgor’s voting rights before the occurrence of an Event of Default. After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Pledgor’s voting rights shall be limited in order to preserve the guarantee created in accordance with this Agreement and the market value of the Pledged Quotas.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

18


 

[ Signature page 1/4 of the Pledge Agreement entered into among El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and, as intervening parties, El Paso Óleo e Gás do Brasil Ltda. and Unopaso Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e Gás Ltda. ]

 

 

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mauro Marcus de Mello Martins

 

 

Name: Mauro Marcus de Mello Martins

 

 

Title: Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Rodrigo Magalhães Fortes

 

 

Name: Rodrigo Magalhães Fortes

 

 

Title: Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

WITNESSES

 

 

 

 

 

1.

/s/ Marcia Tortora

 

2.

/s/ Mónica de Souza Lima

Name: Marcia Tortora

 

Name: Mónica de Souza Lima

ID Number: 07036347-8

 

ID Number:  RG: 020160916-1

 

 

CPF: 095.865.657-69

 

Signature Page – Brazilian Pledge Agreement (Second Lien)

 



 

[ Signature page  2/4 of the Pledge Agreement entered into among El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and, as intervening parties, El Paso Óleo e Gás do Brasil Ltda. and Unopaso Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e Gás Ltda. ]

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ryan Fuessel

 

 

Name:

Ryan Fuessel

 

 

Title:

Authorized signor

 

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of:

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Rose M. Davis

 

 

 

 

 

Print Name of Witness:

Rose M. Davis

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Alexandra Lahiff

 

 

 

 

 

 

Print Name of Witness:

Alexandra Lahiff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATE OF Texas

)

 

 

 

)ss.

 

 

COUNTY OF Harris

)

 

 

 

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me, a Notary Public, this 22nd day of May, 2012, by Ryan Fuessel, the Exec. Director of JPMORGAN CHASE BANK., N.A., a national banking corporation, who was personally known to me, or who produced the following identification: TDL.

 

 

/s/ Frankie L. Morgan

Notary Public

Print Name:

Frankie L. Morgan

My commission expires:

10-29-2015

 

[Signature Page – Second Lien Brazilian Pledge Agreement]

 



 

[ Signature page 3/4 of the Pledge Agreement entered into among El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and, as intervening parties, El Paso Ó leo e G á s do Brasil Ltda. and Unopaso Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e G á s Ltda. ]

 

 

 

EL PASO ÓLEO E GÁS DO BRASIL LTDA., as intervening party

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ André Freitas dos Santos

 

 

Name: André Freitas dos Santos

 

 

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paulo Celso Lopes da Silva

 

 

Name: Paulo Celso Lopes da Silva

 

 

Title: Chief Administrative Officer

 

 

WITNESSES

 

 

 

1.

/s/ Marcia Tortora

 

2.

/s/ Mônica de Souza Lima

Name: Marcia Tortora

Name: Mônica de Souza Lima

ID Number: 07036347-8

ID Number:  RG: 020160916-1

 

CPF: 095.865.657-69

 

 

Signature Page – Brazilian Pledge Agreement (Second Lien)

 



 

[ Signature page 4/4 of the Pledge Agreement entered into among El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and, as intervening parties, El Paso Ó leo e G á s do Brasil Ltda. and Unopaso Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e G á s Ltda. ]

 

 

 

UNOPASO EXPLORAÇÃO E PRODUÇÃO DE

 

PETRÓLEO E GÁS LTDA., as intervening party

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ André Freitas dos Santos

 

 

Name: André Freitas dos Santos

 

 

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paulo Celso Lopes da Silva

 

 

Name: Paulo Celso Lopes da Silva

 

 

Title: Chief Administrative Officer

 

 

 

 

WITNESSES

 

 

 

1.

/s/ Marcia Tortora

 

2.

/s/ Mônica de Souza Lima

Name: Marcia Tortora

Name: Mônica de Souza Lima

ID: 07036347-8

ID:

RG: 020160916-1

 

 

CPF: 095.865.657-69

 

Signature Page – Brazilian Pledge Agreement (Second Lien)



 

Schedule I

to the Pledge Agreement

 

Summary of the Terms and Conditions of the Obligation

 

Credit Agreement

 

Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among EPE Holdings LLC, EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time parties thereto (the “Credit Agreement”). All capitalized terms used but defined in this Schedule I have the meanings provided therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(a) Nature of the Credit Facility: Reserve-based revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”).

 

(b) Initial Maximum Commitments: $2,000,000,000 (the “Initial Commitments”), which may be increased as described in clause (c) below.

 

On the Closing Date, the Borrower will borrow loans under the Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $800,000,000 and will “roll over” certain existing letters of credit to become letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility. The available amount of Commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by the foregoing borrowing and L/C issuance.

 

The Borrower may borrow up to the lesser (the “Loan Limit”) of the Total Commitments and the Borrowing Base.

 

(c) Incremental Increases to Initial Commitments: At the request of the Borrower and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, the aggregate amount of Commitments may be increased in a minimum amount of $10,000,000 per increase up to $4,000,000,000.

 

(d) Interest Rate: The Borrower, at its option, can borrow either ABR Loans or LIBOR Loans. ABR Loans shall bear interest at (i) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 50 basis points, (2) the prime commercial lending rate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and (3) the LIBOR Rate for a one-month Interest Period on such day plus 100 basis points; plus (ii) the Applicable Margin (as set forth in the grid below). LIBOR Loans shall bear interest at the LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin (as set forth in the grid below).

 

“Applicable Margin” means, for any day, with respect to any ABR Loan or LIBOR Loan, as the case may be, the rate per annum set forth in the grid below based upon the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage in effect on such day:

 



 

Borrowing Base Utilization Grid

 

Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage

 

X < 30

%

> 30% X < 60

%

>60% X < 80

%

> 80% X < 90

%

X>90

%

LIBOR Loans

 

1.50

%

1.75

%

2.00

%

2.25

%

2.50

%

ABR Loans

 

0.50

%

0.75

%

1.00

%

1.25

%

1.50

%

Commitment Fee Rate

 

0.375

%

0.375

%

0.50

%

0.50

%

0.50

%

 

(e) Unused Commitment Fee: In addition to paying interest on any outstanding Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Borrower is required to pay a Commitment Fee, which shall be computed for each day at the Commitment Fee Rate (as set forth in the grid above) on the Available Commitment, based upon the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage in effect, on such day.

 

“Available Commitment” as of any date of determination equals the Loan Limit minus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Loans and, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, outstanding letters of credit of all Lenders.

 

(f) Default Rate: In the case of overdue principal, the Borrower is required to pay a Default Rate that equals 2% plus the interest rate that is otherwise applicable. In the case of overdue interest, the Borrower is required to pay a Default Rate that equals 2% plus the interest rate that would be payable with respect to ABR Loans.

 

(g) Maturity Date: The Initial Maturity Date of the Revolving Credit Facility shall be the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date (May 24, 2012). At the Borrower’s request and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, the Commitments and the related Loans may be extended beyond the Initial Maturity Date.

 



 

Schedule II

to the Pledge Agreement

 

Pledged Quotas

 

(i)  Issued EP Brazil Quotas :

 

Pledgor – EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

Number of Quotas – 1,677,018,183

 

Par Value – R$ 1.00

 

Total Par Value – R$ 1,677,018,183.04

 

(ii)  Issued UNOPASO Quotas :

 

Pledgor – EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

Number of Quotas – 108,841,986

 

Par Value – R$ 1.00

 

Total Par Value – R$ 108,841,986.40

 




Exhibit 10.6

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

May 24, 2012

 

among

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as RBL Facility Agent and Applicable First Lien Agent,

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Term Facility Agent, Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and
Applicable Second Lien Agent,

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture,

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

and

 

THE SUBSIDIARIES OF EP ENERGY LLC NAMED HEREIN



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I Definitions

 

1

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Construction; Certain Defined Terms

1

 

 

 

ARTICLE II Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Collateral

16

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Priority of Claims

16

SECTION 2.02.

Actions With Respect to Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens

18

SECTION 2.03.

No Duties of Senior Representatives; Provision of Notice

20

SECTION 2.04.

No Interference; Payment Over; Reinstatement

21

SECTION 2.05.

Automatic Release of Junior Liens

22

SECTION 2.06.

Certain Agreements With Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings

23

SECTION 2.07.

Reinstatement

28

SECTION 2.08.

Insurance

28

SECTION 2.09.

Refinancings

28

SECTION 2.10.

Amendments to Security Documents

29

SECTION 2.11.

Possessory Collateral Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection

30

 

 

 

ARTICLE III Existence and Amounts of Liens and Obligations

31

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV Consent of Grantors

31

 

 

 

ARTICLE V Miscellaneous

32

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

Notices

32

SECTION 5.02.

Waivers; Amendment

32

SECTION 5.03.

Parties in Interest

33

SECTION 5.04.

Survival of Agreement

33

SECTION 5.05.

Counterparts

33

SECTION 5.06.

Severability

33

SECTION 5.07.

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

34

SECTION 5.08.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

34

SECTION 5.09.

Headings

34

SECTION 5.10.

Conflicts

34

SECTION 5.11.

Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights

35

SECTION 5.12.

Agent Capacities

35

SECTION 5.13.

Supplements

36

SECTION 5.14.

Requirements For Consent and Acknowledgment

36

SECTION 5.15.

Intercreditor Agreements

36

SECTION 5.16.

Other Junior Intercreditor Agreements

36

SECTION 5.17.

Further Assurances

37

 

i



 

EXHIBITS :

 

Exhibit A-1     Consent and Acknowledgment (Other First-Lien Secured Obligations)

 

Exhibit A-2     Consent and Acknowledgment (Other Second-Lien Secured Obligations)

 

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This SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ) is dated as of May 24, 2012, among JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. ( JPM ) , as the RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, CITIBANK N.A. ( Citi ’), as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, EP Energy LLC (the “ Company ) , the Subsidiaries of the Company named herein, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent and each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent from time to time party hereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined in the preamble and the recitals to this Agreement have the meanings set forth in Section 1.01(b) below.

 

On the date hereof, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, the Term Facility Agent and the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent are also entering into the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement. This Agreement governs the relationship between the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties as a group, on the one hand, and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties as a group, on the other hand, with respect to the Common Collateral, while the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement governs the relationship of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties among themselves with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral. In addition, it is understood and agreed that not all First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties or Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, as the case may be, may have security interests in all of the Collateral and nothing in this Agreement is intended to give rights to any Person in any Collateral in which such Person (or its Representative or Collateral Agent) does not otherwise have a security interest.

 

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Applicable First Lien Agent (for itself and on behalf of the RBL Secured Parties and any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party), the Applicable Second Lien Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Term Facility Secured Parties, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, the Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligation Secured Party), the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company party hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 1.01.           Construction; Certain Defined Terms.

 

(a)           The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, but shall not be deemed to include the Subsidiaries of such

 



 

Person unless express reference is made to such Subsidiaries, (iii) the words “herein”, “hereof and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections and Annexes of this Agreement, (v) unless otherwise expressly qualified herein, the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights and (vi) the term “or” is not exclusive.

 

(b)           As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Applicable Agent means (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the Applicable Second Lien Agent and (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the Applicable First Lien Agent.

 

Applicable First Lien Agent means the RBL Facility Agent until it shall have notified in writing the Applicable Second Lien Agent, the Term Facility Agent (if not acting as the Applicable Second Lien Agent), the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent that another Representative has become the Applicable First Lien Agent for the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, as appointed pursuant to a Pari Passu First-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Applicable Junior Agent means (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the Applicable First Lien Agent, and (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the Applicable Second Lien Agent.

 

Applicable Possessory Collateral Agent means (a) with respect to the RBL Priority Possessory Collateral, the Applicable First Lien Agent, and (b) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Possessory Collateral, the Applicable Second Lien Agent.

 

Applicable Second Lien Agent means the Term Facility Agent until it shall have notified in writing the Applicable First Lien Agent, the RBL Facility Agent (if not acting as the Applicable First Lien Agent) and any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent that another Representative has become the Applicable Authorized Representative (as defined in the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement) for the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, as appointed pursuant to the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Bankruptcy Code means Title 11 of the United States Code.

 

Business Day means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Houston, Texas are authorized by law or other governmental actions to close; provided that when used in connection with a LIBOR Loan (as defined in the RBL Facility and/or the Senior Secured Term Facility), the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in deposits in Dollars in the London interbank Eurodollar market.

 

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Capital Stock means (a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; (c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; (d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person; and (e) any warrants, options or other rights to acquire any of the foregoing; but excluding from all of the foregoing interests any debt securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing equity interests, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

 

Citi has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Class has the meaning set forth in the definition of Senior Secured Obligations.

 

Collateral means all assets and properties subject to Liens in favor of any Secured Party created by any of the RBL Facility Security Documents, the Term Facility Security Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents or each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, as applicable, to secure the RBL Facility Obligations, the Term Facility Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Obligations, any Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations or any Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, as applicable.

 

Collateral Agent means the Term Facility Agent, the RBL Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, or all of the foregoing, as the context may require.

 

Common Collateral means the portion of the Collateral granted to secure one or more Series of the First-Priority Lien Obligations and one or more Series of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Company has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Comparable Junior Obligations Collateral Documents means, in relation to any Common Collateral subject to any Lien created under any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral Document, those Junior Secured Obligations Documents that create a Lien on the same Common Collateral, granted by the same Grantor.

 

Consent and Acknowledgment means, as applicable, either (a) an instrument in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit A-1 hereto, pursuant to which any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party, through its First-Priority Lien Obligations Representative, acknowledges this Agreement and consents to be bound by the terms hereof in accordance with Section 5.14 or (b) an instrument in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit A-2 hereto, pursuant to which any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party, through its Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative, acknowledges this Agreement and consents to be bound by the terms hereof in accordance with Section 5.14, in case of each of clauses (a) and (b), acknowledged and confirmed by the Applicable First Lien

 

3



 

Agent, the Applicable Second Lien Agent, the Company (on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries party to this Agreement) for purposes of this Agreement.

 

DIP Financing has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(b)(i).

 

Discharge means, with respect to any Obligations, except to the extent otherwise provided herein with respect to the reinstatement or continuation of any such Obligations, the payment in full in cash or immediately available funds (except for contingent indemnities and cost and reimbursement obligations to the extent no claim has been made) of all such Obligations then outstanding, if any, and, with respect to letters of credit or letter of credit guaranties outstanding under the agreements or instruments (the “ Relevant Instruments ) governing such Obligations, delivery of cash collateral or backstop letters of credit in respect thereof in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent and issuing lenders under such Relevant Instruments, in each case after or concurrently with the termination of all commitments to extend credit thereunder, and the termination of all commitments of “secured parties” under the Relevant Instruments; provided that (i) the Discharge of the RBL Facility Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred if such payments are made in connection with the establishment of another RBL Facility, (ii) the Discharge of the First-Priority Lien Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred if such payments are made with the proceeds of other First-Priority Lien Obligations that constitute an exchange or replacement for or a refinancing of such First-Priority Lien Obligations and (iii) the Discharge of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred if such payments are made with the proceeds of other Second-Priority Lien Obligations that constitute an exchange or replacement for or a refinancing of such Second-Priority Lien Obligations. In the event that any Obligations are modified and such Obligations are paid over time or otherwise modified under Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code pursuant to a confirmed and consummated Plan of Reorganization, such Obligations shall be deemed to be discharged when the final payment is made, in cash or immediately available funds or in the form of consideration otherwise provided for in such Plan of Reorganization, in respect of such Indebtedness and any obligations pursuant to such new Indebtedness shall have been satisfied. The term “ Discharged shall have a corresponding meaning.

 

Domestic Subsidiary shall mean each Subsidiary of the Company that is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, or the District of Columbia.

 

Event of Default means an “Event of Default” under and as defined in the applicable Senior Secured Term Facility Documents, the applicable RBL Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, any applicable Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document and/or any applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document, as the context may require.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations means (i) the RBL Facility Obligations and (ii) the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents means, collectively, the RBL Facility Documents and the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

4



 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Representative means each of the RBL Facility Agent and each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties means, collectively, the RBL Facility Secured Parties and the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Foreign Subsidiary means each Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

Grantor means the Company and each Subsidiary of the Company that shall have granted any Lien in favor of any Collateral Agent on any of its assets or properties to secure any of the Obligations.

 

Hedge Agreement means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, fixed-price physical delivery contracts, whether or not exchange traded, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreements or obligations to physically sell any commodity at any index-based price shall not be considered Hedge Agreements.

 

Indebtedness means and includes all obligations that constitute “Indebtedness”, “Debt” or other comparable terms as defined in the applicable RBL Facility Documents, the applicable Senior Secured Term Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, any relevant Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document or any relevant Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document.

 

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding shall mean (a) any voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any Grantor, (b) any other voluntary or involuntary insolvency, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding with respect to any Grantor or with respect to any of its assets, (c) any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or winding up of any Grantor whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy or (d) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of any Grantor.

 

JPM has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

5



 

Junior Claims means (a) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the Term Facility Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Obligations and each Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, in each case, secured by such Collateral, and (b) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the RBL Facility Obligations and each Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations, in each case, secured by such Collateral.

 

Junior Representative means (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, each First-Priority Lien Obligations Representative, and (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, each Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative.

 

Junior Secured Obligations means (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the RBL Facility Obligations and each Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations, and (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the Term Facility Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Obligations and each Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Junior Secured Obligations Collateral means, with respect to any Obligations, the Common Collateral in respect of which such Obligations constitute Junior Claims.

 

Junior Secured Obligations Documents means, (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and, (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties means (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the RBL Facility Secured Parties and each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, and (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the Term Facility Secured Parties, the Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties and each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Lien has the meaning set forth in the Senior Secured Term Facility and/or the RBL Facility.

 

Mortgages means the RBL Mortgages, the Term/Notes Mortgages, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Mortgage and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Mortgage.

 

New York UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

obligations means any principal, interest (including interest accruing during the period of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in any such proceeding), penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

Obligations means the First-Priority Lien Obligations and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

6



 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations means obligations of the Company and the other Grantors (other than the RBL Facility Obligations) that are equally and ratably secured with the RBL Facility Obligations and are designated by the Company as “Other First-Priority Lien Obligations”; provided that the requirements set forth in Section 5.14 shall have been satisfied.

 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent means, with respect to any Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations or any separate facility within such Series, the Person elected, designated or appointed as the administrative agent and/or collateral agent, trustee or similar representative of such Series or such separate facility within such Series by or on behalf of the holders of such Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations or such separate facility within such Series, and its respective successors in substantially the same capacity as may from time to time be appointed.

 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Credit Document means any (a) instruments, agreements or documents evidencing debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (b) debt securities, indentures and/or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances) or (c) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case to the extent that (i) the obligations in respect thereof constitute Other First-Priority Lien Obligations and (ii) the Representative with respect thereto has duly executed and delivered the applicable Consent and Acknowledgment.

 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents means, collectively, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Credit Documents and the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents related thereto.

 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Mortgages means all mortgages, trust deeds, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, assignments of leases and rents, and other security documents relating to any Real Estate Asset in favor of the Applicable First Lien Agent for the benefit of the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties means, collectively, the holders of any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations who have directly or indirectly through their respective Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agents, become party to and bound by this Agreement pursuant to a Consent and Acknowledgment in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.14 hereof.

 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents means, collectively, the security agreements or any other documents now existing or entered into after the date hereof that create Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations means obligations of the Company and the other Grantors (other than the Senior Secured Notes Obligations and the Term Facility

 

7


 

Obligations) that are equally and ratably secured with the Senior Secured Notes Obligations and the Term Facility Obligations and are designated by the Company as “Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations” (including any interest and fees accruing after the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings whether or not allowed in such bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding); provided that the requirements set forth in Section 5.14 shall have been satisfied.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent shall mean, with respect to any Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations or any separate facility within such Series, the Person elected, designated or appointed as the administrative agent and/or collateral agent, trustee or similar representative of such Series or such separate facility within such Series by or on behalf of the holders of such Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations or such separate facility within such Series, and its respective successors in substantially the same capacity as may from time to time be appointed.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Credit Document means any (a) instruments, agreements or documents evidencing debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (b) debt securities, indentures and/or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances) or (c) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case to the extent that (i) the obligations in respect thereof constitute Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations and (ii) the Representative with respect thereto has duly executed and delivered the applicable Consent and Acknowledgment.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents means, collectively, the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Credit Documents and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents related thereto.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Mortgages means all mortgages, trust deeds, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, assignments of leases and rents, and other security documents relating to any Real Estate Asset in favor of the Applicable Second Lien Agent for the benefit of the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties means, collectively, the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations who have directly or indirectly through their respective Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agents, become party to and bound by this Agreement pursuant to a Consent and Acknowledgment in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.14 hereof.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents means, collectively, the security agreements or any other documents now existing or entered into after the date hereof that create Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Pari Passu First-Priority Intercreditor Agreement means any intercreditor agreement entered into among the RBL Facility Agent and other First-Priority Lien Obligations

 

8



 

Representatives to govern the relationship among the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties among themselves with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral and/or any other portion of the Common Collateral, as the case may be, as amended, supplemented, restated, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement means that certain Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, any other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative, the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company named therein, with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral and/or any other portion of the Common Collateral, as the case may be, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms or any replacement thereof governing the rights and remedies of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties amongst themselves, in respect of the Term/Notes Priority Collateral and/or any other portion of the Common Collateral, as applicable.

 

Permitted Remedies means, with respect to any Junior Secured Obligations:

 

(i)         filing a claim or statement of interest with respect to such Obligations; provided that an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by or against any Grantor;

 

(ii)                taking any action (not adverse to the Liens securing any Senior Secured Obligations, the priority status thereof, or the rights of the Applicable Agent or any of the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties to exercise rights, powers and/or remedies in respect thereof) in order to create, perfect, preserve or protect (but not enforce) its Lien on any of the Collateral;

 

(iii)             filing any necessary or appropriate responsive or defensive pleadings in opposition to any motion, claim, adversary proceeding or other pleading made by any person objecting to or otherwise seeking the disallowance of the claims or Liens of the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties, including any claims secured by the Junior Secured Obligations Collateral, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

(iv)            filing any pleadings, objections, motions or agreements which assert rights or interests available to unsecured creditors of the Grantors arising under either any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or applicable non-bankruptcy law, in each case not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or applicable law (including the Bankruptcy Laws of any applicable jurisdiction); and

 

(v)               voting on any Plan of Reorganization, filing any proof of claim, making other filings and making any arguments, obligations, and motions (including in support of or opposition to, as applicable, the confirmation or approval of any Plan of Reorganization) that are, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Person means any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, limited liability company or government, individual or family trusts, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

9



 

Plan of Reorganization means any plan of reorganization, plan of liquidation, agreement for composition, or other type of plan of arrangement proposed in or in connection with any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

Possessory Collateral means the Common Collateral in the possession or control of any Collateral Agent (or its agents or bailees), to the extent that possession or control thereof perfects a Lien thereon under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction.

 

Possessory Collateral Agent means, with respect to any Possessory Collateral, the Collateral Agent having possession or control (including through its agents or bailees) thereof.

 

RBL Facility means (i) the Credit Agreement of even date herewith, among the Company, EPE Holdings LLC, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and the RBL Facility Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof (except to the extent any such refinancing, replacement or restructuring is designated by the Company to not be included in the definition of “RBL Facility”), and (ii) whether or not the facility referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by the Company to be included in the definition of “RBL Facility” and subject to the satisfaction of the requirements set forth in Section 5.14, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances) or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

RBL Facility Agent means the administrative agent and the collateral agent for the RBL Facility Secured Parties, together with its successors or co-agents in substantially the same capacity as may from time to time be appointed. As of the date hereof, JPM shall be the RBL Facility Agent.

 

RBL Facility Documents means the documentation in respect of the RBL Facility, the RBL Facility Security Agreements and the other “Credit Documents” or comparable terms as defined in the RBL Facility.

 

RBL Facility Obligations means all “Obligations” (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement referred to in clause (i) of the definition of the RBL Facility) of the Company and other obligors outstanding under, and all other obligations in respect of, the RBL Facility or any other RBL Facility Documents.

 

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RBL Facility Secured Parties means, at any time, the Persons holding any RBL Facility Obligations and the successors and permitted assigns thereof, including the RBL Collateral Agent and each other “Secured Party” as defined in any applicable RBL Facility Document, including each counterparty to any Hedge Agreement or any provider of cash management services, the obligations of which are “Obligations” under the RBL Facility Security Agreements.

 

RBL Facility Security Agreements means (a) the Collateral Agreement of even date herewith, among the Company, EPE Holdings LLC, each other grantor party thereto and the RBL Facility Agent, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, (b) the Pledge Agreement of even date herewith, among the Company, each other pledgor party thereto and the RBL Facility Agent, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, and (c) such other security agreements and pledge agreements entered into from time to time in respect of any RBL Facility described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof, as amended, supplemented, restated or other modified from time to time in accordance with their respective terms.

 

RBL Facility Security Documents means the RBL Facility Security Agreements, the RBL Mortgages and any other documents now existing or entered into after the date hereof that create Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure any RBL Facility Obligations.

 

RBL Mortgages means all “Mortgages” as defined in the RBL Facility.

 

RBL Priority Collateral means all of the assets of each Grantor now owned or at any time hereafter acquired constituting Common Collateral, other than the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, to the extent a security interest therein has been or may hereafter be granted to the RBL Facility Agent under the RBL Facility Security Documents or any Other First-Priority Obligations Agent under the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents.

 

RBL Priority Possessory Collateral means RBL Priority Collateral that is Possessory Collateral.

 

Real Estate Asset means, at any time of determination, any interest (fee, leasehold or otherwise) then owned by any Grantor in any real property.

 

Refinance means to amend, restate, supplement, waive, replace (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original parties or otherwise), restructure, repay, refund, refinance or otherwise modify from time to time (including by means of any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the obligations under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof). “ Refinanced and “ Refinancing shall have correlative meanings.

 

Representative means (a) in the case of any RBL Facility Obligations, the RBL Facility Agent, (b) in the case of any Term Facility Obligations, the Term Facility Agent, (c) in the case of any Senior Secured Notes Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, (d) in the

 

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case of any Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations, each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent of such Series and (e) in the case of any Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent of such Series.

 

SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations means the Term Facility Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Obligations and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents means the Term Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Documents and each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative means, collectively, each of the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee and each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties means each of the Term Facility Secured Parties, the Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties and each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party.

 

Secured Parties means, collectively, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Senior Claims means, (a) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, each of the First-Priority Lien Obligations secured by such Collateral and, (b) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, each of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations secured by such Collateral.

 

Senior Representative means, (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, each Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative and, (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, each First-Priority Lien Obligations Representative.

 

Senior Secured Notes means the 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 of the Company.

 

Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent means Citibank N.A., as collateral agent for the holders of the Senior Secured Notes, together with its successors and co-agents in substantially the same capacity as may from time to time be appointed.

 

Senior Secured Notes Documents means the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, and any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture or the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents evidencing or governing obligations thereunder.

 

Senior Secured Notes Indenture means (i) the Indenture dated as of April 24, 2012 in respect of the Senior Secured Notes, among the Company, the Subsidiaries of the

 

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Company party thereto, and the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, as trustee thereunder, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof (except to the extent any such refinancing, replacement or restructuring is designated by the Company to not be included in the definition of “Senior Secured Notes Indenture”), and (ii) whether or not the Senior Secured Notes Indenture referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by the Company to be included in the definition of “Senior Secured Notes Indenture,” one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Senior Secured Notes Obligations means all “Indenture Obligations” (as such term is defined in the Term/Notes Collateral Agreement) of the Company and any other obligor under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture or any of the other Senior Secured Notes Documents, including all obligations to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest (including any interest and fees accruing after the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings whether or not allowed in such bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding) when due and payable, and all other amounts due or to become due under or in connection with the Senior Secured Notes Documents and the performance of all other obligations of the Company and any other obligor to the Senior Secured Notes Trustee and the holders of the Senior Secured Notes under any Senior Secured Notes Document, according to the respective terms thereof.

 

Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties means, at any time, the Persons holding any Senior Secured Notes Obligations and the successors and permitted assigns thereof, including the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and each other “Secured Party” as defined in any Senior Secured Notes Document.

 

Senior Secured Notes Security Documents means the Term/Notes Security Agreements, the Term/Notes Mortgages, and any other documents now existing or entered into after the date hereof that create Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure any Senior Secured Notes Obligations.

 

Senior Secured Notes Trustee means Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee for the holders of the Senior Secured Notes, together with its successors or co-agents or co-trustees in substantially the same capacity as may from time to time be appointed pursuant to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture.

 

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Senior Secured Obligations means, (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations and, (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the First-Priority Lien Obligations. The First-Priority Lien Obligations shall, collectively, constitute one “ Class of Senior Secured Obligations and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall, collectively, constitute a separate “ Class of Senior Secured Obligations.

 

Senior Secured Obligations Collateral means, with respect to any Obligations, the Common Collateral in respect of which such Obligations constitute Senior Claims.

 

Senior Secured Obligations Collateral Documents means each Senior Secured Obligations Document pursuant to which a Lien is now or hereafter granted securing any Senior Secured Obligations or under which rights or remedies with respect to such Liens are at any time governed.

 

Senior Secured Obligations Documents means, (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and, (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties means, (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and, (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Senior Secured Term Facility means (i) the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, among the Company, each Subsidiary of the Company from time to time party thereto, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and the Term Facility Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof (except to the extent any such refinancing, replacement or restructuring is designated by the Company to not be included in the definition of “Senior Secured Term Facility”), and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by the Company to be included in the definition of “Senior Secured Term Facility” and subject to the satisfaction of the requirements set forth in Section 5.14, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Series means, as applicable,

 

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(a)                                  each of the RBL Facility Obligations and each series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations, each of which shall constitute a separate Series of the Class of Senior Secured Obligations constituting First-Priority Lien Obligations except that, in the event any two or more series of such Other First-Priority Lien Obligations (i) are secured by identical Collateral held by a common collateral agent and (ii) the Company designates such other First-Priority Lien Obligations to constitute a single Series, such series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations shall collectively constitute a single Series. The First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties with respect to each Series of First-Priority Lien Obligations shall constitute a separate Series of First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties; and

 

(b)                                  each of the Term Facility Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Obligations and each series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, each of which shall constitute a separate Series of the Class of Senior Secured Obligations constituting Second-Priority Lien Obligations, except that, in the event that any two or more series of such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations (i) are secured by identical Collateral held by a common collateral agent and (ii) the Company designates such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to constitute a single Series, such series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall collectively constitute a single Series. The Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties with respect to each Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall constitute a separate Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Subsidiary has the meaning set forth in the Senior Secured Term Facility and/or the RBL Facility.

 

Term Facility Agent means the administrative agent and collateral agent for the Term Facility Secured Parties, together with its successors in substantially the same capacity as may from time to time be appointed. As of the date hereof, the Term Facility Agent shall be Citi.

 

Term Facility Documents means the Senior Secured Term Facility, the Term Facility Security Documents and any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Senior Secured Term Facility or the Term Facility Security Documents evidencing or governing the obligations thereunder.

 

Term Facility Obligations means all “Term Loan Obligations” (as such term is defined in the Term/Notes Collateral Agreement) of the Company and other obligors outstanding under, and all other obligations in respect of, the Senior Secured Term Facility or any of the other Term Facility Documents.

 

Term Facility Secured Parties means, at any time, the Persons holding any Term Facility Obligations and the successors and permitted assigns thereof, including the Term Facility Agent and each other “Secured Party” as defined in any applicable Term Facility Document.

 

Term/Notes Collateral Agreement shall mean the Collateral Agreement of even date herewith among the Company, each other grantor party thereto and the Term Facility Agent, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

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Term/Notes Mortgages means all mortgages, trust deeds, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, assignments of leases and rents, and other security documents relating to any Real Estate Asset in favor of the Applicable Second Lien Agent for the benefit of the Term Facility Secured Parties, the Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, in each case, executed and recorded pursuant to the applicable Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Term/Notes Priority Collateral means all “Pledged Stock” (as such term is defined in each Pledge Agreement referred to in clause (b) of the definition of Term/Notes Security Agreements and the RBL Facility Security Agreements), or any assets within the scope of such definitions secured under any other replacement First-Priority Lien Obligations Document or Second-Priority Lien Obligation Document, in each case to the extent constituting Common Collateral.

 

Term/Notes Priority Possessory Collateral shall mean Term/Notes Priority Collateral that is Possessory Collateral.

 

Term/Notes Security Agreements means (a) the Term/Notes Collateral Agreement and (b) the Pledge Agreement of even date herewith, among the Company, each other pledgor party thereto and the Term Facility Agent, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Term/Notes Security Documents means the Term/Notes Security Agreements, the Term/Notes Mortgages and any other documents now existing or entered into after the date hereof that create Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure any Term Facility Obligations.

 

ARTICLE II

 

PRIORITIES AND AGREEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO COLLATERAL

 

SECTION 2.01.                                                         Priority of Claims . (a) Anything contained herein or in any of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and any Collateral Agent is taking action to enforce rights in respect of any Collateral (whether in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise), or any distribution is made in respect of any Collateral in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding with respect to any Grantor, the Proceeds (subject, in the case of any such distribution, to Section 2.06 hereof) (all proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any Collateral and all proceeds of any such distribution being collectively referred to as “ Proceeds ) shall be applied as follows:

 

(i)                                      In the case of the Term/Notes Priority Collateral,

 

FIRST, to the Applicable Second Lien Agent for distribution in accordance with the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or any other applicable Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents until payment in full of all Second-Priority

 

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Lien Obligations, and

 

SECOND, to the Applicable First Lien Agent for distribution in accordance with any applicable First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents until payment in full of all First-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

(ii)                                   In the case of the RBL Priority Collateral,

 

FIRST, to the Applicable First Lien Agent for distribution in accordance with any applicable First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents until payment in full of all First-Priority Lien Obligations, and

 

SECOND, to the Applicable Second Lien Agent for distribution in accordance with the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or any other applicable Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents until payment in full of all Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

(b)                                  It is acknowledged that (i) the aggregate amount of any Senior Secured Obligations may, subject to the limitations set forth in the applicable RBL Facility Documents, Senior Secured Term Facility Documents, Senior Secured Notes Indenture, Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, as applicable, be Refinanced from time to time, all without affecting the priorities set forth in Section 2.01(a) or the provisions of this Agreement defining the relative rights of the First- Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties vis-a-vis the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, and (ii) a portion of the Senior Secured Obligations consists or may consist of Indebtedness that is revolving in nature, and the amount thereof that may be outstanding at any time or from time to time may be increased or reduced and subsequently reborrowed. The priorities provided for herein shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any Refinancing of either the Junior Secured Obligations (or any part thereof) or the Senior Secured Obligations (or any part thereof), by the release of any Collateral or of any guarantees for any Senior Secured Obligations or any Junior Secured Obligations or by any action that any Representative or Secured Party may take or fail to take in respect of any Collateral.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations granted on the Collateral or of any Liens securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations granted on the Collateral and notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, or any other applicable law or the Term Facility Documents, the RBL Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Documents, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document, or any defect or deficiencies in, or failure to perfect, any such Liens or any other circumstance whatsoever:

 

(i)                                   (1) the Liens on the Term/Notes Priority Collateral securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations will rank senior to any Liens on the Term/Notes

 

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Priority Collateral securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations, and (2) the Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations will rank senior to any Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations;

 

(ii)                                   the Applicable First Lien Agent and each First-Priority Lien Obligations Representative, on behalf of themselves and the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, hereby agree that the Liens securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations shall be of equal priority; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be construed to alter the relative rights or priorities of the various Series of First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties against each other Series of First-Priority Lien Obligations, which rights and priorities shall be governed by any Pari Passu First-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, as applicable; and

 

(iii)                                the Applicable Second Lien Agent and each Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative, on behalf of themselves and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, hereby agree that the Liens securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall be of equal priority; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be construed to alter the relative rights or priorities of the various Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties against each other Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations, which rights and priorities shall be governed by the Pari Passu Second Priority Intercreditor Agreement or other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, as applicable.

 

SECTION 2.02.                                                            Actions With Respect to Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens .

 

(a)                                  Each of the Applicable First Lien Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself, each relevant Representative and the relevant Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that, until the Discharge of all of the Senior Secured Obligations of a particular Class, (i) only the Applicable Agent shall act or refrain from acting with respect to the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral of such Class and then only on the instructions of the applicable Senior Representative (given in accordance with the Senior Secured Obligations Documents), (ii) no Collateral Agent shall follow any instructions with respect to such Senior Secured Obligations Collateral from any Junior Representative, any of the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties or any Applicable Junior Agent, (iii) none of the Applicable Junior Agent, any Junior Representative or any Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party shall, nor shall any of them instruct any Collateral Agent to, commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral, whether under any RBL Facility Security Document, any Term Facility Security Document, any Senior Secured Notes Security Document, any Other First-Priority Lien

 

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Obligations Security Documents or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, as applicable, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that (A) only the Applicable Agent, acting in accordance with the RBL Facility Security Documents or the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, as applicable, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies, or to cause any Collateral Agent to do so and (B) notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Junior Agent and each Junior Representative may take Permitted Remedies, and (iv) the Applicable Junior Agent, on behalf of itself, each Junior Representative and the other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties, hereby waives any right of subrogation it or any of them may acquire as a result of any payment hereunder until the Discharge of the Senior Secured Obligations has occurred. The Applicable Agent and each Senior Representative may deal with the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral as if they had a senior Lien on such Collateral; provided that, (A) with respect to the First-Priority Lien Representatives, the provisions of any Pari Passu First-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents shall also be complied with and (B) with respect to the Second-Priority Lien Representatives, the provisions of the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents shall also be complied with. Furthermore, each of the Applicable First Lien Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself, each relevant Representative and the relevant Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that no Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representative or any other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party will contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party or any other exercise by any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party of any rights and remedies relating to the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral.

 

(b)                                  (i) The Applicable Second Lien Agent, each of the Term Facility Agent, the other Term Facility Secured Parties, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, the other Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties, the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agents and the other Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties each agrees that it will not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the perfection, priority, validity or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of any of the RBL Facility Secured Parties and any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties in all or any part of the Collateral, or the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii)                                   The Applicable First Lien Agent, each of the RBL Facility Agent, the other RBL Facility Secured Parties, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent and the other Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties each agrees that it will not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the perfection, priority, validity or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of any of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties in all or any part of the Collateral, or the provisions of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Term Facility Agent, any Term Facility Secured Party, the RBL Facility Agent, any other RBL Facility Secured Party, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, any other Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, any other Other First-Priority Lien

 

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Obligations Secured Parties, any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent or any other Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties to enforce this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   The parties hereto agree to execute, acknowledge and deliver a memorandum of Intercreditor Agreement, together with such other documents in furtherance hereof or thereof, in each case, in proper form for recording in connection with any Mortgages and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each of the Collateral Agents, in those jurisdictions where such recording is reasonably recommended or requested by local real estate counsel and/or the title insurance company, or as otherwise deemed reasonably necessary or proper by the parties hereto.

 

SECTION 2.03.                                                         No Duties of Senior Representatives; Provision of Notice .

 

(a)                                  Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties acknowledges and agrees that: (i) none of the Applicable Agent, Senior Representatives or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party shall have any duties or other obligations to the Applicable Junior Agent, the Junior Representatives or the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties with respect to any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral, other than to transfer to the Applicable Junior Agent any Proceeds of any such Collateral that constitutes Junior Secured Obligations Collateral remaining in its possession following any sale, transfer or other disposition of such Collateral (in each case, unless the Junior Secured Obligations have been Discharged prior to or concurrently with such sale, transfer, disposition, payment or satisfaction) and the Discharge of the Senior Secured Obligations secured thereby, or if any Senior Representative shall be in possession of all or any part of such Collateral after such payment and satisfaction in full and termination, such Collateral or any part thereof remaining, in each case without any representation or warranty on the part of such Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party; (ii) in furtherance of the foregoing, until the Discharge of the Senior Secured Obligations shall have occurred, the Applicable Agent shall be entitled, for the benefit of the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with such Collateral as provided herein and in the applicable Senior Secured Obligation Documents, without regard to any Junior Claims held by any Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party or any rights to which the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties would otherwise be entitled as a result of such Junior Claims; and (iii) without limiting the foregoing, none of the Applicable Agent, Senior Representatives or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Senior Secured Obligations Collateral (or any other collateral securing the Senior Secured Obligations), or to sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Collateral (or any other collateral securing the Senior Secured Obligations), in any manner that would maximize the return to the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received by the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties from such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation. Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties waives any claim it or any other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party may now or hereafter have against the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party (or their representatives) arising out of (i) any actions

 

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which the Applicable Agent, such Senior Representative or any such other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party takes or omits to take (including actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the Senior Secured Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with the relevant Senior Secured Obligations Documents or any other agreement related thereto or to the collection of the Senior Secured Obligations or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the Senior Secured Obligations, (ii) any election by the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or (iii) subject to Section 2.06, any borrowing by, or grant of a security interest or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as debtor-in-possession.

 

(b)                                  The RBL Facility Agent shall, after obtaining actual knowledge that it no longer qualifies as the Applicable First Lien Agent, notify the Company, the other First-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives of the same.

 

(c)                                   The Term Facility Agent shall, after obtaining actual knowledge that it no longer qualifies as the Applicable Second Lien Agent, notify the Company, the other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives and the First-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives of the same.

 

SECTION 2.04.                                                         No Interference; Payment Over; Reinstatement .   (a) Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties agrees that (i) it will not take or cause to be taken any action, the purpose or effect of which is, or could be, to make any Junior Claim pari passu with, or to give such Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party any preference or priority relative to, any Senior Claim with respect to the Collateral securing the Senior Claims or any part thereof, (ii) it will not challenge or question in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any RBL Facility Security Document, Term Facility Security Document, Senior Secured Notes Security Document, Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Document or Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Document or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien under the RBL Facility Security Documents, the Term Facility Security Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents or Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by or other provisions of this Agreement, (iii) it will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or intent of which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral by the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party, (iv) it shall not have any right to (A) direct the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral or (B) consent to the exercise by the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured

 

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Obligations Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral, (v) it will not institute any suit or assert in any suit, bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceeding any claim against the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to, and none of the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party shall be liable for, any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Applicable Agent, any Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party with respect to any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral, (vi) it will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral and (vii) it will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Term Facility Agent, any other Term Facility Secured Party, the RBL Facility Agent, any other RBL Facility Secured Party, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, any other Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, any other Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, or any other Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties to enforce this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

(b)                                  Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties hereby agrees that if it shall obtain possession of any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral or shall realize any proceeds or payment in respect of any such Collateral, pursuant to any RBL Facility Security Document, Term Facility Security Document, Senior Secured Note Security Document, Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Document, Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Document or by the exercise of any rights available to it or any of them under applicable law or in any Insolvency or Liquidating Proceeding or through any other exercise of remedies, at any time prior to the Discharge of the Senior Secured Obligations, then it shall hold such Collateral, proceeds or payment in trust for the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties and transfer such Collateral, proceeds or payment, as the case may be, to the Applicable Agent reasonably promptly after obtaining actual knowledge (or notice from the Applicable Agent) that it is in possession of such Collateral, proceeds or payment. Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties agrees that, if at any time it receives notice or obtains actual knowledge that all or part of any payment with respect to any Senior Secured Obligations previously made shall be rescinded for any reason whatsoever, it shall promptly pay over to the Applicable Agent any payment received by it and then in its possession or under its control in respect of any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral and shall promptly turn over any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral then held by it over to the Applicable Agent, and the provisions set forth in this Agreement shall be reinstated as if such payment had not been made, until the Discharge of the Senior Secured Obligations has occurred.

 

SECTION 2.05.                                                         Automatic Release of Junior Liens .    (a)   Each of the Applicable Second Lien Agent, Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives and other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties agrees that in the event of a sale, transfer or other disposition of any RBL Priority Collateral in connection with the foreclosure upon or other exercise of rights and remedies with respect to such RBL Priority Collateral that results in the

 

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release by the Applicable First Lien Agent of the Lien held by the Applicable First Lien Agent on such RBL Priority Collateral (regardless of whether or not an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents at the time of such sale, transfer or other disposition), the Lien held by each Second-Lien Collateral Agent on such RBL Priority Collateral shall be automatically released; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, all Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties shall be entitled to any Proceeds of a sale, transfer or other disposition under this clause (a) that remain after Discharge of the First-Priority Lien Obligations, and the Liens on such remaining Proceeds securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall not be automatically released pursuant to this Section 2.05(a).

 

(b)                                  Each of the Applicable First Lien Agent, First-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives and other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties agrees that in the event of a sale, transfer or other disposition of any Term/Notes Priority Collateral in connection with the foreclosure upon or other exercise of rights and remedies with respect to such Term/Notes Priority Collateral that results in the release by the Applicable Second Lien Agent of the Lien held by the Applicable Second Lien Agent on such Term/Notes Priority Collateral (regardless of whether or not an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents at the time of such sale, transfer or other disposition), the Lien held by the Applicable First Lien Agent on such Term/Notes Priority Collateral shall be automatically released; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, all holders of the First-Priority Lien Obligations shall be entitled to any Proceeds of a sale, transfer or other disposition under this clause (b) that remain after Discharge of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations, and the Liens on such remaining Proceeds securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations shall not be automatically released pursuant to this Section 2.05(b).

 

(c)                                   Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties agrees to execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) all such authorizations and other instruments as shall reasonably be requested by the Applicable Agent or any Senior Representative acting on behalf of the relevant Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties to evidence and confirm any release of Junior Collateral provided for in this Section 2.05.

 

SECTION 2.06.                                                         Certain Agreements With Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings .    (a)   This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the commencement of any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law by or against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be and shall be enforceable as a “subordination agreement” under Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

(b)                                  If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall become subject to a case (a “ Bankruptcy Case ) under the Bankruptcy Code:

 

(i)                                      if the Applicable First Lien Agent desires to permit the use of cash collateral or to permit the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries to obtain financing under Section 363 or Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other similar law ( DIP Financing ) either secured by a Lien

 

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on, or constituting the proceeds of, the RBL Priority Collateral, then the Applicable Second Lien Agent and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties hereby agree: (A) not to object to such use of cash collateral or DIP Financing or to request adequate protection (except as otherwise expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement) or any other relief in connection therewith so long as the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties retain the benefit of their Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral, including Proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of such Bankruptcy Case (to the extent provided for under applicable law), with the same priority vis-à-vis the RBL Facility Secured Parties (other than with respect to any DIP Financing Liens granted thereto) as existed prior to the commencement of such Bankruptcy Case and (B) to the extent the Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations are subordinated or pari passu with such DIP Financing, to subordinate its Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral to the Liens granted to the lenders providing such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto, including any “carve-out” from the RBL Priority Collateral granting administrative priority status or Lien priority to secure the payment of fees and expenses of the United States Trustee or professionals retained by any debtor or creditors’ committee agreed to by the Applicable First Lien Agent or the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties) and to any adequate protection Liens granted to the Applicable First Lien Agent on the same basis as the Liens on such RBL Priority Collateral securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations are subordinated to such DIP Financing or to confirm the priorities with respect to such RBL Priority Collateral as set forth herein, as applicable; and

 

(ii)                                   if the Applicable Second Lien Agent desires to permit the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries to obtain any DIP Financing secured by a Lien on Term/Notes Priority Collateral, then the Applicable First Lien Agent and the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties hereby agree: (A) not to object to such DIP Financing or to request adequate protection (except as otherwise expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement) or any other relief in connection therewith so long as the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties retain the benefit of their Liens on the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, including Proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of such Bankruptcy Case (to the extent provided for under applicable law), with the same priority vis-à-vis the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties (other than with respect to any DIP Financing Liens granted thereto) as existed prior to the commencement of such Bankruptcy Case and (B) to the extent the Liens on Term/Notes Priority Collateral securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations are subordinated or pari passu with such DIP Financing, to subordinate its Liens on the Term/Notes Priority Collateral to the Liens granted to the lenders providing such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto, including any “carve-out” from the Term/Notes Priority

 

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Collateral granting administrative priority status or Lien priority to secure the payment of fees and expenses of the United States Trustee or professionals retained by any debtor or creditors’ committee agreed to by the Applicable Second Lien Agent or the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties) and to any adequate protection Liens granted to the Applicable Second Lien Agent on the same basis as the Liens on such Term/Notes Priority Collateral securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations are subordinated to such DIP Financing or to confirm the priorities with respect to such Term/Notes Priority Collateral as set forth herein, as applicable.

 

(c)                                   Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties agrees that it will not object to and will not otherwise contest: (i) any motion for relief from the automatic stay or from any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement in respect of the Senior Secured Obligations made by the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party; (ii) any lawful exercise by any holder of Senior Claims of the right to credit bid Senior Claims in any sale in foreclosure of Collateral that is Senior Secured Obligations Collateral with respect to such Senior Claims; (iii) any other request for judicial relief made in any court by the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party relating to the lawful enforcement of any Lien on the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral; or (iv) any sale or other disposition of any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral (or any portion thereof) under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable provision of the Bankruptcy Code if the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties of any Series or the relevant Senior Representative acting on their behalf shall have consented to such sale or disposition of such Senior Secured Obligations Collateral and the applicable order approving such sale or disposition provides that, to the extent the sale is to be free and clear of Liens, the Liens securing the Senior Secured Obligations and the Junior Secured Obligations will attach to the Proceeds of the sale on the same basis of priority as the Liens securing such Obligations on the assets being sold, in accordance with this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties agree that it will not seek relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any insolvency or liquidation proceeding with respect to Senior Secured Obligations Collateral without the prior consent of the Applicable Agent.

 

(e)                                   Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties hereby agrees that it will not object to and will not otherwise contest (or support any other Person contesting): (i) any request by the Applicable Agent or any Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party (or any Senior Representative acting on its behalf) for adequate protection with respect to the applicable Senior Secured Obligations Collateral or (ii) any objection by the Applicable Agent or any Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party (or any Senior Representative acting on its behalf) to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on the Applicable Agent or any Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party (or any Senior Representative acting on its behalf) claiming a lack of adequate protection with respect to the applicable Senior Secured Obligations Collateral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (I)(x) if the Senior Secured Obligations Secured

 

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Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral, then the Applicable Junior Agent may seek or request adequate protection in the form of a Lien on such additional or replacement collateral, so long as, with respect to the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral, such Lien is subordinated to the adequate protection Lien granted to the holders of the applicable Senior Secured Obligations, on the same basis as the other Liens securing Junior Secured Obligations on the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral are subordinated to the Liens on Senior Secured Obligations Collateral securing the Senior Secured Obligations under this Agreement and (y) each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties hereby agrees that in the event the Applicable Junior Agent seeks or requests adequate protection and such adequate protection is granted in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral, then the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties (or the Applicable Agent or the relevant Senior Representative(s) acting on their behalf) shall also be granted a Lien on such additional or replacement collateral as adequate protection for the Senior Secured Obligations and that any adequate protection Lien on such additional or replacement collateral that constitutes Senior Secured Obligations Collateral securing the Junior Secured Obligations shall be subordinated to the adequate protection Liens on such collateral granted to the holders of the Senior Secured Obligations and any other Liens on Senior Secured Obligations Collateral granted to the holders of Senior Secured Obligations on the same basis as the Liens securing Junior Secured Obligations are so subordinated to the Liens securing the Senior Secured Obligations under this Agreement, and (II)(x) if the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection in the form of a superpriority administrative claim, then the Applicable Junior Agent may seek or request adequate protection in the form of a superpriority administrative claim, so long as such claim is subordinated to the adequate protection superpriority claim granted to the holders of the applicable Senior Secured Obligations on the same basis as the other claims with respect to the Junior Secured Obligations are subordinated to the claims with respect to the Senior Secured Obligations under this Agreement and (y) each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties hereby agrees that in the event the Applicable Junior Agent seeks or requests adequate protection and such adequate protection is granted in the form of a superpriority administrative claim, then the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties (or the Applicable Agent or the relevant Senior Representative(s) acting on their behalf) shall also be granted a superpriority administrative claim and that any claim granted with respect to the Junior Secured Obligations shall be subordinated to the superpriority administrative claim granted with respect to the Senior Secured Obligations as adequate protection on the same basis as the claims with respect to the Junior Secured Obligations are so subordinated to the claims with respect to the Senior Secured Obligations under this Agreement.

 

(f)                                    Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties hereby agrees that (i) it will not oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party for allowance of Senior Secured Obligations consisting of post-petition interest, fees or expenses to the extent of the value of the Applicable Agent’s Lien on the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral, without regard to the existence of the Lien of the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties on the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral; and (ii) until the Discharge of Senior Secured Obligations has occurred, the Applicable Junior Agent, on behalf of itself, the Junior Representatives and the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties,

 

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will not assert or enforce any claim under Section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code senior to or on a parity with the Liens on Senior Secured Obligations Collateral securing the Senior Secured Obligations for costs or expenses of preserving or disposing of any Collateral.

 

(g)                                   The Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself, the Term Facility Agent, the Term Facility Secured Parties, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties, each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties of the applicable Series, the RBL Facility Agent, the RBL Facility Secured Parties, each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent and the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties of the applicable Series, acknowledges and intends that: the grants of Liens pursuant to the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, on the one hand, and the First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, on the other hand, constitute separate and distinct grants of Liens, and because of, among other things, their differing rights in the Collateral, the First-Priority Lien Obligations are fundamentally different from the Second-Priority Lien Obligations and must be separately classified in any Plan of Reorganization proposed or confirmed (or approved) in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held that the claims of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties in respect of any Collateral constitute claims in the same class (rather than separate classes of secured claims), then the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that all distributions from the Common Collateral shall be made as if there were separate classes of First-Priority Lien Obligations and Second-Priority Lien Obligations against the Grantors (with the effect being that, to the extent that the aggregate value of the RBL Priority Collateral or the Term/Notes Priority Collateral is sufficient (for this purpose ignoring all claims held by the other Secured Parties for whom such Collateral is Junior Secured Obligations Collateral), the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties or the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, respectively, shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of post-petition interest, fees or expenses that are available from the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral for each of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties (regardless of whether any such claims may or may not be allowed or allowable in whole or in part as against the Company or any of the Grantors in the applicable Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding(s) pursuant to Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise), respectively, before any distribution is made in respect of the Junior Claims from, or with respect to, such Collateral, with the holder of such Junior Claims hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the respective other Secured Parties amounts otherwise received or receivable by them from, or with respect to, such Collateral to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing their aggregate recoveries).

 

(h)                                  If, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, debt obligations of the reorganized debtor secured by Liens upon any property of the reorganized debtor are distributed pursuant to a plan of reorganization or similar dispositive restructuring plan, both on account of First-Priority Lien Obligations and on account of Second-Priority Lien Obligations, then, to the extent the debt obligations distributed on account of the First-Priority Lien Obligations and on account of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations are secured by Liens upon the Common

 

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Collateral, the provisions of this Agreement will survive the distribution of such debt obligations pursuant to such plan and will apply with like effect to the debt obligations so distributed, to the Liens securing such debt obligations and the distribution of proceeds thereof.

 

SECTION 2.07.                   Reinstatement . In the event that any of the Senior Secured Obligations shall have been paid in full and such payment or any part thereof shall subsequently, for whatever reason (including an order or judgment for disgorgement of a preference under the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar law, or the settlement of any claim in respect thereof), be required to be returned or repaid, the terms and conditions of this Article II shall be fully applicable thereto until all such Senior Secured Obligations shall again have been paid in full in cash.

 

SECTION 2.08.                   Insur ance . As between the Applicable First Lien Agent, on the one hand, and the Applicable Second Agent, the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee (or the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent acting on its behalf) and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, on the other hand, only the Applicable First Lien Agent will have the right (subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Term Facility Documents, the RBL Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Documents, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents) to adjust or settle any insurance policy or claim covering or constituting the RBL Priority Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the RBL Priority Collateral.

 

SECTION 2.09.                   Refinancings . The RBL Facility Obligations, the Term Facility Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Obligations, any Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations, any Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations and the agreements or indentures governing them may be Refinanced, in each case, without notice to, or the consent (except to the extent a consent is otherwise required to permit the refinancing transaction under any RBL Facility Document, any Term Facility Document, any Senior Secured Notes Document, any applicable Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document or any applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document) of any Term Facility Secured Party, any RBL Facility Secured Party, any Senior Secured Notes Secured Party, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party, all without affecting the priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided, however, that the requirements set forth in Section 5.14 shall have been satisfied. In connection with any Refinancing contemplated by this Section 2.09, this Agreement may be amended at the request and sole expense of the Company, and without the consent of any Representative, (a) to add parties (or any authorized agent or trustee therefor) providing any such Refinancing, (b) to confirm that such Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any First-Priority Lien Obligations shall have the same rights and priorities in respect of any RBL Priority Collateral as the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (c) to confirm that such Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall have the same rights and priorities in respect of any Term/Notes Priority Collateral as the Indebtedness being Refinanced, all on the terms provided for herein immediately prior to such Refinancing.

 

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SECTION 2.10.                   Amendments to Security Documents .

 

(a)             Each of the Applicable Junior Agent and Junior Representatives agrees that each applicable Junior Secured Obligations Document executed as of the date hereof shall include the following language (or language to similar effect approved by the relevant Applicable Agent):

 

“Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to [applicable Junior Representative] for the benefit of the [applicable Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties] pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by [applicable Junior Representative] hereunder or the application of proceeds (including insurance proceeds and condemnation proceeds) of any Common Collateral, are subject to the provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ), among Citibank, N.A., as Term Facility Agent, Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and Applicable Second Lien Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and Applicable First Lien Agent, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, EP Energy LLC, as a co-issuer of the Senior Secured Notes, and the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC party thereto. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Senior Secured Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Secured Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.”

 

(b)             In the event that any Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party enters into any amendment, waiver or consent in respect of or replaces any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral Document for the purpose of adding to, or deleting from, or waiving or consenting to any departures from any provisions of, any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral Document or changing in any manner the rights of such Applicable Agent, the applicable Senior Representative or the applicable Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties, the Company or any other Grantor thereunder (including the release of any Liens on any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral), then such amendment, waiver or consent shall apply automatically to any comparable provision of each Comparable Junior Obligations Collateral Document without the consent of the Applicable Junior Agent, any Junior Representative or any Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party and without any action by any of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representative or Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party; provided, that such amendment, waiver or consent does not materially adversely affect the rights of the Applicable Junior Agent, any Junior Representative or any Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party in the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral and not in the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties that have a security interest in the affected Collateral in a like or similar manner (without regard to the fact that the Liens of such Senior Secured Obligations Collateral Document are senior to the Liens of the Comparable Junior Obligations

 

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Collateral Document). The relevant Applicable Agent shall give written notice of such amendment, waiver or consent to the Applicable Junior Agent (which shall forward such notice upon receipt to each relevant Junior Representative); provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the effectiveness of such amendment, waiver or consent with respect to the provisions of any Junior Obligations Collateral Document as set forth in this Section 2.10(b).

 

SECTION 2.11.                 Possessory Collateral Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection . (a) Each of the Applicable First Lien Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the relevant Secured Parties, hereby agrees that: (i) each Possessory Collateral Agent shall hold the Possessory Collateral that is in its possession or control (or in the possession or control of its agents or bailees) as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each Secured Party and any assignee solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral pursuant to the Term Facility Security Documents, the RBL Facility Security Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents or the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.11; (ii) to the extent any Possessory Collateral is possessed by or is under the control of a Collateral Agent (either directly or through its agents or bailees) other than the Applicable Possessory Collateral Agent, such Collateral Agent shall deliver such Possessory Collateral to (or shall cause such Possessory Collateral to be delivered to) the Applicable Possessory Collateral Agent and shall take all actions reasonably requested in writing by the Applicable Possessory Collateral Agent to cause the Applicable Possessory Collateral Agent to have possession or control of same; and (iii) pending such delivery to the Applicable Possessory Collateral Agent, each other Collateral Agent shall hold any Possessory Collateral as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Secured Party and any assignee, solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable RBL Facility Security Documents, Term Facility Security Documents, Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents or Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.11.

 

(b)             The duties or responsibilities of the Possessory Collateral Agent and each other Collateral Agent under this Section 2.11 shall be limited solely to holding the Possessory Collateral as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each Secured Party for purposes of perfecting the security interest held by the Secured Parties therein.

 

(c)             Each of the Applicable Second Lien Agent and Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives hereby agrees that, upon the Discharge of all Second-Priority Lien Obligations, it shall deliver to the Applicable First Lien Agent, to the extent that it is legally permitted to do so, the remaining Possessory Collateral (if any) held by it, together with any necessary endorsements (or otherwise allow the Applicable First Lien Agent to obtain control of such Possessory Collateral) or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. The Company shall take such further action as is required to effectuate the transfer contemplated hereby and shall indemnify the Possessory Collateral Agent for loss or damage suffered by the Possessory Collateral Agent as a result of such transfer except for loss or damage suffered by the Possessory Collateral Agent as a result of its own willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith. None of the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent or any Other

 

30



 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent shall be obligated to follow instructions from the Applicable First Lien Agent in contravention of this Agreement.

 

(d)             Each of the Applicable First Lien Agent and First-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives hereby agrees that, upon the Discharge of all First-Priority Lien Obligations, it shall deliver to the Applicable Second Lien Agent, to the extent that it is legally permitted to do so, the remaining Possessory Collateral (if any) held by it, together with any necessary endorsements (or otherwise allow the Applicable Second Lien Agent to obtain control of such Possessory Collateral) or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. The Company shall take such further action as is required to effectuate the transfer contemplated hereby and shall indemnify the Possessory Collateral Agent for loss or damage suffered by the Possessory Collateral Agent as a result of such transfer except for loss or damage suffered by the Possessory Collateral Agent as a result of its own willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith. Neither the RBL Facility Agent nor any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent shall be obligated to follow instructions from the Applicable Second Lien Agent in contravention of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE III

 

EXISTENCE AND AMOUNTS OF LIENS AND OBLIGATIONS

 

Whenever a Representative shall be required, in connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations hereunder, to determine the existence or amount of any Senior Secured Obligations (or the existence of any commitment to extend credit that would constitute Senior Secured Obligations) or Junior Secured Obligations, or the Collateral subject to any such Lien, it may request that such information be furnished to it in writing by the other Representatives and shall be entitled to make such determination on the basis of the information so furnished; provided, however, that if a Representative shall fail or refuse reasonably promptly to provide the requested information, the requesting Representative shall be entitled to make any such determination by such method as it may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon a certificate of the Company. Each Representative may rely conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any Secured Party or any other Person as a result of such determination.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CONSENT OF GRANTORS

 

Each Grantor hereby consents to the provisions of this Agreement and the intercreditor arrangements provided for herein and agrees that the obligations of the Grantors under the Term Facility Security Documents, the RBL Facility Security Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents will in no way be diminished or otherwise affected by such provisions or arrangements (except as expressly provided herein or therein).

 

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ARTICLE V

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 5.01.                 Notices . All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail, sent by facsimile, or sent to the e-mail address of the applicable recipient specified below (or the email address of a representative of the applicable recipient designated by such recipient from time to time to the parties hereto), as follows:

 

(a)             if to the Applicable Second Lien Agent as of the date hereof, the Term Facility Agent or the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, to it at Citibank, N.A., Global Loans, Ops 111, 1615 Brett Road, New Castle, DE 19720, Attn: Dan Boselli (Facsimile No. (212) 994-0961, Email: Daniel.john.boselli@citi.com);

 

(b)             if to the Applicable First Lien Agent as of the date hereof, the RBL Facility Agent, to it at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 712 Main Street, Floor 85, Houston, TX, 77002, Attn: Jo Linda Papadakis (Telephone No. (713) 216-7743, Facsimile No. (713) 216-7770, Email: jo.l.papadakis@jpmorgan.com);

 

(c)             if to the Senior Secured Notes Trustee as of the date hereof, to it at Wilmington Trust, National Association, Corporate Capital Markets, 50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290, Minneapolis, MN 55402, Attn: EP Energy/Everest Administrator (Telephone No. (612) 217-5632, Facsimile No. (612) 217-5651, Email: jschweiger@wilmingtontrust.com);

 

(d)             if to the Company, to it at EP Energy LLC, 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX 77002, Attn: Dane Whitehead and Marguerite Woung-Chapman (Facsimile No. (713) 420-6603); and

 

(e)             if to any other Grantor, to it in care of the Company as provided in clause (e) above.

 

Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto (and for this purpose a notice to the Company shall be deemed to be a notice to each Grantor). All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt (if a Business Day) and on the next Business Day thereafter (in all other cases) if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by facsimile or e-mail or on the date that is five (5) Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 5.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 5.01.

 

SECTION 5.02.                 Waivers; Amendment . (a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise

 

32



 

thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by clause (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)             Subject to the last sentence of Section 2.10(b) and Section 5.14 hereof, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be terminated, waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Applicable First Lien Agent (as directed by the Representative of each Series of the First-Priority Lien Obligations (with the consent of the relevant First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties of such Series to the extent required by, and in accordance with, the terms of the applicable First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents), the Applicable Second Lien Agent (as directed by the Representative of each Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations (with the consent of the relevant Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties of such Series to the extent required by, and in accordance with, the terms of the applicable Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents) and, to the extent such amendment, waiver or modification adversely affects its rights and obligations, the Company.

 

SECTION 5.03.                 Parties in Interest . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other RBL Facility Secured Parties, the other Term Facility Secured Parties, the other Senior Secured Note Secured Parties, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.04.                 Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.05.                 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by electronic or facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.06.                 Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

33



 

SECTION 5.07.                 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process . (a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

(b)             Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that any party hereto may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(c)             Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in clause (b) of this Section 5.07. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(d)             Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

SECTION 5.08.                 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

SECTION 5.09.                 Headings . Article, Section and Annex headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.10.                 Conflicts . In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any of the Term Facility Documents, the RBL Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Documents, any Other First-

 

34



 

Priority Lien Obligations Documents and/or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

 

SECTION 5.11.                 Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights . The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties in relation to one another. None of the Company, any other Grantor or any other creditor thereof shall have any rights or obligations hereunder, except as expressly provided in this Agreement ( provided that nothing in this Agreement (other than Section 2.05, 2.06, 2.10, 2.11 and Article V) is intended to or will amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Senior Secured Term Facility, the RBL Facility, the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Credit Documents or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Credit Documents), and none of the Company, or any other Grantor may rely on the terms hereof (other than Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.10, 2.11 and Article V). Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Company or any other Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any RBL Facility Document, any Term Facility Document, any Senior Secured Notes Document, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document, the Grantors shall not be required to act or refrain from acting (a) pursuant to this Agreement, any Term Facility Document, Senior Secured Notes Document or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document, as the case may be, with respect to any RBL Priority Collateral in any manner that would cause a default under any RBL Facility Document or any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document, or (b) pursuant to this Agreement, any RBL Facility Document or any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document, as the case may be, with respect to any Term/Notes Priority Collateral in any manner that would cause a default under any Term Facility Document, Senior Secured Notes Document or any other Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document.

 

SECTION 5.12.                 Agent Capacities . Except as expressly set forth herein, none of the Term Facility Agent, the RBL Facility Agent, the Trustee, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agents or the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agents shall have any duties or obligations in respect of any of the Collateral, all of such duties and obligations, if any, being subject to and governed by the Term Facility Documents, the RBL Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Documents, the applicable Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or the applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, as the case may be. It is understood and agreed that (i) JPM is entering into this Agreement in its capacity as administrative agent under the RBL Facility, and the provisions of Section 12 of the Credit Agreement referred to in clause (i) of the definition of the RBL Facility applicable to JPM as administrative agent and collateral agent thereunder shall also apply to JPM as the RBL Agent hereunder, (ii) Citi is entering into this Agreement in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Credit Agreement referred to in clause (i) of the definition of Senior Secured Term Facility, collateral agent under the Term Facility Security Documents and collateral agent under the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, and the provisions of Article IV of the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement applicable to the collateral agent thereunder shall also apply to Citi as Term Facility Agent and Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

35



 

SECTION 5.13.                 Supplements . Upon the execution by any Subsidiary of the Company of a supplement hereto in form and substance satisfactory to the Applicable First Lien Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, such Subsidiary shall be a party to this Agreement and shall be bound by the provisions hereof to the same extent as the Company and each Grantor are so bound.

 

SECTION 5.14.                 Requirements For Consent and Acknowledgment . The Company may designate hereunder additional obligations as Other First-Priority Lien Obligations, Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations or as a Refinancing of the Senior Secured Obligations or Second-Priority Lien Obligations of any Series if the incurrence of such obligations is permitted under each of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and this Agreement. If so permitted, the Company shall (i) notify the Applicable Agent in writing of such designation (and the Applicable Agent shall forward such notice to each Representative then existing) and (ii) cause any applicable agent in connection with such Refinancing and the (1) applicable Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent or (2) applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, as applicable, to execute and deliver to each Representative then existing, a Consent and Acknowledgment substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2, as applicable, hereto.

 

SECTION 5.15.                 Intercreditor Agreements .

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, each party hereto agrees that the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties (as among themselves) and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties (as among themselves) may each enter into intercreditor agreements (or similar arrangements) with the Applicable First Lien Agent or the Applicable Second Lien Agent, respectively, governing the rights, benefits and privileges as among the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties or the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, as the case may be, in respect of the Common Collateral, this Agreement, the RBL Facility Security Documents, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, the Term Facility Security Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, as the case may be, including as to the application of Proceeds of the Common Collateral, voting rights, control of the Common Collateral and waivers with respect to the Common Collateral, in each case so long as the terms thereof do not violate or conflict with the provisions of this Agreement, any First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or any Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, as the case may be. In any event, if a respective intercreditor agreement (or similar arrangement) exists, the provisions thereof shall not be (or be construed to be) an amendment, modification or other change to this Agreement, any First-Priority Lien Obligations Document or any Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document, and the provisions of this Agreement and the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof (as such provisions may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, including to give effect to any such intercreditor agreement (or similar arrangement)).

 

SECTION 5.16.                 Other Junior Intercreditor Agreements . In addition, in the event that the Company or any Subsidiary incurs any obligations secured by a lien on any Collateral that is junior to the First-Priority Lien Obligations or the Second-Priority Lien

 

36



 

Obligations, then the Applicable First Lien Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent may enter into an intercreditor agreement with the agent or trustee for the lenders with respect to such secured obligation to reflect the relative lien priorities of such parties with respect to the Collateral and governing the relative rights, benefits and privileges as among such parties in respect of the Collateral, including as to application of Proceeds of the Collateral, voting rights, control of the Collateral and waivers with respect to the Collateral, in each case so long as such secured obligations are permitted under, and the terms of such intercreditor agreement do not violate or conflict with, the provisions of this Agreement or any of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, as the case may be. If any such intercreditor agreement (or similar arrangement) is entered into, the provisions thereof shall not be (or be construed to be) an amendment, modification or other change to this Agreement, any First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or any Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, and the provisions of this Agreement, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof (as such provisions may be amended, modified or otherwise supplemented from time to time in accordance with the respective terms thereof, including to give effect to any intercreditor agreement (or similar arrangement)).

 

SECTION 5.17.                 Further Assurances.

 

Each of the Applicable First Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and each applicable First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party, and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself, each Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative and each other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party, agrees that it and each of them shall take such further action and shall execute and deliver to the other Applicable Agent and the Secured Parties of the other Class such additional documents and instruments (in recordable form, if requested) as such Applicable Agent or such Secured Parties may reasonably request to effectuate the terms of, and the Lien priorities contemplated by, this Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow.]

 

37


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as RBL Agent
and Applicable First Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ryan Fuessel

 

 

Name:

Ryan Fuessel

 

 

Title:

Authorized signor

 

[Signature Page — Senior Intercreditor Agreement]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK. N.A., as RBL
Agent and Applicable First Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Term Facility Agent,
Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and
Applicable Second Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Name: Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, as Trustee under the
Senior Secured Notes Indenture

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Signature Page to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as RBL Agent
and Applicable First Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Term Facility Agent, Senior
Secured Notes Collateral Agent and Applicable
Second Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, as Trustee under the Senior
Secured Notes Indenture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jane Schweiger

 

 

Name: Jane Schweiger

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (f/k/a EP ENERGY, L.L.C)

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY)

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION)

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.)

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Name: Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Title: President

 

Signature Page to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

EXHIBIT A-1

 

CONSENT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT(1)

(Other First-Priority Lien Obligations)

 

This CONSENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (this “ Consent ”) dated as of [mm] [dd], [yyyy], is executed by [             ], as an Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent (the “ New Agent ”), and acknowledged by [JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.], as the Applicable First Lien Agent, [CITIBANK, N.A.], as the Applicable Second Lien Agent, and EP Energy LLC (on behalf of itself and certain of its Subsidiaries).

 

This Consent is with respect to that certain Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Intercreditor Agreement ”), by and among the parties (other than the New Agent) referred to above. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Reference is made to [describe new indebtedness] with respect to which [new agents] (the “ New Agent ”) is acting as [trustee/collateral agent/authorized representative].

 

The New Agent hereby (a) agrees to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement as an Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent as if it were an Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent as of the date of the Intercreditor Agreement and (b) represents that it is acting in the capacity of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent solely for the Secured Parties under [           ].

 

This Consent shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

[Signature Page Follows.]

 


(1) To be updated in the event of a Refinancing debt.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[NEW AGENT]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

Name:

 

 

Acknowledged and Confirmed by, for purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement :

 

[               ], as Applicable First Lien Agent

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

Name:

 

 

 

[               ], as Applicable Second Lien Agent

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

Name:

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries Party to the Intercreditor Agreement

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

Name:

 

 



 

EXHIBIT A-2

 

CONSENT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT(2)

(Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations)

 

This CONSENT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (this “ Consent ”) dated as of [mm] [dd], [yyyy], is executed by [           ], as an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent (the “ New Agent ”), and acknowledged by [JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.], as the Applicable First Lien Agent, [CITIBANK, N.A.], as the Applicable Second Lien Agent, and EP Energy LLC (on behalf of itself and certain of its Subsidiaries).

 

This Consent is with respect to that certain Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Intercreditor Agreement ”), by and among the parties (other than the New Agent) referred to above. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Reference is made to [describe new indebtedness] with respect to which [new agents] (the “ New Agent ”) is acting as [trustee/collateral agent/authorized representative].

 

The New Agent hereby (a) agrees to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement as an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent as if it were an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent as of the date of the Intercreditor Agreement and (b) represents that it is acting in the capacity of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent solely for the Secured Parties under [               ].

 

This Consent shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

[Signature Page Follows.]

 


(2) To be updated in the event of a Refinancing Debt.

 



 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[NEW AGENT]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

Name:

 

 

Acknowledged and Confirmed by, for purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement :

 

[              ], as Applicable Second Lien Agent

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

Name:

 

 

 

[              ], as Applicable First Lien Agent

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

Name:

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries Party to the Intercreditor Agreement

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

Name:

 

 




Exhibit 10.7

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

$750,000,000

 

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of April 24, 2012,

 

Among

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC,
as Borrower,

 

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

 

and

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent,

 


 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC., and
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC,
as Co-Lead Arrangers

 


 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC,
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,
BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.,
RBC CAPITAL MARKETS,
UBS SECURITIES LLC, and
NOMURA CORPORATE FUNDING AMERICAS, LLC,
as Joint Bookrunning Managers

 


 



 

APOLLO GLOBAL SECURITIES, LLC,
BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.,
CAPITAL ONE SOUTHCOAST, INC.,
CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP.,
COMERICA SECURITIES, INC.,
DNB MARKETS, INC.,
ING FINANCIAL MARKETS LLC,
LLOYDS SECURITIES INC.,
MITSUBISHI UFJ SECURITIES (USA), INC.,
MIZUHO SECURITIES USA INC.,
RBS SECURITIES INC.,
SCOTIA CAPITAL (USA) INC.,
SMBC NIKKO CAPITAL MARKETS LIMITED,
SG AMERICAS SECURITIES, LLC,
SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC. and
TD SECURITIES (USA) LLC,
as Senior Managing Agents

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

2

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Defined Terms

2

 

 

 

SECTION 1.02.

Terms Generally

60

 

 

ARTICLE II THE CREDITS

60

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Commitments

60

 

 

 

SECTION 2.02.

[Reserved]

61

 

 

 

SECTION 2.03.

Notice of Borrowing

61

 

 

 

SECTION 2.04.

Disbursement of Funds

61

 

 

 

SECTION 2.05.

Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt

63

 

 

 

SECTION 2.06.

Change of Control; Asset Sale

63

 

 

 

SECTION 2.07.

[Reserved]

67

 

 

 

SECTION 2.08.

Interest

67

 

 

 

SECTION 2.09.

Interest Periods

68

 

 

 

SECTION 2.10.

Increased Costs, Illegality, etc.

69

 

 

 

SECTION 2.11.

Compensation

70

 

 

 

SECTION 2.12.

Change of Lending Office

71

 

 

 

SECTION 2.13.

Notice of Certain Costs

71

 

 

 

SECTION 2.14.

Voluntary Prepayments

71

 

 

 

SECTION 2.15.

Commitment Fee; Other Fees

74

 

 

 

SECTION 2.16.

Method and Place of Payment

74

 

 

 

SECTION 2.17.

Net Payments

75

 

 

 

SECTION 2.18.

Limit on Rate of Interest

79

 

 

 

SECTION 2.19.

Pro Rata Sharing

79

 

 

 

SECTION 2.20.

Voluntary Reduction of Commitments

80

 

 

 

SECTION 2.21.

Adjustments; Set-off

80

 

 

 

SECTION 2.22.

Interest Elections

81

 

 

 

SECTION 2.23.

Incremental Commitments

82

 

 

 

SECTION 2.24.

Extension Offers

83

 

 

 

SECTION 2.25.

Defaulting Lenders

84

 

 

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

86

 

 

SECTION 3.01.

Corporate Status

86

 

i



 

SECTION 3.02.

Corporate Power and Authority; Enforceability; Security Interests

86

 

 

 

SECTION 3.03.

No Violation

87

 

 

 

SECTION 3.04.

Litigation

87

 

 

 

SECTION 3.05.

Margin Regulations

87

 

 

 

SECTION 3.06.

Governmental Approvals

87

 

 

 

SECTION 3.07.

Investment Company Act

87

 

 

 

SECTION 3.08.

True and Complete Disclosure

87

 

 

 

SECTION 3.09.

Financial Condition; Financial Statements

88

 

 

 

SECTION 3.10.

Tax Matters

88

 

 

 

SECTION 3.11.

Compliance with ERISA

88

 

 

 

SECTION 3.12.

Subsidiaries

89

 

 

 

SECTION 3.13.

Intellectual Property

89

 

 

 

SECTION 3.14.

Environmental Laws

90

 

 

 

SECTION 3.15.

Properties

90

 

 

 

SECTION 3.16.

Solvency

91

 

 

 

SECTION 3.17.

No Material Adverse Effect

91

 

 

 

SECTION 3.18.

Patriot Act; OFAC; FCPA

91

 

 

 

SECTION 3.19.

Oil and Gas Reserves; Imbalances; Well Bores; Production

92

 

 

 

SECTION 3.20.

Hedging

92

 

 

ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

92

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness of this Agreement

92

 

 

 

SECTION 4.02.

Conditions Precedent to Borrowing if the Funding Date Occurs Concurrently with the Acquisition Date

94

 

 

 

SECTION 4.03.

Conditions Precedent to Borrowing if the Funding Date Occurs Prior to the Acquisition Date

96

 

 

 

SECTION 4.04.

Conditions Precedent to Release of Funds from Funding Date Escrow Account on the Acquisition Date

97

 

 

ARTICLE V SUCCESSOR COMPANY

97

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

When Borrower May Merge or Transfer Assets

97

 



 

SECTION 5.02.

When Subsidiary Guarantors May Merge or Transfer Assets

99

 

 

ARTICLE VI COVENANTS

100

 

 

SECTION 6.01.

[Reserved]

100

 

 

 

SECTION 6.02.

Reports and Other Information

100

 

 

 

SECTION 6.03.

Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock

101

 

 

 

SECTION 6.04.

Limitation on Restricted Payments

109

 

 

 

SECTION 6.05.

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

117

 

 

 

SECTION 6.06.

Asset Sales

119

 

 

 

SECTION 6.07.

Transactions with Affiliates

120

 

 

 

SECTION 6.08.

Compliance Certificate

123

 

 

 

SECTION 6.09.

Future Guarantors

123

 

 

 

SECTION 6.10.

Liens

124

 

 

 

SECTION 6.11.

Covenant Suspension Event

125

 

 

 

SECTION 6.12.

Existence; Business and Properties

126

 

 

 

SECTION 6.13.

Maintenance of Insurance

126

 

 

 

SECTION 6.14.

Payment of Taxes, etc.

127

 

 

 

SECTION 6.15.

Compliance with Laws

128

 

 

 

SECTION 6.16.

After-Acquired Property

128

 

 

 

SECTION 6.17.

Further Instruments and Acts

129

 

 

ARTICLE VII EVENTS OF DEFAULT

129

 

 

SECTION 7.01.

Events of Default

129

 

 

 

SECTION 7.02.

Acceleration

131

 

 

 

SECTION 7.03.

Other Remedies

132

 

 

 

SECTION 7.04.

Waiver of Past Defaults

132

 

 

 

SECTION 7.05.

Control by Majority

132

 

 

 

SECTION 7.06.

Limitation on Suits

133

 

 

ARTICLE VIII THE AGENTS

133

 

 

SECTION 8.01.

Appointment

133

 

 

 

SECTION 8.02.

Delegation of Duties

134

 



 

SECTION 8.03.

Exculpatory Provisions

134

 

 

 

SECTION 8.04.

Reliance by Agents

134

 

 

 

SECTION 8.05.

Notice of Default

135

 

 

 

SECTION 8.06.

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Other Lenders

135

 

 

 

SECTION 8.07.

Indemnification

136

 

 

 

SECTION 8.08.

Agents in Their Individual Capacity

137

 

 

 

SECTION 8.09.

Successor Agents

137

 

 

 

SECTION 8.10.

Payments Set Aside

138

 

 

 

SECTION 8.11.

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim

138

 

 

 

SECTION 8.12.

Collateral Matters

139

 

 

 

SECTION 8.13.

Intercreditor Agreements and Collateral Matters

139

 

 

 

SECTION 8.14.

Withholding Tax

140

 

 

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

140

 

 

SECTION 9.01.

Amendments and Waivers

140

 

 

 

SECTION 9.02.

Notices

142

 

 

 

SECTION 9.03.

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

144

 

 

 

SECTION 9.04.

Survival of Representations and Warranties

144

 

 

 

SECTION 9.05.

Payment of Expenses; Indemnification

144

 

 

 

SECTION 9.06.

Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments

145

 

 

 

SECTION 9.07.

Replacements of Lenders Under Certain Circumstances

151

 

 

 

SECTION 9.08.

Counterparts

152

 

 

 

SECTION 9.09.

Severability

152

 

 

 

SECTION 9.10.

GOVERNING LAW

152

 

 

 

SECTION 9.11.

Submission to Jurisdiction; Consent to Service; Waivers

152

 

 

 

SECTION 9.12.

Acknowledgments

153

 

 

 

SECTION 9.13.

WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL

154

 

 

 

SECTION 9.14.

Confidentiality

154

 

 

 

SECTION 9.15.

No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

154

 

 

 

SECTION 9.16.

USA PATRIOT Act

155

 



 

SECTION 9.17.

Conversion of Currencies

155

 

 

 

SECTION 9.18.

Platform; Borrower Materials

156

 

 

 

SECTION 9.19.

Release of Liens

156

 

 

 

SECTION 9.20.

Release of Subsidiary Guarantee

158

 



 

Exhibits and Schedules

 

Exhibit A

Form of Assignment and Acceptance

Exhibit B

Form of Note

Exhibit C

Form of Effective Date Escrow Agreement

Exhibit D

Form of Funding Date Escrow Agreement

Exhibit E

Form of Interest Period Election Request

Exhibit F-1 – F-4

Form of Non-Bank Tax Certificate

Exhibit G

Form of Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance

Exhibit H

Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit I

Form of Annual Compliance Certificate

Exhibit J

Form of Collateral Agreement

Exhibit K

Form of Pledge Agreement

Exhibit L

Form of Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit M

Form of Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement

 

 

Schedule 2.01

Commitments and Lenders

Schedule 3.01

Jurisdictions of Formation; Good Standing

Schedule 3.04

Litigation

Schedule 3.12

Subsidiaries

Schedule 4.02(a)

Local Counsels

 



 

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of April 24, 2012, among EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its successors, the “ Borrower ”), the LENDERS (as hereinafter defined) from time to time party hereto and CITIBANK, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012 (together with all exhibits and schedules thereto, and as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Purchase and Sale Agreement ”), among EP Energy Holding Company, EP Energy Corporation and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. on the one hand (collectively, the “ Seller ”), and EPE Acquisition, LLC on the other, the Borrower will acquire (the “ Acquisition ”) from the Seller, (a) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formerly known as EP Energy Corporation (“ EPE Global LLC ”), (b) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company, a Cayman Islands company (“ EP Egypt ”), (c) all of the issued and outstanding quotas of UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda., a company incorporated under the laws of Brazil (“ UnoPaso ”), (d) all of the issued and outstanding quotas of El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda., a company incorporated under the laws of Brazil (“ Brazil O&G ”), and (e) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso Brazil Holdings Company, a Cayman Islands company (“ Brazil Holdings ” and, together with EPE Global LLC, EP Egypt, UnoPaso and Brazil O&G and their respective Subsidiaries, collectively, and, after giving effect to certain reorganization transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the “ Acquired EP Business ”). In connection with the Acquisition, the Borrower will change its name to EP Energy LLC.

 

WHEREAS, to fund, in part, the Acquisition, the Sponsors (as hereinafter defined) will contribute an amount in cash equal to not less than 40% of the total consolidated capitalization of EPE Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company of which the Borrower is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary (together with its successors, “ Holdings ”), immediately after giving pro forma effect to the Transactions (as hereinafter defined) to Holdings as common equity or preferred equity having terms reasonably satisfactory to the Lead Arrangers (or a combination of the two) and Holdings shall contribute such amount to the Borrower in cash as common equity (together, the “ Equity Investments ”).

 

WHEREAS, to fund, in part, the Acquisition, it is intended that the Borrower will (a) issue up to $2,000,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes on the Effective Date (as hereinafter defined), (b) issue up to $750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes on the Effective Date and (c) enter into the RBL Facility (as hereinafter defined) and borrow an aggregate principal amount of approximately $800,000,000 thereunder on or prior to the Acquisition Date (as hereinafter defined).

 

WHEREAS, to fund, in part, the Acquisition, the Borrower has requested that on the Funding Date (as hereinafter defined), the Lenders provide Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of $750,000,000.

 

WHEREAS, the net proceeds of the Loans, together with the net proceeds of the Senior Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, borrowings under RBL Facility on the Acquisition Date

 

1



 

and the Equity Investments, will be used on the Acquisition Date to consummate the Acquisition, to effect the Debt Repayment and to pay Transaction Expenses.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Lenders are willing to make such Loans to the Borrower on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.                  Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

 

ABR means, for any day, a fluctuating interest rate per annum in effect from time to time, which rate per annum shall at all times be equal to the highest of (a) the rate of interest per annum determined by Citibank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York, New York, and notified to the Borrower, (b) 1/2 of 1% per annum above the Federal Funds Rate and (c) 1% per annum above the one-month Adjusted LIBOR.

 

ABR Borrowing means a Borrowing comprised of ABR Loans.

 

ABR Loan means a Loan bearing interest at a rate equal to the ABR plus the Applicable Margin.

 

Acceptance Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(e)(2) .

 

Acceptable Discount shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(e)(3) .

 

Acquired EP Business shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Acquired Indebtedness means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1)                              Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and

 

(2)                              Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

 

Acquired Indebtedness will be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (2) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of such assets.

 

Acquisition shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

2


 

Acquisition Date means the date, if any, on which the Acquisition is consummated.

 

Acquisition Documents means the Purchase and Sale Agreement and any other agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Additional Assets means:

 

(1)                              any properties or assets used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(2)                              capital expenditures by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(3)                              the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(4)                              Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (3) and (4) , such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

 

Additional Escrow Amount means an amount, when taken together with the gross proceeds of the Loans deposited into the Funding Date Escrow Account concurrently with such amount, sufficient to repay the Loans funded on the Funding Date at 100% of the gross proceeds thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest (assuming, for purposes of calculating the Additional Escrow Amount, that the Adjusted LIBOR rate applicable during the entire escrow period is 1.25%) on such Loans (including accreted discount) to (but not including) the fifth Business Day after the Outside Date.

 

Additional Refinancing Amount means, in connection with the Incurrence of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate principal amount of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), expenses, defeasance costs and fees in respect thereof.

 

Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

 

(a)                                   the sum of:

 

(i)                                      estimated discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any provincial, territorial, state, federal or foreign income taxes, as estimated by the Borrower in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Borrower’s most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from (A) estimated

 

3



 

proved oil and gas reserves acquired since such year end, which reserves were not reflected in such year-end reserve report, and (B) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves (including the impact to discounted future net revenues related to development costs previously estimated in the last year end reserve report, but only to the extent such costs were actually incurred since the date of the last year end reserve report) since such year-end due to exploration, development, exploitation or other activities, increased by the accretion of discount from the date of the last year end reserve report to the date of determination and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from (C) estimated proved oil and gas reserves included in the last year end reserve report that shall have been produced or disposed of since such year end, and (D) estimated oil and gas reserves included therein that are subsequently removed from the proved oil and gas reserves of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as so calculated due to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves since such year-end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, provided, that (x) in the case of such year-end reserve report and any adjustments since such year-end pursuant to clauses (A) , (B) and (D) , the estimated discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves shall be determined in their entirety using oil, gas and other hydrocarbon prices and costs that are either (1) calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines and, with respect to such adjustments under clauses (A) , (B) or (D) , calculated with such prices and costs as if the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the date of determination for which such information is available to the Borrower were year-end or (2) if the Borrower so elects at any time, calculated in accordance with the foregoing clause (1) , except that when pricing of future net revenues of proved oil and gas reserves under SEC guidelines is not based on a contract price and is instead based upon benchmark, market or posted pricing, the pricing for each month of estimated future production from such proved oil and gas reserves not subject to contract pricing shall be based upon NYMEX (or successor) published forward prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity applicable to such production month (adjusted for energy content, quality and basis differentials, with such basis differentials determined as provided in the definition of “Borrowing Base” and giving application to the last sentence of such definition hereto), as such forward prices are published as of the year end date of such reserve report or, with respect to post-year-end adjustments under clauses (A) , (B) or (D) , the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the date of determination, (y) the pricing of estimated proved reserves that have been produced or disposed since year end as set forth in clause (D) shall be based upon the applicable pricing elected for the prior year end reserve report as provided in clause (x) , and (z) in each case as estimated by the Borrower’s petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineers engaged by the Borrower for that purpose;

 

(ii)                              the capitalized costs that are attributable to Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and gas reserves are attributable, based on the Borrower’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of the Borrower’s latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements;

 

(iii)                           the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of the Borrower’s latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements;

 

4



 

(iv)                          assets related to commodity risk management activities less liabilities related to commodity risk management activities, in each case to the extent that such assets and liabilities arise in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, provided that such net value shall not be less than zero; and

 

(v)                             the greater of (A) the net book value of other tangible assets (including, without limitation, investments in unconsolidated Restricted Subsidiaries and mineral rights held under lease or other contractual arrangement) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Borrower’s latest annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements, and (B) the Fair Market Value, as estimated by the Borrower, of other tangible assets (including, without limitation, investments in unconsolidated Restricted Subsidiaries and mineral rights held under lease or other contractual arrangement) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Borrower’s latest audited consolidated financial statements (it being understood that the Borrower shall not be required to obtain any appraisal of any assets); minus

 

(b)                                  the sum of:

 

(i)                                 any amount included in clauses (a)(i) through (a)(v) above that is attributable to minority interests;

 

(ii)                              any net gas balancing liabilities of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in the Borrower’s latest audited consolidated financial statements;

 

(iii)                           to the extent included in clause (a)(i) above, the estimated discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices and costs as provided in clause (a)(i) ), attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto); and

 

(iv)                          to the extent included in clause (a)(i) above, the estimated discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing prices and costs as provided in clause (a)(i) ), attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the estimated discounted future net revenues specified in clause (a)(i) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto).

 

If the Borrower changes its method of accounting from the full cost method of accounting to the successful efforts or a similar method, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if the Borrower were still using the full cost method of accounting.

 

Adjusted LIBOR means, with respect to any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the product of (a) the LIBOR in effect for such Interest Period and (b) Statutory Reserves.

 

5



 

Administrative Agent means Citibank, N.A., as the administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.09 .

 

Administrative Questionnaire shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(b)(ii)(D) .

 

Affiliate of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

 

Affiliate Transaction shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.07(a) .

 

Affiliated Institutional Lender means any investment fund managed or advised by Affiliates of a Sponsor that is a bona fide debt fund and that extends credit or buys loans in the ordinary course of business.

 

Affiliated Lender means a Lender that is a Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof (other than the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Affiliated Institutional Lender).

 

Agents means the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

 

Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Agreement Currency shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.17(b) .

 

Applicable Creditor shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.17(b) .

 

Applicable Discount shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(e)(3) .

 

Applicable Margin means 5.25% in the case of a LIBOR Loan (or 4.25% in the case of an ABR Loan).

 

Approved Fund shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(b) .

 

Asset Sale means:

 

(1)                                   the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of property or assets (including by way of Production Payments and Reserve Sales and Sale/Leaseback Transactions) (other than an operating lease entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business) outside the

 

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ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to in this definition as a “ disposition ); or

 

(2)                                   the issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals or other third parties to the extent required by applicable law) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary) (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions),

 

in each case other than:

 

(a)                                   a disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete, damaged or worn out property or equipment in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)                                  the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower in a manner permitted pursuant to Section 5.01 or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control;

 

(c)                                   any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 6.04 ;

 

(d)                                  any disposition of assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, which assets or Equity Interests so disposed or issued have an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of less than $50.0 million;

 

(e)                                   any disposition of property or assets, or the issuance of securities, by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(f)                                     any exchange of assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents) for assets related to a Similar Business of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

 

(g)                                  foreclosure or any similar action with respect to any property or other asset of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(h)                                  any sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(i)                                      the lease, assignment or sublease of, or any transfer related to a “reverse build to suit” or similar transaction in respect of, any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(j)                                      any sale of inventory or other assets in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(k)                                   any grant in the ordinary course of business of any license of patents, trademarks, know-how or any other intellectual property;

 

(l)                                      in the ordinary course of business, any swap of assets, or lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property, in exchange for services (including in connection with any outsourcing arrangements) of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

 

(m)                                (a transfer of accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Receivables Financing” (or a fractional undivided interest therein) by a Receivables Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Financing;

 

(n)                                  any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Effective Date, including any Sale/Leaseback Transaction or asset securitization permitted by this Agreement;

 

(o)                                  dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;

 

(p)                                  any disposition of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement or other obligation with or to a Person (other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) from whom such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired or from whom such Restricted Subsidiary acquired its business and assets (having been newly formed in connection with such acquisition), made as part of such acquisition and in each case comprising all or a portion of the consideration in respect of such sale or acquisition;

 

(q)                                  the sale of any property in a Sale/Leaseback Transaction within twelve months of the acquisition of such property;

 

(r)                                     dispositions of receivables in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings and exclusive of factoring or similar arrangements;

 

(s)                                   any surrender, expiration or waiver of contract rights or oil and gas leases or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;

 

(t)                                     a disposition of Hydrocarbons or mineral products inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(u)                                  any Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that any such Production Payments and Reserve Sales, other than incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of

 

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technical services to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, shall have been created, incurred, issued, assumed or guaranteed in connection with the financing of, and within 60 days after the acquisition of, the property that is subject thereto;

 

(v)                                  the abandonment, farm-out pursuant to a Farm-Out Agreement, lease or sublease of developed or underdeveloped Oil and Gas Properties owned or held by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or which are usual and customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur; and

 

(w)                                a disposition (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) of any Oil and Gas Property or interest therein to which no proved reserves are attributable at the time of such disposition.

 

Asset Sale Offer shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) .

 

Asset Sale Offer Payment Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(b) .

 

Assignee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(b) .

 

Assignment and Acceptance means an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an Assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent (if required by Section 9.06 , substantially in the form of Exhibit A or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent).

 

Authorized Officer means as to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer, the Assistant or Vice Treasurer, the Vice President-Finance, the General Counsel, the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary and any manager, managing member or general partner, in each case, of such Person, and any other senior officer designated as such in writing to the Administrative Agent by such Person. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by an Authorized Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company, partnership and/or other action on the part of the Borrower or any other Credit Party and such Authorized Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Person.

 

Bank Indebtedness means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of (a) the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time (including after termination of the Credit Agreement), including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, including

 

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principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Borrower whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof and (b) whether or not the Indebtedness referred to in clause (a) remains outstanding, if designated by the Borrower to be included in this definition, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Bankruptcy Law shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.01 .

 

Board means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

Board of Directors means as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof. In the case of the Borrower, the Board of Directors of the Borrower shall be deemed to include the Board of Directors of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as appropriate.

 

Borrower shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Borrower Materials shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.18 .

 

Borrowing means a group of Loans of a single Type and made on a single date and, in the case of LIBOR Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

 

Borrowing Base means, at any date of determination, an amount equal to the amount of (a) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed producing (PDP) reserves, plus (b) 35% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proved developed non-producing (PDNP) reserves, plus (c) 25% of the net present value discounted at 9% of proven undeveloped (PUD) reserves, plus or minus (d) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries under commodity hedging agreements (other than basis differential commodity hedging agreements), netted against the price described below, plus or minus (e) 65% of the net present value discounted at 9% of the future receipts expected to be paid to or by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries under basis differential commodity hedging agreements, in each case for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (i) for purposes of clauses (a) through (d) above, as estimated by the Borrower in a reserve report prepared by the Borrower’s petroleum engineers applying the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward prices for

 

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the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity adjusted for relevant energy content, quality and basis differentials (before any state or federal or other income tax) and (ii) for purposes of clauses (d) and (e) above, as estimated by the Borrower applying, if available, the relevant NYMEX (or successor) published forward basis differential or, if such NYMEX (or successor) forward basis differential is unavailable, in good faith based on historical basis differential (before any state or federal or other income tax). For any months beyond the term included in published NYMEX (or successor) forward pricing, the price used will be equal to the last published contract escalated at 1.50% per annum.

 

Brazil Holdings shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Brazil O&G shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Business Day means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that (a) when used in connection with any Loan (other than an ABR Loan), the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in deposits in the applicable currency in the London interbank market.

 

Calculation Date shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

 

Capital Stock means:

 

(1)                              in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;

 

(2)                              in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

 

(3)                              in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

 

(4)                              any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that any obligations of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, either existing on the Effective Date or created prior to any recharacterization described below (or any refinancings thereof) (i) that were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as capital lease obligations and (ii) that are subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.

 

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Capitalized Software Expenditures means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and such Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Cash Equivalents means:

 

(1)                              U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, euros, the national currency of any member state in the European Union or such local currencies held by an entity from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

 

(2)                              securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any country that is a member of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof in each case maturing not more than two years from the date of acquisition;

 

(3)                              certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances, in each case with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $250.0 million and whose long-term debt is rated “A” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency);

 

(4)                              repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

 

(5)                              commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) rated at least “A-1” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;

 

(6)                              readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;

 

(7)                              Indebtedness issued by Persons (other than the Sponsors or any of their Affiliates) with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” or higher from Moody’s (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition; and

 

(8)                              investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (7) above.

 

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CFC means a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

 

Change in Law means (a) the adoption of any law, treaty, order, policy, rule or regulation after the Effective Date, (b) any change in any law, treaty, order, policy, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Effective Date or (c) compliance by any Lender with any guideline, request, directive or order enacted or promulgated after the Effective Date by any central bank or other governmental or quasigovernmental authority (whether or not having the force of law); provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Basel Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervisory Practices (or any successor or similar authority) and all guidelines, requests, directives, orders, rules and regulations adopted, enacted or promulgated in connection therewith shall be deemed to have gone into effect after the Effective Date regardless of the date adopted, enacted or promulgated and shall be included as a Change in Law only to the extent a Lender is imposing applicable increased costs or costs in connection with capital adequacy requirements similar to those described in clauses (a)(ii) and (c) of Section 2.10 generally on other borrowers of loans under United States credit facilities.

 

Change of Control means the occurrence of either of the following:

 

(1)                              the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to a Person other than any of the Permitted Holders; or

 

(2)                              the Borrower becomes aware (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) of the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2)  of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than any of the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower.

 

Change of Control Offer shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(a)(iii) .

 

Change of Control Offer Payment Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(a) .

 

Class when used in reference to (a) any Loan, refers to whether such Loan are Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a) on the Funding Date or a Loan or Loans of another class established pursuant to Section 2.23 or 2.24 , (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Funding Date Commitment or a

 

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commitment of another class established pursuant to Section 2.23 or 2.24 and (c) any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment of a particular Class.

 

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Co-Lead Arrangers means Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.

 

Collateral means all property subject or purported to be subject, from time to time, to a Lien under any Security Documents.

 

Collateral Agent means Citibank, N.A., as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties (and, as applicable, the holders of Other Second-Lien Obligations), or any successor collateral agent appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.09 .

 

Collateral Agreement means the Collateral Agreement, to be entered into as of the Acquisition Date, among the Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Collateral Agent, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit J , with such changes as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms and in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Commitment means, with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Funding Date Commitment, Incremental Commitment or a commitment of any other class established pursuant to Section 2.24 .

 

Commitment Expiration Date means the earliest of (a) the Escrow Funding Deadline, (b) the date on which the Purchase and Sale Agreement is terminated (without the closing of the Acquisition) in accordance with its terms, (c) the date, if any, on which the Acquisition is consummated (after giving effect thereto) and (d) the date, if any, on which the Borrower voluntarily terminates the Funding Date Commitments prior to funding.

 

Commitment Fee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.15 .

 

Company Material Adverse Effect means a change, event, circumstance, development, state of facts, or condition that has or would reasonably be expected to (A) materially impair, prevent or delay any Seller’s timely consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement or (B) have a material adverse effect on the E&P Business or the ownership, assets, operations or financial condition of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that, for purposes of clause (B) , Company Material Adverse Effect shall not include material adverse effects resulting from: (i) changes in the prices of Hydrocarbons; (ii) any declines in Company Well performance that do not result from the gross negligence of any Seller, Company, or Company Subsidiary; (iii) general changes in the industry in which the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries participate or in which the E&P Business is engaged; (iv) general changes in economic or political conditions, or financial markets; (v) changes in conditions or developments generally applicable to the oil and gas industry in any area or areas where the E&P Business is located; (vi) failure alone to meet internal or analyst projections or forecasts or estimates of revenues, earnings or other financial metrics for any period (provided, that the underlying reasons for such

 

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failure shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Company Material Adverse Effect); (vii) acts of God, including hurricanes and storms, acts or failures to act of Governmental Authorities (where not caused by the willful or negligent acts of Sellers, Companies, the Company Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates); (viii) civil unrest or similar disorder; terrorist acts; (ix) changes in applicable Laws or interpretations thereof by any Governmental Authority, including any changes in the deductibility of drilling completion or operating costs or other taxes; (x) any reclassification or recalculation of reserves in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (xi) effects or changes that are cured (provided that, except to the extent they would generate a downward adjustment to the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.3(g) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement or reduce the two percent (2%) deductible referred to in Section 10.4(c) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the costs of the cure to the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Company Material Adverse Effect) or no longer exist by the earlier of the Closing or the termination of the Purchase and Sale Agreement pursuant to Article 9 thereof, (xii) performance of the Purchase and Sale Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including compliance with covenants set forth therein or (xiii) changes resulting from the announcement of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement or the Kinder Morgan Merger. Notwithstanding the foregoing (1) for purposes of Sections 3.1(d)(ii), 3.1(d)(iii), 3.2(b)(ii), 3.2(b)(iii), 3.3(b)(ii), 3.3(b)(iii) and 3.14 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” shall be determined without giving effect to clause (xii) of the definition thereof and (2) changes, events, circumstances, developments, states of facts, and conditions referred to in clauses (iii) , (iv) , (v) and (ix) in the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” shall be considered for purposes of determining whether there has been (or would reasonably be expected to be) a “Material Adverse Effect” if, and only to the extent, such change, event, circumstance, development, state of facts, or condition has had (or would reasonably be expected to have) a disproportionate adverse effect on the E&P Business or the ownership, assets, operations or financial condition of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries, as opposed to other companies (and businesses) operating in the industries in which such Persons (and the E&P Business) operates. Capitalized terms used in this definition of “Company Material Adverse Effect”, other than the definition of “Purchase and Sale Agreement”, shall have the same meaning set forth in the Purchase and Sale Agreement as in effect on February 24, 2012.

 

Confidential Information shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.14 .

 

Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees and Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

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(1)                              consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (including amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations and excluding additional interest in respect of the Senior Notes or the Senior Secured Notes, amortization of deferred financing fees, any interest attributable to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees and non-cash interest expense attributable to movement in mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivatives (in each case permitted hereunder) under GAAP); plus

 

(2)                              consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; plus

 

(3)                              commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges Incurred in connection with any Receivables Financing which are payable to Persons other than the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; minus

 

(4)                              interest income for such period.

 

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that:

 

(1)                              any net after-tax extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses or charges, any severance expenses, relocation expenses, curtailments or modifications to pension and post- retirement employee benefit plans, any expenses related to any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternate uses and fees, expenses or charges relating to facilities closing costs, acquisition integration costs, facilities opening costs, project start-up costs, business optimization costs, signing, retention or completion bonuses, expenses or charges related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or issuance, repayment, refinancing, amendment or modification of Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not successful), and any fees, expenses, charges or change in control payments related to the Transactions, in each case, shall be excluded;

 

(2)                              effects of purchase accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and such Subsidiaries) in amounts required or permitted by GAAP, resulting from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

 

(3)                              the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period;

 

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(4)                              any net after-tax income or loss from disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets shall be excluded;

 

(5)                              any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business dispositions or asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by management of the Borrower) shall be excluded;

 

(6)                              any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded;

 

(7)                              the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of such Person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period;

 

(8)                              solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (i) of the definition of Cumulative Credit contained in Section 6.04 , the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions have been legally waived; provided that the Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or converted into cash) by any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, to the extent not already included therein;

 

(9)                              an amount equal to the amount of Tax Distributions actually made to any parent or equity holder of such Person in respect of such period in accordance with clause (xii) of Section 6.04(b) shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such Person for such period;

 

(10)                        any impairment charges or asset write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP, and any impairment charges, asset write-offs or write-down, including ceiling test write-downs, on Oil and Gas Properties under GAAP or SEC guidelines shall be excluded;

 

(11)                        any non-cash expense realized or resulting from stock option plans, employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, or grants or sales of stock, stock

 

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appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock or other rights shall be excluded;

 

(12)                        any (a) non-cash compensation charges, (b) costs and expenses after the Effective Date related to employment of terminated employees, or (c) costs or expenses realized in connection with or resulting from stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights existing on the Effective Date of officers, directors and employees, in each case of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary, shall be excluded;

 

(13)                        accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within 12 months after the Effective Date and that are so required to be established or adjusted in accordance with GAAP or as a result of adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded;

 

(14)                        (a) the Net Income of any Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be calculated without deducting the income attributable to, or adding the losses attributable to, the minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary except to the extent of dividends declared or paid in respect of such period or any prior period on the shares of Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary held by such third parties and (b) any ordinary course dividend, distribution or other payment paid in cash and received from any Person in excess of amounts included in clause (7) above shall be included;

 

(15)                        (a)(i) the non-cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense shall be excluded and (ii) the cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense which exceeds the amount expensed in respect of such rent expense shall be included and (b) non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP and related interpretations shall be excluded;

 

(16)                        any currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness, and any net loss or gain resulting from hedging transactions for currency exchange risk, shall be excluded;

 

(17)                        (a) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (i) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (ii) in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days), expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded and (b) amounts estimated in good faith to be received from insurance in respect of lost revenues or earnings in respect of liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be included (with a deduction for amounts actually received up to such estimated amount to the extent included in Net Income in a future period);

 

(18)                        Capitalized Software Expenditures shall be excluded; and

 

(19)                        Non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded (except to the extent reversing a previously recognized increase to net income).

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 6.04 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.04 pursuant to clauses (iv) and (v) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit” contained therein.

 

Consolidated Non-Cash Charges means, with respect to any Person for any period, the non-cash expenses (other than Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that if any such non-cash expenses represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA in such future period to the extent paid, but excluding from this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period.

 

Consolidated Taxes means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise, property and similar taxes, foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and any Tax Distributions taken into account in calculating Consolidated Net Income.

 

Consolidated Total Indebtedness means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any undrawn letters of credit) consisting of Capitalized Lease Obligations, bankers’ acceptances and Indebtedness for borrowed money, plus (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Contingent Obligations means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“ primary obligations ”) of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:

 

(1)                              to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,

 

(2)                              to advance or supply funds:

 

(a)                              for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation; or

 

(b)                             to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or

 

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(3)                                   to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

 

Contractual Requirement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.03 .

 

Credit Agreement means (i) the Credit Agreement to be entered into on the Acquisition Date among the Borrower, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by the Borrower to be included in the definition of “Credit Agreement,” one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Credit Agreement Documents means the collective reference to any Credit Agreement, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.

 

Credit Party means each of the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

Cumulative Credit shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.04(a) .

 

Custodian shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.01 .

 

Debt Repayment means the repayment in full of all outstanding Indebtedness (other than in respect of letters of credit issued thereunder that are either back stopped by Letter(s) of Credit under and as defined in the Credit Agreement or cash collateralized by the Borrower), and the termination of all commitments, under the Third Amended & Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 2, 2011, by and among El Paso E&P Company, L.P. (n/k/a EPE Global LLC) and the lenders and other parties thereto.

 

Default means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

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Defaulting Lender means any Lender whose acts or failures to act, whether directly or indirectly, cause it to meet any part of the definition of “Lender Default”.

 

Designated Non-cash Consideration means the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

 

Designated Preferred Stock means Preferred Stock of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock), that is issued for cash (other than to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, on the issuance date thereof.

 

Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations means, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement with respect to the reinstatement or continuation of any First-Priority Lien Obligation under certain circumstances, payment in full in cash (except for contingent indemnities and cost and reimbursement obligations to the extent no claim has been made) of all First-Priority Lien Obligations and, with respect to any letters of credit or letter of credit guaranties outstanding under a document evidencing a First-Priority Lien Obligation, delivery of cash collateral or backstop letters of credit in respect thereof in a manner consistent with such document, in each case after or concurrently with the termination of all commitments to extend credit thereunder, and the termination of all commitments of the holders of First-Priority Lien Obligations under such document evidencing such obligation; provided that the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred if such payments are made with the proceeds of other First-Priority Lien Obligations that constitute an exchange or replacement for or a refinancing of any First-Priority Lien Obligations. In the event the First-Priority Lien Obligations are modified and the First-Priority Lien Obligations are paid over time or otherwise modified pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code under a confirmed and consummated plan, the First-Priority Lien Obligations shall be deemed to be discharged when the final payment is made under such plan in respect of such indebtedness and any obligations pursuant to such modified indebtedness shall have been satisfied.

 

Discount Range shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(e)(2) .

 

Discounted Prepayment Option Notice shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(e)(2) .

 

Discounted Voluntary Prepayment shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(e)(1) .

 

Discounted Voluntary Prepayment Notice shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(e)(5) .

 

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Disqualified Stock means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event:

 

(1)                              matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (other than as a result of a change of control or asset sale),

 

(2)                              is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of such Person, or

 

(3)                              is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale),

 

in each case prior to 91 days after the earlier of the Maturity Date or the date the Loans are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided, further, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability; provided, further, that any class of Capital Stock of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.

 

Distressed Person shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Lender-Related Distress Event”.

 

Dollar-Denominated Production Payments means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Domestic Subsidiary means a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

EBITDA means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus, without duplication, to the extent the same was deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income:

 

(1)                              Consolidated Taxes; plus

 

(2)                              Fixed Charges; plus

 

(3)                              Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense; plus

 

(4)                              Consolidated Non-Cash Charges; plus

 

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(5)           any expenses or charges (other than Consolidated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense) related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Agreement (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Transactions, the Loans or any Bank Indebtedness, (ii) any amendment or other modification of the Loans or other Indebtedness, (iii) any additional interest in respect of the Senior Secured Notes or Senior Notes and (iv) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Qualified Receivables Financing; plus

 

(6)           business optimization expenses and other restructuring charges, reserves or expenses (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include, without limitation, the effect of inventory optimization programs, facility closures, facility consolidations, retention, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and excess pension charges); plus

 

(7)           the amount of loss on sale of receivables and related assets to a Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing; plus

 

(8)           any costs or expense incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation of the Cumulative Credit; plus

 

(9)           the amount of any management, monitoring, consulting, transaction and advisory fees and related expenses paid to the Sponsors (or any accruals relating to such fees and related expenses) during such period to the extent otherwise permitted by Section 6.07 ; plus

 

(10)         all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote (4) to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such period; plus

 

(11)         the amount of any loss attributable to a new plant or facility until the date that is 12 months after completing construction of or acquiring such plant or facility, as the case may be; provided that (A) such losses are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and certified by a responsible officer of the Borrower and (B) losses attributable to such plant or facility after 12 months from the date of completing construction of or acquisition of such plant or facility, as the case may be, shall not be included in this clause (11) ; plus

 

(12)         exploration expenses or costs (to the extent the Borrower adopts the “successful efforts” method); and

 

less, without duplication, to the extent the same increased Consolidated Net Income,

 

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(13)         the sum of (x) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments and (y) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments;

 

(14)         non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding the recognition of deferred revenue or any items which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that reduced EBITDA in any prior period and any items for which cash was received in a prior period).

 

Effective Date means the date on which all the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 shall have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.01 ).

 

Effective Date Escrow Account means the “Escrow Account” as defined in the Effective Date Escrow Agreement.

 

Effective Date Escrow Agent means the “Escrow Agent” as defined in the Effective Date Escrow Agreement.

 

Effective Date Escrow Agreement means an Escrow Letter and Security Agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and Citibank, N.A., as escrow agent, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C .

 

Effective Date Escrow Property means the “Collateral” as defined in the Effective Date Escrow Agreement.

 

Effective Date Guarantor means Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation and, as of the Effective Date, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

Environmental Claims means any and all actions, suits, orders, decrees, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance, violation or potential responsibility or investigation (other than internal reports prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (a) in the ordinary course of such Person’s business or (b) as required in connection with a financing transaction or an acquisition or disposition of real estate) or proceedings arising under or based upon any Environmental Law or any permit issued, or any approval given, under any such Environmental Law (hereinafter, “ Claims ”), including, without limitation, (i) any and all Claims by governmental or regulatory authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law and (ii) any and all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief relating to the presence, release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to health or safety (to the extent relating to human exposure to Hazardous Materials), or the environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface and subsurface strata and natural resources such as wetlands.

 

Environmental Law means any applicable Federal, state, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code and rule of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, and any binding judicial or administrative interpretation thereof,

 

24



 

including any binding judicial or administrative order, consent decree or judgment, relating to the protection of the environment, including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface and subsurface strata and natural resources such as wetlands, or human health or safety (to the extent relating to human exposure to Hazardous Materials), or Hazardous Materials.

 

EP Egypt shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

EPE Global LLC shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Equity Interests means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

 

Equity Investments shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Equity Offering means any public or private sale after the Effective Date of common Capital Stock or Preferred Stock of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable (other than Disqualified Stock), other than:

 

(1)           public offerings with respect to the Borrower’s or such direct or indirect parent’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;

 

(2)           issuances to any Subsidiary of the Borrower; and

 

(3)           any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

 

ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time. Section references to ERISA are to ERISA as in effect on the Effective Date and any subsequent provisions of ERISA amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

 

ERISA Affiliate means each person (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) that together with the Borrower would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

Escrow Funding Deadline means June 1, 2012.

 

Event of Default shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.01 .

 

Excess Proceeds shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) .

 

Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

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Excluded Assets means the property and other assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors that is excluded from the grant of security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

Excluded Contributions means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Borrower) received by the Borrower after the Effective Date from:

 

(1)           contributions to its common equity capital, and

 

(2)           the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Borrower or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Borrower, in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Capital Stock is sold, as the case may be; provided that $3,200,000,000 of Cash Equivalents received by the Borrower from the Equity Investors on or prior to the Acquisition Date to fund the Acquisition shall not be permitted to be designated an Excluded Contribution.

 

Excluded Subsidiary means (a) any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (b) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (c) any Foreign Subsidiary, (d) any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that owns no material assets (directly or through its Subsidiaries) other than equity interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs or (ii) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, (e) any Receivables Subsidiary and (f) any Subsidiary (other than a Significant Subsidiary) that (i) did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended, have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5.0% of total revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date and (ii) taken together with all other such Subsidiaries as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10.0% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 10.0% of total revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date.

 

Excluded Taxes means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income or branch profits (however denominated, and including (for the avoidance of doubt) any backup withholding in respect thereof under Section 3406 of the Code or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), and franchise (and similar) Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), in each case by a jurisdiction (including any political subdivision thereof) as a result of such recipient being organized in, having its principal office in, or in the case of any Lender, having its applicable lending office in, such jurisdiction, or as a result of any other present or former connection with such jurisdiction (other than any such connection arising solely from this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or any transactions contemplated

 

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thereunder), (ii) U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed on any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is required to be imposed on amounts payable to a Lender (other than to the extent such Lender is an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 9.07 ) pursuant to laws in force at the time such Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, immediately prior to the designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts or indemnification payments from any Credit Party with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 2.17 , (iii) any withholding Tax imposed on any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is attributable to the Administrative Agent’s, any Lender’s or any other recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(d) or (e) or (iv) any Tax imposed under FATCA.

 

Extended Loans shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a) .

 

Extending Lender shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a) .

 

Extension shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a) .

 

Extension Amendment Agreement means an Extension Amendment Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and one or more Extending Lenders, effecting one or more Extensions and such other amendments hereto and to the other Loan Documents as are contemplated by Section 2.24 .

 

Extension Offer Class shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a) .

 

Fair Market Value means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.

 

Farm-In Agreement means an agreement whereby a Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of one or more exploratory or development wells (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interests therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well or wells as all or a part of the consideration provided in exchange for an ownership interest in an Oil and Gas Property.

 

Farm-Out Agreement means a Farm-In Agreement, viewed from the standpoint of the party that transfers an ownership interest to another.

 

FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), or any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder or official administrative interpretations thereof.

 

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Federal Funds Rate means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

First-Priority After-Acquired Property means any property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor that secures any Secured Bank Indebtedness that is not already subject to the Lien under the Security Documents, other than any Excluded Assets.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations means (i) all Secured Bank Indebtedness and (ii) all other obligations of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Hedging Obligations or obligations in respect of cash management services in each case owing to a Person that is a holder of Secured Bank Indebtedness or an Affiliate of such holder at the time of entry into such Hedging Obligations or obligations in respect of cash management services.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than in the case of any Qualified Receivables Financing, in which case interest expense shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period) or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “ Calculation Date ”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that the Borrower may elect pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being Incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent Incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an Incurrence at such subsequent time.

 

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, and any operational changes that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting

 

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therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, discontinued operation or operational change, in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or operational change had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

 

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Borrower as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from the applicable event, and (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote (4) to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Operating Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period.

 

If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a Eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Borrower may designate.

 

For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

 

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Fixed Charges means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (1) Consolidated Interest Expense (excluding amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs) of such Person for such period, and (2) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Flood Insurance Laws means, collectively, (i) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (iii) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (iv) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

 

Foreign Plan means any employee benefit plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to employees employed outside the United States.

 

Foreign Subsidiary means a Restricted Subsidiary not organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

Funding Date means the date on which all the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 or 4.03 , as applicable, shall have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.01 ).

 

Funding Date Commitment means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make a Loan on the Funding Date pursuant to Section 2.01(a) , expressed as the maximum principal amount of the Loan to be made by such Lender pursuant to such Section. The amount of each Lender’s Funding Date Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 . The aggregate principal amount of the Funding Date Commitments on the Effective Date is $750,000,000.

 

Funding Date Escrow Account means the “Escrow Account” as defined in the Funding Date Escrow Agreement.

 

Funding Date Escrow Agent means the “Escrow Agent” as defined in the Funding Date Escrow Agreement.

 

Funding Date Escrow Agreement means an Escrow Letter and Security Agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and Citibank, N.A., as escrow agent, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D .

 

Funding Date Escrow Property means the “Collateral” as defined in the Funding Date Escrow Agreement.

 

GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been

 

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approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Effective Date. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “consolidated” with respect to any Person means such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an Investment.

 

Governmental Authority means any federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality, regulator or regulatory, administrative or legislative body.

 

guarantee means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

 

Hazardous Materials means (a) any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials, friable asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing regulated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, and radon gas, (b) any chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances”, “hazardous waste”, “hazardous materials”, “extremely hazardous waste”, “restricted hazardous waste”, “toxic substances”, “toxic pollutants”, “contaminants”, or “pollutants”, or words of similar import, under any applicable Environmental Law and (c) any other chemical, material or substance, which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any Environmental Law.

 

Hedging Obligations means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:

 

(1)           currency exchange, interest rate or commodity swap agreements (including commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, basis differential swaps, spot contracts, fixed-price physical delivery contracts or other similar agreements or arrangements in respect of Hydrocarbons), currency exchange, interest rate or commodity cap agreements and currency exchange, interest rate or commodity collar agreements; and

 

(2)           other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange, interest rates or commodity prices.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreements or obligations to physically sell any commodity at any index-based price shall not be considered Hedging Obligations.

 

Historical Financial Statements means the audited consolidated balance sheets of EP Energy Corporation and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011, and the related audited statements of income and comprehensive income, statements of changes in shareholders’ equity and statements of cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011.

 

Holdings shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

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Hydrocarbons means oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

 

Incremental Commitment means, with respect to any Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender, established pursuant to an Incremental Facility Agreement and Section 2.23 , to make Loans of any Class hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Loans of such Class to be made by such Lender. The initial amount of each Lender’s Incremental Commitment of any Class, if any, is set forth in the Incremental Facility Agreement pursuant to which such Lender shall have established its Incremental Commitment of such Class.

 

Incremental Effective Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23(a) .

 

Incremental Facility Agreement means an Incremental Facility Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and one or more Incremental Lenders, establishing Incremental Commitments of any Class and effecting such other amendments hereto and the other Loan Documents as are contemplated by Section 2.23 .

 

Incremental Lender means a Lender with an Incremental Commitment or a Loan of any Class established under an Incremental Commitment.

 

Incur means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.

 

Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)           the principal and premium (if any) of any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) in respect of borrowed money, (b) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), (c) representing the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property (except any such balance that constitutes (i) a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor Incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and (iii) liabilities accrued in the ordinary course of business), which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing the property in service or taking delivery and title thereto, (d) in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations, or (e) representing any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(2)           to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the obligations referred to in clause (1) of another Person (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business); and

 

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(3)           to the extent not otherwise included, Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person); provided, however, that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of such asset at such date of determination, and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person;

 

provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (1) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in respect of borrowed money; (2) deferred or prepaid revenues; (3) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller; (4) Obligations under or in respect of Qualified Receivables Financing; (5) obligations under the Acquisition Documents; (6) Production Payments and Reserve Sales; (7) any obligation of a Person in respect of a Farm-In Agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property; (8) any obligations under Hedging Obligations; provided that such agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of the Borrower, whether or not accounted for as a hedge in accordance with GAAP) and, in the case of any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement, such agreements are related to business transactions of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and, in the case of any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, such agreements substantially correspond in terms of notional amount, duration and interest rates, as applicable, to Indebtedness of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred without violation of this Agreement; and (9) in-kind obligations relating to net oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Indebtedness shall not include, and shall be calculated without giving effect to, the effects of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Agreement as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness; and any such amounts that would have constituted Indebtedness under this Agreement but for the application of this sentence shall not be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness under this Agreement.

 

Indemnified Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.05(c) .

 

Indemnified Taxes means all Taxes imposed on or with respect to or measured by any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document other than (a) Excluded Taxes and (b) Other Taxes.

 

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Independent Financial Advisor means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant, in each case of nationally recognized standing, that is, in the good faith determination of the Borrower, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

 

Ineligible Institution means the persons identified in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower on or prior to the Effective Date, and as may be identified in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower from time to time thereafter, with the written consent of the Administrative Agent, by delivery of a notice thereof to the Administrative Agent setting forth such person or persons (or the person or persons previously identified to Agent that are to be no longer considered “Ineligible Institutions”).

 

Information shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.08(a) .

 

Intercreditor Agreements means the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Interest Payment Date means, (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter (being the last day of March, June, September and December of each year), and (b) otherwise, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Loan and, in the case of a Loan with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration each day that would have been an Interest Payment Date had successive Interest Periods of three months’ duration been applicable to such Loan and, in addition, the date of any conversion of such Loan to an ABR Loan.

 

Interest Period means as to any Loan (other than an ABR Loan), the period commencing on the date of such borrowing or on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period applicable to such Loan, as applicable, and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3 or 6 (or, if agreed to by all relevant Lenders, 9 or 12 or, if agreed to by the Administrative Agent, a shorter period) months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect, or the date any Loan (other than an ABR Loan) is effectively converted to an ABR Loan in accordance with Section 2.10 or repaid or prepaid in accordance with Section 2.06 or Section 2.14 or on the Maturity Date; provided that if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day. Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a borrowing of a Loan initially shall be the date on which such borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such borrowing.

 

Interest Period Election Request means a request by the Borrower to elect an Interest Period in accordance with Section 2.22 .

 

Investment Grade Rating means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

 

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Investment Grade Securities means:

 

(1)          securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents),

 

(2)          securities that have a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or equivalent) by S&P, but excluding any debt securities or loans or advances between and among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,

 

(3)          investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution, and

 

(4)          corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments and in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition.

 

Investments means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit and advances to customers and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet of such Person in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 6.04 :

 

(1)           “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Borrower’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Borrower at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to:

 

(a)                                   the Borrower’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less

 

(b)                                  the portion (proportionate to the Borrower’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

 

(2)           any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Borrower.

 

Judgment Currency shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.17(b) .

 

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Junior Lien Obligations means the Obligations with respect to other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Agreement, which is by its terms intended to be secured by the Collateral on a basis junior to the Loans; provided such Lien is permitted to be incurred under this Agreement.

 

Lender means each financial institution listed on Schedule 2.01 , and any Person that becomes a “Lender” hereunder pursuant to Section 2.23 or 9.06 , other than any such Person that has ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance in accordance with Section 9.06 .

 

Lender Default means (i) the refusal or failure of any Lender to make available its portion of any incurrence of Loans, which refusal or failure is not cured within one Business Day after the date of such refusal or failure; (ii) the failure of any Lender to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute; (iii) a Lender has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations under this Agreement, (iv) the failure by a Lender to confirm in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its obligations under this Agreement or (v) a Distressed Person has admitted in writing that it is insolvent or such Distressed Person becomes subject to a Lender-Related Distress Event.

 

Lender Participation Notice shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(e)(3) .

 

Lender-Related Distress Event means, with respect to any Lender prior to the Funding Date, that such Lender or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender (each, a Distressed Person ), as the case may be, is or becomes subject to a voluntary or involuntary case with respect to such Distressed Person under any debt relief law, or a custodian, conservator, receiver or similar official is appointed for such Distressed Person or any substantial part of such Distressed Person’s assets, or such Distressed Person or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Distressed Person is subject to a forced liquidation, or such Distressed Person makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or is otherwise adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Distressed Person or its assets to be, insolvent or bankrupt; provided that a Lender-Related Distress Event shall not be deemed to have occurred solely by virtue of (i) the ownership or acquisition of any equity interests in any Lender or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender by a Governmental Authority or an instrumentality thereof so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender or (ii) an undisclosed administration pursuant to the laws of the Netherlands.

 

Lending Office means, as to any Lender, the applicable branch, office, Affiliate or account (if appropriate) of such Lender designated by such Lender to make Loans to the Borrower.

 

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LIBOR means for any Interest Period, the higher of (a) the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the date that is two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in United States dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates) with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period; provided that, to the extent that an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the “LIBOR” shall be the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which deposits in United States dollars are offered for a maturity comparable to such relevant Interest Period to major banks in the London interbank market in London, England, as selected by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period and (b) 1.25% per annum.

 

LIBOR Borrowing means a Borrowing comprised of LIBOR Loans.

 

LIBOR Loan means a Loan bearing interest at a rate equal to the Adjusted LIBOR plus the Applicable Margin.

 

Lien means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

 

Loan Documents means this Agreement, the Subsidiary Guarantee, the Security Documents, any promissory note issued by the Borrower under this Agreement, any Extension Amendment Agreement, any Incremental Facility Agreement, the Effective Date Escrow Agreement, the Funding Date Escrow Agreement and any intercreditor agreement with respect to this Agreement and the Loans entered into on or after the Effective Date to which the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent is a party on behalf of the Lenders (including the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement).

 

Loan Obligations means Obligations in respect of the Loans, this Agreement and the Security Documents, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Subsidiary Guarantees.

 

Loans means (i) the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 on the Funding Date and (ii) any other loans made by Lenders to the Borrower hereunder after the Funding Date.

 

Management Group means the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as the case may be, on the Effective Date together with (1) any new directors whose election by such boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the

 

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Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors on the Effective Date or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (2) executive officers and other management personnel of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable, hired at a time when the directors on the Effective Date together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable.

 

Margin Stock shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

 

Material Adverse Effect means the occurrence of any circumstance, event or condition that has had or would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on (a) the condition (financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (in each case after giving effect to the Transactions), taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower and the other Credit Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their payment obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or (c) the rights and remedies of the Agents and the Lenders under this Agreement or under any of the other Loan Documents.

 

Material Information means the occurrence of any material effect, or any event or condition that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material effect (in each case whether positive or negative), on (a) the business, property, operations or condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to perform its obligations under any Loan Document or (c) the rights or remedies available to any Lender under any Loan Document.

 

Maturity Date means the sixth anniversary of the Acquisition Date; provided that with respect to any Class of Loans established pursuant to Section 2.23 or 2.24 , “Maturity Date” means the final maturity date specified therefor in the Incremental Facility Agreement or Extension Amendment Agreement with respect thereto, as applicable.

 

MNPI means any Material Information that is Non-Public Information.

 

Moody’s means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Mortgaged Properties means the owned real property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor encumbered by a Mortgage to secure the First Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Mortgages means, collectively, the mortgages, trust deeds, deeds of trust and other security documents delivered with respect to Mortgaged Properties, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Multiemployer Plan means a Plan that is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

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Net Income means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

 

Net Proceeds means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received in respect of or upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding the assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other consideration received in any other non-cash form), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses Incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including Tax Distributions and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related solely to such disposition), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required (other than pursuant to Section 2.06(b) ) to be paid as a result of such transaction, amounts paid in connection with the termination of Hedging Obligations related to Indebtedness repaid with such proceeds or hedging oil, natural gas and natural gas liquid production in notional volumes corresponding to the Oil and Gas Properties subject to such Asset Sale, and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Borrower as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Borrower after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

 

Net Working Capital means (a) all current assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business less (b) all current liabilities of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities (i) associated with asset retirement obligations relating to Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) included in Indebtedness and (iii) any current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Non-Bank Tax Certificate shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.17(e) .

 

Non-Consenting Lender shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.07(c) .

 

Non-Public Information means information concerning the Borrower, any Parent Entity or any subsidiary or other Affiliate of any of the foregoing, or any security of any of the foregoing, that is not Public Information.

 

Non-U.S. Lender means any Lender (a) that is not disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that is not a “United States person” as defined

 

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by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (b) that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and whose regarded owner is not a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

Note means any promissory note issued to a Lender that evidences the Loans extended by such Lender to the Borrower.

 

Notice of Borrowing shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a) .

 

NYMEX means the New York Mercantile Exchange.

 

Obligations means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness; provided, however, that Obligations with respect to the Loans shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Lenders.

 

OFAC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.18(b) .

 

Offered Loans shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(e)(3) .

 

Offering Memorandum means the offering memorandum, dated April 10, 2012, in respect of the Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes.

 

Officers’ Certificate means a certificate signed on behalf of the Borrower by two Authorized Officers of the Borrower, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Borrower, which meets the requirements set forth in this Agreement.

 

Oil and Gas Business means:

 

(1)           the business of acquiring, exploring, exploiting, developing, producing, operating and disposing of interests in oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas and other Hydrocarbons and mineral properties or products produced in association with any of the foregoing;

 

(2)           the business of gathering, marketing, distributing, treating, processing, storing, refining, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties and products produced in association therewith and the marketing of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals obtained from unrelated Persons;

 

(3)           any other related energy business, including power generation and electrical transmission business, directly or indirectly, from oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbons and minerals produced substantially from properties in which the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, participate;

 

(4)           any business relating to oil field sales and service; and

 

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(5)           any business or activity relating to, arising from, or necessary, appropriate, incidental or ancillary to the activities described in the foregoing clauses (1) through (4) of this definition.

 

Oil and Gas Properties means all properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by a Person which contain or are believed to contain oil and gas reserves or other reserves of Hydrocarbons.

 

Other Second-Lien Obligations means other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is equally and ratably secured with the Loans as permitted by this Agreement and is designated by the Borrower as an Other Second-Lien Obligation in accordance with the Security Documents ( provided that such designation shall not be required for the Senior Secured Notes).

 

Other Taxes means any and all present or future stamp, registration, documentary, intangible, recording, filing or any other excise, property or similar Taxes (including related reasonable out-of-pocket expenses with regard thereto) arising from any payment made hereunder or made under any other Loan Document or from the execution or delivery of, registration or enforcement of, consummation or administration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that such term shall not include any of the foregoing Taxes (i) that result from an assignment, grant of a participation pursuant to Section 9.06(c) or transfer or assignment to or designation of a new lending office or other office for receiving payments under any Loan Document (“ Assignment Taxes ”) to the extent such Assignment Taxes are imposed as a result of a connection between the assignor/participating Lender and/or the assignee/Participant and the taxing jurisdiction (other than a connection arising solely from any Loan Documents or any transactions contemplated thereunder), except to the extent that any such action described in this proviso is requested or required by the Borrower, or (ii) Excluded Taxes.

 

Outside Date means October 31, 2012.

 

Overnight Rate means, for any day, with respect to any amount denominated in U.S. Dollars, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Rate and (ii) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

Parent Entity means any Person of which the Borrower is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

 

Pari Passu Indebtedness means (a) with respect to the Borrower, the Loans and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to the Loans, and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement means (i) the intercreditor agreement among the Collateral Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, and the other parties from time to time party thereto, to be entered into on the Acquisition Date, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit M , with such changes as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance

 

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with this Agreement or (ii) any replacement thereof that contains terms not materially less favorable to the Lenders than the intercreditor agreement referred to in clause (i) .

 

Participant shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(c)(i) .

 

Pension Act means the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as it presently exists or as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Permitted Business Investment means any Investment and/or expenditure made in the ordinary course of business or which are of a nature that is or shall have become customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur, including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing, distributing, storing, or transporting oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons and minerals (including with respect to plugging and abandonment) through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:

 

(1)           Investments in ownership interests (including equity or other ownership interests) in oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals properties, liquefied natural gas facilities, processing facilities, gathering systems, pipelines, storage facilities or related systems or ancillary real property interests;

 

(2)           Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, processing agreements, Farm-In Agreements, Farm-Out Agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals, production sharing agreements, participation agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements, stockholder agreements and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies) with third parties; and

 

(3)           Investments in direct or indirect ownership interests in drilling rigs and related equipment, including, without limitation, transportation equipment.

 

Permitted Holders means, at any time, each of (i) the Sponsors, (ii) the Management Group, (iii) any Person that has no material assets other than the Capital Stock of the Borrower and, directly or indirectly, holds or acquires 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower, and of which no other Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), other than any of the other Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above, holds more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock thereof and (iv) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) the members of which include any of the Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above and that, directly or indirectly, hold or acquire beneficial ownership of the Voting Stock of the

 

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Borrower (a “ Permitted Holder Group ”), so long as (1) each member of the Permitted Holder Group has voting rights proportional to the percentage of ownership interests held or acquired by such member and (2) no Person or other “group” (other than Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above) beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the Voting Stock held by the Permitted Holder Group. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

 

Permitted Investments means:

 

(1)                                   any Investment in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)                                   any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

 

(3)                                   any Investment by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(4)                                   any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 6.06 or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

 

(5)                                   any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Effective Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the Effective Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Effective Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Agreement;

 

(6)                                   advances to employees, taken together with all other advances made pursuant to this clause (6) , not to exceed $25.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(7)                                   any Investment acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable, or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(8)                                   Hedging Obligations permitted under clause (x) of Section 6.03(b) ;

 

(9)                                   any Investment by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Similar Business having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (9) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $350.0 million and (y) 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each

 

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Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (9) is made in any Person that is not the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (9) for so long as such Person continues to be the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(10)                             additional Investments by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $350.0 million and (y) 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (10) is made in any Person that is not the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (10) for so long as such Person continues to be the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(11)                             loans and advances to officers, directors or employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or to fund such person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower;

 

(12)                             Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock) or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable; provided, however, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (iii) of the definition of Cumulative Credit contained in Section 6.04 ;

 

(13)                             any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with Section 6.07(b) (except transactions described in clauses (ii) , (iv) , (vi) , (ix)(B) and (xvi) of such Section);

 

(14)                             Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

 

(15)                             (x) guarantees issued in accordance with Sections 6.03 and 6.09 , including, without limitation, any guarantee or other obligation issued or incurred under the Credit Agreement in connection with any letter of credit issued for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (including with respect to the issuance of, or payments in respect of drawings under, such letters of credit) and (y) guarantees of performance or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) arising in the ordinary course in the Oil and Gas Business, including obligations under Hydrocarbon exploration, development, joint operating and related agreements and licenses, concessions or operating leases related to the Oil and Gas Business;

 

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(16)                             Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property;

 

(17)                             any Investment in a Receivables Subsidiary or any Investment by a Receivables Subsidiary in any other Person in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing, including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Qualified Receivables Financing or any related Indebtedness;

 

(18)                             any Investment in an entity which is not a Restricted Subsidiary to which a Restricted Subsidiary sells accounts receivable pursuant to a Receivables Financing;

 

(19)                             additional Investments in joint ventures not to exceed, at any one time in the aggregate outstanding under this clause (19) , $100.00 million (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time such Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (19) is made in any Person that is not the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (19) for so long as such Person continues to be the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(20)                             Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Effective Date or of an entity merged into, amalgamated with, or consolidated with the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction that is not prohibited by Article V after the Effective Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

 

(21)                             any Investment in any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(22)                             Permitted Business Investments.

 

Permitted Liens means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)                                   pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure plugging and abandonment obligations or public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(2)                                   Liens imposed by law, such as landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, construction or other like Liens securing obligations

 

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that are not overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review;

 

(3)                                   Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due or payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

(4)                                   Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

 

(5)                                   minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

 

(6)                                   (A)                               Liens on assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor securing Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 6.03 ;

 

(B)                                 Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under the Credit Agreement, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (i) of Section 6.03(b) ;

 

(C)                                 Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under the RBL Facility in excess of $2,000 million (and solely to the extent of such excess), including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted to be incurred under Section 6.03 ;

 

(D)                                Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clause (iv) , (xii) , (xvi) or (xx) of Section 6.03(b) ( provided that in the case of clause (xx) , such Lien does not extend to the property or assets of any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor); and

 

(E)                                  Liens securing the Loan Obligations;

 

(7)                                   Liens existing on the Effective Date (other than Liens in favor of the lenders under the Credit Agreement), including Liens securing the Senior Secured Notes;

 

(8)                                   Liens on assets, property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(9)                                   Liens on assets or property at the time the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the assets or property, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens (other than Liens to secure Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to clause (xvi) of Section 6.03(b) ) are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided, further, however, that the Liens (other than Liens to secure Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to clause (xvi) of Section 6.03(b) ) may not extend to any other property owned by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than pursuant to after-acquired property clauses in effect with respect to such Lien at the time of acquisition on property of the type that would have been subject to such Lien notwithstanding the occurrence of such acquisition);

 

(10)                             Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be Incurred in accordance with Section 6.03 ;

 

(11)                             Liens securing Hedging Obligations not incurred in violation of this Agreement; provided that with respect to Hedging Obligations relating to Indebtedness, such Lien extends only to the property securing such Indebtedness;

 

(12)                             Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(13)                             leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(14)                             Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(15)                             Liens in favor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(16)                             Liens on accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Receivables Financing” Incurred in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing;

 

(17)                             deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

 

(18)                             Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(19)                             grants of software and other technology licenses in the ordinary course of business;

 

(20)                             Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a

 

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whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6) , (7) , (8) , (9) , (10) , (11) and (15) ; provided, however , that (x) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property), and (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6) , (7) , (8) , (9) , (10) , (11) and (15) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Agreement, and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement; provided further, however, that in the case of any Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal of Indebtedness secured by a Lien referred to in clause (6)(B) , the principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred for such refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal shall be deemed secured by a Lien under clause (6)(B) and not this clause (20) for purposes of determining the principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (6)(B) ;

 

(21)                             Liens on equipment of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business to the Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s client at which such equipment is located;

 

(22)                             judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;

 

(23)                             Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(24)                             Liens incurred to secure cash management services or to implement cash pooling arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

 

(25)                             other Liens securing obligations the outstanding principal amount of which does not, taken together with the principal amount of all other obligations secured by Liens incurred under this clause (25) that are at that time outstanding, exceed the greater of $350.0 million and 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence;

 

(26)                             any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

 

(27)                             any amounts held by a trustee in the funds and accounts under an indenture securing any revenue bonds issued for the benefit of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, under any indenture or other debt agreement issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof, or under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions;

 

(28)                             Liens arising by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depository or financial institution;

 

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(29)                             Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with any appeal or other proceedings for review;

 

(30)                             Liens (i) in favor of credit card companies pursuant to agreements therewith and (ii) in favor of customers;

 

(31)                             Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

 

(32)                             Liens arising under Farm-Out Agreements, Farm-In Agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of Hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, operating agreements, royalties, royalty trusts, master limited partnerships, working interests, net profits interests, joint interest billing arrangements, participation agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided, however, in all instances that such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order, trust, partnership or contract;

 

(33)                             Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law;

 

(34)                             any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease, liens reserved in oil, gas or other Hydrocarbons, minerals, leases for bonus, royalty or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases; (b) restriction or encumbrance that the interest or title of such lessor or sublessor may be subject to (including, without limitation, ground leases or other prior leases of the demised premises, mortgages, mechanics’ liens, tax liens and easements); or (c) subordination of the interest of the lessee or sublessee under such lease to any restrictions or encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause (b) ; and

 

(35)                             Liens securing Junior Lien Obligations, provided that the Loans are secured on a senior priority basis to the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

 

Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance means an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender as an assignor and the Borrower as an assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit G or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

Permitted Loan Purchases shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(f)(1) .

 

Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

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Plan means any multiemployer or single-employer plan, as defined in Section 4001 of ERISA and subject to Title IV of ERISA, that is or was within any of the preceding six plan years maintained or contributed to by (or to which there is or was an obligation to contribute or to make payments to) the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate.

 

Platform shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.18 .

 

Pledge Agreement means the Pledge Agreement, to be entered into as of the Acquisition Date, among the Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Collateral Agent, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit K , with such changes as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree.

 

Preferred Stock means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

 

Pro Rata Extension Offers shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a) .

 

Production Payments and Reserve Sales means the grant or transfer by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar-denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers.

 

Proposed Discounted Prepayment Amount shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(e)(2) .

 

Public Information means any information that (a) has been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally, within the meaning of Regulation FD under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and, where applicable, any comparable doctrines under state and foreign securities laws, (b) does not constitute material non-public information concerning the Borrower, any Parent Entity or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate of any of the foregoing, or any security of any of the foregoing, for purposes of the United States federal and state securities laws and, where applicable, foreign securities laws or (c) solely in the case of information concerning the Borrower, any Parent Entity or any Subsidiary of the foregoing (but only if such information does not constitute material non-public information for the foregoing purposes of any other Affiliate thereof), so long as none of the Borrower, any Parent Entity or any Subsidiary of any of the foregoing shall have any securities registered under the Exchange Act or issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or shall otherwise be subject to the reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, is information of the type that would be publicly disclosed in connection with an issuance of securities by the Borrower, such Parent Entity or

 

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such Subsidiary pursuant to an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act or made in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

 

Public Lender shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.18 .

 

Purchase and Sale Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Qualified Receivables Financing means any Receivables Financing of a Receivables Subsidiary that meets the following conditions:

 

(1)                                   the Board of Directors of the Borrower shall have determined in good faith that such Qualified Receivables Financing (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to the Borrower and the Receivables Subsidiary;

 

(2)                                   all sales of accounts receivable and related assets to the Receivables Subsidiary are made at Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower); and

 

(3)                                   the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) and may include Standard Securitization Undertakings.

 

The grant of a security interest in any accounts receivable of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) to secure Bank Indebtedness, Indebtedness in respect of the Loans or any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the Loans shall not be deemed a Qualified Receivables Financing.

 

Qualifying Lenders shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(e)(4) .

 

Qualifying Loans shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(e)(4) .

 

Rating Agency means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P and (2) if Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Loans for reasons outside of the Borrower’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15cs-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.

 

RBL Agent means the agent for secured parties holding First-Priority Lien Obligations, as appointed pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The RBL Agent is initially the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement.

 

RBL Facility means the credit agreement to be entered into on the Acquisition Date among the Borrower, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or other lenders), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to any amendment thereto or pursuant to a new loan agreement with other lenders,

 

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governed by a borrowing base set by the lenders, extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or under any successor or replacement agreement or increasing the amount loaned thereunder or altering the maturity thereof.

 

RBL Priority Collateral shall have the meaning set forth in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Receivables Fees means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interests issued or sold in connection with, and all other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Receivables Financing.

 

Receivables Financing means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Receivables Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries); and (b) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts receivable and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable and any Hedging Obligations entered into by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary in connection with such accounts receivable.

 

Receivables Repurchase Obligation means any obligation of a seller of receivables in a Qualified Receivables Financing to repurchase receivables arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off-set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

 

Receivables Subsidiary means a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (or another Person formed for the purposes of engaging in Qualified Receivables Financing with the Borrower in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower makes an Investment and to which the Borrower or any such Subsidiary transfers accounts receivable and related assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the Board of Directors of the Borrower (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary and:

 

(a)                                   no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower (excluding guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of and interest on, Indebtedness)

 

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pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (ii) is recourse to or obligates the Borrower or any other Subsidiary in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, or (iii) subjects any property or asset of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;

 

(b)                             with which neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms which the Borrower reasonably believes to be no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Borrower; and

 

(c)                              to which neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results.

 

Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Borrower shall be evidenced to the Administrative Agent by filing with the Administrative Agent a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Borrower giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

 

Refinancing Indebtedness shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.03(b)(xv) .

 

Refunding Capital Stock shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.04(b)(ii)(A) .

 

Register shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(b)(iv) .

 

Regulation U means Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or any portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

 

Regulation X means Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or any portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

 

Related Parties means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the directors, officers, employees, agents and members of such Person or such Person’s Affiliates and any Person that possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.

 

Reportable Event means an event described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations thereunder, other than any event as to which the 30-day notice period has been waived.

 

Required Lenders means, at any time, Lenders having outstanding Loans and unused Commitments that, taken together, represent more than 50% of the sum of all outstanding Loans and unused Commitments at such time. The Loans and unused Commitment of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time.

 

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Requirement of Law means, as to any Person, any law, treaty, rule, regulation, statute, order, ordinance, decree, judgment, consent decree, writ, injunction, settlement agreement or governmental requirement enacted, promulgated or imposed or entered into or agreed by any Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or assets or to which such Person or any of its property or assets is subject.

 

Restricted Investment means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

 

Restricted Payments shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.04(a) .

 

Restricted Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated in this Agreement, all references to Restricted Subsidiaries means Restricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

 

Retired Capital Stock shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.04(b)(ii)(A) .

 

S&P means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Sale/Leaseback Transaction means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between the Borrower and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Second Commitment shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(b) .

 

Secured Bank Indebtedness means any Bank Indebtedness that is secured by a Permitted Lien incurred or deemed incurred pursuant to clause (6)(B) or clause (6)(C) of the definition of Permitted Liens.

 

Secured Indebtedness means any Consolidated Total Indebtedness secured by a Lien.

 

Secured Parties means, collectively, the Agents and the Lenders.

 

Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Security Documents means the security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages and related agreements, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, creating the security interests in the Collateral for the benefit of the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders as contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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Seller shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement means (i) the intercreditor agreement among the RBL Agent, the Collateral Agent, and the other parties from time to time party thereto, to be entered into on the Acquisition Date, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit L , with such changes as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement or (ii) any replacement thereof that contains terms not materially less favorable to Lenders than the intercreditor agreement referred to in clause (i) .

 

Senior Notes means the Borrower’s 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 issued on the Effective Date and including any exchange notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

Senior Secured Notes means the Borrower’s 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued on the Effective Date and including any exchange notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

Senior Secured Notes Trustee means Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the indentures for the Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes.

 

Significant Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Borrower within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision).

 

Similar Business means a business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from the activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date or any business or activity that is reasonably similar or complementary thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto.

 

Sponsor Management Agreement means the management agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsors, EP Energy Holding Company and EPE Acquisition, LLC.

 

Sponsors means (i) affiliates of each of Apollo Global Management, LLC, Access Industries, Inc. and Riverstone Holdings, L.P. and other investors party to that certain Interim Investors Agreement dated as of February 24, 2012 (the “ Interim Investors Agreement ”) and any other investors that may become party to the Interim Investors Agreement prior to or upon the consummation of the Acquisition and any of their respective Affiliates other than any portfolio companies (collectively, the “ Equity Investor ”) and (ii) any Person that forms a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) with the Equity Investor; provided that the Equity Investor (x) owns a majority of the voting power and (y) controls a majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower.

 

Standard Securitization Undertakings means representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and guarantees of performance entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof which the Borrower has determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Financing including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets

 

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of a Receivables Subsidiary, it being understood that any Receivables Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.

 

Stated Maturity means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

 

Statutory Reserves means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board and any other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including any branch, Affiliate, or other fronting office making or holding a Loan) is subject for Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. A Loan that is not an ABR Loan shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency Liabilities and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D. Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

Subagent shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.02 .

 

Subordinated Indebtedness means (a) with respect to the Borrower, any Indebtedness of the Borrower which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Loans, and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

 

Subsidiary Guarantee means any guarantee of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the Loans by any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

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Subsidiary Guarantor means any Subsidiary that Incurs a Subsidiary Guarantee, including without limitation the Effective Date Guarantor; provided that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with this Agreement, such Subsidiary shall cease to be a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Successor Company shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(i) .

 

Successor Subsidiary Guarantor shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.02(i) .

 

Tax Distributions means any distributions described in Section 6.04(b)(xii) .

 

Taxes means any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments, deductions, withholdings or other similar charges imposed by any Governmental Authority whether computed on a separate, consolidated, unitary, combined or other basis and any interest, fines, penalties or additions to tax with respect to the foregoing.

 

Term/Notes Priority After-Acquired Property means any property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor that constitutes Term/Notes Priority Collateral that is not already subject to the Lien under the Security Documents, other than any Excluded Assets.

 

Term/Notes Priority Collateral shall have the meaning set forth in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Total Assets means the total consolidated assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Borrower, without giving effect to any amortization of the amount of intangible assets since December 31, 2011, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any subsequent acquisition or disposition of a Person or business.

 

Transaction Expenses means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates (including the Sponsors, the Acquired EP Business and its Subsidiaries) in connection with the Transactions, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Senior Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the RBL Facility and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

Transactions means, collectively, the Acquisition and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement or related thereto, this Agreement, the Senior Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the RBL Facility, the Equity Investments, the Debt Repayment, the payment of Transaction Expenses and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Loan Documents.

 

Type means, when used in respect of any Loan, the Rate by reference to which interest on such Loan is determined. For purposes hereof, Rate shall include the LIBOR and the ABR.

 

U.S. Dollars or “ $ ” means lawful money of the United States of America.

 

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U.S. Government Obligations means securities that are:

 

(1)                                   direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or

 

(2)                                   obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

 

which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

U.S. Lender means any Lender other than a Non-U.S. Lender.

 

Unfunded Current Liability of any Plan means the amount, if any, by which the Accumulated Benefit Obligation (as defined under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87 (“ SFAS 87 ”)) under the Plan as of the close of its most recent plan year, determined in accordance with SFAS 87 as in effect on the date hereof, exceeds the Fair Market Value of the assets allocable thereto.

 

UnoPaso shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary means:

 

(1)                                   any Subsidiary of the Borrower that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Borrower in the manner provided below; and

 

(2)                                   any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

The Borrower may designate any Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided, however, that the Subsidiary to be so designated and its Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have and do not thereafter Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than pursuant to customary Liens on related arrangements under any oil and gas royalty trust or master limited partnership); provided, further, however, that either:

 

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(a)                                   the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less; or

 

(b)                                  if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then such designation would be permitted under Section 6.04 .

 

The Borrower may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation:

 

(x)                                    (1)                                   the Borrower could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test under Section 6.03(a) , or (2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than such ratio immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation, and

 

(y)                                  no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Any such designation by the Borrower shall be evidenced to the Administrative Agent by promptly filing with the Administrative Agent a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof of the Borrower giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

 

USA Patriot Act means the U.S.A. Patriot Act, Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001).

 

Volumetric Production Payments means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertaking and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Voting Stock of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (2) the sum of all such payments.

 

Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary means any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Wholly Owned Subsidiary of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required pursuant to applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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SECTION 1.02.                                          Terms Generally . The definitions set forth or referred to in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “ include, includes and “ including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “ without limitation. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any reference in this Agreement to any Loan Document means such document as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP.

 

ARTICLE II

 

The Credits

 

SECTION 2.01.                                          Commitments .

 

(a)                              Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, each Lender having a Funding Date Commitment severally agrees to make a Loan or Loans on the Funding Date to the Borrower in U.S. Dollars in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Lender’s Funding Date Commitment resulting in aggregate proceeds to the Borrower equal to 99% of the Funding Date Commitment of such Lender. The initial aggregate principal amount of the Loans shall be $750,000,000. The Funding Date Commitments shall automatically terminate on the Commitment Expiration Date.

 

(b)                             Loans (i) shall be made on the Funding Date, (ii) may be repaid or prepaid in accordance with the provisions hereof, but once repaid or prepaid, may not be reborrowed, (iii) shall not on the Funding Date exceed for any such Lender the Funding Date Commitment of such Lender and (iv) shall not on the Funding Date exceed in the aggregate the total of all Funding Date Commitments.

 

(c)                              Incremental Commitments may be established as set forth in Section 2.23 . Each Incremental Lender agrees, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Incremental Facility Agreement, to make Loans under its Incremental Commitment of any Class in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed such Incremental Commitment.

 

(d)                             Each Lender may at its option make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that (i) any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan and (ii) in exercising such option, such Lender shall use its reasonable efforts to minimize any increased costs to the Borrower resulting therefrom (which obligation of the Lender shall not require it to take, or refrain from taking, actions that it determines would result in increased costs for which it will not be compensated hereunder or that it determines would be otherwise disadvantageous to it and in the event of such request for costs for which compensation is provided under this Agreement, the provisions of Section 2.10 shall apply).

 

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SECTION 2.02.                                          [Reserved] .

 

SECTION 2.03.                                          Notice of Borrowing .

 

(a)                              The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Lending Office written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) prior to (a) in the case of a LIBOR Loan, 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) at least three Business Days prior to the date of the proposed borrowing, and (b) in the case of an ABR Loan, 12:00 Noon (New York City time) at least one Business Day prior to the date of the proposed borrowing. Such notice (a “ Notice of Borrowing ”) shall be revocable (i) to the extent provided in Section 2.14(b) , (ii) in the case of a Funding Date intended to occur concurrently with the Acquisition Date, if the Acquisition is not consummated or is delayed and (iii) if any of the other conditions in Section 4.02 or 4.03 , as applicable, that are not reasonably within the control of the Borrower are not satisfied or waived. Such Notice of Borrowing shall specify (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans to be made, (ii) the proposed date of the Loans (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) whether such Loans are to be ABR Loans or LIBOR Loans and, if LIBOR Loans, the initial Interest Period applicable thereto, and (iv) remittance instructions for disbursement of the proceeds of the Loans. Each Notice of Borrowing shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit H . The Administrative Agent shall promptly give each Lender written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of the proposed borrowing of Loans, of such Lender’s proportionate share thereof and of the other matters covered by the related Notice of Borrowing.

 

(b)                             Without in any way limiting the obligation of the Borrower to confirm in writing any notice it may give hereunder by telephone, the Administrative Agent may act prior to receipt of written confirmation without liability upon the basis of such telephonic notice believed by the Administrative Agent in good faith to be from an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

 

SECTION 2.04.                                          Disbursement of Funds .

 

(a)                              Subject to Article IV , no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Funding Date, each Lender will make available its pro rata portion based on its Funding Date Commitment of the Loans to be made on such date in the manner provided below.

 

(b)                             Each Lender shall make available all amounts it is to fund to the Borrower in immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Lending Office, and the Administrative Agent will (x) if the Funding Date occurs concurrently with the Acquisition Date, make available to the Borrower, by depositing to the Borrower’s account identified in the Notice of Borrowing, the aggregate of the amounts so made available in U.S. Dollars or (y) if the Funding Date occurs prior to the Acquisition Date, make available to the Borrower, by depositing to the Funding Date Escrow Account, the aggregate of the amounts so made available in U.S. Dollars. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the Funding Date that such Lender does not intend to make available to the Administrative Agent its portion of the Loans to be made on such date, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on such date, and the Administrative Agent, in reliance upon such assumption, may (in its sole discretion and without any obligation to do so) make available to the Borrower a corresponding

 

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amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender and the Administrative Agent has made available same to the Borrower, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay immediately to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand (without duplication) such corresponding amount. The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover from such Lender or the Borrower interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by the Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (i) if paid by such Lender, the greater of (A) the Federal Funds Rate and (B) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) if paid by the Borrower, the then-applicable rate of interest, calculated in accordance with Section 2.08 , for the respective Loans.

 

(c)                              Nothing in this Section 2.04 shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its commitments hereunder).

 

(d)                             If the proceeds of the Loans are funded into the Funding Date Escrow Account pursuant to Section 2.04(b) , the Borrower shall have the right to direct the Funding Date Escrow Agent to release the funds from the Funding Date Escrow Account upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.04 for the purpose of consummating the Acquisition. The Borrower shall have the right to so direct the release of such funds from escrow to consummate the Acquisition even if a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing (or would have occurred had the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (after giving effect to the Transactions) been subject to all of the provisions of this Agreement from and after the Effective Date).

 

(e)                              If the Funding Date Escrow Account has been funded with the Loans but (i) the Officers’ Certificate referred to in Section 4.04(a) shall not have been delivered on or prior to the Outside Date or (ii) the Borrower determines in its sole discretion at any time prior to the Outside Date that any of the conditions set forth in Section 4.04 cannot be satisfied on or prior the Outside Date, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such failure or determination and shall repay the Loans within five (5) Business Days of such notification at a price equal to 100% of the gross proceeds of the Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest (including, if the Loans are issued at a price less than par, accreted discount), if any, to the date of repayment. Pursuant to the terms of the Funding Date Escrow Agreement, the Funding Date Escrow Agent will be required to release funds from the Funding Date Escrow Account to make such repayment.

 

(f)                                The Borrower shall direct the Effective Date Escrow Agent to release the funds constituting the Commitment Fees from the Effective Date Escrow Account upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 or Section 4.03 (in each case, other than the condition that the Lenders shall have received the Commitment Fees), as applicable, and, upon receipt of such funds, the Administrative Agent shall pay the Commitment Fees to the Lenders.

 

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SECTION 2.05.                                          Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

 

(a)                              The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Loan of such Lender to the Borrower on the Maturity Date applicable thereto, in U.S. Dollars.

 

(b)                             Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to the appropriate Lending Office of such Lender resulting from the Loan made by such Lending Office of such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lending Office of such Lender from time to time under this Agreement.

 

(c)                              The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 9.06(b)(iv) , and a subaccount for each Lender, in which the Register and subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount of the Loans made hereunder and the Interest Period(s) applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest or Commitment Fee due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(d)                             The entries made in the Register and accounts and subaccounts maintained pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 2.05 shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such account, such Register or such subaccount, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loan made to the Borrower by such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(e)                              Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a Note. In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a Note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B .

 

SECTION 2.06.                                          Change of Control; Asset Sale .

 

(a)                                   Change of Control .

 

(i)     Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Lender will have the right to require the Borrower to repay all or any part of such Lender’s Loan in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the repayment date, except to the extent the Borrower has previously or concurrently elected to prepay the Loans in accordance with Section 2.14 .

 

(ii)     In the event that at the time of such Change of Control, the terms of the Bank Indebtedness restrict or prohibit the repayment of Loans pursuant to this Section 2.06(a) , then prior to the mailing of the notice to the Lenders provided for in Section 2.06(a)(iii) but in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Borrower shall:

 

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(1)           repay in full all Bank Indebtedness or, if doing so will allow the repayment of Loans, offer to repay in full all Bank Indebtedness and repay the Bank Indebtedness of each lender and/or noteholder who has accepted such offer; or

 

(2)           obtain the requisite consent under the agreements governing the Bank Indebtedness to permit the repayment of the Loans as provided for in Section 2.06(a)(iii) .

 

(iii)                                Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Borrower has exercised its right to prepay the Loans in accordance with Section 2.14 , the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver notice to each Lender to the address of such Lender appearing in the Register or otherwise in accordance with Section 9.02 of the following (such notification, a “ Change of Control Offer ”):

 

(1)                                   that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Lender has the right to require the Borrower to repay such Lender’s Loans in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repayment date;

 

(2)                                   the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control;

 

(3)                                   the repayment date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date on which the Administrative Agent is notified) (the “ Change of Control Offer Payment Date ”);

 

(4)                                   that unless the Borrower defaults in making the payment, all Loans accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Offer Payment Date;

 

(5)                                   that Lenders electing to have any Loans repaid pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to notify the Administrative Agent prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Offer Payment Date;

 

(6)                                   that Lenders will be entitled to withdraw their election to require the Borrower to repay such Loans; provided that the Administrative Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, a facsimile transmission, electronic mail or letter setting forth the name of such Lender, the principal amount of Loans to be repaid, and a statement that such Lender is withdrawing its election to have such Loans repaid; and

 

(7)                                   the other instructions determined by the Borrower or as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, consistent with this Section 2.06 , that a Lender must follow in order to have its Loans repaid.

 

The notice, if delivered in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Lender receives such notice. If (x) the notice is delivered in a manner herein provided and (y) any Lender fails to receive such notice or a Lender receives such notice but it is defective, such Lender’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the repayment of the Loans as to all other Lenders that properly received such notice without defect.

 

(iv)                               On the repayment date, the Borrower shall repay the Loans in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the repayment date to the Lenders electing such repayment.

 

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(v)                                  A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

 

(vi)                               The Borrower will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Agreement and repays all Loans properly elected to be repaid under such Change of Control Offer and the Borrower shall instruct the Administrative Agent to accept repayments made by such third parties.

 

(b)                                  Asset Sale .

 

(i)                                      Within 365 days after the Borrower’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale, at its option:

 

(1)                                   to repay (w) Indebtedness constituting First-Priority Lien Obligations and other Pari Passu Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien permitted under this Agreement (and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), (x) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, (y) Obligations under the Loans or (z) other Pari Passu Indebtedness ( provided that if the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall so reduce Obligations under Pari Passu Indebtedness that does not constitute First-Priority Lien Obligations, the Borrower will repay the Loans pursuant to Section 2.14 or reduce Loans pursuant to Section 9.06(f) ( provided that such repayments are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof or, in the event that the Loans were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all Lenders to repay Loans at par or, in the event that the Loans were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest on the pro rata principal amount of Loans), in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower);

 

(2)                                   to make an Investment in any one or more businesses ( provided that if such Investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition results in such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower), assets, or property or capital expenditures, in each case (x) used or useful in a Similar Business or (y) that replaces the properties and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale; or

 

(3)                                   to invest in Additional Assets.

 

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In the case of clause (2) above, a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the 18-month anniversary of the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds; provided that in the event such binding commitment is later canceled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are so applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds unless the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower enters into another binding commitment (a “ Second Commitment ”) within 180 days of such cancellation or termination of the prior binding commitment; provided, further, that the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower may only enter into a Second Commitment under the foregoing provision one time with respect to each Asset Sale and to the extent such Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied or are not applied within 180 days of such Second Commitment, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

 

(ii)                              Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in clause (i) of this Section 2.06(b) (it being understood that any portion of such Net Proceeds used to make an offer to repay Loans, as described in clause (i)(1) of Section 2.06(b) , shall be deemed to have been invested whether or not such offer is accepted) will be deemed to constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50,000,000, the Borrower shall make an offer to all Lenders (and, at the option of the Borrower, to holders of any Pari Passu Indebtedness) (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”) to repay the maximum principal amount of Loans (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness), that may be repaid out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event the Loans or such Pari Passu Indebtedness was issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness), to the date fixed for the closing of such offer.

 

To the extent that the aggregate amount of Loans (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) accepted for repayment or tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Borrower may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose that is not prohibited by this Agreement. If the aggregate principal amount of Loans (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) accepted for repayment or surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Administrative Agent shall apply the Excess Proceeds ratably to the repayment of the Loans and any other tendered Pari Passu Indebtedness based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Loans or such Pari Passu Indebtedness accepted for repayment or tendered. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

 

(iii)                           Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section 2.06(b) , the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Agreement.

 

(iv)                          Within ten Business Days of any date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50,000,000, the Borrower shall deliver written notice of such occurrence to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent

 

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shall promptly deliver notice to each Lender to the address of such Lender appearing in the Register or otherwise in accordance with Section 9.02 with the following information:

 

(1)                                   that the Borrower is making an Asset Sale Offer pursuant to this Section 2.06(b) and that all Loans and Pari Passu Indebtedness property accepted for repayment or tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to such Asset Sale Offer will be repaid by the Borrower;

 

(2)                                   the repayment date, which will be no earlier than thirty days nor later than sixty days from the date on which such notice is delivered (the “ Asset Sale Offer Payment Date ”);

 

(3)                                   that any Loan not properly accepted for repayment will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

 

(4)                                   that unless the Borrower defaults in making the payment, all Loans accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrue interest on the Asset Sale Offer Payment Date;

 

(5)                                   that Lenders electing to have any Loans repaid pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer will be required to notify the Administrative Agent prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Asset Sale Offer Payment Date;

 

(6)                                   that Lenders will be entitled to withdraw their election to require the Borrower to repay such Loans; provided that the Administrative Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the expiration date of the Asset Sale Offer, a facsimile transmission, electronic mail or letter setting forth the name of such Lender, the principal amount of Loans to be repaid, and a statement that such Lender is withdrawing its election to have such Loans repaid;

 

(7)                                   that, to the extent that the aggregate principal amount of Loans or the Pari Passu Indebtedness accepted for repayment or surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Administrative Agent will apply the Excess Proceeds as set forth under the last sentence of Section 2.06(b)(ii) ; and

 

(8)                                   the other instructions, as determined by the Borrower or as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, consistent with this Section 2.06(b) , that a Lender must follow in order to have its Loans repaid.

 

The notice, if delivered in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Lender receives such notice. If (x) the notice is delivered in a manner herein provided and (y) any Lender fails to receive such notice or a Lender receives such notice but it is defective, such Lender’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the repayment of the Loans as to all other Lenders that properly received such notice without defect.

 

SECTION 2.07.                                          [Reserved] .

 

SECTION 2.08.                                          Interest .

 

(a)                                   (i) Interest on each Loan that is a LIBOR Loan will accrue and be payable at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBOR plus the Applicable Margin and shall be payable in cash, and (ii) interest on each Loan that is an ABR Loan will accrue and be payable at a rate per annum equal to the ABR plus the Applicable Margin and shall be payable in cash, each rate as determined by the Administrative Agent. Each determination shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

 

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(b)                             If all or a portion of (i) the principal amount of any Loan or (ii) any interest (or premium, if any) payable thereon shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum that is (x) in the case of overdue principal, the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto plus 2.00% or (y) in the case of any overdue interest (and premium, if any), to the extent permitted by applicable law, the then-effective rate plus 2.00% from and including the date of such non-payment to but excluding the date on which such amount is paid in full (after as well as before judgment).

 

(c)                              Interest on each Loan shall accrue from and including the date on which such Loan is made to but excluding the date of any repayment thereof and shall be payable (i) on each Interest Payment Date, and (ii) on any prepayment (on the amount prepaid), at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) and, after such maturity, on demand.

 

(d)                             All computations of interest hereunder shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that interest computed by reference to the ABR at times when the ABR is based on the prime rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

(e)                              The Administrative Agent, upon determining the Adjusted LIBOR or ABR for any Interest Period, shall promptly notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders thereof. Each such determination shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding on all parties hereto. The Administrative Agent shall, upon the request of any Lender, provide the interest rate then in effect with respect to the applicable Loans.

 

(f)                                On each Interest Payment Date, if any, between the Funding Date and the Acquisition Date, the Administrative Agent shall direct the Funding Date Escrow Agent (by notice delivered to the Funding Date Escrow Agent on or prior to 12:00 noon (New York City time) on such Interest Payment Date) to release funds from the Funding Date Escrow Account in an amount equal to the amount of interest due and payable on such Interest Payment Date and shall pay, or direct the Funding Date Escrow Agent to pay, such interest to the Lenders. Any such payment by the Funding Date Escrow Agent or the Administrative Agent shall constitute payment of such interest by the Borrower for purposes of Section 2.08(c) . Any failure of the Administrative Agent to give such direction, or for the Escrow Agent or Administrative Agent to make such payment out of funds available in the Funding Date Escrow Account, in a timely manner shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder.

 

SECTION 2.09.                                          Interest Periods . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above, if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided that if any Interest Period would otherwise expire (i) on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day and (ii) on a day that is after the Maturity Date, such Interest Period shall expire on the Maturity Date.

 

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SECTION 2.10.                                          Increased Costs, Illegality, etc.

 

(a)                                   In the event that (x) in the case of clause (i) below, the Required Lenders or (y) in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) below, any Lender, shall have reasonably determined (which determination shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto):

 

(i)                                      on any date for determining the LIBOR for any Interest Period that (A) deposits in the principal amounts of the Loans comprising such LIBOR Loan are not generally available in the relevant market or (B) by reason of any changes arising on or after the Effective Date affecting the interbank LIBOR market, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in the definition of LIBOR; or

 

(ii)                                   that, due to a Change in Law occurring at any time after the Effective Date, which Change in Law shall (A) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender, (B) subject any Lender to any Tax with respect to any Loan Document or any LIBOR Loan made by it (other than (i) Taxes indemnifiable under Section 2.17 , or (ii) Excluded Taxes), or (C) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or LIBOR Loans made by such Lender, which results in the cost to such Lender of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining LIBOR Loans increasing by an amount or the amounts received or receivable by such Lender hereunder with respect to the foregoing shall be reduced; or

 

(iii)                                at any time, that the making or continuance of any LIBOR Loan has become unlawful as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any Requirement of Law (or would conflict with any such Requirement of Law not having the force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful);

 

then, and in any such event, such Lenders (or the Administrative Agent, in the case of clause (i) above) shall within a reasonable time thereafter give notice (if by telephone, confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the other Lenders). Thereafter (x) in the case of clause (i) above, LIBOR Loans shall no longer be available until such time as the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice by the Administrative Agent no longer exist (which notice the Administrative Agent agrees to give at such time when such circumstances no longer exist), and any Notice of Borrowing given by the Borrower with respect to LIBOR Loans that have not yet been incurred shall be deemed rescinded by the Borrower, (y) in the case of clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender, promptly (but no later than ten days) after receipt of written demand therefor such additional amounts as shall be required to compensate such Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amounts receivable hereunder (it being agreed that a written notice as to the additional amounts owed to such Lender submitted to the Borrower by such Lender shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) and (z) in the case of clause (iii) above, the Borrower shall take one of the actions

 

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specified in Section 2.10(b) as promptly as possible and, in any event, within the time period required by applicable Requirements of Law.

 

(b)                             At any time that any LIBOR Loan is affected by the circumstances described in Section 2.10(a)(ii) or (iii) , the Borrower may (and in the case of a LIBOR Loan affected pursuant to Section 2.10(a)(iii) shall) either (1) if the affected LIBOR Loan is then being made pursuant to a borrowing, cancel such borrowing by giving the Administrative Agent telephonic notice (confirmed promptly in writing) thereof on the same date that the Borrower was notified by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.10(a)(ii) or (iii) or (2) if the affected LIBOR Loan is then outstanding, upon at least three Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, require the affected Lender to convert each such LIBOR Loan into an ABR Loan; provided that if more than one Lender is affected at any time, then all affected Lenders must be treated in the same manner pursuant to this Section 2.10(b) .

 

(c)                              If, after the Effective Date, any Change in Law relating to capital adequacy of any Lender or compliance by any Lender or its parent with any Change in Law relating to capital adequacy occurring after the Effective Date, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or its parent’s capital or assets as a consequence of such Lender’s commitments or obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or its parent could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or its parent’s policies with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time, promptly (but in any event no later than ten days) after written demand by such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or its parent for such reduction, it being understood and agreed, however, that a Lender shall not be entitled to such compensation as a result of such Lender’s compliance with, or pursuant to any request or directive to comply with, any applicable Requirement of Law as in effect on the Effective Date. Each Lender, upon determining in good faith that any additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 2.10(c) , will give prompt written notice thereof to the Borrower, although the failure to give any such notice shall not, subject to Section 2.13 , release or diminish the Borrower’s obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.10(c) upon receipt of such notice.

 

SECTION 2.11.                                          Compensation . If (a) any payment of principal of any Loan is made by the Borrower to or for the account of a Lender other than on the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan as a result of a payment pursuant to Section 2.14 , as a result of acceleration of the maturity of the Loans pursuant to Article VII or for any other reason, (b) there occurs any failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any LIBOR Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (c) there occurs any assignment of any LIBOR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 9.07 , the Borrower shall, after receipt of a written request by such Lender, pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender any amounts required to compensate such Lender for any additional losses, costs or expenses that such Lender may reasonably incur as a result of such payment, or failure to prepay, including any loss, cost or expense (excluding loss of anticipated profits) actually incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by any Lender to fund or maintain such Loan. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount that such Lender is entitled to receive

 

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pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on such certificate within ten days after receipt thereof.

 

SECTION 2.12.                                          Change of Lending Office . Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.10(a)(ii) , 2.10(a)(iii) , 2.10(c) or 2.17 with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event; provided that such designation does not cause such Lender or its lending office to suffer any economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, with the object of avoiding the consequence of the event giving rise to the operation of any such Section. Nothing in this Section 2.12 shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of the Borrower or the right of any Lender provided in Section 2.10 or 2.17 .

 

SECTION 2.13.                                          Notice of Certain Costs . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent any notice required by Section 2.10 , 2.11 or 2.17 is given by any Lender more than 180 days after such Lender has knowledge (or should have had knowledge) of the occurrence of the event giving rise to the additional cost, reduction in amounts, loss, tax or other additional amounts described in such Sections, such Lender shall not be entitled to compensation under Section 2.10 , 2.11 or 2.17 , as the case may be, for any such amounts incurred or accruing prior to the 181st day prior to the giving of such notice to the Borrower; provided that if a Change in Law that gives rise to such additional amounts is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

SECTION 2.14.                                          Voluntary Prepayments .

 

(a)                              Subject to Section 2.14(c) , the Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Loan in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000 or, if less, the amount outstanding, upon prior notice to the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy), not less than three Business Days prior to the date of prepayment, which notice shall be irrevocable except to the extent conditioned on a refinancing of all or any portion of the Loans. Each such notice shall be signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower and shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if LIBOR Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each applicable Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s pro rata share of such prepayment.

 

(b)                             Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Borrower may rescind any notice of prepayment under Section 2.14(a) by notice to the Administrative Agent a reasonable time prior to the specified effective time of such prepayment if such prepayment would have resulted from a refinancing of all or any portion of the Loans, which refinancing shall not be consummated or shall otherwise be delayed.

 

(c)                              In the event that, prior to the date that is one year after the Acquisition Date, there shall occur any amendment, amendment and restatement or other modification of this

 

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Agreement which reduces the Applicable Margin with respect to the Loans or any prepayment or refinancing of the Loans with proceeds of new term loans or debt securities having lower applicable margins or applicable yield (after giving effect to any premiums paid on such new term loans or debt securities) than the Applicable Margin for the Loans on the Effective Date, each such amendment, amendment and restatement, modification, prepayment or refinancing, as the case may be, shall be accompanied by a fee or prepayment premium, as applicable, equal to 1.00% of the principal amount of the Loans affected thereby or repaid, as applicable.

 

(d)                             All prepayments under this Section 2.14 shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon, together with, in the case of any such prepayment of a LIBOR Loan on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period therefor, any amounts owing in respect of such LIBOR Loan pursuant to Section 2.11 .

 

(e)                              Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, including this Section 2.14 and Section 2.21 (which provisions shall not be applicable to this Section 2.14(e) ):

 

(1)                                   The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay Loans from Lenders electing to participate in such prepayments at a discount to the par value of such Loans and on a non-pro rata basis (each, a “ Discounted Voluntary Prepayment ”) pursuant to the procedures described in this Section 2.14(e) ; provided that (A) no Discounted Voluntary Prepayment shall be made unless immediately after giving effect to such Discounted Voluntary Prepayment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (B) any Discounted Voluntary Prepayment shall be offered to all Lenders with Loans on a pro rata basis and (C) the Borrower on the date such Discounted Voluntary Prepayment is made shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower stating (1) that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the Discounted Voluntary Prepayment and (2) except as previously disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, the Borrower does not have any MNPI with respect to any Credit Party that has not been disclosed to the Lenders (other than Lenders who do not wish to receive Non-Public Information).

 

(2)                                   To the extent the Borrower seeks to make a Discounted Voluntary Prepayment, the Borrower will provide written notice to the Administrative Agent (each, a “ Discounted Prepayment Option Notice ”) that the Borrower desires to prepay Loans in an aggregate principal amount specified therein by the Borrower (each, a “ Proposed Discounted Prepayment Amount ”), in each case at a discount to the par value of such Loans as specified below. The Proposed Discounted Prepayment Amount of Loans shall not be less than $1,000,000. The Discounted Prepayment Option Notice shall further specify with respect to the proposed Discounted Voluntary Prepayment: (A) the Proposed Discounted Prepayment Amount for Loans and the Class of Loans to which such offer relates, (B) a discount range (which may be a single percentage) selected by the Borrower with respect to such proposed Discounted Voluntary Prepayment equal to a percentage of par of the principal amount of such Loans (the “ Discount Range ”) and (C) the date by which Lenders are required to indicate their election to participate in such proposed Discounted Voluntary Prepayment which shall be at least five Business Days following the date of the Discounted Prepayment Option Notice (the “ Acceptance Date ”).

 

(3)                                   Upon receipt of a Discounted Prepayment Option Notice in accordance with Section 2.14(e)(2) , the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each

 

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applicable Lender thereof. On or prior to the Acceptance Date, each Lender with Loans may specify (each, a “ Lender Participation Notice ”) to the Administrative Agent (A) a maximum discount to par (the “ Acceptable Discount ”) within the Discount Range (for example, a Lender specifying a discount to par of 20% would accept a prepayment price of 80% of the par value of the Loans to be prepaid) and (B) a maximum principal amount (subject to rounding requirements specified by the Administrative Agent) of Loans of each Class held by such Lender with respect to which such Lender is willing to permit a Discounted Voluntary Prepayment at the Acceptable Discount (“ Offered Loans ”). Based on the Acceptable Discounts and principal amounts of Loans specified by the Lenders in Lender Participation Notices, the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrower, shall calculate the applicable discount for Term Loans (the “ Applicable Discount ”), which Applicable Discount shall be (A) the percentage specified by the Borrower if the Borrower has selected a single percentage pursuant to Section 2.14(e)(2) for the Discounted Voluntary Prepayment or (B) otherwise, the highest Acceptable Discount at which the Borrower can pay the Proposed Discounted Prepayment Amount in full (determined by adding the principal amounts of Offered Loans commencing with the Offered Loans with the highest Acceptable Discount); provided, however, that in the event that such Proposed Discounted Prepayment Amount cannot be repaid in full at any Acceptable Discount, the Applicable Discount shall be the lowest Acceptable Discount specified by the Lenders that is within the Discount Range. The Applicable Discount shall be applicable for all Lenders who have offered to participate in the Discounted Voluntary Prepayment and have Qualifying Loans (as defined below). Any Lender with outstanding Loans under the applicable Class whose Lender Participation Notice is not received by the Administrative Agent by the Acceptance Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept a Discounted Voluntary Prepayment of any of its Loans at any discount to their par value within the Applicable Discount.

 

(4)                                   The Borrower shall make a Discounted Voluntary Prepayment by prepaying those Loans (or the respective portions thereof) offered by the Lenders (“ Qualifying Lenders ”) that specify an Acceptable Discount that is equal to or greater than the Applicable Discount (“ Qualifying Loans ”) at the Applicable Discount; provided that if the aggregate proceeds required to prepay all Qualifying Loans (disregarding any interest payable at such time) would exceed the amount of aggregate proceeds required to prepay the Proposed Discounted Prepayment Amount, such amounts in each case calculated by applying the Applicable Discount, the Borrower shall prepay such Qualifying Loans ratably among the Qualifying Lenders based on their respective principal amounts of such Qualifying Loans (subject to rounding requirements specified by the Administrative Agent). If the aggregate proceeds required to prepay all Qualifying Loans (disregarding any interest payable at such time) would be less than the amount of aggregate proceeds required to prepay the Proposed Discounted Prepayment Amount, such amounts in each case calculated by applying the Applicable Discount, the Borrower shall prepay all Qualifying Loans.

 

(5)                                   Each Discounted Voluntary Prepayment shall be made within five Business Days of the Acceptance Date, without premium or penalty (and without any amounts due under Section 2.11) , upon irrevocable notice substantially (each, a “ Discounted Voluntary Prepayment Notice ”), delivered to the Administrative Agent no later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time), two Business Days prior to the date of such Discounted Voluntary Prepayment, which notice shall specify the date and amount of the Discounted Voluntary Prepayment and the Applicable Discount determined by the Administrative Agent. Upon receipt of any Discounted Voluntary Prepayment Notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify

 

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each relevant Lender thereof. If any Discounted Voluntary Prepayment Notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable to the applicable Lenders, subject to the Applicable Discount on the applicable Loans, on the date specified therein together with accrued interest (on the par principal amount) to, but not including, such date on the amount prepaid.

 

(6)                                   To the extent not expressly provided for herein, each Discounted Voluntary Prepayment shall be consummated pursuant to reasonable procedures (including as to timing, rounding, minimum amounts, Type and Interest Periods and calculation of Applicable Discount in accordance with Section 2.14(e)(3) above) reasonably established by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

(7)                                   Prior to the delivery of a Discounted Voluntary Prepayment Notice, (A) upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower may withdraw its offer to make a Discounted Voluntary Prepayment pursuant to any Discounted Prepayment Option Notice and (B) any Lender may withdraw its offer to participate in a Discounted Voluntary Prepayment pursuant to any Lender Participation Notice.

 

SECTION 2.15.                                                                  Commitment Fee; Other Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to each Lender, through the Administrative Agent, on the earlier to occur of the Funding Date and the Commitment Expiration Date, a commitment fee in U.S. Dollars (a “ Commitment Fee ”) on the amount of the Funding Date Commitment of such Lender on the Funding Date at a rate equal to 1.00% per annum. All Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days. The Commitment Fee due to each Lender shall commence to accrue on the Effective Date and shall cease to accrue on (and exclude) the earlier to occur of the Funding Date and the Commitment Expiration Date. The Commitment Fee will be paid out of the Effective Date Escrow Account pursuant to Section 2.04(f) .

 

(b)                                  The Borrower shall pay to the Agents such other fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever (except as expressly agreed between the Borrower and the applicable Agent).

 

SECTION 2.16.                                                                  Method and Place of Payment.

 

(a)                                   Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all payments under this Agreement shall be made by the Borrower, without set-off, counterclaim or deduction of any kind, to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders entitled thereto not later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) on the date when due and shall be made in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Lending Office or at such other office as the Administrative Agent shall specify for such purpose by notice to the Borrower, it being understood that written or facsimile notice by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent to make a payment from the funds attributed to the Borrower in an account of the Administrative Agent shall constitute the making of such payment to the extent of such funds held in such account. All payments under each Loan Document (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) shall be made in U.S. Dollars. The Administrative Agent will thereafter cause to be promptly distributed like funds relating to the payment of principal or interest or fees ratably to the Lenders entitled thereto.

 

(b)                                  Any payments under this Agreement that are made later than 2.00 p.m. (New York City time) shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

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Except as otherwise provided herein, whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and, with respect to payments of principal, interest shall be payable during such extension at the applicable rate in effect immediately prior to such extension.

 

SECTION 2.17.                                                                  Net Payments .

 

(a)                                   Any and all payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any Taxes; provided that if the Borrower, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Administrative Agent or any other applicable withholding agent shall be required by applicable Requirements of Law to deduct or withhold any Taxes from such payments, then (i) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions or withholdings as are reasonably determined by the applicable withholding agent to be required by any applicable Requirement of Law, (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority within the time allowed and in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law, and (iii) to the extent withholding or deduction is required to be made on account of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be increased as necessary so that after all required deductions and withholdings have been made (including deductions or withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the applicable Lender, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made. Whenever any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as promptly as possible thereafter, the Borrower or Subsidiary Guarantor shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of such Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an official receipt (or other evidence acceptable to such Lender, acting reasonably) received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor showing payment thereof. Without duplication, after any payment of Taxes by any Credit Party or the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 2.17 , the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, a copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower shall timely pay and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender with regard to any Other Taxes (whether or not such Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority).

 

(c)                                   The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender within 15 Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or such Lender, as the case may be (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable

 

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under this Section 2.17) , and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent (as applicable) on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)                                  Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law and such other reasonably requested information as will permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine (A) whether or not any payments made hereunder or under any other Loan Document are subject to Taxes, (B) if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction, and (C) such Lender’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, applicable Taxes in respect of any payments to be made to such Lender by any Credit Party pursuant to any Loan Document or otherwise to establish such Lender’s status for withholding tax purposes in the applicable jurisdiction. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.

 

(e)                                   Without limiting the generality of Section 2.17(d) , each Non-U.S. Lender with respect to any Loan made to the Borrower shall, to the extent it is legally eligible to do so:

 

(1)                                   deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, prior to the date on which the first payment to the Non-U.S. Lender is due hereunder, two copies of (A) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest”, United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or any applicable successor form) (together with a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 , Exhibit F-2 , Exhibit F-3 or Exhibit F-4 hereto, as applicable (a “ Non-Bank Tax Certificate ”), representing that such Non-U.S. Lender is not a bank for purposes of Section 881(c) of the Code, is not a “10 percent shareholder” (within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code) of the Borrower, is not a CFC related to the Borrower (within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the Code) and the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the conduct by such Lender of a trade or business within the United States), (B) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8ECI (or any applicable successor form), in each case properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption from, or reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on payments by the Borrower under this Agreement, (C) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY (or any applicable successor form) and all necessary attachments (including the forms described in clauses (A) and (B) above; provided that if the Non-U.S. Lender is a partnership and not a participating Lender, and one or more of the partners is claiming portfolio interest treatment, the Non-Bank Tax Certificate may be provided by such Non-U.S. Lender on behalf of such partners) or (D) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding tax duly completed together

 

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with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

(2)                                   deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further copies of any such form or certification (or any applicable successor form) on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

 

Any Non-U.S. Lender that becomes legally ineligible to update any form or certification previously delivered shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of such Non-U.S. Lender’s inability to do so.

 

Each Person that shall become a Participant pursuant to Section 9.06 or a Lender pursuant to Section 9.06 shall, upon the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all the forms and statements required pursuant to this Section 2.17(e) ; provided that in the case of a Participant such Participant shall furnish all such required forms and statements to the Person from which the related participation shall have been purchased.

 

In addition, to the extent it is legally eligible to do so, each Agent shall deliver to the Borrower (x)(I) prior to the date on which the first payment by the Borrower is due hereunder or (II) prior to the first date on or after the date on which such Agent becomes a successor Agent pursuant to Section 8.09 on which payment by the Borrower is due hereunder, as applicable, two copies of a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 certifying its exemption from U.S. Federal backup withholding or a properly completed and executed applicable IRS Form W-8 certifying its non-U.S. status and its entitlement to any applicable treaty benefits, and (y) on or before the date on which any such previously delivered documentation expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent documentation previously delivered by it to the Borrower, and from time to time if reasonably requested by the Borrower, two further copies of such documentation.

 

(f)                                     If any Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, determines, in its sole discretion, that it had received a refund of an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax for which a payment has been made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, which refund in the good faith judgment of such Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, is attributable to such payment made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, then the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor for such amount (net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, and without interest other than any interest received thereon from the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund) as the Lender, Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, determines in its sole discretion to be the proportion of the refund as will leave it, after such reimbursement, in no better or worse position (taking into account expenses or any taxes imposed on the refund) than it would have been in if the payment had not been required; provided that the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor, upon the request of the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in the event the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent is

 

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required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. In such event, such Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, shall, at the Borrower’s request, provide the Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant Governmental Authority ( provided that such Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may delete any information therein that it deems confidential). A Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall claim any refund that it determines is available to it, unless it concludes in its sole discretion that it would be adversely affected by making such a claim. No Lender nor the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be obliged to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Credit Party in connection with this clause (f) or any other provision of this Section 2.17 .

 

(g)                                  If the Borrower determines that a reasonable basis exists for contesting an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax for which a Credit Party has paid additional amounts as indemnification payments, each affected Lender or Agent, as the case may be, shall use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower as the Borrower may reasonably request in challenging such Tax. The Borrower shall indemnify and hold each Lender and Agent harmless against any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Person in connection with any request made by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.17(g) . Nothing in this Section 2.17(g) shall obligate any Lender or Agent to take any action that such Person, in its sole judgment, determines may result in a material detriment to such Person.

 

(h)                                  Each U.S. Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two Internal Revenue Service Forms W-9 (or substitute or successor form), properly completed and duly executed, certifying that such U.S. Lender is exempt from United States federal backup withholding (i) on or prior to the Effective Date (or on or prior to the date it becomes a party to this Agreement), (ii) on or before the date that such form expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, (iii) after the occurrence of a change in the U.S. Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (iv) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

 

(i)                                      If a payment made to any Lender or any Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender or such Agent were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender or such Agent shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA, to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.17(i) , “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

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(j)                                      The agreements in this Section 2.17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

SECTION 2.18.                                                                  Limit on Rate of Interest .

 

(a)                                   No Payment Shall Exceed Lawful Rate . Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be obliged to pay any interest or other amounts under or in connection with this Agreement in excess of the amount or rate permitted under or consistent with any applicable law, rule or regulation.

 

(b)                                  Payment at Highest Lawful Rate . If the Borrower is not obliged to make a payment which it would otherwise be required to make, as a result of Section 2.18(a) , the Borrower shall make such payment to the maximum extent permitted by or consistent with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

(c)                                   Adjustment if Any Payment Exceeds Lawful Rate . If any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents would obligate the Borrower to make any payment of interest or other amount payable to any Lender in an amount or calculated at a rate which would be prohibited by any applicable law, rule or regulation, then notwithstanding such provision, such amount or rate shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by law, such adjustment to be effected, to the extent necessary, by reducing the amount or rate of interest required to be paid by the Borrower to the affected Lender under Section 2.08 .

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and after giving effect to all adjustments contemplated thereby, if any Lender shall have received from the Borrower an amount in excess of the maximum permitted by any applicable law, rule or regulation, then the Borrower shall be entitled, by notice in writing to the Administrative Agent to obtain reimbursement from that Lender in an amount equal to such excess, and pending such reimbursement, such amount shall be deemed to be an amount payable by that Lender to the Borrower.

 

SECTION 2.19.                                                                  Pro Rata Sharing . Except as set forth in Section 2.06(b)(i) , whenever any payment received by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement is insufficient to pay in full all amounts then due and payable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Agreement, such payment shall be distributed by the Administrative Agent and applied by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in the following order: first, to the payment of fees and expenses due and payable to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and its Affiliates under and in connection with this Agreement, except any amounts payable to any such Person in its role as Lender, as provided in clause “second” of this Section 2.19 ; second, to the payment of all expenses due and payable under Section 9.05 , ratably among the Lenders in accordance with the aggregate amount of such payments owed to each Lender; third, to the payment of interest and amounts under Sections 2.10 and 2.17 , if any, then due and payable on the Loans ratably among the Lenders in accordance with the aggregate amount of interest owed to each Lender; and fourth, to the payment of the principal amount of the Loans that is then due and payable, ratably among the Lenders in accordance with the aggregate principal amount owed to each such Lender.

 

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SECTION 2.20.                                                                  Voluntary Reduction of Commitments .

 

(a)                                   The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments; provided that each such reduction shall be in an amount that is not less than $1,000,000 (or, if less, the remaining amount of the Commitments).

 

(b)                                  The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under Section 2.20(a) at least two Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the applicable Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 2.20(b) shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by written notice to the Administrative Agent a reasonable time prior to the specified effective time) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably among the applicable Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.

 

SECTION 2.21.                                                                  Adjustments; Set-off .

 

(a)                                   If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender entitled to such payment, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase for cash at face value participations in the Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders entitled thereto ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph (a) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant. The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

(b)                                  After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any amount becoming due and payable by the Borrower hereunder (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) to set-off and appropriate and apply against such amount any and all deposits (general or special, time

 

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or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

 

SECTION 2.22.                                                                  Interest Elections . The Loans shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.22 . The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

 

(a)                                   To make an election pursuant to this Section 2.22 , the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election (as provided in Section 9.02 ) by telephone not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days prior to the end of the then applicable Interest Period. Each such telephonic Interest Period Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Period Election Request in the form set forth in Exhibit E and signed by the Borrower.

 

(b)                                  Each telephonic and written Interest Period Election Request shall specify the following information:

 

(i)                                      the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

 

(ii)                                   the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Period Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iii)                                whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a LIBOR Borrowing; and

 

(iv)                               if the resulting Borrowing is a LIBOR Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

 

If any such Interest Period Election Request requests a LIBOR Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

(c)                                   Promptly following receipt of an Interest Period Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender to which such Interest Period Election Request relates of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Loan.

 

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(d)                                  If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Period Election Request with respect to a LIBOR Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the written request (including a request through electronic means) of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing, (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a LIBOR Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each LIBOR Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

(e)                                   After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other and all continuations of Loans as the same type, there shall be not more than fifteen Interest Periods in effect with respect to the Loans.

 

SECTION 2.23.                                                                  Incremental Commitments .

 

(a)                                   The Borrower may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time after the Effective Date, request Incremental Commitments in respect of one or more Classes of term loans in an aggregate amount at any time that would not otherwise violate clause (c) of this Section at such time. The Incremental Commitments will be provided by Incremental Lenders (which may include any existing Lender) willing to provide such Incremental Commitments in their own discretion. Any such notice shall set forth (i) the amount of the Incremental Commitments being requested (which shall be in minimum increments of $5,000,000 and a minimum amount of $20,000,000 or, in each case, such lesser amount as permitted by the Administrative Agent, or equal to the maximum amount that can be incurred subject to clause (c) of this Section at such time), (ii) the date on which such Incremental Commitments are requested to become effective (any such date, an “ Incremental Effective Date ”) and (iii) the interest rate, amortization, maturity and other terms being requested with respect thereto (which shall comply with clause (b) below).

 

(b)                                  The terms and conditions of any Incremental Commitments and Loans to be made thereunder shall be determined by the applicable Incremental Lenders and the Borrower and shall be as set forth in the applicable Incremental Facility Agreement; provided that (i) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Loans shall be no shorter than, and the Maturity Date applicable to such Loans shall be no earlier than, the latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence of such Loans, (ii) except as to interest rates, fees, other pricing terms, amortization, final maturity date and participation in prepayments, all representations and warranties, affirmative or negative covenants or events of default applicable for the benefit of Incremental Lenders having or holding such Incremental Commitments or Loans shall also be applicable for the benefit of all the Lenders and (iii) such Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not greater than a pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory repayments or prepayments hereunder.

 

(c)                                   The Incremental Commitments of any Class shall be effected pursuant to an Incremental Facility Agreement executed and delivered by the Borrower, each Incremental Lender providing such Incremental Commitments and the Administrative Agent; provided that

 

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(i) the principal amount of Indebtedness that may be Incurred under an Incremental Commitment on any date shall not exceed the maximum principal amount of Secured Indebtedness that may be Incurred and secured by the Liens securing such Indebtedness, as of the date such Indebtedness is Incurred, after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of such Secured Indebtedness and the application of proceeds therefrom on such date, without causing a Default or Event of Default hereunder as a result of the Incurrence of such Secured Indebtedness on such date, (ii) the Class of Loans to be made under such Incremental Commitments shall be made thereunder on the effective date of the applicable Incremental Facility Agreement and (iii) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent such legal opinions, board resolutions, secretary’s certificates, officer’s certificates and other customary documents as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent in connection therewith. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Incremental Facility Agreement. Each Incremental Facility Agreement may, without the consent of any Lender, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to give effect to the provisions of this Section 2.23 .

 

(d)         All Incremental Commitments and all obligations in respect thereof shall be Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that are secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with all other Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

(e)          Upon the effectiveness of an Incremental Commitment of any Incremental Lender, such Incremental Lender shall be deemed to be a “Lender” (and a Lender in respect of Commitments and Loans of the applicable Class) hereunder, and henceforth shall be entitled to all the rights of, and benefits accruing to, Lenders (or Lenders in respect of Commitments and Loans of the applicable Class) hereunder and shall be bound by all agreements, acknowledgements and other obligations of Lenders (or Lenders in respect of Commitments and Loans of the applicable Class) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 2.24.      Extension Offers .

 

(a)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, pursuant to one or more offers made from time to time by the Borrower to all Lenders of any Class of Loans (each such Class, the “ Extension Offer Class ”), on a pro rata basis (based, in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Class of Loans, on the aggregate outstanding Loans of such Class) (“ Pro Rata Extension Offers ”), the Borrower is hereby permitted, subject to the terms of this Section, to consummate transactions with individual Lenders from time to time to extend the maturity date of such Lender’s Loans of the applicable Extension Offer Class and, in connection therewith, to otherwise modify the terms of such Lender’s Loans of the applicable Extension Offer Class pursuant to the terms of the relevant Pro Rata Extension Offer (including, without limitation, increasing the interest rate or fees payable in respect of such Lender’s Loans and/or modifying the amortization schedule in respect of such Lender’s Loans of the applicable Extension Offer Class). Any such extension (an “ Extension ”) agreed to between the Borrower and any such Lender (an “ Extending Lender ”) shall become effective only with respect to such Lender’s Loans of the applicable Extension Offer Class as to which such Lender’s acceptance has been made (such extended Loans, the “ Extended Loans ”).

 

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(b)         Each Extension shall be effected pursuant to an Extension Amendment Agreement executed and delivered by the Borrower, each applicable Extending Lender and the Administrative Agent; provided that (i) no Extension shall become effective unless no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the applicable effective date therefor and (ii) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent such legal opinions, board resolutions, secretary’s certificates, officer’s certificates and other customary documents as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent in connection therewith. Each Pro Rata Extension Offer and the applicable Extension Amendment Agreement shall specify the terms of the applicable Extended Loans; provided that (i) except as to interest rates, fees, other pricing terms, amortization, final maturity date and participation in prepayments (which shall, subject to clauses (ii) through (iv) of this proviso, be determined by the Borrower and set forth in the Pro Rata Extension Offer), the Extended Loans shall have the same terms as the Class of Loans to which the applicable Pro Rata Extension Offer relates, (ii) the final maturity date of any Extended Loans shall be no earlier than the final maturity date applicable to the Class of Loans to which the applicable Pro Rata Extension Offer relates, (iii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any Extended Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Class of Loans to which the applicable Pro Rata Extension Offer relates, and (iv) any Extended Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not greater than a pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory repayments or prepayments hereunder. Each Extension Amendment Agreement may, without the consent of any Lender other than the applicable Extending Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to give effect to the provisions of this Section 2.24 .

 

(c)          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (i) no Extended Loan is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment, (ii) any Extending Lender may extend all or any portion of its Loans pursuant to one or more Pro Rata Extension Offers (subject to applicable proration in the case of over participation) (including the extension of any Extended Loan), and (iii) all Extended Loans and all obligations in respect thereof shall be Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that are secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with all other Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

(d)         Each Extension shall be consummated pursuant to procedures reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and set forth in the associated Pro Rata Extension Offer; provided that the Borrower shall cooperate with the Administrative Agent in connection with making any Pro Rata Extension Offer to establish reasonable procedures with respect to mechanical provisions relating to such Extension, including, without limitation, timing, rounding and other adjustments.

 

SECTION 2.25.      Defaulting Lenders . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)           Commitment Fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.15 ;

 

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(b)         The Commitment of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders, the Required Lenders or any other group of Lenders required to take any action under the Loan Documents have taken or may take any action (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 9.01 ); provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of each affected Lender pursuant to Section 9.01 (other than Section 9.01(b)(ii) , (iii) , (iv) and (v) ) shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender if such defaulting Lender is an affected Lender (which for the avoidance of doubt would include any change to the Stated Maturity of the Loans applicable to such Defaulting Lender, decreasing or forgiving any principal or interest due to such Defaulting Lender and any decrease of any interest rate applicable to Loans made by such Defaulting Lender (other than the waiving of post-default interest rates));

 

(c)          Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.21 ), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder; second , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; third , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; fourth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fifth , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and sixth , to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the relevant Loans of the relevant non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied in the manner set forth in this Section 2.25(c) .

 

(d)         Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, such Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with the applicable percentages of their Commitments, whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change

 

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hereunder from Defaulting Lender to non-Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Representations and Warranties

 

In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans, each of the Borrower and the Effective Date Guarantor, jointly and severally, make, on the Effective Date, the following representations and warranties to the Lenders, all of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans. All references in this Article III to the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and the Subsidiary Guarantors give effect to the consummation of the Acquisition as if the Acquisition occurred on the Effective Date; provided that all representations and warranties with respect to the Acquired EP Business or any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than the Effective Date Guarantor are made to the best knowledge of the Borrower and the Effective Date Guarantor after due inquiry.

 

SECTION 3.01.      Corporate Status . Each of the Borrower, the Effective Date Guarantor and each Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) is a duly organized and validly existing corporation or other entity in good standing (or, if applicable in a foreign jurisdiction, enjoys the equivalent status under the laws of such jurisdiction of organization outside the United States) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to own its property and assets and to transact its business as now conducted and (b) has duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing (if applicable) in all jurisdictions where it is required to be so qualified, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and all such jurisdictions are set forth on Schedule 3.01 .

 

SECTION 3.02.      Corporate Power and Authority; Enforceability; Security Interests . Each Credit Party has (or, in the case of each Subsidiary Guarantor other than the Effective Date Guarantor, will have) the corporate or other organizational power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and has taken all necessary corporate or other organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party. Each Credit Party has (or, in the case of each Subsidiary Guarantor other than the Effective Date Guarantor, will have) duly executed and delivered each Loan Document to which it is a party and each such Loan Document constitutes (or, in the case of each Subsidiary Guarantor other than the Effective Date Guarantor, will constitute) the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law). The Effective Date Escrow Agreement is effective to create a valid, perfected first-priority security interest in the Effective Date Escrow Property in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders. The Funding Date Escrow Agreement will be effective to create a valid, perfected first-priority security interest in the Funding Date Escrow Property in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.

 

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SECTION 3.03.      No Violation . None of the execution, delivery or performance by any Credit Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party or the compliance with the terms and provisions thereof will (a) contravene any Requirement of Law except to the extent such contravention would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) result in any breach or violation of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the property or assets of such Credit Party or any of the Subsidiaries (other than Liens created under the Loan Documents and Liens permitted hereunder) pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan agreement, lease agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, agreement or other instrument to which such Credit Party or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound (any such term, covenant, condition or provision, a “ Contractual Requirement ”), except to the extent such breach, default or Lien that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (c) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents of such Credit Party or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 3.04.      Litigation . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.04 , there are no actions, suits or proceedings (including Environmental Claims) pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower and the Effective Date Guarantor, threatened against or affecting the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.05.      Margin Regulations . Neither the making of any Loan hereunder nor the use of the proceeds thereof will violate the provisions of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board.

 

SECTION 3.06.      Governmental Approvals . The execution, delivery and performance of each Loan Document and the consummation of the other Transactions do not (or, in the case of each Subsidiary Guarantor other than the Effective Date Guarantor, will not) require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or other action by, any Governmental Authority, except for (a) such as have been or will be prior to the Acquisition Date obtained or made and are or will be prior to the Acquisition Date in full force and effect, (b) filings and recordings in respect of the Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents, (c) filings and recordings in respect of the Liens created pursuant to the Effective Date Escrow Agreement and the Funding Date Escrow Agreement and (d) such consents, approvals, registrations, filings or actions the failure of which to obtain or make would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.07.      Investment Company Act . No Credit Party is an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

SECTION 3.08.      True and Complete Disclosure .

 

(a)           All written information (other than estimates and information of a general economic nature or general industry nature) (the “ Information ”) concerning the Borrower, the Subsidiaries, the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated hereby included in the Offering Memorandum or otherwise prepared by or on behalf of the foregoing or their

 

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representatives and made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby, when taken as a whole, was true and correct in all material respects as of the date such Information was furnished to the Lenders and as of the Effective Date and did not, taken as a whole, contain any untrue statement of a material fact as of any such date or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, taken as a whole, not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made.

 

(b)           The pro forma financial information and the related notes thereto included in the Offering Memorandum present fairly in all material respects the information contained therein and have been properly presented on the basis described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. The pro forma adjustments comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of Rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those statements. The estimates and information of a general economic nature or general industry nature prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its representatives and that have been made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby (i) have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date thereof, as of the date such estimates were furnished to the Lenders and as of the Effective Date, and (ii) as of the Effective Date, have not been modified in any material respect by the Borrower.

 

SECTION 3.09.      Financial Condition; Financial Statements . The Historical Financial Statements present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the entities to which they relate at the dates of such information and for the periods covered thereby and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied except to the extent provided in the notes thereto, if any.

 

SECTION 3.10.      Tax Matters . Except where the failure of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has filed all federal income Tax returns and all other Tax returns, domestic and foreign, required to be filed by it (including in its capacity as a withholding agent) and has paid all Taxes payable by it that have become due, other than those (i) not yet delinquent or (ii) being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have been provided to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP and (b) the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries have provided adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP for all Taxes of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries not yet due and payable.

 

SECTION 3.11.      Compliance with ERISA .

 

(a)           Each Plan is in compliance with ERISA, the Code and any applicable Requirement of Law; no Reportable Event has occurred (or is reasonably likely to occur) with respect to any Plan; no Plan is insolvent or in reorganization (or is reasonably likely to be insolvent or in reorganization), or is in “endangered” or “critical” status (within the meaning of

 

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Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA) and no written notice of any such insolvency or reorganization or endangered or critical status has been given to the Borrower or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate; each Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA has satisfied the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, and there has been no determination that any such Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA); none of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred (or is reasonably likely to incur) any liability to or on account of a Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code nor has the Borrower or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate been notified in writing that it will incur any liability under any of the foregoing Sections with respect to any Plan; no proceedings have been instituted (or are reasonably likely to be instituted) to terminate or to reorganize any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, and no written notice of any such proceedings has been given to the Borrower or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate; and no lien imposed under the Code or ERISA on the assets of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate exists (or is reasonably likely to exist) nor has the Borrower or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate been notified in writing that such a lien will be imposed on the assets of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate on account of any Plan, except to the extent that a breach of any of the representations, warranties or agreement in this Section 3.11(a) would not result, individually or in the aggregate, in an amount of liability that would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) has an Unfunded Current Liability that would, individually or when taken together with any other liabilities referenced in this Section 3.11(a) , be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. With respect to Plans that are Multiemployer Plans, the representations and warranties in this Section 3.11(a) , other than any made with respect to (i) liability under Section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or (ii) liability for termination or reorganization of such Plans under ERISA, are made to the best knowledge of the Borrower.

 

(b)           All Foreign Plans are in compliance with, and have been established, administered and operated in accordance with, the terms of such Foreign Plans and applicable law, except for any failure to so comply, establish, administer or operate the Foreign Plans as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All contributions or other payments which are due with respect to each Foreign Plan have been made in full and there are no funding deficiencies thereunder, except to the extent any such events would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.12.      Subsidiaries . Schedule 3.12 lists each Subsidiary of the Borrower (and the direct and indirect ownership interest of the Borrower therein) (a) on the Effective Date, and (b) immediately following the Acquisition. Each Guarantor and Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the Acquisition Date has been so designated on Schedule 3.12 .

 

SECTION 3.13.      Intellectual Property . The Borrower and its Subsidiaries own, possess or can acquire on reasonable terms adequate trademarks, trade names and other rights to inventions, know-how, patents, copyrights, confidential information and other intellectual property that are necessary for the operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted, and have not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any intellectual property rights that, if determined

 

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adversely to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.14.      Environmental Laws . Except for any matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries and all Oil and Gas Properties are in compliance with all Environmental Laws; (ii) neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has received written notice of any Environmental Claim or any other liability under any Environmental Law; (iii) neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has any actual knowledge of any facts or conditions that would form the basis of any Environmental Claim; (iv) neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is conducting any investigation, removal, remedial or other corrective action pursuant to any Environmental Law at any location; (v) no underground storage tank or related piping, or any impoundment or disposal area containing Hazardous Materials has been used by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, is located at, on or under any Oil and Gas Properties currently owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; and (vi) neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries has treated, stored, transported, released or disposed or arranged for disposal or transport for disposal of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or from any currently or formerly owned or leased Oil and Gas Properties or facility in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to liability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under Environmental Law.

 

SECTION 3.15.      Properties .

 

(a)          Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has valid fee simple title to, or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property interests in, all its real properties and has good and defensible title to its personal property and assets, in each case, except for Liens permitted hereunder and except for minor defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties and assets for their intended purposes and except where the failure to have such title, interests or easements would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. All such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens, other than Liens permitted hereunder.

 

(b)         All material leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect, except to the extent that any such failure to be valid or subsisting would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)          The rights and properties presently owned, leased or licensed by the Credit Parties including all easements and rights of way, include all rights and properties necessary to permit the Credit Parties to conduct their respective businesses as currently conducted, except to the extent any failure to have any such rights or properties would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)         All of the properties of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance with prudent business standards, except to the extent any failure to

 

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satisfy the foregoing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.16.      Solvency .

 

(a)          On the Effective Date, immediately after giving effect to the Transactions that occur on the Effective Date, (i) the fair value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Effective Date.

 

(b)         On the Effective Date, the Borrower does not intend to, and the Borrower does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond their ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by them or any such subsidiary and the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of their Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 3.17.      No Material Adverse Effect . There has been no event or circumstance that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect since December 31, 2010.

 

SECTION 3.18.      Patriot Act; OFAC; FCPA .

 

(a)          Each Credit Party is in compliance in all material respects with the material provisions of the USA Patriot Act, and the Borrower has provided to the Administrative Agent all information related to the Credit Parties (including but not limited to names, addresses and tax identification numbers (if applicable)) reasonably requested in writing by the Administrative Agent that is required by the USA Patriot Act to be obtained by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

(b)         None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Borrower, any of their directors, officers, agents or employees is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“ OFAC ”) or equivalent European Union measure; and the Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC or equivalent European Union measure.

 

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(c)          None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any of their directors, officers, agents or employees has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity, (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any government official or employee from corporate funds, (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom or similar law of the European Union or any European Union Member State or similar law of a jurisdiction in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries conduct their business and to which they are lawfully subject or (iv) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

 

SECTION 3.19.      Oil and Gas Reserves; Imbalances; Well Bores; Production . The oil and gas reserve estimates for EP Energy L.L.C. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 contained in the Offering Memorandum were prepared by EP Energy L.L.C. and its subsidiaries and audited by Ryder Scott Company, L.P. (the “ Engineer ”), and the Borrower has no reason to believe that such estimates do not fairly reflect the oil and gas reserves of EP Energy L.L.C. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011. The information underlying such estimates, including commodity prices, was true and correct in all material respects on the date such estimates were made, and there have been no material changes to such information since the date of such estimates, other than normal production of reserves, the impact of changes in commodity prices, and costs and fluctuations in demand for oil and natural gas, except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum.

 

SECTION 3.20.      Hedging . The information with respect to hedging arrangements of EP Energy L.L.C. and its subsidiaries contained in the Offering Memorandum were prepared by EP Energy L.L.C. and its subsidiaries, and the Borrower has no reason to believe that such information does not fairly reflect the hedging arrangements of EP Energy L.L.C. and its subsidiaries as of date of the Offering Memorandum. Such information was true and correct in all material respects on the date of the Offering Memorandum.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Conditions Precedent

 

SECTION 4.01.      Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness of this Agreement . The effectiveness of this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, except as otherwise agreed or waived pursuant to Section 9.01 :

 

(a)          The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

 

(b)         The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders, a written opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, counsel to the Borrower and the Effective Date Guarantor, (i) dated the Effective Date,

 

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(ii) addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on the Effective Date and (iii) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such legal opinion.

 

(c)            The Administrative Agent shall have received:

 

(1)            a copy of the certificate of formation or incorporation, as applicable, including all amendments thereto, of each of the Borrower and the Effective Date Guarantor, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of Delaware, and a certificate as to the good standing of the Borrower and the Effective Date Guarantor as of a recent date from such Secretary of State, and certificates of good standing and/or qualifications to do business as a foreign corporation in such jurisdictions as the Lead Arrangers reasonably request;

 

(2)            a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer of each of the Borrower and the Effective Date Guarantor dated the Effective Date and certifying:

 

(i)             that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the limited liability company agreement or by-laws, as applicable, of such Person as in effect on the Effective Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (ii)  below,

 

(ii)            that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors (or managing general partner, managing member or equivalent) of such Person authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the borrowings hereunder and each other Loan Document entered into on the Effective Date, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Effective Date,

 

(iii)           that the certificate of formation or incorporation, as applicable, of such Person has not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto disclosed pursuant to clause (1)  above,

 

(iv)           as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of the Borrower and the Effective Date Guarantor, and

 

(v)            as to the absence of any pending proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of the Borrower or the Effective Date Guarantor; and

 

(3)            a certificate of a director or an officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer executing the certificate pursuant to clause (2)  above.

 

(d)            The Administrative Agent shall have received executed copies of the Subsidiary Guarantee, executed by the Effective Date Guarantor.

 

(e)            The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act that has been requested not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

 

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(f)             Since December 31, 2010, no change, event, circumstance, development, state of facts, or condition has occurred (or existed, as applicable) that would, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g)            The representations and warranties in Article III of this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date)). The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date, signed on behalf of the Borrower by the President or any Vice President or a Secretary or Treasurer of the Borrower, in which the Borrower, to the best of its knowledge after reasonable investigation, shall state that the representations and warranties in Article III of this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as of such date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date)).

 

(h)            The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it of the effectiveness of the Effective Date Escrow Agreement and the deposit by (or on behalf of) the Borrower into the Effective Date Escrow Account of an amount in cash and/or Cash Equivalents (a portion of which may be funded through letters of credit) equal to the amount of the Commitment Fees that would be paid to the Lenders on the Funding Date, assuming both that the Funding Date occurs on the Escrow Funding Deadline and that the maximum possible amount of the Loans is borrowed on such date. The Effective Date Escrow Agreement will be effective to create a first-priority security interest in the Effective Date Escrow Account for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Lenders.

 

(i)             The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the consummation of the offering of the Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes resulting in gross proceeds to the Borrower of not less than $2,750,000,000 and of the deposit of such gross proceeds into escrow for release upon consummation of the Acquisition and otherwise on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Lead Arrangers.

 

SECTION 4.02.       Conditions Precedent to Borrowing if the Funding Date Occurs Concurrently with the Acquisition Date . If the Funding Date occurs concurrently with the Acquisition Date, the obligations of the Lenders to make the Loans are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, simultaneously or substantially concurrently with the making of the Loans, on or prior to the Escrow Funding Deadline, except as otherwise agreed or waived pursuant to Section 9.01 :

 

(a)            Other than in respect of deliverables to be provided after the Acquisition Date pursuant to Section 6.16 , the Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders, a written opinion of (i) Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, counsel to the Credit Parties, and (ii) each local counsel specified on Schedule 4.02(a) , in each case (A) dated the Funding Date, (B) addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders and (C) in form and substance reasonably

 

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satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower and the other Credit Parties hereby instruct such counsel to deliver such legal opinions.

 

(b)            Other than in respect of deliverables to be provided after the Acquisition Date pursuant to Section 6.16 , the Administrative Agent shall have received, in the case of each Credit Party, each of the items referred to in clauses (1) , (2)  and (3)  below:

 

(1)            a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership or certificate of formation, including all amendments thereto, of each Credit Party, in each case, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or other similar official) of the jurisdiction of its organization, and a certificate as to the good standing (to the extent such concept or a similar concept exists under the laws of such jurisdiction) of each such Credit Party as of a recent date from such Secretary of State (or other similar official);

 

(2)            a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer of each Credit Party dated the Funding Date and certifying:

 

(i)             that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws (or partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other equivalent governing documents) of such Credit Party as in effect on the Funding Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (ii)  below,

 

(ii)            that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors (or managing general partner, managing member or equivalent) of such Credit Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party and the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Funding Date,

 

(iii)           that the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, articles of incorporation or certificate of formation of such Credit Party has not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto disclosed pursuant to clause (1)  above,

 

(iv)           as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Credit Party, and

 

(v)            as to the absence of any pending proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of such Credit Party; and

 

(3)            a certificate of a director or an officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer executing the certificate pursuant to clause (2)  above.

 

(c)            The Administrative Agent shall have received an Officers’ Certificate certifying that, prior to or concurrently with such funding of the Loans, (i) the Acquisition has been consummated and the Debt Repayment effected in all material respects as described under “Summary — The Transactions” in the Offering Memorandum, (ii) the RBL Facility has been entered into and is in full force and effect, (iii) the Equity Investments have been made, (iv) the

 

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proceeds from the Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes have been released from escrow, and the proceeds received from the transactions described in clauses (ii) , (iii)  and (iv)  of this clause (d) , when taken together with the net proceeds from the Loans, are in an aggregate amount sufficient to fund the Acquisition and to pay the Transaction Expenses, and (v) the Subsidiary Guarantors that have on such date guaranteed the Credit Agreement have guaranteed the Obligations under the Loans and this Agreement in accordance with the Subsidiary Guarantees.

 

(d)            The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act that has been requested not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the Funding Date.

 

(e)            The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing as required by Section 2.03(a) .

 

(f)             The Lenders shall have received all accrued and unpaid Commitment Fees due and payable on the Funding Date.

 

SECTION 4.03.       Conditions Precedent to Borrowing if the Funding Date Occurs Prior to the Acquisition Date . If the Funding Date occurs prior to the Acquisition Date, the obligations of the Lenders to make the Loans are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, simultaneously or substantially concurrently with the making of the Loans, on or prior to the Escrow Funding Deadline, except as otherwise agreed or waived pursuant to Section 9.01 :

 

(a)            The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders, a written opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, counsel to the Borrower, (i) dated the Funding Date, (ii) addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders and (iii) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such legal opinion.

 

(b)            The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing as required by Section 2.03(a) .

 

(c)            The Lenders shall have received all accrued and unpaid Commitment Fees due and payable on the Funding Date.

 

(d)            The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it of the effectiveness of the Funding Date Escrow Agreement and the deposit by (or on behalf of) the Borrower in to the Funding Date Escrow Account of the gross proceeds of the Loans, together with an amount in cash and/or Cash Equivalents (a portion of which may be funded through letters of credit) equal to the Additional Escrow Amount. The Funding Date Escrow Agreement will be effective to create a first-priority security interest in the Funding Date Escrow Account for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Lenders.

 

(e)            The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-

 

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money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act that has been requested not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the Funding Date.

 

SECTION 4.04.       Conditions Precedent to Release of Funds from Funding Date Escrow Account on the Acquisition Date . The obligation of the Administrative Agent to instruct the Funding Date Escrow Agent to release the funds from the Funding Date Escrow Account on the Acquisition Date to the Borrower is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, simultaneously or substantially concurrently with the making of the Loans, on or prior to the Outside Date, except as otherwise agreed or waived pursuant to Section 9.01 :

 

(a)            The Administrative Agent and the Funding Date Escrow Agent shall have received an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Funding Date Escrow Agent to release the funds from the Funding Date Escrow Account and certifying that, prior to or concurrently with the release of such funds from escrow (i) the Acquisition has been consummated and the Debt Repayment effected in all material respects as described under “Summary — The Transactions” in the Offering Memorandum, (ii) the RBL Facility has been entered into and is in full force and effect, (iii) the Equity Investments have been made, (iv) the proceeds from the Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes have been released from escrow (and the proceeds received from the transactions described in clauses (ii) , (iii)  and (iv)  of this clause (a) , when taken together with the net proceeds from the Loans, are in an aggregate amount sufficient to fund the Acquisition and to pay the Transaction Expenses), and (v) the Subsidiary Guarantors that have on such date guaranteed the Credit Agreement have guaranteed the Obligations under the Loans in accordance with the Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

It is understood and agreed that the obligations of the Lenders to make the Loans are subject solely to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 or Section 4.03 , as applicable, and the Loans shall be made upon such satisfaction even if a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing (or would have occurred had the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (after giving effect to the Transactions) been subject to all of the provisions of this Agreement from and after the Effective Date).

 

ARTICLE V

 

Successor Company

 

SECTION 5.01.                       When Borrower May Merge or Transfer Assets .

 

The Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up or convert into (whether or not the Borrower is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

 

(i)             the Borrower is the surviving person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, winding up or conversion (if other than the Borrower) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (the Borrower or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Company ”);

 

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(ii)            the Successor Company (if other than the Borrower) expressly assumes all the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement pursuant to documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(iii)           immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(iv)           immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), either

 

(A)           the Successor Company would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 6.03(a) ; or

 

(B)            the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(v)            if the Borrower is not the Successor Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, shall have by amendment confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Agreement and the Loans; and

 

(vi)           the Successor Company shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an Officers’ Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such amendments (if any) comply with this Agreement.

 

The Successor Company (if other than the Borrower) will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement and the Loans, and in such event the Borrower shall be automatically released and discharged from its obligations under this Agreement and the Loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (iii)  and (iv)  of this Section 5.01 , (a) the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Borrower or to a Restricted Subsidiary, and (b) the Borrower may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Borrower in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States or may convert into a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized under the laws of any state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby. This Section 5.01 shall not

 

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apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 5.02.                       When Subsidiary Guarantors May Merge or Transfer Assets .

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 9.20 relating to the sale or disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Subsidiary Guarantor, no Subsidiary Guarantor will, and the Borrower will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:

 

(i)             either (a) such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a company, corporation, partnership or limited liability company (in the case of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Subsidiary Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Subsidiary Guarantor ”) and the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) expressly assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement and the Loans or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, pursuant to a joinder agreement in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or (b) such sale or disposition or consolidation, amalgamation or merger is not in violation of Section 6.06 ; and

 

(ii)            the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Administrative Agent an Officers’ Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Agreement.

 

Subject to Section 9.20 , the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement and the Loans or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, and such Subsidiary Guarantor will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Agreement and its Subsidiary Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Subsidiary Guarantor in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States or may convert into a limited liability company, corporation, partnership or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of any state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States so long as the amount of Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is not increased thereby and (2) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with the Borrower or another Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

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In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into, liquidate, dissolve, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Covenants

 

SECTION 6.01.                       [Reserved] .

 

SECTION 6.02.                       Reports and Other Information .

 

(a)            The Borrower shall file with the SEC (and provide the Administrative Agent with copies thereof, without cost to the Administrative Agent, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC),

 

(i)             within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form), except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC,

 

(ii)            within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form), except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC,

 

(iii)           promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported (and in any event within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations), such other reports on Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable form), and

 

(iv)           subject to the foregoing, any other information, documents and other reports which the Borrower would be required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

 

provided , however , that the Borrower shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event the Borrower will make available such information to prospective assignees of the Loans in addition to providing such information to the Administrative Agent, in each case within 15 days after the time the Borrower would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subject, in the case of any such information, certificates or reports provided prior to the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement with respect to the Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes, to exceptions and exclusions consistent with the presentation of financial and other information in the Offering Memorandum (including with respect to any periodic reports provided prior to effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement with respect to the Senior Notes and

 

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the Senior Secured Notes, the omission of financial information required by Rule 3-10 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision)).

 

If the Borrower has designated any of its Subsidiaries as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and if any such Unrestricted Subsidiary or group of Unrestricted Subsidiaries, if taken together as one Subsidiary, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower, then the annual and quarterly information required pursuant to clauses (a)(i)  and (a)(ii)  above shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall not be required to furnish any information, certificates or reports required by Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K prior to the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement with respect to the Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes, as applicable.

 

(b)            In the event that:

 

(i)             the rules and regulations of the SEC permit the Borrower and any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to report at such parent entity’s level on a consolidated basis and such parent entity of the Borrower is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the capital stock of the Borrower, or

 

(ii)            any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower is or becomes a guarantor of the Loans,

 

consolidated reporting at such parent entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in this Section 6.02 for the Borrower shall satisfy this Section 6.02 and the Borrower is permitted to satisfy its obligations in this Section 6.02 with respect to financial information relating to the Borrower by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that such financial information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries of the Borrower on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower will be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to in this Section 6.02 to the Administrative Agent if the Borrower has (i) filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available or (ii) posted such report on the Borrower’s website (or that of any of its parent companies); provided that the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents.

 

SECTION 6.03.                       Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock .

 

(a)            The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness)

 

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or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock; and the Borrower shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided , however , that the Borrower and any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock or issue shares of Preferred Stock, in each case if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Borrower for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided , further , that any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may not Incur Indebtedness or issue shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in excess of an amount, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof pursuant to clause (b)(xv)  below, equal to, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or issuance (including pro forma effect to the application of the net proceeds therefrom), the greater of $150.0 million and 2% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount).

 

(b)            The limitations set forth in Section 6.03(a)  shall not apply to:

 

(i)             the Incurrence by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time that does not exceed the greatest of (1) $3.0 billion, (2) the sum of (x) $500.0 million and (y) 30% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of Incurrence and (3) the Borrowing Base at the time of Incurrence;

 

(ii)            the Incurrence by the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by (1) the Loans (including any guarantee thereof (including the Subsidiary Guarantees)), and (2) Indebtedness, including in respect of the Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes (including any guarantees thereof) in an aggregate principal amount for this clause (ii)(2)  outstanding at any time that, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv)  below, does not exceed $2,750,000,000 (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

 

(iii)           Indebtedness existing on the Effective Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i)  and (ii)  of this Section 6.03(b) );

 

(iv)           Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) Incurred by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, Disqualified Stock issued by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and Preferred Stock issued by any

 

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Restricted Subsidiary to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment (whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets) in an aggregate principal amount that, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (iv) , together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv)  below, does not exceed the greater of $350.0 million and 5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

 

(v)                                  Indebtedness Incurred by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees issued in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other benefits to employees or former employees or their families or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, and letters of credit in connection with the maintenance of, or pursuant to the requirements of, environmental or other permits or licenses from governmental authorities, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims;

 

(vi)                               Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred in connection with the Transactions, any acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, other than guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

 

(vii)                            Indebtedness of the Borrower to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (except in respect of intercompany current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) any such Indebtedness owed to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor is subordinated in right of payment to the obligations of the Borrower under the Loans; provided , further , that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien but not the transfer thereof upon foreclosure) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (vii) ;

 

(viii)                         shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary that holds such shares of Preferred Stock of another Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares

 

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of Preferred Stock (except to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (viii) ;

 

(ix)                                 Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Subsidiary Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor (except in respect of intercompany current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries), such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor; provided , further , that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary holding such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien but not the transfer thereof upon foreclosure) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (ix) ;

 

(x)                                    Hedging Obligations that are not incurred for speculative purposes but (1) for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of this Agreement to be outstanding; (2) for the purpose of fixing or hedging currency exchange rate risk with respect to any currency exchanges; or (3) for the purpose of fixing or hedging commodity price risk with respect to any commodity purchases or sales (including, without limitation, any commodity Hedging Obligation that is intended in good faith, at inception of execution, to hedge or manage any of the risks related to existing and/or forecasted Hydrocarbon production (whether or not contracted)) and, in each case, extensions or replacements thereof;

 

(xi)                                 obligations (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees) in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice;

 

(xii)                              Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Borrower or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii) , together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof incurred pursuant to clause (xv)  below, does not exceed the greater of $500.0 million and 7% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount) (it being understood that any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii)  shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xii)  but shall be deemed Incurred for purposes of Section 6.03(a)  from and after the first date on which the Borrower, or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be,

 

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could have Incurred such Indebtedness under Section 6.03(a)  without reliance upon this clause (xii) );

 

(xiii)                           Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference at any time outstanding not greater than 100.0% of (I) the net cash proceeds received by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries since immediately after the Acquisition Date plus (II) the amount of net cash proceeds received by the Borrower in excess of $3,200,000,000 prior to or on the Acquisition Date, in each case, from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent entity of the Borrower (which proceeds are contributed to the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiary) or cash contributed to the capital of the Borrower (in each case other than proceeds of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to, or contributions received from, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments or to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to clause (b)  of Section 6.04 or to make Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments specified in clauses (1)  and (3)  of the definition thereof);

 

(xiv)                          any guarantee by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the Incurrence of such Indebtedness Incurred by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Agreement; provided that (i) if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Loans or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, any such guarantee with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Loans or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Loans or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable and (ii) if such guarantee is of Indebtedness of the Borrower, such guarantee is Incurred in accordance with, or not in contravention of, Section 6.09 solely to the extent such covenant is applicable;

 

(xv)                             the Incurrence by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that serves to refund, refinance or defease any Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as permitted under Section 6.03(a)  or clauses (ii) , (iii) , (iv) , (xii) , (xiii) , (xv)  and (xvi)  of Section 6.03(b)  up to the outstanding principal amount (or, if applicable, the liquidation preference face amount, or the like) or, if greater, committed amount (only to the extent the committed amount could have been Incurred on the date of initial Incurrence) of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, in each case at the time such Indebtedness was Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock was issued pursuant to Section 6.03(a)  or clauses (ii) , (iii) , (iv) , (xii) , (xiii) , (xv)  and (xvi)  of Section 6.03(b) , or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, including any additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), expenses,

 

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defeasance costs and fees in connection therewith (subject to the following proviso, “ Refinancing Indebtedness ”) prior to its respective maturity; provided , however , that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

 

(1)                                   has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded, refinanced or defeased and (y) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity that would result if all payments of principal on the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock being refunded or refinanced that were due on or after the date that is one year following the last maturity date of any Loans then outstanding were instead due on such date (provided that this clause (1) will not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Secured Indebtedness constituting First-Priority Lien Obligations);

 

(2)                                   to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (a) Indebtedness junior to the Loans or a Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, such Refinancing Indebtedness is junior to the Loans or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, or (b) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness is Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; and

 

(3)                                   shall not include (X) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, or (Y) Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(xvi)                          Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of (x) the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance an acquisition or (y) Persons that are acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided that after giving effect to such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation, either:

 

(1)                                   the Borrower would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 6.03(a) ; or

 

(2)                                   the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Borrower would be greater than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation;

 

(xvii)                       Indebtedness Incurred by a Receivables Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Financing that is not recourse to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary other than a Receivables Subsidiary (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings);

 

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(xviii)                    Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided , however , that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its Incurrence;

 

(xix)                            Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by a letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to Bank Indebtedness, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

 

(xx)                               Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors and Indebtedness Incurred on behalf of, or representing guarantees of Indebtedness of, joint ventures of the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred under this clause (xx) , when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xx) , does not exceed the greater of $150.0 million and 2% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence (it being understood that any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (xx)  shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xx)  but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 6.03(a)  from and after the first date on which such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness under Section 6.03(a)  without reliance upon this clause (xx) );

 

(xxi)                            Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of (1) the financing of insurance premiums or (2) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(xxii)                         Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof or any direct or indirect parent thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to the extent described in clause (iv)  of Section 6.04(b) .

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.03 :

 

(1)                                   in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (xxii)  of Section 6.03(b)  or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to Section 6.03(a) , then the Borrower shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with Section 6.03 ; provided that (i) only Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement in excess of $2,000,000,000 may be classified or reclassified as not incurred under clause (b)(i)  of this Section 6.03 and (ii) the Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes (including any guarantees thereof) outstanding on the

 

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Acquisition Date shall at all times be treated as incurred pursuant to clause (b)(ii)(2)  of this Section 6.03 ;

 

(2)                                   at the time of incurrence, the Borrower will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Sections 6.03(a)  and (b) without giving pro forma effect to the Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 6.03(b) when calculating the amount of Indebtedness that may be Incurred pursuant to Section 6.03(a) ;

 

(3)                                   if any Indebtedness denominated in U.S. dollars is exchanged, converted or refinanced into Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, then (in connection with such exchange, conversion or refinancing, and thereafter), the U.S. dollar amount limitations set forth in any of clauses (i)  through (xxii)  of Section 6.03(b)  with respect to such exchange, conversion or refinancing shall be deemed to be the amount of such foreign currency, as applicable, into which such Indebtedness has been exchanged, converted or refinanced at the time of such exchange, conversion or refinancing; and

 

(4)                                   if any Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency is exchanged, converted or refinanced into Indebtedness denominated in U.S. dollars, then (in connection with such exchange, conversion or refinancing, and thereafter), the U.S. dollar amount limitations set forth in any of clauses (i)  through (xxii)  of Section 6.03(b)  with respect to such exchange, conversion or refinancing shall be deemed to be the amount of U.S. dollars into which such Indebtedness has been exchanged, converted or refinanced at the time of such exchange, conversion or refinancing.

 

Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, amortization of original issue discount, the accretion of liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of Section 6.03 . Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with Section 6.03 .

 

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness other than as provided in clauses (3)  and (4)  above, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first Incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt.

 

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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.03 , the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur pursuant to Section 6.03 shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

 

SECTION 6.04.                                                                  Limitation on Restricted Payments.

 

(a)                                   The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

(i)                                      declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of the Borrower’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any payment made in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving the Borrower (other than (A) dividends or distributions payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower; or (B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities);

 

(ii)                                   purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower;

 

(iii)                                make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment or scheduled maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement of (A) Subordinated Indebtedness in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement and (B) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (vii)  and (ix)  of Section 6.03(b) ); or

 

(iv)                               make any Restricted Investment

 

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i)  through (iv)  above being collectively referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

 

(1)                                   no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

(2)                                   immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Borrower could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 6.03(a) ; and

 

(3)                                   such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Effective Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (i) , (ii)  (with respect to the payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock pursuant to clause (c)  thereof), (vi)(c) ,

 

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(viii)  and (xiii)(b)  of Section 6.04(b) , but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.04(b) ), is less than the amount equal to the Cumulative Credit.

 

Cumulative Credit ” means the sum of (without duplication):

 

(i)                                      50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower for the period from July 1, 2012 to the end of the Borrower’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (taken as one accounting period, the “ reference period ”) (or, in case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus

 

(ii)                                   100% of (i) the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash, received by the Borrower after the Acquisition Date plus (ii) the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash, received by the Borrower in excess of $3,200,000,000 prior to or on the Acquisition Date (in each case, other than net proceeds to the extent such net proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 6.03(b)(xiii) ) from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent entity of the Borrower (excluding Refunding Capital Stock, Designated Preferred Stock, Excluded Contributions and Disqualified Stock), including Equity Interests issued upon exercise of warrants or options (other than an issuance or sale to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary), plus

 

(iii)                                100% of (i) the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of the Borrower received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash after the Acquisition Date plus (ii) the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of the Borrower received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash, in excess of $3,200,000,000 prior to or on the Acquisition Date (in each case, other than Excluded Contributions, Refunding Capital Stock, Designated Preferred Stock and Disqualified Stock and other than contributions to the extent such contributions have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 6.03(b)(xiii) ), plus

 

(iv)                               100% of the principal amount of any Indebtedness, or the liquidation preference or maximum fixed repurchase price, as the case may be, of any Disqualified Stock of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary issued after the Acquisition Date (other than Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock issued to a Restricted Subsidiary) which has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests in the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock) or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower ( provided in the case of any such parent, such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock is retired or extinguished), plus

 

(v)                                  100% of the aggregate amount received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by

 

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the Borrower) of property other than cash received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from:

 

(A)                               the sale or other disposition (other than to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and from repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) and from repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constituted Restricted Investments (other than in each case to the extent that the Restricted Investment was made pursuant to clause (vii)  of Section 6.04(b) ),

 

(B)                                 the sale (other than to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or

 

(C)                                 a distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus

 

(vi)                               in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the Investment of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (which, if the Fair Market Value of such investment shall exceed $25.0 million, shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Borrower) at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable) (other than in each case to the extent that the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary was made pursuant to clause (vii)  of Section 6.04(b)  or constituted a Permitted Investment).

 

(b)                                  The provisions of Section 6.04(a)  shall not prohibit:

 

(i)                                      the payment of any dividend or distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration or the giving notice of such irrevocable redemption, as applicable, such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(ii)                                   (A)                               the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“ Retired Capital Stock ”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Borrower, any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or contributions to the equity capital of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock or any Equity Interests sold to a Subsidiary of the Borrower) (collectively, including any such contributions, “ Refunding Capital Stock ”);

 

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(B)                                 the declaration and payment of dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Borrower) of Refunding Capital Stock, and

 

(C)                                 if immediately prior to the retirement of Retired Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (vi)  of this Section 6.04(b)  and not made pursuant to clause (ii)(B) , the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Retired Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

 

(iii)                                the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor which is Incurred in accordance with Section 6.03 so long as

 

(A)                               the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest, of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value (plus the amount of any premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument governing the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired, any tender premiums, plus any defeasance costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith),

 

(B)                                 such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Loans or the related Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased, exchanged, redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value,

 

(C)                                 such Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date which is no earlier than the earlier of (x) the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired and (y) 91 days following the last maturity date of any Loans then outstanding, and

 

(D)                                such Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time Incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness being redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired and (y) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity that would result if all payments of principal on the Subordinated Indebtedness being redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or

 

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retired that were due on or after the date that is one year following the maturity date of any Loans then outstanding were instead due on such date;

 

(iv)                               a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition for value of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or other agreement or arrangement; provided , however , that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (iv)  do not exceed $50.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $100.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering of common stock), with unused amounts in any calendar year being permitted to be carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $75.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $150.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering of common stock); provided , further , however , that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

 

(A)                               the cash proceeds received by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (to the extent contributed to the Borrower) to members of management, directors or consultants of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower that occurs after the Acquisition Date ( provided that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement, other acquisition or dividend will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 6.04(a)(3) ); plus

 

(B)                                 the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (to the extent contributed to the Borrower) or the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Acquisition Date;

 

provided , that the Borrower may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by clauses (A)  and (B)  above in any calendar year and provided , further , that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from any present or former employees, directors, officers or consultants of Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary or the direct or indirect parents of the Borrower in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parents will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 6.04 or any other provision of this Agreement;

 

(v)                             the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued or incurred in accordance with Section 6.03 ;

 

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(vi)                               (A)                               the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Effective Date;

 

(B)                                      a Restricted Payment to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower issued after the Effective Date; provided that the aggregate amount of dividends declared and paid pursuant to this clause (B)  does not exceed the net cash proceeds actually received by the Borrower from any such sale of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Effective Date; and

 

(C)                                      the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to clause (ii)  of this Section 6.04(b) ;

 

provided , however , in the case of each of clauses (A)  and (C)  above of this clause (vi) , that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance (and the payment of dividends or distributions) on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), the Borrower would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;

 

(vii)                            Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (vii)  that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $175.0 million and 2.5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

 

(viii)                         the payment of dividends after a public offering of Capital Stock of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower on the Borrower’s Capital Stock (or a Restricted Payment to any such direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to fund the payment by such direct or indirect parent of the Borrower of dividends on such entity’s Capital Stock) of up to 6.0% per annum of the total market capitalization of the Borrower or any such direct or indirect parent of the Borrower as of the date of such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to the Borrower’s (or such direct or indirect parent’s) Capital Stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;

 

(ix)                                 Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

 

(x)                                    other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount, when taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (x)  that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $225.0 million and 3% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time made;

 

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(xi)                                 the distribution, as a dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(xii)                              (A)                               with respect to any taxable period for which the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar income tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes of which a direct or indirect parent of the Borrower is the common parent, or for which the Borrower is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly-owned (directly or indirectly) by a C corporation for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes, distributions to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower in an amount not to exceed the amount of any U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes that the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, would have paid for such taxable period had the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, been a stand-alone corporate taxpayer or a stand-alone corporate group; and

 

(B)                                 with respect to any taxable period ending after the Effective Date for which the Borrower is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (other than a partnership or disregarded entity described in clause (A) ), distributions to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower in an amount necessary to permit such direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to make a pro rata distribution to its owners such that each direct or indirect owner of the Borrower receives an amount from such pro rata distribution sufficient to enable such owner to pay its U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes (as applicable) attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with respect to such taxable period (assuming that each owner is subject to tax at the highest combined marginal federal, state, and/or local income tax rate applicable to any owner for such taxable period and taking into account the deductibility of state and local income taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and any limitations thereon), the alternative minimum tax, any cumulative net taxable loss of the Borrower for prior taxable periods ending after the Effective Date to the extent such loss is of a character that would allow such loss to be available to reduce taxes in the current taxable period (taking into account any limitations on the utilization of such loss to reduce such taxes and assuming such loss had not already been utilized) and the character (e.g., long-term or short-term capital gain or ordinary or exempt) of the applicable income);

 

(xiii)                           any Restricted Payment, if applicable:

 

(A)                               in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar taxes) required to maintain its corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower and general corporate operating and overhead expenses of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower in each case to

 

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the extent such fees and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower, if applicable, and its Subsidiaries;

 

(B)                                 in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, if applicable, to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Borrower Incurred in accordance with Section 6.03 ; and

 

(C)                                 in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to pay fees and expenses related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent;

 

(xiv)                          repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

 

(xv)                             purchases of receivables pursuant to a Receivables Repurchase Obligation in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing and the payment or distribution of Receivables Fees;

 

(xvi)                          Restricted Payments by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon the exercise of options or warrants or upon the conversion or exchange of Capital Stock of any such Person;

 

(xvii)                       the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to provisions similar to those set forth in Section 2.06(a)  and (b) ; provided that all Loans tendered in connection with a Change of Control or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, repaid or acquired for value;

 

(xviii)                    payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that complies with Article V ; provided that as a result of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of assets, the Borrower shall have made a Change of Control Offer (if required by this Agreement) and that all Loans tendered by Lenders in connection with such Change of Control Offer have been repurchased, repaid or acquired for value; and

 

(xix)                            any Restricted Payment used to fund the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses Incurred in connection with the Transactions or owed by the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or Restricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower to Affiliates, and any other payments made, including any such payments made to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to enable it to make payments in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, whether payable on the Effective Date or thereafter, in each case to the extent permitted by Section 6.07 ;

 

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provided , however , that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (vi)(B) , (vii) , (x) , (xi)  and (xiii)(B)  of this Section 6.04(b) , no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; provided , further , that any Restricted Payments made with property other than cash shall be calculated using the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of such property.

 

(c)                                   As of the Effective Date, all of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries shall be Restricted Subsidiaries. The Borrower shall not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation shall only be permitted if a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in such amount would be permitted at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 6.05.                                          Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries . The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(a)                                   (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (1) on its Capital Stock; or (2) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits; or (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(b)                                  make loans or advances to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

 

(c)                                   sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

(i)                                      (x) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Effective Date, including pursuant to the Senior Notes (including any guarantee thereof) and the Senior Secured Notes (including any guarantee thereof) and (y) contractual encumbrances or restrictions pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents and, in each case, any similar contractual encumbrances effected by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of such agreements or instruments;

 

(ii)                                   this Agreement or the Subsidiary Guarantees;

 

(iii)                                applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

 

(iv)                               any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary which was in existence at the time of such

 

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acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

 

(v)                                  contracts or agreements for the sale of assets, including any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(vi)                               Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Sections 6.03 and 6.10 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

(vii)                            restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(viii)                         customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(ix)                                 purchase money obligations for property acquired and Capitalized Lease Obligations in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (c)  above on the property so acquired;

 

(x)                                    customary provisions contained in leases, licenses and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xi)                                 in the case of clause (c)  above, any encumbrance or restriction that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease (including leases governing leasehold interests or Farm-In Agreements or Farm-Out Agreements relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties), license or similar contract, or the assignment or transfer of any such lease (including leases governing leasehold interests or Farm-In Agreements or Farm-Out Agreements relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties), license (including without limitations, licenses of intellectual property) or other contracts;

 

(xii)                              any encumbrance or restriction of a Receivables Subsidiary effected in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing; provided , however , that such restrictions apply only to such Receivables Subsidiary;

 

(xiii)                           other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (a) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary or (b) of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary so long as such encumbrances and restrictions contained in any agreement or instrument will not materially affect the Borrower’s ability to make anticipated principal or interest payments on the Loans (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), provided that in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b) , such Indebtedness,

 

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Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is permitted to be Incurred subsequent to the Effective Date not in violation of Section 6.03 ;

 

(xiv)                          any Restricted Investment not prohibited by Section 6.04 and any Permitted Investment;

 

(xv)                             any customary encumbrances or restrictions imposed pursuant to any agreement of the type described in the definition of “Permitted Business Investment”; or

 

(xvi)                          any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (a) , (b)  or (c)  above imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i)  through (xv)  above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, no more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.05 , (i) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (ii) the subordination of loans or advances made to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness Incurred by the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.

 

SECTION 6.06.                                                                  Asset Sales .

 

The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless (x) the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of, and (y) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents or Additional Assets; provided that the amount of:

 

(i)                                      any liabilities (as shown on the Borrower’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Loans or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or that are otherwise cancelled or terminated in connection with the transaction with such transferee,

 

(ii)                                   any notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by

 

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the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash received),

 

(iii)                                with respect to any Asset Sale of Oil and Gas Properties by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, the costs and expenses related to the exploration, development, completion or production of such Oil and Gas Properties and activities related thereto agreed to be assumed by the transferee (or an Affiliate thereof), and

 

(iv)                               any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (iv)  that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of 4% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and $300.0 million at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value),

 

shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this Section 6.06 .

 

SECTION 6.07.                                                                  Transactions with Affiliates .

 

(a)                                   The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Borrower (each of the foregoing, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, unless:

 

(i)                                           such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

 

(ii)                                        with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $40.0 million, the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent a resolution adopted in good faith by the majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower, approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i)  above.

 

(b)                                  The provisions of Section 6.07(a)  shall not apply to the following:

 

(i)                                           transactions between or among the Borrower and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or an entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) and any merger, consolidation or amalgamation of the Borrower and any direct parent of the Borrower; provided that such parent shall have no material

 

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liabilities and no material assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents and the Capital Stock of the Borrower and such merger, consolidation or amalgamation is otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement and effected for a bona fide business purpose;

 

(ii)                                        Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.04 and Permitted Investments;

 

(iii)                                     the payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursement of expenses paid to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary, or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower;

 

(iv)                                    transactions in which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or meets the requirements of clause (i)  of Section 6.07(a) ;

 

(v)                                       payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to officers, directors, employees or consultants which are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower in good faith;

 

(vi)                                    any agreement as in effect as of the Effective Date or any amendment thereto (so long as any such agreement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the Lenders in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Effective Date) or any transaction contemplated thereby as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

 

(vii)                                 the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of any stockholders or limited liability company agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Effective Date, and any transaction, agreement or arrangement described in the Offering Memorandum and, in each case, any amendment thereto or similar transactions, agreements or arrangements which it may enter into thereafter; provided , however , that the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing transaction, agreement or arrangement or under any similar transaction, agreement or arrangement entered into after the Effective Date shall only be permitted by this clause (vii)  to the extent that the terms of any such existing transaction, agreement or arrangement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, or new transaction, agreement or arrangement are not otherwise more disadvantageous to the Lenders in any material respect than the original transaction, agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Effective Date;

 

(viii)                              the execution of the Transactions, and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions, including fees to the Sponsors;

 

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(ix)                                      (A) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or transactions otherwise relating to the purchase or sale of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement, which are fair to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the Borrower, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party or (B) transactions with joint ventures or Unrestricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or industry norm;

 

(x)                                         any transaction effected as part of a Qualified Receivables Financing;

 

(xi)                                      the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower to any Person;

 

(xii)                                   the issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or of a Restricted Subsidiary, as appropriate, in good faith;

 

(xiii)                                the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement that complies with clause (xii)  of Section 6.04(b) ;

 

(xiv)                               any contribution to the capital of the Borrower;

 

(xv)                                  transactions permitted by, and complying with, the provisions of Article V ;

 

(xvi)                               transactions between the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person, a director of which is also a director of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower; provided , however , that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Borrower or such direct or indirect parent, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;

 

(xvii)                            pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(xviii)                         the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xix)                                 any employment agreements entered into by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xx)                                    the payment of management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses (including indemnification and other similar amounts) to the Sponsors pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement (plus any unpaid

 

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management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees and related expenses (including indemnification and other similar amounts) accrued in any prior year) and the termination fees pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement, in each case as in effect on the Effective Date or any amendment or modification thereto (so long as, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Borrower, any such amendment or modification is not more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, to Lenders in any material respect as compared to the Sponsor Management Agreement in effect on the Effective Date);

 

(xxi)                            payments by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any of the Sponsors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower in good faith;

 

(xxii)                         transactions undertaken in good faith (as certified by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower in an Officers’ Certificate) for the purpose of improving the consolidated tax efficiency of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth in this Agreement;

 

(xxiii)                      investments by the Sponsors in securities of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Sponsors in connection therewith) so long as (i) the investment is being generally offered to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (ii) the investment constitutes less than 5% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities; and

 

(xxiv)                     customary agreements and arrangements with oil and gas royalty trusts and master limited partnership agreements that comply with the affiliate transaction provisions of such royalty trust or master limited partnership agreement.

 

SECTION 6.08.                                                                  Compliance Certificate . The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, beginning with the fiscal year end on December 31, 2012, an Officers’ Certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit I , stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Authorized Officers of the Borrower they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. In addition, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any Default or Event of Default, their status and what action the Borrower is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

 

SECTION 6.09.                                                                  Future Guarantors . After the Acquisition Date, the Borrower shall cause each Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) that guarantees any Indebtedness (other than Junior Lien Obligations) of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors that is secured by the Collateral (other than Excluded Assets) to execute

 

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and deliver to the Administrative Agent a joinder agreement to the Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to which such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the Loans on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and, to the extent required pursuant to Section 6.16 , a joinder agreement to each applicable Security Document, and, if required by the applicable Intercreditor Agreement, a joinder to such Intercreditor Agreement. Each Subsidiary Guarantee shall be released in accordance with Section 9.20 .

 

SECTION 6.10.                                                             Liens . (a) The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist (i) any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on any asset or property of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries unless the Loans are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the Loans) the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien; or (ii) any Lien securing any First-Priority Lien Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor without effectively providing that the Loans or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, shall be granted a second-priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) upon the RBL Priority Collateral constituting the collateral for such First-Priority Lien Obligations, except in respect of Excluded Assets and as provided in the Security Documents; provided , however , that if granting such security interests requires the consent of a third party, the Borrower will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent with respect to the security interests for the benefit of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Lenders; provided further , however , that if such third party does not consent to the granting of such security interests after the use of commercially reasonable efforts, the Borrower will not be required to provide such security interests.

 

(b)                                  Clause (i)  of Section 6.10(a)  shall not require the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to secure the Loans if the Lien consists of a Permitted Lien. Any Lien that is granted to secure the Loans or any Subsidiary Guarantee under clause (i) of Section 6.10(a)  (unless also granted pursuant to clause (ii)  of Section 6.10(a) ) shall be automatically released and discharged at the same time as the release of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Loans or such Subsidiary Guarantee under such clause (i) .

 

(c)                                   For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.10 , (A) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 6.10(a) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 6.10(a) , the Borrower shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 6.10 and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien in one of the clauses of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness will be treated as being Incurred or existing pursuant to only one of such clauses or pursuant to Section 6.10(a) .

 

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(d)                                  With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The “ Increased Amount ” of any Indebtedness means any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms or in the form of common stock of the Borrower, the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock of the same class, accretion of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness described in clause (3)  of the definition of “Indebtedness”.

 

SECTION 6.11.                                                        Covenant Suspension Event .

 

(a)                                   If on any date following the Effective Date, (i) the Loans have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing then, beginning on that day (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i)  and (ii)  being referred to as a “ Covenant Suspension Event ”), the following provisions of this Agreement will no longer be applicable (collectively, the “ Suspended Covenants ”):

 

(1)                                        Section 6.03 (Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock);

 

(2)                                        Section 6.04 (Limitation on Restricted Payments);

 

(3)                                        Section 6.05 (Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries);

 

(4)                                        Section 6.06 (Asset Sales);

 

(5)                                        Section 6.07 (Transactions with Affiliates);

 

(6)                                        clause (iv)  of the first paragraph of Section 5.01 (Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets); and

 

(7)                                        Section 6.09 (Future Guarantors).

 

(b)                                  In the event that the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Agreement for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “ Reversion Date ”) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the Loans below an Investment Grade Rating, then the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Agreement with respect to future events. The period of time between the Covenant Suspension Event and the Reversion Date is referred to as the “ Suspension Period .”

 

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(c)                                        On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be classified as having been Incurred or issued pursuant to Section 6.03(a)  or one of the clauses set forth in Section 6.03(b) (to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would be permitted to be Incurred or issued thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness Incurred or issued prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would not be so permitted to be Incurred or issued pursuant to Section 6.03(a)  or (b) , such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Effective Date, so that it is classified as permitted under clause (iii)  of Section 6.03(b) . Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 6.04 will be made as though Section 6.04 had been in effect since the Effective Date and prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will not reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 6.04(a) . No Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred on the Reversion Date as a result of any actions taken by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period. Within 30 days of such Reversion Date, the Borrower must comply with the terms of Section 6.09 .

 

(d)                                  For purposes of Section 6.06 on the Reversion Date, the unutilized Excess Proceeds amount will be reset to zero.

 

SECTION 6.12.                                                        Existence; Business and Properties . The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(a)                              Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence except (i) in the case of the Borrower, as otherwise permitted by Article V , and (ii) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, except as otherwise permitted by Article V or Article VI .

 

(b)                             Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) do or cause to be done all things necessary to obtain, preserve, renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the permits, franchises, authorizations, Intellectual Property, licenses and rights with respect thereto necessary to the normal conduct of its business and (ii) at all times maintain and preserve all material property necessary to the normal conduct of its business and keep such property in good repair, working order and condition and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business carried on in connection therewith, if any, may be properly conducted at all times (in each case except as permitted by this Agreement).

 

SECTION 6.13.                                                        Maintenance of Insurance .

 

(a)                              The Borrower shall, and shall cause its Restricted Subsidiaries to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance (subject to customary deductibles and retentions) in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by similarly situated companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating

 

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in the same or similar locations and cause the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors to be listed as insured and the Collateral Agent to be listed as co-loss payee on property and property casualty policies and as an additional insured on liability policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may self-insure with respect to such risks with respect to which companies of established reputation in the same general line of business in the same general area usually self-insure.

 

(b)                                  If any improvements located on any Mortgaged Property are at any time located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a Special Flood Hazard Area with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or hereafter in effect or successor act thereto), then the Borrower shall, or shall cause the applicable Credit Party to (i) maintain, or cause to be maintained, with a financially sound and reputable insurer, flood insurance in an amount and otherwise sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Insurance Laws and (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent evidence of such compliance in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

(c)                                   In connection with the covenants set forth in this Section 6.13 , it is understood and agreed that:

 

(i)                                      none of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their respective agents or employees shall be liable for any loss or damage insured by the insurance policies required to be maintained under this Section 6.13 , it being understood that (A) the Credit Parties shall look solely to their insurance companies or any other parties other than the aforesaid parties for the recovery of such loss or damage and (B) such insurance companies shall have no rights of subrogation against the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or their agents or employees. If, however, the insurance policies, as a matter of the internal policy of such insurer, do not provide waiver of subrogation rights against such parties, as required above, then the Borrower, on behalf of itself and on behalf of each of its Subsidiaries, hereby agrees, to the extent permitted by law, to waive, and further agrees to cause each of its Subsidiaries to waive, its right of recovery, if any, against the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their agents and employees; and

 

(ii)                                   the designation of any form, type or amount of insurance coverage by the Administrative Agent under this Section 6.13 shall in no event be deemed a representation, warranty or advice by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders that such insurance is adequate for the purposes of the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or the protection of their properties.

 

SECTION 6.14.                                                                  Payment of Taxes, etc. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, pay its obligations in respect of all Tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (i) the amount or validity thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof has set aside on its books adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP or (ii) the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 6.15.                                                                  Compliance with Laws . The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees and orders of any Governmental Authority, whether now in effect or hereafter enacted, applicable to it or its property (including without limitation the USA Patriot Act), except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided that this Section 6.15 shall not apply to laws related to Taxes, which are the subject of Section 6.14 .

 

SECTION 6.16.                                                                  After-Acquired Property .

 

(a)                         Upon the acquisition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any First-Priority After-Acquired Property, or upon any additional Restricted Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary Guarantor that has First-Priority After-Acquired Property, the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such mortgages, deeds of trust, security instruments, financing statements and other Security Documents as shall be reasonably necessary to vest in the Collateral Agent a perfected second-priority security interest, subject only to Permitted Liens and Liens permitted under Section 6.10 , in such First-Priority After-Acquired Property and to have such First-Priority After-Acquired Property (but subject to the limitations described in Article IX , the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements and limitations under applicable local law) added to the Collateral, and thereupon all provisions of this Agreement relating to the Collateral shall be deemed to relate to such First-Priority After-Acquired Property to the same extent and with the same force and effect.

 

(b)                        Upon the acquisition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any Term/Notes Priority After-Acquired Property, or upon any additional Restricted Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary Guarantor that has Term/Notes Priority After-Acquired Property, the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor shall, as promptly as practicable, execute and deliver such security instruments, financing statements and other Security Documents as shall be reasonably necessary to vest in the Collateral Agent a perfected first-priority security interest, subject only to Permitted Liens and Liens permitted under Section 6.10 , in such Term/Notes Priority After-Acquired Property and to have such Term/Notes Priority After-Acquired Property (but subject to the limitations described in Article IX , the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements and limitations under applicable local law) added to the Collateral, and thereupon all provisions of this Agreement relating to the Collateral shall be deemed to relate to such Term/Notes Priority After-Acquired Property to the same extent and with the same force and effect.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if granting a security interest in any property pursuant to the foregoing clause (a)  or (b)  requires the consent of a third party, the Borrower will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent with respect to such security interest for the benefit of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties. If such third party does not consent to the granting of such security interest after the use of such commercially reasonable efforts, the applicable entity will not be required to provide such security interest.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to perfect all security interests in the Collateral in respect of the Acquired EP Business (other than Excluded Assets) on or prior to the Acquisition Date. In the event Mortgages in respect of

 

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owned real properties to be mortgaged as security for the Loans are not in place prior to the Acquisition Date or, with respect to any other Collateral in respect of the Loans, security interests have not been granted prior to the Acquisition Date, the Borrower will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause second-priority mortgages to be recorded with respect to the Mortgaged Properties and, where applicable, to obtain title insurance policies insuring the second-priority Mortgages on the properties, in each case, subject to local law limitation in granting of security to more than one secured party, and to cause the taking of additional actions required to perfect the security interest in the other Collateral required to be pledged under this Agreement and the Security Documents, in each case within 90 days following the Acquisition Date, or such later date as may be agreed by the RBL Agent, in the case of RBL Priority Collateral, or the Collateral Agent, in the case of Term/Notes Priority Collateral.

 

SECTION 6.17.                                                                  Further Instruments and Acts . Upon request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Events of Default

 

SECTION 7.01.                                                                  Events of Default .

 

An “ Event of Default ” with respect to the Loans occurs if:

 

(a)                               the Borrower defaults in any payment of interest on the Loans when due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days,

 

(b)                              the Borrower defaults in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of the Loans when due at their Stated Maturity, upon optional prepayment, upon required prepayment, upon declaration or otherwise,

 

(c)                               the Borrower fails to comply for 120 days after receipt of written notice given by the Administrative Agent or Lenders holding at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Loans or Commitments (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements under Section 6.02 ,

 

(d)                              the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries fails to comply for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Administrative Agent or Lenders holding at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Loans or Commitments (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) with its other obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement (other than those referred to in (a), (b) or (c) above),

 

(e)                               the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) fails to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof

 

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because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $125 0 million or its foreign currency equivalent,

 

(f)                                 the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i)                            commences a voluntary case;

 

(ii)                         consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

(iii)                      consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(iv)                     makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency,

 

(g)                              a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(i)                                                         is for relief against the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) in an involuntary case;

 

(ii)                                                      appoints a Custodian of the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) or for any substantial part of its property;

 

(iii)                                                   orders the winding up or liquidation of the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary); or

 

(iv)                                                  any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days,

 

(h)                              the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) fails to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $125 0 million or its foreign currency equivalent (net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers), which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 days following the entry thereof,

 

(i)                                  the Subsidiary Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) with respect to the Loans ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or the Borrower, the Effective Date Guarantor or any Subsidiary Guarantor that qualifies as a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant

 

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Subsidiary) denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Agreement or any Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Loans and such Default continues for 10 days,

 

(j)                                      unless such Liens have been released in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.19 , the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements, the Liens in favor of the Lenders with respect to all or substantially all of the Collateral cease to be valid or enforceable and such Default continues for 30 days, or the Borrower or the Effective Date Guarantor shall assert or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall assert, in any pleading in any court of competent jurisdiction, that any such security interest is invalid or unenforceable and, in the case of any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Borrower fails to cause such Subsidiary Guarantor to rescind such assertions within 30 days after the Borrower has actual knowledge of such assertions; or

 

(k)                                   the failure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor to comply for 60 days after notice with its other agreements contained in the Security Documents except for a failure that would not be material to the Lenders and would not materially affect the value of the Collateral taken as a whole.

 

The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

 

The term “ Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “ Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

A Default under clause (c) , (d)  or (k)  of this Section 7.01 shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Administrative Agent or Lenders holding at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Loans or Commitments have notified the Borrower of the Default and the Borrower does not cure such Default within the time specified in clause (c) , (d)  or (k) , as applicable, after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “ Notice of Default .”

 

SECTION 7.02.                                          Acceleration . (a) If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(f)  or (g) with respect to the Borrower) occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent or Lenders holding at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Loans or Commitments, by notice to the Borrower, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Loans to be due and payable. Upon the Administrative Agent’s notification to the Borrower of such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(f) or (g)  with respect to the Borrower occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the entire principal amount of the outstanding Loans shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender. The Lenders of a majority in principal amount of the Loans outstanding by notice to the Administrative Agent may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of

 

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acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

(c)                                   (b)                                  In the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) , such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose the Borrower delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Administrative Agent stating that (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged, (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the Loans as described above be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.

 

SECTION 7.03.                                                                  Other Remedies . If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may pursue any available remedy at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Loans or to enforce the performance of any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

 

The Administrative Agent may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any notes evidencing the Loans or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. To the extent required by law, all available remedies are cumulative.

 

SECTION 7.04.                                                                  Waiver of Past Defaults . Provided the Loans are not then due and payable by reason of a declaration of acceleration, the Required Lenders by written notice to the Administrative Agent may waive an existing Default and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Loan, (b) a Default arising from the failure to prepay any Loan when required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or (c) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.01 cannot be amended without the consent of each Lender affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will be restored to their former positions and rights under this Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

 

SECTION 7.05.                                                                  Control by Majority . The Required Lenders may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Administrative Agent or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Administrative Agent. However, the Administrative Agent may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Agreement or, subject to Article VIII , that the Administrative Agent determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Lender or that would involve the Administrative Agent in personal liability or expenses for which it is not adequately indemnified; provided, however , that

 

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the Administrative Agent may take any other action deemed proper by the Administrative Agent that is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

SECTION 7.06.               Limitation on Suits . Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no Lender may pursue any remedy with respect to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the Loans unless:

 

(a)            such Lender has previously given the Administrative Agent notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

 

(b)            Lenders holding at least 30% in principal amount of the Loans outstanding have requested the Administrative Agent to pursue the remedy;

 

(c)            such Lender has offered the Administrative Agent security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(d)            the Administrative Agent has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

 

(e)            the Required Lenders have not given the Administrative Agent a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Agents

 

SECTION 8.01.               Appointment .

 

(a)            Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)            The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Collateral Agent as the agent with respect to the Collateral, and each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to

 

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the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, or any fiduciary relationship with any of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Collateral Agent.

 

SECTION 8.02.               Delegation of Duties . The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may each execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents, sub-agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact (each, a “ Subagent ”) and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties; provided , however , that no such Subagent shall be authorized to take any action with respect to any Collateral unless and except to the extent expressly authorized in writing by the Administrative Agent. If any Subagent, or successor thereto, shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all rights, powers, privileges and duties of such Subagent, to the extent permitted by law, shall automatically vest in and be exercised by the Administrative Agent until the appointment of a new Subagent. Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any Subagents selected by it with reasonable care.

 

SECTION 8.03.               Exculpatory Provisions . No Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates shall be (a) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except for its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined in the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, in connection with its duties expressly set forth herein) or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders or any participant for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any of the Borrower, any other Credit Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by such Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for any failure of the Borrower or any other Credit Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent shall be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof. The Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to the Administrative Agent or any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Credit Party.

 

SECTION 8.04.               Reliance by Agents . The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or instruction believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent. The Administrative Agent and the

 

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Collateral Agent may deem and treat the Lender specified in the Register with respect to any amount owing hereunder as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders, and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans; provided that the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or in the opinion of its counsel, may expose it to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Requirements of Law.

 

SECTION 8.05.               Notice of Default . Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, it shall give notice thereof to the Lenders and the Collateral Agent. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders; provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders except to the extent that this Agreement requires that such action be taken only with the approval of the Required Lenders or each individual Lender, as applicable.

 

SECTION 8.06.               Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Other Lenders . Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and each other Credit Party and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action

 

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under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and any other Credit Party. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, assets, operations, properties, financial condition, prospects or creditworthiness of the Borrower or any other Credit Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.

 

SECTION 8.07.               Indemnification . The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, each in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Credit Parties and without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), ratably according to their respective portions of the Commitments or Loans, as applicable, outstanding in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with their respective portions of the Loans in effect immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (including at any time following the payment of the Loans) occur, be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in any way relating to or arising out of the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Agent’s, as applicable, gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; provided , further , that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be required by the Loan Documents) shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section 8.07 . In the case of any investigation, litigation or proceeding giving rise to any liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time occur (including at any time following the payment of the Loans), this Section 8.07 applies whether any such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Lender or any other Person. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice rendered in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that such Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Borrower; provided that such reimbursement by the Lenders shall not affect the Borrower’s continuing reimbursement obligations with respect thereto. If any

 

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indemnity furnished to any Agent for any purpose shall, in the opinion of such Agent, be insufficient or become impaired, such Agent may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished; provided, in no event shall this sentence require any Lender to indemnify any Agent against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement in excess of such Lender’s pro rata portion thereof; and provided further , this sentence shall not be deemed to require any Lender to indemnify any Agent against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement resulting from such Agent’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, as determined in the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The agreements in this Section 8.07 shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

SECTION 8.08.               Agents in Their Individual Capacity . Each Agent and its Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower and any other Credit Party as though such Agent were not an Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. With respect to the Loans made by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

 

SECTION 8.09.               Successor Agents . Each of the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, subject to the consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) so long as no Default under Section 7.01(a) , (b) , (f)  or (g) is continuing, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If, in the case of a resignation of a retiring Agent, no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the retiring Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except in the case of the Collateral Agent holding collateral security on behalf of any Secured Parties, the retiring Collateral Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security as nominee until such time as a successor Collateral Agent is appointed) and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through such Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for above in this Section 8.09 . Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, hereunder, and upon the execution and filing or recording of such financing statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Required Lenders may request, in order to continue the perfection of the Liens granted or purported to be granted by the Security Documents, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents

 

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(if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower (following the effectiveness of such appointment) to such Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article VIII (including Section 8.07 ) and Section 9.05 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its Subagents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Agent was acting as an Agent.

 

SECTION 8.10.               Payments Set Aside . To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, in the applicable currency of such recovery or payment. The obligations of the Lenders under clause (b)  of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Loan Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 8.11.               Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Credit Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, (i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Loan Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Section 9.05 ) allowed in such judicial proceeding and (ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent

 

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and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 9.05 . Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Loan Obligations or the rights of any Lender to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 8.12.               Collateral Matters . The Lenders irrevocably authorize the Collateral Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon payment in full of all Loan Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations and expense reimbursement claims to the extent no claim therefor has been made), (ii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing in accordance with Section 9.01 , (iii) pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreements or the Security Documents or (iv) pursuant to Section 9.19 . Upon request by the Collateral Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Collateral Agent’s authority to release its interest in particular types or items of property in accordance with this Section.

 

SECTION 8.13.               Intercreditor Agreements and Collateral Matters . The Lenders hereby agree to the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and acknowledge that Citibank, N.A. (and any successor Collateral Agent under the Security Documents and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) will be serving as Collateral Agent for both the Secured Parties and the holders of Other Second-Lien Obligations under the Security Documents and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Each Lender hereby consents to Citibank, N.A. and any successor serving in such capacity and agrees not to assert any claim (including as a result of any conflict of interest) against Citibank, N.A., or any such successor, arising from the role of the Collateral Agent under the Security Documents or the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement so long as the Collateral Agent is either acting in accordance with the express terms of such documents or otherwise has not engaged in gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Lenders hereby agree to the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and acknowledge that Citibank, N.A. (and any successor Collateral Agent under the Security Documents and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) will be serving as Collateral Agent for both the Secured Parties and the holders of Other Second-Lien Obligations under the Security Documents and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. Each Lender hereby consents to Citibank, N.A. and any successor serving in such capacity and agrees not to assert any claim (including as a result of any conflict of interest) against Citibank, N.A., or any such successor, arising from the role of the Collateral Agent under the Security Documents or the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement so long as the Collateral Agent is either acting in accordance with the express terms of such documents or otherwise has not engaged in gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Borrower and each Lender hereby agree that the resignation provisions set forth in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement with respect to the Collateral Agent shall supersede any provision of this Agreement to the contrary. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall be authorized, without the consent of any Lender, to enter into or execute the Security Documents, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement on or prior to the Acquisition Date, and, from time to time, to execute or to enter into amendments of, and amendments and restatements of, the Security Documents, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and any additional and replacement intercreditor agreements, in each case in order to effect the subordination of and to provide for

 

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certain additional rights, obligations and limitations in respect of, any Liens required by the terms of this Agreement to be Liens junior to, pari passu with or senior to the Loan Obligations, that are, in each case, incurred in accordance with Article VI of this Agreement, and to establish certain relative rights as between the holders of the Loan Obligations and the holders of the Indebtedness secured by such Liens junior to the Loan Obligations.

 

SECTION 8.14.               Withholding Tax . To the extent required by any applicable Requirement of Law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. If the Internal Revenue Service or any authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective), such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by any applicable Credit Party and without limiting the obligation of any applicable Credit Party to do so) fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Tax or otherwise, including penalties, additions to Tax and interest, together with all expenses incurred, including legal expenses, allocated staff costs and any out of pocket expenses. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section 8.14 .

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 9.01.               Amendments and Waivers .

 

(a)            Without Consent of the Lenders .

 

The Borrower and the Administrative Agent may amend this Agreement and the other Loan Documents without notice to or consent of any Lender:

 

(i)             to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

 

(ii)            to provide for the assumption by a successor corporation, partnership or limited liability company of the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (in each case so long as such successor corporation, partnership or limited liability company is designated in accordance with Article V );

 

(iii)           to comply with Article V ;

 

(iv)           to add a Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the Loans or Collateral to secure the Loans;

 

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(v)            to release Collateral or a Subsidiary Guarantee as permitted by this Agreement, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements;

 

(vi)           to add additional secured creditors holding Other Second-Lien Obligations, First-Priority Lien Obligations or other Junior Lien Obligations so long as such obligations are not prohibited by this Agreement or the Security Documents;

 

(vii)          to add to the covenants of the Borrower or any Subsidiaries for the benefit of the Lenders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

(viii)         to the extent necessary to integrate any Incremental Commitment or Extended Loans as contemplated pursuant to Section 2.23 and 2.24 ; and

 

(ix)            to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Lender.

 

The Intercreditor Agreements may be amended without the consent of any Lender or Agent in connection with the permitted entry into the Intercreditor Agreements of any class of additional secured creditors holding Other Second-Lien Obligations, First-Priority Lien Obligations or Junior Lien Obligations to effectuate such entry into the Intercreditor Agreements and to make the lien of such class equal and ratable with, as applicable, the lien of the First-Priority Lien Obligations, the Other Second-Lien Obligations or the Junior Lien Obligations.

 

Each Lender hereunder (x) consents to the amendment of any Loan Document in the manner and for the purposes set forth in this Section 9.01(a) , (y) agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of any amendment to any Loan Document pursuant to Section 9.01(a)  and (z) authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent to enter into any amendment to any Loan Document pursuant to this Section 9.01(a)  on behalf of such Lender. After an amendment under this Section 9.01(a) becomes effective, the Borrower shall mail to the Administrative Agent, who shall promptly notify the Lenders, a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to the Administrative Agent, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.01(a) .

 

(b)            With Consent of the Lenders . The Borrower and the Administrative Agent may amend this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the written consent of the Required Lenders, and any past default or noncompliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the Required Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of each Lender of an affected Loan, no amendment may:

 

(i)             reduce the principal amount of such Loans whose Lenders must consent to an amendment,

 

(ii)            reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Loan,

 

(iii)           reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Loan,

 

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(iv)           reduce the premium payable (if any) upon prepayment of any Loan or change the time at which any such premium must be paid,

 

(v)            make any Loan payable in money other than that stated in this Agreement,

 

(vi)           expressly subordinate the Loans or any related Subsidiary Guarantee to any other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor,

 

(vii)          impair the right of any Lender to receive payment of principal of or premium, if any, and interest on such Lender’s Loans on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Lender’s Loans,

 

(viii)         make any change in Section 7.04 or the second sentence of this Section 9.01(b)  or the definition of the term “Required Lenders,” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or under any other Loan Document or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby, or

 

(ix)            make any change in the provisions dealing with the application of proceeds of Collateral in the Intercreditor Agreements or this Agreement that would adversely affect the Lenders.

 

Except as expressly provided by this Agreement or the Security Documents, without the consent of Lenders holding at least 66.67% of the sum of all outstanding Loans and unused Commitments, no amendment may modify or release the Subsidiary Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary in any manner adverse to the Lenders. Without the consent of Lenders holding at least 66.67% of the sum of all outstanding Loans and unused Commitments, no amendment or waiver may release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Lien of the Security Documents with respect to the Loans.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Lenders under this Section 9.01(b)  to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After an amendment under this Section 9.01(b) becomes effective, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such amendment. The failure to give such notice to the Administrative Agent, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.01(b) .

 

SECTION 9.02.               Notices . Except as otherwise set forth herein, all notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by facsimile or electronic mail), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered, or three days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy or electronic mail notice, when received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and as set forth on Schedule 2.01 in the case of the other parties hereto, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto:

 

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The Borrower:

Everest Acquisition LLC

 

c/o EP Energy LLC

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

Houston, TX 77002

 

Attention: Dane Whitehead and Marguerite

 

Woung-Chapman

 

Fax: (713) 420-6603

 

 

 

with copies to:

 

 

 

c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

 

9 West 57 th  Street, 43 rd  Floor

 

New York, NY 10019

 

Attention: Sam Oh and John Suydam

 

Fax: (646) 417-6651

 

 

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

 

1285 Avenue of the Americas

 

New York, NY 10019

 

Attention: Gregory Ezring, Esq.

 

Fax: (212) 492-0458

 

 

The Administrative Agent:

Citibank, N.A.

 

Global Loans

 

Ops 111

 

1615 Brett Road

 

New Castle, DE 19720

 

Attention: Dan Boselli

 

Fax: (212) 994-0961

 

email: Daniel.john.boselli@citi.com

 

 

Any other Lender:

At the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire

 

provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent or the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.03 shall not be effective until received.

 

Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including email and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved in writing by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent in writing that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic

 

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communications pursuant to procedures approved by them, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.02 (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically (including as set forth in Section 9.18 ) and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet, or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that (A) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender that requests the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, and (B) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.

 

SECTION 9.03.               No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

SECTION 9.04.               Survival of Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans hereunder.

 

SECTION 9.05.               Payment of Expenses; Indemnification . The Borrower agrees (a) if the Acquisition Date occurs, to pay or reimburse the Agents for all their reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation and execution and delivery of, and any amendment, waiver, supplement or modification to, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, in their capacity as counsel to the Agents, and one counsel in each appropriate local jurisdiction (excluding any allocated costs of in-house counsel), (b) to pay or reimburse each Agent for all its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent (unless there is an actual or perceived conflict of interest in which case each such Person may, with the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), retain its own counsel), (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold harmless each Agent from, any and all recording and

 

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filing fees and (d) to pay, indemnify, and hold harmless each Lender and Agent and their respective Related Parties from and against any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether or not such proceedings are brought by the Borrower, any of its Related Parties or any other third Person, including reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of one primary counsel for all such Persons, taken as a whole, and, if necessary, by a single firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction for all such Persons, taken as a whole (unless there is an actual or perceived conflict of interest in which case each such Person may, with the consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), retain its own counsel), with respect to (i) the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents or (ii) if the Acquisition Date occurs, any Environmental Claims involving or attributable to the actions, omissions or current or former operations or properties of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Oil and Gas Properties (all the foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the “ Indemnified Liabilities ”); provided that the Borrower shall have no obligation hereunder to any Agent or any Lender or any of their respective Related Parties with respect to Indemnified Liabilities to the extent (1) found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment to have resulted from (i) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or (ii) any material breach of any Loan Document by the party to be indemnified or (2) arising from disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits not arising from any act or omission by the Borrower or its Affiliates, brought by an indemnified Person against any other indemnified Person (other than disputes, claims, demands, actions, judgments or suits involving claims against any Agent in its capacity as such). No Person entitled to indemnification under clause (d) of this Section 9.05 shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through internet, electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems (including IntraLinks or SyndTrak Online) in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except to the extent that such damages have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision), nor shall any such Person have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (including, without limitation, any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings) relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Effective Date). The agreements in this Section 9.05 shall survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder. This Section 9.05 shall not apply with respect to any Taxes other than Taxes that represent liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever resulting from a non-Tax claim, which shall be governed exclusively by Section 2.17 and, to the extent set forth therein, Section 2.10 .

 

SECTION 9.06.               Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments .

 

(a)           The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender other than pursuant to Section 5.01 (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null

 

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and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 9.06 . Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c)  of this Section 9.06 ), and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Agents and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

 

(b)            (i)             Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an “ Assignee ”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) by:

 

(A)             providing written notice to the Borrower; and

 

(B)             obtaining the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of any Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund (as defined below).

 

(ii)            Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(A)             except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments or Loans under any Facility, the amount of the Commitments or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than (x) $1.0 million (and shall be in an amount of an integral multiple thereof)), unless the Administrative Agent otherwise consents (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that contemporaneous assignments to a single assignee made by Affiliates of Lenders and related Approved Funds shall be aggregated for purposes of meeting the minimum assignment amount requirements stated above;

 

(B)             each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

 

(C)             the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance via an electronic settlement system acceptable to the Administrative Agent (or, if previously agreed with the Administrative Agent, manually), and shall pay to the Administrative Agent a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which fee may be waived or reduced in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent); and

 

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(D)             the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire in a form approved by the Administrative Agent (the “ Administrative Questionnaire ”) and applicable tax forms (including those described in Sections 2.17(d) , (e) , (h)  and (i) , as applicable).

 

For the purposes of this Section 9.06(b) , the term “ Approved Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered, advised or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers, advises or manages a Lender.

 

On the first Business Day of each month, the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower a list of each assignment made during the immediately preceding month, which list shall include the applicable assignor, Assignee, the interest assigned and the date of each assignment. The delivery of such list shall satisfy the requirement set forth in Section 9.06(b)(i)(A) .

 

(iii)          Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) of this Section 9.06 , from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.10 , 2.11 , 2.17 and 9.05 ). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.06 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section 9.06 .

 

(iv)         The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Lending Office a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal and interest amounts of the Loans (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(v)          Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), all applicable tax forms, the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of

 

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this Section 9.06 and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section 9.06 , the Administrative Agent shall promptly accept such Assignment and Acceptance and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment, whether or not evidenced by a promissory note, shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

 

(c)            (i)             Any Lender may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it), provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, provided that (x) such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in clause (ii)  or (iii)  of the second sentence of Section 9.01(b)  that directly affects such Participant and (y) no other agreement with respect to amendment, modification or waiver may exist between such Lender and such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii)  of this Section 9.06 , the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.10 , 2.11 and 2.17 (subject to the limitations and requirements of those Sections and Sections 2.12 and 9.07) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b)  of this Section 9.06 .

 

(ii)           Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal and interest amounts of each Participant’s interest in the Loans held by it (the “ Participant Register ”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and each party hereto shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of the participation in question for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. Without limitation of the requirements of Section 9.06(g) , no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of a Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans or other Obligations under any Loan Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary in connection with a Tax audit or other Tax proceeding to establish that such Commitment, Loan or other Obligation is in registered form for U.S. Federal income tax purposes.

 

(iii)          A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.10 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the

 

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participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

(d)            Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section 9.06 shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. In order to facilitate such pledge or assignment, the Borrower hereby agrees that, upon request of any Lender at any time and from time to time, the Borrower shall provide to such Lender, at the Borrower’s own expense, a Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit B .

 

(e)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender may, at any time, assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of its Loans to an Affiliated Lender; provided that:

 

(1)            no Affiliated Lender shall have any right to (A) attend (including by telephone) any meeting or discussion (or portion thereof) among the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender at which representatives of the Borrower are not then present, (B) receive any information or material prepared by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender or any communication by or among the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and one or more Lenders, except to the extent such information or materials have been made available to the Borrower or its representatives (other than the right in any case to receive notices of prepayments and other administrative notices in respect of its Loans required to be delivered to Lenders pursuant to Article II ), or (C) make or bring (or participate in, other than as a passive participant in or recipient of its pro rata benefits of) any claim, in its capacity as a Lender, against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Lender with respect to any duties or obligations or alleged duties or obligations of such Agent or any such other Lender under the Loan Documents;

 

(2)            except with respect to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action described in clause (ii) , (iii) , (iv)  or (v)  of Section 9.01(b)  or that releases all or substantially all of the value of the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Collateral or that alters an Affiliated Lender’s pro rata share of any payments given to all Lenders, the Loans held by an Affiliated Lender shall be disregarded in both the numerator and denominator in the calculation of any Lender vote (and shall be deemed to have been voted in the same percentage as all other Lenders that are not Affiliated Lenders voted if necessary to give legal effect to this paragraph) under any Loan Document;

 

(3)            the aggregate principal amount of Loans held at any one time by Affiliated Lenders may not exceed 30% of the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding at such time under any facility under this Agreement; and

 

(4)            an Affiliated Lender shall represent and warrant to the assigning Lender as of the date of any assignment to such Affiliated Lender pursuant to this Section 9.06(e) , that such Affiliated Lender does not have any MNPI with respect to the Borrower or its

 

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Subsidiaries or their securities that has not been disclosed to the assigning Lender (other than because such assigning Lender does not wish to receive MNPI with respect to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or securities) on or prior to such date; and

 

(5)           any such Loans acquired by an Affiliated Lender may, with the consent of the Borrower, be contributed to the Borrower and exchanged for debt or equity securities that are otherwise permitted to be issued at such time (and such contribution and/or exchange shall be permitted hereunder notwithstanding the non-pro rata reduction and repayment of such Lender’s Loans and Commitments hereunder as a result thereof).

 

For the avoidance of doubt, assignments to Affiliated Institutional Lenders will be permitted hereunder and the foregoing limitations in this clause (e)  shall not be applicable to Affiliated Institutional Lenders.

 

(f)             (1)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Borrower may purchase by way of assignment from any Lender and become an assignee with respect to, and each Lender shall have the right to assign and transfer to the Borrower, at any time and from time to time, all or a portion of such Lender’s Loans (“ Permitted Loan Purchases ”); provided that (A) at the time of the effectiveness thereof, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such Permitted Loan Purchase and (B) the Borrower and such assignor Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be required to execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to Section 9.06(b)(ii)(C) ).

 

(2)              With respect to each Permitted Loan Purchase, the Borrower shall represent and warrant to the assigning Lender that, as of the date of effectiveness of each such Permitted Loan Purchase that the Borrower does not have any MNPI that has not been disclosed to such Lender (other than because such assigning Lender does not wish to receive Non-Public Information) on or prior to such date.

 

(3)              Upon the effectiveness of any Permitted Loan Purchase, the Loans subject thereto shall, without further action by any Person, be deemed cancelled and no longer outstanding for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including with respect to (1) the making of, or the application of, any payments to the Lenders under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (2) the making of any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (3) the determination of Required Lenders, or for any similar or related purpose, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Administrative Agent is authorized to make appropriate entries in the Register to reflect any cancellation of the Loans. Permitted Loan Purchases pursuant to this Section 9.06(f)  shall not constitute voluntary prepayments for purposes of Section 2.14 . In connection with any Permitted Loan Purchase, the assignor Lender shall, to the extent that its Loans shall have been repurchased and assigned to the Borrower pursuant to such Permitted Loan Purchase, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of a Permitted Loan Purchase covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.05 (subject to the limitations and requirements of such Section)), but the

 

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Borrower shall not obtain any of the rights or obligations of a Lender under this Agreement and the provisions set forth in Section 9.06(b)(ii)   shall not apply thereto.

 

(g)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no assignment may be made or, to the extent the list of Ineligible Institutions has been provided to all Lenders, participation sold to an Ineligible Institution.

 

SECTION 9.07.               Replacements of Lenders Under Certain Circumstances .

 

(a)         If any Lender is a Defaulting Lender prior to the Funding Date, then the Borrower shall, upon five (5) days’ notice to the Administrative Agent and the relevant Lender, have the right to replace such Lender by deeming such Lender to have assigned its Commitments hereunder to one or more assignees reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; provided that (1) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (2) all Loan Obligations of the Borrower owing to such Defaulting Lender being replaced shall be paid in full to such Defaulting Lender concurrently with such assignment and the Borrower shall pay any premium that would have been due if the Loans were prepaid, and (3) the replacement Lender shall purchase the foregoing by paying to such Defaulting Lender a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. No action by or consent of the Defaulting Lender shall be necessary in connection with such assignment, which shall be immediately and automatically effective upon payment of such purchase price. In connection with any such assignment, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, such Defaulting Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 9.06 ( provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein). Nothing in this Section  9.07(a)  shall be deemed to prejudice any rights that the Borrower may have against any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender.

 

(b)            If any Lender (i) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.10 , 2.11 or 2.17 (other than Section 2.17(b) ) or (ii) is affected in the manner described in Section 2.10(a)(iii)  and as a result thereof of the action described in Section 2.10(b)  is required to be taken, then provided no Event of Default then exists, the Borrower shall, upon five (5) days’ notice to the Administrative Agent and the relevant Lender, have the right to replace such Lender by deeming such Lender to have assigned its Loans and its Commitments hereunder to one or more assignees reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; provided that (1) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (2) all Loan Obligations (other than any disputed amounts pursuant to Section 2.10 , 2.11 , 2.13 or 2.17 , as the case may be) owing to such Lender being replaced shall be paid in full to such Lender concurrently with such assignment and the Borrower shall pay any premium that would have been due if the Loans were prepaid, and (3) the replacement Lender shall purchase the foregoing by paying to such Lender a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. No action by or consent of the replaced Lender shall be necessary in connection with such assignment, which shall be immediately and automatically effective upon payment of such purchase price. In connection with any such assignment, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, such replaced Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 9.06 ( provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein). Any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender.

 

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(c)            If any Lender (such Lender, a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”) has failed to consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination which pursuant to the terms of Section 9.01(b)  requires the consent of all of the Lenders affected and with respect to which the Required Lenders shall have granted their consent, then provided no Event of Default (other than an Event of Default relating to the proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination) then exists, the Borrower shall, upon five (5) days’ notice to the Administrative Agent and the relevant Lender, have the right (unless such Non-Consenting Lender grants such consent) to replace such Non-Consenting Lender by deeming such Non-Consenting Lender to have assigned its Loans and its Commitments hereunder to one or more assignees, reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; provided that: (1) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (2) all Loan Obligations of the Borrower owing to such Non-Consenting Lender being replaced shall be paid in full to such Non-Consenting Lender concurrently with such assignment and the Borrower shall pay any premium that would have been due if the Loans were prepaid, and (3) the replacement Lender shall purchase the foregoing by paying to such Non-Consenting Lender a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. No action by or consent of the Non-Consenting Lender shall be necessary in connection with such assignment, which shall be immediately and automatically effective upon payment of such purchase price. In connection with any such assignment, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, such Non-Consenting Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 9.06 ( provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein).

 

SECTION 9.08.               Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic transmission), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 9.09.               Severability . Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 9.10.               GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 9.11.               Submission to Jurisdiction; Consent to Service; Waivers .

 

(a)         The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(i)            submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the County and State of New York, the courts of the United

 

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States of America for the Southern District of New York and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(ii)           consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

(iii)          agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to the Borrower at its respective address set forth in Section 9.02 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

 

(iv)         agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

 

(v)          waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 9.11 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

 

(b)         The Borrower, to the extent that it has or hereafter may acquire any immunity (sovereign or otherwise) from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from jurisdiction of any court or from setoff or any legal process (whether service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) with respect to itself or any of its property or assets, hereby waives and agrees not to plead or claim such immunity in respect of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (it being understood that the waivers contained in this paragraph (c) shall have the fullest extent permitted under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, as amended, and are intended to be irrevocable and not subject to withdrawal for the purposes of such Act).

 

SECTION 9.12.               Acknowledgments . The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a)         it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(b)         none of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to the Borrower arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and Lenders, on one hand, and the Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

 

(c)         no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

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SECTION 9.13.               WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL . THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

SECTION 9.14.               Confidentiality . The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall hold all information relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with such Lender’s evaluation of whether to become a Lender hereunder or obtained by such Lender or the Administrative Agent pursuant to the requirements of this Agreement (other than information that (a) has become available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by such party in breach of this Section 9.14 , (b) has been independently developed by such Lender or such Agent without violating this Section 9.14 or (c) was or becomes available to such Lender or such Agent from a third party which, to such person’s knowledge, had not breached an obligation of confidentiality to the Borrower or any other Credit Party) (“ Confidential Information ”), confidential in accordance with its customary procedure for handling confidential information of this nature and in any event may make disclosure (a) as required or requested by any governmental agency or representative thereof or any securities exchange on which securities of the disclosing party or any Affiliate of the disclosing party are listed or traded or pursuant to legal process or to such Lender’s or the Administrative Agent’s attorneys, professional advisors or independent auditors or Affiliates, (b) as part of normal reporting or review procedures to, or examinations by, Governmental Authorities or self-regulatory authorities, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., (c) in order to enforce its rights under any Loan Document in a legal proceeding, (d) to any pledgee under Section 9.06 or any other prospective assignee of, or prospective Participant in, any of its rights under this Agreement (so long as such person shall agree to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.14 or terms substantially similar to this Section 9.14) and (e) to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in swap agreements or such contractual counterparty’s professional advisor (so long as such contractual counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.14 or terms substantially similar to this Section 9.14) ; provided that in no event shall any Lender or the Administrative Agent be obligated or required to return any materials furnished by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

SECTION 9.15.               No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility . In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledge its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (i) the credit facility provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Borrower, and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the other Agents, on the other hand, and the Borrower is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof); (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, the Administrative Agent and each other Agent each is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Borrower, or any of its Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other Person; (iii) neither the

 

154



 

Administrative Agent nor any other Agent has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document (irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent or any other Agent has advised or is currently advising the Borrower or any of their respective Affiliates on other matters) and neither the Administrative Agent nor any other Agent has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; (iv) the Administrative Agent and the other Agents and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any other Agent has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship; and (v) the Administrative Agent and the other Agents have not provided and will not provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) and the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate. The Borrower hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and the other Agents with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty.

 

SECTION 9.16.               USA PATRIOT Act . Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Credit Parties, which information includes the name and address of the Credit Parties and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Credit Parties in accordance with the USA Patriot Act.

 

SECTION 9.17.               Conversion of Currencies .

 

(a)         If, for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum owing hereunder in one currency into another currency, each party hereto agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction the first currency could be purchased with such other currency on the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which final judgment is given.

 

(b)         The obligations of the Borrower in respect of any sum due to any party hereto or any holder of the obligations owing hereunder (the “ Applicable Creditor ”) shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) other than the currency in which such sum is stated to be due hereunder (the “ Agreement Currency ”), be discharged only to the extent that, on the Business Day following receipt by the Applicable Creditor of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Applicable Creditor may in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency; if the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Applicable Creditor in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Applicable Creditor against such loss. The obligations of the Borrower contained in this

 

155



 

Section 9.17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of all other amounts owing hereunder.

 

SECTION 9.18.               Platform; Borrower Materials . The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Co-Lead Arrangers will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “ Platform ”), and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a “ Public Lender ”). The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Material that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (i) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, means that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof, (ii) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Co-Lead Arrangers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as either publicly available information or not material information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws, (iii) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor” and (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Co-Lead Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.”

 

SECTION 9.19.               Release of Liens .

 

(a)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Security Documents, Collateral may be released from the Lien and security interest created by the Security Documents to secure the Loans and obligations under this Agreement at any time or from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreements or as provided hereby. The applicable property and assets included in the Collateral shall be automatically released from the Liens securing the Loans, and the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations under this Agreement and the Security Documents, under any one or more of the following circumstances or any applicable circumstance as provided in the Intercreditor Agreements or the Security Documents:

 

(1)            with respect to RBL Priority Collateral, upon the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations and concurrent release of all other Liens on such property or assets (except cash collateral in respect of any letters of credit) securing First-Priority Lien Obligations (including all commitments and letters of credit thereunder); provided, however, that if the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor subsequently incurs First-Priority Lien Obligations that are secured by Liens on property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor of the type constituting the RBL Priority Collateral and the related Liens are incurred in reliance on clause (6)(B)  or (6)(C)  of the definition of Permitted Liens, then the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors will be required to reinstitute the security arrangements with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral in favor of the Loans, which Liens securing the Loan Obligations will be second priority Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing such First-Priority Lien

 

156



 

Obligations to the same extent provided by the Security Documents and on the terms and conditions of the security documents relating to such First-Priority Lien Obligations, with the second priority Lien held by the Collateral Agent or other representative designated by the Borrower to hold the second priority Liens for the benefit of the Lenders and subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an intercreditor agreement that provides the administrative agent or collateral agent substantially the same rights and obligations as afforded under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(2)            to enable the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to consummate the disposition of such property or assets to a Person that is not the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent not prohibited under Section 6.06 ;

 

(3)            in respect of the property and assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor, (i) upon the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 6.04 and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”, and such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations hereunder and under the Security Documents or (ii) upon the release of such Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to Section 9.20 ;

 

(4)            in respect of the property and assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor, upon the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor of the Obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other Indebtedness which resulted in the obligation to become a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(5)            in respect of any assets or property constituting RBL Priority Collateral, upon the release of the security interests in such assets or property securing any First-Priority Lien Obligations, other than in connection with a Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations; and

 

(6)            as provided in Section 9.01 .

 

(b)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default exists on the date of Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations, the second priority Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the Loans will not be released, except to the extent the RBL Priority Collateral or any portion thereof was disposed of in order to repay the First-Priority Lien Obligations secured by the RBL Priority Collateral, and thereafter the Collateral Agent (or another designated representative appointed pursuant to the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) will have the right to foreclose or direct the RBL Agent to foreclose upon the RBL Priority Collateral (but in such event, the Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the Loan Obligations will be released when such Event of Default and all other Events of Default cease to exist).

 

(c)        In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section 9.19 or a release of a Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to Section 9.20 , the Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver to any Credit Party, at such Credit Party’s expense, all documents that such Credit Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release (including, without limitation, UCC termination statements), and will duly assign and transfer to such Credit Party,

 

157



 

such of the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) that may be in the possession of the Collateral Agent and has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 9.19 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Collateral Agent. In connection with any release pursuant to this Section 9.19 or 9.20 , the Credit Party shall be permitted to take any action in connection therewith consistent with such release including, without limitation, the filing of UCC termination statements. Upon the receipt of any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Borrower, the Collateral Agent shall execute, deliver or acknowledge such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents or the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The security interests in all Collateral securing the Loans also will be released upon payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest on, the Loans and all other Obligations under this Agreement and the Security Documents that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, are paid.

 

SECTION 9.20.             Release of Subsidiary Guarantee . Each Subsidiary’s Subsidiary Guarantee shall be automatically released upon:

 

(1)            the sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer (including through merger, consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise) of the Capital Stock (including any sale, disposition or other transfer following which the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary), of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor if such sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer is made in a manner not in violation of this Agreement;

 

(2)            the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 6.04 and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”;

 

(3)            the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor of the Obligations under the Credit Agreement or other Indebtedness or the guarantee of any other Indebtedness which resulted in the obligation to guarantee the Loans;

 

(4)            discharge of the Loan Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof;

 

(5)            such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest in favor of First-Priority Lien Obligations, subject to, in each case, the application of the proceeds of such foreclosure in the manner described in Section 9.19 ;

 

(6)            the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event and

 

(7)            as provided in Section 9.01 .

 

A Restricted Subsidiary’s Subsidiary Guarantee shall also be automatically released upon the applicable Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing Bank Indebtedness or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof.

 

158



 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

159



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Name:  Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Title:  Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

[Second Lien Credit Agreement Signature Page]

 



 

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and a

 

Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mohammed Baabde

 

Name:

Mohammed Baabde

 

Title:

Vice President

 

[Term Loan Agreement]

 


 

EXHIBIT A TO

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF]
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE(1)

 

This Assignment and Acceptance (this “ Assignment and Acceptance ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [ Insert name of Assignor ] (the “ Assignor ”) and [ Insert name of Assignee ] (the “ Assignee ”). It is understood that the rights and obligations of the Assignor and the Assignee hereunder are several and not joint. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Term Loan Agreement identified below (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Acceptance as if set forth herein in full. The benefit of each Security Document shall be maintained in favor of the Assignee (without prejudice to Section 8.06 of the Term Loan Agreement).

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Term Loan Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below, (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Term Loan Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender under the Term Loan Agreement) against any person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Term Loan Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “ Assigned Interest ”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.

Assignor:

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Assignee:

 

 

 

 

3.

Is Assignee a Lender/an Affiliate of a Lender/an Approved Fund? Yes:  o   No:  o

 

Specify if “Yes”:

 

.

 

 

4.

Is Assignee an “Affiliated Lender”: Yes:  o   No:  o

 


(1)    To be used in the case of any sale, assignment or transfer by or to a Lender that is not the Borrower.

 

A-2-1



 

 

Specify if “Yes”:

 

.

 

 

 

 

5.

Is Assignee an Ineligible Institution? Yes:  o   No:  o

If “Yes,” no assignment may be made without the prior written consent of the Borrower.

 

 

6.

Borrower: Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”).

 

 

7.

Administrative Agent: Citibank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, under the Term Loan Agreement.

 

 

8.

Term Loan Agreement: Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April [24], 2012 among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

 

 

9.

Assigned Interest:

 

 

Loans

 

Aggregate
Amount of
Loans of all
Lenders

 

Amount of
Loans Assigned

 

Percentage
Assigned of
Loans of all
Lenders(2)

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

 

$

 

 

%

 

 

[        ](3)

 

$

 

$

 

 

%

 

 

Effective Date:                       , 20     [TO BE INSERTED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR].

 

10.

Notice and Wire Instructions:

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

 

 

 

Notices :

 

Notices :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attention:

 

 

Attention:

 

Facsimile:

 

 

Facsimile:

 


(2)

Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

 

 

(3)

In the event any new Class of Loans is established under Section 2.23 or 2.24 of the Term Loan Agreement, refer to the Class of Loans assigned.

 

A-2-2



 

with a copy to:

 

with a copy to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attention:

 

 

Attention:

 

Facsimile:

 

 

Facsimile:

 

 

 

 

 

Wire Instructions :

 

Wire Instructions :

 

A-2-3



 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Acceptance are hereby agreed to:

 

 

ASSIGNOR

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNEE

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

Accepted [and Consented to]: (1)

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 


(1)

To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Term Loan Agreement. See Section 9.06(b) of the Term Loan Agreement.

 



 

ANNEX 1 TO EXHIBIT A TO

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

 

1 .            Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Term Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, other than as to the matters set forth in this Section 1, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates or any other person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates or any other person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

2 .            Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Term Loan Agreement [(subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9.06(e) of the Term Loan Agreement)](1), (ii) it is not an Ineligible Institution and otherwise satisfies all other requirements, if any, specified in the Term Loan Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Term Loan Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Term Loan Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.02 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (vi) attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement (including pursuant to Section 2.17(d), (e), (h) and (i)), duly completed and executed by the Assignee, (vii) if it is a Non-U.S. Lender, attached to this Assignment and Acceptance is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee and (viii) [it is not an Affiliated Lender][if it is an Affiliated Lender, on the date hereof it does not have any MNPI with respect to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or their securities that has not been disclosed to the Assignor (other than because the Assignor does not wish to receive MNPI with respect to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or their securities) on or prior to the date

 


(1)

Insert if Assignee is an Affiliated Lender.

 



 

hereof](2); and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender and, based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

3 .            Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

4 .            General Provisions. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Acceptance by fax or other electronic delivery shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Acceptance. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 


(2)

Insert first option if Assignee is not an Affiliated Lender. Insert second option if Assignee is an Affiliated Lender.

 

2



 

EXHIBIT B TO

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF] NOTE

 

$                       

 

                    , 20    

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”) hereby promises to pay to                             or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Term Loan Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan, in an aggregate amount not to exceed                     DOLLARS ($                     ), from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April [24], 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Term Loan Agreement. All payments of principal and interest on the Loans shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in U.S. Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Lending Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Term Loan Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. This Note is also entitled to the benefits of the Subsidiary Guarantee and is secured by the Collateral. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Term Loan Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Term Loan Agreement. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business.

 

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note.

 

The Lender and any subsequent owner and holder of this Note shall, and is hereby authorized to, make a notation on Schedule A attached hereto of the date and the amount of each Loan and the date and the amount of the payment of principal thereon, which notation shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error, and, prior to any transfer of this Note, the Lender shall endorse the outstanding principal amount of this Note on Schedule A attached hereto; provided , however , that failure to make such notation or any error in such notation shall not adversely affect the Lender’s rights with respect to the Loans.

 



 

[Signature page follows.]

 



 

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND IS EXECUTED AS OF THE DATE FIRST WRITTEN ABOVE.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[Signature Page – Note]

 



 

Schedule A

 

LOANS AND PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS

 

Amount of Loan Made

 

Amount of Principal Repaid

 

Unpaid Principal Balance

 

Date

 

Amount

 

Interest
Paid

 

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EXHIBIT C TO

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF]

ESCROW AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This ESCROW AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “ Escrow and Security Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of April 24, 2012 among Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ” or the “ Pledgor ”), Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under the Term Loan Agreement referred to below (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), and Citibank, N.A., as securities intermediary and escrow agent (in such capacity, the “ Escrow Agent ”), in favor of the Administrative Agent and the lenders under the Term Loan Agreement referred to below.

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Pledgor, as borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto (together, the “ Lenders ”), the Administrative Agent and certain other parties have entered into that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated April 24, 2012 (as in effect on the date hereof, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Term Loan Agreement is being entered into in connection with the proposed acquisition (the “ Acquisition ”) of EP Energy L.L.C. (formerly known as EP Energy Corporation) and certain of its affiliates (the “ Acquired Business ”) pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement (as defined herein). In connection with the consummation of the Acquisition, EPE Acquisition, LLC, the indirect parent of the Pledgor (the “ Parent ”) will purchase (i) all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of EP Energy L.L.C., (ii) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company, (iii) all of the issued and outstanding quotas of UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda. and El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda. and (iv) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso Brazil Holdings Company, in each case, pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “ Acquisition Agreement ”) dated as of February 24, 2012 by and among EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., as sellers (the “ Sellers ”), and EPE Acquisition LLC, as purchaser;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, the Pledgor is required on the date hereof (the “ Effective Date ”) to deposit $791,666.67, which is the amount equal to the aggregate Commitment Fee (as defined herein) due to the Lenders on the Funding Date (as defined herein) assuming both that the Funding Date occurs on the Escrow Funding Deadline (as defined herein) and that the maximum possible amount of the Loans (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) are borrowed on that date (the “ Escrow Amount ”);

 

WHEREAS, upon the earlier to occur of (i) the Funding Date (as defined herein), and (ii) the Commitment Expiration Date (as defined herein), the Pledgor shall be required to pay to each Lender, through the Administrative Agent, the Commitment Fee pursuant to Section 2.15 of the Term Loan Agreement (such earlier date, the “ Commitment Fee Payment Date ”); and

 

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WHEREAS, to secure the obligations of the Pledgor under the Term Loan Agreement to pay the Commitment Fee on the Commitment Fee Payment Date pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, the Pledgor has agreed to (i) pledge to the Administrative Agent for its benefit and the benefit of the Lenders, a first-priority security interest in and lien on the

 

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Escrowed Funds and the other Collateral (each as hereinafter defined) and (ii) execute and deliver this Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises herein contained, and in order to induce the Lenders to enter into the Term Loan Agreement and to agree to make the Loans thereunder, the Pledgor, the Administrative Agent and the Escrow Agent hereby agree, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders, as follows:

 

SECTION 1. Definitions, Appointment; Deposit and Investment .

 

1.1            Definitions .

 

Acquired Business ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Acquisition ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Acquisition Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Act ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.19 hereto.

 

Administrative Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Authorized Persons ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.17(a) hereto.

 

Co-Issuer ” means Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., a Delaware Corporation.

 

Collateral ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4 hereof.

 

Commitment Expiration Date ” means the earliest of (a) the Escrow Funding Deadline, (b) the date on which the Acquisition Agreement is terminated (without the closing of the Acquisition) in accordance with its terms, (c) the date, if any, on which the Acquisition is consummated (after giving effect thereto) and (d) the date, if any, on which the Pledgor voluntarily terminates the commitments to make Loans on the Funding Date under the Term Loan Agreement prior to funding.

 

Commitment Fee ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Commitment Fee Payment Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

DDCA ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(e) hereto.

 

Email Recipient ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.17(d) hereto.

 

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Escrow Account ” means an account established and maintained by the Escrow Agent in the name “EP Energy Effective Date Escrow Account,” which account shall at all times be under the control (within the meaning of Section 8-106 and/or 9-104 of the U.C.C. (as defined below)) of the Administrative Agent and subject to the terms and conditions of this Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

Escrow Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Escrow Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Escrow and Security Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Escrow Funding Deadline ” means June 1, 2012.

 

Escrow Investments ” means cash or the following investments:

 

(i)             direct obligations of the United States of America for which its full faith and credit is pledged, or

 

(ii)            obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America;

 

in each case, (i) maturing no later than May 31, 2012 and (ii) which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such Escrow Investments or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Escrow Investments held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Escrow Investments or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Escrow Investments evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

Escrowed Funds ” means the Escrow Amount and all investments thereof, plus all interest, dividends and other distributions and payments thereon received by the Escrow Agent.

 

Event of Default ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Funding Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Lenders ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Liens ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Loans ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Losses ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10 hereof.

 

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Obligations ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Offering Memorandum ” means the final Offering Memorandum of the Pledgor and the Co-Issuer dated April 10, 2012 pursuant to which the Secured Notes were offered.

 

Parent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Person ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Pledgor ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

RBL Facility ” means the credit facility to be entered into on or around the closing date of the Acquisition among the Company, the financial institutions named therein and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as described under “Description of Other Indebtedness” of the Offering Memorandum.

 

Secured Notes ” means $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 of the Pledgor and the Co-Issuer.

 

Sellers ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Senior Notes ” means $2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 of the Pledgor and the Co-Issuer.

 

Subsidiary Guarantors ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Transactions ” means the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement and as described in the Offering Memorandum under the heading “Summary—The Transactions,” including the borrowings under the RBL Facility and the Term Loan Agreement and the issuance of the Secured Notes and the Senior Notes.

 

Treasury Book-Entry Securities ” means Treasury Securities maintained in book-entry form through the United States Federal Reserve Banks.

 

Treasury Securities ” means any investment in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States government or any agency thereof, in each case, maturing no later than October 31, 2012.

 

U.C.C. ” shall have the meaning set forth in the last paragraph of this Section 1.1.

 

All capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Term Loan Agreement. Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Term Loan Agreement, terms used in Articles 8 or 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York (the “ U.C.C. ”) are used herein as therein defined.

 

1.2            Appointment of the Escrow Agent . The Pledgor hereby appoints Citibank, N.A., as Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein and Citibank,

 

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N.A., hereby accepts such appointment. Any and all Escrowed Funds shall be deposited with the Escrow Agent in the Escrow Account, in U.S. Dollars, by wire transfer as follows: Citibank, N.A., ABA# 0210-0008-9, Account Name: Escrow Concentration Account, Account #36855852, FFC to Account #798883 Reference: EP Energy Effective Date Escrow Account. The Escrow Agent shall not be required, or have any duty, to notify anyone of any payment or maturity under the terms of any instrument deposited hereunder, nor to take any legal action to enforce payment of any check, note or security deposited hereunder or to exercise any right or privilege which may be afforded to the holder of any such security.

 

1.3            Establish Account. The Escrow Agent shall establish and maintain the Escrow Account herein provided for in accordance with the terms of this Escrow and Security Agreement. The “Securities Intermediary’s Jurisdiction” (within the meaning of Section 8-110(e) of the U.C.C.) of the Escrow Agent shall be the State of New York.

 

1.4            Pledge and Grant of Security Interest. It is the intention of the parties hereto that this Escrow and Security Agreement create an escrow, and the Pledgor has no ownership of, or rights in, the Escrow Account or the Escrowed Funds other than the limited contractual right to receive the Escrowed Funds under the circumstances specified in Section 7(a), (b) or (f) hereof. If, notwithstanding the intention of the parties set forth in the foregoing sentence, the Pledgor is determined to have any interest in any of the Escrow Account or the Escrowed Funds, the Pledgor hereby pledges to the Administrative Agent for its benefit and for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent for its benefit and for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as applicable, a continuing first-priority security interest in and to all of the Pledgor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following, whether characterized as investment property, certificated securities, uncertificated securities, general intangibles or otherwise: (a) the Escrow Account, all funds held therein and all certificates and instruments, if any, from time to time representing or evidencing the Escrow Account, (b) all Escrow Investments, all certificates and instruments, if any, representing or evidencing the Escrow Investments and all other property, including any financial assets (as defined in Section 9-102(a)(29) of the U.C.C.) credited to the Escrow Account and any and all security entitlements to the Escrow Investments and other property or financial assets credited to the Escrow Account, and any and all related securities accounts in which security entitlements to the Escrow Investments or other property or financial assets credited to the Escrow Account are carried, (c) all cash, notes, deposit accounts, checks and other instruments, if any, from time to time hereafter delivered to or otherwise possessed by the Escrow Agent, as Escrow Agent and securities intermediary of the Pledgor only and not in any other capacity, for or on behalf of the Pledgor in substitution for or in addition to any or all of the then existing Collateral (as hereinafter defined), and (d) all proceeds of and other distributions on or with respect to any and all of the foregoing Collateral (including, without limitation, all dividends, interest, principal payments, cash, options, warrants, rights, investments, subscriptions and other property or proceeds, including proceeds that constitute property of the types described in clauses (a) through (c) of this Section 1.4) (clauses (a) through (d) being hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Collateral ”). The Escrow Agent (in its capacity as a securities intermediary) hereby agrees that it will comply with entitlement orders originated by the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as a secured party) without further consent by the Pledgor, it being acknowledged and agreed that the Escrow Agent shall honor written entitlement orders issued by the Pledgor in accordance with Sections 5 or 7 hereof. The Escrow Agent (in its capacity as a bank) hereby

 

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agrees that it will comply with written instructions originated by the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as a secured party) directing disposition of the funds in any such account without further consent by the Pledgor, it being acknowledged and agreed that the Escrow Agent shall honor instructions issued by the Pledgor in accordance with Sections 5 or 7 hereof. The Escrow Agent hereby acknowledges the Administrative Agent’s lien or security interest in the Collateral as set forth above.

 

1.5            Deposit of Escrowed Funds . On the Effective Date, the Pledgor shall deposit, or direct the deposit, of the Escrow Amount into the Escrow Account.

 

SECTION 2. Security for Obligations . The pledge and lien granted by Pledgor pursuant to Section 1.4 hereof secures the prompt and complete performance when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) of the Pledgor and Subsidiary Guarantors under the Term Loan Agreement.

 

SECTION 3. Delivery of Collateral . The Pledgor shall cause all certificates or instruments representing or evidencing the Collateral, including, without limitation, amounts invested as provided in Section 5 hereof, to be delivered to and held by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the terms hereof and to be in suitable form for transfer by delivery, or to be accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and substance sufficient to convey a valid security interest in such Collateral to the Administrative Agent, or to be credited to the Escrow Account which shall be maintained as a securities account by the Escrow Agent.

 

SECTION 4. Maintaining the Escrow Account . Except as otherwise provided by the provisions of Section 7 and Section 11 hereof:

 

(a)            So long as any portion of the Commitment Fee has not been paid in accordance with Section 2.15 of the Term Loan Agreement, the Pledgor shall maintain the Escrow Account with the Escrow Agent.

 

(b)            Except as provided in Section 7 hereof, it shall be a term and condition of the Escrow Account, notwithstanding any term or condition to the contrary in any other agreement relating to the Escrow Account, that no amount (including interest on Escrow Investments) shall be paid or released to or for the account of, or withdrawn by or for the account of, the Pledgor or any other Person from the Escrow Account.

 

(c)            The Escrow Account shall be established and maintained as a securities account (as defined in Section 8-501 of the U.C.C.).

 

(d)            The Escrow Account shall be subject to such applicable laws, and such applicable regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of any other appropriate banking or governmental authority, as may now or hereafter be in effect.

 

(e)            Initially, until otherwise directed in writing by the Pledgor pursuant to Section 5, funds held in the Escrow Account will be deposited in the Escrow Agent’s Dollars on Deposit in Custody Account (“ DDCA ”). In such event, (i) the Escrow Agent

 

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will make the balances in the Escrow Account available to the Escrow Agent’s treasury division on a daily basis and (ii) the Escrow Account will earn compensation at a rate that will be determined daily based on the compensation rate paid by the Escrow Agent’s treasury division to the Escrow Agent’s trust and custody department. Should such calculation method no longer be available, the Escrow Agent will endeavor to notify the Pledgor and the Administrative Agent no less than 30 days prior. Absent other instructions, compensation will be paid monthly, on the second business day of the following month, by a credit to the Escrow Account. Monthly compensation will be reported on a Form 1099 INT if applicable.

 

SECTION 5. Investing of Amounts in the Escrow Account . The Escrow Agent shall either hold in cash or invest all amounts on deposit in the Escrow Account in the name of the Escrow Agent in cash or Escrow Investments, as directed in writing by a representative of the Pledgor. In no event shall the Escrow Agent be liable for any loss in the investment or reinvestment of amounts held in the Escrow Account.

 

If the Escrow Agent does not receive written direction to invest amounts on deposit in the Escrow Account, such amounts shall be treated in accordance with Section 4(e). With respect to any part of the Escrowed Funds received by the Escrow Agent after 10:00 a.m., New York City time, the Escrow Agent shall not be required to invest such funds or to effect any investment instruction until the next business day. The Escrow Agent is hereby authorized, in making or disposing of any investment permitted by this Escrow and Security Agreement, to deal with itself (in its individual capacity) or with any one or more of its affiliates, whether it or any such affiliate is acting as agent of the Escrow Agent or for any third person. The Pledgor and Administrative Agent acknowledge that the Escrow Agent is not providing investment supervision, recommendations, or advice. The Escrow Agent shall be under no duty to afford the Escrowed Funds any greater degree of care than it gives its own similar property.

 

SECTION 6. Delivery of Escrow Investments; Filing . (a) The Escrow Agent shall become the holder on behalf of the Administrative Agent of the Escrow Investments (or applicable security entitlements thereto) through the following delivery procedures: (i) in the case of Escrow Investments which are uncertificated securities, registration of one of the following as owner of such uncertificated securities: the Escrow Agent or a Person designated by the Escrow Agent, or Person other than a securities intermediary or financial intermediary, that becomes the registered owner of such uncertificated securities and acknowledges that it holds the same for the Escrow Agent; (ii) in the case of Escrow Investments in the form of Treasury Book-Entry Securities, the making by a securities intermediary (other than a clearing corporation) to whose account such Treasury Book-Entry Securities have been credited on the books of a Federal Reserve Bank (or on the books of another such securities intermediary (other than a clearing corporation)) of book entries indicating that such Treasury Book-Entry Securities have been credited to an account of the Escrow Agent, and the sending by such securities intermediary to the Escrow Agent of confirmation of such transfer to the Escrow Agent’s account; and (iii) in the case of cash, by deposit into the Escrow Account.

 

(b)            Prior to or concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof and prior to the transfer to the Escrow Agent of Escrow Investments (or acquisition by the Escrow Agent of any security entitlement thereto) the Escrow Agent shall establish the Escrow Account on its

 

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books and records as an account segregated from all other custodial or collateral accounts. All investments made from funds in the Escrow Account including Escrow Investments shall be credited to the Escrow Account and the Escrow Agent hereby agrees to treat all property credited to the Escrow Account (except cash) as a “financial asset” as defined in Section 8-102(a)(9) of the U.C.C. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Escrow and Security Agreement, all Escrow Investments held by the Escrow Agent pursuant to this Escrow and Security Agreement shall be held in the Escrow Account subject (except as expressly provided in Section 7 hereof) to the control (within the meaning of Section 8-106 and/or 9-104 of the U.C.C.) of the Administrative Agent and exclusively for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and segregated on its books and records from all other funds or other property otherwise held by the Escrow Agent.

 

(c)            All Collateral shall be retained in the Escrow Account pending disbursement pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

SECTION 7. Disbursements . The Escrow Agent shall hold the Escrowed Funds in the Escrow Account and release such Escrowed Funds only as follows:

 

(a)            If the Escrow Agent receives on any business day an Officers’ Certificate (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) of the Pledgor regarding the occurrence of the Funding Date or the Commitment Expiration Date in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Escrow Agent shall, if the Officers’ Certificate is received (i) on or prior to 12:00 noon (New York City time) and the Escrowed Funds are in cash, release the Escrowed Funds on the same business day in which such Officers’ Certificate is received, (ii) after 12:00 noon (New York City time) and the Escrowed Funds are in cash, use commercially reasonable efforts to release the Escrowed Funds on the same business day in which such Officers’ Certificate is received and (iii) otherwise release the Escrowed Funds promptly and in no event later than the business day following the date on which such Officer’s Certificate is received, which release in each case shall be by wire transfer in immediately available funds from the Escrow Account (x) first, to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the instructions set forth in Section 13.15 hereof for disbursement to the Lenders pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement to pay the Commitment Fee pursuant to Section 2.15 of the Term Loan Agreement, (y) second, to pay any amounts payable by the Pledgor to the Escrow Agent hereunder that have not been paid and (z) third, to, or at the written direction of, the Pledgor, the remainder of all Escrowed Funds held in the Escrow Account or otherwise (it being agreed and understood that such wire transfers may be sent simultaneously), in each case as stated in the Officers’ Certificate.

 

(b)            Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (a), if the Pledgor has not delivered the Officers’ Certificate contemplated by clause (a) on or prior to the Escrow Funding Deadline, then on the Escrow Funding Deadline (or, if such day is not a business day, on the next succeeding business day), the Escrow Agent shall release the Escrowed Funds, which release in each case shall be by wire transfer in immediately available funds from the Escrow Account (x) first, to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the instructions set forth in Section 13.15 hereof for disbursement to the Lenders pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement to pay the Commitment Fee pursuant to Section 2.15 of the Term Loan Agreement (such amount as notified to the Escrow Agent by the Pledgor on such date), (y) second, to pay any amounts

 

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payable by the Pledgor to the Escrow Agent hereunder that have not been paid, and (z) third, to, or at the written direction of, the Pledgor, the remainder of all Escrowed Funds held in the Escrow Account or otherwise (it being agreed and understood that such wire transfers may be sent simultaneously).

 

(c)            If for any reason the amount of Collateral to be released at any time is insufficient to pay the Commitment Fee then due as provided in the Term Loan Agreement, the Pledgor agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, on or prior to the date on which the Commitment Fee is due, the amount of funds in cash necessary to pay the entire amount of the Commitment Fee in accordance with the provisions of the Term Loan Agreement.

 

(d)            Upon the release of any Collateral from the Escrow Account or otherwise in accordance with clause (a) or (b) of this Section 7, the security interest evidenced by this Escrow and Security Agreement in such released Collateral will automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect and, upon the release of all the Collateral, the Pledgor may file any appropriate U.C.C. termination statement.

 

(e)            The Pledgor shall direct the Escrow Agent in writing to liquidate any Escrow Investments other than cash at such times as necessary to ensure funds are available for distribution pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (f) of this Section 7.

 

(f)             Notwithstanding anything in this Escrow and Security Agreement to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall disburse Escrowed Funds as directed pursuant to (i) a final judgment (without further right of appeal) or (ii) a written notice executed by the Administrative Agent.

 

(g)            Solely as between the Pledgor and the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent hereby acknowledges and agrees that it will not exercise its rights to issue unilateral instructions under this Escrow and Security Agreement unless an Event of Default (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) has occurred and is continuing.

 

SECTION 8. Representations and Warranties . (a) The Pledgor hereby represents and warrants that this Escrow and Security Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Pledgor and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the other parties hereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Pledgor enforceable against the Pledgor in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

(b)            The Escrow Agent hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(1)            The Escrow Agent has all power and authority to act as a securities intermediary, as defined in Section 8-102 of the U.C.C.

 

(2)            The execution, delivery and performance by the Escrow Agent of this Escrow and Security Agreement will not (x) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under any

 

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material agreement or material instrument actually known to the signer hereof to which the Escrow Agent is a party or by which the Escrow Agent is bound, (y) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Escrow Agent or (z) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority; no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Escrow Agent of its obligations and rights under this Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

(3)            This Escrow and Security Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Escrow Agent and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the other parties hereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Escrow Agent enforceable against the Escrow Agent in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

(4)            There are, to the knowledge of the Escrow Agent, no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Escrow Agent or any of its respective subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Escrow Agent or any such subsidiary is subject that would materially adversely affect the power or ability of the Escrow Agent to perform its respective obligations under this Escrow and Security Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(c)            The Administrative Agent hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(1)            The execution, delivery and performance by the Administrative Agent of this Escrow and Security Agreement will not (x) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Administrative Agent or (y) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority; no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Administrative Agent of its obligations and rights under this Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

(2)            This Escrow and Security Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the other parties hereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Administrative Agent enforceable against the Administrative Agent in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general

 

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equitable principles, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

(3)            There are, to the knowledge of the Administrative Agent, no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Administrative Agent or any of its respective subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Administrative Agent or any such subsidiary is subject that would materially adversely affect the power or ability of the Administrative Agent to perform its respective obligations under this Escrow and Security Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

SECTION 9. Escrow Agent Rights and Duties. (a) The duties, responsibilities and obligations of the Escrow Agent shall be limited to those expressly set forth herein and no duties, responsibilities or obligations shall be inferred or implied. The Escrow Agent shall not be subject to, nor required to comply with, any other agreement between or among any or all of the other parties hereto or to which any of them is a party, even though reference thereto may be made herein, or to comply with any direction or instruction (other than those contained herein or delivered in accordance with this Escrow and Security Agreement) from any such party or any entity acting on its behalf. Apart from receiving the notice referred to in Exhibit A, the Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility or requirement with respect to any notice to verify, inquire or otherwise confirm the truth, accuracy or validity of the contents of such notice in or to make the disbursements required in Section 7. The Escrow Agent shall not be required to, and shall not, expend or risk any of its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder.

 

(b)            If at any time the Escrow Agent is served with any judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, writ or other form of judicial or administrative process which in any way affects Escrowed Funds (including but not limited to orders of attachment or garnishment or other forms of levies or injunctions or stays relating to the transfer of Escrowed Funds), the Escrow Agent is authorized to comply therewith in any manner as it or its legal counsel of its own choosing deems appropriate; and if the Escrow Agent complies with any such judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, writ or other form of judicial or administrative process, the Escrow Agent shall not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other Person even though such order, judgment, decree, writ or process may be subsequently modified or vacated or otherwise determined to have been without legal force or effect.

 

(c)            The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted or for any loss or injury resulting from its actions or its performance or lack of performance of its duties hereunder in the absence of willful misconduct or gross negligence on its part, as determined pursuant to a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. In no event shall the Escrow Agent be liable (i) for acting in accordance with or relying upon any instruction, notice, demand, certificate or document from the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent or any Person acting on behalf of such parties so long as such action is taken in accordance with the provisions of this Escrow and Security Agreement, (ii) for the acts or omissions of its nominees, correspondents, designees, subagents or subcustodians, or (iii) for an amount in excess of the value of the Escrowed Funds, valued as of the date that the Escrow Agent’s liability shall be determined, plus any interest, dividends and other distributions and

 

10



 

payments received thereon. Anything in this Escrow and Security Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Escrow Agent be liable for punitive, special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Escrow Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(d)            The Escrow Agent may consult with legal counsel of its own selection (with the expense to be reimbursed in accordance with the terms of Section 11 hereof) as to any matter relating to this Escrow and Security Agreement, and the Escrow Agent shall not incur any liability in acting in good faith in accordance with any advice from such counsel.

 

(e)            The Escrow Agent shall not incur any liability for not performing any act or fulfilling any duty, obligation or responsibility hereunder by reason of any occurrence beyond the control of the Escrow Agent (including but not limited to any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, any act of God, war, terrorism or other catastrophe, or the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or telex or other wire or communication facility).

 

(f)             The Pledgor, with the written consent of the Administrative Agent, may remove the Escrow Agent at any time by giving to the Escrow Agent thirty (30) calendar days’ prior notice in writing signed by the Pledgor and Administrative Agent. The Escrow Agent may resign at any time by giving to the Pledgor and Administrative Agent thirty (30) calendar days’ prior written notice thereof.

 

(i)             Within five (5) calendar days after giving the foregoing notice of removal to Escrow Agent or receiving the foregoing notice of resignation from Escrow Agent, the Pledgor and the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree on and appoint a successor Escrow Agent, which shall assume all obligations of the Escrow Agent under this Escrow and Security Agreement. If a successor Escrow Agent has not accepted such appointment by the end of such five-day period, the Escrow Agent may, in its sole discretion, apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Escrow Agent or for other appropriate relief. The costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with such proceeding shall be paid by, and be deemed an obligation of, the Pledgor.

 

(ii)            Upon receipt of the identity of the successor Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent shall deliver the Escrowed Funds then held hereunder to the successor Escrow Agent.

 

(iii)           Upon delivery of the Escrowed Funds to such successor Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent shall have no further duties, responsibilities or obligations hereunder.

 

(g)            Any corporation or other company into which the Escrow Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other company resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Escrow Agent shall be a

 

11



 

party, or any corporation or other company succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Escrow Agent, shall be the successor of the Escrow Agent hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further action on the part of any of the parties hereto.

 

(h)            The Escrow Agent shall upon the written request of the Pledgor from time to time, provide a statement identifying transactions, transfers or holdings of Escrowed Funds and each such statement shall be deemed to be correct and final upon receipt thereof by the other parties hereto unless the Escrow Agent is notified in writing to the contrary within thirty (30) business days of the date of such statement.

 

(i)             The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible in any respect for the form, execution, validity, value or genuineness of documents or securities deposited hereunder, or for any description therein, or for the identity, authority or rights of Persons executing or delivering or purporting to execute or deliver any such document, security or endorsement.

 

(j)             In the event of any ambiguity or uncertainty hereunder or in any notice, instruction or other communication received by the Escrow Agent hereunder, the Escrow Agent may, in its sole discretion, refrain from taking any action other than retain possession of the Escrowed Funds, unless the Escrow Agent receives joint written instructions, signed by the Pledgor and the Administrative Agent, which eliminates such ambiguity or uncertainty.

 

(k)            In the event of any dispute between or conflicting claims, demands or instructions by or among the other parties to this Escrow and Security Agreement and/or any other Person with respect to any Escrowed Funds, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to refuse to comply with any and all claims, demands or instructions with respect to such Escrowed Funds so long as such dispute or conflict shall continue, and the Escrow Agent shall not be or become liable in any way for failure or refusal to comply with such conflicting claims, demands or instructions. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to refuse to act until, in its sole discretion, either (i) such conflicting or adverse claims or demands shall have been determined by a final order, judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, which order, judgment or decree is not subject to appeal, or settled by agreement between the conflicting parties as evidenced in a writing satisfactory to the Escrow Agent or (ii) the Escrow Agent shall have received security or an indemnity satisfactory to it sufficient to hold it harmless from and against any and all Losses (as defined below) which it may incur by reason of so acting. The Escrow Agent may, in addition, elect, in its sole discretion, to commence an interpleader action or seek other judicial relief or orders as it may deem, in its sole discretion, necessary. The costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with such proceeding shall be paid by, and shall be deemed an obligation of, the Pledgor.

 

(l)             The rights and remedies conferred upon the Escrow Agent and the Pledgor hereto shall be cumulative, and the exercise or waiver of any such right or remedy shall not preclude or inhibit the exercise of any additional rights or remedies. The waiver of any right or remedy hereunder shall not preclude the subsequent exercise of such right or remedy.

 

12



 

(m)           The Escrow Agent does not have any interest in the Escrowed Funds hereunder but is serving as escrow holder only and having only possession thereof. The Pledgor shall pay or reimburse the Escrow Agent upon request for any transfer taxes or other taxes relating to the Escrowed Funds incurred in connection herewith and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Escrow Agent any amounts that it is obligated to pay in the way of such taxes. Upon the execution of this Escrow and Security Agreement, the parties hereto shall provide the Escrow Agent with a fully executed W-9, W-8BEN or other appropriate forms. The parties hereto agree that (i) for tax reporting purposes, and for any tax year, all interest or other income earned under the Escrow and Security Agreement shall be allocable to the Pledgor and (ii) to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Pledgor will include all amounts earned under the Escrow and Security Agreement in its gross income for federal, state and local income tax (collectively, “ income tax ”) purposes and pay any income tax resulting therefrom, and the Escrow Agent shall allocate all such earnings for tax reporting purposes to the Pledgor. Any payments of income from the account established hereunder may be subject to withholding regulations then in force with respect to United States taxes, and if required, the parties hereto will promptly provide the Escrow Agent with completed and executed W-9, W-8BEN or other appropriate forms. It is understood that the Escrow Agent shall be responsible for income reporting only with respect to any income which may be earned on investment of funds which are a part of the Escrowed Funds and is not responsible for any other reporting. The Pledgor understands that, in the event valid U.S. tax forms, or other relevant forms are not provided to the Escrow Agent, U.S. tax laws may require withholding of tax on disbursements and on a portion of any interest or other income earned on the investment of the Escrowed Funds.

 

(n)            Should the Escrow Agent become liable for the payment of taxes, including withholding taxes relating to any funds, including interest and penalties thereon, held by it pursuant to this Escrow and Security Agreement or any payment made hereunder, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to deduct such taxes, interest and penalties from the Escrowed Funds in accordance with Section 11 hereof.

 

(o)            Citigroup, Inc., its affiliates, and its employees are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice to any taxpayer outside of Citigroup, Inc. and its affiliates. This Escrow and Security Agreement and any amendments or attachments are not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used or relied upon, by any such taxpayer or for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. Any such taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer’s particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

 

SECTION 10. Indemnity . The Pledgor shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Escrow Agent and its directors, officers, agents and employees, from and against any and all claims, actions, obligations, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claims of liability, regardless of who asserts such claim) (“ Losses ”) directly or indirectly arising out of, relating to or in connection with its acceptance of its appointment hereunder or its performance as Escrow Agent, provided that such Losses do not arise from the Escrow Agent’s willful misconduct or gross negligence, as determined pursuant to a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

13



 

SECTION 11. Compensation; Expenses . The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to receive an administrative fee from the Pledgor upon execution of this Escrow and Security Agreement, in accordance with the Escrow Agent’s fee schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B . The Pledgor will, upon demand, pay to the Escrow Agent the amount of any and all reasonable documented and/or invoiced expenses, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of its counsel, experts and agents retained by the Escrow Agent, that the Escrow Agent may incur in connection with (a) the review, negotiation and administration of this Escrow and Security Agreement, (b) the custody or preservation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the Collateral or (c) the failure by the Pledgor to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 12. Security Interest Absolute . All rights of the Administrative Agent, the Escrow Agent and the Lenders of the Loans and security interests hereunder, and all obligations of the Pledgor hereunder, shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:

 

(a)            any lack of validity or enforceability of the Term Loan Agreement or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto;

 

(b)            any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement), or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Term Loan Agreement; or

 

(c)            any exchange, surrender, release or non-perfection of any Liens on any other collateral for all or any of the Obligations.

 

SECTION 13. Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

13.1          Notices . Any notice or communication shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, commercial courier service or electronic communication (with oral confirmation of receipt given in the case of any electronic communication), addressed as follows:

 

If to the Pledgor:

 

Everest Acquisition LLC

c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

9 West 57th Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Sam Oh and Chief Legal Officer

Fax: (646) 417-6651

 

With a copy to :

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019-6064

Attention: Gregory A. Ezring & Monica K. Thurmond

Fax: (212) 492-0459 & (212) 492-0055

 

14



 

Email: gezring@paulweiss.com & mthurmond@paulweiss.com

 

If to the Escrow Agent :

 

Citibank, N.A.

388 Greenwich Street, 14th Floor

New York, NY 10013

Attention: Barbara E. Bennett

Phone: (212) 816-5621

Fax: (212) 657-2762

Email: Barbara.e.bennett@citi.com

 

If to the Administrative Agent :

 

Citibank, N.A.

Global Loans

Ops III

1615 Brett Road

New Castle, DE 19720

Attention: Dan Boselli

Fax: (212) 994-0961

E-mail: Daniel.john.boselli@citi.com

 

Whenever under the terms hereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Section 7 hereof) the time for giving a notice or performing an act falls upon a Saturday, Sunday, or banking holiday, such time shall be extended to the next day on which Escrow Agent is open for business.

 

13.2          No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements . This Escrow and Security Agreement may not be used to interpret another pledge, security or debt agreement of the Pledgor or any subsidiary thereof. No such pledge, security or debt agreement (other than the Term Loan Agreement) may be used to interpret this Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

13.3          Severability. The provisions of this Escrow and Security Agreement are severable, and if any clause or provision shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect in that jurisdiction only such clause or provision, or part thereof, and shall not in any manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction or any other clause or provision of this Escrow and Security Agreement in any jurisdiction.

 

13.4          Headings. The headings in this Escrow and Security Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

13.5          Counterpart Originals. This Escrow and Security Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same agreement.

 

15



 

13.6          Benefits of Escrow and Security Agreement . Nothing in this Escrow and Security Agreement, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, and the Lenders, who shall have the rights set forth under Sections 7(a), 7(b), 7(c) and 13.15, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

13.7          Amendments, Waivers and Consents . Any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Escrow and Security Agreement and any consent to any departure by the Pledgor from any provision of this Escrow and Security Agreement shall be effective only if made or duly given in compliance with all of the terms and provisions of the Term Loan Agreement and, in addition, with the written consent of the Escrow Agent and Administrative Agent, provided, however, that any amendment to, or waiver of, Sections 7(a), 7(b) or 13.16 hereof shall require the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, and none of the Escrow Agent, the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be deemed, by any act, delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise, to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any default or Event of Default or in any breach of any of the terms and conditions hereof. Failure of the Escrow Agent, the Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall not preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the Escrow Agent, Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy hereunder as set forth above on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy that the Escrow Agent, Administrative Agent or such Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

13.8          Interpretation of Agreement . To the extent a term or provision of this Escrow and Security Agreement (other than Sections 9, 10 and 12 hereof) conflicts with the Term Loan Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement shall control with respect to the subject matter of such term or provision. Acceptance of or acquiescence in a course of performance rendered under this Escrow and Security Agreement shall not be relevant to determine the meaning of this Escrow and Security Agreement even though the accepting or acquiescing party had knowledge of the nature of the performance and opportunity for objection.

 

13.9          Continuing Security Interest; Termination . (a) This Escrow and Security Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in and to the Collateral and shall, unless otherwise provided in the Term Loan Agreement or in this Escrow and Security Agreement, remain in full force and effect until the payment in full in cash of the Obligations or the release of the Collateral in accordance with the terms of this Escrow and Security Agreement, at which time any and all security interests in the Collateral shall immediately and automatically be released. This Escrow and Security Agreement shall be binding upon the Pledgor, its transferees, successors and assigns, and shall inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Escrow Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Escrow Agent, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their respective successors, transferees and assigns.

 

(b)            This Escrow and Security Agreement shall terminate upon the payment in full in cash of the Obligations under the Term Loan Agreement or release of all Collateral in accordance with the terms of this Escrow and Security Agreement. At such time, the Escrow

 

16



 

Agent shall reassign and redeliver to the Pledgor all of the Collateral hereunder that has not been sold, disposed of, retained or applied by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms of this Escrow and Security Agreement and shall take any actions required or reasonably represented by the Pledgor to release any liens on the Collateral. Such reassignment and redelivery shall be without warranty by or recourse to the Escrow Agent in its capacity as such, except as to the absence of any Liens on the Collateral created by or arising through the Escrow Agent, and shall be at the reasonable expense of the Pledgor.

 

(c)            This Escrow and Security Agreement shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent or the Escrow Agent upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Pledgor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or Administrative Agent or similar officer for, the Pledgor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

 

13.10        Survival Provisions . All representations, warranties and covenants of the Pledgor contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Escrow and Security Agreement, and shall terminate only upon the termination of this Escrow and Security Agreement. The obligations of the Pledgor under Sections 10 and 11 hereof shall survive the termination of this Escrow and Security Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent.

 

13.11        Waivers . The Pledgor waives presentment and demand for payment of the Commitment Fee, protest and notice of dishonor or default with respect to the Commitment Fee, and all other notices to which the Pledgor might otherwise be entitled, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

13.12        Disclaimer of the Escrow Agent . The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for the validity, effectiveness or sufficiency hereof or of any document or security furnished pursuant hereto.

 

13.13        Final Expression . This Escrow and Security Agreement, together with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement expressly referred to herein, is intended by the parties as a final expression of this Escrow and Security Agreement and is intended as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms and conditions thereof.

 

13.14        GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . THIS ESCROW AND SECURITY AGREEMENT AND THE ESCROW ACCOUNT (AND ANY SECURITIES ENTITLEMENTS RELATED THERETO) WILL BE INTERPRETED, CONSTRUED, ENFORCED AND ADMINISTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER AGREEMENT, THE “SECURITIES INTERMEDIARY’S JURISDICTION” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 8-110(e) OF THE NEW YORK UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE) OF THE ESCROW AGENT IS THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE PLEDGOR HEREBY SUBMITS TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF, AND AGREES THAT ALL PROCEEDINGS RELATING HERETO WILL BE BROUGHT EXCLUSIVELY IN COURTS

 

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LOCATED WITHIN, THE CITY, COUNTY AND STATE OF NEW YORK. THE PLEDGOR HEREBY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDINGS. THE PLEDGOR WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS BY CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, DIRECTED TO IT AT THE ADDRESS LAST SPECIFIED FOR NOTICES HEREUNDER, AND SUCH SERVICE WILL BE DEEMED COMPLETED TEN (10) CALENDAR DAYS AFTER THE SAME IS SO MAILED.

 

13.15        Payments to the Lenders . The Escrow Agent shall make all payments owing to the Lenders hereunder to the Administrative Agent as per the following wire payment instructions, unless it shall have received different wire payment instructions in writing from Administrative Agent at least one Business Day prior to the date of such payment, in which case such payments shall be made in accordance with the wire payment instructions so provided:

 

Bank Name: Citibank, N.A.

ABA #: 021-000-089

Account Name: CBNA Loan Syndication

Account #: 30732122

FFC #: 798883

REF: EP Energy Effective Escrow

Attention: Miryam Brands-Koursaros

 

13.16        Security Procedures . In the event funds transfer instructions are given, whether in writing, by telecopier or otherwise, the Escrow Agent is authorized to seek confirmation of such instructions by telephone call-back to such representative of the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, and the Escrow Agent may rely upon the confirmation of anyone purporting to be such representative of the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent, as applicable. To ensure the accuracy of the instructions it receives, the Escrow Agent may record such call backs. If the Escrow Agent is unable to verify the instruction, or is not satisfied in its sole discretion with the verification it receives, it will not execute the instruction until all issues have been resolved to its satisfaction. The Pledgor and the Administrative Agent acknowledge that these security procedures for funds transfers are commercially reasonable.

 

13.17        Instructions, Verification, Communications . (a)  All instructions required under this Escrow and Security Agreement shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent in writing, in English, in facsimile form and, if so requested by the Escrow Agent, an original, executed by an Authorized Person (as hereinafter defined) of either the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, or an entity acting on its behalf. The identity of such Authorized Persons, as well as their specimen signatures, title, telephone number and e-mail address, shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent in the list of authorized signers forms as set forth on Exhibit C-1 and Exhibit C-2 and shall remain in effect until the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, or an entity acting on its behalf, notifies the Escrow Agent of any change thereto (the person(s) so designated from time to time, the “ Authorized Persons ”). The Escrow Agent, the Pledgor and the Administrative Agent agree that the above constitutes a commercially reasonable security procedure and the Escrow Agent further agrees not to comply with any direction or instruction (other than those contained herein or delivered in accordance with this Escrow and Security Agreement) from the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent.

 

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(b)           In the event funds transfer instructions are given (other than in writing at the time of execution of this Escrow and Security Agreement), whether in writing, by telecopier, .pdf, e-mail, or otherwise, such funds transfer instructions should contain a selected test word also evidenced on Exhibit C-1 and Exhibit C-2 . Test Words must contain at least 8 alphanumeric characters, established at document execution and changed each time Exhibit C-1 and Exhibit C-2 is updated in accordance with clause (a) above. In addition or in lieu of test words, the Escrow Agent is authorized to seek confirmation of such instructions by telephone call back to the applicable person(s) specified to the Escrow Agent from time to time by an Authorized Person, and the Escrow Agent may rely upon the confirmations of anyone purporting to be the person(s) so designated. To ensure the accuracy of the instructions it receives, the Escrow Agent may record such call backs. If the Escrow Agent is unable to verify the instruction, or is not satisfied in its sole discretion with the verification it receives, it will not execute the instruction until all issues have been resolved to its satisfaction. The persons and telephone numbers for call backs may be changed only in writing, signed by an Authorized Person, actually received and acknowledged by the Escrow Agent. The parties to this Escrow and Security Agreement acknowledge that these security procedures for funds transfers are commercially reasonable.

 

(c)           To help the U.S. government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When an account is opened, the Escrow Agent will ask for information that will allow the Escrow Agent to identify relevant parties. The Pledgor and Administrative Agent hereby acknowledge such information disclosure requirements and agree to comply with all such information disclosure requests from time to time from the Escrow Agent.

 

(d)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any and all email communications (both text and attachments) by or from the Escrow Agent that the Escrow Agent deems to contain confidential, proprietary, and/or sensitive information shall be encrypted. The recipient (the “ Email Recipient ”) of the encrypted email communication will be required to complete a registration process. Instructions on how to register and/or retrieve an encrypted message will be included in the first secure email sent by the Escrow Agent to the Email Recipient. Additional information and assistance on using the encryption technology can be found at Citibank’s Secure Email website at www.citigroup.com/citigroup/citizen/privacy/email.htm or by calling (866) 535-2504 (in the U.S.) or (904) 954-6181.

 

13.18       Use of Name .  No printed or other material in any language, including prospectuses, notices, reports, and promotional material which mentions “Citibank”, or “Citigroup” or “Citi” by name or the rights, powers, or duties of the Escrow Agent under this Escrow and Security Agreement shall be issued by any parties hereto, or on such party’s behalf, without the prior written consent of the Escrow Agent.

 

13.19       Unlawful Internet Gambling Act .  In accordance with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act (the “Act”), neither the Pledgor nor the Administrative Agent may use the Escrow Account or other Citibank, N.A. facilities in the United States to process ‘restricted transactions’ as such term is defined in 31 CRF Section 132.2(y). Therefore, none of the Pledgor,

 

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Administrative Agent or any person who has an ownership interest in or control over the Escrow Account may use it to process or facilitate payments for prohibited internet gambling transactions. For more information about the Act, including the types of transactions that are prohibited, please refer to the following link: http://www.federalreserve.gov/NEWSEVENTS/PRESS/BCREG/20081112B.HTM.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor, the Administrative Agent and the Escrow Agent have each caused this Escrow and Security Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,

 

 

 

 

as Escrow Agent and as Securities Intermediary

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

S-1



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED PRIOR TO DISBURSEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 7(a)]

 

OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE

 

OF

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

[                   ], 2012

 

This certificate is being delivered pursuant to Section 7(a) of the Escrow and Security Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 (the “ Escrow and Security Agreement ”) among Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ” or the “ Pledgor ”), Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under the Term Loan Agreement referred to below (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), and Citibank, N.A., as securities intermediary and escrow agent (in such capacity, the “ Escrow Agent ”). Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings specified in the Escrow and Security Agreement or the Term Loan Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 (as in effect on the date hereof, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”) among the Pledgor, the lenders from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

 

[The undersigned, on behalf of the Pledgor and not in a personal capacity, hereby certifies to the Escrow Agent that, prior to or concurrently with the release of the Escrowed Funds, the Funding Date has occurred and the conditions in Section [4.02][4.03] of the Term Loan Agreement have been satisfied.]

 

[The undersigned, on behalf of the Pledgor and not in a personal capacity, hereby certifies to the Escrow Agent that, prior to or concurrently with the release of the Escrowed Funds, the Commitment Expiration Date has occurred under clause ([ ]) of the definition thereof.]

 

Disbursement Instructions :

 

The Escrow Agent is hereby instructed to release on the date hereof the Commitment Fee of $[          ] to the Administrative Agent by wire transfer of immediately available funds to Citibank, N.A. at:

 

Bank Name: Citibank N.A.

ABA # 021-000-089

Account Name: [            ]

Account# [            ]

Account Name: [            ]

FFC: [            ]

REF: [            ]

Attention: [            ]

 



 

The amount of the Commitment Fee set forth above has been calculated in accordance with Section 2.15 of the Term Loan Agreement. [1.00% x [number of days since Effective Date (including the Effective Date) to but excluding the [Funding Date] [Commitment Expiration Date]]/360) x $750,000,000].

 

After the foregoing payments, the Escrow Agent is hereby instructed to release on the date hereof $[          ], representing any amounts payable by the Pledgor to the Escrow Agent under the Escrow and Security Agreement that have not been paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Escrow Agent at:

 

Bank Name: Citibank N.A.

ABA # 021-000-089

Account Name: [            ]

Account# [            ]

Account Name: [            ]

FFC: [            ]

REF: [            ]

Attention: [            ]

 

After the foregoing payments, the Escrow Agent is hereby instructed to release on the date hereof the remainder of all available Escrowed Funds to the Pledgor by wire transfer of immediately available funds at:

 

[            ]

 

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

A-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor, through the undersigned officers, has signed this Officers’ Certificate as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

EXHIBIT B

 

FEE SCHEDULE

 

Fee for Service as Escrow Agent: The Pledgor agrees to pay to the Escrow Agent, for its services under the Escrow and Security Agreement the fee set forth in the Engagement Letter, dated April 20, 2012, signed by the Parent on behalf of the Pledgor. In addition, the Pledgor shall also compensate and reimburse all expenses incurred by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

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EXHIBIT D

TO THE TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF]

ESCROW AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This ESCROW AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “ Escrow and Security Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of [         ], 2012 among Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ” or the “ Pledgor ”), Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under the Term Loan Agreement referred to below (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), and Citibank, N.A., as securities intermediary and escrow agent (in such capacity, the “ Escrow Agent ”), in favor of the Administrative Agent and the lenders under the Term Loan Agreement.

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Pledgor, as borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto (together, the “ Lenders ”), the Administrative Agent and certain other parties have entered into that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated April 24, 2012 (as in effect on such date, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Term Loan Agreement was entered into in connection with the proposed acquisition (the “ Acquisition ”) of EP Energy L.L.C. (formerly known as EP Energy Corporation) and certain of its affiliates (the “ Acquired Business ”) pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement (as defined herein). In connection with the consummation of the Acquisition, EPE Acquisition, LLC, the indirect parent of the Pledgor (the “ Parent ”) will purchase (i) all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of EP Energy L.L.C., (ii) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company, (iii) all of the issued and outstanding quotas of UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda. and El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda. and (iv) all of the issued and outstanding shares of El Paso Brazil Holdings Company, in each case, pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “ Acquisition Agreement ”) dated as of February 24, 2012 by and among EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., as sellers, and EPE Acquisition LLC, as purchaser;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, on the date hereof (the “ Funding Date ”) (i) the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, is required to deposit $[      ], which is the amount equal to the aggregate amount of the Loans (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) required to be funded by the Lenders on the Funding Date pursuant to Section 2.01(a) of the Term Loan Agreement (the “ Proceeds ”) and (ii) the Pledgor is required to deposit or cause to be deposited an additional $[      ] (the “ Additional Escrow Amount ” and, together with the Proceeds, the “ Escrow Amount ”), which in the aggregate shall be an amount sufficient, together with the Proceeds, to repay the gross proceeds of the Loans(1), plus accrued and unpaid interest (including accreted discount and assuming that interest is calculated in accordance with

 


(1) Citi will fund gross proceeds, less OID (1%).

 

1



 

the terms of the Term Loan Agreement) from the Funding Date up to, but not including, the fifth Business Day after October 31, 2012 (the “Outside Date”), with the Escrow Agent in the Escrow Account (as defined herein) to be held by the Escrow Agent for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders;

 

WHEREAS, upon satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions on or prior to the Outside Date, the Escrow Agent will be required to release funds from the Escrow Account for the purpose of consummating the Acquisition;

 

WHEREAS, upon the earlier, if any, of (i) the date prior to the Outside Date on which the Pledgor determines in its sole discretion that the Escrow Release Conditions (as defined herein) cannot be satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date and (ii) October 31, 2012, if the Escrow Agent shall not have received the Officers’ Certificate on the terms and at such times as described in Section 7(a), the Pledgor shall be required to repay the gross proceeds of the Loans, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including accreted discount) from the Funding Date to the date of repayment (the “ Repayment Date ”) pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, on each Interest Payment Date (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement), if any, between the Funding Date and the Acquisition Date (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement), the Administrative Agent shall direct the Escrow Agent to release funds from the Escrow Account in an amount equal to the amount of interest due and payable on such Interest Payment Date and shall pay, or direct the Escrow Agent to pay, such interest to the Lenders in accordance with the Term Loan Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, to secure the obligations of the Pledgor under the Term Loan Agreement to repay the Loans on any Repayment Date pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement and to make payments on any Interest Payment Date, the Pledgor has agreed to (i) pledge to the Administrative Agent for its benefit and the benefit of the Lenders, a first-priority security interest in and lien on the Escrowed Funds and the other Collateral (each as hereinafter defined) and (ii) execute and deliver this Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises herein contained, and in order to induce the Lenders to make the Loans under the Term Loan Agreement, the Pledgor, the Administrative Agent and the Escrow Agent hereby agree, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders, as follows:

 

SECTION 1.   Definitions, Appointment; Deposit and Investment .

 

1.1          Definitions .

 

Acquired Business ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Acquisition ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Acquisition Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

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Act ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.19 hereto.

 

Additional Escrow Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Administrative Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Arrangement Fee ” means $[      ], the amount payable to the Arrangers from the Escrowed Funds pursuant to the Fee Letter and Section 7(a) hereto.

 

Arrangers ” means Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.

 

Authorized Persons ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.17(a) hereto.

 

Collateral ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4 hereto.

 

Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

DDCA ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(e) hereto.

 

Email Recipient ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.17(d) hereto.

 

Escrow Account ” means an account established and maintained by the Escrow Agent in the name “EP Energy Funding Date Escrow Account,” which account shall at all times be under the control (within the meaning of Section 8-106 and/or 9-104 of the U.C.C. (as defined below)) of the Administrative Agent and subject to the terms and conditions of this Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

Escrow Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Escrow Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Escrow and Security Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Escrow Investments ” means cash or the following investments:

 

(i)            direct obligations of the United States of America for which its full faith and credit is pledged, or

 

(ii)           obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America;

 

in each case, (i) maturing, initially, no later than June 30, 2012, and thereafter, in one-month increments and (ii) which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such Escrow Investments or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Escrow Investments held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law)

 

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such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Escrow Investments or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Escrow Investments evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

Escrow Release Conditions ” means the delivery by the Pledgor of an Officers’ Certificate in the form attached as Exhibit A-1 hereto.

 

Escrowed Funds ” means the Escrow Amount and all investments thereof, plus all interest, dividends and other distributions and payments thereon received by the Escrow Agent.

 

Event of Default ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Fee Letter ” means that certain Fee Letter, dated February 24, 2012, among the Arrangers, EPE Acquisition, LLC and the other parties thereto.

 

Funding Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Lenders ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Liens ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Loans ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Losses ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10 hereof.

 

Mandatory Repayment Event ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b) hereof.

 

Obligations ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Outside Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Parent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Person ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Pledgor ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Proceeds ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Repayment Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b) hereof.

 

Repayment Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Subsidiary Guarantors ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

4



 

Treasury Book-Entry Securities ” means Treasury Securities maintained in book-entry form through the United States Federal Reserve Banks.

 

Treasury Securities ” means any investment in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States government or any agency thereof, in each case, maturing no later than October 31, 2012.

 

U.C.C. ” shall have the meaning set forth in the last paragraph of this Section 1.1.

 

All capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Term Loan Agreement. Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Term Loan Agreement, terms used in Articles 8 or 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York (the “ U.C.C. ”) are used herein as therein defined.

 

1.2           Appointment of the Escrow Agent . The Pledgor hereby appoints Citibank, N.A., as Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein and Citibank, N.A., hereby accepts such appointment. Any and all Escrowed Funds shall be deposited with the Escrow Agent in the Escrow Account, in U.S. Dollars, by wire transfer as follows: Citibank, N.A., ABA# 021-000-089, Account Name: Escrow Concentration Account, Account # [          ], FFC to Account #[          ], Reference: EP Energy Funding Date Escrow Account, Attention: [          ]. The Escrow Agent shall not be required, or have any duty, to notify anyone of any payment or maturity under the terms of any instrument deposited hereunder, nor to take any legal action to enforce payment of any check, note or security deposited hereunder or to exercise any right or privilege which may be afforded to the holder of any such security.

 

1.3           Establish Account . The Escrow Agent shall establish and maintain the Escrow Account herein provided for in accordance with the terms of this Escrow and Security Agreement. The “Securities Intermediary’s Jurisdiction” (within the meaning of Section 8-110(e) of the U.C.C.) of the Escrow Agent shall be the State of New York.

 

1.4           Pledge and Grant of Security Interest . It is the intention of the parties hereto that this Escrow and Security Agreement create an escrow, and the Pledgor has no ownership of, or rights in, the Escrow Account or the Escrowed Funds other than the limited contractual right to receive the Escrowed Funds under the circumstances specified in Section 7(a), (b) or (f) hereof. If, notwithstanding the intention of the parties set forth in the foregoing sentence, the Pledgor is determined to have any interest in any of the Escrow Account or the Escrowed Funds, the Pledgor hereby pledges to the Administrative Agent for its benefit and for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent for its benefit and for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as applicable, a continuing first-priority security interest in and to all of the Pledgor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following, whether characterized as investment property, certificated securities, uncertificated securities, general intangibles or otherwise: (a) the Escrow Account, all funds held therein and all certificates and instruments, if any, from time to time representing or evidencing the Escrow Account, (b) all Escrow Investments, all certificates and instruments, if any, representing or evidencing the Escrow Investments and all other property, including any financial assets (as defined in Section 9102(a)(29) of the U.C.C.) credited to the Escrow Account and any and all security entitlements to the Escrow Investments and other property or financial assets credited to the Escrow Account,

 

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and any and all related securities accounts in which security entitlements to the Escrow Investments or other property or financial assets credited to the Escrow Account are carried, (c) all cash, notes, deposit accounts, checks and other instruments, if any, from time to time hereafter delivered to or otherwise possessed by the Escrow Agent, as Escrow Agent and securities intermediary of the Pledgor only and not in any other capacity, for or on behalf of the Pledgor in substitution for or in addition to any or all of the then existing Collateral (as hereinafter defined), and (d) all proceeds of and other distributions on or with respect to any and all of the foregoing Collateral (including, without limitation, all dividends, interest, principal payments, cash, options, warrants, rights, investments, subscriptions and other property or proceeds, including proceeds that constitute property of the types described in clauses (a) through (c) of this Section 1.4) (clauses (a) through (d) being hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Collateral ”). The Escrow Agent (in its capacity as a securities intermediary) hereby agrees that it will comply with entitlement orders originated by the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as a secured party) without further consent by the Pledgor, it being acknowledged and agreed that the Escrow Agent shall honor written entitlement orders issued by the Pledgor in accordance with Sections 5 or 7 hereof. The Escrow Agent (in its capacity as a bank) hereby agrees that it will comply with written instructions originated by the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as a secured party) directing disposition of the funds in any such account without further consent by the Pledgor, it being acknowledged and agreed that the Escrow Agent shall honor instructions issued by the Pledgor in accordance with Sections 5 or 7 hereof. The Escrow Agent hereby acknowledges the Administrative Agent’s lien or security interest in the Collateral as set forth above.

 

1.5          Deposit of Escrowed Funds . On the Funding Date, (a) the Administrative Agent shall deposit the Proceeds and (b) the Pledgor shall deposit, or direct the deposit of, the Additional Escrow Amount into the Escrow Account.

 

SECTION 2.   Security for Obligations .  The pledge and lien granted by Pledgor pursuant to Section 1.4 hereof secures the prompt and complete performance when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations of the Pledgor and Subsidiary Guarantors under the Term Loan Agreement.

 

SECTION 3.   Delivery of Collateral .  The Pledgor shall cause all certificates or instruments representing or evidencing the Collateral, including, without limitation, amounts invested as provided in Section 5 hereof, to be delivered to and held by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the terms hereof and to be in suitable form for transfer by delivery, or to be accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and substance sufficient to convey a valid security interest in such Collateral to the Administrative Agent, or to be credited to the Escrow Account which shall be maintained as a securities account by the Escrow Agent.

 

SECTION 4.   Maintaining the Escrow Account .  Except as otherwise provided by the provisions of Section 7 and Section 11 hereof:

 

(a)           So long as any portion of the Escrow Amount has not been disbursed in accordance with Section 7 hereof, the Pledgor shall maintain the Escrow Account with the Escrow Agent.

 

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(b)           Except as provided in Section 7 hereof, it shall be a term and condition of the Escrow Account, notwithstanding any term or condition to the contrary in any other agreement relating to the Escrow Account, that no amount (including interest on Escrow Investments) shall be paid or released to or for the account of, or withdrawn by or for the account of, the Pledgor or any other Person from the Escrow Account.

 

(c)           The Escrow Account shall be established and maintained as a securities account (as defined in Section 8-501 of the U.C.C.).

 

(d)           The Escrow Account shall be subject to such applicable laws, and such applicable regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of any other appropriate banking or governmental authority, as may now or hereafter be in effect.

 

(e)           Initially, until otherwise directed in writing by the Pledgor pursuant to Section 5, funds held in the Escrow Account will be deposited in the Escrow Agent’s Dollars on Deposit in Custody Account (“ DDCA ”). In such event, (i) the Escrow Agent will make the balances in the Escrow Account available to the Escrow Agent’s treasury division on a daily basis and (ii) the Escrow Account will earn compensation at a rate that will be determined daily based on the compensation rate paid by the Escrow Agent’s treasury division to the Escrow Agent’s trust and custody department. Should such calculation method no longer be available, the Escrow Agent will endeavor to notify the Pledgor and the Administrative Agent no less than 30 days prior. Absent other instructions, compensation will be paid monthly, on the second business day of the following month, by a credit to the Escrow Account. Monthly compensation will be reported on a Form 1099 INT if applicable.

 

SECTION 5.   Investing of Amounts in the Escrow Account .  The Escrow Agent shall either hold in cash or invest all amounts on deposit in the Escrow Account in the name of the Escrow Agent in cash or Escrow Investments, as directed in writing by a representative of the Pledgor. In no event shall the Escrow Agent be liable for any loss in the investment or reinvestment of amounts held in the Escrow Account.

 

If the Escrow Agent does not receive written direction to invest amounts on deposit in the Escrow Account, such amounts shall be treated in accordance with Section 4(e). With respect to any part of the Escrowed Funds received by the Escrow Agent after 10:00 a.m., New York City time, the Escrow Agent shall not be required to invest such funds or to effect any investment instruction until the next business day. The Escrow Agent is hereby authorized, in making or disposing of any investment permitted by this Escrow and Security Agreement, to deal with itself (in its individual capacity) or with any one or more of its affiliates, whether it or any such affiliate is acting as agent of the Escrow Agent or for any third person. The Pledgor and Administrative Agent acknowledge that the Escrow Agent is not providing investment supervision, recommendations, or advice. The Escrow Agent shall be under no duty to afford the Escrowed Funds any greater degree of care than it gives its own similar property.

 

SECTION 6.   Delivery of Escrow Investments; Filing .  (a) The Escrow Agent shall become the holder on behalf of the Administrative Agent of the Escrow Investments (or

 

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applicable security entitlements thereto) through the following delivery procedures: (i) in the case of Escrow Investments which are uncertificated securities, registration of one of the following as owner of such uncertificated securities: the Escrow Agent or a Person designated by the Escrow Agent, or Person other than a securities intermediary or financial intermediary, that becomes the registered owner of such uncertificated securities and acknowledges that it holds the same for the Escrow Agent; (ii) in the case of Escrow Investments in the form of Treasury Book-Entry Securities, the making by a securities intermediary (other than a clearing corporation) to whose account such Treasury Book-Entry Securities have been credited on the books of a Federal Reserve Bank (or on the books of another such securities intermediary (other than a clearing corporation)) of book entries indicating that such Treasury Book-Entry Securities have been credited to an account of the Escrow Agent, and the sending by such securities intermediary to the Escrow Agent of confirmation of such transfer to the Escrow Agent’s account; and (iii) in the case of cash, by deposit into the Escrow Account.

 

(b)           Prior to or concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof and prior to the transfer to the Escrow Agent of Escrow Investments (or acquisition by the Escrow Agent of any security entitlement thereto) the Escrow Agent shall establish the Escrow Account on its books and records as an account segregated from all other custodial or collateral accounts. All investments made from funds in the Escrow Account including Escrow Investments shall be credited to the Escrow Account and the Escrow Agent hereby agrees to treat all property credited to the Escrow Account (except cash) as a “financial asset” as defined in Section 8-102(a)(9) of the U.C.C. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Escrow and Security Agreement, all Escrow Investments held by the Escrow Agent pursuant to this Escrow and Security Agreement shall be held in the Escrow Account subject (except as expressly provided in Section 7 hereof) to the control (within the meaning of Section 8-106 and/or 9-104 of the U.C.C.) of the Administrative Agent and exclusively for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and segregated on its books and records from all other funds or other property otherwise held by the Escrow Agent.

 

(c)           All Collateral shall be retained in the Escrow Account pending disbursement pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

SECTION 7.   Disbursements .  The Escrow Agent shall hold the Escrowed Funds in the Escrow Account and release such Escrowed Funds only as follows:

 

(a)           If the Escrow Agent receives on any business day an Officers’ Certificate (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) of the Pledgor regarding the occurrence of the Acquisition Date in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A-1 (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Escrow Agent shall, if the Officers’ Certificate is received (i) on or prior to 12:00 noon (New York City time) and the Escrowed Funds are in cash, release the Escrowed Funds on the same business day in which such Officers’ Certificate is received, (ii) after 12:00 noon (New York City time) and the Escrowed Funds are in cash, use commercially reasonable efforts to release the Escrowed Funds on the same business day in which such Officers’ Certificate is received and (iii) otherwise release the Escrowed Funds promptly and in no event later than the business day following the date on which such Officer’s Certificate is received, which release in each case shall be by wire transfer in immediately available funds from the Escrow Account (x) first, to pay the Arrangement Fee in accordance with the instructions set forth in Section 13.15

 

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hereto, (y) second, to pay any amounts payable by the Pledgor to the Escrow Agent hereunder that have not been paid and (z) third, to, or at the written direction of, the Pledgor, the remainder of all Escrowed Funds held in the Escrow Account or otherwise (it being agreed and understood that such wire transfers may be sent simultaneously), in each case as stated in the Officers’ Certificate.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (a), if (i) the Escrow Agent has not received the Officers’ Certificate with respect to the satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2012, or (ii) at any time prior to October 31, 2012, the Pledgor notifies the Escrow Agent and the Administrative Agent in the form attached as Exhibit A-2 hereto that the Pledgor has determined in its sole discretion that the Escrow Release Conditions cannot be satisfied on or prior to October 31, 2012 (any such event in clauses (i) or (ii), a “ Mandatory Repayment Event ”), the Pledgor shall (x) promptly (in no event later than October 31, 2012) notify the Escrow Agent and the Administrative Agent in writing of the occurrence of such Mandatory Repayment Event and (y) deliver a repayment notice to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender (with a copy to the Escrow Agent) in accordance with the provisions of the Term Loan Agreement that the gross proceeds of the Loans, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including accreted discount) (together, the “ Repayment Amount ”) shall be repaid to the Lenders on the Repayment Date (which shall be no later than five (5) Business Days after the Mandatory Repayment Event). Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Repayment Date, the Escrow Agent shall release cash in an amount equal to the Repayment Amount (or, if less, the funds on deposit in the Escrow Account) to the Administrative Agent for payment to the Lenders. The Loans shall be repaid as specified in Section 2.04(e) of the Term Loan Agreement. The balance of any Escrowed Funds remaining in the Escrow Account and not required by the Administrative Agent to fund the Repayment Amount shall be disbursed (A) first, to pay any amounts payable by the Pledgor to the Escrow Agent hereunder that have not been paid, and (B) second to, or at the written direction of, the Pledgor in an amount equal to the remainder of all Escrowed Funds held in the Escrow Account or otherwise.

 

(c)           If on any business day between the Funding Date and the Acquisition Date the Escrow Agent receives written notification from the Administrative Agent of any Interest Payment Date, the Escrow Agent shall release funds from the Escrow Account to the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of interest due and payable on such Interest Payment Date set forth in such notice and shall, if such notice is received (i) on or prior to 12:00 noon (New York City time) and the Escrowed Funds are in cash, pay such interest on the same business day in which such notice is received, (ii) after 12:00 noon (New York City time) and the Escrowed Funds are in cash, use commercially reasonable efforts to pay such interest on the same business day in which such notice is received and (iii) otherwise pay such interest promptly and in no event later than the business day following the date on which such notice is received, which payment in each case shall be by wire transfer in immediately available funds from the Escrow Account to, or at the direction of, the Administrative Agent.

 

(d)           Notwithstanding anything in this Escrow and Security Agreement to the contrary, if the Escrow Agent receives a written notice and instruction from the Administrative Agent that the aggregate principal amount of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Loans has become immediately due and payable pursuant to Article VII of the Term Loan Agreement, then

 

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the Escrow Agent shall, within one Business Day after receipt of such written notice and instruction from the Administrative Agent, cause the liquidation of all Escrow Investments then held in the Escrow Account and cause the release of all of the Escrowed Funds as follows: (A) first, to pay any amounts payable by the Pledgor to the Escrow Agent hereunder that have not been paid, (B) second, to the Administrative Agent for payment to the Lenders, an amount sufficient to pay such accelerated principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon; and (C) third, to, or at the written direction of, the Pledgor, the remainder of all Escrowed Funds held in the Escrow Account or otherwise.

 

(e)           If the Pledgor is required to repay the Loans as contemplated by subclause (b) or (d) above and for any reason the amount of Collateral to be released is insufficient to repay the Loans as provided in the Term Loan Agreement, the Pledgor agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, on or prior to the date on which the Loans are due, the amount of funds in cash necessary to repay the entire amount of the Loans in accordance with the provisions of the Term Loan Agreement.

 

(f)            Upon the release of any Collateral from the Escrow Account or otherwise in accordance with clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 7, the security interest evidenced by this Escrow and Security Agreement in such released Collateral will automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect and, upon the release of all the Collateral, the Pledgor may file any appropriate U.C.C. termination statement.

 

(g)           The Pledgor shall direct the Escrow Agent in writing to liquidate any Escrow Investments other than cash at such times as necessary to ensure funds are available for distribution pursuant to clause (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this Section 7.

 

(h)           Notwithstanding anything in this Escrow and Security Agreement to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall disburse Escrowed Funds as directed pursuant to (i) a final judgment (without further right of appeal) or (ii) a written notice executed by the Administrative Agent.

 

(i)            Solely as between the Pledgor and the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent hereby acknowledges and agrees that it will not exercise its rights to issue unilateral instructions under this Escrow and Security Agreement (other than in accordance with Section 7(c)) unless an Event of Default (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) has occurred and is continuing.

 

SECTION 8.   Representations and Warranties .  (a) The Pledgor hereby represents and warrants that this Escrow and Security Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Pledgor and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the other parties hereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Pledgor enforceable against the Pledgor in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

(b)           The Escrow Agent hereby represents and warrants that:

 

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(1)             The Escrow Agent has all power and authority to act as a securities intermediary, as defined in Section 8-102 of the U.C.C.

 

(2)             The execution, delivery and performance by the Escrow Agent of this Escrow and Security Agreement will not (x) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or material instrument actually known to the signer hereof to which the Escrow Agent is a party or by which the Escrow Agent is bound, (y) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Escrow Agent or (z) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority; no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Escrow Agent of its obligations and rights under this Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

(3)             This Escrow and Security Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Escrow Agent and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the other parties hereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Escrow Agent enforceable against the Escrow Agent in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

(4)             There are, to the knowledge of the Escrow Agent, no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Escrow Agent or any of its respective subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Escrow Agent or any such subsidiary is subject that would materially adversely affect the power or ability of the Escrow Agent to perform its respective obligations under this Escrow and Security Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(c)             The Administrative Agent hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(1)             The execution, delivery and performance by the Administrative Agent of this Escrow and Security Agreement will not (x) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Administrative Agent or (y) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority; no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Administrative Agent of its obligations and rights under this Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

(2)             This Escrow and Security Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent and, when duly executed and

 

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delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the other parties hereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Administrative Agent enforceable against the Administrative Agent in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

(3)           There are, to the knowledge of the Administrative Agent, no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Administrative Agent or any of its respective subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Administrative Agent or any such subsidiary is subject that would materially adversely affect the power or ability of the Administrative Agent to perform its respective obligations under this Escrow and Security Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

SECTION 9.   Escrow Agent Rights and Duties .  (a) The duties, responsibilities and obligations of the Escrow Agent shall be limited to those expressly set forth herein and no duties, responsibilities or obligations shall be inferred or implied. The Escrow Agent shall not be subject to, nor required to comply with, any other agreement between or among any or all of the other parties hereto or to which any of them is a party, even though reference thereto may be made herein, or to comply with any direction or instruction (other than those contained herein or delivered in accordance with this Escrow and Security Agreement) from any such party or any entity acting on its behalf. Apart from receiving the notices referred to in Exhibits A-1 and A-2 , the Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility or requirement with respect to any notice to verify, inquire or otherwise confirm the truth, accuracy or validity of the contents of such notice in or to make the disbursements required in Section 7. The Escrow Agent shall not be required to, and shall not, expend or risk any of its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder.

 

(b)           If at any time the Escrow Agent is served with any judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, writ or other form of judicial or administrative process which in any way affects Escrowed Funds (including but not limited to orders of attachment or garnishment or other forms of levies or injunctions or stays relating to the transfer of Escrowed Funds), the Escrow Agent is authorized to comply therewith in any manner as it or its legal counsel of its own choosing deems appropriate; and if the Escrow Agent complies with any such judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, writ or other form of judicial or administrative process, the Escrow Agent shall not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other Person even though such order, judgment, decree, writ or process may be subsequently modified or vacated or otherwise determined to have been without legal force or effect.

 

(c)           The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted or for any loss or injury resulting from its actions or its performance or lack of performance of its duties hereunder in the absence of willful misconduct or gross negligence on its part, as determined pursuant to a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. In no event shall the Escrow Agent be liable (i) for acting in accordance with or relying upon any instruction, notice, demand, certificate or document from the Pledgor or the Administrative

 

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Agent or any Person acting on behalf of such parties so long as such action is taken in accordance with the provisions of this Escrow and Security Agreement, (ii) for the acts or omissions of its nominees, correspondents, designees, subagents or subcustodians, or (iii) for an amount in excess of the value of the Escrowed Funds, valued as of the date that the Escrow Agent’s liability shall be determined, plus any interest, dividends and other distributions and payments received thereon. Anything in this Escrow and Security Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Escrow Agent be liable for punitive, special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Escrow Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(d)           The Escrow Agent may consult with legal counsel of its own selection (with the expense to be reimbursed in accordance with the terms of Section 11 hereof) as to any matter relating to this Escrow and Security Agreement, and the Escrow Agent shall not incur any liability in acting in good faith in accordance with any advice from such counsel.

 

(e)           The Escrow Agent shall not incur any liability for not performing any act or fulfilling any duty, obligation or responsibility hereunder by reason of any occurrence beyond the control of the Escrow Agent (including but not limited to any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, any act of God, war, terrorism or other catastrophe, or the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or telex or other wire or communication facility).

 

(f)            The Pledgor, with the written consent of the Administrative Agent, may remove the Escrow Agent at any time by giving to the Escrow Agent thirty (30) calendar days’ prior notice in writing signed by the Pledgor and Administrative Agent. The Escrow Agent may resign at any time by giving to the Pledgor and Administrative Agent thirty (30) calendar days’ prior written notice thereof.

 

(i)                   Within five (5) calendar days after giving the foregoing notice of removal to Escrow Agent or receiving the foregoing notice of resignation from Escrow Agent, the Pledgor and the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree on and appoint a successor Escrow Agent, which shall assume all obligations of the Escrow Agent under this Escrow and Security Agreement. If a successor Escrow Agent has not accepted such appointment by the end of such five-day period, the Escrow Agent may, in its sole discretion, apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Escrow Agent or for other appropriate relief. The costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with such proceeding shall be paid by, and be deemed an obligation of, the Pledgor.

 

(ii)                  Upon receipt of the identity of the successor Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent shall deliver the Escrowed Funds then held hereunder to the successor Escrow Agent.

 

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(iii)                                                        Upon delivery of the Escrowed Funds to such successor Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent shall have no further duties, responsibilities or obligations hereunder.

 

(g)                                            Any corporation or other company into which the Escrow Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other company resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Escrow Agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other company succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Escrow Agent, shall be the successor of the Escrow Agent hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further action on the part of any of the parties hereto.

 

(h)                                            The Escrow Agent shall upon the written request of the Pledgor from time to time, provide a statement identifying transactions, transfers or holdings of Escrowed Funds and each such statement shall be deemed to be correct and final upon receipt thereof by the other parties hereto unless the Escrow Agent is notified in writing to the contrary within thirty (30) business days of the date of such statement.

 

(i)                                                The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible in any respect for the form, execution, validity, value or genuineness of documents or securities deposited hereunder, or for any description therein, or for the identity, authority or rights of Persons executing or delivering or purporting to execute or deliver any such document, security or endorsement.

 

(j)                                                In the event of any ambiguity or uncertainty hereunder or in any notice, instruction or other communication received by the Escrow Agent hereunder, the Escrow Agent may, in its sole discretion, refrain from taking any action other than retain possession of the Escrowed Funds, unless the Escrow Agent receives joint written instructions, signed by the Pledgor and the Administrative Agent, which eliminates such ambiguity or uncertainty.

 

(k)                                             In the event of any dispute between or conflicting claims, demands or instructions by or among the other parties to this Escrow and Security Agreement and/or any other Person with respect to any Escrowed Funds, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to refuse to comply with any and all claims, demands or instructions with respect to such Escrowed Funds so long as such dispute or conflict shall continue, and the Escrow Agent shall not be or become liable in any way for failure or refusal to comply with such conflicting claims, demands or instructions. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to refuse to act until, in its sole discretion, either (i) such conflicting or adverse claims or demands shall have been determined by a final order, judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, which order, judgment or decree is not subject to appeal, or settled by agreement between the conflicting parties as evidenced in a writing satisfactory to the Escrow Agent or (ii) the Escrow Agent shall have received security or an indemnity satisfactory to it sufficient to hold it harmless from and against any and all Losses (as defined below) which it may incur by reason of so acting. The Escrow Agent may, in addition, elect, in its sole discretion, to commence an interpleader action or seek other judicial relief or orders as it may deem, in its sole discretion, necessary. The costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with such proceeding shall be paid by, and shall be deemed an obligation of, the Pledgor.

 

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(l)                                                The rights and remedies conferred upon the Escrow Agent and the Pledgor hereto shall be cumulative, and the exercise or waiver of any such right or remedy shall not preclude or inhibit the exercise of any additional rights or remedies. The waiver of any right or remedy hereunder shall not preclude the subsequent exercise of such right or remedy.

 

(m)                                          The Escrow Agent does not have any interest in the Escrowed Funds hereunder but is serving as escrow holder only and having only possession thereof. The Pledgor shall pay or reimburse the Escrow Agent upon request for any transfer taxes or other taxes relating to the Escrowed Funds incurred in connection herewith and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Escrow Agent any amounts that it is obligated to pay in the way of such taxes. Upon the execution of this Escrow and Security Agreement, the parties hereto shall provide the Escrow Agent with a fully executed W-9, W-8BEN or other appropriate forms. The parties hereto agree that (i) for tax reporting purposes, and for any tax year, all interest or other income earned under the Escrow and Security Agreement shall be allocable to the Pledgor and (ii) to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Pledgor will include all amounts earned under the Escrow and Security Agreement in its gross income for federal, state and local income tax (collectively, “ income tax ”) purposes and pay any income tax resulting therefrom, and the Escrow Agent shall allocate all such earnings for tax reporting purposes to the Pledgor. Any payments of income from the account established hereunder may be subject to withholding regulations then in force with respect to United States taxes, and if required, the parties hereto will promptly provide the Escrow Agent with completed and executed W-9, W-8BEN or other appropriate forms. It is understood that the Escrow Agent shall be responsible for income reporting only with respect to any income which may be earned on investment of funds which are a part of the Escrowed Funds and is not responsible for any other reporting. The Pledgor understands that, in the event valid U.S. tax forms, or other relevant forms are not provided to the Escrow Agent, U.S. tax laws may require withholding of tax on disbursements and on a portion of any interest or other income earned on the investment of the Escrowed Funds.

 

(n)                                            Should the Escrow Agent become liable for the payment of taxes, including withholding taxes relating to any funds, including interest and penalties thereon, held by it pursuant to this Escrow and Security Agreement or any payment made hereunder, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to deduct such taxes, interest and penalties from the Escrowed Funds in accordance with Section 11 hereof.

 

(o)                                            Citigroup, Inc., its affiliates, and its employees are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice to any taxpayer outside of Citigroup, Inc. and its affiliates. This Escrow and Security Agreement and any amendments or attachments are not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used or relied upon, by any such taxpayer or for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. Any such taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer’s particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

 

SECTION 10.                     Indemnity . The Pledgor shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Escrow Agent and its directors, officers, agents and employees, from and against any and all claims, actions, obligations, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claims of liability, regardless of who asserts such claim) (“ Losses ”) directly or indirectly arising out of, relating to or in connection with its acceptance of its

 

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appointment hereunder or its performance as Escrow Agent, provided that such Losses do not arise from the Escrow Agent’s willful misconduct or gross negligence, as determined pursuant to a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 11.                     Compensation; Expenses . The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to receive an administrative fee from the Pledgor upon execution of this Escrow and Security Agreement, in accordance with the Escrow Agent’s fee schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Pledgor will, upon demand, pay to the Escrow Agent the amount of any and all reasonable documented and/or invoiced expenses, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of its counsel, experts and agents retained by the Escrow Agent, that the Escrow Agent may incur in connection with (a) the review, negotiation and administration of this Escrow and Security Agreement, (b) the custody or preservation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the Collateral or (c) the failure by the Pledgor to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 12.                     Security Interest Absolute . All rights of the Administrative Agent, the Escrow Agent and the Lenders of the Loans and security interests hereunder, and all obligations of the Pledgor hereunder, shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:

 

(a)                                        any lack of validity or enforceability of the Term Loan Agreement or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto;

 

(b)                                       any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Term Loan Agreement; or

 

(c)                                        any exchange, surrender, release or non-perfection of any Liens on any other collateral for all or any of the Obligations.

 

SECTION 13.                     Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

13.1                            Notices . Any notice or communication shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, commercial courier service or electronic communication (with oral confirmation of receipt given in the case of any electronic communication), addressed as follows:

 

If to the Pledgor :

 

Everest Acquisition LLC

c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

9 West 57th Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Sam Oh and Chief Legal Officer

Fax: (646) 417-6651

 

With a copy to :

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

 

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1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019-6064

Attention: Gregory A. Ezring & Monica K. Thurmond

Fax: (212) 492-0459 & (212) 492-0055

Email: gezring@paulweiss.com & mthurmond@paulweiss.com

 

If to the Escrow Agent :

 

Citibank, N.A.

388 Greenwich Street, 14th Floor

New York, NY 10013

Attention: Barbara E. Bennett

Phone: (212) 816-5621

Fax: (212) 657-2762

Email: Barbara.e.bennett@citi.com

 

If to the Administrative Agent :

 

Citibank, N.A.

Global Loans

Ops III

1615 Brett Road

New Castle, DE 19720

Attention: Dan Boselli

Fax: (212) 994-0961

E-mail : Daniel.john.boselli@citi.com

 

Whenever under the terms hereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Section 7 hereof) the time for giving a notice or performing an act falls upon a Saturday, Sunday, or banking holiday, such time shall be extended to the next day on which Escrow Agent is open for business.

 

13.2                            No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements . This Escrow and Security Agreement may not be used to interpret another pledge, security or debt agreement of the Pledgor or any subsidiary thereof. No such pledge, security or debt agreement (other than the Term Loan Agreement) may be used to interpret this Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

13.3                            Severability . The provisions of this Escrow and Security Agreement are severable, and if any clause or provision shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect in that jurisdiction only such clause or provision, or part thereof, and shall not in any manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction or any other clause or provision of this Escrow and Security Agreement in any jurisdiction.

 

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13.4                            Headings . The headings in this Escrow and Security Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

13.5                            Counterpart Originals . This Escrow and Security Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same agreement.

 

13.6                            Benefits of Escrow and Security Agreement . Nothing in this Escrow and Security Agreement, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, and the Lenders, who shall have the rights set forth under Sections 7(a), 7(b), 7(c), 7(d) and 13.15, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Escrow and Security Agreement.

 

13.7                            Amendments, Waivers and Consents . Any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Escrow and Security Agreement and any consent to any departure by the Pledgor from any provision of this Escrow and Security Agreement shall be effective only if made or duly given in compliance with all of the terms and provisions of the Term Loan Agreement and, in addition, with the written consent of the Escrow Agent and Administrative Agent, provided, however, that any amendment to, or waiver of, Sections 7(a), 7(b), 7(c), 7(d) or 13.16 hereof shall require the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, and none of the Escrow Agent, the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be deemed, by any act, delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise, to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any default or Event of Default or in any breach of any of the terms and conditions hereof. Failure of the Escrow Agent, the Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall not preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the Escrow Agent, Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy hereunder as set forth above on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy that the Escrow Agent, Administrative Agent or such Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

13.8                            Interpretation of Agreement . To the extent a term or provision of this Escrow and Security Agreement (other than Sections 9, 10 and 12 hereof) conflicts with the Term Loan Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement shall control with respect to the subject matter of such term or provision. Acceptance of or acquiescence in a course of performance rendered under this Escrow and Security Agreement shall not be relevant to determine the meaning of this Escrow and Security Agreement even though the accepting or acquiescing party had knowledge of the nature of the performance and opportunity for objection.

 

13.9                            Continuing Security Interest; Termination . (a) This Escrow and Security Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in and to the Collateral and shall, unless otherwise provided in the Term Loan Agreement or in this Escrow and Security Agreement, remain in full force and effect until the payment in full in cash of the Obligations or the release of the Collateral in accordance with the terms of this Escrow and Security Agreement, at which time any and all security interests in the Collateral shall immediately and automatically be

 

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released. This Escrow and Security Agreement shall be binding upon the Pledgor, its transferees, successors and assigns, and shall inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Escrow Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Escrow Agent, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their respective successors, transferees and assigns.

 

(b)                                       This Escrow and Security Agreement shall terminate upon the payment in full in cash of the Obligations under the Term Loan Agreement or release of all Collateral in accordance with the terms of this Escrow and Security Agreement. At such time, the Escrow Agent shall reassign and redeliver to the Pledgor all of the Collateral hereunder that has not been sold, disposed of, retained or applied by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms of this Escrow and Security Agreement and shall take any actions required or reasonably represented by the Pledgor to release any liens on the Collateral. Such reassignment and redelivery shall be without warranty by or recourse to the Escrow Agent in its capacity as such, except as to the absence of any Liens on the Collateral created by or arising through the Escrow Agent, and shall be at the reasonable expense of the Pledgor.

 

(c)                                        This Escrow and Security Agreement shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent or the Escrow Agent upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Pledgor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or Administrative Agent or similar officer for, the Pledgor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

 

13.10                      Survival Provisions . All representations, warranties and covenants of the Pledgor contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Escrow and Security Agreement, and shall terminate only upon the termination of this Escrow and Security Agreement. The obligations of the Pledgor under Sections 10 and 11 hereof shall survive the termination of this Escrow and Security Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent.

 

13.11                      Waivers . The Pledgor waives presentment and demand for payment of the Loans, protest and notice of dishonor or default with respect to the Loans, and all other notices to which the Pledgor might otherwise be entitled, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

13.12                      Disclaimer of the Escrow Agent . The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for the validity, effectiveness or sufficiency hereof or of any document or security furnished pursuant hereto.

 

13.13                      Final Expression . This Escrow and Security Agreement, together with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement expressly referred to herein, is intended by the parties as a final expression of this Escrow and Security Agreement and is intended as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms and conditions thereof.

 

13.14                      GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . THIS ESCROW AND SECURITY AGREEMENT AND THE ESCROW ACCOUNT

 

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(AND ANY SECURITIES ENTITLEMENTS RELATED THERETO) WILL BE INTERPRETED, CONSTRUED, ENFORCED AND ADMINISTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER AGREEMENT, THE “SECURITIES INTERMEDIARY’S JURISDICTION” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 8-110(e) OF THE NEW YORK UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE) OF THE ESCROW AGENT IS THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE PLEDGOR HEREBY SUBMITS TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF, AND AGREES THAT ALL PROCEEDINGS RELATING HERETO WILL BE BROUGHT EXCLUSIVELY IN COURTS LOCATED WITHIN, THE CITY, COUNTY AND STATE OF NEW YORK. THE PLEDGOR HEREBY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDINGS. THE PLEDGOR WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS BY CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, DIRECTED TO IT AT THE ADDRESS LAST SPECIFIED FOR NOTICES HEREUNDER, AND SUCH SERVICE WILL BE DEEMED COMPLETED TEN (10) CALENDAR DAYS AFTER THE SAME IS SO MAILED.

 

13.15                      Payments to the Lenders . The Escrow Agent shall make all payments owing to the Lenders hereunder to the Administrative Agent as per the following wire payment instructions, unless it shall have received different wire payment instructions in writing from Administrative Agent at least one Business Day prior to the date of such payment, in which case such payments shall be made in accordance with the wire payment instructions so provided:

 

Bank Name: Citibank, N.A.

ABA # 021-000-089

Account Name: Medium Term Finance

Account# 36852248

REF: EP Energy Funding Date Escrow Account

 

13.16                      Security Procedures . In the event funds transfer instructions are given, whether in writing, by telecopier or otherwise, the Escrow Agent is authorized to seek confirmation of such instructions by telephone call-back to such representative of the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, and the Escrow Agent may rely upon the confirmation of anyone purporting to be such representative of the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent, as applicable. To ensure the accuracy of the instructions it receives, the Escrow Agent may record such call backs. If the Escrow Agent is unable to verify the instruction, or is not satisfied in its sole discretion with the verification it receives, it will not execute the instruction until all issues have been resolved to its satisfaction. The Pledgor and the Administrative Agent acknowledge that these security procedures for funds transfers are commercially reasonable.

 

13.17                      Instructions, Verification, Communications . (a) All instructions required under this Escrow and Security Agreement shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent in writing, in English, in facsimile form and, if so requested by the Escrow Agent, an original, executed by an Authorized Person (as hereinafter defined) of either the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, or an entity acting on its behalf. The identity of such Authorized Persons, as well as their specimen signatures, title, telephone number and e-mail address, shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent in the list of authorized signers forms as set forth on Exhibit C-1 and Exhibit C-2 and shall remain in effect until the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, or an

 

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entity acting on its behalf, notifies the Escrow Agent of any change thereto (the person(s) so designated from time to time, the “ Authorized Persons ”). The Escrow Agent, the Pledgor and the Administrative Agent agree that the above constitutes a commercially reasonable security procedure and the Escrow Agent further agrees not to comply with any direction or instruction (other than those contained herein or delivered in accordance with this Escrow and Security Agreement) from the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)                                       In the event funds transfer instructions are given (other than in writing at the time of execution of this Escrow and Security Agreement), whether in writing, by telecopier, .pdf, e-mail, or otherwise, such funds transfer instructions should contain a selected test word also evidenced on Exhibit C-1 and Exhibit C-2 . Test Words must contain at least 8 alphanumeric characters, established at document execution and changed each time Exhibit C-1 and Exhibit C-2 is updated in accordance with clause (a) above. In addition or in lieu of test words, the Escrow Agent is authorized to seek confirmation of such instructions by telephone call back to the applicable person(s) specified to the Escrow Agent from time to time by an Authorized Person, and the Escrow Agent may rely upon the confirmations of anyone purporting to be the person(s) so designated. To ensure the accuracy of the instructions it receives, the Escrow Agent may record such call backs. If the Escrow Agent is unable to verify the instruction, or is not satisfied in its sole discretion with the verification it receives, it will not execute the instruction until all issues have been resolved to its satisfaction. The persons and telephone numbers for call backs may be changed only in writing, signed by an Authorized Person, actually received and acknowledged by the Escrow Agent. The parties to this Escrow and Security Agreement acknowledge that these security procedures for funds transfers are commercially reasonable.

 

(c)                                        To help the U.S. government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When an account is opened, the Escrow Agent will ask for information that will allow the Escrow Agent to identify relevant parties. The Pledgor and Administrative Agent hereby acknowledge such information disclosure requirements and agree to comply with all such information disclosure requests from time to time from the Escrow Agent.

 

(d)                                       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any and all email communications (both text and attachments) by or from the Escrow Agent that the Escrow Agent deems to contain confidential, proprietary, and/or sensitive information shall be encrypted. The recipient (the “ Email Recipient ”) of the encrypted email communication will be required to complete a registration process. Instructions on how to register and/or retrieve an encrypted message will be included in the first secure email sent by the Escrow Agent to the Email Recipient. Additional information and assistance on using the encryption technology can be found at Citibank’s Secure Email website at www.citigroup.com/citigroup/citizen/privacy/email.htm or by calling (866) 535-2504 (in the U.S.) or (904) 954-6181.

 

13.18                      Use of Name . No printed or other material in any language, including prospectuses, notices, reports, and promotional material which mentions “Citibank”, or “Citigroup” or “Citi” by name or the rights, powers, or duties of the Escrow Agent under this

 

21



 

Escrow and Security Agreement shall be issued by any parties hereto, or on such party’s behalf, without the prior written consent of the Escrow Agent.

 

13.19                      Unlawful Internet Gambling Act . In accordance with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act (the “Act”), neither the Pledgor nor the Administrative Agent may use the Escrow Account or other Citibank, N.A. facilities in the United States to process ‘restricted transactions’ as such term is defined in 31 CRF Section 132.2(y). Therefore, none of the Pledgor, Administrative Agent or any person who has an ownership interest in or control over the Escrow Account may use it to process or facilitate payments for prohibited internet gambling transactions. For more information about the Act, including the types of transactions that are prohibited, please refer to the following link: http://www.federalreserve.gov/NEWSEVENTS/PRESS/BCREG/20081112B.HTM.

 

22



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor, the Administrative Agent and the Escrow Agent have each caused this Escrow and Security Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,

 

 

 

 

as Escrow Agent and as Securities Intermediary

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

1


 

EXHIBIT A-1

 

[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED PRIOR TO DISBURSEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 7(a)]

 

 

OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE

 

OF

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

[                ], 2012

 

This certificate is being delivered pursuant to Section 7(a) of the Escrow and Security Agreement dated as of [          ], 2012 (the “ Escrow and Security Agreement ”) among Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ” or the “ Pledgor ”), Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under the Term Loan Agreement referred to below (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), and Citibank, N.A., as securities intermediary and escrow agent (in such capacity, the “ Escrow Agent ”). Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings specified in the Escrow and Security Agreement or the Term Loan Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 (as in effect on the date thereof, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”) among the Pledgor, the lenders from time to time party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto.

 

The undersigned, on behalf of the Pledgor and not in a personal capacity, hereby certify to the Escrow Agent that, prior to or concurrently with the release of the Escrowed Funds, the Acquisition has been consummated and the conditions in Section 4.04 of the Term Loan Agreement have been satisfied.

 

Disbursement Instructions :

 

“The Escrow Agent is hereby instructed to release on the date hereof $[              ] (the “ Arrangement Fee ”) to the Administrative Agent by wire transfer of immediately available funds to:

 

Bank Name: Citibank N.A.

ABA # 021-000-089

Account Name: [      ]

Account# [      ]

Account Name: [      ]

FFC: [      ]

REF: [      ]

Attention: [      ]

 

After the foregoing payments, the Escrow Agent is hereby instructed to release on the date hereof $[           ], representing any amounts payable by the Pledgor to the Escrow Agent

 



 

under the Escrow and Security Agreement that have not been paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Escrow Agent at:

 

Bank Name: Citibank N.A.

ABA # 021-000-089

Account Name: [      ]

Account# [      ]

Account Name: [      ]

FFC: [      ]

REF: [      ]

Attention: [      ]

 

After the foregoing payments, the Escrow Agent is hereby instructed to release on the date hereof the remainder of all available Escrowed Funds to the Pledgor by wire transfer of immediately available funds at:

 

[              ]

 

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor, through the undersigned officers, has signed this Officers’ Certificate as of the date first above written.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

EXHIBIT A-2

 

[FORM OF NOTICE PURSUANT TO SECTION 7(b)]

 

MANDATORY REPAYMENT EVENT NOTICE

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

Reference is hereby made to the Escrow and Security Agreement dated as of [          ], 2012 (the “ Escrow and Security Agreement ”) among Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ” or the “ Pledgor ”), Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under the Term Loan Agreement referred to below (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), and Citibank, N.A., as securities intermediary and escrow agent (in such capacity, the “ Escrow Agent ”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Escrow and Security Agreement, including by reference to the Term Loan Agreement described therein.

 

Notice is hereby given by the Pledgor to the Escrow Agent and the Administrative Agent that, as of the date hereof, the Pledgor has determined in its sole discretion that the Escrow Release Conditions cannot be satisfied on or prior to October 31, 2012. Pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, repayment of the Loans will be made on [     ], 2012 (the “ Repayment Date ”), in an amount equal to the aggregate gross proceeds of the Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including accreted discount) from the Funding Date to the Repayment Date (the “ Repayment Amount ”).

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Escrow and Security Agreement, the Escrow Agent is hereby instructed, prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Repayment Date, to release:

 

i.               $[           ], representing the Repayment Amount, to the Administrative Agent by wire transfer of immediately available funds at:

 

Bank Name: Citibank, N.A.

ABA # 021-000-089

Account Name: [          ]

Account# [          ]

Account Name: [          ]

FFC: [          ]

REF: [          ]

Attention: [          ];

 

ii.              After the foregoing payments, the Escrow Agent is hereby instructed to release on the date hereof $[          ], representing any amounts payable by the Pledgor to the Escrow Agent under the Escrow and Security Agreement that have not been paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Escrow Agent at:

 

Bank Name: Citibank N.A.

ABA # 021-000-089

 



 

Account Name: [          ]

Account# [          ]

Account Name: [          ]

FFC: [          ]

REF: [          ]

Attention: [          ]

 

iii.             After the foregoing payments, the remainder of all available Escrowed Funds to the Pledgor by wire transfer of immediately available funds at: [          ].

 

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor has caused this Mandatory Repayment Event Notice to be duly executed and delivered as of this [    ] day of [        ], 2012.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

EXHIBIT B

 

FEE SCHEDULE

 

Fee for Service as Escrow Agent: The Pledgor agrees to pay to the Escrow Agent, for its services under the Escrow and Security Agreement the fee set forth in the Engagement Letter, dated April 20, 2012, signed by the Parent on behalf of the Pledgor. In addition, the Pledgor shall also compensate and reimburse all expenses incurred by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Escrow and Security Agreement.

 


 

EXHIBIT E TO

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF]

INTEREST PERIOD ELECTION REQUEST

 

Citibank, N.A.

[ADDRESS]

Attention: [              ]

 

[Date]

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Term Loan Agreement dated as of April [24], 2012, among Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

The Borrower hereby irrevocably notifies the Administrative Agent of its election (the “ Election ”) pursuant to Section 2.22 of the Term Loan Agreement to convert or continue a Borrowing, and in connection with the foregoing hereby provides the following information with respect thereto:

 

(i)

Borrowing to which Election applies:

 

 

 

 

 

Principal Amount:

 

 

 

 

 

Class of Borrowing: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Type of Borrowing: (2)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Period:(3)

 

 

 

 

 

(if LIBOR Borrowing)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Effective Date of Election (which is a Business Day):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Resulting Borrowings(s)

 

 

 

 

 

Resulting Borrowing (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Principal Amount (or % of Borrowing in (i)):

 

 

 

 

 

Type of Borrowing:(4)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Period:(5)

 

 

 

 

 


(1)

 

Specify a Borrowing of Loans made pursuant to Section 2.01(a) of the Term Loan Agreement on the Funding Date or Loans of another Class established pursuant to Section 2.23 or 2.24 of the Term Loan Agreement.

 

 

 

(2)

 

Specify a LIBOR Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing.

 

 

 

(3)

 

The initial Interest Period applicable to a LIBOR Borrowing shall be subject to the definition of “Interest Period” in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

 

 

(4)

 

Specify a LIBOR Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing.

 

1



 

 

(if LIBOR Borrowing)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resulting Borrowing (2)(6)

 

 

 

 

 

Principal Amount (or % of Borrowing in (i)):

 

 

 

 

 

Type of Borrowing: (7)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Period:(8)

 

 

 

 

 

(if LIBOR Borrowing)

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 


(5)

 

The Interest Period applicable to a LIBOR Borrowing shall be subject to the definition of “Interest Period” in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

 

 

(6)

 

Add as many resulting Borrowings as applicable.

 

 

 

(7)

 

Specify a LIBOR Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing.

 

 

 

(8)

 

The Interest Period applicable to a LIBOR Borrowing shall be subject to the definition of “Interest Period” in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

2



 

EXHIBIT F-1

 

FORM OF NON-BANK TAX CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Treated As Partnerships For
U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to the Term Loan Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) (the “Term Loan Agreement”), among Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”), and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Term Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing and (2) the undersigned shall furnish the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which payment is to be made by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding each such payment.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 



 

 

[Foreign Lender]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

[Address]

 

Dated:                                        , 20[    ]

 



 

EXHIBIT F-2

 

FORM OF NON-BANK TAX CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Treated As Partnerships For
U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to the Term Loan Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) (the “Term Loan Agreement”), among Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”), and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Term Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1441-1(c)(6)) of payments on such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its direct or indirect partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding each such payment.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 



 

 

[Foreign Lender]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

[Address]

 

Dated:                                        , 20[    ]

 



 

EXHIBIT F-3

 

FORM OF NON-BANK TAX CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Treated As Partnerships For
U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to the Term Loan Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) (the “Term Loan Agreement”), among Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”), and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) and Section 9.06(c) of the Term Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding each such payment.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 


 

 

[Foreign Participant]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Address]

 

 

Dated:                               , 20[  ]

 



 

EXHIBIT F-4

 

FORM OF NON-BANK TAX CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Treated As Partnerships For
U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to the Term Loan Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) (the “Term Loan Agreement”), among Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”), and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) and Section 9.06(c) of the Term Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1441-1(c)(6)) of payments on such participation, (iii) neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its direct or indirect partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding each such payment.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 



 

 

[Foreign Participant]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Address]

 

 

Dated:                               , 20[    ]

 



 

EXHIBIT G TO

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF]
PERMITTED LOAN PURCHASE ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

 

This Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance (this “ Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [ Insert name of Assignor ] (the “ Assignor ”) and Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”). It is understood that the rights and obligations of the Assignor and the Borrower hereunder are several and not joint. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Term Loan Agreement identified below (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”). The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Borrower, and the Borrower hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Term Loan Agreement (including Section 9.06(f) thereof), as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below, all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Term Loan Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to the above being referred to herein collectively as the “ Assigned Interest ”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.

 

Assignor:

 

 

 

2.

 

Assignee: Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

3.

 

Borrower: Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

4.

 

Administrative Agent: Citibank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent under the Term Loan Agreement

 

 

 

5.

 

Term Loan Agreement: Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April [24], 2012, among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

 



 

6.

 

Assigned Interest:

 

Loans

 

Aggregate
Amount of
Loans of all
Lenders

 

Amount of
Loans Assigned

 

Percentage
Assigned of
Loans of all
Lenders(1)

 

Loans

 

$

 

$

 

 

%

[        ](2)

 

$

 

$

 

 

%

 

Effective Date:                                          , 20   [TO BE INSERTED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR].

 

7.

 

Notice and Wire Instructions:

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

Notices :

Notices :

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attention:

Attention:

Facsimile:

Facsimile:

 

 

with a copy to:

with a copy to:

 

 

 

 

Attention:

Attention:

Facsimile:

Facsimile:

 

 

Wire Instructions :

Wire Instructions :

 


(1)           Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

 

(2)           In the event any new Class of Loans is established under Section 2.23 or 2.24 of the Term Loan Agreement, refer to the Class of Loans assigned.

 



 

The terms set forth in this Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance are hereby agreed to:

 

 

ASSIGNOR

 

 

 

  [NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

BORROWER

 

 

 

  EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

Accepted:

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

ANNEX 1 OF EXHIBIT G TO

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
PERMITTED LOAN PURCHASE ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

 

1.                                        Assignor . The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Term Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, other than as to the matters set forth in this Section 1, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

2.                                        Assignee . The Borrower represents and warrants that (a) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (b) as of the Effective Date, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the Permitted Loan Purchase pursuant hereto and (c) on the date hereof, it does not have any MNPI that has not been disclosed to the Assignor (other than because the Assignor does not wish to receive Non-Public Information) on or prior to the date hereof.

 

3.                                        Cancelation . Upon the Effective Date, the Assigned Interest shall, without further action by any Person, be deemed cancelled and no longer outstanding for all purposes of the Term Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including with respect to (i) the making of, or the application of, any payments to the Lenders under the Term Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the making of any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the Term Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document or (iii) the determination of Required Lenders, or for any similarly related purpose, under the Term Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

4.                                        General Provisions . This Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance by fax or other electronic delivery shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance. This Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 


 

EXHIBIT H TO

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF]
NOTICE OF BORROWING

 

Citibank, N.A.

[ADDRESS]

Attention: [         ]

 

[Date]

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April [24], 2012, among Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

The Borrower hereby gives you notice pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Term Loan Agreement that it requests a Borrowing under the Term Loan Agreement, and in that connection sets forth below the terms on which such Borrowing is requested to be made:

 

(A)

The Aggregate Principal Amount of Borrowing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

(B)

Date of Borrowing

 

 

 

(which is a Business Day):

 

 

 

 

 

 

(C)

Type of Borrowing(1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

(D)

Interest Period (if LIBOR Borrowing)(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

(E)

The Location and Number of the Borrower’s Account to which Funds are to be Disbursed:

 

 

 


(1)           Specify a LIBOR Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing.

 

(2)           The Interest Period applicable to a LIBOR Borrowing shall be subject to the definition of “Interest Period” in the Term Loan Agreement.

 



 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

2



 

EXHIBIT I TO

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE]

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC


OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE

 

                 ,       

 

The undersigned hereby certify on behalf of Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each in his capacity as an Authorized Officer of the Borrower (and not in his personal capacity), that:

 

(1)                                   We are, respectively, the duly elected [                 ](1) and [                ] of the Borrower;

 

(2)                                   Each of us has reviewed the terms of that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April [24], 2012, among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “ Term Loan Agreement ”; capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Term Loan Agreement), and in the course of the performance of our duties as Authorized Officers of the Borrower, we would normally have knowledge of any Default; and

 

(3)                                   Based upon the review and examination described in paragraph (2) above, [we do not know of any Default that occurred during the fiscal year of the Borrower ended [                       ]][the following Default(s) occurred during the fiscal year of the Borrower ended [                       ]]:

 

[If any Default has occurred, describe the Default, its status and what action the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.]

 

[Signature Page follows]

 


(1)           Must be the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, treasurer or principal accounting officer.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate on the date first written above.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

[Signature Page to Officer’s Certificate]

 



 

EXHIBIT J

TO THE TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF]
COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

dated and effective as of


[   ], 2012,


among

 

EP ENERGY LLC
(f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC),

 

each Subsidiary of EP Energy LLC identified herein,


and

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent

 

THIS COLLATERAL AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF (I) THE SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED HEREIN), AS SET FORTH MORE FULLY IN SECTION 5.15 HEREOF AND (II) THE PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED HEREIN).  NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE LIENS AND SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED TO THE COLLATERAL AGENT, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SECURED PARTIES, PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR REMEDY BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE OTHER SECURED PARTIES HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENTS.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Term Loan Agreement

 

2

SECTION 1.02.

Other Defined Terms

 

2

 

ARTICLE II.

 

PLEDGE OF SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Pledge

 

10

SECTION 2.02.

Delivery of the Pledged Collateral

 

11

SECTION 2.03.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

 

12

SECTION 2.04.

Certification of Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership Interests

 

13

SECTION 2.05.

Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

 

14

SECTION 2.06.

Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc.

 

14

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III.

 

SECURITY INTERESTS IN PERSONAL PROPERTY

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3.01.

Security Interest

 

 

SECTION 3.02.

Representations and Warranties

 

16

SECTION 3.03.

Covenants

 

18

SECTION 3.04.

Other Actions

 

20

SECTION 3.05.

Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral

 

23

 

 

 

23

ARTICLE IV.

 

REMEDIES

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Remedies upon Default

 

25

SECTION 4.02.

Application of Proceeds

 

26

SECTION 4.03.

Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property

 

27

SECTION 4.04.

Securities Act, etc.

 

27

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

Notices

 

28

SECTION 5.02.

Security Interest Absolute

 

28

 

i



 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.03.

Limitation by Law

 

28

SECTION 5.04.

Binding Effect; Several Agreement

 

29

SECTION 5.05.

Successors and Assigns

 

29

SECTION 5.06.

Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

 

29

SECTION 5.07.

Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

 

30

SECTION 5.08.

GOVERNING LAW

 

31

SECTION 5.09.

Waivers; Amendment

 

31

SECTION 5.10.

Severability

 

32

SECTION 5.11.

Counterparts

 

32

SECTION 5.12.

Headings

 

32

SECTION 5.13.

Termination or Release

 

32

SECTION 5.14.

Additional Subsidiaries

 

34

SECTION 5.15.

Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 

34

SECTION 5.16.

First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents

 

34

SECTION 5.17.

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations

 

34

SECTION 5.18.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

 

35

SECTION 5.19.

Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

 

35

 

Schedules

 

 

Schedule I

Subsidiary Parties

Schedule II

Pledged Stock; Debt Securities

Schedule III

Intellectual Property

 

Exhibits

 

 

Exhibit I

Form of Supplement to the Collateral Agreement

Exhibit II

Form of Perfection Certificate

 

ii



 

This COLLATERAL AGREEMENT dated and effective as of [  ], 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is among EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower listed on Schedule I hereto and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that becomes a party hereto after the date hereof (each, a “ Subsidiary Party ”) and CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ” or the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in Section 1.02 below).

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) among the Borrower and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as co-issuers (the “ Co-Issuers ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Co-Issuers are issuing 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (together with any and all exchange notes and/or additional notes issued pursuant to the Indenture, collectively the “ Notes ”) and (2) pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Term Loan Agent ”), the Borrower is incurring Loans (as defined therein, the “ Term Loans ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Notes, the Term Loans and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are and will be secured on a second-priority, pari passu basis by the Collateral and, on the date hereof, the Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the Trustee are entering into the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ”), which sets forth the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties in the Collateral as amongst each other;

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of [  ], 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EPE Holdings LLC (“ Holdings ”), the Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time parties thereto, the Borrower will from time to time incur loans and letter of credit obligations and (2) pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, dated as of [  ], 2012, among the Pledgors, Holdings and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the Pledgors have granted to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the RBL Facility Agent, a first-priority lien and security interest in the Collateral to secure their obligations under the Credit Agreement and related documents;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of [  ], 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent (as each such terms are defined in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture, EP Energy LLC, the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC named therein and the other parties thereto, the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted by this Agreement are and shall be subordinated in all respects to the liens upon and security interest

 

1



 

in the Collateral granted pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Credit Agreement and other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

WHEREAS, each Pledgor is executing and delivering this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, Term Loan Agreement and any applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document to induce the Lenders to extend credit and to induce the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes and the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, the Subsidiary Parties are Subsidiaries of the Borrower, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Indenture, Term Loan Agreement and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit and to induce the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes and the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder.

 

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.                            Term Loan Agreement .

 

(a)                                        Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Term Loan Agreement as in effect on the date hereof and without regard to any amendments, modifications, or supplements thereto from time to time. All capitalized terms referred to in Article III hereof that are defined in Article 9 of the New York UCC and not defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. The term “instrument” shall have the meaning specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. If the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date has occurred, a reference in this Agreement to the Applicable First Lien Agent shall, unless the context requires otherwise, be construed as a reference to the Agent and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.

 

(b)                                       The rules of construction specified in Section 1.02 of the Term Loan Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 1.02.                            Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Account Debtor ” means any person who is or who may become obligated to any Pledgor under, with respect to or on account of an Account.

 

Acquisition Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture.

 

2



 

Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Applicable Agent ” means the Applicable First Lien Agent (or, if the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date has occurred, the Agent).

 

Applicable First Lien Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Authorized Representative ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Article 9 Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

 

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Collateral ” means Article 9 Collateral and Pledged Collateral.

 

“Collateral Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Copyright License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting any right to any Pledgor under any Copyright now or hereafter owned by any third party, and all rights of any Pledgor under any such agreement (including any such rights that such Pledgor has the right to license).

 

Copyrights ” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor (or, as required in the context of the definition of “Copyright License,” any third party licensor): (a) all copyright rights in any work subject to the copyright laws of the United States or any other country, whether as author, assignee, transferee or otherwise; and (b) all registrations and applications for registration of any such Copyright in the United States or any other country, including registrations, supplemental registrations and pending applications for registration in the United States Copyright Office, including those listed on Schedule III .

 

Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Credit Documents ” means the Term Loan Documents, the Indenture Documents and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Default ” means a “Default” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any other Credit Document.

 

3


 

Discharge ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Event of Default ” means an “Event of Default” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any other Credit Document.

 

Excluded Assets ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(a).

 

Excluded Securities ” means:

 

(a)                any Equity Interests or debt with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing, the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests or debt in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom;

 

(b)               solely in the case of any pledge of Equity Interests of any FSHCO (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Party) to secure the Obligations, any Equity Interest that is Voting Stock of such FSHCO in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class (such percentages to be adjusted upon any change of law as may be required to avoid adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary);

 

(c)                any Equity Interests or debt to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law;

 

(d)               any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement (other than customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided that this clause (B ) shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain any such consent)) and for so long as such organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) to any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement governing such Equity Interests the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than customary non-assignment provisions that are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirement of Law);

 

(e)                any Equity Interests of (i) any Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary and (ii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(f)                  any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary;

 

4



 

(g)               any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as reasonably determined by the Borrower in writing delivered to the Agent;

 

(h)               any Equity Interests or debt at any time that is not then subject to a Lien securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations at such time;

 

(i)              any of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary (the pledge of which is governed by the Pledge Agreement);

 

(j)                   any “Margin Stock”, as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America; and

 

(k)                any Equity Interests or securities of a Subsidiary to the extent excluded by the last paragraph of Section 2.01.

 

Federal Securities Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.04.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date ” means, subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the date on which the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations occurs; provided that if, at any time after the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations is deemed not to have occurred under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement (other than with respect to any actions taken prior to the date of incurrence and designation of any new First-Priority Lien Obligations as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations).

 

Foreign Corporate Subsidiary ” shall mean a Foreign Subsidiary that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

FSHCO ” shall mean any direct or indirect Subsidiary that owns (directly or through Subsidiaries) no material assets other than the Equity Interests of one or more direct or indirect Foreign Corporate Subsidiaries.

 

General Intangibles ” means all “general intangibles” as defined in the New York UCC, including all choses in action and causes of action and all other intangible personal property of any Pledgor of every kind and nature (other than Accounts) now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor, including corporate or other business records, indemnification claims, contract rights (including rights under leases, whether entered into as lessor or lessee, swap agreements and other agreements), Intellectual Property, goodwill, registrations, franchises and tax refund claims.

 

5



 

Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06.

 

Indenture ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Indenture Documents ” means (a) the Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and this Agreement and (b) any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Indenture or any Security Document, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Indenture Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Notes, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties under the Indenture and each of the other Indenture Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Indenture and each of the other Indenture Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Indenture Documents; provided that Indenture Obligations shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the Notes.

 

Intellectual Property ” means all intellectual and similar property of every kind and nature now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor, including inventions, designs, Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Patent Licenses, Copyright Licenses, Trademark Licenses, trade secrets, domain names, confidential or proprietary technical and business information, know-how, show-how or other data or information and all related documentation.

 

Material Subsidiary ” means, at any date of determination, each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Excluded Subsidiary pursuant to clause (f) of the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary” in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Obligations ” means (a) the Indenture Obligations, (b) the Term Loan Obligations and (c) if any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are incurred, (1) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing

 

6



 

during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) owing to any holder of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations under any Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any holder of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations under the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (2) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents and (3) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations ” means other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is equally and ratably secured with the Term Loans and Notes as permitted by the Indenture Documents, the Term Loan Documents and any Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and is designated by the Borrower as an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligation in accordance with Section 5.17 hereof and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” means any document or instrument executed and delivered with respect to any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, including the Security Documents and this Agreement, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement ” means a Joinder Agreement (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) executed by the Authorized Representative of any holders of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 5.17 and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Patent License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Pledgor any right to make, use or sell any invention covered by a Patent, now or hereafter owned by any third party (including any such rights that such Pledgor has the right to license).

 

Patents ” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor (or, as required in the context of the definition of “Patent License,” any third party licensor): (a) all letters patent of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, and all applications for letters patent of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, including those listed on Schedule III , and (b) all reissues, continuations, divisions,

 

7



 

continuations-in-part or extensions thereof, and the inventions disclosed or claimed therein, including the right to make, use and/or sell the inventions disclosed or claimed therein.

 

Perfection Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit II or another form reasonably acceptable to the Agent, completed and supplemented with the schedules and attachments contemplated thereby, and duly executed by an officer of the Borrower.

 

Permitted Liens ” means Liens that are not prohibited by the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document.

 

Pledge Agreement ” means the Pledge Agreement, dated [  ], 2012, by and among the Borrower, each Subsidiary of the Borrower identified therein and the Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Pledged Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledged Debt Securities ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledged Securities ” means any promissory notes, stock certificates or other certificated securities now or hereafter included in the Pledged Collateral, including all certificates, instruments or other documents representing or evidencing any Pledged Collateral.

 

Pledged Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledgor ” shall mean the Borrower and each Subsidiary Party.

 

RBL Facility Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

RBL Priority Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Secured Parties ” means (a) the Collateral Agent, (b) each holder of a Note, (c) each Lender, (d) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Pledgor under any Credit Documents, (e) the Trustee, (f) the Term Loan Agent, (g) the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations and their Authorized Representative, provided that such Authorized Representative executes an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement, and (h) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing. When used in the phrase “the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties” at any time when the Applicable First Lien Agent is the Applicable Agent, the term “Secured Parties” includes holders of the First-Priority Lien Obligations as well as the Persons described in first sentence of this definition.

 

Security Documents ” means this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, any agreement pursuant to which assets are added to the Collateral or otherwise pledged or mortgaged to secure the Obligations and any other instruments or documents entered into and delivered in

 

8



 

connection with any of the foregoing, as such agreements, instruments or documents may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Security Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Subsidiary Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Documents ” means (a) the Term Loan Agreement, the Notes (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement), the Security Documents and this Agreement and (b) any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement or any Security Document, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Term Loan Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Term Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties under the Term Loan Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents.

 

Trademark License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Pledgor any right to use any Trademark now or hereafter owned by any third party (including any such rights that such Pledgor has the right to license).

 

Trademarks ” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor (or, as required in the context of the definition of “Trademark License,” any third party

 

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licensor): (a) all trademarks, service marks, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, trade dress, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of like nature, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations thereof (if any), and all registration and recording applications filed in connection therewith, including registrations and registration applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any State of the United States or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, and all renewals thereof, including those listed on Schedule III and (b) all goodwill associated therewith or symbolized thereby.

 

Trustee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE II.

 

Pledge of Securities

 

SECTION 2.01.                            Pledge . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Pledgor hereby assigns and pledges to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of such Pledgor’s right, title and interest in, to and under (a) the Equity Interests in each Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary directly owned by it (which such Equity Interests constituting Pledged Stock as of the date hereof shall be listed on Schedule II ) and any other Equity Interests in a Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary obtained in the future by such Pledgor and any certificates representing all such Equity Interests (collectively, the “ Pledged Stock ”); provided that the Pledged Stock shall not include any Excluded Securities; (b)(i) the debt securities currently issued to any Pledgor (which such debt securities constituting Pledged Debt Securities as of the date hereof shall be listed on Schedule II ), (ii) any debt securities in the future issued to such Pledgor and (iii) the promissory notes and any other instruments, if any, evidencing such debt securities (collectively, the “ Pledged Debt Securities ”); provided that the Pledged Debt Securities shall not include any Excluded Securities; (c) subject to Section 2.06, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other proceeds received in respect of, the securities referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; (d) subject to Section 2.06, all rights and privileges of such Pledgor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above; and (e) all Proceeds of any of the foregoing (the items referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above being collectively referred to as the “ Pledged Collateral ”).

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Pledged Collateral, together with all right, title, interest, powers, privileges and preferences pertaining or incidental thereto, unto the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, forever; subject, however , to the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“ Rule 3-10 ” or “ Rule 3-16 ”, as applicable) requires or is amended, modified or interpreted by the Securities Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) to require (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation

 

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is adopted, which would require) the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Authority) of separate financial statements of any Subsidiary of the Borrower due to the fact that such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests or other securities secure Obligations, then the Equity Interests or other securities of such Subsidiary will automatically be deemed not to be part of the Collateral securing any of the Obligations (whether or not affected thereby) but only to the extent necessary to not be subject to such requirement and only for so long as required to not be subject to such requirement. In such event, this Agreement may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Secured Party, to the extent necessary to release the Lien in favor of the Agent on the Equity Interests or other securities that are so deemed to no longer constitute part of the Collateral for the Obligations. In the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 is amended, modified or interpreted by the SEC to permit (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would permit) such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests or other securities to secure the Obligations in excess of the amount then pledged without the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Authority) of separate financial statements of such Subsidiary, then the Equity Interests or other securities of such Subsidiary will automatically be deemed to be a part of the Collateral for the Obligations (but only to the extent that will not result in such Subsidiary being subject to any such financial statement requirement). In such event, this Agreement may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Secured Party, to the extent necessary to subject to the Lien in favor of the Agent such additional Equity Interests or other securities, on the terms contemplated herein.

 

SECTION 2.02.                            Delivery of the Pledged Collateral .

 

(a)                                        Each Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 45 days after the acquisition (or such longer time as the Applicable Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, any and all Pledged Securities to the extent such Pledged Securities, in the case of promissory notes or other instruments evidencing Indebtedness, are required to be delivered pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.02.

 

(b)                                       Each Pledgor will cause any Indebtedness (other than Excluded Securities) (i) having an aggregate principal amount in excess of $15,000,000 or (ii) payable by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days and made in the ordinary course of business) to be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note that is pledged and delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the terms hereof. To the extent any such promissory note is a demand note, each Pledgor party thereto agrees, if requested by the Applicable Agent, to immediately demand payment thereunder upon an Event of Default specified under Section 7.01(a), (b), (f) or (g) of the Term Loan Agreement or under any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document.

 

(c)                                        Upon delivery to the Applicable Agent, (i) any Pledged Securities required to be delivered pursuant to the foregoing paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 2.02 shall be accompanied by stock powers or note powers, as applicable, duly executed in blank or other instruments of transfer reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent and by such other instruments and documents as the Applicable Agent may reasonably request and (ii) all other property comprising part of the Pledged Collateral delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be accompanied to the extent necessary to perfect the security interest in or allow realization on

 

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the Pledged Collateral by proper instruments of assignment duly executed by the applicable Pledgor and such other instruments or documents as the Applicable Agent may reasonably request. Each delivery of Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by a schedule describing the securities, which schedule shall be attached hereto as Schedule II (or a supplement to Schedule II, as applicable) and made a part hereof; provided that failure to attach any such schedule hereto shall not affect the validity of such pledge of such Pledged Securities. Each schedule so delivered shall supplement any prior schedules so delivered.

 

SECTION 2.03.                            Representations, Warranties and Covenants . Each Pledgor represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

 

(a)                                        Schedule II correctly sets forth the percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by such Pledged Stock and includes all debt securities and promissory notes or instruments evidencing Indebtedness required to be delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(b);

 

(b)                                       the Pledged Stock, to the best of each Pledgor’s knowledge, have been duly and validly authorized and issued by the issuers thereof and are fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(c)                                        except for the security interests granted hereunder (and those securing First-Priority Lien Obligations), each Pledgor (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Term Loan Agreement and each other Credit Document, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Securities indicated on Schedule II as owned by such Pledgor, (ii) holds the same free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, (iii) will make no assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of, or create or permit to exist any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Collateral, other than pursuant to a transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document and other than Permitted Liens, and (iv) subject to the rights of such Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Pledged Collateral, will use commercially reasonable efforts to defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), however arising, of all persons;

 

(d)                                       other than as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or the schedules thereto, in the other Credit Documents or in the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Credit Documents, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or securities laws generally, the Pledged Collateral is and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Collateral is or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement, charter, by-law, memorandum of association or articles of association provisions or contractual restriction of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect the pledge of such Pledged Collateral hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Agent of rights and remedies hereunder other than under applicable Requirements of Law;

 

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(e)                                        each Pledgor has the power and authority to pledge the Pledged Collateral pledged by it hereunder in the manner hereby done or contemplated;

 

(f)                                          other than as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or the schedules thereto, in the other Credit Documents or in the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, no consent or approval of any Governmental Authority, any securities exchange or any other person was or is necessary to the validity of the pledge effected hereby (other than such as have been obtained and are in full force and effect);

 

(g)                                       by virtue of the execution and delivery by the Pledgors of this Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, when any Pledged Securities are delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with this Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and a financing statement in respect of the Pledged Securities is filed in the appropriate filing office, the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected (except for any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing delivered to the Agent, the costs or other consequences of perfecting such a security interest are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom) lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Securities, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations; and

 

(h)                                       the pledge effected hereby is effective to vest in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the rights of the Agent in the Pledged Collateral as set forth herein.

 

SECTION 2.04.                            Certification of Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership Interests.

 

(a)                                        Each interest in any limited liability company or limited partnership controlled by any Pledgor, pledged hereunder and represented by a certificate, shall be a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC and shall be governed by Article 8 of the New York UCC, and each such interest shall at all times hereafter be represented by a certificate unless and until such interest is no longer such a “security” and the Pledgor complies with Section 2.04(b).

 

(b)                                       Each interest in any limited liability company or limited partnership controlled by a Pledgor, pledged hereunder and not represented by a certificate shall not be a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC and shall not be governed by Article 8 of the New York UCC (or other applicable Uniform Commercial Code in effect in another jurisdiction), and the Pledgors shall at no time elect to treat any such interest as a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC or issue any certificate representing such interest, unless promptly thereafter (and in any event within 30 days) the applicable Pledgor provides notification to the Applicable Agent of such election and delivers, as applicable, any such certificate to the Applicable Agent pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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SECTION 2.05.                            Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (a) the Applicable Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to hold the Pledged Securities in its own name as pledgee or the name of its nominee (as pledgee or as sub-agent), or the name of the applicable Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank in favor of the Applicable Agent, and (b) each Pledgor will promptly give to the Applicable Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Securities registered in the name of such Pledgor. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Applicable Agent shall have the right to exchange the certificates representing Pledged Securities for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with this Agreement. Each Pledgor shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Subsidiary that is not a party to this Agreement to comply with a request by the Applicable Agent, pursuant to this Section 2.05, to exchange certificates representing Pledged Securities of such Subsidiary for certificates of smaller or larger denominations.

 

SECTION 2.06.                            Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc .

 

(a)                                       Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Applicable Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder:

 

(i)                                 Each Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that could be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the rights and remedies of any of the Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same.

 

(ii)                              The Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to each Pledgor, or cause to be executed and delivered to such Pledgor, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as such Pledgor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to subparagraph (i) above.

 

(iii)                           Each Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Collateral to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are not prohibited by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and applicable laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Securities, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Securities or received in exchange for Pledged Securities or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become

 

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part of the Pledged Collateral, and, if received by any Pledgor, shall be promptly (and in any event within 45 days of their receipt (or such longer time as the Applicable Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent).

 

(b)                                  After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and upon notice by the Applicable Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, all rights of any Pledgor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Applicable Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions; provided that the Applicable Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to receive and retain such amounts. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.06 shall not be commingled by such Pledgor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Applicable Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Applicable Agent in an account to be established by the Applicable Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Applicable Agent a certificate to that effect, the Applicable Agent shall promptly repay to each Pledgor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06 and that remain in such account.

 

(c)                                   Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice by the Applicable Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, subject to applicable Requirements of Law, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06, and the obligations of the Applicable Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.06, shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers; provided that the Applicable Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to exercise such rights. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Applicable Agent a certificate to that effect, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06, and the obligations of the Applicable Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.06, shall in each case be reinstated.

 

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(d)                                  Any notice given by the Applicable Agent to the Pledgors suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 2.06 (i) shall be in writing, (ii) may be given to one or more of the Pledgors at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Pledgors under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(iii) in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Applicable Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Applicable Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

ARTICLE III.

 

Security Interests in Personal Property

 

SECTION 3.01.                            Security Interest .

 

(a)                                   As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Pledgor hereby assigns and pledges to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “ Security Interest ”) in all right, title and interest in or to any and all of the following assets and properties now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Pledgor or in which such Pledgor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “ Article 9 Collateral ”):

 

(i)

 

all Accounts;

 

 

 

(ii)

 

all Chattel Paper;

 

 

 

(iii)

 

all cash and Deposit Accounts;

 

 

 

(iv)

 

all Documents;

 

 

 

(v)

 

all Equipment;

 

 

 

(vi)

 

all Fixtures;

 

 

 

(vii)

 

all General Intangibles;

 

 

 

(viii)

 

Goods;

 

 

 

(ix)

 

all Instruments;

 

 

 

(x)

 

all Intellectual Property;

 

 

 

(xi)

 

all Inventory;

 

 

 

(xii)

 

all Investment Property other than the Pledged Collateral;

 

 

 

(xiii)

 

all Letters of Credit and Letter of Credit Rights;

 

 

 

(xiv)

 

all minerals, oil, gas and As-Extracted Collateral;

 

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 (xv)                               all books and records pertaining to the Article 9 Collateral; and

 

(xvi)                               substitutions, replacements, accessions, products and proceeds (including insurance proceeds, licenses, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit) and to the extent not otherwise included, all proceeds, Supporting Obligations and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any person with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Credit Documents, this Agreement shall not constitute a grant of a security interest in (and the Article 9 Collateral shall not include) and the other provisions of the Credit Documents with respect to Collateral need not be satisfied with respect to (a) motor vehicles or other assets subject to certificates of title and commercial tort claims, (b) any assets over which the granting of security interests in such assets would be prohibited by an enforceable contractual obligation binding on the assets that existed at the time of the acquisition thereof and was not created or made binding on the assets in contemplation or in connection with the acquisition of such assets (except in the case of assets owned on the Acquisition Date or acquired after the Acquisition Date with Indebtedness of the type permitted pursuant to Section 6.03(b)(iv) of the Term Loan Agreement and any equivalent provision in the Indenture), applicable law or regulation (in each case, except to the extent such prohibition is unenforceable after giving effect to applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, other than proceeds thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the Uniform Commercial Code notwithstanding such prohibitions) or to the extent that such security interests would require obtaining the consent of any governmental authority or would result in materially adverse tax consequences as reasonably determined by the Borrower in writing delivered to the Collateral Agent, (c) those assets with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower, evidenced in writing delivered to the Agent, the costs or other consequences of obtaining or perfecting such a security interest are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom, (d) any Letter of Credit Rights (other than to the extent a Lien thereon can be perfected by filing a customary financing statement), (e) any Excluded Securities, (f) any Pledgor’s right, title or interest in any license, contract or agreement to which such Pledgor is a party or any of its right, title or interest thereunder to the extent, but only to the extent, that such a grant would violate the terms of applicable law or of such license, contract or agreement, or result in a breach of the terms of, or constitute a default under, any such license, contract or agreement to which such Pledgor is a party (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the New York UCC or any other applicable law or regulation (including Title 11 of the United States Code) or principles of equity); provided that, immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse or termination of any such provision, the Collateral shall include, and such Pledgor shall be deemed to have granted a security interest in, all such rights and interests as if such provision had never been in effect, (g) any equipment or other asset owned by any Pledgor that is subject to a purchase money lien or a Capitalized Lease Obligation, in each case, as permitted under the Term Loan Agreement and the Indenture and not prohibited by any other Credit Document, if the contract or other agreement in which such Lien is granted (or the documentation providing for such Capitalized Lease Obligation) prohibits or requires the consent of any person other than the Pledgors as a condition to the creation of any other security interest on such equipment or asset and, in each case, such prohibition or requirement is permitted by under Term Loan Agreement and the Indenture and not prohibited by any other Credit Document, (h) any

 

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foreign collateral or credit support with respect to such foreign collateral (other than any such assets pledged pursuant to the Pledge Agreement), (i) any real property (owned or leased) or oil and gas properties (owned or leased) other than the Mortgaged Properties, and (j) any asset at any time that is not then subject to a Lien securing First-Priority Lien Obligations at such time (the foregoing clauses (a) through (j), the “ Excluded Assets ”)(1). With respect to the Collateral, no control agreements or control arrangements will be required with respect to any Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts, Commodity Contracts or any other asset, the perfection of a security interest in which specifically requires a control arrangement or control agreement (other than the delivery of Pledged Securities to the Applicable Agent to the extent required by Article II).

 

(b)                                  Each Pledgor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Agent at any time and from time to time to file in any relevant jurisdiction any initial financing statements (including fixture filings) with respect to the Article 9 Collateral or any part thereof and amendments thereto that contain the information required by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of each applicable jurisdiction for the filing of any financing statement or amendment, including (i) whether such Pledgor is an organization, the type of organization and any organizational identification number issued to such Pledgor, (ii) in the case of a financing statement filed as a fixture filing, a sufficient description of the real property to which such Article 9 Collateral relates and (iii) a description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Agent may reasonably determine is necessary or advisable to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Article 9 Collateral granted under this Agreement, including describing such property as “all assets” or “all property” or words of similar effect. Each Pledgor agrees to provide such information to the Agent promptly upon request.

 

The Agent is further authorized to file with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office (or any successor office or any similar office in any other country) such documents as may be necessary or advisable for the purpose of perfecting, confirming, continuing, enforcing or protecting the Security Interest granted by each Pledgor, without the signature of any Pledgor, and naming any Pledgor or the Pledgors as debtors and the Agent as secured party.

 

(c)                                   The Security Interest is granted as security only and shall not subject the Agent or any other Secured Party to, or in any way alter or modify, any obligation or liability of any Pledgor with respect to or arising out of the Article 9 Collateral.

 

SECTION 3.02.                            Representations and Warranties . The Pledgors jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Agent and the Secured Parties as of the Acquisition Date that:

 

(a)                                   Each Pledgor has good and valid rights in and title to the Article 9 Collateral with respect to which it has purported to grant a Security Interest hereunder and has full power and authority to grant to the Agent the Security Interest in such Article 9 Collateral

 


(1)   Note to Cahill: Former clause (k) only applies to Term/Notes Priority Collateral.

 

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pursuant hereto and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without the consent or approval of any other person other than any consent or approval that has been obtained and is in full force and effect or has otherwise been disclosed herein, in the Term Loan Agreement and the Schedules thereto or in the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

(b)                                  The Perfection Certificate has been duly prepared, completed and executed and the information set forth therein, including the exact legal name of each Pledgor, is correct and complete, in all material respects, as of the Acquisition Date. Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations containing a description of the Article 9 Collateral have been prepared by the Agent based upon the information provided to the Agent in the Perfection Certificate for filing in each governmental, municipal or other office specified in Schedule 7 to the Perfection Certificate (or specified by notice from the Borrower to the Agent after the Acquisition Date in the case of filings, recordings or registrations required by Section 6.16 of the Term Loan Agreement or any equivalent provision of each other Credit Document), and constitute all the filings, recordings and registrations (other than filings required to be made in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office in order to perfect the Security Interest in Article 9 Collateral consisting of United States Patents, United States registered Trademarks and United States registered Copyrights) that are necessary to publish notice of and protect the validity of and to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in respect of all Article 9 Collateral in which the Security Interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registration in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration is necessary in any such jurisdiction, except as provided under applicable law with respect to the filing of continuation statements or amendments. Each Pledgor represents and warrants that a fully executed agreement in the form hereof (or a short form hereof which form shall be reasonably acceptable to the Agent) containing a description of all Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property with respect to registered United States Patents (and Patents for which registration applications are pending), registered United States Trademarks (and Trademarks for which registration applications are pending) and registered United States Copyrights (and Copyrights for which registration applications are pending) has been delivered to the Agent for recording with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 261, 15 U.S.C. § 1060 or 17 U.S.C. § 205 and the regulations thereunder, as applicable, to protect the validity of and to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in respect of all Article 9 Collateral consisting of such Intellectual Property in which a security interest may be perfected by recording with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration is necessary (other than such actions as are necessary to perfect the Security Interest with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights (or registration or application for registration thereof) acquired or developed after the Acquisition Date).

 

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(c)            The Security Interest constitutes (i) a legal and valid security interest in all the Article 9 Collateral securing the payment and performance of the Obligations, (ii) subject to the filings described in Section 3.02(b), a perfected security interest in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registering a financing statement or analogous document in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law in such jurisdictions and (iii) subject to Section 3.02(b), a security interest that shall be perfected in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected upon the receipt and recording of this Agreement (or a short form hereof) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, as applicable. The Security Interest is and shall be a second priority security interest, prior to any other Lien on any of the Article 9 Collateral, other than Liens in respect of the First-Priority Lien Obligations and any other Permitted Liens.

 

(d)            The Article 9 Collateral is owned by the Pledgors free and clear of any Lien, other than Permitted Liens. None of the Pledgors has filed or consented to the filing of (i) any financing statement or analogous document under the Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable laws covering any Article 9 Collateral, (ii) any assignment in which any Pledgor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office or (iii) any assignment in which any Pledgor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with any foreign governmental, municipal or other office, which financing statement or analogous document, assignment, security agreement or similar instrument is still in effect, except, in each case, for Permitted Liens.

 

(e)            Except as set forth in the Perfection Certificate, as of the Acquisition Date, all Accounts owned by the Pledgors have been originated by the Pledgors and all Inventory owned by the Pledgors has been acquired by the Pledgors in the ordinary course of business.

 

SECTION 3.03.               Covenants .

 

(a)            Each Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 10 days thereof, or such longer period of time as may be agreed by the Applicable Agent) to notify the Agent in writing of any change (i) in its legal name, (ii) in its identity or type of organization or corporate structure, (iii) in its Federal Taxpayer Identification Number or organizational identification number or (iv) in its jurisdiction of organization. Each Pledgor agrees promptly to provide the Agent with certified organizational documents reflecting any of the changes described in the immediately preceding sentence. Each Pledgor agrees that if it effects or permits any change referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph (a) it will ensure that all filings have been made, or will have been made within any applicable statutory period, under the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise that are required in order for the Agent at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected second priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in all the Article 9 Collateral, for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Each Pledgor agrees promptly to notify the Agent if any material portion of the Article 9 Collateral owned or held by such Pledgor is damaged or destroyed.

 

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(b)            Subject to the rights of such Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Collateral, each Pledgor shall, at its own expense, use commercially reasonable efforts to defend title to the Article 9 Collateral against all persons and to defend the Security Interest of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Article 9 Collateral and the priority thereof against any Lien that is not a Permitted Lien.

 

(c)            Each Pledgor agrees, at its own expense, to execute, acknowledge, deliver and cause to be duly filed all such further instruments and documents and take all such actions as may be necessary or as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request to better assure, preserve, protect and perfect the Security Interest and the rights and remedies created hereby, including the payment of any fees and taxes required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the granting of the Security Interest and the filing of any financing statements (including fixture filings) or other documents in connection herewith or therewith.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor hereby authorizes the Agent, with prompt notice thereof to the Pledgors, to supplement this Agreement by supplementing Schedule III or adding additional schedules hereto to specifically identify any asset or item that may constitute Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, Copyright Licenses, Patent Licenses or Trademark Licenses; provided that any Pledgor shall have the right, exercisable within 90 days after it has been notified by the Agent of the specific identification of such Collateral, to advise the Agent in writing of any inaccuracy of the representations and warranties made by such Pledgor hereunder with respect to such Article 9 Collateral. Each Pledgor agrees that it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to take such action as shall be necessary in order that all representations and warranties hereunder shall be true and correct with respect to such Article 9 Collateral within 90 days after the date it has been notified by the Agent of the specific identification of such Article 9 Collateral.

 

(d)            (i) Following the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, and subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, after the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the continuance thereof, the Agent shall have the right to verify under reasonable procedures the validity, amount, quality, quantity, value, condition and status of, or any other matter relating to, the Article 9 Collateral, including, in the case of Accounts or Article 9 Collateral in the possession of any third person, by contacting Account Debtors or the third person possessing such Article 9 Collateral for the purpose of making such a verification and each Pledgor shall furnish all such assistance and information as Agent may reasonably request in connection with any such verification. The Agent shall have the right to share any information it gains from such inspection or verification with any Secured Party.

 

(ii)            The Applicable Agent hereby authorizes each Pledgor to collect such Pledgor’s Accounts and the Applicable Agent may curtail or terminate said authority at any time after written notice is provided by the Applicable Agent to such Pledgor after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

 

(iii)           At the Applicable Agent’s written request at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Pledgor shall deliver to the Applicable Agent all original and other documents evidencing, and

 

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relating to, the agreements and transactions which gave rise to the Accounts, including all original orders, invoices and shipping receipts.

 

(e)            Following the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, and subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, at its option, the Agent may discharge any past due taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on the Article 9 Collateral and that is not a Permitted Lien, and may pay for the maintenance and preservation of the Article 9 Collateral to the extent any Pledgor fails to do so as required by the Term Loan Agreement, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, and each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to reimburse the Agent on demand for any reasonable payment made or any reasonable expense incurred by the Agent pursuant to the foregoing authorization; provided however , that nothing in this Section 3.03(e) shall be interpreted as excusing any Pledgor from the performance of, or imposing any obligation on the Agent or any Secured Party to cure or perform, any covenants or other promises of any Pledgor with respect to taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances and maintenance as set forth herein or in the other Credit Documents.

 

(f)             Each Pledgor (rather than the Agent or any Secured Party) shall remain liable for the observance and performance of all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it under each contract, agreement or instrument relating to the Article 9 Collateral and each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent and the Secured Parties from and against any and all liability for such performance.

 

(g)            None of the Pledgors shall make or permit to be made an assignment, pledge or hypothecation of the Article 9 Collateral or shall grant any other Lien in respect of the Article 9 Collateral, except as not prohibited by any Credit Document. None of the Pledgors shall make or permit to be made any transfer of the Article 9 Collateral, except as not prohibited by any Credit Document. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Applicable Agent shall have notified the Grantors that an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (f) or (g) of the Term Loan Agreement or any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document shall have occurred and be continuing, and during the continuance thereof, the Pledgors shall not sell, convey, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Article 9 Collateral to the extent requested by the Applicable Agent (which notice may be given by telephone if promptly confirmed in writing).

 

(h)            None of the Pledgors will, without the Applicable Agent’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), grant any extension of the time of payment of any Accounts included in the Article 9 Collateral, compromise, compound or settle the same for less than the full amount thereof, release, wholly or partly, any person liable for the payment thereof or allow any credit or discount whatsoever thereon, other than extensions, credits, discounts, compromises or settlements granted or made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with prudent business practices, except as not prohibited by the Credit Documents.

 

(i)             Each Pledgor irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Applicable Agent (and all officers, employees or agents designated by the Applicable Agent) as such Pledgor’ s true and lawful agent (and attorney-in-fact) for the purpose, during the continuance of an Event of Default, of making, settling and adjusting claims in respect of Article 9 Collateral under

 

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policies of insurance, endorsing the name of such Pledgor on any check, draft, instrument or other item of payment for the proceeds of such policies of insurance and for making all determinations and decisions with respect thereto. In the event that any Pledgor at any time or times shall fail to obtain or maintain any of the policies of insurance required by the Credit Documents or to pay any premium in whole or part relating thereto, the Applicable Agent may, without waiving or releasing any obligation or liability of the Pledgors hereunder or any Event of Default, in its sole discretion, obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and pay such premium and take any other actions with respect thereto as the Applicable Agent reasonably deems advisable. All sums disbursed by the Applicable Agent in connection with this Section 3.03(i), including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto, shall be payable, upon demand, by the Pledgors to the Applicable Agent and shall be additional Obligations secured hereby.

 

SECTION 3.04.               Other Actions .  In order to further ensure the attachment, perfection and priority of, and the ability of the Agent to enforce, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Agent’s security interest in the Article 9 Collateral, each Pledgor agrees, in each case at such Pledgor’s own expense, to take the following actions with respect to the following Article 9 Collateral:

 

(a)            Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper .  If any Pledgor shall at any time own or acquire any Instruments or Tangible Chattel Paper evidencing an amount in excess of $15,000,000, such Pledgor shall promptly (and in any event within 30 days of its acquisition) notify the Applicable Agent and promptly endorse, assign and deliver the same to the Applicable Agent, accompanied by such instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as the Applicable Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

 

SECTION 3.05.               Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral . Except as not prohibited by any Credit Documents:

 

(a)            Each Pledgor agrees that it will not knowingly do any act or omit to do any act (and will exercise commercially reasonable efforts to prevent its licensees from doing any act or omitting to do any act) whereby any Patent material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business may become prematurely invalidated or dedicated to the public, and agrees that it shall take commercially reasonable steps with respect to any material products covered by any such Patent as necessary and sufficient to establish and preserve its rights under applicable patent laws.

 

(b)            Each Pledgor will, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its licensees or its sublicensees to, for each Trademark material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business, (i) maintain such Trademark in full force free from any adjudication of abandonment or invalidity for non-use, (ii) maintain the quality of products and services offered under such Trademark, (iii) display such Trademark with notice of federal or foreign registration or claim of trademark or service mark as required under applicable law and (iv) not knowingly use or knowingly permit its licensees’ use of such Trademark in violation of any third-party rights.

 

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(c)            Each Pledgor will, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its licensees or its sublicensees to, for each work covered by a material Copyright necessary to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business that it publishes, displays and distributes, use copyright notice as required under applicable copyright laws.

 

(d)            Each Pledgor shall notify the Applicable Agent promptly if it knows that any Patent, Trademark or Copyright material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business may imminently become prematurely abandoned, lost or dedicated to the public, or of any materially adverse determination or development, excluding office actions and similar determinations or developments, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, United States Copyright Office, any court or any similar office of any country, regarding such Pledgor’s ownership of any such material Patent, Trademark or Copyright or its right to register or to maintain the same.

 

(e)            Each Pledgor, either itself or through any agent, employee, licensee or designee, shall (i) inform the Agent on an annual basis on or about the time of delivery of financial statements for such year (commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012) of each application by itself, or through any agent, employee, licensee or designee, for any Patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and each registration of any Trademark or Copyright with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any comparable office or agency in any other country filed during the preceding twelve-month period, and (ii) upon the reasonable request of the Agent, execute and deliver any and all agreements, instruments, documents and papers as the Agent may reasonably request to evidence the Agent’s security interest in such Patent, Trademark or Copyright.

 

(f)             Each Pledgor shall exercise its reasonable business judgment consistent with the practice in any proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any comparable office or agency in any other country with respect to maintaining and pursuing each material application relating to any Patent, Trademark and/or Copyright (and obtaining the relevant grant or registration) material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business and to maintain (i) each issued Patent and (ii) the registrations of each Trademark and each Copyright that is material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business, including, when applicable and necessary in such Pledgor’s reasonable business judgment, timely filings of applications for renewal, affidavits of use, affidavits of incontestability and payment of maintenance fees, and, if any Pledgor believes necessary in its reasonable business judgment, to initiate opposition, interference and cancellation proceedings against third parties.

 

(g)            In the event that any Pledgor knows or has reason to know that any Article 9 Collateral consisting of a Patent, Trademark or Copyright material to the normal conduct of its business has been materially infringed, misappropriated or diluted by a third party, such Pledgor shall promptly notify the Applicable Agent and shall, if such Pledgor deems it necessary in its reasonable business judgment, promptly sue and recover any and all damages, and take such other actions as are reasonably appropriate under the circumstances.

 

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(h)            Upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default, at the request of the Applicable Agent, each Pledgor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all requisite consents or approvals from the licensor under each Copyright License, Patent License or Trademark License to effect the assignment of all such Pledgor’s right, title and interest thereunder to (in the Applicable Agent’s sole discretion) the designee of the Applicable Agent or the Applicable Agent.

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

Remedies

 

SECTION 4.01.               Remedies upon Default .  Subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and applicable Requirements of Law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Pledgor agrees to deliver each item of Collateral to the Applicable Agent on demand, and it is agreed that the Applicable Agent shall have the right to take any of or all the following actions at the same or different times: (a) with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property, on demand, to cause the Security Interest to become an assignment, transfer and conveyance of any of or all such Article 9 Collateral by the applicable Pledgors to the Applicable Agent or to license or sub-license, whether general, special or otherwise, and whether on an exclusive or a nonexclusive basis, any such Article 9 Collateral throughout the world on such terms and conditions and in such manner as the Applicable Agent shall determine (other than in violation of any then-existing licensing arrangements to the extent that waivers thereunder cannot be obtained) and (b) with or without legal process and with or without prior notice or demand for performance, to take possession of the Article 9 Collateral and without liability for trespass to the applicable Pledgor to enter any premises where the Article 9 Collateral may be located for the purpose of taking possession of or removing the Article 9 Collateral and, generally, to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor agrees that the Agent shall have the right, subject to the requirements of applicable law and subject to the terms and conditions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Agent shall deem appropriate. The Agent shall be authorized in connection with any sale of a security (if it deems it advisable to do so) pursuant to the foregoing to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to persons who represent and agree that they are purchasing such security for their own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof. Upon consummation of any such sale of Collateral pursuant to this Section 4.01, the Agent shall have the right to assign, transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of any Pledgor, and each Pledgor hereby waives and releases (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay, valuation and appraisal that such Pledgor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

 

The Agent shall give the applicable Pledgors 10 days’ written notice (which each Pledgor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC

 

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or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. At any such sale, the Collateral, or the portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine.  The Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In the case of any sale of all or any part of the Collateral made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Agent shall not incur any liability in the event that any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in the case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon notice given in accordance with provisions above. At any public (or, to the extent permitted by law, private) sale made pursuant to this Section 4.01, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase for cash, free (to the extent permitted by law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the part of any Pledgor (all such rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Pledgor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and no Pledgor shall be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Obligations paid in full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court-appointed receiver. To the extent provided in this Section 4.01, any sale that complies with such provisions shall be deemed to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided in Section 9-610(b) of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.

 

SECTION 4.02.               Application of Proceeds .  Subject to the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall promptly apply the proceeds, moneys or balances of any collection or sale of Collateral, as well as any Collateral consisting of cash, in accordance with Section 2.01 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement. Upon the request of the Agent prior to any distribution under this Section 4.02, each Authorized Representative shall provide to the Agent certificates, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, setting forth the respective amounts referred to in this Section 4.02, that each applicable Secured Party or their Authorized Representative believes it is entitled to receive, and the Agent shall be fully entitled to rely on such certificates. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the purchase money by the Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the

 

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purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

 

SECTION 4.03.               Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property .  For the purpose of enabling the Agent to exercise rights and remedies under this Agreement at such time as the Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, each Pledgor grants (such grant effective solely after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default) to (in the Agent’s sole discretion) a designee of the Applicable Agent or the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an irrevocable, non-exclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to any Pledgor) to use, license or sublicense any of the Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Pledgor, wherever the same may be located, and including in such license reasonable access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof, the right to prosecute and maintain all Intellectual Property and the right to sue for past infringement of the Intellectual Property; provided , however, that nothing in this Section 4.03 shall require Pledgors to grant any license that is prohibited by any rule of law, statute or regulation, or is prohibited by, or constitutes a breach or default under or results in the termination of, any contract, license, instrument or other agreement with an unaffiliated third party, to the extent not prohibited by the Credit Documents, with respect to such Intellectual Property Collateral; and provided , further, that such licenses to be granted hereunder with respect to Trademarks shall be subject to the maintenance of quality standards with respect to the goods and services on which such Trademarks are used sufficient to preserve the validity of such Trademarks. For the avoidance of doubt, the use of such license by the Agent may be exercised, at the option of the Agent, only during the continuation of an Event of Default after the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date. Furthermore, each Pledgor hereby grants to the Applicable Agent an absolute power of attorney to sign, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, any document which may be required by the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any state office in order to effect an absolute assignment of all right, title and interest in each Patent, Trademark or Copyright, and to record the same.

 

SECTION 4.04.               Securities Act, etc .  In view of the position of the Pledgors in relation to the Pledged Collateral, or because of other current or future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as now or hereafter in effect, or any similar federal statute hereafter enacted analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar statute as from time to time in effect being called the “ Federal Securities Laws ”) with respect to any disposition of the Pledged Collateral permitted hereunder. Each Pledgor understands that compliance with the Federal Securities Laws might very strictly limit the course of conduct of the Applicable Agent if the Applicable Agent were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Pledged Collateral, and might also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any Pledged Collateral could dispose of the same. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Applicable Agent in any attempt to dispose of all or part of the Pledged Collateral under applicable Blue Sky or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that in light of such restrictions and limitations, the Applicable Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) may proceed to make such a sale whether or not a registration statement for the purpose of registering

 

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such Pledged Collateral or part thereof shall have been filed under the Federal Securities Laws or, to the extent applicable, Blue Sky or other state securities laws and (b) may approach and negotiate with a single potential purchaser to effect such sale. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that any such sale might result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale without such restrictions. In the event of any such sale, the Applicable Agent shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Collateral at a price that the Applicable Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a single purchaser were approached. The provisions of this Section 4.04 will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Applicable Agent sells.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01.               Notices .  All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 9.02 of the Term Loan Agreement (whether or not then in effect), as such address may be changed by written notice to the Agent and the Borrower. All communications and notices hereunder to any Pledgor shall be given to it in care of the Borrower, with such notice to be given as provided in Section 9.02 of the Term Loan Agreement (whether or not then in effect).

 

SECTION 5.02.               Security Interest Absolute .  All rights of the Agent hereunder, the Security Interest, the security interest in the Pledged Collateral and all obligations of each Pledgor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Term Loan Agreement, any other Credit Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Term Loan Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any other agreement or instrument, (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee, securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Obligations or (d) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Pledgor in respect of the Obligations or this Agreement (other than a defense of payment or performance).

 

SECTION 5.03.               Limitation by Law .  All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable Requirements of Law, and all the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable Requirements of Law that may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they shall not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable, in whole or in part, or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable law or regulation.

 

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SECTION 5.04.               Binding Effect; Several Agreement .  This Agreement shall become effective as to any party to this Agreement when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such party shall have been delivered to the Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such party and the Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such party, the Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no party shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein or in the Collateral (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as not prohibited by this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each party and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released in accordance with Section 5.09.

 

SECTION 5.05.               Successors and Assigns .  Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Pledgor or the Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns. The Agent hereunder shall at all times be the same person that is the “Second Lien Agent” under the Pan Passu Intercreditor Agreement. Written notice of resignation by the “Second Lien Agent” pursuant to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall also constitute notice of resignation as the Agent under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the “Second Lien Agent” under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement by a successor “Second Lien Agent”, that successor “Second Lien Agent” shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent pursuant hereto.

 

SECTION 5.06.               Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

 

(a)            The parties hereto agree that the Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 9.05 of the Term Loan Agreement, and any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)            Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Credit Documents, each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify the Agent, the Term Loan Agent, the Trustee and each Affiliate of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (limited to not more than one counsel, plus, if necessary, one local counsel per jurisdiction) (except the allocated costs of in-house counsels), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with the appointment of any successor Agent in accordance with the applicable Credit Documents and in connection with any filings, registrations or any other actions to be taken to reflect the security interest of such successor Agent), (ii) the use of proceeds of the Term Loans, the Notes or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation

 

29


 

or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, or to the Collateral, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or any Pledgor; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(c)            Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Obligations secured hereby and by the other Security Documents. The provisions of this Section 5.06 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or any other Secured Party. All amounts due under this Section 5.06 shall be payable within fifteen days of written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 5.07.               Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact .  Subject to the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, each Pledgor hereby appoints the Agent the attorney-in-fact of such Pledgor for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, subject to applicable Requirements of Law and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Agent shall have the right, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, with full power of substitution either in the Agent’s name or in the name of such Pledgor, (a) to receive, endorse, assign or deliver any and all notes, acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, (b) to demand, collect, receive payment of, give receipt for and give discharges and releases of all or any of the Collateral; (c) to ask for, demand, sue for, collect, receive and give acquittance for any and all moneys due or to become due under and by virtue of any Collateral; (d) to sign the name of any Pledgor on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any of the Collateral; (e) to send verifications of Accounts to any Account Debtor; (f) to commence and prosecute any and all suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect or otherwise realize on all or any of the Collateral or to enforce any rights in respect of any Collateral; (g) to settle, compromise, compound, adjust or defend any actions, suits or proceedings relating to all or any of the Collateral; (h) to notify, or to require any Pledgor to notify, Account Debtors to make payment directly to the Agent; and (i) to use, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with all or any of the Collateral, and to do all other acts and things necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, as fully and completely as though the Agent were the absolute owner of the Collateral for all purposes; provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring or obligating the Agent to make any commitment or to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Agent, or to present or file any claim or notice, or to take any action with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof or the moneys due or to become due in respect thereof or any property covered thereby. The Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts actually received as a result of the exercise of the powers granted to them herein, and neither they nor their

 

30



 

officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Pledgor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own or their Related Parties’ gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

SECTION 5.08.               GOVERNING LAW .  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 5.09.               Waivers; Amendment .

 

(a)            No failure or delay by the Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Agent, the Lenders or any other Secured Party hereunder and under the other Credit Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.09, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)            Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Agent and the Credit Party or Credit Parties with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement, Article IX of the Indenture and any equivalent provision in each applicable other Credit Document and except as otherwise provided in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. The Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate of an officer of the Borrower as to whether any amendment contemplated by this Section 5.09(b) is permitted.

 

(c)            For the purpose of Section 5.09(b) above, the Agent shall be entitled to rely upon (i) written confirmation from the agent managing the solicitation of consents, provided by the Trustee, as to the receipt of valid consents from the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Notes to amend this Agreement (or two-thirds in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Notes if required by the Indenture), and (ii) any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person and the Agent need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document. At any time that the Borrower desires that this Agreement be amended as provided in Section 5.09(b) above, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a certificate signed by an officer of the Borrower stating that the amendment of this Agreement is permitted pursuant to Section 5.09(b) above. If requested by the Agent (although the Agent shall have no obligation to make any such request), the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent copies of officers’ certificates and legal opinions delivered to the Trustee in connection with any amendment to the Indenture affecting the operation of this Section

 

31



 

5.09. The Agent shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificates or opinions.

 

SECTION 5.10.               Severability .  In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.11.               Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 5.04. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original.

 

SECTION 5.12.               Headings .  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.13.               Termination or Release .

 

(a)            Subject to any applicable terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, this Agreement, the pledges made herein and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgors, upon the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations and the concurrent release of all other Liens on the collateral (except cash collateral in respect of any letters of credit) or assets securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations (including all commitments and letters of credit thereunder); provided , however, that if any Pledgor subsequently incurs First-Priority Lien Obligations that are secured by Liens on property or assets of a Pledgor of the type constituting the RBL Priority Collateral and the related Liens are incurred in reliance on clause (6)(B) or (6)(C) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” in the Term Loan Agreement, the equivalent provisions in the Indenture and any equivalent provision in any other Credit Document, then the Pledgors will be required to reinstitute the security arrangements hereunder with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, and then Liens securing the Obligations will be second priority Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing such First-Priority Lien Obligations to the same extent provided by the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an intercreditor agreement that provides the Agent, the Secured Parties and the holders of such new First-Priority Lien Obligations substantially the same rights and obligations as afforded under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default exists on the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the second priority Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral granted hereunder will not be released, except to the extent the RBL Priority Collateral or any portion thereof was disposed of in order to repay the First-Priority Lien Obligations secured by the RBL Priority Collateral, and thereafter the Agent will have the right

 

32



 

to foreclose or direct the Applicable First Lien Agent to foreclose upon the RBL Priority Collateral (but in such event, the Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the Obligations will be released when such Event of Default and all other Events of Default cease to exist).

 

(b)            A Subsidiary Party shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the security interests in the Collateral of such Subsidiary Party shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document as a result of which such Subsidiary Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Subsidiary is released from its Subsidiary Guarantee and from its Subsidiary guarantees of all Credit Documents or otherwise ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to such Subsidiary Party.

 

(c)            (i) Upon any sale or other transfer by any Pledgor of any Collateral that is not prohibited by any Credit Document to any person that is not a Pledgor (including in connection with a Casualty Event), or (ii) upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement and any equivalent provision of each applicable other Credit Document, the security interest in such Collateral shall be automatically released, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party.

 

(d)            If any of the Collateral shall become subject to the release provision set forth in [Section 2.05(a)] of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, such Collateral shall be automatically released from the security interest in such Collateral to the extent provided therein.

 

(e)            This Agreement, the pledges made herein, the Security Interest and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgors, as of the date when all the Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities not then due) have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds.

 

(f)             The security interest securing Term Loan Obligations will be released as provided in Section 9.19 of the Term Loan Agreement, the security interest securing Indenture Obligations will be released as provided in Section 11.04 of the Indenture, and the security interest securing any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations will be released as provided in the applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Documents.

 

(g)            In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of this Section 5.13, the Agent shall execute and deliver to any Pledgor, at such Pledgor’s expense, all documents that such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release (including, without limitation, UCC termination statements), and will duly assign and transfer to such Pledgor, such of the Pledged Collateral that may be in the possession of the Agent and has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5.13 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Agent. In connection with any release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above, the Pledgors shall be permitted to take any action in

 

33



 

connection therewith consistent with such release including, without limitation, the filing of UCC termination statements. Upon the receipt of any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Borrower, the Agent shall execute, deliver or acknowledge such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents or the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.14.               Additional Subsidiaries .  Upon execution and delivery by the Agent and any Subsidiary that is required to become a party hereto by Section 6.09 of the Term Loan Agreement, Section 4.11 of the Indenture or any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document of an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Party hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Subsidiary Party herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party to this Agreement. The rights and obligations of each party to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.15.               Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement .

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject and subordinate to the liens and security interests granted to the RBL Facility Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2012 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), from the “Pledgors” and “Grantors” referred to therein, in favor of the RBL Facility Agent, as collateral agent for the secured parties referred to therein, and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Agent hereunder or the application of proceeds (including insurance proceeds and condemnation proceeds) of any Collateral are subject to the limitations and provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.

 

SECTION 5.16.               First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents .

 

The Agent acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and any Secured Party, that any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, until the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the Pledgors shall not be required to act or refrain from acting pursuant to the Security Documents or with respect to any Collateral on which the Applicable First Lien Agent has a Lien superior in priority to the Agent’s Lien thereon in any manner that would result in a default under the terms and provisions of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

SECTION 5.17.               Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations .  On or after the date hereof and so long as such obligations are not prohibited by any Credit Document then in effect, the Borrower may from time to time designate obligations in respect of Indebtedness to be secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations hereunder and under the other Security Documents by delivering to the Agent and each Authorized Representative (a) a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower (i) identifying the obligations so designated and the initial aggregate principal amount or face amount thereof, (ii) stating that such obligations are designated as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations for

 

34



 

purposes hereof and of the other Security Documents, (iii) representing that such designation of such obligations as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations complies with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture and any other Credit Document then in effect, (iv) specifying the name and address of the Authorized Representative for such obligations and (v) identifying the documents to be designated as the related Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and Other Second Lien Agreements (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) and (b) a fully executed Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement. The Agent and each Authorized Representative agree that upon the satisfaction of all conditions set forth in the preceding sentence, the Agent shall act as agent under and subject to the terms of the Security Documents for the benefit of all Secured Parties, including without limitation, any Secured Parties that hold any such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, and the Agent and each Authorized Representative agree to the appointment, and acceptance of the appointment, of the Agent as agent for the holders of such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations as set forth in each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement and agree, on behalf of itself and each Secured Party it represents, to be bound by this Agreement, the other Security Documents, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.18.               WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

 

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.18.

 

SECTION 5.19.               Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

 

(a)            Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Agent or any Secured Party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document against any Pledgor, or its properties, in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

35



 

(b)            Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document in any New York State or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(c)            Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Credit Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

36



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

37



 

 

[NAMES OF SUBSIDIARY PARTIES]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

38



 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

`

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

39


 

Schedule I

to the Collateral Agreement

 

Subsidiary Parties

 

See attached.

 



 

Schedule II

to the Collateral Agreement

 

Pledged Stock; Debt Securities

 

See attached.

 



 

Schedule III

to the Collateral Agreement

 

Intellectual Property

See attached.

 



 

Exhibit I

to the Collateral Agreement

 

SUPPLEMENT NO.             dated as of           (this “ Supplement ”), to the Collateral Agreement dated as of [ ], 2012 (as heretofore amended and/or supplemented, the “ Collateral Agreement ”), among EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary Party party thereto and CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

 

A.           Reference is made to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent.

 

B.            Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Term Loan Agreement and the Collateral Agreement referred to therein.

 

C.            The Pledgors have entered into the Collateral Agreement in order to induce the Secured Parties to make extensions of credit. Section 5.14 of the Collateral Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Subsidiary Parties under the Collateral Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Subsidiary ) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Term Loan Agreement to become a Subsidiary Party under the Collateral Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Term Loans and to induce the holders of any other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder and as consideration for Term Loans previously made and other extensions of credit previously made.

 

Accordingly, the Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.           In accordance with Section 5.14 of the Collateral Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor under the Collateral Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor, and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Collateral Agreement applicable to it as a Subsidiary Party and Pledgor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Pledgor thereunder are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary, as security for the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, does hereby create and grant to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, their successors and assigns, a security interest in and Lien on all the New Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral of the New Subsidiary. Each reference to a “Subsidiary Party” or a “Pledgor” in the Collateral Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Collateral Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2.           The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it

 



 

and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 3.           This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

 

SECTION 4.           The New Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants that (a) set forth on Schedule I attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all the Pledged Stock and Pledged Debt Securities of the New Subsidiary as of the date hereof, (b) set forth on Schedule II attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all Intellectual Property constituting United States registered Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights as of the date hereof and (c) set forth under its signature hereto, is the true and correct legal name of the New Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of formation and organizational ID number as of the date hereof.

 

SECTION 5.           Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Collateral Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6. THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 7.           In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Collateral Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 8.           All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Collateral Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.           The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Agent.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has duly executed this Supplement to the Collateral Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

[Name of New Subsidiary]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

3



 

Schedule I

to Supplement No.    to the

Collateral Agreement

 

Pledged Collateral of the New Subsidiary

 

EQUITY INTERESTS

 

Number of Issuer

 

 

 

Number and Class of

 

Percentage of

 

Certificate

 

Registered Owner

 

Equity Interests

 

Equity Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEBT SECURITIES

 

Issuer

 

Principal Amount

 

Date of Note

 

Maturity Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Schedule II

to Supplement No.     to the

Collateral Agreement

 

Intellectual Property of the New Subsidiary

 



 

Exhibit II

to the Collateral Agreement

 

Form of Perfection Certificate

 

See Attached

 


 

EXHIBIT K

TO THE TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

[FORM OF]
PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

dated and effective as of

 

[  ], 2012,

 

among

 

EP ENERGY LLC
(f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC),

 

each Subsidiary of EP Energy LLC identified herein,

 

and

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Term Loan Agreement

2

SECTION 1.02.

Other Defined Terms

2

 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

PLEDGE OF EQUITY INTERESTS

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Pledge

7

SECTION 2.02.

Delivery of the Pledged Stock

8

SECTION 2.03.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

9

SECTION 2.04.

Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

10

SECTION 2.05.

Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc.

10

 

 

 

ARTICLE III.

 

[RESERVED.]

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

REMEDIES

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Remedies upon Default

12

SECTION 4.02.

Application of Proceeds

13

SECTION 4.03.

Securities Act, etc.

14

 

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

Notices

14

SECTION 5.02.

Security Interest Absolute

15

SECTION 5.03.

Limitation by Law

15

SECTION 5.04.

Binding Effect; Several Agreement

15

SECTION 5.05.

Successors and Assigns

15

SECTION 5.06.

Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

16

SECTION 5.07.

Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

16

SECTION 5.08.

GOVERNING LAW

17

SECTION 5.09.

Waivers; Amendment

17

SECTION 5.10.

Severability

18

SECTION 5.11.

Counterparts

18

 

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Page

 

 

 

SECTION 5.12.

Headings

18

SECTION 5.13.

Termination or Release

18

SECTION 5.14.

Additional Subsidiaries

19

SECTION 5.15.

Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement

19

SECTION 5.16.

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations

20

SECTION 5.17.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

20

SECTION 5.18.

Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

20

 

 

 

Schedules

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule I                 Subsidiary Parties

 

Schedule II             Pledged Stock

 

 

 

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit I                              Form of Supplement to the Pledge Agreement

 

 

ii



 

This PLEDGE AGREEMENT dated and effective as of [ ], 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is among EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower listed on Schedule I hereto and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that becomes a party hereto after the date hereof (each, a “ Subsidiary Party ”) and CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ” or the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in Section 1.02 below).

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) among the Borrower and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as co-issuers (the “ Co-Issuers ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Co-Issuers are issuing 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (together with any and all exchange notes and/or additional notes issued pursuant to the Indenture, collectively the “ Notes ”) and (2) pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Term Loan Agent ”), the Borrower is incurring Loans (as defined therein, the “ Term Loans ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Notes, the Term Loans and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are and will be secured on a first-priority, pari passu basis by the Collateral and, on the date hereof, the Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the Trustee are entering into the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ”), which sets forth the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties in the Collateral as amongst each other;

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EPE Holdings LLC (“ Holdings ”), the Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time parties thereto, the Borrower will from time to time incur loans and letter of credit obligations and (2) pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2012, among the Pledgors and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the Pledgors have granted to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the RBL Facility Agent, a second-priority lien and security interest in the Collateral to secure their obligations under the Credit Agreement and related documents;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of [ ], 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent (as each such terms are defined in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture, EP Energy LLC, the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC named therein and the other parties thereto, the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted by this Agreement are and shall be prior in all respects to the liens upon and security interest in

 

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the Collateral granted pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Credit Agreement and other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

WHEREAS, each Pledgor is executing and delivering this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, Term Loan Agreement and any applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document to induce the Lenders to extend credit and to induce the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes and the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, the Subsidiary Parties are Subsidiaries of the Borrower, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Indenture, Term Loan Agreement and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit and to induce the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes and the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder.

 

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01. Term Loan Agreement .

 

(a)             Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Term Loan Agreement. All capitalized terms referred to herein that are defined in Article 9 of the New York UCC and not defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. The term “instrument” shall have the meaning specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC.

 

(b)             The rules of construction specified in Section 1.02 of the Term Loan Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 1.02. Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Authorized Representative ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

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Collateral ” means the Pledged Stock.

 

Collateral Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Collateral Agreement ” means the Collateral Agreement, dated [ ], 2012, by and among the Borrower, each Subsidiary of the Borrower identified therein and the Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Credit Documents ” means the Term Loan Documents, the Indenture Documents and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Default ” means a “Default” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any other Credit Document.

 

Event of Default ” means an “Event of Default” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any other Credit Document.

 

Excluded Securities ” means:

 

(a)     any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing, the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom;

 

(b)     solely in the case of any pledge of Equity Interests of any Foreign Corporate Subsidiary (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Party) to secure the Obligations, any Equity Interest that is Voting Stock of such Foreign Corporate Subsidiary in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class (such percentages to be adjusted upon any change of law as may be required to avoid adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary);

 

(c)     any Equity Interests to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law;

 

(d)     any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement (other than customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided that this clause (B)  shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain

 

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any such consent)) and for so long as such organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) to any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement governing such Equity Interests the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than customary non-assignment provisions that are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirement of Law);

 

(e)   any Equity Interests of (i) any Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary and (ii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(f)    any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary;

 

(g)   any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as reasonably determined by the Borrower in writing delivered to the Agent;

 

(h)   any Equity Interests which have been identified on or prior to the Closing Date in writing to the Agent by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower and agreed to by the Agent;

 

(i)   with respect to the Indenture Obligations and any applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, any Equity Interests at any time that are not then subject to a Lien securing Term Loan Obligations at such time, except for the release of all or substantially all of the Collateral or in connection with the repayment in full of the Term Loan Obligations;

 

(j)   any “Margin Stock”, as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America; and

 

(k)   any Equity Interests of a Subsidiary to the extent excluded by the last paragraph of Section 2.01.

 

Federal Securities Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.03.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Foreign Corporate Subsidiary ” shall mean a Foreign Subsidiary that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06.

 

Indenture ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Indenture Documents ” means (a) the Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and this Agreement and (b) any other related documents or instruments executed and

 

4



 

delivered pursuant to the Indenture or any Security Document, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Indenture Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Notes, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties under the Indenture and each of the other Indenture Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Indenture and each of the other Indenture Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Indenture Documents; provided that Indenture Obligations shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the Notes.

 

Material Subsidiary ” means, at any date of determination, each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Excluded Subsidiary pursuant to clause (f) of the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary” in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Obligations ” means (a) the Indenture Obligations, (b) the Term Loan Obligations and (c) if any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are incurred, (1) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) owing to any holder of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations under any Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any holder of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations under the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (2) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents and (3) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

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Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations ” means other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is equally and ratably secured with the Term Loans and Notes as permitted by the Indenture Documents, the Term Loan Documents and any Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and is designated by the Borrower as an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligation in accordance with Section 5.16 hereof and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” means any document or instrument executed and delivered with respect to any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, including the Security Documents and this Agreement, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement ” means a Joinder Agreement (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) executed by the Authorized Representative of any holders of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 5.16 and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Permitted Liens ” means Liens that are not prohibited by the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document.

 

Pledged Securities ” means any stock certificates or other certificated securities now or hereafter included in the Pledged Stock, including all certificates, instruments or other documents representing or evidencing any Pledged Stock.

 

Pledged Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledgor ” shall mean the Borrower and each Subsidiary Party.

 

RBL Facility Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Secured Parties ” means (a) the Collateral Agent, (b) each holder of a Note, (c) each Lender, (d) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Pledgor under any Credit Documents, (e) the Trustee, (f) the Term Loan Agent, (g) the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations and their Authorized Representative, provided that such Authorized Representative executes an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement, and (h) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing.

 

Security Documents ” means this Agreement, the Collateral Agreement, any agreement pursuant to which assets are added to the Collateral or otherwise pledged or mortgaged to secure the Obligations and any other instruments or documents entered into and delivered in connection with any of the foregoing, as such agreements, instruments or documents may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Subsidiary Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Documents ” means (a) the Term Loan Agreement, the Notes (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement), the Security Documents and this Agreement and (b) any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement or any Security Document, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Term Loan Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Term Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties under the Term Loan Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents.

 

Trustee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE II.

 

Pledge of Equity Interests

 

SECTION 2.01. Pledge . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Pledgor hereby assigns and pledges to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of such Pledgor’s right, title and interest in, to and under (a) the Equity Interests in

 

7


 

each first-tier Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by it (which such Equity Interests constituting Pledged Stock as of the date hereof shall be listed on Schedule II ) and any other Equity Interests in a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary obtained in the future by such Pledgor and any certificates representing all such Equity Interests; provided that the pledged Equity Interests shall not include any Excluded Securities; (b) subject to Section 2.05, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other proceeds received in respect of, the securities referred to in clause (a) above; (c) subject to Section 2.05, all rights and privileges of such Pledgor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; and (d) all Proceeds of any of the foregoing (the items referred to in clauses (a) through (d) above being collectively referred to as the “ Pledged Stock ”).

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Pledged Stock, together with all right, title, interest, powers, privileges and preferences pertaining or incidental thereto, unto the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, forever; subject , however , to the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“ Rule 3-10 ” or “ Rule 3-16 ”, as applicable) requires or is amended, modified or interpreted by the Securities Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) to require (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would require) the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Authority) of separate financial statements of any Subsidiary of the Borrower due to the fact that such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests secure Obligations, then the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary will automatically be deemed not to be part of the Collateral securing any of the Obligations (whether or not affected thereby) but only to the extent necessary to not be subject to such requirement and only for so long as required to not be subject to such requirement. In such event, this Agreement may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Secured Party, to the extent necessary to release the Lien in favor of the Agent on the Equity Interests that are so deemed to no longer constitute part of the Collateral for the Obligations. In the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 is amended, modified or interpreted by the SEC to permit (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would permit) such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests to secure the Obligations in excess of the amount then pledged without the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Authority) of separate financial statements of such Subsidiary, then the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary will automatically be deemed to be a part of the Collateral for the Obligations (but only to the extent that will not result in such Subsidiary being subject to any such financial statement requirement). In such event, this Agreement may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Secured Party, to the extent necessary to subject to the Lien in favor of the Agent such additional Equity Interests, on the terms contemplated herein.

 

SECTION 2.02.    Delivery of the Pledged Stock .

 

(a)           Each Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 45 days after the acquisition (or such longer time as the Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, any and all Pledged Securities.

 

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(b)           Upon delivery to the Agent, any Pledged Securities required to be delivered pursuant to the foregoing paragraph (a) of this Section 2.02 shall be accompanied by stock powers, duly executed in blank or other instruments of transfer reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and by such other instruments and documents as the Agent may reasonably request. Each delivery of Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by a schedule describing the securities, which schedule shall be attached hereto as Schedule II (or a supplement to Schedule II, as applicable) and made a part hereof; provided that failure to attach any such schedule hereto shall not affect the validity of such pledge of such Pledged Securities. Each schedule so delivered shall supplement any prior schedules so delivered.

 

SECTION 2.03.    Representations, Warranties and Covenants . Each Pledgor represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

 

(a)           Schedule II correctly sets forth the percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by such Pledged Stock and includes all Equity Interests of each Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by each Pledgor on the date hereof, other than the Excluded Securities;

 

(b)           the Pledged Stock, to the best of each Pledgor’s knowledge, have been duly and validly authorized and issued by the issuers thereof and are fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(c)           except for the security interests granted hereunder, each Pledgor (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Term Loan Agreement and each other Credit Document, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Securities indicated on Schedule II as owned by such Pledgor, (ii) holds the same free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, (iii) will make no assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of, or create or permit to exist any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Stock, other than pursuant to a transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document and other than Permitted Liens, and (iv) subject to the rights of such Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Pledged Stock, will use commercially reasonable efforts to defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), however arising, of all persons;

 

(d)           other than as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or the schedules thereto or in the other Credit Documents and except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Credit Documents or securities laws generally, the Pledged Stock is and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Stock is or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement, charter, by-law, memorandum of association or articles of association provisions or contractual restriction of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect the pledge of such Pledged Stock hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Agent of rights and remedies hereunder other than under applicable Requirements of Law;

 

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(e)           each Pledgor has the power and authority to pledge the Pledged Stock pledged by it hereunder in the manner hereby done or contemplated;

 

(f)            other than as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or the schedules thereto or in the other Credit Documents, no consent or approval of any Governmental Authority, any securities exchange or any other person was or is necessary to the validity of the pledge effected hereby (other than such as have been obtained and are in full force and effect);

 

(g)           by virtue of the execution and delivery by the Pledgors of this Agreement, when any Pledged Stock is delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with this Agreement, and a financing statement in respect of the Pledged Stock is filed in the appropriate filing office, the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected (except for any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing delivered to the Agent, the costs or other consequences of perfecting such a security interest are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom) lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Stock, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations; and

 

(h)           the pledge effected hereby is effective to vest in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the rights of the Agent in the Pledged Stock as set forth herein.

 

SECTION 2.04.    Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (a) the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to hold the Pledged Securities in its own name as pledgee or the name of its nominee (as pledgee or as sub-agent), or the name of the applicable Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank in favor of the Agent, and (b) each Pledgor will promptly give to the Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Securities registered in the name of such Pledgor. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Agent shall have the right to exchange the certificates representing Pledged Securities for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with this Agreement. Each Pledgor shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Subsidiary that is not a party to this Agreement to comply with a request by the Agent, pursuant to this Section 2.04, to exchange certificates representing Pledged Securities of such Subsidiary for certificates of smaller or larger denominations.

 

SECTION 2.05.    Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc .

 

(a)           Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Pledgors of the Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder:

 

(i)            Each Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Stock or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be

 

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exercised in any manner that could be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the rights and remedies of any of the Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same.

 

(ii)           The Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to each Pledgor, or cause to be executed and delivered to such Pledgor, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as such Pledgor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to subparagraph (i) above.

 

(iii)          Each Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Stock to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are not prohibited by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and applicable laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Stock, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Stock or received in exchange for Pledged Stock or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Stock, and, if received by any Pledgor, shall be promptly (and in any event within 45 days of their receipt (or such longer time as the Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Agent).

 

(b)           After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and upon notice by the Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, all rights of any Pledgor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.05 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions; provided that the Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to receive and retain such amounts. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.05 shall not be commingled by such Pledgor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Agent). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Agent in an account to be established by the Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Agent a certificate to that effect, the Agent shall promptly repay to each Pledgor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such

 

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Pledgor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.05 and that remain in such account.

 

(c)           Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice by the Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, subject to applicable Requirements of Law, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.05, and the obligations of the Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.05, shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers; provided that the Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to exercise such rights. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Agent a certificate to that effect, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.05, and the obligations of the Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.05, shall in each case be reinstated.

 

(d)           Any notice given by the Agent to the Pledgors suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 2.05 (i) shall be in writing, (ii) may be given to one or more of the Pledgors at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Pledgors under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(iii) in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

ARTICLE III.

 

[Reserved.]

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

Remedies

 

SECTION 4.01.    Remedies upon Default . Subject to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and applicable Requirements of Law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Pledgor agrees to deliver each item of Collateral to the Agent on demand and it is agreed that the Agent shall have the right generally to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor agrees that the Agent shall have the right, subject to the requirements of applicable law and subject to the terms and conditions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Agent shall deem appropriate. The Agent shall be authorized in connection with any sale of a security (if it deems it advisable to do so) pursuant to the foregoing to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to persons who represent and agree that they are purchasing such security for their own account, for investment, and

 

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not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof. Upon consummation of any such sale of Collateral pursuant to this Section 4.01, the Agent shall have the right to assign, transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of any Pledgor, and each Pledgor hereby waives and releases (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay, valuation and appraisal that such Pledgor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

 

The Agent shall give the applicable Pledgors 10 days’ written notice (which each Pledgor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. At any such sale, the Collateral, or the portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In the case of any sale of all or any part of the Collateral made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Agent shall not incur any liability in the event that any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in the case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon notice given in accordance with provisions above. At any public (or, to the extent permitted by law, private) sale made pursuant to this Section 4.01, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase for cash, free (to the extent permitted by law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the part of any Pledgor (all such rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Pledgor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and no Pledgor shall be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Obligations paid in full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court-appointed receiver. To the extent provided in this Section 4.01, any sale that complies with such provisions shall be deemed to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided in Section 9-610(b) of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.

 

SECTION 4.02.    Application of Proceeds . Subject to the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall promptly apply the proceeds, moneys or balances of any collection or sale of Collateral, as well as any Collateral consisting of cash in accordance with Section 2.01 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement:

 

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The Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement. Upon the request of the Agent prior to any distribution under this Section 4.02, each Authorized Representative shall provide to the Agent certificates, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, setting forth the respective amounts referred to in this Section 4.02, that each applicable Secured Party or their Authorized Representative believes it is entitled to receive, and the Agent shall be fully entitled to rely on such certificates. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the purchase money by the Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

 

SECTION 4.03.    Securities Act, etc . In view of the position of the Pledgors in relation to the Pledged Stock, or because of other current or future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as now or hereafter in effect, or any similar federal statute hereafter enacted analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar statute as from time to time in effect being called the “ Federal Securities Laws ”) with respect to any disposition of the Pledged Stock permitted hereunder. Each Pledgor understands that compliance with the Federal Securities Laws might very strictly limit the course of conduct of the Agent if the Agent were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Pledged Stock, and might also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any Pledged Stock could dispose of the same. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Agent in any attempt to dispose of all or part of the Pledged Stock under applicable Blue Sky or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that in light of such restrictions and limitations, the Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) may proceed to make such a sale whether or not a registration statement for the purpose of registering such Pledged Stock or part thereof shall have been filed under the Federal Securities Laws or, to the extent applicable, Blue Sky or other state securities laws and (b) may approach and negotiate with a single potential purchaser to effect such sale. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that any such sale might result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale without such restrictions. In the event of any such sale, the Agent shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Stock at a price that the Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a single purchaser were approached. The provisions of this Section 4.03 will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Agent sells.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01.    Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 9.02 of the Term Loan Agreement (whether or not then in effect), as such address may be changed by

 

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written notice to the Agent and the Borrower. All communications and notices hereunder to any Pledgor shall be given to it in care of the Borrower, with such notice to be given as provided in Section 9.02 of the Term Loan Agreement (whether or not then in effect).

 

SECTION 5.02.    Security Interest Absolute . All rights of the Agent hereunder, the security interest in the Pledged Stock and all obligations of each Pledgor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Term Loan Agreement, any other Credit Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Term Loan Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any other agreement or instrument, (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee, securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Obligations or (d) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Pledgor in respect of the Obligations or this Agreement (other than a defense of payment or performance).

 

SECTION 5.03.    Limitation by Law . All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable Requirements of Law, and all the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable Requirements of Law that may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they shall not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable, in whole or in part, or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable law or regulation.

 

SECTION 5.04.    Binding Effect; Several Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as to any party to this Agreement when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such party shall have been delivered to the Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such party and the Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such party, the Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no party shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein or in the Collateral (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as not prohibited by this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each party and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released in accordance with Section 5.09.

 

SECTION 5.05.    Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Pledgor or the Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns. The Agent hereunder shall at all times be the same person that is the “Second Lien Agent” under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. Written notice of resignation by the “Second Lien Agent” pursuant to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall also constitute notice of resignation as the Agent under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the “Second Lien Agent” under the Pari Passu Intercreditor

 

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Agreement by a successor “Second Lien Agent”, that successor “Second Lien Agent” shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent pursuant hereto.

 

SECTION 5.06.    Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

 

(a)           The parties hereto agree that the Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 9.05 of the Term Loan Agreement, and any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)           Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Credit Documents, each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify the Agent, the Term Loan Agent, the Trustee and each Affiliate of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (limited to not more than one counsel, plus, if necessary, one local counsel per jurisdiction) (except the allocated costs of in-house counsels), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with the appointment of any successor Agent in accordance with the applicable Credit Documents and in connection with any filings, registrations or any other actions to be taken to reflect the security interest of such successor Agent), (ii) the use of proceeds of the Term Loans, the Notes or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, or to the Collateral, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or any Pledgor; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(c)           Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Obligations secured hereby and by the other Security Documents. The provisions of this Section 5.06 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or any other Secured Party. All amounts due under this Section 5.06 shall be payable within fifteen days of written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 5.07.    Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . Subject to the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, each Pledgor hereby appoints, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest, the Agent as such Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Pledgor and in the name of such Pledgor or otherwise, to take any action and to execute any instrument, in each case after the occurrence and during the

 

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continuance of an Event of Default and with notice to such Pledgor, that the Agent may deem reasonably necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including to receive, indorse and collect all instruments made payable to such Pledgor representing any dividend or distribution payment in respect of the Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same.

 

SECTION 5.08.    GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 5.09.    Waivers; Amendment .

 

(a)           No failure or delay by the Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Agent, the Lenders or any other Secured Party hereunder and under the other Credit Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.09, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)           Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Agent and the Credit Party or Credit Parties with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement, Article IX of the Indenture and any equivalent provision in each applicable other Credit Document and except as otherwise provided in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. The Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate of an officer of the Borrower as to whether any amendment contemplated by this Section 5.09(b) is permitted.

 

(c)           For the purpose of Section 5.09(b) above, the Agent shall be entitled to rely upon (i) written confirmation from the agent managing the solicitation of consents, provided by the Trustee, as to the receipt of valid consents from the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Notes to amend this Agreement (or two-thirds in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Notes if required by the Indenture), and (ii) any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person and the Agent need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document. At any time that the Borrower desires that this Agreement be amended as provided in Section 5.09(b) above, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a certificate signed by an officer of the Borrower stating that the amendment of this Agreement is permitted pursuant to Section 5.09(b) above. If requested by the Agent (although the Agent shall have no obligation to make any such request), the Borrower

 

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shall furnish to the Agent copies of officers’ certificates and legal opinions delivered to the Trustee in connection with any amendment to the Indenture affecting the operation of this Section 5.09. The Agent shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificates or opinions.

 

SECTION 5.10.             Severability .  In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.11.             Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 5.04. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original.

 

SECTION 5.12.             Headings .  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.13.             Termination or Release .

 

(a)            This Agreement, the pledges made herein and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgors, as of the date when all the Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities not then due) have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds.

 

(b)            A Subsidiary Party shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the security interests in the Collateral of such Subsidiary Party shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document as a result of which such Subsidiary Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Subsidiary is released from its Subsidiary Guarantee and from its Subsidiary guarantees of all Credit Documents or otherwise ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to such Subsidiary Party.

 

(c)            (i) Upon any sale or other transfer by any Pledgor of any Collateral that is not prohibited by any Credit Document to any person that is not a Pledgor (including in connection with a Casualty Event), or (ii) upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement and any equivalent provision of each applicable other Credit Document, the security

 

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interest in such Collateral shall be automatically released, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party.

 

(d)            The security interest securing Term Loan Obligations will be released as provided in Section 9.19 of the Term Loan Agreement, the security interest securing Indenture Obligations will be released as provided in Section 11.04 of the Indenture, and the security interest securing any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations will be released as provided in the applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Documents.

 

(e)            In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 5.13, the Agent shall execute and deliver to any Pledgor, at such Pledgor’s expense, all documents that such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release (including, without limitation, UCC termination statements), and will duly assign and transfer to such Pledgor, such of the Pledged Stock that may be in the possession of the Agent and has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5.13 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Agent. In connection with any release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) above, the Pledgors shall be permitted to take any action in connection therewith consistent with such release including, without limitation, the filing of UCC termination statements. Upon the receipt of any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Borrower, the Agent shall execute, deliver or acknowledge such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents.

 

SECTION 5.14.             Additional Subsidiaries .  Upon execution and delivery by the Agent and any Subsidiary that is required to become a party hereto by Section 6.09 of the Term Loan Agreement, Section 4.11 of the Indenture or any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document of an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Party hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Subsidiary Party herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party to this Agreement. The rights and obligations of each party to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.15.             Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement .

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Agent hereunder is subject to the limitations and provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, shall govern.

 

19



 

SECTION 5.16.             Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations .

 

On or after the date hereof and so long as such obligations are not prohibited by any Credit Document then in effect, the Borrower may from time to time designate obligations in respect of Indebtedness to be secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations hereunder and under the other Security Documents by delivering to the Agent and each Authorized Representative (a) a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower (i) identifying the obligations so designated and the initial aggregate principal amount or face amount thereof, (ii) stating that such obligations are designated as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations for purposes hereof and of the other Security Documents, (iii) representing that such designation of such obligations as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations complies with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture and any other Credit Document then in effect, (iv) specifying the name and address of the Authorized Representative for such obligations and (v) identifying the documents to be designated as the related Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and Other Second Lien Agreements (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) and (b) a fully executed Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement. The Agent and each Authorized Representative agree that upon the satisfaction of all conditions set forth in the preceding sentence, the Agent shall act as agent under and subject to the terms of the Security Documents for the benefit of all Secured Parties, including without limitation, any Secured Parties that hold any such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, and the Agent and each Authorized Representative agree to the appointment, and acceptance of the appointment, of the Agent as agent for the holders of such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations as set forth in each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement and agree, on behalf of itself and each Secured Party it represents, to be bound by this Agreement, the other Security Documents, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.17.             WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

 

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.17.

 

SECTION 5.18.             Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

 

(a)            Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any

 

20



 

such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Agent or any Secured Party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document against any Pledgor, or its properties, in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(b)            Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document in any New York State or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(c)            Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Credit Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

21



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

22



 

 

[NAMES OF SUBSIDIARY PARTIES]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

23



 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

24



 

Schedule I

to the Pledge Agreement

 

Subsidiary Parties

 

See attached.

 



 

Schedule II

to the Pledge Agreement

 

Pledged Stock

 

See attached.

 


 

Exhibit I

to the Pledge Agreement

 

SUPPLEMENT NO.                    dated as of                         (this “ Supplement ”), to the Pledge Agreement dated as of [ ], 2012 (as heretofore amended and/or supplemented, the “ Pledge Agreement ”), among EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary Party party thereto and CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

 

A.            Reference is made to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent.

 

B.            Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Term Loan Agreement and the Pledge Agreement referred to therein.

 

C.            The Pledgors have entered into the Pledge Agreement in order to induce the Secured Parties to make extensions of credit. Section 5.14 of the Pledge Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Subsidiary Parties under the Pledge Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Term Loan Agreement to become a Subsidiary Party under the Pledge Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Term Loans and to induce the holders of any other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder and as consideration for Term Loans previously made and other extensions of credit previously made.

 

Accordingly, the Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.           In accordance with Section 5.14 of the Pledge Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor under the Pledge Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor, and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Pledge Agreement applicable to it as a Subsidiary Party and Pledgor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Pledgor thereunder are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary, as security for the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, does hereby create and grant to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, their successors and assigns, a security interest in and Lien on all the New Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral of the New Subsidiary. Each reference to a “Subsidiary Party” or a “Pledgor” in the Pledge Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Pledge Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2.           The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with

 



 

its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 3.           This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

 

SECTION 4.           The New Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants that (a) set forth on Schedule I attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all the Pledged Stock of the New Subsidiary as of the date hereof and (b) set forth under its signature hereto, is the true and correct legal name of the New Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of formation and organizational ID number as of the date hereof.

 

SECTION 5.           Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Pledge Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6.         THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 7.           In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Pledge Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 8.           All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Pledge Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.           The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Agent.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has duly executed this Supplement to the Pledge Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[Name of New Subsidiary]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

3



 

Schedule I
to Supplement No.    to the
Pledge Agreement

 

Pledged Stock of the New Subsidiary

 

EQUITY INTERESTS

 

Number of Issuer

 

 

 

Number and Class of

 

Percentage of

Certificate

 

Registered Owner

 

Equity Interests

 

Equity Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT L

TO THE TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

[ · ], 2012

 

among

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as RBL Facility Agent and Applicable First Lien Agent,

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Term Facility Agent, Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and
Applicable Second Lien Agent,

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture,

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

and


THE SUBSIDIARIES OF EP ENERGY LLC NAMED HEREIN

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I Definitions

1

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Construction; Certain Defined Terms

1

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Collateral

16

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Priority of Claims

16

 

SECTION 2.02.

Actions With Respect to Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens

18

 

SECTION 2.03.

No Duties of Senior Representatives; Provision of Notice

20

 

SECTION 2.04.

No Interference; Payment Over; Reinstatement

21

 

SECTION 2.05.

Automatic Release of Junior Liens

22

 

SECTION 2.06.

Certain Agreements With Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings

23

 

SECTION 2.07.

Reinstatement

28

 

SECTION 2.08.

Insurance

28

 

SECTION 2.09.

Refinancings

28

 

SECTION 2.10.

Amendments to Security Documents

29

 

SECTION 2.11.

Possessory Collateral Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection

30

 

 

ARTICLE III Existence and Amounts of Liens and Obligations

31

 

 

ARTICLE IV Consent of Grantors

31

 

 

ARTICLE V Miscellaneous

32

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

Notices

32

 

SECTION 5.02.

Waivers; Amendment

32

 

SECTION 5.03.

Parties in Interest

33

 

SECTION 5.04.

Survival of Agreement

33

 

SECTION 5.05.

Counterparts

33

 

SECTION 5.06.

Severability

33

 

SECTION 5.07.

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

34

 

SECTION 5.08.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

34

 

SECTION 5.09.

Headings

34

 

SECTION 5.10.

Conflicts

34

 

SECTION 5.11.

Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights

35

 

SECTION 5.12.

Agent Capacities

35

 

SECTION 5.13.

Supplements

36

 

SECTION 5.14.

Requirements For Consent and Acknowledgment

36

 

SECTION 5.15.

Intercreditor Agreements

36

 

SECTION 5.16.

Other Junior Intercreditor Agreements

36

 

SECTION 5.17.

Further Assurances

37

 

i



 

EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A-1            Consent and Acknowledgment (Other First-Lien Secured Obligations)

 

Exhibit A-2            Consent and Acknowledgment (Other Second-Lien Secured Obligations)

 

ii



 

This SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of [ · ], 2012, among JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (“ JPM ”), as the RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, CITIBANK N.A. (“ Citi ’), as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, EP Energy LLC (the “ Company ”), the Subsidiaries of the Company named herein, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent and each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent from time to time party hereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined in the preamble and the recitals to this Agreement have the meanings set forth in Section 1.01(b) below.

 

On the date hereof, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, the Term Facility Agent and the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent are also entering into the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement. This Agreement governs the relationship between the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties as a group, on the one hand, and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties as a group, on the other hand, with respect to the Common Collateral, while the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement governs the relationship of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties among themselves with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral. In addition, it is understood and agreed that not all First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties or Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, as the case may be, may have security interests in all of the Collateral and nothing in this Agreement is intended to give rights to any Person in any Collateral in which such Person (or its Representative or Collateral Agent) does not otherwise have a security interest.

 

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Applicable First Lien Agent (for itself and on behalf of the RBL Secured Parties and any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party), the Applicable Second Lien Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Term Facility Secured Parties, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, the Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligation Secured Party), the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company party hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 1.01.            Construction; Certain Defined Terms.

 

(a)           The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, but shall not be deemed to include the Subsidiaries of such

 



 

Person unless express reference is made to such Subsidiaries, (iii) the words “herein”, “hereof and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections and Annexes of this Agreement, (v) unless otherwise expressly qualified herein, the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights and (vi) the term “or” is not exclusive.

 

(b)           As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Applicable Agent means (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the Applicable Second Lien Agent and (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the Applicable First Lien Agent.

 

Applicable First Lien Agent means the RBL Facility Agent until it shall have notified in writing the Applicable Second Lien Agent, the Term Facility Agent (if not acting as the Applicable Second Lien Agent), the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent that another Representative has become the Applicable First Lien Agent for the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, as appointed pursuant to a Pari Passu First-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Applicable Junior Agent means (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the Applicable First Lien Agent, and (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the Applicable Second Lien Agent.

 

Applicable Possessory Collateral Agent means (a) with respect to the RBL Priority Possessory Collateral, the Applicable First Lien Agent, and (b) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Possessory Collateral, the Applicable Second Lien Agent.

 

Applicable Second Lien Agent means the Term Facility Agent until it shall have notified in writing the Applicable First Lien Agent, the RBL Facility Agent (if not acting as the Applicable First Lien Agent) and any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent that another Representative has become the Applicable Authorized Representative (as defined in the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement) for the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, as appointed pursuant to the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Bankruptcy Code means Title 11 of the United States Code.

 

Business Day means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Houston, Texas are authorized by law or other governmental actions to close; provided that when used in connection a LIBOR Loan (as defined in the RBL Facility and/or the Senior Secured Term Facility), the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in deposits in Dollars in the London interbank Eurodollar market.

 

2



 

Capital Stock means (a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; (c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; (d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person; and (e) any warrants, options or other rights to acquire any of the foregoing; but excluding from all of the foregoing interests any debt securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing equity interests, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

 

Citi has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Class has the meaning set forth in the definition of Senior Secured Obligations.

 

Collateral means all assets and properties subject to Liens in favor of any Secured Party created by any of the RBL Facility Security Documents, the Term Facility Security Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents or each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, as applicable, to secure the RBL Facility Obligations, the Term Facility Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Obligations, any Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations or any Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, as applicable.

 

Collateral Agent means the Term Facility Agent, the RBL Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, or all of the foregoing, as the context may require.

 

Common Collateral means the portion of the Collateral granted to secure one or more Series of the First-Priority Lien Obligations and one or more Series of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Company has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Comparable Junior Obligations Collateral Documents means, in relation to any Common Collateral subject to any Lien created under any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral Document, those Junior Secured Obligations Documents that create a Lien on the same Common Collateral, granted by the same Grantor.

 

Consent and Acknowledgment means, as applicable, either (a) an instrument in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit A-1 hereto, pursuant to which any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party, through its First-Priority Lien Obligations Representative, acknowledges this Agreement and consents to be bound by the terms hereof in accordance with Section 5.14 or (b) an instrument in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit A-2 hereto, pursuant to which any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party, through its Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative, acknowledges this Agreement and consents to be bound by the terms hereof in accordance with Section 5.14, in case of each of clauses (a) and (b), acknowledged and confirmed by the Applicable First Lien

 

3


 

Agent, the Applicable Second Lien Agent, the Company (on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries party to this Agreement) for purposes of this Agreement.

 

DIP Financing has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(b)(i).

 

Discharge means, with respect to any Obligations, except to the extent otherwise provided herein with respect to the reinstatement or continuation of any such Obligations, the payment in full in cash or immediately available funds (except for contingent indemnities and cost and reimbursement obligations to the extent no claim has been made) of all such Obligations then outstanding, if any, and, with respect to letters of credit or letter of credit guaranties outstanding under the agreements or instruments (the “ Relevant Instruments ) governing such Obligations, delivery of cash collateral or backstop letters of credit in respect thereof in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent and issuing lenders under such Relevant Instruments, in each case after or concurrently with the termination of all commitments to extend credit thereunder, and the termination of all commitments of “secured parties” under the Relevant Instruments; provided that (i) the Discharge of the RBL Facility Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred if such payments are made in connection with the establishment of another RBL Facility, (ii) the Discharge of the First-Priority Lien Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred if such payments are made with the proceeds of other First-Priority Lien Obligations that constitute an exchange or replacement for or a refinancing of such First-Priority Lien Obligations and (iii) the Discharge of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred if such payments are made with the proceeds of other Second-Priority Lien Obligations that constitute an exchange or replacement for or a refinancing of such Second-Priority Lien Obligations. In the event that any Obligations are modified and such Obligations are paid over time or otherwise modified under Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code pursuant to a confirmed and consummated Plan of Reorganization, such Obligations shall be deemed to be discharged when the final payment is made, in cash or immediately available funds or in the form of consideration otherwise provided for in such Plan of Reorganization, in respect of such Indebtedness and any obligations pursuant to such new Indebtedness shall have been satisfied. The term “ Discharged shall have a corresponding meaning.

 

Domestic Subsidiary shall mean each Subsidiary of the Company that is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, or the District of Columbia.

 

Event of Default means an “Event of Default” under and as defined in the applicable Senior Secured Term Facility Documents, the applicable RBL Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, any applicable Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document and/or any applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document, as the context may require.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations means (i) the RBL Facility Obligations and (ii) the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents means, collectively, the RBL Facility Documents and the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

4



 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Representative means each of the RBL Facility Agent and each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties means, collectively, the RBL Facility Secured Parties and the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Foreign Subsidiary means each Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

Grantor means the Company and each Subsidiary of the Company that shall have granted any Lien in favor of any Collateral Agent on any of its assets or properties to secure any of the Obligations.

 

Hedge Agreement means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, fixed-price physical delivery contracts, whether or not exchange traded, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreements or obligations to physically sell any commodity at any index-based price shall not be considered Hedge Agreements.

 

Indebtedness means and includes all obligations that constitute “Indebtedness”, “Debt” or other comparable terms as defined in the applicable RBL Facility Documents, the applicable Senior Secured Term Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, any relevant Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document or any relevant Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document.

 

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding shall mean (a) any voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any Grantor, (b) any other voluntary or involuntary insolvency, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding with respect to any Grantor or with respect to any of its assets, (c) any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or winding up of any Grantor whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy or (d) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of any Grantor.

 

JPM has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

5



 

Junior Claims means (a) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the Term Facility Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Obligations and each Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, in each case, secured by such Collateral, and (b) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the RBL Facility Obligations and each Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations, in each case, secured by such Collateral.

 

Junior Representative means (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, each First-Priority Lien Obligations Representative, and (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, each Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative.

 

Junior Secured Obligations means (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the RBL Facility Obligations and each Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations, and (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the Term Facility Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Obligations and each Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Junior Secured Obligations Collateral means, with respect to any Obligations, the Common Collateral in respect of which such Obligations constitute Junior Claims.

 

Junior Secured Obligations Documents means, (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and, (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties means (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the RBL Facility Secured Parties and each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, and (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the Term Facility Secured Parties, the Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties and each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Lien has the meaning set forth in the Senior Secured Term Facility and/or the RBL Facility.

 

Mortgages means the RBL Mortgages, the Term/Notes Mortgages, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Mortgage and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Mortgage.

 

New York UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

obligations means any principal, interest (including interest accruing during the period of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in any such proceeding), penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

Obligations means the First-Priority Lien Obligations and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

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Other First-Priority Lien Obligations means obligations of the Company and the other Grantors (other than the RBL Facility Obligations) that are equally and ratably secured with the RBL Facility Obligations and are designated by the Company as “Other First-Priority Lien Obligations”; provided that the requirements set forth in Section 5.14 shall have been satisfied.

 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent means, with respect to any Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations or any separate facility within such Series, the Person elected, designated or appointed as the administrative agent and/or collateral agent, trustee or similar representative of such Series or such separate facility within such Series by or on behalf of the holders of such Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations or such separate facility within such Series, and its respective successors in substantially the same capacity as may from time to time be appointed.

 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Credit Document means any (a) instruments, agreements or documents evidencing debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (b) debt securities, indentures and/or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances) or (c) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case to the extent that (i) the obligations in respect thereof constitute Other First-Priority Lien Obligations and (ii) the Representative with respect thereto has duly executed and delivered the applicable Consent and Acknowledgment.

 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents means, collectively, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Credit Documents and the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents related thereto.

 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Mortgages means all mortgages, trust deeds, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, assignments of leases and rents, and other security documents relating to any Real Estate Asset in favor of the Applicable First Lien Agent for the benefit of the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties means, collectively, the holders of any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations who have directly or indirectly through their respective Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agents, become party to and bound by this Agreement pursuant to a Consent and Acknowledgment in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.14 hereof.

 

Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents means, collectively, the security agreements or any other documents now existing or entered into after the date hereof that create Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations means obligations of the Company and the other Grantors (other than the Senior Secured Notes Obligations and the Term Facility

 

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Obligations) that are equally and ratably secured with the Senior Secured Notes Obligations and the Term Facility Obligations and are designated by the Company as “Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations” (including any interest and fees accruing after the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings whether or not allowed in such bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding); provided that the requirements set forth in Section 5.14 shall have been satisfied.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent shall mean, with respect to any Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations or any separate facility within such Series, the Person elected, designated or appointed as the administrative agent and/or collateral agent, trustee or similar representative of such Series or such separate facility within such Series by or on behalf of the holders of such Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations or such separate facility within such Series, and its respective successors in substantially the same capacity as may from time to time be appointed.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Credit Document means any (a) instruments, agreements or documents evidencing debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (b) debt securities, indentures and/or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances) or (c) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case to the extent that (i) the obligations in respect thereof constitute Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations and (ii) the Representative with respect thereto has duly executed and delivered the applicable Consent and Acknowledgment.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents means, collectively, the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Credit Documents and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents related thereto.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Mortgages means all mortgages, trust deeds, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, assignments of leases and rents, and other security documents relating to any Real Estate Asset in favor of the Applicable Second Lien Agent for the benefit of the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties means, collectively, the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations who have directly or indirectly through their respective Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agents, become party to and bound by this Agreement pursuant to a Consent and Acknowledgment in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.14 hereof.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents means, collectively, the security agreements or any other documents now existing or entered into after the date hereof that create Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Pari Passu First-Priority Intercreditor Agreement means any intercreditor agreement entered into among the RBL Facility Agent and other First-Priority Lien Obligations

 

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Representatives to govern the relationship among the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties among themselves with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral and/or any other portion of the Common Collateral, as the case may be, as amended, supplemented, restated, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement means that certain Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, any other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative, the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company named therein, with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral and/or any other portion of the Common Collateral, as the case may be, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms or any replacement thereof governing the rights and remedies of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties amongst themselves, in respect of the Term/Notes Priority Collateral and/or any other portion of the Common Collateral, as applicable.

 

Permitted Remedies means, with respect to any Junior Secured Obligations:

 

(i)    filing a claim or statement of interest with respect to such Obligations; provided that an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by or against any Grantor;

 

(ii)       taking any action (not adverse to the Liens securing any Senior Secured Obligations, the priority status thereof, or the rights of the Applicable Agent or any of the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties to exercise rights, powers and/or remedies in respect thereof) in order to create, perfect, preserve or protect (but not enforce) its Lien on any of the Collateral;

 

(iii)      filing any necessary or appropriate responsive or defensive pleadings in opposition to any motion, claim, adversary proceeding or other pleading made by any person objecting to or otherwise seeking the disallowance of the claims or Liens of the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties, including any claims secured by the Junior Secured Obligations Collateral, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

(iv)     filing any pleadings, objections, motions or agreements which assert rights or interests available to unsecured creditors of the Grantors arising under either any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or applicable non-bankruptcy law, in each case not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or applicable law (including the Bankruptcy Laws of any applicable jurisdiction); and

 

(v)      voting on any Plan of Reorganization, filing any proof of claim, making other filings and making any arguments, obligations, and motions (including in support of or opposition to, as applicable, the confirmation or approval of any Plan of Reorganization) that are, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Person means any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, limited liability company or government, individual or family trusts, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

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Plan of Reorganization means any plan of reorganization, plan of liquidation, agreement for composition, or other type of plan of arrangement proposed in or in connection with any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

Possessory Collateral means the Common Collateral in the possession or control of any Collateral Agent (or its agents or bailees), to the extent that possession or control thereof perfects a Lien thereon under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction.

 

Possessory Collateral Agent means, with respect to any Possessory Collateral, the Collateral Agent having possession or control (including through its agents or bailees) thereof.

 

RBL Facility means (i) the Credit Agreement of even date herewith, among the Company, EPE Holdings LLC, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and the RBL Facility Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof (except to the extent any such refinancing, replacement or restructuring is designated by the Company to not be included in the definition of “RBL Facility”), and (ii) whether or not the facility referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by the Company to be included in the definition of “RBL Facility” and subject to the satisfaction of the requirements set forth in Section 5.14, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances) or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

RBL Facility Agent means the administrative agent and the collateral agent for the RBL Facility Secured Parties, together with its successors or co-agents in substantially the same capacity as may from time to time be appointed. As of the date hereof, JPM shall be the RBL Facility Agent.

 

RBL Facility Documents means the documentation in respect of the RBL Facility, the RBL Facility Security Agreements and the other “Credit Documents” or comparable terms as defined in the RBL Facility.

 

RBL Facility Obligations means all “Obligations” (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement referred to in clause (i) of the definition of the RBL Facility) of the Company and other obligors outstanding under, and all other obligations in respect of, the RBL Facility or any other RBL Facility Documents.

 

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RBL Facility Secured Parties means, at any time, the Persons holding any RBL Facility Obligations and the successors and permitted assigns thereof, including the RBL Collateral Agent and each other “Secured Party” as defined in any applicable RBL Facility Document, including each counterparty to any Hedge Agreement or any provider of cash management services, the obligations of which are “Obligations” under the RBL Facility Security Agreements.

 

RBL Facility Security Agreements means (a) the Collateral Agreement of even date herewith, among the Company, EPE Holdings LLC, each other grantor party thereto and the RBL Facility Agent, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, (b) the Pledge Agreement of even date herewith, among the Company, each other pledgor party thereto and the RBL Facility Agent, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, and (c) such other security agreements and pledge agreements entered into from time to time in respect of any RBL Facility described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof, as amended, supplemented, restated or other modified from time to time in accordance with their respective terms.

 

RBL Facility Security Documents means the RBL Facility Security Agreements, the RBL Mortgages and any other documents now existing or entered into after the date hereof that create Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure any RBL Facility Obligations.

 

RBL Mortgages means all “Mortgages” as defined in the RBL Facility.

 

RBL Priority Collateral means all of the assets of each Grantor now owned or at any time hereafter acquired constituting Common Collateral, other than the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, to the extent a security interest therein has been or may hereafter be granted to the RBL Facility Agent under the RBL Facility Security Documents or any Other First-Priority Obligations Agent under the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents.

 

RBL Priority Possessory Collateral means RBL Priority Collateral that is Possessory Collateral.

 

Real Estate Asset means, at any time of determination, any interest (fee, leasehold or otherwise) then owned by any Grantor in any real property.

 

Refinance means to amend, restate, supplement, waive, replace (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original parties or otherwise), restructure, repay, refund, refinance or otherwise modify from time to time (including by means of any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the obligations under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof). “ Refinanced and “ Refinancing shall have correlative meanings.

 

Representative means (a) in the case of any RBL Facility Obligations, the RBL Facility Agent, (b) in the case of any Term Facility Obligations, the Term Facility Agent, (c) in the case of any Senior Secured Notes Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, (d) in the

 

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case of any Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations, each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent of such Series and (e) in the case of any Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent of such Series.

 

SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations means the Term Facility Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Obligations and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents means the Term Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Documents and each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative means, collectively, each of the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee and each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent.

 

Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties means each of the Term Facility Secured Parties, the Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties and each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party.

 

Secured Parties means, collectively, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Senior Claims means, (a) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, each of the First-Priority Lien Obligations secured by such Collateral and, (b) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, each of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations secured by such Collateral.

 

Senior Representative means, (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, each Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative and, (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, each First-Priority Lien Obligations Representative.

 

Senior Secured Notes means the 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 of the Company.

 

Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent means Citibank N.A., as collateral agent for the holders of the Senior Secured Notes, together with its successors and co-agents in substantially the same capacity as may from time to time be appointed.

 

Senior Secured Notes Documents means the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, and any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture or the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents evidencing or governing obligations thereunder.

 

Senior Secured Notes Indenture means (i) the Indenture dated as of April 24, 2012 in respect of the Senior Secured Notes, among the Company, the Subsidiaries of the

 

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Company party thereto, and the Senior Secured Notes Trustee, as trustee thereunder, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof (except to the extent any such refinancing, replacement or restructuring is designated by the Company to not be included in the definition of “Senior Secured Notes Indenture”), and (ii) whether or not the Senior Secured Notes Indenture referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by the Company to be included in the definition of “Senior Secured Notes Indenture,” one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Senior Secured Notes Obligations means all “Indenture Obligations” (as such term is defined in the Term/Notes Collateral Agreement) of the Company and any other obligor under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture or any of the other Senior Secured Notes Documents, including all obligations to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest (including any interest and fees accruing after the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings whether or not allowed in such bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding) when due and payable, and all other amounts due or to become due under or in connection with the Senior Secured Notes Documents and the performance of all other obligations of the Company and any other obligor to the Senior Secured Notes Trustee and the holders of the Senior Secured Notes under any Senior Secured Notes Document, according to the respective terms thereof.

 

Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties means, at any time, the Persons holding any Senior Secured Notes Obligations and the successors and permitted assigns thereof, including the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and each other “Secured Party” as defined in any Senior Secured Notes Document.

 

Senior Secured Notes Security Documents means the Term/Notes Security Agreements, the Term/Notes Mortgages, and any other documents now existing or entered into after the date hereof that create Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure any Senior Secured Notes Obligations.

 

Senior Secured Notes Trustee means Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee for the holders of the Senior Secured Notes, together with its successors or co-agents or co-trustees in substantially the same capacity as may from time to time be appointed pursuant to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture.

 

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Senior Secured Obligations means, (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations and, (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the First-Priority Lien Obligations. The First-Priority Lien Obligations shall, collectively, constitute one “ Class of Senior Secured Obligations and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall, collectively, constitute a separate “ Class of Senior Secured Obligations.

 

Senior Secured Obligations Collateral means, with respect to any Obligations, the Common Collateral in respect of which such Obligations constitute Senior Claims.

 

Senior Secured Obligations Collateral Documents means each Senior Secured Obligations Document pursuant to which a Lien is now or hereafter granted securing any Senior Secured Obligations or under which rights or remedies with respect to such Liens are at any time governed.

 

Senior Secured Obligations Documents means, (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and, (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties means, (a) with respect to the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and, (b) with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Senior Secured Term Facility means (i) the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, among the Company, each Subsidiary of the Company from time to time party thereto, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and the Term Facility Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof (except to the extent any such refinancing, replacement or restructuring is designated by the Company to not be included in the definition of “Senior Secured Term Facility”), and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by the Company to be included in the definition of “Senior Secured Term Facility” and subject to the satisfaction of the requirements set forth in Section 5.14, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Series means, as applicable,

 

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(a)                                   each of the RBL Facility Obligations and each series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations, each of which shall constitute a separate Series of the Class of Senior Secured Obligations constituting First-Priority Lien Obligations except that, in the event any two or more series of such Other First-Priority Lien Obligations (i) are secured by identical Collateral held by a common collateral agent and (ii) the Company designates such other First-Priority Lien Obligations to constitute a single Series, such series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations shall collectively constitute a single Series. The First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties with respect to each Series of First-Priority Lien Obligations shall constitute a separate Series of First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties; and

 

(b)                                  each of the Term Facility Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Obligations and each series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, each of which shall constitute a separate Series of the Class of Senior Secured Obligations constituting Second-Priority Lien Obligations, except that, in the event that any two or more series of such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations (i) are secured by identical Collateral held by a common collateral agent and (ii) the Company designates such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to constitute a single Series, such series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall collectively constitute a single Series. The Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties with respect to each Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall constitute a separate Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties.

 

Subsidiary has the meaning set forth in the Senior Secured Term Facility and/or the RBL Facility.

 

Term Facility Agent means the administrative agent and collateral agent for the Term Facility Secured Parties, together with its successors in substantially the same capacity as may from time to time be appointed. As of the date hereof, the Term Facility Agent shall be Citi.

 

Term Facility Documents means the Senior Secured Term Facility, the Term Facility Security Documents and any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Senior Secured Term Facility or the Term Facility Security Documents evidencing or governing the obligations thereunder.

 

Term Facility Obligations means all “Term Loan Obligations” (as such term is defined in the Term/Notes Collateral Agreement) of the Company and other obligors outstanding under, and all other obligations in respect of, the Senior Secured Term Facility or any of the other Term Facility Documents.

 

Term Facility Secured Parties means, at any time, the Persons holding any Term Facility Obligations and the successors and permitted assigns thereof, including the Term Facility Agent and each other “Secured Party” as defined in any applicable Term Facility Document.

 

Term/Notes Collateral Agreement shall mean the Collateral Agreement of even date herewith among the Company, each other grantor party thereto and the Term Facility Agent, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

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Term/Notes Mortgages means all mortgages, trust deeds, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, assignments of leases and rents, and other security documents relating to any Real Estate Asset in favor of the Applicable Second Lien Agent for the benefit of the Term Facility Secured Parties, the Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, in each case, executed and recorded pursuant to the applicable Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Term/Notes Priority Collateral means all “Pledged Stock” (as such term is defined in each Pledge Agreement referred to in clause (b) of the definition of Term/Notes Security Agreements and the RBL Facility Security Agreements), or any assets within the scope of such definitions secured under any other replacement First-Priority Lien Obligations Document or Second-Priority Lien Obligation Document, in each case to the extent constituting Common Collateral.

 

Term/Notes Priority Possessory Collateral shall mean Term/Notes Priority Collateral that is Possessory Collateral.

 

Term/Notes Security Agreements means (a) the Term/Notes Collateral Agreement and (b) the Pledge Agreement of even date herewith, among the Company, each other pledgor party thereto and the Term Facility Agent, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Term/Notes Security Documents means the Term/Notes Security Agreements, the Term/Notes Mortgages and any other documents now existing or entered into after the date hereof that create Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure any Term Facility Obligations.

 

ARTICLE II

 

PRIORITIES AND AGREEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO COLLATERAL

 

SECTION 2.01.                                    Priority of Claims. (a) Anything contained herein or in any of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and any Collateral Agent is taking action to enforce rights in respect of any Collateral (whether in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise), or any distribution is made in respect of any Collateral in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding with respect to any Grantor, the Proceeds (subject, in the case of any such distribution, to Section 2.06 hereof) (all proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any Collateral and all proceeds of any such distribution being collectively referred to as Proceeds ) shall be applied as follows:

 

(i)                                      In the case of the Term/Notes Priority Collateral,

 

FIRST, to the Applicable Second Lien Agent for distribution in accordance with the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or any other applicable Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents until payment in full of all Second-Priority

 

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Lien Obligations, and

 

SECOND, to the Applicable First Lien Agent for distribution in accordance with any applicable First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents until payment in full of all First-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

(ii)                                   In the case of the RBL Priority Collateral,

 

FIRST, to the Applicable First Lien Agent for distribution in accordance with any applicable First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents until payment in full of all First-Priority Lien Obligations, and

 

SECOND, to the Applicable Second Lien Agent for distribution in accordance with the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or any other applicable Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents until payment in full of all Second-Priority Lien Obligations.

 

(b)                                  It is acknowledged that (i) the aggregate amount of any Senior Secured Obligations may, subject to the limitations set forth in the applicable RBL Facility Documents, Senior Secured Term Facility Documents, Senior Secured Notes Indenture, Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, as applicable, be Refinanced from time to time, all without affecting the priorities set forth in Section 2.01(a) or the provisions of this Agreement defining the relative rights of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties vis-a-vis the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, and (ii) a portion of the Senior Secured Obligations consists or may consist of Indebtedness that is revolving in nature, and the amount thereof that may be outstanding at any time or from time to time may be increased or reduced and subsequently reborrowed. The priorities provided for herein shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any Refinancing of either the Junior Secured Obligations (or any part thereof) or the Senior Secured Obligations (or any part thereof), by the release of any Collateral or of any guarantees for any Senior Secured Obligations or any Junior Secured Obligations or by any action that any Representative or Secured Party may take or fail to take in respect of any Collateral.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations granted on the Collateral or of any Liens securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations granted on the Collateral and notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, or any other applicable law or the Term Facility Documents, the RBL Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Documents, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document, or any defect or deficiencies in, or failure to perfect, any such Liens or any other circumstance whatsoever:

 

(i)                                      (1) the Liens on the Term/Notes Priority Collateral securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations will rank senior to any Liens on the Term/Notes

 

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Priority Collateral securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations, and (2) the Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations will rank senior to any Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations;

 

(ii)                                   the Applicable First Lien Agent and each First-Priority Lien Obligations Representative, on behalf of themselves and the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, hereby agree that the Liens securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations shall be of equal priority; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be construed to alter the relative rights or priorities of the various Series of First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties against each other Series of First-Priority Lien Obligations, which rights and priorities shall be governed by any Pari Passu First-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, as applicable; and

 

(iii)                                the Applicable Second Lien Agent and each Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative, on behalf of themselves and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, hereby agree that the Liens securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall be of equal priority; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be construed to alter the relative rights or priorities of the various Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties against each other Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations, which rights and priorities shall be governed by the Pari Passu Second Priority Intercreditor Agreement or other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, as applicable.

 

SECTION 2.02.                                    Actions With Respect to Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens.

 

(a)                                   Each of the Applicable First Lien Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself, each relevant Representative and the relevant Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that, until the Discharge of all of the Senior Secured Obligations of a particular Class, (i) only the Applicable Agent shall act or refrain from acting with respect to the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral of such Class and then only on the instructions of the applicable Senior Representative (given in accordance with the Senior Secured Obligations Documents), (ii) no Collateral Agent shall follow any instructions with respect to such Senior Secured Obligations Collateral from any Junior Representative, any of the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties or any Applicable Junior Agent, (iii) none of the Applicable Junior Agent, any Junior Representative or any Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party shall, nor shall any of them instruct any Collateral Agent to, commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral, whether under any RBL Facility Security Document, any Term Facility Security Document, any Senior Secured Notes Security Document, any Other First-Priority Lien

 

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Obligations Security Documents or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, as applicable, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that (A) only the Applicable Agent, acting in accordance with the RBL Facility Security Documents or the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, as applicable, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies, or to cause any Collateral Agent to do so and (B) notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Junior Agent and each Junior Representative may take Permitted Remedies, and (iv) the Applicable Junior Agent, on behalf of itself, each Junior Representative and the other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties, hereby waives any right of subrogation it or any of them may acquire as a result of any payment hereunder until the Discharge of the Senior Secured Obligations has occurred. The Applicable Agent and each Senior Representative may deal with the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral as if they had a senior Lien on such Collateral; provided that, (A) with respect to the First-Priority Lien Representatives, the provisions of any Pari Passu First-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents shall also be complied with and (B) with respect to the Second-Priority Lien Representatives, the provisions of the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement or other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents shall also be complied with. Furthermore, each of the Applicable First Lien Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself, each relevant Representative and the relevant Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that no Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representative or any other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party will contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party or any other exercise by any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party of any rights and remedies relating to the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral.

 

(b)                                  (i)                                      The Applicable Second Lien Agent, each of the Term Facility Agent, the other Term Facility Secured Parties, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, the other Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties, the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agents and the other Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties each agrees that it will not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the perfection, priority, validity or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of any of the RBL Facility Secured Parties and any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties in all or any part of the Collateral, or the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii)                                   The Applicable First Lien Agent, each of the RBL Facility Agent, the other RBL Facility Secured Parties, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent and the other Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties each agrees that it will not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the perfection, priority, validity or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of any of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties in all or any part of the Collateral, or the provisions of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Term Facility Agent, any Term Facility Secured Party, the RBL Facility Agent, any other RBL Facility Secured Party, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, any other Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, any other Other First-Priority Lien

 

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Obligations Secured Parties, any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent or any other Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties to enforce this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   The parties hereto agree to execute, acknowledge and deliver a memorandum of Intercreditor Agreement, together with such other documents in furtherance hereof or thereof, in each case, in proper form for recording in connection with any Mortgages and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each of the Collateral Agents, in those jurisdictions where such recording is reasonably recommended or requested by local real estate counsel and/or the title insurance company, or as otherwise deemed reasonably necessary or proper by the parties hereto.

 

SECTION 2.03.                                    No Duties of Senior Representatives; Provision of Notice.

 

(a)                                   Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties acknowledges and agrees that: (i) none of the Applicable Agent, Senior Representatives or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party shall have any duties or other obligations to the Applicable Junior Agent, the Junior Representatives or the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties with respect to any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral, other than to transfer to the Applicable Junior Agent any Proceeds of any such Collateral that constitutes Junior Secured Obligations Collateral remaining in its possession following any sale, transfer or other disposition of such Collateral (in each case, unless the Junior Secured Obligations have been Discharged prior to or concurrently with such sale, transfer, disposition, payment or satisfaction) and the Discharge of the Senior Secured Obligations secured thereby, or if any Senior Representative shall be in possession of all or any part of such Collateral after such payment and satisfaction in full and termination, such Collateral or any part thereof remaining, in each case without any representation or warranty on the part of such Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party; (ii) in furtherance of the foregoing, until the Discharge of the Senior Secured Obligations shall have occurred, the Applicable Agent shall be entitled, for the benefit of the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with such Collateral as provided herein and in the applicable Senior Secured Obligation Documents, without regard to any Junior Claims held by any Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party or any rights to which the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties would otherwise be entitled as a result of such Junior Claims; and (iii) without limiting the foregoing, none of the Applicable Agent, Senior Representatives or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Senior Secured Obligations Collateral (or any other collateral securing the Senior Secured Obligations), or to sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Collateral (or any other collateral securing the Senior Secured Obligations), in any manner that would maximize the return to the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received by the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties from such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation. Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties waives any claim it or any other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party may now or hereafter have against the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party (or their representatives) arising out of (i) any actions

 

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which the Applicable Agent, such Senior Representative or any such other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party takes or omits to take (including actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the Senior Secured Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with the relevant Senior Secured Obligations Documents or any other agreement related thereto or to the collection of the Senior Secured Obligations or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the Senior Secured Obligations, (ii) any election by the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or (iii) subject to Section 2.06, any borrowing by, or grant of a security interest or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as debtor-in-possession.

 

(b)                                  The RBL Facility Agent shall, after obtaining actual knowledge that it no longer qualifies as the Applicable First Lien Agent, notify the Company, the other First-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives of the same.

 

(c)                                   The Term Facility Agent shall, after obtaining actual knowledge that it no longer qualifies as the Applicable Second Lien Agent, notify the Company, the other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives and the First-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives of the same.

 

SECTION 2.04.                                    No Interference; Payment Over; Reinstatement. (a) Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties agrees that (i) it will not take or cause to be taken any action, the purpose or effect of which is, or could be, to make any Junior Claim pari passu with, or to give such Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party any preference or priority relative to, any Senior Claim with respect to the Collateral securing the Senior Claims or any part thereof, (ii) it will not challenge or question in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any RBL Facility Security Document, Term Facility Security Document, Senior Secured Notes Security Document, Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Document or Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Document or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien under the RBL Facility Security Documents, the Term Facility Security Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents or Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by or other provisions of this Agreement, (iii) it will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or intent of which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral by the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party, (iv) it shall not have any right to (A) direct the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral or (B) consent to the exercise by the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured

 

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Obligations Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral, (v) it will not institute any suit or assert in any suit, bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceeding any claim against the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to, and none of the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party shall be liable for, any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Applicable Agent, any Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party with respect to any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral, (vi) it will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral and (vii) it will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Term Facility Agent, any other Term Facility Secured Party, the RBL Facility Agent, any other RBL Facility Secured Party, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, any other Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, any other Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, or any other Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties to enforce this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

(b)                                  Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties hereby agrees that if it shall obtain possession of any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral or shall realize any proceeds or payment in respect of any such Collateral, pursuant to any RBL Facility Security Document, Term Facility Security Document, Senior Secured Note Security Document, Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Document, Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Document or by the exercise of any rights available to it or any of them under applicable law or in any Insolvency or Liquidating Proceeding or through any other exercise of remedies, at any time prior to the Discharge of the Senior Secured Obligations, then it shall hold such Collateral, proceeds or payment in trust for the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties and transfer such Collateral, proceeds or payment, as the case may be, to the Applicable Agent reasonably promptly after obtaining actual knowledge (or notice from the Applicable Agent) that it is in possession of such Collateral, proceeds or payment. Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties agrees that, if at any time it receives notice or obtains actual knowledge that all or part of any payment with respect to any Senior Secured Obligations previously made shall be rescinded for any reason whatsoever, it shall promptly pay over to the Applicable Agent any payment received by it and then in its possession or under its control in respect of any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral and shall promptly turn over any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral then held by it over to the Applicable Agent, and the provisions set forth in this Agreement shall be reinstated as if such payment had not been made, until the Discharge of the Senior Secured Obligations has occurred.

 

SECTION 2.05.                                    Automatic Release of Junior Liens . (a) Each of the Applicable Second Lien Agent, Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives and other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties agrees that in the event of a sale, transfer or other disposition of any RBL Priority Collateral in connection with the foreclosure upon or other exercise of rights and remedies with respect to such RBL Priority Collateral that results in the

 

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release by the Applicable First Lien Agent of the Lien held by the Applicable First Lien Agent on such RBL Priority Collateral (regardless of whether or not an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents at the time of such sale, transfer or other disposition), the Lien held by each Second-Lien Collateral Agent on such RBL Priority Collateral shall be automatically released; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, all Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties shall be entitled to any Proceeds of a sale, transfer or other disposition under this clause (a) that remain after Discharge of the First-Priority Lien Obligations, and the Liens on such remaining Proceeds securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall not be automatically released pursuant to this Section 2.05(a).

 

(b)                                  Each of the Applicable First Lien Agent, First-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives and other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties agrees that in the event of a sale, transfer or other disposition of any Term/Notes Priority Collateral in connection with the foreclosure upon or other exercise of rights and remedies with respect to such Term/Notes Priority Collateral that results in the release by the Applicable Second Lien Agent of the Lien held by the Applicable Second Lien Agent on such Term/Notes Priority Collateral (regardless of whether or not an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents at the time of such sale, transfer or other disposition), the Lien held by the Applicable First Lien Agent on such Term/Notes Priority Collateral shall be automatically released; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, all holders of the First-Priority Lien Obligations shall be entitled to any Proceeds of a sale, transfer or other disposition under this clause (b) that remain after Discharge of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations, and the Liens on such remaining Proceeds securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations shall not be automatically released pursuant to this Section 2.05(b).

 

(c)                                   Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties agrees to execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) all such authorizations and other instruments as shall reasonably be requested by the Applicable Agent or any Senior Representative acting on behalf of the relevant Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties to evidence and confirm any release of Junior Collateral provided for in this Section 2.05.

 

SECTION 2.06.                                    Certain Agreements With Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings. (a) This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the commencement of any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law by or against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be and shall be enforceable as a “subordination agreement” under Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

(b)                                  If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall become subject to a case (a “Bankruptcy Case”) under the Bankruptcy Code:

 

(i)                                      if the Applicable First Lien Agent desires to permit the use of cash collateral or to permit the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries to obtain financing under Section 363 or Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other similar law (“DIP Financing”) either secured by a Lien

 

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on, or constituting the proceeds of, the RBL Priority Collateral, then the Applicable Second Lien Agent and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties hereby agree: (A) not to object to such use of cash collateral or DIP Financing or to request adequate protection (except as otherwise expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement) or any other relief in connection therewith so long as the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties retain the benefit of their Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral, including Proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of such Bankruptcy Case (to the extent provided for under applicable law), with the same priority vis-à-vis the RBL Facility Secured Parties (other than with respect to any DIP Financing Liens granted thereto) as existed prior to the commencement of such Bankruptcy Case and (B) to the extent the Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations are subordinated or pari passu with such DIP Financing, to subordinate its Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral to the Liens granted to the lenders providing such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto, including any “carve-out” from the RBL Priority Collateral granting administrative priority status or Lien priority to secure the payment of fees and expenses of the United States Trustee or professionals retained by any debtor or creditors’ committee agreed to by the Applicable First Lien Agent or the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties) and to any adequate protection Liens granted to the Applicable First Lien Agent on the same basis as the Liens on such RBL Priority Collateral securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations are subordinated to such DIP Financing or to confirm the priorities with respect to such RBL Priority Collateral as set forth herein, as applicable; and

 

(ii)                                   if the Applicable Second Lien Agent desires to permit the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries to obtain any DIP Financing secured by a Lien on Term/Notes Priority Collateral, then the Applicable First Lien Agent and the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties hereby agree: (A) not to object to such DIP Financing or to request adequate protection (except as otherwise expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement) or any other relief in connection therewith so long as the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties retain the benefit of their Liens on the Term/Notes Priority Collateral, including Proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of such Bankruptcy Case (to the extent provided for under applicable law), with the same priority vis-à-vis the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties (other than with respect to any DIP Financing Liens granted thereto) as existed prior to the commencement of such Bankruptcy Case and (B) to the extent the Liens on Term/Notes Priority Collateral securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations are subordinated or pari passu with such DIP Financing, to subordinate its Liens on the Term/Notes Priority Collateral to the Liens granted to the lenders providing such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto, including any “carve-out” from the Term/Notes Priority

 

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Collateral granting administrative priority status or Lien priority to secure the payment of fees and expenses of the United States Trustee or professionals retained by any debtor or creditors’ committee agreed to by the Applicable Second Lien Agent or the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties) and to any adequate protection Liens granted to the Applicable Second Lien Agent on the same basis as the Liens on such Term/Notes Priority Collateral securing the Second-Priority Lien Obligations are subordinated to such DIP Financing or to confirm the priorities with respect to such Term/Notes Priority Collateral as set forth herein, as applicable.

 

(c)                                   Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties agrees that it will not object to and will not otherwise contest: (i) any motion for relief from the automatic stay or from any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement in respect of the Senior Secured Obligations made by the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party; (ii) any lawful exercise by any holder of Senior Claims of the right to credit bid Senior Claims in any sale in foreclosure of Collateral that is Senior Secured Obligations Collateral with respect to such Senior Claims; (iii) any other request for judicial relief made in any court by the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party relating to the lawful enforcement of any Lien on the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral; or (iv) any sale or other disposition of any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral (or any portion thereof) under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable provision of the Bankruptcy Code if the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties of any Series or the relevant Senior Representative acting on their behalf shall have consented to such sale or disposition of such Senior Secured Obligations Collateral and the applicable order approving such sale or disposition provides that, to the extent the sale is to be free and clear of Liens, the Liens securing the Senior Secured Obligations and the Junior Secured Obligations will attach to the Proceeds of the sale on the same basis of priority as the Liens securing such Obligations on the assets being sold, in accordance with this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties agree that it will not seek relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any insolvency or liquidation proceeding with respect to Senior Secured Obligations Collateral without the prior consent of the Applicable Agent.

 

(e)                                   Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties hereby agrees that it will not object to and will not otherwise contest (or support any other Person contesting): (i) any request by the Applicable Agent or any Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party (or any Senior Representative acting on its behalf) for adequate protection with respect to the applicable Senior Secured Obligations Collateral or (ii) any objection by the Applicable Agent or any Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party (or any Senior Representative acting on its behalf) to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on the Applicable Agent or any Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party (or any Senior Representative acting on its behalf) claiming a lack of adequate protection with respect to the applicable Senior Secured Obligations Collateral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (I)(x) if the Senior Secured Obligations Secured

 

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Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral, then the Applicable Junior Agent may seek or request adequate protection in the form of a Lien on such additional or replacement collateral, so long as, with respect to the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral, such Lien is subordinated to the adequate protection Lien granted to the holders of the applicable Senior Secured Obligations, on the same basis as the other Liens securing Junior Secured Obligations on the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral are subordinated to the Liens on Senior Secured Obligations Collateral securing the Senior Secured Obligations under this Agreement and (y) each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties hereby agrees that in the event the Applicable Junior Agent seeks or requests adequate protection and such adequate protection is granted in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral, then the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties (or the Applicable Agent or the relevant Senior Representative(s) acting on their behalf) shall also be granted a Lien on such additional or replacement collateral as adequate protection for the Senior Secured Obligations and that any adequate protection Lien on such additional or replacement collateral that constitutes Senior Secured Obligations Collateral securing the Junior Secured Obligations shall be subordinated to the adequate protection Liens on such collateral granted to the holders of the Senior Secured Obligations and any other Liens on Senior Secured Obligations Collateral granted to the holders of Senior Secured Obligations on the same basis as the Liens securing Junior Secured Obligations are so subordinated to the Liens securing the Senior Secured Obligations under this Agreement, and (II)(x) if the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection in the form of a superpriority administrative claim, then the Applicable Junior Agent may seek or request adequate protection in the form of a superpriority administrative claim, so long as such claim is subordinated to the adequate protection superpriority claim granted to the holders of the applicable Senior Secured Obligations on the same basis as the other claims with respect to the Junior Secured Obligations are subordinated to the claims with respect to the Senior Secured Obligations under this Agreement and (y) each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties hereby agrees that in the event the Applicable Junior Agent seeks or requests adequate protection and such adequate protection is granted in the form of a superpriority administrative claim, then the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties (or the Applicable Agent or the relevant Senior Representative(s) acting on their behalf) shall also be granted a superpriority administrative claim and that any claim granted with respect to the Junior Secured Obligations shall be subordinated to the superpriority administrative claim granted with respect to the Senior Secured Obligations as adequate protection on the same basis as the claims with respect to the Junior Secured Obligations are so subordinated to the claims with respect to the Senior Secured Obligations under this Agreement.

 

(f)                                     Each of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representatives and other Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties hereby agrees that (i) it will not oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party for allowance of Senior Secured Obligations consisting of post-petition interest, fees or expenses to the extent of the value of the Applicable Agent’s Lien on the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral, without regard to the existence of the Lien of the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties on the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral; and (ii) until the Discharge of Senior Secured Obligations has occurred, the Applicable Junior Agent, on behalf of itself, the Junior Representatives and the Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties,

 

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will not assert or enforce any claim under Section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code senior to or on a parity with the Liens on Senior Secured Obligations Collateral securing the Senior Secured Obligations for costs or expenses of preserving or disposing of any Collateral.

 

(g)                                  The Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself, the Term Facility Agent, the Term Facility Secured Parties, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties, each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties of the applicable Series, the RBL Facility Agent, the RBL Facility Secured Parties, each Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent and the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties of the applicable Series, acknowledges and intends that: the grants of Liens pursuant to the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, on the one hand, and the First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, on the other hand, constitute separate and distinct grants of Liens, and because of, among other things, their differing rights in the Collateral, the First-Priority Lien Obligations are fundamentally different from the Second-Priority Lien Obligations and must be separately classified in any Plan of Reorganization proposed or confirmed (or approved) in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held that the claims of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties in respect of any Collateral constitute claims in the same class (rather than separate classes of secured claims), then the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that all distributions from the Common Collateral shall be made as if there were separate classes of First-Priority Lien Obligations and Second-Priority Lien Obligations against the Grantors (with the effect being that, to the extent that the aggregate value of the RBL Priority Collateral or the Term/Notes Priority Collateral is sufficient (for this purpose ignoring all claims held by the other Secured Parties for whom such Collateral is Junior Secured Obligations Collateral), the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties or the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, respectively, shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of post-petition interest, fees or expenses that are available from the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral for each of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties (regardless of whether any such claims may or may not be allowed or allowable in whole or in part as against the Company or any of the Grantors in the applicable Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding(s) pursuant to Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise), respectively, before any distribution is made in respect of the Junior Claims from, or with respect to, such Collateral, with the holder of such Junior Claims hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the respective other Secured Parties amounts otherwise received or receivable by them from, or with respect to, such Collateral to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing their aggregate recoveries).

 

(h)                                  If, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, debt obligations of the reorganized debtor secured by Liens upon any property of the reorganized debtor are distributed pursuant to a plan of reorganization or similar dispositive restructuring plan, both on account of First-Priority Lien Obligations and on account of Second-Priority Lien Obligations, then, to the extent the debt obligations distributed on account of the First-Priority Lien Obligations and on account of the Second-Priority Lien Obligations are secured by Liens upon the Common

 

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Collateral, the provisions of this Agreement will survive the distribution of such debt obligations pursuant to such plan and will apply with like effect to the debt obligations so distributed, to the Liens securing such debt obligations and the distribution of proceeds thereof.

 

SECTION 2.07.                                    Reinstatement. In the event that any of the Senior Secured Obligations shall have been paid in full and such payment or any part thereof shall subsequently, for whatever reason (including an order or judgment for disgorgement of a preference under the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar law, or the settlement of any claim in respect thereof), be required to be returned or repaid, the terms and conditions of this Article II shall be fully applicable thereto until all such Senior Secured Obligations shall again have been paid in full in cash.

 

SECTION 2.08.                                    Insurance . As between the Applicable First Lien Agent, on the one hand, and the Applicable Second Agent, the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Trustee (or the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent acting on its behalf) and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, on the other hand, only the Applicable First Lien Agent will have the right (subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Term Facility Documents, the RBL Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Documents, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents) to adjust or settle any insurance policy or claim covering or constituting the RBL Priority Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the RBL Priority Collateral.

 

SECTION 2.09.                                    Refinancings. The RBL Facility Obligations, the Term Facility Obligations, the Senior Secured Notes Obligations, any Series of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations, any Series of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations and the agreements or indentures governing them may be Refinanced, in each case, without notice to, or the consent (except to the extent a consent is otherwise required to permit the refinancing transaction under any RBL Facility Document, any Term Facility Document, any Senior Secured Notes Document, any applicable Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document or any applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document) of any Term Facility Secured Party, any RBL Facility Secured Party, any Senior Secured Notes Secured Party, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party, all without affecting the priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided, however, that the requirements set forth in Section 5.14 shall have been satisfied. In connection with any Refinancing contemplated by this Section 2.09, this Agreement may be amended at the request and sole expense of the Company, and without the consent of any Representative, (a) to add parties (or any authorized agent or trustee therefor) providing any such Refinancing, (b) to confirm that such Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any First-Priority Lien Obligations shall have the same rights and priorities in respect of any RBL Priority Collateral as the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (c) to confirm that such Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any Second-Priority Lien Obligations shall have the same rights and priorities in respect of any Term/Notes Priority Collateral as the Indebtedness being Refinanced, all on the terms provided for herein immediately prior to such Refinancing.

 

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SECTION 2.10.                                    Amendments to Security Documents.

 

(a)                                   Each of the Applicable Junior Agent and Junior Representatives agrees that each applicable Junior Secured Obligations Document executed as of the date hereof shall include the following language (or language to similar effect approved by the relevant Applicable Agent):

 

“Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to [applicable Junior Representative] for the benefit of the [applicable Junior Secured Obligations Secured Parties] pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by [applicable Junior Representative] hereunder or the application of proceeds (including insurance proceeds and condemnation proceeds) of any Common Collateral, are subject to the provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of [ · ], 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement”) , among Citibank, N.A., as Term Facility Agent, Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and Applicable Second Lien Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and Applicable First Lien Agent, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, EP Energy LLC, as a co-issuer of the Senior Secured Notes, and the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC party thereto. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Senior Secured Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Secured Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.”

 

(b)                                       In the event that any Applicable Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Obligations Secured Party enters into any amendment, waiver or consent in respect of or replaces any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral Document for the purpose of adding to, or deleting from, or waiving or consenting to any departures from any provisions of, any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral Document or changing in any manner the rights of such Applicable Agent, the applicable Senior Representative or the applicable Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties, the Company or any other Grantor thereunder (including the release of any Liens on any Senior Secured Obligations Collateral), then such amendment, waiver or consent shall apply automatically to any comparable provision of each Comparable Junior Obligations Collateral Document without the consent of the Applicable Junior Agent, any Junior Representative or any Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party and without any action by any of the Applicable Junior Agent, Junior Representative or Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party; provided, that such amendment, waiver or consent does not materially adversely affect the rights of the Applicable Junior Agent, any Junior Representative or any Junior Secured Obligations Secured Party in the Senior Secured Obligations Collateral and not in the Senior Secured Obligations Secured Parties that have a security interest in the affected Collateral in a like or similar manner (without regard to the fact that the Liens of such Senior Secured Obligations Collateral Document is senior to the Liens of the Comparable Junior Obligations

 

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Collateral Document). The relevant Applicable Agent shall give written notice of such amendment, waiver or consent to the Applicable Junior Agent (which shall forward such notice upon receipt to each relevant Junior Representative); provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the effectiveness of such amendment, waiver or consent with respect to the provisions of any Junior Obligations Collateral Document as set forth in this Section 2.11(b).

 

SECTION 2.11.                                    Possessory Collateral Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection . (a) Each of the Applicable First Lien Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the relevant Secured Parties, hereby agrees that: (i) each Possessory Collateral Agent shall hold the Possessory Collateral that is in its possession or control (or in the possession or control of its agents or bailees) as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each Secured Party and any assignee solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral pursuant to the Term Facility Security Documents, the RBL Facility Security Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents or the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.12; (ii) to the extent any Possessory Collateral is possessed by or is under the control of a Collateral Agent (either directly or through its agents or bailees) other than the Applicable Possessory Collateral Agent, such Collateral Agent shall deliver such Possessory Collateral to (or shall cause such Possessory Collateral to be delivered to) the Applicable Possessory Collateral Agent and shall take all actions reasonably requested in writing by the Applicable Possessory Collateral Agent to cause the Applicable Possessory Collateral Agent to have possession or control of same; and (iii) pending such delivery to the Applicable Possessory Collateral Agent, each other Collateral Agent shall hold any Possessory Collateral as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Secured Party and any assignee, solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable RBL Facility Security Documents, Term Facility Security Documents, Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents or Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.12.

 

(b)                                  The duties or responsibilities of the Possessory Collateral Agent and each other Collateral Agent under this Section 2.12 shall be limited solely to holding the Possessory Collateral as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each Secured Party for purposes of perfecting the security interest held by the Secured Parties therein.

 

(c)                                   Each of the Applicable Second Lien Agent and Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives hereby agrees that, upon the Discharge of all Second-Priority Lien Obligations, it shall deliver to the Applicable First Lien Agent, to the extent that it is legally permitted to do so, the remaining Possessory Collateral (if any) held by it, together with any necessary endorsements (or otherwise allow the Applicable First Lien Agent to obtain control of such Possessory Collateral) or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. The Company shall take such further action as is required to effectuate the transfer contemplated hereby and shall indemnify the Possessory Collateral Agent for loss or damage suffered by the Possessory Collateral Agent as a result of such transfer except for loss or damage suffered by the Possessory Collateral Agent as a result of its own willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith. None of the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent or any Other

 

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Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent shall be obligated to follow instructions from the Applicable First Lien Agent in contravention of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                       Each of the Applicable First Lien Agent and First-Priority Lien Obligations Representatives hereby agrees that, upon the Discharge of all First-Priority Lien Obligations, it shall deliver to the Applicable Second Lien Agent, to the extent that it is legally permitted to do so, the remaining Possessory Collateral (if any) held by it, together with any necessary endorsements (or otherwise allow the Applicable Second Lien Agent to obtain control of such Possessory Collateral) or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. The Company shall take such further action as is required to effectuate the transfer contemplated hereby and shall indemnify the Possessory Collateral Agent for loss or damage suffered by the Possessory Collateral Agent as a result of such transfer except for loss or damage suffered by the Possessory Collateral Agent as a result of its own willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith. Neither the RBL Facility Agent nor any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent shall be obligated to follow instructions from the Applicable Second Lien Agent in contravention of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE III

 

EXISTENCE AND AMOUNTS OF LIENS AND OBLIGATIONS

 

Whenever a Representative shall be required, in connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations hereunder, to determine the existence or amount of any Senior Secured Obligations (or the existence of any commitment to extend credit that would constitute Senior Secured Obligations) or Junior Secured Obligations, or the Collateral subject to any such Lien, it may request that such information be furnished to it in writing by the other Representatives and shall be entitled to make such determination on the basis of the information so furnished; provided, however, that if a Representative shall fail or refuse reasonably promptly to provide the requested information, the requesting Representative shall be entitled to make any such determination by such method as it may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon a certificate of the Company. Each Representative may rely conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any Secured Party or any other Person as a result of such determination.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CONSENT OF GRANTORS

 

Each Grantor hereby consents to the provisions of this Agreement and the intercreditor arrangements provided for herein and agrees that the obligations of the Grantors under the Term Facility Security Documents, the RBL Facility Security Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents will in no way be diminished or otherwise affected by such provisions or arrangements (except as expressly provided herein or therein).

 

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ARTICLE V

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 5.01.                               Notices . All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail, sent by facsimile, or sent to the e-mail address of the applicable recipient specified below (or the email address of a representative of the applicable recipient designated by such recipient from time to time to the parties hereto), as follows:

 

(a)                                   if to the Applicable Second Lien Agent as of the date hereof, the Term Facility Agent or the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, to it at Citibank, N.A., [     ], New York, New York, 10010, Attn: [     ] (Telephone No. (212)      , Facsimile No. (212)     , Email:         );

 

(b)                                  if to the Applicable First Lien Agent as of the date hereof, the RBL Facility Agent, to it at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,     ], Attn: [     ] (Telephone No.         , Facsimile No. (212)      , Email:      );

 

(c)                                        if to the Senior Secured Notes Trustee as of the date hereof, to it at Wilmington Trust, National Association, Corporate Capital Markets, 50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290, Minneapolis, MN 55402, Attn: EP Energy/Everest Administrator (Telephone No. (612) 217-5632, Facsimile No. (612) 217-5651, Email: jschweiger@wilmingtontrust.com);

 

(d)                                       if to the Company, to it at [       ], Attn: [ · ] (Telephone No. [ · ], Facsimile No.      , Email:              ); and

 

(e)                                        if to any other Grantor, to it in care of the Company as provided in clause (e) above.

 

Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto (and for this purpose a notice to the Company shall be deemed to be a notice to each Grantor). All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt (if a Business Day) and on the next Business Day thereafter (in all other cases) if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by facsimile or e-mail or on the date that is five (5) Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 5.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 5.01.

 

SECTION 5.02.                                    Waivers; Amendment . (a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.

 

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No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by clause (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)                                  Subject to the last sentence of Section 2.10 and Section 5.14 hereof, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be terminated, waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Applicable First Lien Agent (as directed by the Representative of each Series of the First-Priority Lien Obligations (with the consent of the relevant First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties of such Series to the extent required by, and in accordance with, the terms of the applicable First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents), the Applicable Second Lien Agent (as directed by the Representative of each Series of Second-Priority Lien Obligations (with the consent of the relevant Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties of such Series to the extent required by, and in accordance with, the terms of the applicable Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents) and, to the extent such amendment, waiver or modification adversely affects its rights and obligations, the Company.

 

SECTION 5.03.                                    Parties in Interest . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other RBL Facility Secured Parties, the other Term Facility Secured Parties, the other Senior Secured Note Secured Parties, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement.

 

SECTION  5.04.                                    Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5. 05 .                                    Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by electronic or facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5. 06 .                                    Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

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SECTION 5.07.                                    Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process . (a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

(b)                                       Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that any party hereto may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                        Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in clause (b) of this Section 5.07. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(d)                                       Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

SECTION 5.08.                                    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

SECTION 5.09.                                    Headings . Article, Section and Annex headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.10.                                    Conflicts . In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any of the Term Facility Documents, the RBL Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Documents, any Other First-

 

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Priority Lien Obligations Documents and/or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

 

SECTION 5.11.                                    Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights . The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties in relation to one another. None of the Company, any other Grantor or any other creditor thereof shall have any rights or obligations hereunder, except as expressly provided in this Agreement (provided that nothing in this Agreement (other than Section 2.05, 2.06, 2.10, 2.11 or Article VI) is intended to or will amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Senior Secured Term Facility, the RBL Facility, the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Credit Documents or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Credit Documents), and none of the Company, or any other Grantor may rely on the terms hereof (other than Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.10, 2.11, Article V and Article VI). Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Company or any other Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any RBL Facility Document, any Term Facility Document, any Senior Secured Notes Document, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document, the Grantors shall not be required to act or refrain from acting (a) pursuant to this Agreement, any Term Facility Document, Senior Secured Notes Document or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document, as the case may be, with respect to any RBL Priority Collateral in any manner that would cause a default under any RBL Facility Document or any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document, or (b) pursuant to this Agreement, any RBL Facility Document or any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Document, as the case may be, with respect to any Term/Notes Priority Collateral in any manner that would cause a default under any Term Facility Document, Senior Secured Notes Document or any other Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document.

 

SECTION 5.12.                                    Agent Capacities . Except as expressly set forth herein, none of the Term Facility Agent, the RBL Facility Agent, the Trustee, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent, the Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agents or the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agents shall have any duties or obligations in respect of any of the Collateral, all of such duties and obligations, if any, being subject to and governed by the Term Facility Documents, the RBL Facility Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Documents, the applicable Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or the applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, as the case may be. It is understood and agreed that (i) JPM is entering into this Agreement in its capacity as administrative agent under the RBL Facility, and the provisions of Section 12 of the Credit Agreement referred to in clause (i) of the definition of the RBL Facility applicable to JPM as administrative agent and collateral agent thereunder shall also apply to JPM as the RBL Agent hereunder, (ii) Citi is entering into this Agreement in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Credit Agreement referred to in clause (i) of the definition of Senior Secured Term Facility, collateral agent under the Term Facility Security Documents and collateral agent under the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents, and the provisions of Section  [ insert agency provision ] of the Pari Passu Second-Priority Intercreditor Agreement applicable to the collateral agent thereunder shall also apply to Citi as Term Facility Agent and Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

35



 

SECTION 5.13.                                    Supplements . Upon the execution by any Subsidiary of the Company of a supplement hereto in form and substance satisfactory to the Applicable First Lien Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, such Subsidiary shall be a party to this Agreement and shall be bound by the provisions hereof to the same extent as the Company and each Grantor are so bound.

 

SECTION 5.14.                                    Requirements For Consent and Acknowledgment . The Company may designate hereunder additional obligations as Other First-Priority Lien Obligations, Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations or as a Refinancing of the Senior Secured Obligations or Second-Priority Lien Obligations of any Series if the incurrence of such obligations is permitted under each of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and this Agreement. If so permitted, the Company shall (i) notify the Applicable Agent in writing of such designation (and the Applicable Agent shall forward such notice to each Representative then existing) and (ii) cause any applicable agent in connection with such Refinancing and the (1) applicable Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent or (2) applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent, as applicable, to execute and deliver to each Representative then existing, a Consent and Acknowledgment substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2, as applicable, hereto.

 

SECTION 5.15.                                    Intercreditor Agreements .

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, each party hereto agrees that the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties (as among themselves) and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties (as among themselves) may each enter into intercreditor agreements (or similar arrangements) with the Applicable First Lien Agent or the Applicable Second Lien Agent, respectively, governing the rights, benefits and privileges as among the First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties or the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Parties, as the case may be, in respect of the Common Collateral, this Agreement, the RBL Facility Security Documents, any Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, the Term Facility Security Documents, the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Security Documents, as the case may be, including as to the application of Proceeds of the Common Collateral, voting rights, control of the Common Collateral and waivers with respect to the Common Collateral, in each case so long as the terms thereof do not violate or conflict with the provisions of this Agreement, any First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or any Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, as the case may be. In any event, if a respective intercreditor agreement (or similar arrangement) exists, the provisions thereof shall not be (or be construed to be) an amendment, modification or other change to this Agreement, any First-Priority Lien Obligations Document or any Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document, and the provisions of this Agreement and the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof (as such provisions may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, including to give effect to any such intercreditor agreement (or similar arrangement)).

 

SECTION 5.16.                                    Other Junior Intercreditor Agreements . In addition, in the event that the Company or any Subsidiary incurs any obligations secured by a lien on any Collateral that is junior to the First-Priority Lien Obligations or the Second-Priority Lien

 

36



 

Obligations, then the Applicable First Lien Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent may enter into an intercreditor agreement with the agent or trustee for the lenders with respect to such secured obligation to reflect the relative lien priorities of such parties with respect to the Collateral and governing the relative rights, benefits and privileges as among such parties in respect of the Collateral, including as to application of Proceeds of the Collateral, voting rights, control of the Collateral and waivers with respect to the Collateral, in each case so long as such secured obligations are permitted under, and the terms of such intercreditor agreement do not violate or conflict with, the provisions of this Agreement or any of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, as the case may be. If any such intercreditor agreement (or similar arrangement) is entered into, the provisions thereof shall not be (or be construed to be) an amendment, modification or other change to this Agreement, any First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or any Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, and the provisions of this Agreement, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and the Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof (as such provisions may be amended, modified or otherwise supplemented from time to time in accordance with the respective terms thereof, including to give effect to any intercreditor agreement (or similar arrangement)).

 

SECTION 5.17.                                    Further Assurances .

 

Each of the Applicable First Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and each applicable First-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party, and the Applicable Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself, each Second-Priority Lien Obligations Representative and each other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party, agrees that it and each of them shall take such further action and shall execute and deliver to the other Applicable Agent and the Secured Parties of the other Class such additional documents and instruments (in recordable form, if requested) as such Applicable Agent or such Secured Parties may reasonably request to effectuate the terms of, and the Lien priorities contemplated by, this Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow.]

 

37



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as RBL Agent and Applicable First Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Term Facility Agent, Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and Applicable Second Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Signature Page to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

 

EP ENERGY LLC, as Borrower

 

 

 

[INSERT SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS],

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Signature Page to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

EXHIBIT A-1

 

CONSENT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT(1)
(Other First-Priority Lien Obligations)

 

This CONSENT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT (this Consent ) dated as of [mm] [dd], [yyyy], is executed by [            ], as an Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent (the New Agent ), and acknowledged by [JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.], as the Applicable First Lien Agent, [CITIBANK, N.A.], as the Applicable Second Lien Agent, and EP Energy LLC (on behalf of itself and certain of its Subsidiaries).

 

This Consent is with respect to that certain Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of [ · ], 2012 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Intercreditor Agreement ), by and among the parties (other than the New Agent) referred to above. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Reference is made to [describe new indebtedness] with respect to which [new agents] (the New Agent ) is acting as [trustee/collateral agent/authorized representative].

 

The New Agent hereby (a) agrees to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement as an Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent as if it were an Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent as of the date of the Intercreditor Agreement and (b) represents that it is acting in the capacity of Other First-Priority Lien Obligations Agent solely for the Secured Parties under [                   ].

 

This Consent shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

[Signature Page Follows.]

 


(1) To be updated in the event of a Refinancing debt.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[NEW AGENT]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

Name:

 

 

Acknowledged and Confirmed by, for purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement :

 

[                ], as Applicable First Lien Agent

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[               ], as Applicable Second Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries Party to the Intercreditor Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT A-2

 

CONSENT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT(2)
(Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations)

 

This CONSENT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT (this Consent ) dated as of [mm] [dd], [yyyy], is executed by [            ], as an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent (the New Agent ), and acknowledged by [JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.], as the Applicable First Lien Agent, [CITIBANK, N.A.], as the Applicable Second Lien Agent, and EP Energy LLC (on behalf of itself and certain of its Subsidiaries).

 

This Consent is with respect to that certain Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of [ · ], 2012 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Intercreditor Agreement ), by and among the parties (other than the New Agent) referred to above. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Reference is made to [describe new indebtedness] with respect to which [new agents] (the New Agent ) is acting as [trustee/collateral agent/authorized representative].

 

The New Agent hereby (a) agrees to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement as an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent as if it were an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent as of the date of the Intercreditor Agreement and (b) represents that it is acting in the capacity of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Agent solely for the Secured Parties under [         ].

 

This Consent shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

[Signature Page Follows.]

 


(2) To be updated in the event of a Refinancing debt.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[NEW AGENT]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

Name:

 

 

Acknowledged and Confirmed by, for purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement:

 

[                ], as Applicable Second Lien Agent

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[                ], as Applicable First Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries Party to the Intercreditor Agreement

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 


 

EXHIBIT M

TO THE TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

 

dated as of

 

 

[ · ], 2012

 

 

among

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Second Lien Agent,

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Agreement,

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as the Initial Other Authorized Representative,

 

 

and

 

 

each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto,

 

relating to

 

EP ENERGY LLC (F/K/A EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC)

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01

Construction; Certain Defined Terms

1

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

 

 

PRIORITIES AND AGREEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO SHARED COLLATERAL

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01

Priority of Claims

8

SECTION 2.02

Actions with Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens

9

SECTION 2.03

No Interference; Payment Over

10

SECTION 2.04

Automatic Release of Liens Upon Enforcement; Amendments to Second Lien Security Documents

11

SECTION 2.05

Certain Agreements with Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings

12

SECTION 2.06

Reinstatement

13

SECTION 2.07

Insurance

13

SECTION 2.08

Refinancings

13

SECTION 2.09

Possessory Second Lien Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection

13

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

EXISTENCE AND AMOUNTS OF LIENS AND OBLIGATIONS

 

ARTICLE IV

 

THE SECOND LIEN AGENT

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01

Appointment and Authority

14

SECTION 4.02

Rights as a Second Lien Secured Party

15

SECTION 4.03

Exculpatory Provisions

16

SECTION 4.04

Reliance by Second Lien Agent

17

SECTION 4.05

Delegation of Duties

17

SECTION 4.06

Resignation of Second Lien Agent

18

SECTION 4.07

Non-Reliance on Second Lien Agent and Other Second Lien Secured Parties

19

SECTION 4.08

Collateral and Guaranty Matters

19

 

i



 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01

Notices

19

SECTION 5.02

Waivers; Amendment; Joinder Agreements

20

SECTION 5.03

Parties in Interest

21

SECTION 5.04

Survival of Agreement

21

SECTION 5.05

Counterparts

21

SECTION 5.06

Severability

21

SECTION 5.07

Governing Law

21

SECTION 5.08

Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers

21

SECTION 5.09

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

22

SECTION 5.10

Headings

22

SECTION 5.11

Conflicts

22

SECTION 5.12

Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights

22

SECTION 5.13

Integration

23

 

 

 

Exhibits :

 

 

 

Exhibit A

Form of Joinder Agreement to Intercreditor Agreement

 

ii



 

This PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this Agreement ) is dated as of [ · ], 2012, among CITIBANK, N.A. ( Citi ) , as collateral agent for the Second Lien Secured Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the Second Lien Agent ) , CITIBANK, N.A., as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Secured Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the Administrative Agent ) , WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Authorized Representative for the Initial Other Second Lien Secured Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the Initial Other Authorized Representative ) , and each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto for the Other Second Lien Secured Parties of the Series with respect to which it is acting in such capacity. Capitalized terms used but defined in the preamble have the meanings set forth in Section 1.01 below.

 

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Second Lien Agent, the Administrative Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Term Loan Secured Parties), the Initial Other Authorized Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Initial Other Second Lien Secured Parties) and each additional Authorized Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Other Second Lien Secured Parties of the applicable Series) agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01                     Construction; Certain Defined Terms.

 

(a)                              The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include , includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation . The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall . Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, but shall not be deemed to include the Subsidiaries of such Person unless express reference is made to such Subsidiaries, (iii) the words herein , hereof and hereunder , and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections and Annexes of this Agreement, (v) unless otherwise expressly qualified herein, the words asset and property shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights and (vi) the term or is not exclusive.

 

(b)                             It is the intention of the Second Lien Secured Parties of each Series that the holders of the Second Lien Obligations of such Series (and not the Second Lien Secured Parties

 



 

of any other Series) bear the risk of (i) any determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that (x) any of the Second Lien Obligations of such Series are unenforceable under applicable law or are subordinated to any other obligations (other than another Series of Second Lien Obligations), (y) any of the Second Lien Obligations of such Series does not have an enforceable security interest in any of the Collateral securing any other Series of Second Lien Obligations and/or (z) any intervening security interest exists securing any other obligations (other than another Series of Second Lien Obligations and, without limiting the foregoing, after taking into account the effect of any applicable intercreditor agreements) on a basis ranking prior to the security interest of such Series of Second Lien Obligations but junior to the security interest of any other Series of Second Lien Obligations or (ii) the existence of any Collateral for any other Series of Second Lien Obligations that is not Shared Collateral (any such condition referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) with respect to any Series of Second Lien Obligations, an Impairment of such Series). In the event of any Impairment with respect to any Series of Second Lien Obligations, the results of such Impairment shall be borne solely by the holders of such Series of Second Lien Obligations, and the rights of the holders of such Series of Second Lien Obligations (including the right to receive distributions in respect of such Series of Second Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 2.01) set forth herein shall be modified to the extent necessary so that the effects of such Impairment are borne solely by the holders of the Series of such Second Lien Obligations subject to such Impairment. Additionally, in the event the Second Lien Obligations of any Series are modified pursuant to applicable law (including pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code), any reference to such Second Lien Obligations or the Secured Credit Documents governing such Second Lien Obligations shall refer to such obligations or such documents as so modified.

 

(c)                                   As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Administrative Agent has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

Applicable Authorized Representative means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) until the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Term Loan Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Administrative Agent and (ii) from and after the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Term Loan Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative.

 

Authorized Representative means (i) in the case of any Term Loan Obligations or the Term Loan Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of the Initial Other Second Lien Obligations or the Initial Other Second Lien Secured Parties, the Initial Other Authorized Representative and, (iii) in the case of any Series of Other Second Lien Obligations or Other Second Lien Secured Parties that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof, the Authorized Representative named for such Series in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

 

2



 

Bankruptcy Case has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

 

Bankruptcy Code means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

 

Capital Stock means, (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares; (ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; (iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and (iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

 

Citi has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Collateral means all assets and properties subject to Liens created pursuant to any Second Lien Security Document to secure one or more Series of Second Lien Obligations.

 

Collateral Agreement means the Collateral Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Grantors party thereto and the Second Lien Agent, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Company means EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Controlling Secured Parties means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Series of Second Lien Secured Parties whose Authorized Representative is the Applicable Authorized Representative for such Shared Collateral at such time.

 

DIP Financing has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b).

 

DIP Financing Liens has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b).

 

DIP Lenders has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b).

 

Discharge means, with respect to any Shared Collateral and any Series of Second Lien Obligations, the date on which such Series of Second Lien Obligations is no longer secured by such Shared Collateral. The term Discharged shall have a corresponding meaning.

 

Discharge of Term Loan Obligations means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Discharge of the Term Loan Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral; provided that the Discharge of Term Loan Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred in connection with a Refinancing of such Term Loan Obligations with additional Second Lien Obligations secured by such Shared Collateral under an Other Second Lien Agreement which has been designated in writing by the Administrative Agent (under the Term Loan Agreement so Refinanced) to the Second Lien Agent and each other Authorized Representative as the “Term Loan Agreement” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Event of Default shall have the meaning set forth in the Collateral Agreement.

 

3



 

Grantors means the Company and each Subsidiary thereof that has granted a security interest pursuant to any Second Lien Security Document to secure any Series of Second Lien Obligations.

 

Impairment shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.01(b).

 

Initial Other Authorized Representative shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Initial Other Second Lien Agreement means that certain Indenture dated as of April 24, 2012, among the Company, the Subsidiaries identified therein and the Initial Other Authorized Representative, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Initial Other Second Lien Obligations means the “Indenture Obligations” as defined in the Collateral Agreement.

 

Initial Other Second Lien Secured Parties means the holders of any Initial Other Second Lien Obligations and the Initial Other Authorized Representative.

 

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding means: (a) any voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any Grantor, (b) any other voluntary or involuntary insolvency, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding with respect to any Grantor or with respect to any of its assets, (c) any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or winding up of any Grantor whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy (other than any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or winding up of any Subsidiary of the Borrower permitted by the Secured Credit Documents) or (d) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of any Grantor.

 

Intervening Creditor shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(a).

 

Joinder Agreement means each document, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, in order to create an additional Series of Other Second Lien Obligations or a Refinancing of any existing Series of Second Lien Obligations to the extent constituting a new Series of Second Lien Obligations.

 

Lien means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, hypothecation, assignment, lien (statutory or other) or similar encumbrance (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or any lease in the nature thereof).

 

Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Authorized Representative of the Series of Other Second Lien Obligations that constitutes the largest outstanding principal amount of any then outstanding Series

 

4



 

of Second Lien Obligations, other than the Term Loan Obligations, with respect to such Shared Collateral at such time.

 

New York UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Non-Controlling Authorized Representative means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, any Authorized Representative that is not the Applicable Authorized Representative at such time with respect to such Shared Collateral.

 

Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date means, with respect to any Non-Controlling Authorized Representative, the date which is 180 days (throughout which 180-day period such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative was the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative) after the occurrence of both (i) an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Other Second Lien Agreement under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) and (ii) the Second Lien Agent’s and each other Authorized Representative’s receipt of written notice from such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative certifying that (x) such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative and that an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Other Second Lien Agreement under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) has occurred and is continuing and (y) the Second Lien Obligations of the Series with respect to which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative are currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the applicable Other Second Lien Agreement; provided that the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date shall be stayed and shall not occur and shall be deemed not to have occurred with respect to any Shared Collateral (1) at any time the Administrative Agent or the Second Lien Agent has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to such Shared Collateral or (2) at any time the Grantor that has granted a security interest in such Shared Collateral is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

Non-Controlling Secured Parties means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Second Lien Secured Parties which are not Controlling Secured Parties with respect to such Shared Collateral at such time.

 

Obligations has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

 

Other Second Lien Agreement means each of (i) the Initial Other Second Lien Agreement and (ii) with respect to any Series of Other Second Lien Obligations, the “Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Document” (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) that has been designated by the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.17 of the Collateral Agreement as the Other Second Lien Agreement for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Other Second Lien Obligations means (i) the Initial Other Second Lien Obligations and (ii) the “Other Second Priority Lien Obligations” (as defined in the Collateral Agreement).

 

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Other Second Lien Secured Party means the holders of any Other Second Lien Obligations and any Authorized Representative with respect thereto and shall include the Initial Other Second Lien Secured Parties.

 

Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Pledgor has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

 

Possessory Collateral means any Shared Collateral in the possession or control of the Second Lien Agent (or its agents or bailees) or any Authorized Representative, to the extent that possession or control thereof perfects a Lien thereon under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction or otherwise. Possessory Collateral includes any Certificated Securities, Promissory Notes, Instruments, and Chattel Paper.

 

Proceeds has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).

 

Refinance means, in respect of any indebtedness, to amend, restate, supplement, waive, replace (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original parties or otherwise), restructure, repay, refund, refinance or otherwise modify from time to time (including by means of any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the obligations under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof). Refinanced and Refinancing shall have correlative meanings.

 

Second Lien Agent has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, for so long as the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is in effect, the Second Lien Agent hereunder shall also be the Applicable Second Lien Agent under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second Lien Obligations means, collectively, (i) the Term Loan Obligations and (ii) each Series of Other Second Lien Obligations.

 

Second Lien Secured Parties means (i) the Term Loan Secured Parties and (ii) the Other Second Lien Secured Parties with respect to each Series of Other Second Lien Obligations.

 

Second Lien Security Documents means, collectively, the Security Agreements and each other agreement entered into in favor of the Second Lien Agent for purposes of securing any Series of Second Lien Obligations.

 

Secured Credit Documents means (i) the Term Loan Agreement, (ii) the Initial Other Second Lien Agreement, (iii) each Other Second Lien Agreement and (iv) the Second Lien Security Documents.

 

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Security Agreements means, together, (i) the Collateral Agreement and (ii) the Pledge Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Grantors party thereto and the Second Lien Agent, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement means the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement of even date herewith, among the Grantors party thereto, Citi, as the Applicable Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Secured Parties and Other Second Lien Secured Parties, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Applicable First Lien Agent (as defined therein), as amended, restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Series means (a) with respect to the Second Lien Secured Parties, each of (i) the Term Loan Secured Parties (in their capacities as such), (ii) the Initial Other Second Lien Secured Parties (in their capacity as such) and (iii) the Other Second Lien Secured Parties that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof that are represented by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Other Second Lien Secured Parties) and (b) with respect to any Second Lien Obligations, each of (i) the Term Loan Obligations, (ii) the Initial Other Second Lien Obligations and (iii) the Other Second Lien Obligations incurred pursuant to any Other Second Lien Agreement, which pursuant to any Joinder Agreement, are to be represented hereunder by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Other Second Lien Obligations).

 

Shared Collateral means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of two or more Series of Second Lien Obligations (or their respective Authorized Representatives or the Second Lien Agent on behalf of such holders) hold a valid and perfected security interest or Lien at such time. If more than two Series of Second Lien Obligations are outstanding at any time and the holders of less than all Series of Second Lien Obligations hold a valid and perfected security interest or Lien in any Collateral at such time, then such Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral for those Series of Second Lien Obligations that hold a valid and perfected security interest or Lien in such Collateral at such time and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for any Series which does not have a valid and perfected security interest or Lien in such Collateral at such time.

 

Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

 

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Term Loan Agreement means that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, among the Company, the lending institutions from time to time parties thereto, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

 

Term Loan Obligations has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

 

Term Loan Secured Parties means the holders of any Term Loan Obligations and the Administrative Agent.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral

 

SECTION 2.01                     Priority of Claims.

 

(a)                                   Anything contained herein or in any of the Secured Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding (but subject to Section 1.01(b)), if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Second Lien Agent is taking action to enforce rights in respect of any Shared Collateral, or any distribution is made in respect of any Shared Collateral in any Bankruptcy Case of any Grantor, or any Second Lien Secured Party receives any payment pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any other intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement) with respect to any Shared Collateral, the proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any such Shared Collateral by any Second Lien Secured Party (or received by the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party pursuant to any such intercreditor agreement with respect to such Shared Collateral) and proceeds of any such distribution (subject, in the case of any such distribution, to the sentence immediately following) to which the Second Lien Obligations are entitled under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any other inter-creditor agreement (other than this Agreement) (all proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any Collateral and all proceeds of any such distribution being collectively referred to as “ Proceeds ”), shall be applied by the Second Lien Agent in the order specified below:

 

FIRST , to the payment of all reasonable costs and expenses and indemnification amounts incurred by the Second Lien Agent and any Authorized Representative and all fees owed to them in connection with such collection or sale or otherwise in connection with this Agreement, any Secured Credit Document or any of the Obligations, including all court costs and the reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and legal counsel, the repayment of all advances made by the Second Lien Agent or the relevant Authorized Representatives hereunder or under any other Secured Credit Document on behalf of any Pledgor and any other reasonable costs or expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under any other Secured Credit Document;

 

SECOND , to the payment in full of the Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed among the Second Lien Secured Parties pro rata in accordance with

 

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the respective amounts of the Obligations owed to them on the date of any such distribution); and

 

THIRD , to the Pledgors, their successors or assigns, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Shared Collateral for which a third party (other than a Second Lien Secured Party and, without limiting the foregoing, after taking into account the effect of any applicable intercreditor agreements) has a lien or security interest that is junior in priority to the security interest of any Series of Second Lien Obligations but senior (as determined by appropriate legal proceedings in the case of any dispute) to the security interest of any other Series of Second Lien Obligations (such third party an Intervening Creditor ), the value of any Shared Collateral or Proceeds which are allocated to such Intervening Creditor shall be deducted on a ratable basis solely from the Shared Collateral or Proceeds to be distributed in respect of the Series of Second Lien Obligations with respect to which such Impairment exists.

 

(b)                             It is acknowledged that the Second Lien Obligations of any Series may, subject to the limitations set forth in the then extant Secured Credit Documents, be increased, extended, renewed, replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured, repaid, refunded, Refinanced or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, all without affecting the priorities set forth in Section 2.01(a) or the provisions of this Agreement defining the relative rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties of any Series.

 

(c)                              Notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens securing any Series of Second Lien Obligations granted on the Shared Collateral and notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, or any other applicable law or the Secured Credit Documents or any other circumstance whatsoever (but, in each case, subject to Section 1.01(b)), each Second Lien Secured Party hereby agrees that the Liens securing each Series of Second Lien Obligations on any Shared Collateral shall be of equal priority.

 

SECTION 2.02                     Actions with Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens.

 

(a)                                   With respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) notwithstanding Section 2.01, only the Second Lien Agent shall act or refrain from acting with respect to the Shared Collateral (including with respect to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any other intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), and then only on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative, (ii) the Second Lien Agent shall not follow any instructions with respect to such Shared Collateral (including with respect to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any other intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral) from any Non-Controlling Authorized Representative (or any other Second Lien Secured Party other than the Applicable Authorized Representative) and (iii) no Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or other Second Lien Secured Party (other than the Applicable Authorized Representative) shall, or shall instruct the Second Lien Agent to, commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy

 

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or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its security interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Shared Collateral (including with respect to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any other intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), whether under any Second Lien Security Document, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that only the Second Lien Agent, acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative and in accordance with the applicable Second Lien Security Documents, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies with respect to Shared Collateral. Notwithstanding the equal priority of the Liens, the Second Lien Agent (acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative) may deal with the Shared Collateral as if such Applicable Authorized Representative had a senior Lien on such Collateral. No Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or Non-Controlling Secured Party will contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the Second Lien Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or the Controlling Secured Party or any other exercise by the Second Lien Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or the Controlling Secured Party of any rights and remedies relating to the Shared Collateral, or to cause the Second Lien Agent to do so. The foregoing shall not be construed to limit the rights and priorities of any Second Lien Secured Party, Second Lien Agent or any Authorized Representative with respect to any Collateral not constituting Shared Collateral.

 

(b)                                  Each of the Authorized Representatives agrees that it will not accept any Lien on any Collateral for the benefit of any Series of Second Lien Obligations (other than funds deposited for the discharge or defeasance of any Other Second Lien Agreement) other than pursuant to the Second Lien Security Documents, and by the Authorized Representatives executing this Agreement (or a Joinder Agreement), each Authorized Representative and the Series of Second Lien Secured Parties for which it is acting hereunder agree to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and the other Second Lien Security Documents applicable to it.

 

SECTION 2.03                     No Interference; Payment Over.

 

(a)                                   Each Second Lien Secured Party agrees that (i) it will not (and hereby waives any right to) challenge or question in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any Second Lien Obligations of any Series or any Second Lien Security Document or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien under any Second Lien Security Document or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by or other provisions of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any Second Lien Secured Party from challenging or questioning the validity or enforceability of any Second Lien Obligations constituting unmatured interest or the validity of any Lien relating thereto pursuant to Section 502(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code; (ii) it will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or intent of which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Shared Collateral by the Second Lien Agent, (iii) except as provided in Section 2.02, it shall have no right to (A) direct the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement) or (B) consent to the exercise by the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral, (iv) it will not institute any suit or assert in any suit, bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceeding any claim against the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured

 

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Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to any Shared Collateral, and none of the Second Lien Agent, any Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Second Lien Agent, such Applicable Authorized Representative or other Second Lien Secured Party with respect to any Shared Collateral in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (v) it will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Shared Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral and (vi) it will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party to enforce this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Each Second Lien Secured Party hereby agrees that if it shall obtain possession of any Shared Collateral or shall realize any proceeds or payment in respect of any Shared Collateral, pursuant to any Second Lien Security Document or by the exercise of any rights available to it under applicable law or in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or through any other exercise of remedies (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement), at any time prior to the Discharge of each of the Second Lien Obligations, then it shall hold such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment in trust for the other Second Lien Secured Parties and promptly transfer such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment, as the case may be, to the Second Lien Agent, to be distributed by the Second Lien Agent in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01(a) hereof.

 

SECTION 2.04                     Automatic Release of Liens Upon Enforcement; Amendments to Second Lien Security Documents.

 

(a)                              If, at any time any Shared Collateral is transferred to a third party or otherwise disposed of, in each case, in connection with any enforcement by the Second Lien Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, then (whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding is pending at the time) the Liens in favor of the Second Lien Agent for the benefit of each Series of Second Lien Secured Parties upon such Shared Collateral will automatically be released and discharged upon final conclusion of foreclosure proceeding; provided that any proceeds of any Shared Collateral realized therefrom shall be applied pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.

 

(b)                             Each Second Lien Secured Party agrees that the Second Lien Agent may enter into any amendment (and, upon request by the Second Lien Agent, each Authorized Representative shall sign a consent to such amendment) to any Second Lien Security Document (including to release Liens securing any Series of Second Lien Obligations) so long as such amendment, subject to clause (d) below, is permitted by the terms of each Secured Credit Document then in effect or is made pursuant to Section 2.10 of the Senior Intercreditor Agreement. Additionally, each Second Lien Secured Party agrees that the Second Lien Agent may enter into any amendment (and, upon request by the Second Lien Agent, each Authorized Representative shall sign a consent to such amendment) to any Second Lien Security Document solely as such Second Lien Security Document relates to a particular Series of Second Lien Obligations (including to release Liens securing such Series of Second Lien Obligations) so long as (x) such amendment is in accordance with the Secured Credit Document pursuant to which such Series of

 

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Second Lien Obligations was incurred and (y) such amendment does not adversely affect the Second Lien Secured Parties of any other Series.

 

(c)                              Each Authorized Representative agrees to execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) all such authorizations and other instruments as shall reasonably be requested by the Second Lien Agent to evidence and confirm any release of Shared Collateral or amendment to any Second Lien Security Document provided for in this Section.

 

(d)                             In determining whether an amendment to any Second Lien Security Document is permitted by this Section 2.04, the Second Lien Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate of an officer of the Company stating that such amendment is permitted by Section 2.04(b) above.

 

SECTION 2.05                     Certain Agreements with Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings.

 

(a)                              This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the commencement of any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law by or against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                             If any Grantor shall become subject to a case (a Bankruptcy Case ) under the Bankruptcy Code and shall, as debtor(s)-in-possession, move for approval of financing ( DIP Financing ) to be provided by one or more lenders (the DIP Lenders ) under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, each Second Lien Secured Party (other than any Controlling Secured Party or any Authorized Representative of any Controlling Secured Party) agrees that it will raise no objection to any such financing or to the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the same ( DIP Financing Liens ) or to any use of cash collateral that constitutes Shared Collateral, unless any Controlling Secured Party, or an Authorized Representative of any Controlling Secured Party, shall then oppose or object to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens or use of cash collateral (and (i) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens are senior to the Liens on any such Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will subordinate its Liens with respect to such Shared Collateral on the same terms as the Liens of the Controlling Secured Parties (other than any Liens of any Second Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) are subordinated thereto, and (ii) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens rank pari passu with the Liens on any such Shared Collateral granted to secure the Second Lien Obligations of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will confirm the priorities with respect to such Shared Collateral as set forth herein), in each case so long as (A) the Second Lien Secured Parties of each Series retain the benefit of their Liens on all such Shared Collateral pledged to the DIP Lenders, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of such proceeding, with the same priority vis-a-vis all the other Second Lien Secured Parties (other than any Liens of the Second Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) as existed prior to the commencement of the Bankruptcy Case, (B) the Second Lien Secured Parties of each Series are granted Liens on any additional collateral pledged to any Second Lien Secured Parties as adequate protection or otherwise in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, with the same priority vis-a-vis the Second Lien Secured Parties

 

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as set forth in this Agreement, (C) if any amount of such DIP Financing or cash collateral is applied to repay any of the Second Lien Obligations, such amount is applied pursuant to Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement, and (D) if any Second Lien Secured Parties are granted adequate protection, including in the form of periodic payments, in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, the proceeds of such adequate protection are applied pursuant to Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement; provided that the Second Lien Secured Parties of each Series shall have a right to object to the grant of a Lien to secure the DIP Financing over any Collateral subject to Liens in favor of the Second Lien Secured Parties of such Series or its Authorized Representative that shall not constitute Shared Collateral; and provided, further, that the Second Lien Secured Parties receiving adequate protection shall not object to any other Second Lien Secured Party receiving adequate protection comparable to any adequate protection granted to such Second Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing or use of cash collateral.

 

SECTION 2.06                     Reinstatement. In the event that any of the Second Lien Obligations shall be paid in full and such payment or any part thereof shall subsequently, for whatever reason (including an order or judgment for disgorgement of a preference under Title 11 of the United Stated Code, or any similar law, or the settlement of any claim in respect thereof), be required to be returned or repaid, the terms and conditions of this Article II shall be fully applicable thereto until all such Second Lien Obligations shall again have been paid in full in cash.

 

SECTION 2.07                     Insurance. As between the Second Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Agent, acting at the direction of the Applicable Authorized Representative, shall have the right to adjust or settle any insurance policy or claim covering or constituting Shared Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Shared Collateral.

 

SECTION 2.08                     Refinancings. The Second Lien Obligations of any Series may be Refinanced, in whole or in part, in each case, without notice to, or the consent (except to the extent a consent is otherwise required to permit the refinancing transaction under any Secured Credit Document) of any Second Lien Secured Party of any other Series, all without affecting the priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided that the Authorized Representative of the holders of any such Refinancing indebtedness (if not already a party hereto in such capacity) shall have executed a Joinder Agreement on behalf of the holders of such Refinancing indebtedness.

 

SECTION 2.09                     Possessory Second Lien Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection.

 

(a)                                   The Second Lien Agent agrees to hold any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral in its possession or control (or in the possession or control of its agents or bailees) as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Second Lien Secured Party and any assignee solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable Second Lien Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09. Pending delivery to the Second Lien Agent, each other Authorized Representative agrees to hold any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral, from time to time in its possession or control, as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Second Lien Secured Party and any assignee, solely for the purpose of perfecting the

 

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security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable Second Lien Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09.

 

(b)                                  The duties or responsibilities of the Second Lien Agent and each other Authorized Representative under this Section 2.09 shall be limited solely to holding any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Second Lien Secured Party for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such Second Lien Secured Parties therein.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Existence and Amounts of Liens and Obligations

 

Whenever the Second Lien Agent or any Authorized Representative shall be required, in connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations hereunder, to determine the existence or amount of any Second Lien Obligations of any Series, or the Shared Collateral subject to any Lien securing the Second Lien Obligations of any Series, it may request that such information be furnished to it in writing by each other Authorized Representative and shall be entitled to make such determination on the basis of the information so furnished; provided, however, that if an Authorized Representative shall fail or refuse reasonably promptly to provide the requested information, the requesting Second Lien Agent or Authorized Representative shall be entitled to make any such determination or not make any determination by such method as it may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon a certificate of the Company. The Second Lien Agent and each Authorized Representative may rely conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to any Grantor, any Second Lien Secured Party or any other person as a result of such determination.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

The Second Lien Agent

 

SECTION 4.01       Appointment and Authority.

 

(a)                                   Each of the Second Lien Secured Parties hereby irrevocably appoints Citi to act on its behalf as the Second Lien Agent hereunder and as Second Lien Agent or collateral agent under each of the other Second Lien Security Documents and as “Applicable Second Lien Agent” under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and authorizes the Second Lien Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Second Lien Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, including for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on the Shared Collateral granted by any Grantor to secure any of the Second Lien Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Second Lien Agent and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Second Lien Agent pursuant to Section 4.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Shared Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under any of the Second Lien Security Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of

 

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the Applicable Authorized Representative), shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IV and Article VIII of the Term Loan Agreement and the equivalent provision of any Other Second Lien Agreement (as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “Second Lien Agent” or collateral agent or “Applicable Second Lien Agent” under the Second Lien Security Documents or the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Each Non-Controlling Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that the Second Lien Agent shall be entitled, for the benefit of the Second Lien Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with any Shared Collateral as provided herein and in the Second Lien Security Documents, without regard to any rights to which the holders of the Non-Controlling Secured Obligations would otherwise be entitled as a result of such Non-Controlling Secured Obligations. Without limiting the foregoing, each Non-Controlling Secured Party agrees that none of the Second Lien Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any of the Second Lien Obligations), or to sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any Second Lien Obligations), in any manner that would maximize the return to the Non-Controlling Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received by the Non-Controlling Secured Parties from such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation. Each of the Second Lien Secured Parties waives any claim it may now or hereafter have against the Second Lien Agent or the Authorized Representative of any other Series of Second Lien Obligations or any other Second Lien Secured Party of any other Series arising out of (i) any actions which the Second Lien Agent, any Authorized Representative or any Second Lien Secured Party takes or omits to take (including, actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the Second Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with the Second Lien Security Documents or any other agreement related thereto or to the collection of the Second Lien Obligations or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the Second Lien Obligations, (ii) any election by any Applicable Authorized Representative or any holders of Second Lien Obligations, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or (iii) subject to Section 2.05, any borrowing by, or grant of a security interest or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as debtor-in-possession. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Second Lien Agent shall not accept any Shared Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of any Second Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 9-620 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, without the consent of each Authorized Representative representing holders of Second Lien Obligations for whom such Collateral constitutes Shared Collateral.

 

SECTION 4.02                     Rights as a Second Lien Secured Party. The Person serving as the Second Lien Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Second Lien Secured Party under any Series of Second Lien Obligations that it holds as any other

 

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Second Lien Secured Party of such Series and may exercise the same as though it were not the Second Lien Agent and the term “Second Lien Secured Party” or “Second Lien Secured Parties” or (as applicable) “Term Loan Secured Party”, “Term Loan Secured Parties”, “Other Second Lien Secured Party” or “Other Second Lien Secured Parties” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Second Lien Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Company or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Second Lien Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to any other Second Lien Secured Party.

 

SECTION 4.03                     Exculpatory Provisions.

 

(a)                                   The Second Lien Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the Second Lien Security Documents and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Second Lien Agent:

 

(i)                                      shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties of any kind or nature to any Person, regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(ii)                                   shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Second Lien Security Documents that the Second Lien Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Applicable Authorized Representative; provided that the Second Lien Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Second Lien Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Second Lien Security Document or applicable law;

 

(iii)                                shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Second Lien Security Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Company or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Second Lien Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity;

 

(iv)                               shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Applicable Authorized Representative or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct or (iii) in reliance on a certificate of an authorized officer of the Company stating that such action is permitted by the terms of this Agreement; and shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Event of Default under any Series of Second Lien Obligations unless and until notice describing such Event Default is given to the Second Lien Agent by the Authorized Representative of such Second Lien Obligations or the Company;

 

(v)                                  shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement

 

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or any other Second Lien Security Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Second Lien Security Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Second Lien Security Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral for any Series of Second Lien Obligations, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in any Secured Credit Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Second Lien Agent;

 

(vi)                               shall not have any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of any kind or nature under any Other Second Lien Agreement (but shall be entitled to all protections provided to the Second Lien Agent therein);

 

(vii)                            with respect to the Term Loan Agreement, any Other Second Lien Agreement or any Second Lien Security Document, may conclusively assume that the Grantors have complied with all of their obligations thereunder unless advised in writing by the Authorized Representative thereunder to the contrary specifically setting forth the alleged violation; and

 

(viii)                         may conclusively rely on any certificate of an officer of the Company provided pursuant to Section 2.04(d).

 

(b)                                  Each Secured Party acknowledges that, in addition to acting as the initial Second Lien Agent, Citi also serves as Administrative Agent under the Term Loan Agreement and each Second Lien Secured Party hereby waives any right to make any objection or claim against Citi (or any successor Second Lien Agent or any of their respective counsel) based on any alleged conflict of interest or breach of duties arising from the Second Lien Agent also serving as the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 4.04                     Reliance by Second Lien Agent. The Second Lien Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Second Lien Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Second Lien Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may include, but shall not be limited to, counsel for the Company or counsel for the Administrative Agent), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

SECTION 4.05                     Delegation of Duties. The Second Lien Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Second Lien Security Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Second

 

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Lien Agent. The Second Lien Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Affiliates. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of the Second Lien Agent and any such sub-agent.

 

SECTION 4.06                     Resignation o f Second Lien Agent. The Second Lien Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation as Second Lien Agent under this Agreement and the other Second Lien Security Documents to each Authorized Representative and the Company. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Applicable Authorized Representative shall have the right (subject, unless an Event of Default relating to the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has occurred and is continuing, to the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed)), to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank or trust company with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank or trust company with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Applicable Authorized Representative and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Second Lien Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Second Lien Agent may, on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties, appoint a successor Second Lien Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above (but without the consent of any other Second Lien Secured Party or the Company); provided that if the Second Lien Agent shall notify the Company and each Authorized Representative that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Second Lien Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Second Lien Security Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Second Lien Agent on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties under any of the Second Lien Security Documents, the retiring Second Lien Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security solely for purposes of maintaining the perfection of the security interests of the Second Lien Secured Parties therein until such time as a successor Second Lien Agent is appointed but with no obligation to take any further action at the request of the Applicable Authorized Representative, any other Second Lien Secured Parties or any Grantor) and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Second Lien Agent shall instead be made by or to each Authorized Representative directly, until such time as the Applicable Authorized Representative appoints a successor Second Lien Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Second Lien Agent hereunder and under the Second Lien Security Documents, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Second Lien Agent, and the retiring Second Lien Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Second Lien Security Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). After the retiring Second Lien Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Secured Credit Documents or Second Lien Security Documents, the provisions of this Article, Section 8.07 and Section 9.05 of the Term Loan Agreement and the equivalent provision of any Other Second Lien Agreement shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Second Lien Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Second Lien Agent was acting as Second Lien Agent. Upon any notice of resignation of the Second Lien Agent hereunder and under the other Second Lien Security Documents, the Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer (and maintain the

 

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validity and priority of) the Liens in favor of the retiring Second Lien Agent under the Second Lien Security Documents to the successor Second Lien Agent as promptly as practicable.

 

SECTION 4.07                     Non-Reliance on Second Lien Agent and Other Second Lien Secured Parties. Each Second Lien Secured Party (excluding any Authorized Representative acting in such capacity, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Initial Other Authorized Representative) acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Second Lien Agent, any Authorized Representative or any other Second Lien Secured Party or any of their Affiliates and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Secured Credit Documents. Each Second Lien Secured Party (excluding any Authorized Representative acting in such capacity, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Initial Other Authorized Representative) also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Second Lien Agent, any Authorized Representative or any other Second Lien Secured Party or any of their Affiliates and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Secured Credit Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

SECTION 4.08                     Collateral and Guaranty Matters. Each of the Second Lien Secured Parties irrevocably authorizes the Second Lien Agent, at its option and in its discretion,

 

(a)                                   to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Second Lien Agent under any Second Lien Security Document in accordance with Section 2.04 or upon receipt of a written request from the Company stating that the releases of such Lien is permitted by the terms of each then extant Secured Credit Document; and

 

(b)                                  to release any Grantor from its obligations under the Second Lien Security Documents upon receipt of a written request from the Company stating that such release is permitted by the terms of each then extant Secured Credit Document.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01                     Notices. All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail, sent by facsimile, or sent to the e-mail address of the applicable recipient specified below (or the email address of a representative of the applicable recipient designated by such recipient from time to time to the parties hereto), as follows:

 

(a)                                   if to the Second Lien Agent or the Administrative Agent, to it at:

 

Citibank, N.A.

[Address]

Attention:

Telephone:

 

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Facsimile:

E-mail:

 

(b)                                  if to the Initial Other Authorized Representative, to it at:

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Corporate Capital Markets

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Attention: EP Energy/Everest Administrator

Telephone: 612-217-5632

Facsimile: 612-217-5651

E-mail: jschweiger@wilmingtrust.com

 

(c)                                   if to any additional Other Authorized Representative, to it at the address set forth in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

 

Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt (if a Business Day) and on the next Business Day thereafter (in all other cases) if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by facsimile or email or on the date that is five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 5.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 5.01.

 

SECTION 5.02                     Waivers; Amendment; Joinder Agreements.

 

(a)                                   No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)                                  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be terminated, waived, amended or modified (other than pursuant to any Joinder Agreement) except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each Authorized Representative and the Second Lien Agent (and, to the extent any Grantor’s rights are adversely affected, by the Company).

 

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(c)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Second Lien Secured Party, any Authorized Representative may become a party hereto by execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement and upon such execution and delivery, such Authorized Representative and the Other Second Lien Secured Parties and Other Second Lien Obligations of the Series for which such Authorized Representative is acting shall be subject to the terms hereof and the terms of the other Second Lien Security Documents applicable thereto.

 

SECTION 5.03                     Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other Second Lien Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.04                     Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.05                     Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.06                     Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.07                     Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

SECTION 5.08                     Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers . The Second Lien Agent and each Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties of the Series for whom it is acting, irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)                                   submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York County and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(b)                                  consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

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(c)                                   agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Person (or its Authorized Representative) at the address referred to in 5.01;

 

(d)                                  agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right of any other party hereto (or any Second Lien Secured Party) to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law; and

 

(e)                                   waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 5.08 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

 

SECTION 5.09                     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.09.

 

SECTION 5.10                     Headings. Article, Section and Annex headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.11                     Conflicts.

 

(a)                                   In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any of the other Secured Credit Documents or Second Lien Security Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Liens and security interests granted to the Second Lien Agent pursuant to any Second Lien Security Documents and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Second Lien Agent hereunder or thereunder or the application of Proceeds (including insurance proceeds and condemnation proceeds) of any Shared Collateral, are subject to the provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the terms of the Senior Intercreditor Agreement shall control.

 

SECTION 5.12                     Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights. The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties in relation to one another. None of the Company, any other Grantor or any other creditor thereof shall have any rights or obligations hereunder, except as expressly

 

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provided in this Agreement ( provided that nothing in this Agreement (other than Section 2.01(a), 2.04, 2.05, 2.08, 2.09 or Article V) is intended to or will amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Term Loan Agreement or any Other Second Lien Agreements), and none of the Company or any other Grantor may rely on the terms hereof (other than Sections 2.01(a), 2.04, 2.05, 2.08, 2.09 and Article V). Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of any Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the Second Lien Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms.

 

SECTION 5.13                     Integration.

 

This Agreement together with the other Secured Credit Documents and the Second Lien Security Documents represents the agreement of each of the Grantors and the Second Lien Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Grantor, the Collateral Agent, any or any other Second Lien Secured Party relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Secured Credit Documents or the Second Lien Security Documents.

 

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Second Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Initial Other Authorized Representative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

Signature Page to Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

CONSENT OF COMPANY

 

Dated: [ · ], 2012

 

Reference is made to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement of even date herewith, among Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Agreement, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Initial Other Authorized Representative (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement” ). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The Company has read the foregoing Intercreditor Agreement and consents thereto. The Company agrees that it will not, and will cause each of the other Grantors to not, take any action that would be contrary to the express provisions of the foregoing Intercreditor Agreement, agrees to abide by the requirements expressly applicable to it under the foregoing Inter-creditor Agreement and agrees that, except as otherwise provided therein, no Second Lien Secured Party shall have any liability to any Grantor for acting in accordance with the provisions of the foregoing Intercreditor Agreement. The Company confirms on behalf of each Grantor that the foregoing Intercreditor Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Second Lien Secured Parties and their respective successors and assigns, and that no Grantor is an intended beneficiary or third party beneficiary thereof except to the extent otherwise expressly provided therein.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Intercreditor Agreement or provided herein, each party to the Intercreditor Agreement agrees that the Company and the other Grantors shall not have any right to consent to or approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Intercreditor Agreement except to the extent their rights are adversely affected (in which case the Company shall have the right to consent to or approve any such amendment, modification or waiver).

 

Without limitation to the foregoing, the Company agrees to take, and to cause each other Grantor to take, such further action and to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments (in recordable form, if requested) as the Second Lien Agent may reasonably request to effectuate the terms of and the lien priorities contemplated by the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

This Consent shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Notices delivered to the Company pursuant to this Consent shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions set forth in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows.]

 



 

IN WITNESS HEREOF, this Consent is hereby executed by the Company as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF] JOINDER AGREEMENT TO PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

Reference is made to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of [ · ], 2012, among Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Agreement, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Initial Other Authorized Representative (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

This Joinder Agreement, dated as of                         , 20         (this “Joinder Agreement”) , is being delivered pursuant to Section 5.02 of the Intercreditor Agreement in connection with the incurrence of the indebtedness for which the undersigned is acting as agent being entitled to the benefits of being Other Second Lien Obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

1.               Joinder. The undersigned,                                            , a                                 , (the “New Authorized Representative”) as [trustee, administrative agent] under that certain [describe Additional Secured Debt Facility] (the “Additional Second Lien Obligations”) hereby agrees to become party as an Authorized Representative and a Second Lien Secured Party under the Intercreditor Agreement for all purposes thereof on the terms set forth therein, and to be bound by the terms, conditions and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement as fully as if the undersigned had been an original signatory thereto. Upon the acknowledgment by the Company of this Joinder, the [describe the document governing such Additional Secured Debt Facility] will be designated as an Other Second Lien Agreement.

 

2.               Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation. The undersigned New Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and each holder of any Additional Second Lien Obligations (together with the Additional Authorized Representative, the “New Second Lien Secured Parties”), hereby agrees, for the enforceable benefit of all existing and future Authorized Representative and each existing and future other Second Lien Secured Party, that:

 

(a)              all Second Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all Liens granted to the Second Lien Agent on the Shared Collateral, for the benefit of the Second Lien Secured Parties, which are at any time granted by any Grantor to secure any Second Lien Obligations, and that all Liens on the Shared Collateral granted pursuant to the Second Lien Security Documents will be enforceable by the Second Lien Agent for the benefit of all Second Lien Secured Parties equally and ratably, in each case, pursuant to and subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(b)             the New Authorized Representative and each other New Second Lien Secured Party is bound by the terms, conditions and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents, including, without limitation, the provisions relating to the ranking of Liens and the order of application of proceeds from the enforcement of Liens; and

 


 

(c)     the New Authorized Representative shall perform its obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents.

 

3.      Appointment of Second Lien Agent. The New Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and the New Second Lien Secured Parties, hereby (a) irrevocably appoints Citibank, N.A. as Second Lien Agent for purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents, (b) irrevocably authorizes the Second Lien Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Second Lien Agent in the Intercreditor Agreement, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, and authorizes the Second Lien Agent to execute any Second Lien Security Documents on behalf of all Second Lien Secured Parties and to take such other actions to maintain and preserve the security interests granted pursuant to any Second Lien Security Documents, and (c) acknowledges that it has received and reviewed the Intercreditor Agreement, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents and agrees to be bound by the terms thereof. The New Authorized Representative, on behalf of the New Second Lien Secured Parties, and the Second Lien Agent, on behalf of the existing Second Lien Secured Parties, each hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Second Lien Agent in its capacity as such shall be agent on behalf of the New Authorized Representative and on behalf of all other Second Lien Secured Parties.

 

4.      Address of Additional Authorized Representative. The address of the New Authorized Representative in respect of the Additional Second Lien Obligations for purposes of all notices and other communications hereunder and under the Intercreditor Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is                            ,                            , Attention of                     (Facsimile No.                             , E-mail address:                               ).

 

5.      Counterparts. This Joinder Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Joinder Agreement by facsimile or PDF via electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Joinder Agreement. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF via electronic transmission shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

6.      Governing Law. THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

7.      Miscellaneous. The provisions of Article V of the Intercreditor Agreement shall apply with like effect to this Joinder Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow.]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Authorized Representative has caused this Joinder Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized representative, and the Company has caused the same to be accepted by its authorized representative, as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

[NEW AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged and agreed :

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 



 

The Second Lien Agent acknowledges receipt of this Joinder Agreement and will act as the Second Lien Agent with respect to the Additional Second Lien Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents.

 

 

 

Dated:                          , 20        

 

 

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Second Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

Schedule 2.01

 

Commitments and Lenders

 

Lender

 

Commitment Amount in USD$

 

Citibank, N.A.

 

750,000,000

 

 



 

Schedule 3.01

 

Jurisdiction of Formation; Good Standing

 

Entity (name on Effective

 

Entity (name on

 

 

Date)

 

Acquisition Date)

 

Jurisdiction

 

 

 

 

 

Everest Acquisition LLC

 

EP Energy LLC

 

Delaware, New York

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

EP Energy Finance Inc.

 

Delaware, New York

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware, Louisiana

El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.

 

El Paso Exploration & Production Management LLC

 

Delaware, Alabama, Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

Delaware, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware, Texas, Utah

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Wyoming

 



 

Entity (name on Effective

 

Entity (name on

 

 

Date)

 

Acquisition Date)

 

Jurisdiction

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy, L.L.C.

 

EP Energy Global LLC

 

Delaware, Texas

EP Preferred Holdings Company

 

EP Preferred Holdings LLC

 

Delaware

MBOW Four Star Corporation

 

MBOW Four Star LLC

 

Delaware

El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company

 

El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company

 

Cayman Islands

El Paso Egypt S. Alamein Company

 

El Paso Egypt S. Alamein Company

 

Cayman Islands

El Paso Egypt Tanta Company

 

El Paso Egypt Tanta Company

 

Cayman Islands

El Paso Egypt Production Company

 

El Paso Egypt Production Company

 

Cayman Islands

El Paso Brazil Holdings Company

 

El Paso Brazil Holdings Company

 

Cayman Islands

El Paso Maritime B.V.

 

El Paso Maritime B.V.

 

Netherlands

UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda

 

UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda

 

Brazil

El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.

 

El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.

 

Brazil

 

3



 

Schedule 3.04

 

Litigation

 

None.

 



 

Schedule 3.12

 

Subsidiaries of the Company

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct/Indirect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of

 

Ownership

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct/Indirect

 

by EP Energy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ownership

 

LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by EP Energy

 

immediately

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LLC(1) on the

 

following the

 

 

 

Unrestricted

 

Name of Entity

 

Effective Date

 

Acquisition

 

Guarantor

 

Subsidiary

 

EP Energy Finance Inc.(2)

 

100

%

100

%

Y

 

N

 

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

0

%

100

%

Y

 

N

 

El Paso Exploration & Production Management LLC

 

0

%

100

%

Y

 

N

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.

 

0

%

100

%

Y

 

N

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

0

%

100

%

Y

 

N

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

0

%

100

%

Y

 

N

 

EP Energy Global LLC

 

0

%

100

%

Y

 

N

 

EP Preferred Holdings LLC

 

0

%

100

%

Y

 

N

 

 


(1) “Everest Acquisition LLC” will become “EP Energy LLC” at the Acquisition Date.

(2) “Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.” will become “EP Energy Finance Inc.” at the Acquisition Date.

 



 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct/Indirect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of

 

Ownership

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct/Indirect

 

by EP Energy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ownership

 

LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by EP Energy

 

immediately

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LLC(1) on the

 

following the

 

 

 

Unrestricted

 

Name of Entity

 

Effective Date

 

Acquisition

 

Guarantor

 

Subsidiary

 

MBOW Four Star LLC

 

0

%

100

%

Y

 

N

 

El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company

 

0

%

100

%

N

 

N

 

El Paso Egypt S. Alamein Company

 

0

%

100

%

N

 

N

 

El Paso Egypt Tanta Company

 

0

%

100

%

N

 

N

 

El Paso Egypt Production Company

 

0

%

100

%

N

 

N

 

El Paso Brazil Holdings Company

 

0

%

100

%

N

 

N

 

El Paso Maritime B.V.

 

0

%

100

%

N

 

N

 

UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda

 

0

%

100

%

N

 

N

 

El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.

 

0

%

100

%

N

 

N

 

 

6



 

Schedule 4.02(a)

 

Local Counsel(s)

 

None.

 




Exhibit 10.8

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

 

This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this “ Guaranty ”), dated as of April 24, 2012, by and between EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC. (the “ Guarantor ”), a Domestic Subsidiary of EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC (the “ Borrower ”), and CITIBANK, N.A., as collateral agent for the Secured Parties referred to below (in such capacity, together with any successor thereto, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders, have entered into a Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), providing for the making of Loans to the Borrower;

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition to the making of Loans to the Borrower under the Term Loan Agreement that each Guarantor shall have executed and delivered this Guaranty; and

 

WHEREAS, each Guarantor will obtain benefits from the incurrence of Loans by the Borrower, and accordingly desires to execute this Guaranty in order to satisfy the conditions described in the preceding paragraph and to induce the Lenders to make Loans to the Borrower.

 

1.                                       DEFINITIONS

 

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Term Loan Agreement, unless otherwise defined herein. References to this “Guaranty” shall mean this Guaranty, including all amendments, modifications and supplements and any annexes, exhibits and schedules to any of the foregoing, and shall refer to this Guaranty as the same may be in effect at the time such reference becomes operative.

 

2.                                       THE GUARANTY

 

(a)                                       Guaranty of Guaranteed Obligations . Each Guarantor unconditionally guarantees to the Collateral Agent, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, the due and punctual payment and performance of the Loan Obligations (the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”) for the ratable benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender (collectively, the “ Secured Parties ”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended, modified, amended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any extension, modification, amendment or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation. Each Guarantor waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Borrower or any other Credit Party of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its guarantee and notice of protest for nonpayment.

 



 

(b)                                       Guaranty of Payment . Each Guarantor further agrees that its guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to any security held for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party in favor of the Borrower or any other person.

 

(c)                                        No Limitations . Except for termination or release of a Guarantor’s obligations hereunder as expressly provided for in Section 5(g), the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense or set off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise (other than defense of payment or performance). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by: (i) the failure of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to assert any claim or demand or to exercise or enforce any right or remedy under the provisions of any Loan Document or otherwise; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, any Loan Document or any other agreement, including with respect to any other Guarantor under this Guaranty; (iii) the release of, or the failure to perfect any security interest in, or the exchange, substitution, release or any impairment of, any security held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party for the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or otherwise operate as a discharge of any Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the payment in full in cash or immediately available funds of all the Guaranteed Obligations); (vi) any illegality, lack of validity or enforceability of any Guaranteed Obligation; (vii) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of the Borrower, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting the Borrower or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any Guaranteed Obligation (other than the payment in full in cash or immediately available funds of all the Guaranteed Obligations); (viii) the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights that the Guarantor may have at any time against the Borrower, the Collateral Agent, or any other corporation or person, whether in connection herewith or any unrelated transactions, provided that nothing herein will prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim; and (ix) any other circumstance (including, without limitation, any statute of limitations) or any existence of or reliance on any representation by the Collateral Agent that might otherwise constitute a defense to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, the Borrower or any other Credit Party or any other guarantor or surety. Each Guarantor expressly authorizes the Secured Parties to take and hold security for the payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, to exchange, waive or release any or all such security (with or without consideration), to enforce or apply such security and direct the order and manner of any sale thereof in their sole discretion or to release or substitute any one or more other guarantors or obligors upon or in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, all without affecting the obligations of any Guarantor

 

2



 

hereunder. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any other Guarantor or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any other Guarantor, other than the payment in full in cash or immediately available funds of all the Guaranteed Obligations. The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties may, at their election, foreclose on any security held by one or more of them by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such security in lieu of foreclosure, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Borrower or any other Credit Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to them against the Borrower or any other Credit Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against any other Guarantor, as the case may be, or any security.

 

(d)                                       Reinstatement . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5(g)(i), each Guarantor agrees that its guarantee hereunder shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any other Credit Party or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

 

(e)                                        Agreement To Pay; Subrogation . In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Borrower or any other Credit Party to pay any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Collateral Agent for distribution to the applicable Secured Party in cash the amount of such unpaid Guaranteed Obligation. Upon payment by any Guarantor of any sums to the Collateral Agent as provided above, all rights of such Guarantor against the Borrower or Credit Party arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be fully subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations (except for contingent indemnities and cost and expense reimbursement obligations to the extent no claim has been made).

 

(f)                                    Information . Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrower’s and each other Credit Party’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that such

 

3



 

Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party will have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to it or any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.

 

3 .                                       FURTHER ASSURANCES

 

Each Guarantor agrees, upon the written request of the Collateral Agent, to execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent, from time to time, any additional instruments or documents reasonably considered necessary by the Collateral Agent to cause this Guaranty to be, become or remain valid and effective in accordance with its terms.

 

4.                                       PAYMENTS FREE AND CLEAR OF TAXES

 

Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor will perform or observe all of the terms, covenants and agreements that Section 2.17 of the Term Loan Agreement requires such Guarantor to perform or observe, subject to the qualifications set forth therein.

 

5.                                       OTHER TERMS

 

(a)                                       Entire Agreement . This Guaranty, together with the other Loan Documents, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements relating to a guaranty of the loans and advances under the Loan Documents.

 

(b)                                       Headings . The headings in this Guaranty are for convenience of reference only and are not part of the substance of this Guaranty.

 

(c)                                        Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Guaranty shall be interpreted in such a manner to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Guaranty shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

(d)                                       Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be given as provided in Section 9.02 of the Term Loan Agreement.

 

(e)                                        Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Guaranty any Guarantor is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party (in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement); and all covenants, promises and agreements by any Guarantor that are contained in this Guaranty shall bind and inure to the benefit of its respective permitted successors and assigns.

 

4



 

(f)                                         No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Amendments . No failure or delay by the Collateral Agent in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver hereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that it would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Guaranty or consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by this Section 5(f), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of any Loans shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Collateral Agent may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Guarantor in any case shall entitle any Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. When making any demand hereunder against any of the Guarantors, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on the Borrower or any other Guarantor or guarantor, and any failure by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to make any such demand or to collect any payments from the Borrower or any such other Guarantor or guarantor or any release of the Borrower or such other Guarantor or guarantor shall not relieve any of the Guarantors in respect of which a demand or collection is not made or any of the Guarantors not so released of their several obligations or liabilities hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, express or implied, or as a matter of law, of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party against any of the Guarantors. For the purposes hereof “ demand ” shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings. Neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified (other than termination of this Guaranty pursuant to Section 5(g)) except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Collateral Agent and the Guarantor or Guarantors with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement.

 

(g)                                        Termination and Release .

 

(i)                                      This Guaranty shall terminate, when all the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities not then due) have been paid in full or defeased in cash or immediately available funds (“ Payment in Full ”).

 

(ii)                                   A Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder upon: (1) the sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer (including through merger, consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise) of the Capital Stock (including any sale, disposition or other transfer following which such Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary) of such Guarantor if such sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer is made in a manner not in violation of the Term Loan Agreement; (2) the designation of such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 6.04 of the Term Loan Agreement and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”

 

5



 

thereunder; (3) the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of the Credit Agreement or other Indebtedness or the guarantee of any other Indebtedness which resulted in the obligation to guarantee the Loans; (4) the Borrower’s obligations under the Term Loan Agreement are discharged in accordance with the terms thereof; (5) such Guarantor ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest in favor of First-Priority Lien Obligations, subject to, in each case, the application of the proceeds of such foreclosure in the manner described in Section 9.19 of the Term Loan Agreement; and (6) the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event. A Guarantor shall also automatically be released from its obligations hereunder upon such Guarantor ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing Bank Indebtedness or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof.

 

(iii)                                In connection with any release pursuant to this Section 5(g), the Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s expense, all documents that the Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5(g) shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Collateral Agent.

 

(h)                                  Counterparts . This Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall collectively and separately constitute one and the same agreement.

 

6.                                       INDEMNITY. SUBROGATION AND SUBORDINATION

 

(a)                                       Indemnity and Subrogation . In addition to all such rights of indemnity and subrogation as the Guarantors may have under applicable law (but subject to Section 6(c)), the Borrower agrees that (i) in the event a payment shall be made by any Guarantor under this Guaranty in respect of any Obligation of the Borrower, the Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment and (ii) in the event any assets of any Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to this Guaranty or any other Security Document to satisfy in whole or in part an Obligation of the Borrower, the Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor in an amount equal to the greater of the book value or the fair market value of the assets so sold.

 

(b)                                       Contribution and Subrogation . Each Guarantor (a “ Contributing Guarantor ”) agrees (subject to Section 6(c)) that, in the event a payment shall be made by any other Guarantor hereunder in respect of any Obligation or assets of any other Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to any Security Document to satisfy any Obligation owed to any Secured Party and such other Guarantor (the “ Claiming Guarantor ”) shall not have been fully indemnified by the Borrower as provided in Section 6(a), the Contributing Guarantor shall indemnify the Claiming Guarantor in an amount equal to the amount of such payment or the greater of the book value or the fair market value of such assets, as applicable, in each case multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the net worth of such Contributing Guarantor on the date hereof and the denominator shall be the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors on the date hereof (or,

 

6



 

in the case of any Guarantor becoming a party hereto pursuant to Section 6.09 of the Term Loan Agreement, the date of the supplement hereto executed and delivered by such Guarantor). Any Contributing Guarantor making any payment to a Claiming Guarantor pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be subrogated to the rights of such Claiming Guarantor under Section 6(a) to the extent of such payment. The provisions of this Section 6(b) shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

 

(c)                                        Subordination . Notwithstanding any provision of this Guaranty to the contrary, all rights of the Guarantors under Sections 6(a) and 6(b) and all other rights of indemnity, contribution or subrogation of any Guarantor under applicable law or otherwise shall be fully subordinated to Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities to the extent no claim therefor has been made). Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by any of the Guarantors hereunder or any set-off or appropriation or application of funds of any of the Guarantors by any Secured Party, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party against the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of set-off held by any Secured Party for the payment of the Obligations until Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Borrower or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder until Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time prior to Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be paid to the Collateral Agent to be credited and applied against the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. No failure on the part of the Borrower or any Guarantor to make the payments required by Sections 6(a) and 6(b) (or any other payments required under applicable law or otherwise) shall in any respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor with respect to its obligations hereunder, and each Guarantor shall remain liable for the full amount of the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.

 

7.                                       GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS

 

(a)                                       The terms of Sections 9.10, 9.11 and 9.13 of the Term Loan Agreement with respect to governing law, submission to jurisdiction, venue and waiver of trial by jury are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis, and the parties hereto agree to such terms.

 

(b)                                       Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5(d). Nothing in this Agreement will affect the

 

7



 

right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

8.                                       RIGHT OF SET OFF

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any of and all the obligations of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under this Guaranty owed to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Guaranty and although such obligations may be unmatured. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Lender or any of its respective Affiliates shall have a right to set off and apply any deposits held by, or other Indebtedness owing by, such Lender or any of its Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of any Subsidiary of a Credit Party that (i) is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (ii) is a Subsidiary of a Person described in clause (i), unless (in either case) such Subsidiary is not a direct or indirect subsidiary of the Borrower. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Collateral Agent after any such set off and application made by such Lender; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set off and application. The rights of each Lender under this Section 8 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set off) that such Lender may have.

 

9.                                  ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARIES

 

Upon execution and delivery by the Collateral Agent and any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is required to become a party hereto by Section 6.09 of the Term Loan Agreement of an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party to this Guaranty. The rights and obligations of each party to this Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Guaranty. Each reference to “Guarantor” in this Guaranty shall be deemed to include such Subsidiary.

 

8



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Guaranty to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Name: Laurie D. Medley

 

 

Title: Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty]

 



 

 

Accepted and Agreed to:

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mohammed Baabde

 

 

Name: Mohammed Baabde

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty]

 


 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 dated as of May 24, 2012 (this “ Supplement ”), to the Guarantee Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 (the “ Guaranty ”), between EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC. (the “ Existing Guarantor ”), a Domestic Subsidiary of EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC) (the “ Borrower ”), and CITIBANK, N.A., as collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties (as defined therein).

 

A.                                     Reference is made to the Term Loan Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term  Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders.

 

B.                                     Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Term Loan Agreement and the Guaranty, as applicable.

 

C.                                     The Existing Guarantor has entered into the Guaranty in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans. Section 9 of the Guaranty provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Guarantors under the Guaranty by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. Each undersigned Subsidiary of the Borrower (each, a “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Term Loan Agreement to become a Guarantor under the Guaranty in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans, and as consideration for Loans previously made.

 

Accordingly, the Collateral Agent and each New Subsidiary agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 9 of the Guaranty, each New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Guarantor under the Guaranty with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and each New Subsidiary hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Guaranty applicable to it as a Guarantor thereunder. In furtherance of the foregoing, each New Subsidiary does hereby guarantee to the Collateral Agent the due and punctual payment of the Guaranteed Obligations as set forth in the Guaranty. Each reference to a “Guarantor” in the Guaranty and in this Supplement shall be deemed to include each New Subsidiary. The Guaranty is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2. Each New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 



 

SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of each New Subsidiary. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

 

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 5. THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 6. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Guaranty shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5(d) of the Guaranty.

 

SECTION 8. Each New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Collateral Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel to the Collateral Agent.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each New Subsidiary has duly executed this Supplement to the Guaranty as of the day and year first above written.

 

[Remainder of page left intentionally blank.]

 

2



 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (f/k/a EP ENERGY, L.L.C)

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY)

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION)

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.)

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Joinder to Guaranty (Second Lien)

 



 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice Preside & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Joinder to Guaranty (Second Lien)

 



 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Name: Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Title: President

 

 

 

 

Signature Page to Joinder to Guaranty (Second Lien)

 




Exhibit 10.9

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

dated and effective as of

 

May 24, 2012,

 

among

 

EP ENERGY LLC
(f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC),

 

each Subsidiary of EP Energy LLC identified herein,

 

and

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent

 

THIS COLLATERAL AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF (I) THE SENIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED HEREIN), AS SET FORTH MORE FULLY IN SECTION 5.15 HEREOF AND (II) THE PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED HEREIN). NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE LIENS AND SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED TO THE COLLATERAL AGENT, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SECURED PARTIES, PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR REMEDY BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE OTHER SECURED PARTIES HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENTS.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Term Loan Agreement

2

SECTION 1.02.

Other Defined Terms

2

 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

PLEDGE OF SECURITIES

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Pledge

10

SECTION 2.02.

Delivery of the Pledged Collateral

11

SECTION 2.03.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

12

SECTION 2.04.

Certification of Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership Interests

13

SECTION 2.05.

Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

14

SECTION 2.06.

Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc.

14

 

 

 

ARTICLE III.

 

SECURITY INTERESTS IN PERSONAL PROPERTY

 

SECTION 3.01.

Security Interest

16

SECTION 3.02.

Representations and Warranties

18

SECTION 3.03.

Covenants

20

SECTION 3.04.

Other Actions

23

SECTION 3.05.

Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral

23

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

REMEDIES

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Remedies upon Default

25

SECTION 4.02.

Application of Proceeds

26

SECTION 4.03.

Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property

26

SECTION 4.04.

Securities Act, etc.

27

 

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

Notices

28

SECTION 5.02.

Security Interest Absolute

28

 

i



 

SECTION 5.03.

Limitation by Law

28

SECTION 5.04.

Binding Effect; Several Agreement

28

SECTION 5.05.

Successors and Assigns

29

SECTION 5.06.

Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

29

SECTION 5.07.

Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

30

SECTION 5.08.

GOVERNING LAW

30

SECTION 5.09.

Waivers; Amendment

31

SECTION 5.10.

Severability

31

SECTION 5.11.

Counterparts

32

SECTION 5.12.

Headings

32

SECTION 5.13.

Termination or Release

32

SECTION 5.14.

Additional Subsidiaries

34

SECTION 5.15.

Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement

34

SECTION 5.16.

First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents

34

SECTION 5.17.

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations

34

SECTION 5.18.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

35

SECTION 5.19.

Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

35

 

Schedules

 

 

 

Schedule I

Subsidiary Parties

Schedule II

Pledged Stock; Debt Securities

Schedule III

Intellectual Property

 

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

Exhibit I

Form of Supplement to the Collateral Agreement

Exhibit II

Form of Perfection Certificate

 

ii



 

This COLLATERAL AGREEMENT dated and effective as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is among EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower listed on Schedule I hereto and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that becomes a party hereto after the date hereof (each, a “ Subsidiary Party ”) and CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ” or the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in Section 1.02 below).

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) among the Borrower and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as co-issuers (the “ Co-Issuers ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Co-Issuers are issuing 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (together with any and all exchange notes and/or additional notes issued pursuant to the Indenture, collectively the “ Notes ”) and (2) pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Term Loan Agent ”), the Borrower is incurring Loans (as defined therein, the “ Term  Loans ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Notes, the Term Loans and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are and will be secured on a second-priority, pari passu basis by the Collateral and, on the date hereof, the Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the Trustee are entering into the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ”), which sets forth the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties in the Collateral as amongst each other;

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EPE Holdings LLC (“ Holdings ”), the Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time parties thereto, the Borrower will from time to time incur loans and letter of credit obligations and (2) pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among the Pledgors, Holdings and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the Pledgors have granted to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the RBL Facility Agent, a first-priority lien and security interest in the Collateral to secure their obligations under the Credit Agreement and related documents;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent (as each such terms are defined in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture, EP Energy LLC, the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC named therein and the other parties thereto, the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted by this Agreement are and shall be subordinated in all respects to the liens upon and security

 

1


 

interest in the Collateral granted pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Credit Agreement and other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

WHEREAS, each Pledgor is executing and delivering this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, Term Loan Agreement and any applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document to induce the Lenders to extend credit and to induce the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes and the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, the Subsidiary Parties are Subsidiaries of the Borrower, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Indenture, Term Loan Agreement and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit and to induce the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes and the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder.

 

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.                      Term Loan Agreement .

 

(a)                                       Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Term Loan Agreement as in effect on the date hereof and without regard to any amendments, modifications, or supplements thereto from time to time. All capitalized terms referred to in Article III hereof that are defined in Article 9 of the New York UCC and not defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. The term “instrument” shall have the meaning specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. If the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date has occurred, a reference in this Agreement to the Applicable First Lien Agent shall, unless the context requires otherwise, be construed as a reference to the Agent and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.

 

(b)                                       The rules of construction specified in Section 1.02 of the Term Loan Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 1.02.                      Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Account Debtor ” means any person who is or who may become obligated to any Pledgor under, with respect to or on account of an Account.

 

Acquisition Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture.

 

2



 

Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Applicable Agent ” means the Applicable First Lien Agent (or, if the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date has occurred, the Agent).

 

Applicable First Lien Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Authorized Representative ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Article 9 Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

 

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Collateral ” means Article 9 Collateral and Pledged Collateral.

 

“Collateral Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Copyright License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting any right to any Pledgor under any Copyright now or hereafter owned by any third party, and all rights of any Pledgor under any such agreement (including any such rights that such Pledgor has the right to license).

 

Copyrights ” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor (or, as required in the context of the definition of “Copyright License,” any third party licensor): (a) all copyright rights in any work subject to the copyright laws of the United States or any other country, whether as author, assignee, transferee or otherwise; and (b) all registrations and applications for registration of any such Copyright in the United States or any other country, including registrations, supplemental registrations and pending applications for registration in the United States Copyright Office, including those listed on Schedule III .

 

Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Credit Documents ” means the Term Loan Documents, the Indenture Documents and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Default ” means a “Default” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any other Credit Document.

 

3



 

Discharge ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Event of Default ” means an “Event of Default” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any other Credit Document.

 

Excluded Assets ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(a).

 

Excluded Securities ” means:

 

(a) any Equity Interests or debt with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing, the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests or debt in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom;

 

(b) solely in the case of any pledge of Equity Interests of any FSHCO (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Party) to secure the Obligations, any Equity Interest that is Voting Stock of such FSHCO in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class (such percentages to be adjusted upon any change of law as may be required to avoid adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary);

 

(c) any Equity Interests or debt to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law;

 

(d) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement (other than customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided that this clause (B)  shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain any such consent)) and for so long as such organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) to any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement governing such Equity Interests the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than customary non-assignment provisions that are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirement of Law);

 

(e) any Equity Interests of (i) any Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary and (ii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(f) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary;

 

4



 

(g) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as reasonably determined by the Borrower in writing delivered to the Agent;

 

(h) any Equity Interests or debt at any time that is not then subject to a Lien securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations at such time;

 

(i) any of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary (the pledge of which is governed by the Pledge Agreement);

 

(j) any “Margin Stock”, as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America; and

 

(k) any Equity Interests or securities of a Subsidiary to the extent excluded by the last paragraph of Section 2.01.

 

Federal Securities Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.04.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date ” means, subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the date on which the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations occurs; provided that if, at any time after the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations is deemed not to have occurred under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement (other than with respect to any actions taken prior to the date of incurrence and designation of any new First-Priority Lien Obligations as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations).

 

Foreign Corporate Subsidiary ” shall mean a Foreign Subsidiary that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

FSHCO ” shall mean any direct or indirect Subsidiary that owns (directly or through Subsidiaries) no material assets other than the Equity Interests of one or more direct or indirect Foreign Corporate Subsidiaries.

 

General Intangibles ” means all “general intangibles” as defined in the New York UCC, including all choses in action and causes of action and all other intangible personal property of any Pledgor of every kind and nature (other than Accounts) now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor, including corporate or other business records, indemnification claims, contract rights (including rights under leases, whether entered into as lessor or lessee, swap agreements and other agreements), Intellectual Property, goodwill, registrations, franchises and tax refund claims.

 

5



 

Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06.

 

Indenture ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Indenture Documents ” means (a) the Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and this Agreement and (b) any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Indenture or any Security Document, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Indenture Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Notes, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties under the Indenture and each of the other Indenture Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Indenture and each of the other Indenture Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Indenture Documents; provided that Indenture Obligations shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the Notes.

 

Intellectual Property ” means all intellectual and similar property of every kind and nature now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor, including inventions, designs, Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Patent Licenses, Copyright Licenses, Trademark Licenses, trade secrets, domain names, confidential or proprietary technical and business information, know-how, show-how or other data or information and all related documentation.

 

Material Subsidiary ” means, at any date of determination, each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Excluded Subsidiary pursuant to clause (f) of the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary” in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Obligations ” means (a) the Indenture Obligations, (b) the Term Loan Obligations and (c) if any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are incurred, (1) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing

 

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during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) owing to any holder of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations under any Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any holder of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations under the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (2) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents and (3) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations ” means other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is equally and ratably secured with the Term Loans and Notes as permitted by the Indenture Documents, the Term Loan Documents and any Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and is designated by the Borrower as an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligation in accordance with Section 5.17 hereof and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” means any document or instrument executed and delivered with respect to any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, including the Security Documents and this Agreement, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement ” means a Joinder Agreement (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) executed by the Authorized Representative of any holders of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 5.17 and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Patent License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Pledgor any right to make, use or sell any invention covered by a Patent, now or hereafter owned by any third party (including any such rights that such Pledgor has the right to license).

 

Patents ” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor (or, as required in the context of the definition of “Patent License,” any third party licensor): (a) all patents of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, and all applications for patents of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, including those listed on Schedule III , and (b) all reissues, continuations, divisions, continuations-

 

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in-part or extensions thereof, and the inventions disclosed or claimed therein, including the right to make, use and/or sell the inventions disclosed or claimed therein.

 

Perfection Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit II or another form reasonably acceptable to the Agent, completed and supplemented with the schedules and attachments contemplated thereby, and duly executed by an officer of the Borrower.

 

Permitted Liens ” means Liens that are not prohibited by the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document.

 

Pledge Agreement ” means the Pledge Agreement, dated May 24, 2012, by and among the Borrower, each Subsidiary of the Borrower identified therein and the Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Pledged Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledged Debt Securities ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledged Securities ” means any promissory notes, stock certificates or other certificated securities now or hereafter included in the Pledged Collateral, including all certificates, instruments or other documents representing or evidencing any Pledged Collateral.

 

Pledged Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledgor ” shall mean the Borrower and each Subsidiary Party.

 

RBL Facility Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

RBL Priority Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Secured Parties ” means (a) the Collateral Agent, (b) each holder of a Note, (c) each Lender, (d) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Pledgor under any Credit Documents, (e) the Trustee, (f) the Term Loan Agent, (g) the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations and their Authorized Representative, provided that such Authorized Representative executes an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement, and (h) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing. When used in the phrase “the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties” at any time when the Applicable First Lien Agent is the Applicable Agent, the term “Secured Parties” includes holders of the First-Priority Lien Obligations as well as the Persons described in first sentence of this definition.

 

Security Documents ” means this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, any agreement pursuant to which assets are added to the Collateral or otherwise pledged or mortgaged to secure the Obligations and any other instruments or documents entered into and delivered in

 

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connection with any of the foregoing, as such agreements, instruments or documents may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Security Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Subsidiary Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Documents ” means (a) the Term Loan Agreement, the Notes (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement), the Security Documents and this Agreement and (b) any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement or any Security Document, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Term Loan Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Term Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties under the Term Loan Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents.

 

Trademark License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Pledgor any right to use any Trademark now or hereafter owned by any third party (including any such rights that such Pledgor has the right to license).

 

Trademarks ” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Pledgor (or, as required in the context of the definition of “Trademark License,” any third party

 

 

 

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licensor): (a) all trademarks, service marks, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, trade dress, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of like nature, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations thereof (if any), and all registration and recording applications filed in connection therewith, including registrations and registration applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any State of the United States or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, and all renewals thereof, including those listed on Schedule III and (b) all goodwill associated therewith or symbolized thereby.

 

Trustee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE II.

 

Pledge of Securities

 

SECTION 2.01.                      Pledge . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Pledgor hereby assigns and pledges to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of such Pledgor’s right, title and interest in, to and under (a) the Equity Interests in each Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary directly owned by it (which such Equity Interests constituting Pledged Stock as of the date hereof shall be listed on Schedule II ) and any other Equity Interests in a Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary obtained in the future by such Pledgor and any certificates representing all such Equity Interests (collectively, the “ Pledged Stock ”); provided that the Pledged Stock shall not include any Excluded Securities; (b)(i) the debt securities currently issued to any Pledgor (which such debt securities constituting Pledged Debt Securities as of the date hereof shall be listed on Schedule II ), (ii) any debt securities in the future issued to such Pledgor and (iii) the promissory notes and any other instruments, if any, evidencing such debt securities (collectively, the “ Pledged Debt Securities ”); provided that the Pledged Debt Securities shall not include any Excluded Securities; (c) subject to Section 2.06, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other proceeds received in respect of, the securities referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; (d) subject to Section 2.06, all rights and privileges of such Pledgor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above; and (e) all Proceeds of any of the foregoing (the items referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above being collectively referred to as the “ Pledged Collateral ”).

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Pledged Collateral, together with all right, title, interest, powers, privileges and preferences pertaining or incidental thereto, unto the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, forever; subject , however , to the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“ Rule 3-10 ” or “ Rule 3-16 ”, as applicable) requires or is amended, modified or interpreted by the Securities Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) to require (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation

 

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is adopted, which would require) the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Authority) of separate financial statements of any Subsidiary of the Borrower due to the fact that such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests or other securities secure Obligations, then the Equity Interests or other securities of such Subsidiary will automatically be deemed not to be part of the Collateral securing any of the Obligations (whether or not affected thereby) but only to the extent necessary to not be subject to such requirement and only for so long as required to not be subject to such requirement. In such event, this Agreement may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Secured Party, to the extent necessary to release the Lien in favor of the Agent on the Equity Interests or other securities that are so deemed to no longer constitute part of the Collateral for the Obligations. In the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 is amended, modified or interpreted by the SEC to permit (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would permit) such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests or other securities to secure the Obligations in excess of the amount then pledged without the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Authority) of separate financial statements of such Subsidiary, then the Equity Interests or other securities of such Subsidiary will automatically be deemed to be a part of the Collateral for the Obligations (but only to the extent that will not result in such Subsidiary being subject to any such financial statement requirement). In such event, this Agreement may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Secured Party, to the extent necessary to subject to the Lien in favor of the Agent such additional Equity Interests or other securities, on the terms contemplated herein.

 

SECTION 2.02.                      Delivery of the Pledged Collateral .

 

(a)                                       Each Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 45 days after the acquisition (or such longer time as the Applicable Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, any and all Pledged Securities to the extent such Pledged Securities, in the case of promissory notes or other instruments evidencing Indebtedness, are required to be delivered pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.02.

 

(b)                                       Each Pledgor will cause any Indebtedness (other than Excluded Securities) (i) having an aggregate principal amount in excess of $15,000,000 or (ii) payable by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days and made in the ordinary course of business) to be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note that is pledged and delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the terms hereof. To the extent any such promissory note is a demand note, each Pledgor party thereto agrees, if requested by the Applicable Agent, to immediately demand payment thereunder upon an Event of Default specified under Section 7.01(a), (b), (f) or (g) of the Term Loan Agreement or under any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document.

 

(c)                                        Upon delivery to the Applicable Agent, (i) any Pledged Securities required to be delivered pursuant to the foregoing paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 2.02 shall be accompanied by stock powers or note powers, as applicable, duly executed in blank or other instruments of transfer reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent and by such other instruments and documents as the Applicable Agent may reasonably request and (ii) all other property comprising part of the Pledged Collateral delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be accompanied to the extent necessary to perfect the security interest in or allow realization on

 

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the Pledged Collateral by proper instruments of assignment duly executed by the applicable Pledgor and such other instruments or documents as the Applicable Agent may reasonably request. Each delivery of Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by a schedule describing the securities, which schedule shall be attached hereto as Schedule II (or a supplement to Schedule II, as applicable) and made a part hereof; provided that failure to attach any such schedule hereto shall not affect the validity of such pledge of such Pledged Securities. Each schedule so delivered shall supplement any prior schedules so delivered.

 

SECTION 2.03.                      Representations, Warranties and Covenants . Each Pledgor represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

 

(a)                                       Schedule II correctly sets forth the percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by such Pledged Stock and includes all debt securities and promissory notes or instruments evidencing Indebtedness required to be delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(b);

 

(b)                                       the Pledged Stock, to the best of each Pledgor’s knowledge, have been duly and validly authorized and issued by the issuers thereof and are fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(c)                                        except for the security interests granted hereunder (and those securing First-Priority Lien Obligations), each Pledgor (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Term Loan Agreement and each other Credit Document, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Securities indicated on Schedule II as owned by such Pledgor, (ii) holds the same free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, (iii) will make no assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of, or create or permit to exist any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Collateral, other than pursuant to a transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document and other than Permitted Liens, and (iv) subject to the rights of such Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Pledged Collateral, will use commercially reasonable efforts to defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), however arising, of all persons;

 

(d)                                       other than as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or the schedules thereto, in the other Credit Documents or in the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Credit Documents, the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents or securities laws generally, the Pledged Collateral is and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Collateral is or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement, charter, by-law, memorandum of association or articles of association provisions or contractual restriction of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect the pledge of such Pledged Collateral hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Agent of rights and remedies hereunder other than under applicable Requirements of Law;

 

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(e)                                        each Pledgor has the power and authority to pledge the Pledged Collateral pledged by it hereunder in the manner hereby done or contemplated;

 

(f)                                         other than as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or the schedules thereto, in the other Credit Documents or in the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents, no consent or approval of any Governmental Authority, any securities exchange or any other person was or is necessary to the validity of the pledge effected hereby (other than such as have been obtained and are in full force and effect);

 

(g)                                        by virtue of the execution and delivery by the Pledgors of this Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, when any Pledged Securities are delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with this Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and a financing statement in respect of the Pledged Securities is filed in the appropriate filing office, the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected (except for any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing delivered to the Agent, the costs or other consequences of perfecting such a security interest are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom) lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Securities, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations; and

 

(h)                                       the pledge effected hereby is effective to vest in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the rights of the Agent in the Pledged Collateral as set forth herein.

 

SECTION 2.04.                      Certification of Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership Interests .

 

(a)                                       Each interest in any limited liability company or limited partnership controlled by any Pledgor, pledged hereunder and represented by a certificate, shall be a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC and shall be governed by Article 8 of the New York UCC, and each such interest shall at all times hereafter be represented by a certificate unless and until such interest is no longer such a “security” and the Pledgor complies with Section 2.04(b).

 

(b)                                       Each interest in any limited liability company or limited partnership controlled by a Pledgor, pledged hereunder and not represented by a certificate shall not be a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC and shall not be governed by Article 8 of the New York UCC (or other applicable Uniform Commercial Code in effect in another jurisdiction), and the Pledgors shall at no time elect to treat any such interest as a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC or issue any certificate representing such interest, unless promptly thereafter (and in any event within 30 days (or such longer period as the Agent may agree to)) the applicable Pledgor provides notification to the Applicable Agent of such election and delivers, as applicable, any such certificate to the Applicable Agent pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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SECTION 2.05.                      Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (a) the Applicable Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to hold the Pledged Securities in its own name as pledgee or the name of its nominee (as pledgee or as sub-agent), or the name of the applicable Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank in favor of the Applicable Agent, and (b) each Pledgor will promptly give to the Applicable Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Securities registered in the name of such Pledgor. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Applicable Agent shall have the right to exchange the certificates representing Pledged Securities for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with this Agreement. Each Pledgor shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Subsidiary that is not a party to this Agreement to comply with a request by the Applicable Agent, pursuant to this Section 2.05, to exchange certificates representing Pledged Securities of such Subsidiary for certificates of smaller or larger denominations.

 

SECTION 2.06.                      Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc .

 

(a)                                  Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Applicable Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder:

 

(i)                        Each Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that could be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the rights and remedies of any of the Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same.

 

(ii)                     The Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to each Pledgor, or cause to be executed and delivered to such Pledgor, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as such Pledgor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to subparagraph (i) above.

 

(iii)                  Each Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Collateral to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are not prohibited by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and applicable laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Securities, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Securities or received in exchange for Pledged Securities or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become

 

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part of the Pledged Collateral, and, if received by any Pledgor, shall be promptly (and in any event within 45 days of their receipt (or such longer time as the Applicable Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent).

 

(b)                                  After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and upon notice by the Applicable Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, all rights of any Pledgor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Applicable Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions; provided that the Applicable Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to receive and retain such amounts. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.06 shall not be commingled by such Pledgor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart there from, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Applicable Agent). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Applicable Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Applicable Agent in an account to be established by the Applicable Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Applicable Agent a certificate to that effect, the Applicable Agent shall promptly repay to each Pledgor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06 and that remain in such account.

 

(c)                                   Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice by the Applicable Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Applicable Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, subject to applicable Requirements of Law, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06, and the obligations of the Applicable Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.06, shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Applicable Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers; provided that the Applicable Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to exercise such rights. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Applicable Agent a certificate to that effect, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06, and the obligations of the Applicable Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.06, shall in each case be reinstated.

 

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(d)                                  Any notice given by the Applicable Agent to the Pledgors suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 2.06 (i) shall be in writing, (ii) may be given to one or more of the Pledgors at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Pledgors under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(iii) in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Applicable Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Applicable Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

ARTICLE III.

 

Security Interests in Personal Property

 

SECTION 3.01.                      Security Interest .

 

(a)                                       As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Pledgor hereby assigns and pledges to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “ Security Interest ”) in all right, title and interest in or to any and all of the following assets and properties now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Pledgor or in which such Pledgor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “ Article 9 Collateral ”):

 

(i)                                           all Accounts;

 

(ii)                                        all Chattel Paper;

 

(iii)                                     all cash and Deposit Accounts;

 

(iv)                                    all Documents;

 

(v)                                       all Equipment;

 

(vi)                                    all Fixtures;

 

(vii)                                 all General Intangibles;

 

(viii)                              Goods;

 

(ix)                                    all Instruments;

 

(x)                                       all Intellectual Property;

 

(xi)                                    all Inventory;

 

(xii)                                 all Investment Property other than the Pledged Collateral;

 

(xiii)                              all Letters of Credit and Letter of Credit Rights;

 

(xiv)                             all minerals, oil, gas and As-Extracted Collateral;

 

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(xv)                                all books and records pertaining to the Article 9 Collateral; and

 

(xvi)                             substitutions, replacements, accessions, products and proceeds (including insurance proceeds, licenses, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit) and to the extent not otherwise included, all proceeds, Supporting Obligations and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any person with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Credit Documents, this Agreement shall not constitute a grant of a security interest in (and the Article 9 Collateral shall not include) and the other provisions of the Credit Documents with respect to Collateral need not be satisfied with respect to (a) motor vehicles or other assets subject to certificates of title and commercial tort claims, (b) any assets over which the granting of security interests in such assets would be prohibited by an enforceable contractual obligation binding on the assets that existed at the time of the acquisition thereof and was not created or made binding on the assets in contemplation or in connection with the acquisition of such assets (except in the case of assets owned on the Acquisition Date or acquired after the Acquisition Date with Indebtedness of the type permitted pursuant to Section 6.03(b)(iv) of the Term Loan Agreement and any equivalent provision in the Indenture), applicable law or regulation (in each case, except to the extent such prohibition is unenforceable after giving effect to applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, other than proceeds thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the Uniform Commercial Code notwithstanding such prohibitions) or to the extent that such security interests would require obtaining the consent of any governmental authority or would result in materially adverse tax consequences as reasonably determined by the Borrower in writing delivered to the Collateral Agent, (c) those assets with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Applicable Agent and the Borrower, evidenced in writing delivered to the Agent, the costs or other consequences of obtaining or perfecting such a security interest are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom, (d) any Letter of Credit Rights (other than to the extent a Lien thereon can be perfected by filing a customary financing statement), (e) any Excluded Securities, (f) any Pledgor’s right, title or interest in any license, contract or agreement to which such Pledgor is a party or any of its right, title or interest there under to the extent, but only to the extent, that such a grant would violate the terms of applicable law or of such license, contract or agreement, or result in a breach of the terms of, or constitute a default under, any such license, contract or agreement to which such Pledgor is a party (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the New York UCC or any other applicable law or regulation (including Title 11 of the United States Code) or principles of equity); provided that, immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse or termination of any such provision, the Collateral shall include, and such Pledgor shall be deemed to have granted a security interest in, all such rights and interests as if such provision had never been in effect, (g) any equipment or other asset owned by any Pledgor that is subject to a purchase money lien or a Capitalized Lease Obligation, in each case, as permitted under the Term Loan Agreement and the Indenture and not prohibited by any other Credit Document, if the contract or other agreement in which such Lien is granted (or the documentation providing for such Capitalized Lease Obligation) prohibits or requires the consent of any person other than the Pledgors as a condition to the creation of any other security interest on such equipment or asset and, in each case, such prohibition or requirement is permitted by under Term Loan Agreement and the Indenture and not prohibited by any other Credit Document, (h) any

 

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foreign collateral or credit support with respect to such foreign collateral (other than any such assets pledged pursuant to the Pledge Agreement), (i) any real property (owned or leased) or oil and gas properties (owned or leased) other than the Mortgaged Properties, and (j) any asset at any time that is not then subject to a Lien securing First-Priority Lien Obligations at such time (the foregoing clauses (a) through (j), the “ Excluded Assets ”). With respect to the Collateral, no control agreements or control arrangements will be required with respect to any Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts, Commodity Contracts or any other asset, the perfection of a security interest in which specifically requires a control arrangement or control agreement (other than the delivery of Pledged Securities to the Applicable Agent to the extent required by Article II).

 

(b)                                       Each Pledgor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Agent at any time and from time to time to file in any relevant jurisdiction any initial financing statements (including fixture filings) with respect to the Article 9 Collateral or any part thereof and amendments thereto that contain the information required by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of each applicable jurisdiction for the filing of any financing statement or amendment, including (i) whether such Pledgor is an organization, the type of organization and any organizational identification number issued to such Pledgor, (ii) in the case of a financing statement filed as a fixture filing, a sufficient description of the real property to which such Article 9 Collateral relates and (iii) a description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Agent may reasonably determine is necessary or advisable to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Article 9 Collateral granted under this Agreement, including describing such property as “all assets” or “all property” or words of similar effect. Each Pledgor agrees to provide such information to the Agent promptly upon request.

 

The Agent is further authorized to file with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office (or any successor office or any similar office in any other country) such documents as may be necessary or advisable for the purpose of perfecting, confirming, continuing, enforcing or protecting the Security Interest granted by each Pledgor, without the signature of any Pledgor, and naming any Pledgor or the Pledgors as debtors and the Agent as secured party.

 

(c)                                        The Security Interest is granted as security only and shall not subject the Agent or any other Secured Party to, or in any way alter or modify, any obligation or liability of any Pledgor with respect to or arising out of the Article 9 Collateral.

 

SECTION 3.02.                      Representations and Warranties . The Pledgors jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Agent and the Secured Parties as of the Acquisition Date that:

 

(a)                                       Each Pledgor has good and valid rights in and title to the Article 9 Collateral with respect to which it has purported to grant a Security Interest hereunder and has full power and authority to grant to the Agent the Security Interest in such Article 9 Collateral pursuant hereto and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without the consent or approval of any other person other than any consent or approval that has been obtained and is in full force and effect or has otherwise been disclosed herein, in the Term Loan Agreement and the Schedules thereto or in the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

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(b)                                       The Perfection Certificate has been duly prepared, completed and executed and the information set forth therein, including the exact legal name of each Pledgor, is correct and complete, in all material respects, as of the Acquisition Date. Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations containing a description of the Article 9 Collateral have been prepared by the Agent based upon the information provided to the Agent in the Perfection Certificate for filing in each governmental, municipal or other office specified in the Perfection Certificate (or specified by notice from the Borrower to the Agent after the Acquisition Date in the case of filings, recordings or registrations required by Section 6.16 of the Term Loan Agreement or any equivalent provision of each other Credit Document), and constitute all the filings, recordings and registrations (other than filings required to be made in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office in order to perfect the Security Interest in Article 9 Collateral consisting of United States Patents, United States registered Trademarks and United States registered Copyrights) that are necessary to publish notice of and protect the validity of and to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in respect of all Article 9 Collateral in which the Security Interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registration in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration is necessary in any such jurisdiction, except as provided under applicable law with respect to the filing of continuation statements or amendments. Each Pledgor represents and warrants that a fully executed agreement in the form hereof (or a short form hereof which form shall be reasonably acceptable to the Agent) containing a description of all Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property with respect to registered United States Patents (and Patents for which registration applications are pending), registered United States Trademarks (and Trademarks for which registration applications are pending) and registered United States Copyrights (and Copyrights for which registration applications are pending) has been delivered to the Agent for recording with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 261, 15 U.S.C. § 1060 or 17 U.S.C. § 205 and the regulations thereunder, as applicable, to protect the validity of and to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in respect of all Article 9 Collateral consisting of such Intellectual Property in which a security interest may be perfected by recording with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration is necessary (other than such actions as are necessary to perfect the Security Interest with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights (or registration or application for registration thereof) acquired or developed after the Acquisition Date).

 

(c)                                        The Security Interest constitutes (i) a legal and valid security interest in all the Article 9 Collateral securing the payment and performance of the Obligations, (ii) subject to the filings described in Section 3.02(b), a perfected security interest in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registering a financing statement or analogous document in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions pursuant to the Uniform

 

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Commercial Code or other applicable law in such jurisdictions and (iii) subject to Section 3.02(b), a security interest that shall be perfected in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected upon the receipt and recording of this Agreement (or a short form hereof) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, as applicable. The Security Interest is and shall be a second priority security interest, prior to any other Lien on any of the Article 9 Collateral, other than Liens in respect of the First-Priority Lien Obligations and any other Permitted Liens.

 

(d)                                       The Article 9 Collateral is owned by the Pledgors free and clear of any Lien, other than Permitted Liens. None of the Pledgors has filed or consented to the filing of (i) any financing statement or analogous document under the Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable laws covering any Article 9 Collateral, (ii) any assignment in which any Pledgor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office or (iii) any assignment in which any Pledgor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with any foreign governmental, municipal or other office, which financing statement or analogous document, assignment, security agreement or similar instrument is still in effect, except, in each case, for Permitted Liens.

 

(e)                                        Except as set forth in the Perfection Certificate, as of the Acquisition Date, all Accounts owned by the Pledgors have been originated by the Pledgors and all Inventory owned by the Pledgors has been acquired by the Pledgors in the ordinary course of business.

 

SECTION 3.03.                      Covenants .

 

(a)                                       Each Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 10 days thereof, or such longer period of time as may be agreed by the Applicable Agent) to notify the Agent in writing of any change (i) in its legal name, (ii) in its identity or type of organization or corporate structure, (iii) in its Federal Taxpayer Identification Number or organizational identification number or (iv) in its jurisdiction of organization. Each Pledgor agrees promptly to provide the Agent with certified organizational documents reflecting any of the changes described in the immediately preceding sentence. Each Pledgor agrees that if it effects or permits any change referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph (a) it will ensure that all filings have been made, or will have been made within any applicable statutory period, under the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise that are required in order for the Agent at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected second priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in all the Article 9 Collateral, for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Each Pledgor agrees promptly to notify the Agent if any material portion of the Article 9 Collateral owned or held by such Pledgor is damaged or destroyed.

 

(b)                                       Subject to the rights of such Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Collateral, each Pledgor shall, at its own expense, use commercially reasonable efforts to defend title to the Article 9 Collateral against all persons and to defend the Security Interest of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Article 9 Collateral and the priority thereof against any Lien that is not a Permitted Lien.

 

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(c)                                        Each Pledgor agrees, at its own expense, to execute, acknowledge, deliver and cause to be duly filed all such further instruments and documents and take all such actions as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request to better assure, preserve, protect and perfect the Security Interest and the rights and remedies created hereby, including the payment of any fees and taxes required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the granting of the Security Interest and the filing of any financing statements (including fixture filings) or other documents in connection herewith or therewith.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor hereby authorizes the Agent, with prompt notice thereof to the Pledgors, to supplement this Agreement by supplementing Schedule III or adding additional schedules hereto to specifically identify any asset or item that may constitute Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, Copyright Licenses, Patent Licenses or Trademark Licenses; provided that any Pledgor shall have the right, exercisable within 90 days after it has been notified by the Agent of the specific identification of such Collateral, to advise the Agent in writing of any inaccuracy of the representations and warranties made by such Pledgor hereunder with respect to such Article 9 Collateral. Each Pledgor agrees that it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to take such action as shall be necessary in order that all representations and warranties hereunder shall be true and correct with respect to such Article 9 Collateral within 90 days after the date it has been notified by the Agent of the specific identification of such Article 9 Collateral.

 

(d)                                  (i) Following the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, and subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, after the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the continuance thereof, the Agent shall have the right to verify under reasonable procedures the validity, amount, quality, quantity, value, condition and status of, or any other matter relating to, the Article 9 Collateral, including, in the case of Accounts or Article 9 Collateral in the possession of any third person, by contacting Account Debtors or the third person possessing such Article 9 Collateral for the purpose of making such a verification and each Pledgor shall furnish all such assistance and information as Agent may reasonably request in connection with any such verification. The Agent shall have the right to share any information it gains from such inspection or verification with any Secured Party.

 

(ii)                                        The Applicable Agent hereby authorizes each Pledgor to collect such Pledgor’s Accounts and the Applicable Agent may curtail or terminate said authority at any time after written notice is provided by the Applicable Agent to such Pledgor after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

 

(iii)                                     At the Applicable Agent’s written request at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Pledgor shall deliver to the Applicable Agent all original and other documents evidencing, and relating to, the agreements and transactions which gave rise to the Accounts, including all original orders, invoices and shipping receipts.

 

(e)                                   Following the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, and subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, at its option, the Agent may discharge any past due taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on the Article 9 Collateral and that is not a Permitted Lien, and may pay for the

 

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maintenance and preservation of the Article 9 Collateral to the extent any Pledgor fails to do so as required by the Term Loan Agreement, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, and each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to reimburse the Agent on demand for any reasonable payment made or any reasonable expense incurred by the Agent pursuant to the foregoing authorization; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 3.03(e) shall be interpreted as excusing any Pledgor from the performance of, or imposing any obligation on the Agent or any Secured Party to cure or perform, any covenants or other promises of any Pledgor with respect to taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances and maintenance as set forth herein or in the other Credit Documents.

 

(f)                                         Each Pledgor (rather than the Agent or any Secured Party) shall remain liable for the observance and performance of all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it under each contract, agreement or instrument relating to the Article 9 Collateral and each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent and the Secured Parties from and against any and all liability for such performance.

 

(g)                                        None of the Pledgors shall make or permit to be made an assignment, pledge or hypothecation of the Article 9 Collateral or shall grant any other Lien in respect of the Article 9 Collateral, except as not prohibited by any Credit Document. None of the Pledgors shall make or permit to be made any transfer of the Article 9 Collateral, except as not prohibited by any Credit Document. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Applicable Agent shall have notified the Grantors that an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (f) or (g) of the Term Loan Agreement or any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document shall have occurred and be continuing, and during the continuance thereof, the Pledgors shall not sell, convey, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Article 9 Collateral to the extent requested by the Applicable Agent (which notice may be given by telephone if promptly confirmed in writing).

 

(h)                                       None of the Pledgors will, without the Applicable Agent’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), grant any extension of the time of payment of any Accounts included in the Article 9 Collateral, compromise, compound or settle the same for less than the full amount thereof, release, wholly or partly, any person liable for the payment thereof or allow any credit or discount whatsoever thereon, other than extensions, credits, discounts, compromises or settlements granted or made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with prudent business practices, except as not prohibited by the Credit Documents.

 

(i)                                           Each Pledgor irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Applicable Agent (and all officers, employees or agents designated by the Applicable Agent) as such Pledgor’s true and lawful agent (and attorney-in-fact) for the purpose, during the continuance of an Event of Default, of making, settling and adjusting claims in respect of Article 9 Collateral under policies of insurance, endorsing the name of such Pledgor on any check, draft, instrument or other item of payment for the proceeds of such policies of insurance and for making all determinations and decisions with respect thereto. In the event that any Pledgor at any time or times shall fail to obtain or maintain any of the policies of insurance required by the Credit Documents or to pay any premium in whole or part relating thereto, the Applicable Agent may, without waiving or releasing any obligation or liability of the Pledgors hereunder or any Event of Default, in its sole discretion, obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and pay such premium and take

 

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any other actions with respect thereto as the Applicable Agent reasonably deems advisable. All sums disbursed by the Applicable Agent in connection with this Section 3.03(i), including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto, shall be payable, upon demand, by the Pledgors to the Applicable Agent and shall be additional Obligations secured hereby.

 

SECTION 3.04.                      Other Actions . In order to further ensure the attachment, perfection and priority of, and the ability of the Agent to enforce, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Agent’s security interest in the Article 9 Collateral, each Pledgor agrees, in each case at such Pledgor’s own expense, to take the following actions with respect to the following Article 9 Collateral:

 

(a)                                       Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper . If any Pledgor shall at any time own or acquire any Instruments or Tangible Chattel Paper evidencing an amount in excess of $15,000,000, such Pledgor shall promptly (and in any event within 30 days of its acquisition (or such longer period as the Agent may agree to)) notify the Applicable Agent and promptly endorse, assign and deliver the same to the Applicable Agent, accompanied by such instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as the Applicable Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

 

SECTION 3.05.                      Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral . Except as not prohibited by any Credit Documents:

 

(a)                                       Each Pledgor agrees that it will not knowingly do any act or omit to do any act (and will exercise commercially reasonable efforts to prevent its licensees from doing any act or omitting to do any act) whereby any Patent material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business may become prematurely invalidated or dedicated to the public, and agrees that it shall take commercially reasonable steps with respect to any material products covered by any such Patent as necessary and sufficient to establish and preserve its rights under applicable patent laws.

 

(b)                                       Each Pledgor will, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its licensees or its sublicensees to, for each Trademark material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business, (i) maintain such Trademark in full force free from any adjudication of abandonment or invalidity for non-use, (ii) maintain the quality of products and services offered under such Trademark, (iii) display such Trademark with notice of federal or foreign registration or claim of trademark or service mark as required under applicable law and (iv) not knowingly use or knowingly permit its licensees’ use of such Trademark in violation of any third-party rights.

 

(c)                                        Each Pledgor will, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its licensees or its sublicensees to, for each work covered by a material Copyright necessary to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business that it publishes, displays and distributes, use copyright notice as required under applicable copyright laws.

 

(d)                                       Each Pledgor shall notify the Applicable Agent promptly if it knows that any Patent, Trademark or Copyright material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s

 

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business may imminently become prematurely abandoned, lost or dedicated to the public, or of any materially adverse determination or development, excluding office actions and similar determinations or developments, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, United States Copyright Office, any court or any similar office of any country, regarding such Pledgor’s ownership of any such material Patent, Trademark or Copyright or its right to register or to maintain the same.

 

(e)                                        Each Pledgor, either itself or through any agent, employee, licensee or designee, shall (i) inform the Agent on an annual basis on or about the time of delivery of financial statements for such year (commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012) of each application by itself, or through any agent, employee, licensee or designee, for any Patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and each registration of any Trademark or Copyright with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any comparable office or agency in any other country filed during the preceding twelve-month period, and (ii) upon the reasonable request of the Agent, execute and deliver any and all agreements, instruments, documents and papers as the Agent may reasonably request to evidence the Agent’s security interest in such Patent, Trademark or Copyright.

 

(f)                                         Each Pledgor shall exercise its reasonable business judgment consistent with the practice in any proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any comparable office or agency in any other country with respect to maintaining and pursuing each material application relating to any Patent, Trademark and/or Copyright (and obtaining the relevant grant or registration) material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business and to maintain (i) each issued Patent and (ii) the registrations of each Trademark and each Copyright that is material to the normal conduct of such Pledgor’s business, including, when applicable and necessary in such Pledgor’s reasonable business judgment, timely filings of applications for renewal, affidavits of use, affidavits of incontestability and payment of maintenance fees, and, if any Pledgor believes necessary in its reasonable business judgment, to initiate opposition, interference and cancellation proceedings against third parties.

 

(g)                                        In the event that any Pledgor knows or has reason to know that any Article 9 Collateral consisting of a Patent, Trademark or Copyright material to the normal conduct of its business has been materially infringed, misappropriated or diluted by a third party, such Pledgor shall promptly notify the Applicable Agent and shall, if such Pledgor deems it necessary in its reasonable business judgment, promptly sue and recover any and all damages, and take such other actions as are reasonably appropriate under the circumstances.

 

(h)                                       Upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default, at the request of the Applicable Agent, each Pledgor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all requisite consents or approvals from the licensor under each Copyright License, Patent License or Trademark License to effect the assignment of all such Pledgor’s right, title and interest thereunder to (in the Applicable Agent’s sole discretion) the designee of the Applicable Agent or the Applicable Agent.

 

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ARTICLE IV.

 

Remedies

 

SECTION 4.01.                      Remedies upon Default . Subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and applicable Requirements of Law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Pledgor agrees to deliver each item of Collateral to the Applicable Agent on demand, and it is agreed that the Applicable Agent shall have the right to take any of or all the following actions at the same or different times: (a) with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property, on demand, to cause the Security Interest to become an assignment, transfer and conveyance of any of or all such Article 9 Collateral by the applicable Pledgors to the Applicable Agent or to license or sublicense, whether general, special or otherwise, and whether on an exclusive or a nonexclusive basis, any such Article 9 Collateral throughout the world on such terms and conditions and in such manner as the Applicable Agent shall determine (other than in violation of any then-existing licensing arrangements to the extent that waivers thereunder cannot be obtained) and (b) with or without legal process and with or without prior notice or demand for performance, to take possession of the Article 9 Collateral and without liability for trespass to the applicable Pledgor to enter any premises where the Article 9 Collateral may be located for the purpose of taking possession of or removing the Article 9 Collateral and, generally, to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor agrees that the Agent shall have the right, subject to the requirements of applicable law and subject to the terms and conditions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Agent shall deem appropriate. The Agent shall be authorized in connection with any sale of a security (if it deems it advisable to do so) pursuant to the foregoing to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to persons who represent and agree that they are purchasing such security for their own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof. Upon consummation of any such sale of Collateral pursuant to this Section 4.01, the Agent shall have the right to assign, transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of any Pledgor, and each Pledgor hereby waives and releases (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay, valuation and appraisal that such Pledgor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

 

The Agent shall give the applicable Pledgors 10 days’ written notice (which each Pledgor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. At any such sale, the Collateral, or the portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale

 

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may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In the case of any sale of all or any part of the Collateral made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Agent shall not incur any liability in the event that any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in the case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon notice given in accordance with provisions above. At any public (or, to the extent permitted by law, private) sale made pursuant to this Section 4.01, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase for cash, free (to the extent permitted by law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the part of any Pledgor (all such rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Pledgor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and no Pledgor shall be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Obligations paid in full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court-appointed receiver. To the extent provided in this Section 4.01, any sale that complies with such provisions shall be deemed to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided in Section 9-610(b) of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.

 

SECTION 4.02.                      Application of Proceeds . Subject to the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall promptly apply the proceeds, moneys or balances of any collection or sale of Collateral, as well as any Collateral consisting of cash, in accordance with Section 2.01 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement. Upon the request of the Agent prior to any distribution under this Section 4.02, each Authorized Representative shall provide to the Agent certificates, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, setting forth the respective amounts referred to in this Section 4.02, that each applicable Secured Party or their Authorized Representative believes it is entitled to receive, and the Agent shall be fully entitled to rely on such certificates. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the purchase money by the Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

 

SECTION 4.03.                      Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property . For the purpose of enabling the Agent to exercise rights and remedies under this Agreement at such time as the Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, each Pledgor grants (such

 

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grant effective solely after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default) to (in the Agent’s sole discretion) a designee of the Applicable Agent or the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an irrevocable, non-exclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to any Pledgor) to use, license or sublicense any of the Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Pledgor, wherever the same may be located, and including in such license reasonable access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof, the right to prosecute and maintain all Intellectual Property and the right to sue for past infringement of the Intellectual Property; provided , however, that nothing in this Section 4.03 shall require Pledgors to grant any license that is prohibited by any rule of law, statute or regulation, or is prohibited by, or constitutes a breach or default under or results in the termination of, any contract, license, instrument or other agreement with an unaffiliated third party, to the extent not prohibited by the Credit Documents, with respect to such Intellectual Property Collateral; and provided , further, that such licenses to be granted hereunder with respect to Trademarks shall be subject to the maintenance of quality standards with respect to the goods and services on which such Trademarks are used sufficient to preserve the validity of such Trademarks. For the avoidance of doubt, the use of such license by the Agent may be exercised, at the option of the Agent, only during the continuation of an Event of Default after the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date. Furthermore, each Pledgor hereby grants to the Applicable Agent an absolute power of attorney to sign, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, any document which may be required by the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any state office in order to effect an absolute assignment of all right, title and interest in each Patent, Trademark or Copyright, and to record the same.

 

SECTION 4.04.                      Securities Act, etc . In view of the position of the Pledgors in relation to the Pledged Collateral, or because of other current or future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as now or hereafter in effect, or any similar federal statute hereafter enacted analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar statute as from time to time in effect being called the “ Federal Securities Laws ”) with respect to any disposition of the Pledged Collateral permitted hereunder. Each Pledgor understands that compliance with the Federal Securities Laws might very strictly limit the course of conduct of the Applicable Agent if the Applicable Agent were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Pledged Collateral, and might also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any Pledged Collateral could dispose of the same. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Applicable Agent in any attempt to dispose of all or part of the Pledged Collateral under applicable Blue Sky or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that in light of such restrictions and limitations, the Applicable Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) may proceed to make such a sale whether or not a registration statement for the purpose of registering such Pledged Collateral or part thereof shall have been filed under the Federal Securities Laws or, to the extent applicable, Blue Sky or other state securities laws and (b) may approach and negotiate with a single potential purchaser to effect such sale. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that any such sale might result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale without such restrictions. In the event of any such sale, the Applicable Agent shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Collateral at a price that the Applicable Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith

 

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deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a single purchaser were approached. The provisions of this Section 4.04 will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Applicable Agent sells.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01.                      Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 9.02 of the Term Loan Agreement (whether or not then in effect), as such address may be changed by written notice to the Agent and the Borrower. All communications and notices hereunder to any Pledgor shall be given to it in care of the Borrower, with such notice to be given as provided in Section 9.02 of the Term Loan Agreement (whether or not then in effect).

 

SECTION 5.02.                      Security Interest Absolute . All rights of the Agent hereunder, the Security Interest, the security interest in the Pledged Collateral and all obligations of each Pledgor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Term Loan Agreement, any other Credit Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Term Loan Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any other agreement or instrument, (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee, securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Obligations or (d) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Pledgor in respect of the Obligations or this Agreement (other than a defense of payment or performance).

 

SECTION 5.03.                      Limitation by Law . All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable Requirements of Law, and all the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable Requirements of Law that may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they shall not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable, in whole or in part, or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable law or regulation.

 

SECTION 5.04.                      Binding Effect; Several Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as to any party to this Agreement when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such party shall have been delivered to the Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such party and the Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such party, the Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no party shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein or in the Collateral (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as

 

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not prohibited by this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each party and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released in accordance with Section 5.09.

 

SECTION 5.05.                      Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Pledgor or the Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns. The Agent hereunder shall at all times be the same person that is the “Second Lien Agent” under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. Written notice of resignation by the “Second Lien Agent” pursuant to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall also constitute notice of resignation as the Agent under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the “Second Lien Agent” under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement by a successor “Second Lien Agent”, that successor “Second Lien Agent” shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent pursuant hereto.

 

SECTION 5.06.                      Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

 

(a)                                       The parties hereto agree that the Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 9.05 of the Term Loan Agreement, and any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)                                       Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Credit Documents, each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify the Agent, the Term Loan Agent, the Trustee and each Affiliate of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (limited to not more than one counsel, plus, if necessary, one local counsel per jurisdiction) (except the allocated costs of in-house counsels), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with the appointment of any successor Agent in accordance with the applicable Credit Documents and in connection with any filings, registrations or any other actions to be taken to reflect the security interest of such successor Agent), (ii) the use of proceeds of the Term Loans, the Notes or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, or to the Collateral, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or any Pledgor; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

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(c)                                   Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Obligations secured hereby and by the other Security Documents. The provisions of this Section 5.06 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or any other Secured Party. All amounts due under this Section 5.06 shall be payable within fifteen days of written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 5.07.                      Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . Subject to the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, each Pledgor hereby appoints the Agent the attorney-in-fact of such Pledgor for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, subject to applicable Requirements of Law and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Agent shall have the right, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, with full power of substitution either in the Agent’s name or in the name of such Pledgor, (a) to receive, endorse, assign or deliver any and all notes, acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, (b) to demand, collect, receive payment of, give receipt for and give discharges and releases of all or any of the Collateral; (c) to ask for, demand, sue for, collect, receive and give acquittance for any and all moneys due or to become due under and by virtue of any Collateral; (d) to sign the name of any Pledgor on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any of the Collateral; (e) to send verifications of Accounts to any Account Debtor; (f) to commence and prosecute any and all suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect or otherwise realize on all or any of the Collateral or to enforce any rights in respect of any Collateral; (g) to settle, compromise, compound, adjust or defend any actions, suits or proceedings relating to all or any of the Collateral; (h) to notify, or to require any Pledgor to notify, Account Debtors to make payment directly to the Agent; and (i) to use, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with all or any of the Collateral, and to do all other acts and things necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, as fully and completely as though the Agent were the absolute owner of the Collateral for all purposes; provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring or obligating the Agent to make any commitment or to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Agent, or to present or file any claim or notice, or to take any action with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof or the moneys due or to become due in respect thereof or any property covered thereby. The Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts actually received as a result of the exercise of the powers granted to them herein, and neither they nor their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Pledgor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own or their Related Parties’ gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

SECTION 5.08.                      GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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SECTION 5.09.                      Waivers; Amendment .

 

(a)                                       No failure or delay by the Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Agent, the Lenders or any other Secured Party hereunder and under the other Credit Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.09, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)                                       Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Agent and the Credit Party or Credit Parties with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement, Article IX of the Indenture and any equivalent provision in each applicable other Credit Document and except as otherwise provided in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. The Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate of an officer of the Borrower as to whether any amendment contemplated by this Section 5.09(b) is permitted.

 

(c)                                        For the purpose of Section 5.09(b) above, the Agent shall be entitled to rely upon (i) written confirmation from the agent managing the solicitation of consents, provided by the Trustee, as to the receipt of valid consents from the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Notes to amend this Agreement (or two-thirds in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Notes if required by the Indenture), and (ii) any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person and the Agent need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document. At any time that the Borrower desires that this Agreement be amended as provided in Section 5.09(b) above, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a certificate signed by an officer of the Borrower stating that the amendment of this Agreement is permitted pursuant to Section 5.09(b) above. If requested by the Agent (although the Agent shall have no obligation to make any such request), the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent copies of officers’ certificates and legal opinions delivered to the Trustee in connection with any amendment to the Indenture affecting the operation of this Section 5.09. The Agent shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificates or opinions.

 

SECTION 5.10.                      Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties

 

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shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.11.                      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 5.04. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original.

 

SECTION 5.12.                      Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.13.                      Termination or Release .

 

(a)                                       Subject to any applicable terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, this Agreement, the pledges made herein and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgors, upon the Discharge of First-Priority Lien Obligations and the concurrent release of all other Liens on the collateral (except cash collateral in respect of any letters of credit) or assets securing the First-Priority Lien Obligations (including all commitments and letters of credit thereunder); provided , however, that if any Pledgor subsequently incurs First-Priority Lien Obligations that are secured by Liens on property or assets of a Pledgor of the type constituting the RBL Priority Collateral and the related Liens are incurred in reliance on clause (6)(B) or (6)(C) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” in the Term Loan Agreement, the equivalent provisions in the Indenture and any equivalent provision in any other Credit Document, then the Pledgors will be required to reinstitute the security arrangements hereunder with respect to the RBL Priority Collateral, and then Liens securing the Obligations will be second priority Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing such First-Priority Lien Obligations to the same extent provided by the Security Documents and subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an intercreditor agreement that provides the Agent, the Secured Parties and the holders of such new First-Priority Lien Obligations substantially the same rights and obligations as afforded under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default exists on the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the second priority Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral granted hereunder will not be released, except to the extent the RBL Priority Collateral or any portion thereof was disposed of in order to repay the First-Priority Lien Obligations secured by the RBL Priority Collateral, and thereafter the Agent will have the right to foreclose or direct the Applicable First Lien Agent to foreclose upon the RBL Priority Collateral (but in such event, the Liens on the RBL Priority Collateral securing the Obligations will be released when such Event of Default and all other Events of Default cease to exist).

 

(b)                                       A Subsidiary Party shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the security interests in the Collateral of such Subsidiary Party shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document

 

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as a result of which such Subsidiary Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Subsidiary is released from its Subsidiary Guarantee and from its Subsidiary guarantees of all Credit Documents or otherwise ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to such Subsidiary Party.

 

(c)                                        (i) Upon any sale or other transfer by any Pledgor of any Collateral that is not prohibited by any Credit Document to any person that is not a Pledgor (including in connection with a Casualty Event), or (ii) upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement and any equivalent provision of each applicable other Credit Document, the security interest in such Collateral shall be automatically released, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party.

 

(d)                                       If any of the Collateral shall become subject to the release provision set forth in Section 2.05(a) of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, such Collateral shall be automatically released from the security interest in such Collateral to the extent provided therein.

 

(e)                                        This Agreement, the pledges made herein, the Security Interest and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgors, as of the date when all the Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities not then due) have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds.

 

(f)                                         The security interest securing Term Loan Obligations will be released as provided in Section 9.19 of the Term Loan Agreement, the security interest securing Indenture Obligations will be released as provided in Section 11.04 of the Indenture, and the security interest securing any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations will be released as provided in the applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Documents.

 

(g)                                        In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of this Section 5.13, the Agent shall execute and deliver to any Pledgor, at such Pledgor’s expense, all documents that such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release (including, without limitation, UCC termination statements), and will duly assign and transfer to such Pledgor, such of the Pledged Collateral that may be in the possession of the Agent and has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5.13 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Agent. In connection with any release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above, the Pledgors shall be permitted to take any action in connection therewith consistent with such release including, without limitation, the filing of UCC termination statements. Upon the receipt of any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Borrower, the Agent shall execute, deliver or acknowledge such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents or the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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SECTION 5.14.                      Additional Subsidiaries . Upon execution and delivery by the Agent and any Subsidiary that is required to become a party hereto by Section 6.09 of the Term Loan Agreement, Section 4.11 of the Indenture or any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document of an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Party hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Subsidiary Party herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party to this Agreement. The rights and obligations of each party to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.15.                      Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement .

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject and subordinate to the liens and security interests granted to the RBL Facility Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), from the “Pledgors” and “Grantors” referred to therein, in favor of the RBL Facility Agent, as collateral agent for the secured parties referred to therein, and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Agent hereunder or the application of proceeds (including insurance proceeds and condemnation proceeds) of any Collateral are subject to the limitations and provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, shall govern.

 

SECTION 5.16.                      First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents .

 

The Agent acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and any Secured Party, that any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, until the First-Priority Lien Obligations Termination Date, the Pledgors shall not be required to act or refrain from acting pursuant to the Security Documents or with respect to any Collateral on which the Applicable First Lien Agent has a Lien superior in priority to the Agent’s Lien thereon in any manner that would result in a default under the terms and provisions of the First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

SECTION 5.17.                      Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations . On or after the date hereof and so long as such obligations are not prohibited by any Credit Document then in effect, the Borrower may from time to time designate obligations in respect of Indebtedness to be secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations hereunder and under the other Security Documents by delivering to the Agent and each Authorized Representative (a) a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower (i) identifying the obligations so designated and the initial aggregate principal amount or face amount thereof, (ii) stating that such obligations are designated as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations for purposes hereof and of the other Security Documents, (iii) representing that such designation of such obligations as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations complies with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture and any other Credit Document then in effect, (iv) specifying the name and address of the Authorized Representative for such obligations and (v) identifying the documents to be designated as the related Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents

 

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and Other Second Lien Agreements (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) and (b) a fully executed Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement. The Agent and each Authorized Representative agree that upon the satisfaction of all conditions set forth in the preceding sentence, the Agent shall act as agent under and subject to the terms of the Security Documents for the benefit of all Secured Parties, including without limitation, any Secured Parties that hold any such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, and the Agent and each Authorized Representative agree to the appointment, and acceptance of the appointment, of the Agent as agent for the holders of such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations as set forth in each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement and agree, on behalf of itself and each Secured Party it represents, to be bound by this Agreement, the other Security Documents, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.18.                      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

 

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.18.

 

SECTION 5.19.                      Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

 

(a)                                       Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Agent or any Secured Party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document against any Pledgor, or its properties, in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(b)                                       Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document in any New York State or federal court of the

 

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United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(c)                                   Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Credit Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (f/k/a EP ENERGY, L.L.C)

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY)

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION)

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.)

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to the Collateral Agreement (Second Lien)

 



 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to the Collateral Agreement (Second Lien)

 



 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Name: Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Title: President

 

Signature Page to the Collateral Agreement (Second Lien)

 



 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Name: Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to the Collateral Agreement (Second Lien)

 



 

Exhibit I

to the Collateral Agreement

 

SUPPLEMENT NO.               dated as of                     (this “ Supplement ”), to the Collateral Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as heretofore amended and/or supplemented, the “ Collateral Agreement ”), among EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary Party party thereto and CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

 

A.                                     Reference is made to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term  Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent.

 

B.                                     Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Term Loan Agreement and the Collateral Agreement referred to therein.

 

C.                                     The Pledgors have entered into the Collateral Agreement in order to induce the Secured Parties to make extensions of credit. Section 5.14 of the Collateral Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Subsidiary Parties under the Collateral Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Term Loan Agreement to become a Subsidiary Party under the Collateral Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Term Loans and to induce the holders of any other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder and as consideration for Term Loans previously made and other extensions of credit previously made.

 

Accordingly, the Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.                 In accordance with Section 5.14 of the Collateral Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor under the Collateral Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor, and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Collateral Agreement applicable to it as a Subsidiary Party and Pledgor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Pledgor thereunder are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary, as security for the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, does hereby create and grant to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, their successors and assigns, a security interest in and Lien on all the New Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral of the New Subsidiary. Each reference to a “Subsidiary Party” or a “Pledgor” in the Collateral Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Collateral Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2.                 The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it

 


 

and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 3.                 This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

 

SECTION 4.                 The New Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants that (a) set forth on Schedule I attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all the Pledged Stock and Pledged Debt Securities of the New Subsidiary as of the date hereof, (b) set forth on Schedule II attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all Intellectual Property constituting United States registered Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights as of the date hereof and (c) set forth under its signature hereto, is the true and correct legal name of the New Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of formation and organizational ID number as of the date hereof.

 

SECTION 5.                 Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Collateral Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6.              THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 7.                 In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Collateral Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 8.                 All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Collateral Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.                 The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Agent.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has duly executed this Supplement to the Collateral Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

[Name of New Subsidiary]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

3



 

Schedule I

to Supplement No.        to the

Collateral Agreement

 

Pledged Collateral of the New Subsidiary

 

EQUITY INTERESTS

 

Number of Issuer
Certificate

 

Registered Owner

 

Number and Class of
Equity Interests

 

Percentage of
Equity Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEBT SECURITIES

 

Issuer

 

Principal Amount

 

Date of Note

 

Maturity Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Schedule II

to Supplement No.         to the

Collateral Agreement

 

Intellectual Property of the New Subsidiary

 

1



 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

PERFECTION CERTIFICATE

 

Reference is hereby made to that certain Collateral Agreement of even date herewith (the “ Collateral Agreement ”) by and among EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower party thereto (together with the Borrower, the “ Grantors ”) and Citibank, N.A. (the “ Collateral Agent ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned in the Collateral Agreement.

 

The undersigned hereby certify to the Collateral Agent as follows:

 

1.                                       Names and Locations .   Schedule I sets forth, as of the Closing Date: (a) for each Grantor, (i) its full legal name (including all other legal names used by each Grantor at any time during the past five years, together with the date of the relevant name change), (ii) to the knowledge of such Grantor, all trade names or other names under which such Grantor currently conducts business, (iii) its type of organization or corporate structure, (iv) its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, (v) its Federal Taxpayer Identification Number, (vi) its organizational identification number, if any, and (vii) the address of the chief executive office of such Grantor; and (b) the appropriate filing offices for Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations containing a description of the Article 9 Collateral, as contemplated under the Collateral Agreement.

 

2.                                       Pledged Stock .   Schedule II sets forth, as of the Closing Date: (a) for each Grantor, the Equity Interests in each Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary directly owned by it, which Equity Interests set forth in clause (a) constitute Pledged Stock; and (b) the debt securities currently issued to any Grantor, which debt securities set forth in clause (b) constitute Pledged Debt Securities.

 

3.                                       Intellectual Property .   Schedule III sets forth, as of the Closing Date, for each Grantor, as owned by such Grantor: (a) all registrations and applications for registration of any Copyright in the United States or any other country; (b) all patents of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, and all applications for patents of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country; and (c) all trademarks, service marks, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, trade dress, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of like nature, all registrations thereof (if any), and all registration and recording applications filed in connection therewith, including registrations and registration applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any State of the United States or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, and all renewals thereof

 

4.                                       Accounts and Inventory .  Except as set forth on Schedule IV , all Accounts owned by the Grantors have been originated by the Grantors and all Inventory owned by the Grantors has been acquired by the Grantors in the ordinary course of business.

 

5.                                       Letters of Credit .   Schedule V sets forth a true and correct list of all Letters of Credit issued in favor of each Grantor, as beneficiary thereunder.

 

[The Remainder of this Page has been intentionally left blank]

 



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto signed this Perfection Certificate as of this 24th day of May, 2012.

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (f/k/a EP ENERGY, L.L.C)

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY)

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION)

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.)

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Perfection Certificate (Second Lien)

 



 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Perfection Certificate (Second Lien)

 



 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Name: Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Title: Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Perfection Certificate (Second Lien)

 



 

Perfection Certificate - Collateral Agreement

EP Energy, Citibank

 

Schedule I

 

Grantors

 

 

Name of Entity

 

Trade
Name

 

Type of
Organization

 

State of
Incorporation/
Formation

 

EIN

 

Organizational
ID

 

Chief Executive
Office

1.

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

45-4871021

 

5129536

 

c/o EP Energy Global LLC,
1001 Louisiana St.,
Houston, TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

None

 

Corporation

 

Delaware

 

45-4870996

 

5129542

 

1001 Louisiana St.,
Houston, TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

76-0637534

 

3136209

 

1001 Louisiana St.,
Houston, TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(1)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

45-3953911

 

3522643

 

1001 Louisiana St.,
Houston, TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Preferred Holdings Company)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

72-1543718

 

3522642

 

1001 Louisiana St.,
Houston, TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW Four Star Corporation)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

20-0707537

 

3749729

 

1001 Louisiana St.,
Houston, TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

74-1405013

 

0610204

 

1001 Louisiana St.,
Houston, TX 77002

 


(1) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 



 

 

Name of Entity

 

Trade
Name

 

Type of
Organization

 

State of
Incorporation/
Formation

 

EIN

 

Organizational
ID

 

Chief Executive
Office

8.

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(2)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

76-0429561

 

2377052

 

1001 Louisiana St.,
Houston, TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.(3)

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

76-0607609

 

3044912

 

1001 Louisiana St.,
Houston, TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(4)

 

None

 

Limited Partnership

 

Delaware

 

76-0487092

 

2543123

 

1001 Louisiana St.,
Houston, TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.

EPE Nominee Corp.

 

None

 

Corporation

 

Delaware

 

80-0817606

 

5155305

 

c/o El Paso E&P
Company, L.P.
1001 Louisiana St.,

Houston, TX 77002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

None

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware

 

No EIN

 

2878523

 

1001 Louisiana St.,
Houston, TX 77002

 


(2) “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(3) “El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(4) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012

 

2


 

Perfection Certificate - Collateral Agreement

EP Energy, Citibank

 

Prior Names

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date of

 

 

Entity

 

Prior Name

 

Change

1.

 

EP Energy LLC

 

·

Everest Acquisition LLC

 

·

5/24/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

 

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

·

None

 

·

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

 

EP Energy Global LLC

 

·

El Paso Exploration & Production Company

 

·

7/27/11

 

 

 

 

·

EP Energy Corporation

 

·

3/12/12

 

 

 

 

·

EP Energy, L.L.C.

 

·

5/24/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(5)

 

·

None

 

·

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C.

 

·

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

 

·

6/9/06

 

 

 

 

·

El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.

 

·

5/24/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.

 

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C.

 

·

MBOW Four Star Corporation

 

·

5/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.

 

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C.

 

·

El Paso Preferred Holdings Company

 

·

5/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(6)

 

·

GOGC Resale Company

 

·

10/31/02

 

 

 

 

·

El Paso Production Resale Company

 

·

12/18/09

 


(5) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(6) “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date of

 

 

Entity

 

Prior Name

 

Change

9.

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.(7)

 

·

Coastal Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P.

 

·

4/17/01

 

 

 

·

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering, L.P.

 

·

12/17/08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(8)

 

·

El Paso Production Oil & Gas USA, L.P.

 

·

12/28/05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.

 

EPE Nominee Corp.

 

·

None

 

·

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.

 

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

·

Peoples Energy Production Partners, L.P.

 

·

9/27/07

 

 

 

 

·

Coronado Energy Production Partners, L.L.C.

 

·

6/2/09

 


(7) “El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(8) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 

4



 

Perfection Certificate - Collateral Agreement

EP Energy, Citibank

 

Schedule II

 

Pledged Stock; Debt Securities

 

1) Pledged Stock

 

 

 

 

 

Number and Class of

 

Percentage of Equity

 

Number of Issuer

Registered Owner

 

Name of Issuer

 

Equity Interests

 

Interests Pledged

 

Certificate

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

100 shares of Common Stock

 

100%

 

C-1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC)

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(9)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy,

 

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company,

 

LLC membership

 

100%

 

N/A

 


(9) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 



 

 

 

 

 

Number and Class of

 

Percentage of Equity

 

Number of Issuer

Registered Owner

 

Name of Issuer

 

Equity Interests

 

Interests Pledged

 

Certificate

L.L.C.)

 

L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Preferred Holdings Company)

 

interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW Four Star Corporation)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(10)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(11)

 

General Partner interest in Limited Partnership

 

1%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(12)

 

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.(13)

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 


(10) “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(11) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 

5



 

 

 

 

 

Number and Class of

 

Percentage of Equity

 

Number of Issuer

Registered Owner

 

Name of Issuer

 

Equity Interests

 

Interests Pledged

 

Certificate

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(14)

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(15)

 

Limited Partner interest in Limited Partnership

 

99%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(16)

 

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

LLC membership interest

 

100%

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(17)

 

EPE Nominee Corp.

 

100 shares of common stock

 

100%

 

CS-1

 

2) Pledged Debt Securities

 

None.


(12) “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(13) “El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(14) “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(15) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(16) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(17) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 

6



 

Perfection Certificate - Collateral Agreement

EP Energy, Citibank

 

Schedule III

 

Intellectual Property

 

None.

 



 

Perfection Certificate - Collateral Agreement

EP Energy, Citibank

 

Schedule IV

 

Accounts and Inventory

 

None.

 



 

Perfection Certificate - Collateral Agreement

EP Energy, Citibank

 

Schedule V

 

Letters of Credit

 

None.

 




Exhibit 10.10

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

dated and effective as of

 

May 24, 2012,

among

 

EP ENERGY LLC
(f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC),

 

each Subsidiary of EP Energy LLC identified herein,

 

and

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I.

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Term Loan Agreement

 

2

SECTION 1.02.

Other Defined Terms

 

2

 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

PLEDGE OF EQUITY INTERESTS

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Pledge

 

8

SECTION 2.02.

Delivery of the Pledged Stock

 

9

SECTION 2.03.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

 

9

SECTION 2.04.

Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

 

10

SECTION 2.05.

Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc.

 

11

 

 

 

ARTICLE III.

 

[RESERVED.]

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

REMEDIES

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Remedies upon Default

 

13

SECTION 4.02.

Application of Proceeds

 

14

SECTION 4.03.

Securities Act, etc

 

14

 

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

Notices

 

15

SECTION 5.02.

Security Interest Absolute

 

15

SECTION 5.03.

Limitation by Law

 

15

SECTION 5.04.

Binding Effect; Several Agreement

 

16

SECTION 5.05.

Successors and Assigns

 

16

SECTION 5.06.

Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

 

16

SECTION 5.07.

Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

 

17

SECTION 5.08.

GOVERNING LAW

 

17

SECTION 5.09.

Waivers; Amendment

 

17

SECTION 5.10.

Severability

 

18

SECTION 5.11.

Counterparts

 

18

 

i



 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.12.

Headings

 

18

SECTION 5.13.

Termination or Release

 

18

SECTION 5.14.

Additional Subsidiaries

 

19

SECTION 5.15.

Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement

 

20

SECTION 5.16.

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations

 

20

SECTION 5.17.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

 

21

SECTION 5.18.

Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

 

21

 

 

 

Schedules

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule I

Subsidiary Parties

 

 

Schedule II

Pledged Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit I

Form of Supplement to the Pledge Agreement

 

 

 

ii



 

This PLEDGE AGREEMENT dated and effective as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is among EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower listed on Schedule I hereto and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that becomes a party hereto after the date hereof (each, a “ Subsidiary Party ”) and CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ” or the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in Section 1.02 below).

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) among the Borrower and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as co-issuers (the “ Co-Issuers ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Co-Issuers are issuing 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (together with any and all exchange notes and/or additional notes issued pursuant to the Indenture, collectively the “ Notes ”) and (2) pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Term Loan Agent ”), the Borrower is incurring Loans (as defined therein, the “ Term  Loans ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Notes, the Term Loans and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are and will be secured on a first-priority, pari passu basis by the Collateral and, on the date hereof, the Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the Trustee are entering into the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ”), which sets forth the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties in the Collateral as amongst each other;

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit  Agreement ”), among EPE Holdings LLC (“ Holdings ”), the Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time parties thereto, the Borrower will from time to time incur loans and letter of credit obligations and (2) pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among the Pledgors and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the Pledgors have granted to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the RBL Facility Agent, a second-priority lien and security interest in the Collateral to secure their obligations under the Credit Agreement and related documents;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent (as each such terms are defined in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture, EP Energy LLC, the Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC named therein and the other parties thereto, the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted by this Agreement are and shall be prior in all respects to the liens upon and security

 

1



 

interest in the Collateral granted pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Credit Agreement and other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

WHEREAS, each Pledgor is executing and delivering this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, Term Loan Agreement and any applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document to induce the Lenders to extend credit and to induce the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes and the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, the Subsidiary Parties are Subsidiaries of the Borrower, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Indenture, Term Loan Agreement and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit and to induce the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes and the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder.

 

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.     Term Loan Agreement .

 

(a)                                  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Term Loan Agreement. All capitalized terms referred to herein that are defined in Article 9 of the New York UCC and not defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC. The term “instrument” shall have the meaning specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC.

 

(b)                                  The rules of construction specified in Section 1.02 of the Term Loan Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 1.02.     Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Authorized Representative ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

2



 

Collateral ” means the Pledged Stock.

 

Collateral Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Collateral Agreement ” means the Collateral Agreement, dated May 24, 2012, by and among the Borrower, each Subsidiary of the Borrower identified therein and the Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Credit Documents ” means the Term Loan Documents, the Indenture Documents and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Default ” means a “Default” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any other Credit Document.

 

Egypt Purchase Agreement ” shall mean the Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2012, by and among the Borrower and El Paso Preferred Holdings Company, as sellers, and TransGlobe Petroleum International Inc., as purchaser.

 

Event of Default ” means an “Event of Default” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any other Credit Document.

 

Excluded Securities ” means:

 

(a)  any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing, the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom;

 

(b)  solely in the case of any pledge of Equity Interests of any Foreign Corporate Subsidiary (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Party) to secure the Obligations, any Equity Interest that is Voting Stock of such Foreign Corporate Subsidiary in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class (such percentages to be adjusted upon any change of law as may be required to avoid adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary);

 

(c)  any Equity Interests to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law;

 

(d)  any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement (other than customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any organizational documents, joint venture

 

3



 

agreement or shareholder agreement prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided that this clause (B)  shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain any such consent)) and for so long as such organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Credit Party or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) to any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement governing such Equity Interests the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than customary non-assignment provisions that are ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirement of Law);

 

(e)  any Equity Interests of (i) any Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary and (ii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(f)  any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary;

 

(g)  any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as reasonably determined by the Borrower in writing delivered to the Agent;

 

(h)  any Equity Interests which have been identified on or prior to the Closing Date in writing to the Agent by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower and agreed to by the Agent;

 

(i)  with respect to the Indenture Obligations and any applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, any Equity Interests at any time that are not then subject to a Lien securing Term Loan Obligations at such time, except for the release of all or substantially all of the Collateral or in connection with the repayment in full of the Term Loan Obligations;

 

(j)  any “Margin Stock”, as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America;

 

(k)  any Equity Interests of a Subsidiary to the extent excluded by the last paragraph of Section 2.01; and

 

(l)  any Equity Interests of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company; provided that if the sale of such Equity Interests pursuant to the Egypt Purchase Agreement has not been consummated by the 91 st  day after the date hereof, subject to the other clauses of the definition of Excluded Securities, such Equity Interests shall no longer be Excluded Securities.

 

Federal Securities Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.03.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Foreign Corporate Subsidiary ” shall mean a Foreign Subsidiary that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

4



 

Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06.

 

Indenture ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Indenture Documents ” means (a) the Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and this Agreement and (b) any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Indenture or any Security Document, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Indenture Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Notes, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties under the Indenture and each of the other Indenture Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Indenture and each of the other Indenture Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Indenture Documents; provided that Indenture Obligations shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the Notes.

 

Material Subsidiary ” means, at any date of determination, each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Excluded Subsidiary pursuant to clause (f) of the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary” in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Obligations ” means (a) the Indenture Obligations, (b) the Term Loan Obligations and (c) if any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are incurred, (1) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) owing to any holder of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations under any Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any holder of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations under the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents,

 

5



 

including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (2) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents and (3) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations ” means other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is equally and ratably secured with the Term Loans and Notes as permitted by the Indenture Documents, the Term Loan Documents and any Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and is designated by the Borrower as an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligation in accordance with Section 5.16 hereof and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” means any document or instrument executed and delivered with respect to any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, including the Security Documents and this Agreement, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement means a Joinder Agreement (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) executed by the Authorized Representative of any holders of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 5.16 and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Permitted Liens ” means Liens that are not prohibited by the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document.

 

Pledged Securities ” means any stock certificates or other certificated securities now or hereafter included in the Pledged Stock, including all certificates, instruments or other documents representing or evidencing any Pledged Stock.

 

Pledged Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledgor ” shall mean the Borrower and each Subsidiary Party.

 

RBL Facility Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Secured Parties ” means (a) the Collateral Agent, (b) each holder of a Note, (c) each Lender, (d) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Pledgor under any Credit Documents, (e) the Trustee, (f) the Term Loan Agent, (g) the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations and their Authorized Representative, provided that such

 

6



 

Authorized Representative executes an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement, and (h) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing.

 

Security Documents ” means this Agreement, the Collateral Agreement, any agreement pursuant to which assets are added to the Collateral or otherwise pledged or mortgaged to secure the Obligations and any other instruments or documents entered into and delivered in connection with any of the foregoing, as such agreements, instruments or documents may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Subsidiary Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Documents ” means (a) the Term Loan Agreement, the Notes (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement), the Security Documents and this Agreement and (b) any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement or any Security Document, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Term Loan Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Term Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties under the Term Loan Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents.

 

Trustee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

7


 

ARTICLE II.


Pledge of Equity Interests

 

SECTION 2.01.    Pledge .   As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Pledgor hereby assigns and pledges to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of such Pledgor’s right, title and interest in, to and under (a) the Equity Interests in each first-tier Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by it (which such Equity Interests constituting Pledged Stock as of the date hereof shall be listed on Schedule II ) and any other Equity Interests in a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary obtained in the future by such Pledgor and any certificates representing all such Equity Interests; provided that the pledged Equity Interests shall not include any Excluded Securities; (b) subject to Section 2.05, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other proceeds received in respect of, the securities referred to in clause (a) above; (c) subject to Section 2.05, all rights and privileges of such Pledgor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; and (d) all Proceeds of any of the foregoing (the items referred to in clauses (a) through (d) above being collectively referred to as the “ Pledged Stock ”).

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Pledged Stock, together with all right, title, interest, powers, privileges and preferences pertaining or incidental thereto, unto the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, forever; subject , however , to the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“ Rule 3-10 ” or “ Rule 3-16 ”, as applicable) requires or is amended, modified or interpreted by the Securities Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) to require (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would require) the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Authority) of separate financial statements of any Subsidiary of the Borrower due to the fact that such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests secure Obligations, then the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary will automatically be deemed not to be part of the Collateral securing any of the Obligations (whether or not affected thereby) but only to the extent necessary to not be subject to such requirement and only for so long as required to not be subject to such requirement. In such event, this Agreement may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Secured Party, to the extent necessary to release the Lien in favor of the Agent on the Equity Interests that are so deemed to no longer constitute part of the Collateral for the Obligations. In the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 is amended, modified or interpreted by the SEC to permit (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would permit) such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests to secure the Obligations in excess of the amount then pledged without the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Authority) of separate financial statements of such Subsidiary, then the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary will automatically be deemed to be a part of the Collateral for the Obligations (but only to the extent that will not result in such Subsidiary being subject to any such financial statement requirement). In such event, this Agreement may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Secured Party, to the

 

8



 

extent necessary to subject to the Lien in favor of the Agent such additional Equity Interests, on the terms contemplated herein.

 

SECTION 2.02.    Delivery of the Pledged Stock .

 

(a)                                  Each Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 45 days after the acquisition (or such longer time as the Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, any and all Pledged Securities.

 

(b)                                  Upon delivery to the Agent, any Pledged Securities required to be delivered pursuant to the foregoing paragraph (a) of this Section 2.02 shall be accompanied by stock powers, duly executed in blank or other instruments of transfer reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and by such other instruments and documents as the Agent may reasonably request. Each delivery of Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by a schedule describing the securities, which schedule shall be attached hereto as Schedule II (or a supplement to Schedule II, as applicable) and made a part hereof; provided that failure to attach any such schedule hereto shall not affect the validity of such pledge of such Pledged Securities. Each schedule so delivered shall supplement any prior schedules so delivered.

 

SECTION 2.03.    Representations, Warranties and Covenants . Each Pledgor represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

 

(a)                                  Schedule II correctly sets forth the percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by such Pledged Stock and includes all Equity Interests of each Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by each Pledgor on the date hereof, other than the Excluded Securities;

 

(b)                                  the Pledged Stock, to the best of each Pledgor’s knowledge, have been duly and validly authorized and issued by the issuers thereof and are fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(c)                                   except for the security interests granted hereunder, each Pledgor (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Term Loan Agreement and each other Credit Document, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Securities indicated on Schedule II as owned by such Pledgor, (ii) holds the same free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, (iii) will make no assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of, or create or permit to exist any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Stock, other than pursuant to a transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document and other than Permitted Liens, and (iv) subject to the rights of such Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Pledged Stock, will use commercially reasonable efforts to defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), however arising, of all persons;

 

(d)                                                other than as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or the schedules thereto or in the other Credit Documents and except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Credit Documents or securities laws generally, the Pledged Stock is and will continue

 

9



 

to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Stock is or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement, charter, by-law, memorandum of association or articles of association provisions or contractual restriction of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect the pledge of such Pledged Stock hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Agent of rights and remedies hereunder other than under applicable Requirements of Law;

 

(e)                                   each Pledgor has the power and authority to pledge the Pledged Stock pledged by it hereunder in the manner hereby done or contemplated;

 

(f)                                    other than as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or the schedules thereto or in the other Credit Documents, no consent or approval of any Governmental Authority, any securities exchange or any other person was or is necessary to the validity of the pledge effected hereby (other than such as have been obtained and are in full force and effect);

 

(g)                                   by virtue of the execution and delivery by the Pledgors of this Agreement, when any Pledged Stock is delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with this Agreement, and a financing statement in respect of the Pledged Stock is filed in the appropriate filing office, the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected (except for any Equity Interests with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent and the Borrower evidenced in writing delivered to the Agent, the costs or other consequences of perfecting such a security interest are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom) lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Stock, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations;

 

(h)                                  the pledge effected hereby is effective to vest in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the rights of the Agent in the Pledged Stock as set forth herein; and

 

(i)                                      if the sale of the Equity Interests of El Paso E&P S. Alamein Cayman Company pursuant to the Egypt Purchase Agreement has not been consummated by the 91 st day after the date hereof, the Borrower shall, within 10 Business Days following such 91 st day, file a financing statement in respect of such Equity Interests in the appropriate state filing office so that the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected lien upon and security interest in such Equity Interests, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations.

 

SECTION 2.04.                      Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (a) the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to hold the Pledged Securities in its own name as pledgee or the name of its nominee (as pledgee or as sub-agent), or the name of the applicable Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank in favor of the Agent, and (b) each Pledgor will promptly give to the Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Securities registered in the name of such Pledgor. If an Event of Default shall

 

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have occurred and be continuing, the Agent shall have the right to exchange the certificates representing Pledged Securities for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with this Agreement. Each Pledgor shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Subsidiary that is not a party to this Agreement to comply with a request by the Agent, pursuant to this Section 2.04, to exchange certificates representing Pledged Securities of such Subsidiary for certificates of smaller or larger denominations.

 

SECTION 2.05.                      Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc .

 

(a)                                  Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Pledgors of the Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder:

 

(i)                                 Each Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Stock or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that could be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the rights and remedies of any of the Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same.

 

(ii)                              The Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to each Pledgor, or cause to be executed and delivered to such Pledgor, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as such Pledgor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to subparagraph (i) above.

 

(iii)                           Each Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Stock to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are not prohibited by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and applicable laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Stock, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Stock or received in exchange for Pledged Stock or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Stock, and, if received by any Pledgor, shall be promptly (and in any event within 45 days of their receipt (or such longer time as the Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Agent).

 

(b)                                  After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and upon notice by the Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, all rights of any Pledgor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions

 

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that such Pledgor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.05 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions; provided that the Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to receive and retain such amounts. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.05 shall not be commingled by such Pledgor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Agent). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Agent in an account to be established by the Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Agent a certificate to that effect, the Agent shall promptly repay to each Pledgor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Pledgor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.05 and that remain in such account.

 

(c)                                   Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice by the Agent to the relevant Pledgors of the Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, subject to applicable Requirements of Law, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.05, and the obligations of the Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.05, shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers; provided that the Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgors to exercise such rights. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Agent a certificate to that effect, all rights of any Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.05, and the obligations of the Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.05, shall in each case be reinstated.

 

(d)                                  Any notice given by the Agent to the Pledgors suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 2.05 (i) shall be in writing, (ii) may be given to one or more of the Pledgors at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Pledgors under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(iii) in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

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ARTICLE III.


[Reserved.]


ARTICLE IV.


Remedies

 

SECTION 4.01.                      Remedies upon Default . Subject to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and applicable Requirements of Law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Pledgor agrees to deliver each item of Collateral to the Agent on demand and it is agreed that the Agent shall have the right generally to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor agrees that the Agent shall have the right, subject to the requirements of applicable law and subject to the terms and conditions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Agent shall deem appropriate. The Agent shall be authorized in connection with any sale of a security (if it deems it advisable to do so) pursuant to the foregoing to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to persons who represent and agree that they are purchasing such security for their own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof. Upon consummation of any such sale of Collateral pursuant to this Section 4.01, the Agent shall have the right to assign, transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of any Pledgor, and each Pledgor hereby waives and releases (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay, valuation and appraisal that such Pledgor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

 

The Agent shall give the applicable Pledgors 10 days’ written notice (which each Pledgor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. At any such sale, the Collateral, or the portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In the case of any sale of all or any part of the Collateral made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Agent shall not incur any liability in the event that any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in the case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon notice given in accordance with provisions above. At any public (or, to the extent permitted by law, private) sale made pursuant to this Section 4.01, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase for cash, free (to the extent permitted by law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the part of any Pledgor (all

 

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such rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Pledgor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and no Pledgor shall be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Obligations paid in full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court-appointed receiver. To the extent provided in this Section 4.01, any sale that complies with such provisions shall be deemed to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided in Section 9-610(b) of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.

 

SECTION 4.02.                      Application of Proceeds . Subject to the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall promptly apply the proceeds, moneys or balances of any collection or sale of Collateral, as well as any Collateral consisting of cash in accordance with Section 2.01 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement:

 

The Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement. Upon the request of the Agent prior to any distribution under this Section 4.02, each Authorized Representative shall provide to the Agent certificates, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, setting forth the respective amounts referred to in this Section 4.02, that each applicable Secured Party or their Authorized Representative believes it is entitled to receive, and the Agent shall be fully entitled to rely on such certificates. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the purchase money by the Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

 

SECTION 4.03.                      Securities Act, etc . In view of the position of the Pledgors in relation to the Pledged Stock, or because of other current or future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as now or hereafter in effect, or any similar federal statute hereafter enacted analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar statute as from time to time in effect being called the “ Federal Securities Laws ”) with respect to any disposition of the Pledged Stock permitted hereunder. Each Pledgor understands that compliance with the Federal Securities Laws might very strictly limit the course of conduct of the Agent if the Agent were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Pledged Stock, and might also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any Pledged Stock could dispose of the same. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Agent in any attempt to dispose of all or part of the Pledged Stock under applicable Blue Sky or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. Each Pledgor acknowledges

 

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and agrees that in light of such restrictions and limitations, the Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) may proceed to make such a sale whether or not a registration statement for the purpose of registering such Pledged Stock or part thereof shall have been filed under the Federal Securities Laws or, to the extent applicable, Blue Sky or other state securities laws and (b) may approach and negotiate with a single potential purchaser to effect such sale. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that any such sale might result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale without such restrictions. In the event of any such sale, the Agent shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Stock at a price that the Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a single purchaser were approached. The provisions of this Section 4.03 will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Agent sells.

 

ARTICLE V.


Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01.                      Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 9.02 of the Term Loan Agreement (whether or not then in effect), as such address may be changed by written notice to the Agent and the Borrower. All communications and notices hereunder to any Pledgor shall be given to it in care of the Borrower, with such notice to be given as provided in Section 9.02 of the Term Loan Agreement (whether or not then in effect).

 

SECTION 5.02.                      Security Interest Absolute . All rights of the Agent hereunder, the security interest in the Pledged Stock and all obligations of each Pledgor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Term Loan Agreement, any other Credit Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Term Loan Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any other agreement or instrument, (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee, securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Obligations or (d) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Pledgor in respect of the Obligations or this Agreement (other than a defense of payment or performance).

 

SECTION 5.03.                      Limitation by Law . All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable Requirements of Law, and all the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable Requirements of Law that may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they shall not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable, in whole or in part, or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable law or regulation.

 

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SECTION 5.04.                      Binding Effect; Several Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as to any party to this Agreement when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such party shall have been delivered to the Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such party and the Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such party, the Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no party shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein or in the Collateral (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as not prohibited by this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each party and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released in accordance with Section 5.09.

 

SECTION 5.05.                      Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Pledgor or the Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns. The Agent hereunder shall at all times be the same person that is the “Second Lien Agent” under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. Written notice of resignation by the “Second Lien Agent” pursuant to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall also constitute notice of resignation as the Agent under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the “Second Lien Agent” under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement by a successor “Second Lien Agent”, that successor “Second Lien Agent” shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent pursuant hereto.

 

SECTION 5.06.                      Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  The parties hereto agree that the Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 9.05 of the Term Loan Agreement, and any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Credit Documents, each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify the Agent, the Term Loan Agent, the Trustee and each Affiliate of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (limited to not more than one counsel, plus, if necessary, one local counsel per jurisdiction) (except the allocated costs of in-house counsels), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with the appointment of any successor Agent in accordance with the applicable Credit Documents and in connection with any filings, registrations or any other actions to be taken to reflect the security interest of such successor Agent), (ii) the use of proceeds of the Term Loans, the Notes or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation

 

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or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, or to the Collateral, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or any Pledgor; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                   Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Obligations secured hereby and by the other Security Documents. The provisions of this Section 5.06 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or any other Secured Party. All amounts due under this Section 5.06 shall be payable within fifteen days of written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 5.07.                      Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . Subject to the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, each Pledgor hereby appoints, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest, the Agent as such Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Pledgor and in the name of such Pledgor or otherwise, to take any action and to execute any instrument, in each case after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and with notice to such Pledgor, that the Agent may deem reasonably necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including to receive, indorse and collect all instruments made payable to such Pledgor representing any dividend or distribution payment in respect of the Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same.

 

SECTION 5.08.                      GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 5.09.                      Waivers; Amendment .

 

(a)                                  No failure or delay by the Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Agent, the Lenders or any other Secured Party hereunder and under the other Credit Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.09, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

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(b)                                            Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Agent and the Credit Party or Credit Parties with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement, Article IX of the Indenture and any equivalent provision in each applicable other Credit Document and except as otherwise provided in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. The Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate of an officer of the Borrower as to whether any amendment contemplated by this Section 5.09(b) is permitted.

 

(c)                                             For the purpose of Section 5.09(b) above, the Agent shall be entitled to rely upon (i) written confirmation from the agent managing the solicitation of consents, provided by the Trustee, as to the receipt of valid consents from the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Notes to amend this Agreement (or two-thirds in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Notes if required by the Indenture), and (ii) any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person and the Agent need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document. At any time that the Borrower desires that this Agreement be amended as provided in Section 5.09(b) above, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a certificate signed by an officer of the Borrower stating that the amendment of this Agreement is permitted pursuant to Section 5.09(b) above. If requested by the Agent (although the Agent shall have no obligation to make any such request), the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent copies of officers’ certificates and legal opinions delivered to the Trustee in connection with any amendment to the Indenture affecting the operation of this Section 5.09. The Agent shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificates or opinions.

 

SECTION 5.10.                      Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.11.                      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 5.04. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original.

 

SECTION 5.12.                      Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.13.                      Termination or Release .

 

(a)                                  This Agreement, the pledges made herein and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically

 

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terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgors, as of the date when all the Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities not then due) have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds.

 

(b)                                  A Subsidiary Party shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the security interests in the Collateral of such Subsidiary Party shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document as a result of which such Subsidiary Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Subsidiary is released from its Subsidiary Guarantee and from its Subsidiary guarantees of all Credit Documents or otherwise ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to such Subsidiary Party.

 

(c)                                   (i) Upon any sale or other transfer by any Pledgor of any Collateral that is not prohibited by any Credit Document to any person that is not a Pledgor (including in connection with a Casualty Event), or (ii) upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement and any equivalent provision of each applicable other Credit Document, the security interest in such Collateral shall be automatically released, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party.

 

(d)                                  The security interest securing Term Loan Obligations will be released as provided in Section 9.19 of the Term Loan Agreement, the security interest securing Indenture Obligations will be released as provided in Section 11.04 of the Indenture, and the security interest securing any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations will be released as provided in the applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Documents.

 

(e)                                   In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 5.13, the Agent shall execute and deliver to any Pledgor, at such Pledgor’s expense, all documents that such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release (including, without limitation, UCC termination statements), and will duly assign and transfer to such Pledgor, such of the Pledged Stock that may be in the possession of the Agent and has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5.13 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Agent. In connection with any release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) above, the Pledgors shall be permitted to take any action in connection therewith consistent with such release including, without limitation, the filing of UCC termination statements. Upon the receipt of any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Borrower, the Agent shall execute, deliver or acknowledge such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents.

 

SECTION 5.14.                 Additional Subsidiaries . Upon execution and delivery by the Agent and any Subsidiary that is required to become a party hereto by Section 6.09 of the Term Loan Agreement, Section 4.11 of the Indenture or any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document of an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, such Subsidiary shall become a

 

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Subsidiary Party hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Subsidiary Party herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party to this Agreement. The rights and obligations of each party to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.15.                      Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Agent hereunder is subject to the limitations and provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, shall govern.

 

SECTION 5.16.                      Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations .

 

On or after the date hereof and so long as such obligations are not prohibited by any Credit Document then in effect, the Borrower may from time to time designate obligations in respect of Indebtedness to be secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations hereunder and under the other Security Documents by delivering to the Agent and each Authorized Representative (a) a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower (i) identifying the obligations so designated and the initial aggregate principal amount or face amount thereof, (ii) stating that such obligations are designated as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations for purposes hereof and of the other Security Documents, (iii) representing that such designation of such obligations as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations complies with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture and any other Credit Document then in effect, (iv) specifying the name and address of the Authorized Representative for such obligations and (v) identifying the documents to be designated as the related Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and Other Second Lien Agreements (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) and (b) a fully executed Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement. The Agent and each Authorized Representative agree that upon the satisfaction of all conditions set forth in the preceding sentence, the Agent shall act as agent under and subject to the terms of the Security Documents for the benefit of all Secured Parties, including without limitation, any Secured Parties that hold any such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, and the Agent and each Authorized Representative agree to the appointment, and acceptance of the appointment, of the Agent as agent for the holders of such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations as set forth in each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement and agree, on behalf of itself and each Secured Party it represents, to be bound by this Agreement, the other Security Documents, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

20



 

SECTION 5.17.                      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

 

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.17.

 

SECTION 5.18.                      Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

 

(a)                                  Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Agent or any Secured Party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document against any Pledgor, or its properties, in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(b)                                  Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document in any New York State or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(c)                                   Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Credit Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

21



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (f/k/a EP ENERGY, L.L.C)

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY)

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW FOUR STAR CORPORATION)

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C. (f/k/a EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.)

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION OIL & GAS GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Pledge Agreement (First Lien — US)

 



 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Pledge Agreement (First Lien — US)

 



 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Name: Antonio J. de Pinho

 

 

Title: President

 

Signature Page to Pledge Agreement (First Lien — US)

 



 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Name: Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to Pledge Agreement (First Lien — US)

 


 

Exhibit I

to the Pledge Agreement

 

SUPPLEMENT NO.          dated as of           (this “ Supplement ”), to the Pledge Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as heretofore amended and/or supplemented, the “ Pledge Agreement ”), among EP ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each Subsidiary Party party thereto and CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

 

A.                                     Reference is made to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent.

 

B.                                     Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Term Loan Agreement and the Pledge Agreement referred to therein.

 

C.                                     The Pledgors have entered into the Pledge Agreement in order to induce the Secured Parties to make extensions of credit. Section 5.14 of the Pledge Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Subsidiary Parties under the Pledge Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Term Loan Agreement to become a Subsidiary Party under the Pledge Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Term Loans and to induce the holders of any other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder and as consideration for Term Loans previously made and other extensions of credit previously made.

 

Accordingly, the Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.                             In accordance with Section 5.14 of the Pledge Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor under the Pledge Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Subsidiary Party and a Pledgor, and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Pledge Agreement applicable to it as a Subsidiary Party and Pledgor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Pledgor thereunder are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary, as security for the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, does hereby create and grant to the Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, their successors and assigns, a security interest in and Lien on all the New Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral of the New Subsidiary. Each reference to a “Subsidiary Party” or a “Pledgor” in the Pledge Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Pledge Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2.                             The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with

 



 

its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 3.                             This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

 

SECTION 4.                             The New Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants that (a) set forth on Schedule I attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all the Pledged Stock of the New Subsidiary as of the date hereof and (b) set forth under its signature hereto, is the true and correct legal name of the New Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of formation and organizational ID number as of the date hereof.

 

SECTION 5.                             Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Pledge Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6. THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 7.                             In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Pledge Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 8.                             All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Pledge Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.                             The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Agent.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has duly executed this Supplement to the Pledge Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[Name of New Subsidiary]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

3



 

Schedule I

to Supplement No.        to the

Pledge Agreement

 

Pledged Stock of the New Subsidiary

 

EQUITY INTERESTS

 

Number of Issuer
Certificate

 

Registered Owner

 

Number and Class of
Equity Interests

 

Percentage of
Equity Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Pledge Agreement

EP Energy, Citibank

 

Schedule I

 

Subsidiary Parties

 

Name of Entity

 

State of
Incorporation

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

Delaware

EP Energy Global LLC (f/k/a EP Energy, L.L.C.)

 

Delaware

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(1)

 

Delaware

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Preferred Holdings Company)

 

Delaware

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C. (f/k/a MBOW Four Star Corporation)

 

Delaware

EP Energy Management, L.L.C. (f/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc.)

 

Delaware

El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.(2)

 

Delaware

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.(3)

 

Delaware

El Paso E&P Company, L.P.(4)

 

Delaware

EPE Nominee Corp.

 

Delaware

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 


(1) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(2) “El Paso Production Resale Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(3) “El Paso Production Oil & Gas Gathering Company, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(4) “El Paso E&P Company, L.P.” will change its name to “EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 



 

Pledge Agreement

EP Energy, Citibank

 

Schedule II

 

Pledged Stock

 

Registered Owner

 

Name of Issuer

 

Jurisdiction of
Issuer

 

Number and Class
of Equity Interests

 

Percentage of
Equity Interests
Pledged

 

Number of Issuer
Certificate

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(5)

 

UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda.(6)

 

Brazil

 

Brazil limited liability company quota

 

99.99%

 

N/A

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(7)

 

El Paso Brazil Holdings Company(8)

 

Cayman Islands

 

Cayman Islands exempted company interest

 

100%

 

N/A

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.(9)

 

El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.(10)

 

Brazil

 

Brazil limited liability company quota

 

99.80%

 

N/A

 


(5) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(6) “UnoPaso Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Ltda.” will change its name to “EP Energia Pescada Ltda.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(7) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(8) “El Paso Brazil Holdings Company” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil Holdings Company” on or around June 1, 2012.

(9) “El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.” will change its name to “EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.” on or around June 1, 2012.

(10) “El Paso Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda.” will change its name to “EP Energia do Brasil Ltda.” on or around June 1, 2012.

 




Exhibit 10.11

 

PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

dated and effective as of

 

May 24, 2012,

 

among

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.,

 

As Pledgor

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Collateral Agent

 

EL PASO ÓLEO E GÁS DO BRASIL LTDA.

 

UNOPASO EXPLORAÇÃO E PRODUÇÃO DE PETRÓLEO E GÁS LTDA.,
as intervening parties

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Term Loan Agreement

2

SECTION 1.02.

Other Defined Terms

2

 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

 

PLEDGE OF EQUITY INTERESTS

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01

Pledge

7

SECTION 2.02

Registration of the Pledged Quotas

8

SECTION 2.03

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

8

SECTION 2.04

Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

9

SECTION 2.05

Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc

10

 

 

 

ARTICLE III.

 

[RESERVED.]

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

REMEDIES

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01

Remedies upon Default

11

SECTION 4.02

Application of Proceeds

12

 

 

 

ARTICLE V.

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01

Notices

13

SECTION 5.02.

Security Interest Absolute

14

SECTION 5.03

Limitation by Law

14

SECTION 5.04

Binding Effect; Several Agreement

14

SECTION 5.05

Successors and Assigns

14

SECTION 5.06

Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

15

SECTION 5.07

Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

16

SECTION 5.08

GOVERNING LAW

16

SECTION 5.09

Waivers; Amendment

16

SECTION 5.10

Severability

16

SECTION 5.11

Headings

17

 

i



 

SECTION 5.12.

Termination or Release

17

SECTION 5.13.

Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement

18

SECTION 5.14.

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations

18

SECTION 5.15.

Specific Performance

18

SECTION 5.16.

Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

19

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI.

 

BRAZIL’S NATIONAL PETROLEUM AGENCY’S (AGÊNCIA NACIONAL DO
PETRÓLEO, GÁS NATURAL E BIOCOMBUSTÍVEIS) REQUIREMENTS

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01.

Transfer of Oil and Gas Concession Rights

19

SECTION 6.02.

Pledgor’s Voting Rights

19

 

 

 

Schedules

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule I

Obligations

 

 

 

 

Schedule II

Pledged Quotas

 

 

ii



 

This PLEDGE AGREEMENT dated and effective as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is among EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C. , a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Pledgor ”), CITIBANK, N.A. , as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Agent ” or the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in Section 1.02 below), EL PASO ÓLEO E GÁS DO BRASIL LTDA. (“ EP Brazil ”) and UNOPASO EXPLORAÇÃO E PRODUÇÃO DE PETRÓLEO E GÁS LTDA. (“ UNOPASO ” and, together with EP Brazil, the “ Companies ”), as intervening parties.

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the Indenture ”) among EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”) and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as co-issuer (together with the Borrower, the “ Co-Issuers ”), each Subsidiary of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Co-Issuers have issued 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (together with any and all exchange notes and/or additional notes issued pursuant to the Indenture, collectively the “ Notes ”) and (2) pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Term Loan Agreement”), among the Borrower, the lenders and agents party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Term Loan Agent ”), the Borrower is incurring Loans (as defined therein, the “ Term Loans ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Notes, the Term Loans and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are and will be secured on a first-priority, pari passu basis by the Collateral and, on the date hereof, the Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the Trustee are entering into the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ”), which sets forth the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties in the Collateral as amongst each other;

 

WHEREAS, (1) pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EPE Holdings LLC (“ Holdings ”), the Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time parties thereto, the Borrower will from time to time incur loans and letter of credit obligations and (2) pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among the Pledgor and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the Pledgor has granted to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the RBL Facility Agent (as defined below), a second-priority lien and security interest in the Collateral to secure their obligations under the Credit Agreement and related documents;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the RBL Facility Agent and the Applicable First Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Term Facility Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Collateral Agent and the Applicable Second Lien Agent (as each such terms are defined in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture, the Borrower, the Subsidiaries of the

 

1



 

Borrower named therein and the other parties thereto, the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted by this Agreement are and shall be prior in all respects to the liens upon and security interest in the Collateral granted pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Credit Agreement and other First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents;

 

WHEREAS, the Pledgor is executing and delivering this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Term Loan Agreement and any applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document to induce the Lenders to extend credit and to induce the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes and the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, the Pledgor is the holder of 1,677,018,183 (one billion, six hundred seventy-seven million, eighteen thousand, one hundred and eighty-three) quotas issued by EP Brazil (“ Issued EP Brazil Quotas ”), which represents 99.99% (nine-nine point ninety-nine percent) of the total quota capital of EP Brazil, and 108,841,986 (one hundred and eight million, eight hundred, forty-one thousand and nine hundred eighty-six) quotas issued by UNOPASO (“ Issued UNOPASO Quotas ”), which represents 99.99% (ninety-nine point ninety-nine percent) of the total quota capital of UNOPASO;

 

WHEREAS, the Pledgor, as a Subsidiary of the Borrower, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Indenture, Term Loan Agreement and any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit and to induce the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes and the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder.

 

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.                               Term Loan Agreement.

 

(a)                                  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The rules of construction specified in Section 1.02 of the Term Loan Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 1.02.                               Other Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Additionally Issued Quotas has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02(c).

 

2



 

Agent or “ Collateral Agent ” means the party named as such in this Agreement until a successor replaces it in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, thereafter, means such successor.

 

Authorized Representative has the meaning assigned to such term in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Borrower has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Brazilian Civil Code means Brazilian Federal Law number 10.406 of 10/01/2002.

 

Brazilian Requirements of Law means, as to any Person, any law, treaty, rule, regulation, statute, order, ordinance, decree, judgment, consent decree, writ, injunction, settlement agreement or governmental requirement enacted, promulgated or imposed or entered into or agreed by any Brazilian Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or assets or to which such Person or any of its property or assets is subject.

 

Collateral means the Pledged Quotas.

 

Collateral Agreement means the Collateral Agreement, dated May 24, 2012, by and among the Borrower, each Subsidiary of the Borrower identified therein and the Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Credit Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Credit Documents means the Term Loan Documents, the Indenture Documents and the Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents

 

Default means a “ Default ” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any other Credit Document.

 

Event of Default means an “Event of Default” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any other Credit Document.

 

First-Priority Lien Obligations Documents has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Holdings has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Indemnitee has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06.

 

3



 

Indenture ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Indenture Documents means (a) the Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and this Agreement and (b) any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Indenture or any Security Document, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Indenture Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Notes, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties under the Indenture and each of the other Indenture Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Indenture and each of the other Indenture Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of the Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Indenture Documents; provided that Indenture Obligations shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the Notes.

 

Issued EP Brazil Quotas ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Issued UNOPASO Quotas ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Obligations means (a) the Indenture Obligations, (b) the Term Loan Obligations and (c) if any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations are incurred, (1) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) owing to any holder of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations under any Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any holder of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations under the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such

 

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proceeding), (2) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents and (3) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of the Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and the Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations ” means other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is equally and ratably secured with the Term Loans and Notes as permitted by the Indenture Documents, the Term Loan Documents and any Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Documents in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and is designated by the Borrower as an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligation in accordance with Section 5.14 hereof and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents ” means any document or instrument executed and delivered with respect to any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, including the Security Documents and this Agreement, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement ” means a Joinder Agreement (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) executed by the Authorized Representative of any holders of Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 5.14 and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Permitted Liens ” means Liens that are not prohibited by the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Document.

 

Pledged Quotas ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01, including the Additionally Issued Quotas.

 

Pledgor ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

RBL Facility Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Secured Parties ” means (a) the Collateral Agent, (b) each holder of a Note, (c) each Lender, (d) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by the Pledgor under any Credit Documents, (e) the Trustee, (f) the Term Loan Agent, (g) the holders of any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations and their Authorized Representative, provided that such Authorized Representative executes an Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement, and (h) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing.

 

Security Documents ” means this Agreement, the Collateral Agreement, any agreement pursuant to which assets are added to the Collateral or otherwise pledged or mortgaged to secure the Obligations and any other instruments or documents entered into and

 

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delivered in connection with any of the foregoing, as such agreements, instruments or documents may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agent has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Term Loan Documents means (a) the Term Loan Agreement, the Notes (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement), the Security Documents and this Agreement and (b) any other related documents or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement or any Security Document, in each case, as such agreements, documents or instruments may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Term Loan Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Term Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties under the Term Loan Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of the Pledgor under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Term Loan Documents.

 

Trustee has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

U.S. Pledge Agreement means the U.S. law pledge agreement entered into by and between the Pledgor and the Agent on this date.

 

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ARTICLE II.

 

Pledge of Equity Interests

 

SECTION 2.01.                               Pledge . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations (detailed on Schedule I, for the purposes of Article 1424 of the Brazilian Civil Code), the Pledgor hereby pledges to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of the Pledgor’s right, title and interest in, to and under: (a) the Equity Interests in the Companies, including the Issued EP Brazil Quotas and the Issued UNOPASO Quotas and any other Equity Interests in the Companies obtained in the future by the Pledgor together with all right, title, interest, powers, privileges and preferences pertaining or incidental thereto; (b) subject to Section 2.05, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other proceeds received in respect of, the securities referred to in clause (a) above; (c) subject to Section 2.05, all rights and privileges of the Pledgor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; and (d) all proceeds of any of the foregoing (the items referred to in clauses (a) through (d) above being collectively referred to as the “Pledged Quotas”).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“ Rule 3-10 ” or “ Rule 3-16 ”, as applicable) requires or is amended, modified or interpreted by the Securities Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) to require (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would require) the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Authority) of separate financial statements of any Subsidiary of the Borrower due to the fact that such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests secure Obligations, then the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary will automatically be deemed not to be part of the Collateral securing any of the Obligations (whether or not affected thereby) but only to the extent necessary to not be subject to such requirement and only for so long as required to not be subject to such requirement. In such event, this Agreement may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Secured Party, to the extent necessary to release the Lien in favor of the Agent on the Equity Interests that are so deemed to no longer constitute part of the Collateral for the Obligations. In the event that Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 is amended, modified or interpreted by the SEC to permit (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would permit) such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests to secure the Obligations in excess of the amount then pledged without the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Authority) of separate financial statements of such Subsidiary, then the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary will automatically be deemed to be a part of the Collateral for the Obligations (but only to the extent that will not result in such Subsidiary being subject to any such financial statement requirement). In such event, this Agreement may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Secured Party, to the extent necessary to subject to the Lien in favor of the Agent such additional Equity Interests, on the terms contemplated herein.

 

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SECTION 2.02.                               Registration of the Pledged Quotas .

 

(a)                                  The Pledgor undertakes to register this Agreement with the competent Registry of Deeds and Documents (Registro de Títulos e Documentos) in the City of Rio de Janeiro. Furthermore, the Pledgor shall file an amendment to the articles of association of each Company with the Registry of Companies of the Rio de Janeiro State, duly reflecting the pledge created hereby.

 

(b)                                  The Pledgor shall, within 60 (sixty) calendar days from the date hereof, provide evidence to the Agent of the registration of this Agreement with the relevant Registry of Deeds and Documents, and of the registration of the relevant amendment to the articles of association of each Company with the Registry of Companies of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The Agent in its reasonable discretion may elect to extend the term provided in this clause.

 

(c)                                   The Pledgor agrees promptly (and in any event within 45 days after the acquisition (or such longer time as the Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion) to execute an Amendment to this Agreement in relation to any and all other quotas of the Companies which may be held by the Pledgor in the future (the “ Additionally Issued Quotas ”), in addition to performing any and all acts necessary to include such Additionally Issued Quotas as Pledged Quotas, subject to the pledge provided for hereunder. In particular, (i) the Amendment shall be submitted for annotation on the margin of the registration of this Agreement with the Registry of Deeds and Documents where it was registered, and (ii) the pledge of such Additionally Issued Quotas shall be duly reflected in the amendment to each applicable Company’s articles of association which provides for the issuing of such Additionally Issued Quotas and their acquisition by the Pledgor, indicating that such Additionally Issued Quotas are subject to the pledge created under this Agreement.

 

SECTION 2.03.                               Representations, Warranties and Covenants . The Pledgor represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

 

(a)                                  Schedule II correctly sets forth the percentage of the issued and outstanding quotas of the Companies;

 

(b)                                  the Pledged Quotas, to the best of the Pledgor’s knowledge, have been duly and validly authorized and issued by the issuers thereof and are fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(c)                                   except for the security interests granted hereunder, the Pledgor (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Term Loan Agreement and each other Credit Document, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Quotas indicated on Schedule II as owned by the Pledgor, (ii) possesses the same free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, (iii) will make no assignment, pledge or transfer of, or create or permit to exist, any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Quotas, other than pursuant to a transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document and other than Permitted Liens, and (iv) subject to the rights of the Pledgor under the Credit Documents to dispose of Pledged

 

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Quotas, will use commercially reasonable efforts to defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), however arising, of all persons;

 

(d)                                  other than as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or the schedules thereto or in the other Credit Documents and except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Credit Documents or securities laws generally, the Pledged Quotas are and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Quotas is or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement or articles of association provisions or contractual restriction of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect the pledge of such Pledged Quotas hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Agent of rights and remedies hereunder other than under applicable Requirements of Law;

 

(e)                                   it has all corporate power and authorizations and others, including, from third parties, to execute this Agreement and any amendment hereto, as well as to take all actions and perform all obligations hereunder and thereunder;

 

(f)                                    this Agreement is, and any amendment thereto on its respective date shall be, valid, binding and enforceable obligations to be performed by Pledgor, and shall thus remain valid, binding and enforceable, according to their terms;

 

(g)                                   execution of this Agreement or, as applicable, execution of any amendment and compliance with their respective terms and conditions, do not breach and are not contrary to any law, decree, rule, order, decision or resolution of any authority or government entity or to any contractual provision that is binding on Pledgor or that affects any of its assets and rights

 

(h)                                  other than as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or the schedules thereto or in the other Credit Documents, no consent or approval of any Governmental Authority (other than Brazil’s National Petroleum Agency’s (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis) authorization for purpose of transfer of oil and gas concession rights, any securities exchange or any other person was or is necessary to the validity of the pledge effected hereby (other than such as have been obtained and are in full force and effect);

 

(i)                                      by virtue of the execution and registry with the Registries of Deeds and Documents of this Agreement by the Pledgor, and of the filing of the amendments to the Companies’ Articles of Association with the competent Commercial Registry, in accordance with this Agreement, the Agent will obtain, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and perfected lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Quotas, subject only to Permitted Liens, as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations; and

 

(j)                                     the pledge effected hereby is effective to vest in the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the rights of the Agent in the Pledged Quotas as set forth herein.

 

SECTION 2.04.                          Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (a) the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to maintain the Pledged Quotas in its own

 

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name as pledgee or the name of its nominee (as pledgee or as sub-agent), or the name of the Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank in favor of the Agent, and (b) the Pledgor will promptly give to the Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Quotas registered in the name of the Pledgor.

 

SECTION 2.05.                          Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest, etc.

 

(a)                                  Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Agent shall have given notice to the Pledgor of the Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder:

 

(i)                             The Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Quotas or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that could be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the rights and remedies of any of the Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same.

 

(ii)                          The Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Quotas to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are not prohibited by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and applicable laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Quotas, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Quotas or received in exchange for Pledged Quotas or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Quotas, and, if received by the Pledgor, shall be promptly (and in any event within 45 days following their receipt (or such longer time as the Agent shall permit in its reasonable discretion)) delivered to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Agent).

 

(b)                                  After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and upon notice by the Agent to the Pledgor of the Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, all rights of the Pledgor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that the Pledgor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.05 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions; provided that the Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgor to receive and retain such amounts. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by the Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.05 shall not be commingled by the Pledgor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured

 

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Parties, and shall be forthwith received by the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the same form as so received by the Pledgor (endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Agent). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Agent in an account to be established by the Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Agent a certificate to that effect, the Agent shall promptly repay to the Pledgor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that the Pledgor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.05 and that remain in such account.

 

(c)                                   Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice by the Agent to the Pledgor of the Agent’s intention to exercise its rights hereunder, subject to applicable Requirements of Law, all rights of the Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.05 shall cease, and to the fullest extent permitted by Brazilian Requirements of Law, the Pledgor shall exercise (or refrain from exercising) all voting, consent and other rights in respect of the Pledged Quotas in accordance with, and shall take no action that is inconsistent with, the written instructions of the Agent, acting for the benefit of the Secured Parties; provided that the Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Pledgor to exercise such rights. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Borrower has delivered to the Agent a certificate to that effect, all rights of the Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.05 shall in each case be reinstated.

 

(d)                                  Any notice given by the Agent to the Pledgor suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 2.05 (i) shall be in writing, (ii) may be given to the Pledgor at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Pledgor under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.05 in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

ARTICLE III.

 

[ Reserved.]

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

Remedies

 

SECTION 4.01.                               Remedies upon Default. Subject to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and applicable Brazilian Requirements of Law (including the Brazil’s National Petroleum Agency’s (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis) authorization for purpose of transfer of oil and gas concession rights), upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Pledgor agrees to deliver each item of Collateral to the Agent on demand and it is agreed that the Agent shall have the right generally to

 

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exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the applicable Brazilian Requirements of Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Pledgor agrees that the Agent shall have the right, subject to the requirements of applicable law and subject to the terms and conditions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale, for cash, upon credit or for future disposal as the Agent shall deem appropriate. The Agent shall be authorized in connection with any sale of a security (if it deems it advisable to do so) pursuant to the foregoing to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to persons who represent and agree that they are purchasing such security for their own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof . Upon consummation of any such sale of Collateral pursuant to this Section 4.01, the Agent shall have the right to assign and transfer to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. The property sold shall be done so absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of the Pledgor, and the Pledgor hereby waives and releases (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay, valuation and appraisal that the Pledgor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

 

The Agent shall give the Pledgor 10 days’ written notice (which each Pledgor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. At any such sale, the Collateral, or the portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. At any public (or, to the extent permitted by law, private) sale made pursuant to this Section 4.01, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase for cash, free (to the extent permitted by law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the partof the Pledgor (all such rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, possess, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to the Pledgor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof ; the Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and the Pledgor shall not be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Obligations paid in full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court-appointed receiver. To the extent provided in this Section 4.01, any sale that complies with such provisions shall be deemed to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided by the Brazilian Civil Code.

 

SECTION 4.02.                          Application of Proceeds . Subject to the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall promptly apply the proceeds, moneys or balances of any collection or

 

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sale of Collateral, as well as any Collateral consisting of cash in accordance with Section 2.01 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement:

 

The Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement. Upon the request of the Agent prior to any distribution under this Section 4.02, each Authorized Representative shall provide to the Agent certificates, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, setting forth the respective amounts referred to in this Section 4.02, that each applicable Secured Party or their Authorized Representative believes it is entitled to receive, and the Agent shall be fully entitled to rely on such certificates. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the purchase money by the Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01.                          Notices . The notices to be sent by any of the parties hereto shall be deemed delivered when sent by public notary or judicial means, or when received against return receipt or notice by Empresa Brasileira de Correio e Telégrafos or else transmitted by telegram to the address below. Notices sent by fax or electronic mail shall be deemed received on the date of actual sending, provided that receipt thereof is confirmed by answerback (i.e., receipt issued by the sender’s machine). The respective originals shall be sent to the address below within two (2) business days from transmission of the message by fax or electronic mail, under penalty of voidability thereof.

 

For Pledgor:

 

El Paso Brazil, L.L.C.

1001 Louisiana St.

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: General Counsel

 

For Intervening Parties:

 

El Paso Óleo e Gás do Brasil Ltda.

Av. das Américas, 3434, Bloco 7, 3º andar

Centro Empresarial Mário Henrique Simonsen

Barra da Tijuca - Rio de Janeiro — RJ — Brazil

22.640-102

Attention: André Frei tas dos Santos

e-mail: andre.freitas@elpaso.com

 

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For Agent:

 

Citibank, N.A.

Citi Global Loan Operations

1615 Brett Road, Bldg. 3

New Castle, Delaware 19720

Attention: Dan Boselli

 

The parties hereto clarify that, during foreclosure of the guarantee hereunder, all notices referring to this Agreement and its provisions shall be sent as provided for above. Any notices to be sent by the parties hereto prior to any foreclosure of the guarantee hereunder shall follow the procedures set out in Section 9.02 of the Term Loan Agreement (whether or not then in effect).

 

SECTION 5.02.                          Security Interest Absolute . All rights of the Agent hereunder, the security interest in the Pledged Quotas and all obligations of the Pledgor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Term Loan Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any other agreement or instrument, (b) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee, securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Obligations or (c) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Pledgor in respect of the Obligations or this Agreement (other than a defense of payment or performance).

 

SECTION 5.03.                          Limitation by Law . All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable Requirements of Law, and all the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable Requirements of Law that may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they shall not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable, in whole or in part, or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable law or regulation.

 

SECTION 5.04.                          Binding Effect; Several Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as to any party to this Agreement when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such party shall have been delivered to the Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such party and the Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such party, the Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no party shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein or in the Collateral (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as not prohibited by this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or any other Credit Document. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each party and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released in accordance with Section 5.09.

 

SECTION 5.05.                          Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of the Pledgor or the Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the

 

14



 

benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns. The Agent hereunder shall at all times be the same person that is the “Second Lien Agent” under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. Written notice of resignation by the “Second Lien Agent” pursuant to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall also constitute notice of resignation as the Agent under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the “Second Lien Agent” under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement by a successor “Second Lien Agent”, that successor “Second Lien Agent” shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent pursuant hereto.

 

SECTION 5.06.                          Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  The parties hereto agree that the Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 9.05 of the Term Loan Agreement, and any equivalent provision of any other Credit Document and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Credit Documents, the Pledgor agrees to indemnify the Agent, the Term Loan Agent, the Trustee and each Affiliate of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (limited to not more than one counsel, plus, if necessary, one local counsel per jurisdiction) (except the allocated costs of in-house counsels), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with the appointment of any successor Agent in accordance with the applicable Credit Documents and in connection with any filings, registrations or any other actions to be taken to reflect the security interest of such successor Agent), (ii) the use of proceeds of the Term Loans, the Notes or any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, or to the Collateral, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or the Pledgor; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified or any of its Related Parties as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                   Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Obligations secured hereby and by the other Security Documents. The provisions of this Section 5.06 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or any other Secured Party. All amounts due under this Section 5.06 shall be payable within fifteen days of written demand therefor.

 

15



 

SECTION 5.07.                          Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . Subject to the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, the Pledgor hereby appoints, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest, the Agent as the Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of the Pledgor and in the name of the Pledgor or otherwise, to take any action and to execute any instrument, in each case after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and with notice to the Pledgor, that the Agent may deem reasonably necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including to receive, indorse and collect all instruments made payable to the Pledgor representing any dividend or distribution payment in respect of the Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same.

 

SECTION 5.08.                          GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL.

 

SECTION 5.09.                          Waivers; Amendment .

 

(a)                                  No failure or delay by the Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Agent, the Lenders or any other Secured Party hereunder and under the other Credit Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.09, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)                                  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Parties, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement, Article IX of the Indenture and any equivalent provision in each other applicable Credit Document and except as otherwise provided in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. The Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate of an officer of the Borrower as to whether any amendment contemplated by this Section 5.09(b) is permitted.

 

(c)                                   For the purpose of section 5.09 (b) above, the parties hereto agree that the Agent will follow the procedure as provided for in the U.S. Pledge Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.10.                          Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties

 

16



 

shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid,  illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.11.                          Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.12.                          Termination or Release .

 

(a)                                  This Agreement, the pledges made herein and all other security interests granted hereby, and all other Security Documents securing the Obligations, shall automatically terminate and/or be released all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any at by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Pledgor, as of the date when all the Obligations (other than contingent or unliquidated obligations or liabilities not then due) have been paid in full in cash or immediately available funds.

 

(b)                                  The Pledgor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the security interests in the Collateral of the Pledgor shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document as a result of which the Pledgor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or the Pledgor is released from its Subsidiary Guarantee and from its Subsidiary guarantees of all Credit Documents or otherwise ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Pledgor.

 

(c)                                   (i) Upon any sale or other transfer by the Pledgor of any Collateral that is not prohibited by any Credit Document to any person that is not a Grantor under the Collateral Agreement (including in connection with a Casualty Event), or (ii) upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement and any equivalent provision of each applicable other Credit Document, the security interest in such Collateral shall be automatically released, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party.

 

(d)                                  The security interest securing Term Loan Obligations will be released as provided in Section 9.19 of the Term Loan Agreement, the security interest securing Indenture Obligations will be released as provided in Section 11.04 of the Indenture, and the security interest securing any Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations will be released as provided in the applicable Other Second-Priority Lien Documents.

 

(e)                                   In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 5.12, the Agent shall execute and deliver to the Pledgor, at the Pledgor’s expense, all documents that the Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release, and will duly assign and transfer to the Pledgor, such of the Pledged Quotas that may be in the possession of the Agent and has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 5.12 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Agent. In

 

17


 

connection with any release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 5.12, the Pledgor shall be permitted to take any action in connection therewith consistent with such release. Upon the receipt of any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Borrower, the Agent shall execute, deliver or acknowledge such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents.

 

SECTION 5.13.                          Subject to Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i)the liens and security interests granted to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Agent hereunder is subject to the limitations and provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, shall govern.

 

SECTION 5.14.                          Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations . On or after the date hereof and so long as such obligations are not prohibited by any Credit Document then in effect, the Borrower may from time to time designate obligations in respect of Indebtedness to be secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations hereunder and under the other Security Documents by delivering to the Agent and each Authorized Representative (a) a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower (i) identifying the obligations so designated and the initial aggregate principal amount or face amount thereof, (ii) stating that such obligations are designated as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations for purposes hereof and of the other Security Documents, (iii) representing that such designation of such obligations as Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations complies with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, the Indenture and any other Credit Document then in effect, (iv) specifying the name and address of the Authorized Representative for such obligations and (v) identifying the documents to be designated as the related Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Documents and Other Second Lien Agreements (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) and (b) a fully executed Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement. The Agent and each Authorized Representative agree that upon the satisfaction of all conditions set forth in the preceding sentence, the Agent shall act as agent under and subject to the terms of the Security Documents for the benefit of all Secured Parties, including without limitation, any Secured Parties that hold any such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations, and the Agent and each Authorized Representative agree to the appointment, and acceptance of the appointment, of the Agent as agent for the holders of such Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations as set forth in each Other Second-Priority Lien Obligations Secured Party Joinder Agreement and agree, on behalf of itself and each Secured Party it represents, to be bound by this Agreement, the other Security Documents, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.15.                          Specific Performance . This Agreement is and extrajudicial enforcement instrument (título executivo extrajudicial) and, for the purposes of this Agreement

 

18



 

and of each addendum hereto, the Agent, representing the Secured Parties, may pursue specific performance of the obligations of Pledgor according to the Brazilian Civil Procedure Code.

 

SECTION 5.16.                          Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process . Any disputes arising out of this Agreement will be settled by the courts of the City of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro State, to the exclusion of any other, however privileged it may be.

 

ARTICLE VI.

 

Brazil’s National Petroleum Agency’s (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e
Biocombustíveis) Requirements

 

SECTION 6.01.                          Transfer of Oil and Gas Concession Rights . For avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any transfer of oil and gas concession rights (including the enforcement of the Pledge) shall be subject to Brazil’s National Petroleum Agency’s (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis) approval.

 

SECTION 6.02.                          Pledgor’s Voting Rights . For avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement does not limit, in any way, the Pledgor’s voting rights before the occurrence of an Event of Default. After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Pledgor’s voting rights shall be limited in order to preserve the guarantee created in accordance with this Agreement and the market value of the Pledged Quotas.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

19



 

[ Signature page 1/4 of the Pledge Agreement entered into among El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., Citibank, N.A., and, as intervening parties, El Paso Óleo e Gás do Brasil Ltda. and Unopaso Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e Gás Ltda. ]

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mauro Marcus de Mello Martins

 

 

Name: Mauro Marcus de Mello Martins

 

 

Title: Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Rodrigo Magalhães Fortes

 

 

Name: Rodrigo Magalhães Fortes

 

 

Title: Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

WITNESSES

 

 

 

1.

/s/ Marcia Tortora

 

2.

/s/ Monica de Souza Lima

Name: Marcia Tortora

Name: Monica de Souza Lima

ID Number: 07036347-8

ID Number:

RG: 020160916-1

 

 

CPF: 095.865.657-69

 

Signature Page – Brazilian Pledge Agreement (First Lien)

 



 

[ Signature page 2/4 of the Pledge Agreement entered into among El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., Citibank, N.A., and as intervening parties, El Paso Óleo e Gás do Brasil Ltda. and Unopaso Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e Gás Ltda. ]

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mohammed Baabde

 

 

Name:

Mohammed Baabde

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of:

 

 

 

/s/ Andrew Flowers

 

 

 

Print Name of Witness: Andrew Flowers

 

 

 

/s/ Bradley Allworth

 

 

 

Print Name of Witness:

Bradley Allworth

 

 

 

STATE OF New York

)

 

)ss.

COUNTY OF New York

)

 

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me, a Notary Public, this 23 day of May, 2012, by Mohammed Baabde, the Vice President of CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking corporation, who was personally known to me, or who produced the following identification: drivers license.

 

{Seal}

 

 

 

/s/ Janet M. Shea

 

Notary Public

 

Print Name: Janet Shea

 

My commission expires:

June 9, 2012

 

 

 

 

JANET M. SHEA

 

 

NOTARY PUBLIC, State of New York

 

 

No. 01SH6188422

 

 

Qualified in New York County

 

 

Term Expires June 9, 2012

 

Signature Page – Brazilian Pledge Agreement (First Lien)

 



 

[ Signature page 3/4 of the Pledge Agreement entered into among El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., Citibank, N.A., and, as intervening parties, El Paso Óleo e Gás do Brasil Ltda. and Unopaso Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e Gás Ltda. ]

 

 

 

EL PASO ÓLEO E GÁS DO BRASIL LTDA., as intervening party

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ André Freitas dos Santos

 

 

Name: André Freitas dos Santos

 

 

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paulo Celso Lopes da Silva

 

 

Name: Paulo Celso Lopes da Silva

 

 

Title: Chief Administrative Officer

 

 

WITNESSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

/s/ Marcia Tortora

 

2.

/s/ Monica de Souza Lima

Name: Marcia Tortora

Name: Monica de Souza Lima

ID Number: 07036347-8

ID Number:

RG: 020160916-1

 

 

CPF: 095.865.657-69

 

Signature Page – Brazilian Pledge Agreement (First Lien)

 



 

[ Signature page 4/4 of the Pledge Agreement entered into among El Paso Brazil, L.L. C., Citibank, N.A., and, as intervening parties, El Paso Óleo e Gás do Brasil Ltda. and Unopaso Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e Gás Ltda. ]

 

 

 

UNOPASO EXPLORAÇÃO E PRODUÇÃO DE PETRÓLEO E GÁS LTDA., as intervening party

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ André Freitas dos Santos

 

 

Name: André Freitas dos Santos

 

 

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paulo Celso Lopes da Silva

 

 

Name: Paulo Celso Lopes da Silva

 

 

Title: Chief Administrative Officer

 

 

WITNESSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

/s/ Marcia Tortora

 

2.

/s/ Monica de Souza Lima

Name: Marcia Tortora

Name: Monica de Souza Lima

ID Number: 07036347-8

ID Number:

RG: 020160916-1

 

 

CPF: 095.865.657-69

 

Signature Page – Brazilian Pledge Agreement (First Lien)

 



 

Schedule I

to the Pledge Agreement

 

Summary of the Terms and Conditions of the Obligation

 

1) Indenture

 

Indenture dated, as of April 24, 2012 (the “Issuing Date”), among EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., as co-issuer, each Subsidiary Guarantor from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Section 1 of this Schedule I shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Indenture.

 

(a) Principal Amount outstanding on the Issuing Date: $750,000,000.

 

(b) Interest Rate per annum: 6.875%.

 

(c) Stated Maturity: May 1, 2019.

 

2) Term Loan Agreement

 

Term Loan Agreement dated, as of April 24, 2012, among EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), the lenders party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Term Loan Agreement”). All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Section 2 of this Schedule I shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

(a) Principal Amount outstanding on the Closing Date (May 24, 2012): $750,000,000.

 

(b) Interest Rate: The Borrower, at its option, can borrow either ABR Loans or LIBOR Loans. ABR Loans shall bear interest at (i) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the Federal Funds Rate plus 50 basis points, (2) the prime commercial lending rate of Citibank, N.A. and (3) the one-month LIBOR (adjusted for any statutory reserves) plus 100 basis points; plus (ii) 4.25%. LIBOR Loans shall bear interest at the LIBOR (adjusted for any statutory reserves) plus 5.25%. For LIBOR Loans, there is a “Libor floor” of 1.25% per annum.

 

(c) Default Rate: In the case of either (i) overdue principal or (ii) overdue interest, the Borrower is required to pay a default rate that equals 2% plus the interest rate that is otherwise applicable.

 

(d) Maturity Date: the sixth anniversary of the Acquisition Date (May 24, 2012), which may be extended at the Borrower’s request and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 



 

Schedule II

to the Pledge Agreement

 

Pledged Quotas

 

(i)   Issued EP Brazil Quotas :

 

Pledgor – EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

Number of Quotas – 1,677,018,183

Par Value – R$ 1.00

Total Par Value - R$ 1,677,018,183.04

 

(ii)   Issued UNOPASO Quotas :

 

Pledgor – EL PASO BRAZIL, L.L.C.

Number of Quotas – 108,841,986

Par Value – R$ 1.00

Total Par Value - R$ 108,841,986.40

 




Exhibit 10.12

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

May 24, 2012

 

among

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Second Lien Agent,

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Agreement,

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as the Initial Other Authorized Representative,

 

and

 

each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto,

 

relating to

 

EP ENERGY LLC (F/K/A EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC)

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01 

Construction; Certain Defined Terms

1

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

 

 

PRIORITIES AND AGREEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO SHARED COLLATERAL

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01

Priority of Claims

8

SECTION 2.02

Actions with Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens

9

SECTION 2.03

No Interference; Payment Over

10

SECTION 2.04

Automatic Release of Liens Upon Enforcement; Amendments to Second Lien Security Documents

11

SECTION 2.05

Certain Agreements with Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings

12

SECTION 2.06

Reinstatement

13

SECTION 2.07

Insurance

13

SECTION 2.08

Refinancings

13

SECTION 2.09

Possessory Second Lien Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection

13

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

 

 

EXISTENCE AND AMOUNTS OF LIENS AND OBLIGATIONS

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

 

 

THE SECOND LIEN AGENT

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01

Appointment and Authority

14

SECTION 4.02

Rights as a Second Lien Secured Party

15

SECTION 4.03

Exculpatory Provisions

16

SECTION 4.04

Reliance by Second Lien Agent

17

SECTION 4.05

Delegation of Duties

17

SECTION 4.06

Resignation of Second Lien Agent

18

SECTION 4.07

Non-Reliance on Second Lien Agent and Other Second Lien Secured Parties

19

SECTION 4.08

Collateral and Guaranty Matters

19

 

i



 

 

 

Page

 

ARTICLE V

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01

Notices

19

SECTION 5.02

Waivers; Amendment; Joinder Agreements

20

SECTION 5.03

Parties in Interest

21

SECTION 5.04

Survival of Agreement

21

SECTION 5.05

Counterparts

21

SECTION 5.06

Severability

21

SECTION 5.07

Governing Law

21

SECTION 5.08

Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers

21

SECTION 5.09

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

22

SECTION 5.10

Headings

22

SECTION 5.11

Conflicts

22

SECTION 5.12

Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights

23

SECTION 5.13

Integration

23

 

 

 

Exhibits :

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

Form of Joinder Agreement to Intercreditor Agreement

 

 

ii



 

This PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ) is dated as of May 24, 2012, among CITIBANK, N.A. ( Citi ), as collateral agent for the Second Lien Secured Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Second Lien Agent ), CITIBANK, N.A., as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Secured Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ), WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Authorized Representative for the Initial Other Second Lien Secured Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Initial Other Authorized Representative ), and each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto for the Other Second Lien Secured Parties of the Series with respect to which it is acting in such capacity. Capitalized terms used but defined in the preamble have the meanings set forth in Section 1.01 below.

 

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Second Lien Agent, the Administrative Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Term Loan Secured Parties), the Initial Other Authorized Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Initial Other Second Lien Secured Parties) and each additional Authorized Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Other Second Lien Secured Parties of the applicable Series) agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01     Construction; Certain Defined Terms .

 

(a)             The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, but shall not be deemed to include the Subsidiaries of such Person unless express reference is made to such Subsidiaries, (iii) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections and Annexes of this Agreement, (v) unless otherwise expressly qualified herein, the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights and (vi) the term “or” is not exclusive.

 

(b)             It is the intention of the Second Lien Secured Parties of each Series that the holders of the Second Lien Obligations of such Series (and not the Second Lien Secured

 



 

Parties of any other Series) bear the risk of (i) any determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that (x) any of the Second Lien Obligations of such Series are unenforceable under applicable law or are subordinated to any other obligations (other than another Series of Second Lien Obligations), (y) any of the Second Lien Obligations of such Series does not have an enforceable security interest in any of the Collateral securing any other Series of Second Lien Obligations and/or (z) any intervening security interest exists securing any other obligations (other than another Series of Second Lien Obligations and, without limiting the foregoing, after taking into account the effect of any applicable intercreditor agreements) on a basis ranking prior to the security interest of such Series of Second Lien Obligations but junior to the security interest of any other Series of Second Lien Obligations or (ii) the existence of any Collateral for any other Series of Second Lien Obligations that is not Shared Collateral (any such condition referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) with respect to any Series of Second Lien Obligations, an “ Impairment of such Series). In the event of any Impairment with respect to any Series of Second Lien Obligations, the results of such Impairment shall be borne solely by the holders of such Series of Second Lien Obligations, and the rights of the holders of such Series of Second Lien Obligations (including the right to receive distributions in respect of such Series of Second Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 2.01) set forth herein shall be modified to the extent necessary so that the effects of such Impairment are borne solely by the holders of the Series of such Second Lien Obligations subject to such Impairment. Additionally, in the event the Second Lien Obligations of any Series are modified pursuant to applicable law (including pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code), any reference to such Second Lien Obligations or the Secured Credit Documents governing such Second Lien Obligations shall refer to such obligations or such documents as so modified.

 

(c)            As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Administrative Agent has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

Applicable Authorized Representative means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) until the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Term Loan Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Administrative Agent and (ii) from and after the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Term Loan Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative.

 

Authorized Representative means (i) in the case of any Term Loan Obligations or the Term Loan Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of the Initial Other Second Lien Obligations or the Initial Other Second Lien Secured Parties, the Initial Other Authorized Representative and, (iii) in the case of any Series of Other Second Lien Obligations or Other Second Lien Secured Parties that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof, the Authorized Representative named for such Series in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

 

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Bankruptcy Case has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

 

Bankruptcy Code means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

 

Capital Stock means, (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares; (ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; (iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and (iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

 

Citi has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Collateral means all assets and properties subject to Liens created pursuant to any Second Lien Security Document to secure one or more Series of Second Lien Obligations.

 

Collateral Agreement means the Collateral Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Grantors party thereto and the Second Lien Agent, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Company means EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Controlling Secured Parties means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Series of Second Lien Secured Parties whose Authorized Representative is the Applicable Authorized Representative for such Shared Collateral at such time.

 

DIP Financing has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b).

 

DIP Financing Liens has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b).

 

DIP Lenders has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b).

 

Discharge means, with respect to any Shared Collateral and any Series of Second Lien Obligations, the date on which such Series of Second Lien Obligations is no longer secured by such Shared Collateral. The term “Discharged” shall have a corresponding meaning.

 

Discharge of Term Loan Obligations means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Discharge of the Term Loan Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral; provided that the Discharge of Term Loan Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred in connection with a Refinancing of such Term Loan Obligations with additional Second Lien Obligations secured by such Shared Collateral under an Other Second Lien Agreement which has been designated in writing by the Administrative Agent (under the Term Loan Agreement so Refinanced) to the Second Lien Agent and each other Authorized Representative as the “Term Loan Agreement” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Event of Default shall have the meaning set forth in the Collateral Agreement.

 

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Grantors means the Company and each Subsidiary thereof that has granted a security interest pursuant to any Second Lien Security Document to secure any Series of Second Lien Obligations.

 

Impairment shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.01(b).

 

Initial Other Authorized Representative shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Initial Other Second Lien Agreement means that certain Indenture dated as of April 24, 2012, among the Company, the Subsidiaries identified therein and the Initial Other Authorized Representative, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Initial Other Second Lien Obligations means the “Indenture Obligations” as defined in the Collateral Agreement.

 

Initial Other Second Lien Secured Parties means the holders of any Initial Other Second Lien Obligations and the Initial Other Authorized Representative.

 

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding means: (a) any voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any Grantor, (b) any other voluntary or involuntary insolvency, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding with respect to any Grantor or with respect to any of its assets, (c) any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or winding up of any Grantor whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy (other than any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or winding up of any Subsidiary of the Borrower permitted by the Secured Credit Documents) or (d) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of any Grantor.

 

Intervening Creditor shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(a).

 

Joinder Agreement means each document, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, in order to create an additional Series of Other Second Lien Obligations or a Refinancing of any existing Series of Second Lien Obligations to the extent constituting a new Series of Second Lien Obligations.

 

Lien means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, hypothecation, assignment, lien (statutory or other) or similar encumbrance (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or any lease in the nature thereof).

 

Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Authorized Representative of the Series of Other Second Lien Obligations that constitutes the largest outstanding principal amount of any then outstanding

 

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Series of Second Lien Obligations, other than the Term Loan Obligations, with respect to such Shared Collateral at such time.

 

New York UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Non-Controlling Authorized Representative means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, any Authorized Representative that is not the Applicable Authorized Representative at such time with respect to such Shared Collateral.

 

Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date means, with respect to any Non-Controlling Authorized Representative, the date which is 180 days (throughout which 180-day period such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative was the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative) after the occurrence of both (i) an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Other Second Lien Agreement under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) and (ii) the Second Lien Agent’s and each other Authorized Representative’s receipt of written notice from such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative certifying that (x) such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative and that an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Other Second Lien Agreement under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) has occurred and is continuing and (y) the Second Lien Obligations of the Series with respect to which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative are currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the applicable Other Second Lien Agreement; provided that the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date shall be stayed and shall not occur and shall be deemed not to have occurred with respect to any Shared Collateral (1) at any time the Administrative Agent or the Second Lien Agent has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to such Shared Collateral or (2) at any time the Grantor that has granted a security interest in such Shared Collateral is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

Non-Controlling Secured Parties means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Second Lien Secured Parties which are not Controlling Secured Parties with respect to such Shared Collateral at such time.

 

Obligations has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

 

Other Second Lien Agreement means each of (i) the Initial Other Second Lien Agreement and (ii) with respect to any Series of Other Second Lien Obligations, the “Other Second Priority Lien Obligations Document” (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) that has been designated by the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.17 of the Collateral Agreement as the “Other Second Lien Agreement” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Other Second Lien Obligations means (i) the Initial Other Second Lien Obligations and (ii) the “Other Second Priority Lien Obligations” (as defined in the Collateral Agreement).

 

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Other Second Lien Secured Party means the holders of any Other Second Lien Obligations and any Authorized Representative with respect thereto and shall include the Initial Other Second Lien Secured Parties.

 

Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Pledgor has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

 

Possessory Collateral means any Shared Collateral in the possession or control of the Second Lien Agent (or its agents or bailees) or any Authorized Representative, to the extent that possession or control thereof perfects a Lien thereon under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction or otherwise. Possessory Collateral includes any Certificated Securities, Promissory Notes, Instruments, and Chattel Paper.

 

Proceeds has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).

 

Refinance means, in respect of any indebtedness, to amend, restate, supplement, waive, replace (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original parties or otherwise), restructure, repay, refund, refinance or otherwise modify from time to time (including by means of any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the obligations under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof). “ Refinanced and “ Refinancing shall have correlative meanings.

 

Second Lien Agent has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, for so long as the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is in effect, the Second Lien Agent hereunder shall also be the “Applicable Second Lien Agent” under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second Lien Obligations means, collectively, (i) the Term Loan Obligations and (ii) each Series of Other Second Lien Obligations.

 

Second Lien Secured Parties means (i) the Term Loan Secured Parties and (ii) the Other Second Lien Secured Parties with respect to each Series of Other Second Lien Obligations.

 

Second Lien Security Documents means, collectively, the Security Agreements and each other agreement entered into in favor of the Second Lien Agent for purposes of securing any Series of Second Lien Obligations.

 

Secured Credit Documents means (i) the Term Loan Agreement, (ii) the Initial Other Second Lien Agreement, (iii) each Other Second Lien Agreement and (iv) the Second Lien Security Documents.

 

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Security Agreements means, together, (i) the Collateral Agreement and (ii) the Pledge Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Grantors party thereto and the Second Lien Agent, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement means the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement of even date herewith, among the Grantors party thereto, Citi, as the Applicable Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Secured Parties and Other Second Lien Secured Parties, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Applicable First Lien Agent (as defined therein), as amended, restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Series means (a) with respect to the Second Lien Secured Parties, each of (i) the Term Loan Secured Parties (in their capacities as such), (ii) the Initial Other Second Lien Secured Parties (in their capacity as such) and (iii) the Other Second Lien Secured Parties that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof that are represented by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Other Second Lien Secured Parties) and (b) with respect to any Second Lien Obligations, each of (i) the Term Loan Obligations, (ii) the Initial Other Second Lien Obligations and (iii) the Other Second Lien Obligations incurred pursuant to any Other Second Lien Agreement, which pursuant to any Joinder Agreement, are to be represented hereunder by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Other Second Lien Obligations).

 

Shared Collateral means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of two or more Series of Second Lien Obligations (or their respective Authorized Representatives or the Second Lien Agent on behalf of such holders) hold a valid and perfected security interest or Lien at such time. If more than two Series of Second Lien Obligations are outstanding at any time and the holders of less than all Series of Second Lien Obligations hold a valid and perfected security interest or Lien in any Collateral at such time, then such Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral for those Series of Second Lien Obligations that hold a valid and perfected security interest or Lien in such Collateral at such time and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for any Series which does not have a valid and perfected security interest or Lien in such Collateral at such time.

 

Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

 

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Term Loan Agreement means that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, among the Company, the lending institutions from time to time parties thereto, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

 

Term Loan Obligations has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

 

Term Loan Secured Parties means the holders of any Term Loan Obligations and the Administrative Agent.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral

 

SECTION 2.01     Priority of Claims .

 

(a)           Anything contained herein or in any of the Secured Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding (but subject to Section 1.01(b)), if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Second Lien Agent is taking action to enforce rights in respect of any Shared Collateral, or any distribution is made in respect of any Shared Collateral in any Bankruptcy Case of any Grantor, or any Second Lien Secured Party receives any payment pursuant to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any other intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement) with respect to any Shared Collateral, the proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any such Shared Collateral by any Second Lien Secured Party (or received by the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party pursuant to any such intercreditor agreement with respect to such Shared Collateral) and proceeds of any such distribution (subject, in the case of any such distribution, to the sentence immediately following) to which the Second Lien Obligations are entitled under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any other inter-creditor agreement (other than this Agreement) (all proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any Collateral and all proceeds of any such distribution being collectively referred to as “ Proceeds ”), shall be applied by the Second Lien Agent in the order specified below:

 

FIRST , to the payment of all reasonable costs and expenses and indemnification amounts incurred by the Second Lien Agent and any Authorized Representative and all fees owed to them in connection with such collection or sale or otherwise in connection with this Agreement, any Secured Credit Document or any of the Obligations, including all court costs and the reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and legal counsel, the repayment of all advances made by the Second Lien Agent or the relevant Authorized Representatives hereunder or under any other Secured Credit Document on behalf of any Pledgor and any other reasonable costs or expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under any other Secured Credit Document;

 

SECOND , to the payment in full of the Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed among the Second Lien Secured Parties pro rata in accordance with

 

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the respective amounts of the Obligations owed to them on the date of any such distribution); and

 

THIRD , to the Pledgors, their successors or assigns, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Shared Collateral for which a third party (other than a Second Lien Secured Party and, without limiting the foregoing, after taking into account the effect of any applicable intercreditor agreements) has a lien or security interest that is junior in priority to the security interest of any Series of Second Lien Obligations but senior (as determined by appropriate legal proceedings in the case of any dispute) to the security interest of any other Series of Second Lien Obligations (such third party an “Intervening Creditor” ), the value of any Shared Collateral or Proceeds which are allocated to such Intervening Creditor shall be deducted on a ratable basis solely from the Shared Collateral or Proceeds to be distributed in respect of the Series of Second Lien Obligations with respect to which such Impairment exists.

 

(b)             It is acknowledged that the Second Lien Obligations of any Series may, subject to the limitations set forth in the then extant Secured Credit Documents, be increased, extended, renewed, replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured, repaid, refunded, Refinanced or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, all without affecting the priorities set forth in Section 2.01(a) or the provisions of this Agreement defining the relative rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties of any Series.

 

(c)             Notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens securing any Series of Second Lien Obligations granted on the Shared Collateral and notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, or any other applicable law or the Secured Credit Documents or any other circumstance whatsoever (but, in each case, subject to Section 1.01(b)), each Second Lien Secured Party hereby agrees that the Liens securing each Series of Second Lien Obligations on any Shared Collateral shall be of equal priority.

 

SECTION 2.02     Actions with Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens .

 

(a)           With respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) notwithstanding Section 2.01, only the Second Lien Agent shall act or refrain from acting with respect to the Shared Collateral (including with respect to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any other intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), and then only on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative, (ii) the Second Lien Agent shall not follow any instructions with respect to such Shared Collateral (including with respect to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any other intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral) from any Non-Controlling Authorized Representative (or any other Second Lien Secured Party other than the Applicable Authorized Representative) and (iii) no Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or other Second Lien Secured Party (other than the Applicable Authorized Representative) shall, or shall instruct the Second Lien Agent to, commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy

 

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or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its security interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Shared Collateral (including with respect to the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any other intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), whether under any Second Lien Security Document, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that only the Second Lien Agent, acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative and in accordance with the applicable Second Lien Security Documents, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies with respect to Shared Collateral. Notwithstanding the equal priority of the Liens, the Second Lien Agent (acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative) may deal with the Shared Collateral as if such Applicable Authorized Representative had a senior Lien on such Collateral. No Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or Non-Controlling Secured Party will contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the Second Lien Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or the Controlling Secured Party or any other exercise by the Second Lien Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or the Controlling Secured Party of any rights and remedies relating to the Shared Collateral, or to cause the Second Lien Agent to do so. The foregoing shall not be construed to limit the rights and priorities of any Second Lien Secured Party, Second Lien Agent or any Authorized Representative with respect to any Collateral not constituting Shared Collateral.

 

(b)           Each of the Authorized Representatives agrees that it will not accept any Lien on any Collateral for the benefit of any Series of Second Lien Obligations (other than funds deposited for the discharge or defeasance of any Other Second Lien Agreement) other than pursuant to the Second Lien Security Documents, and by the Authorized Representatives executing this Agreement (or a Joinder Agreement), each Authorized Representative and the Series of Second Lien Secured Parties for which it is acting hereunder agree to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and the other Second Lien Security Documents applicable to it.

 

SECTION 2.03     No Interference; Payment Over .

 

(a)           Each Second Lien Secured Party agrees that (i) it will not (and hereby waives any right to) challenge or question in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any Second Lien Obligations of any Series or any Second Lien Security Document or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien under any Second Lien Security Document or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by or other provisions of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any Second Lien Secured Party from challenging or questioning the validity or enforceability of any Second Lien Obligations constituting unmatured interest or the validity of any Lien relating thereto pursuant to Section 502(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code; (ii) it will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or intent of which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Shared Collateral by the Second Lien Agent, (iii) except as provided in Section 2.02, it shall have no right to (A) direct the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement) or (B) consent to the exercise by the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral, (iv) it will not institute any suit or assert in any suit, bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceeding any claim against the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured

 

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Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to any Shared Collateral, and none of the Second Lien Agent, any Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Second Lien Agent, such Applicable Authorized Representative or other Second Lien Secured Party with respect to any Shared Collateral in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (v) it will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Shared Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral and (vi) it will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party to enforce this Agreement.

 

(b)           Each Second Lien Secured Party hereby agrees that if it shall obtain possession of any Shared Collateral or shall realize any proceeds or payment in respect of any Shared Collateral, pursuant to any Second Lien Security Document or by the exercise of any rights available to it under applicable law or in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or through any other exercise of remedies (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement), at any time prior to the Discharge of each of the Second Lien Obligations, then it shall hold such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment in trust for the other Second Lien Secured Parties and promptly transfer such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment, as the case may be, to the Second Lien Agent, to be distributed by the Second Lien Agent in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01(a) hereof.

 

SECTION 2.04     Automatic Release of Liens Upon Enforcement; Amendments to Second Lien Security Documents .

 

(a)             If, at any time any Shared Collateral is transferred to a third party or otherwise disposed of, in each case, in connection with any enforcement by the Second Lien Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, then (whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding is pending at the time) the Liens in favor of the Second Lien Agent for the benefit of each Series of Second Lien Secured Parties upon such Shared Collateral will automatically be released and discharged upon final conclusion of foreclosure proceeding; provided that any proceeds of any Shared Collateral realized therefrom shall be applied pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.

 

(b)             Each Second Lien Secured Party agrees that the Second Lien Agent may enter into any amendment (and, upon request by the Second Lien Agent, each Authorized Representative shall sign a consent to such amendment) to any Second Lien Security Document (including to release Liens securing any Series of Second Lien Obligations) so long as such amendment, subject to clause (d) below, is permitted by the terms of each Secured Credit Document then in effect or is made pursuant to Section 2.10 of the Senior Intercreditor Agreement. Additionally, each Second Lien Secured Party agrees that the Second Lien Agent may enter into any amendment (and, upon request by the Second Lien Agent, each Authorized Representative shall sign a consent to such amendment) to any Second Lien Security Document solely as such Second Lien Security Document relates to a particular Series of Second Lien Obligations (including to release Liens securing such Series of Second Lien Obligations) so long as (x) such amendment is in accordance with the Secured Credit Document pursuant to which such Series of

 

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Second Lien Obligations was incurred and (y) such amendment does not adversely affect the Second Lien Secured Parties of any other Series.

 

(c)             Each Authorized Representative agrees to execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) all such authorizations and other instruments as shall reasonably be requested by the Second Lien Agent to evidence and confirm any release of Shared Collateral or amendment to any Second Lien Security Document provided for in this Section.

 

(d)             In determining whether an amendment to any Second Lien Security Document is permitted by this Section 2.04, the Second Lien Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate of an officer of the Company stating that such amendment is permitted by Section 2.04(b) above.

 

SECTION 2.05     Certain Agreements with Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings.

 

(a)             This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the commencement of any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law by or against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(b)             If any Grantor shall become subject to a case (a “ Bankruptcy Case ”) under the Bankruptcy Code and shall, as debtor(s)-in-possession, move for approval of financing (“ DIP Financing ”) to be provided by one or more lenders (the “ DIP Lenders ”) under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, each Second Lien Secured Party (other than any Controlling Secured Party or any Authorized Representative of any Controlling Secured Party) agrees that it will raise no objection to any such financing or to the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the same (“ DIP Financing Liens ”) or to any use of cash collateral that constitutes Shared Collateral, unless any Controlling Secured Party, or an Authorized Representative of any Controlling Secured Party, shall then oppose or object to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens or use of cash collateral (and (i) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens are senior to the Liens on any such Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will subordinate its Liens with respect to such Shared Collateral on the same terms as the Liens of the Controlling Secured Parties (other than any Liens of any Second Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) are subordinated thereto, and (ii) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens rank pari passu with the Liens on any such Shared Collateral granted to secure the Second Lien Obligations of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will confirm the priorities with respect to such Shared Collateral as set forth herein), in each case so long as (A) the Second Lien Secured Parties of each Series retain the benefit of their Liens on all such Shared Collateral pledged to the DIP Lenders, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of such proceeding, with the same priority vis-a-vis all the other Second Lien Secured Parties (other than any Liens of the Second Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) as existed prior to the commencement of the Bankruptcy Case, (B) the Second Lien Secured Parties of each Series are granted Liens on any additional collateral pledged to any Second Lien Secured Parties as adequate protection or otherwise in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, with the same priority vis-a-vis the Second Lien Secured Parties

 

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as set forth in this Agreement, (C) if any amount of such DIP Financing or cash collateral is applied to repay any of the Second Lien Obligations, such amount is applied pursuant to Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement, and (D) if any Second Lien Secured Parties are granted adequate protection, including in the form of periodic payments, in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, the proceeds of such adequate protection are applied pursuant to Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement; provided that the Second Lien Secured Parties of each Series shall have a right to object to the grant of a Lien to secure the DIP Financing over any Collateral subject to Liens in favor of the Second Lien Secured Parties of such Series or its Authorized Representative that shall not constitute Shared Collateral; and provided, further, that the Second Lien Secured Parties receiving adequate protection shall not object to any other Second Lien Secured Party receiving adequate protection comparable to any adequate protection granted to such Second Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing or use of cash collateral.

 

SECTION 2.06     Reinstatement . In the event that any of the Second Lien Obligations shall be paid in full and such payment or any part thereof shall subsequently, for whatever reason (including an order or judgment for disgorgement of a preference under Title 11 of the United Stated Code, or any similar law, or the settlement of any claim in respect thereof), be required to be returned or repaid, the terms and conditions of this Article II shall be fully applicable thereto until all such Second Lien Obligations shall again have been paid in full in cash.

 

SECTION 2.07     Insurance . As between the Second Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Agent, acting at the direction of the Applicable Authorized Representative, shall have the right to adjust or settle any insurance policy or claim covering or constituting Shared Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Shared Collateral.

 

SECTION 2.08     Refinancings . The Second Lien Obligations of any Series may be Refinanced, in whole or in part, in each case, without notice to, or the consent (except to the extent a consent is otherwise required to permit the refinancing transaction under any Secured Credit Document) of any Second Lien Secured Party of any other Series, all without affecting the priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided that the Authorized Representative of the holders of any such Refinancing indebtedness (if not already a party hereto in such capacity) shall have executed a Joinder Agreement on behalf of the holders of such Refinancing indebtedness.

 

SECTION 2.09     Possessory Second Lien Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection .

 

(a)             The Second Lien Agent agrees to hold any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral in its possession or control (or in the possession or control of its agents or bailees) as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Second Lien Secured Party and any assignee solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable Second Lien Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09. Pending delivery to the Second Lien Agent, each other Authorized Representative agrees to hold any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral, from time to time in its possession or control, as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Second Lien Secured Party and any assignee, solely for the purpose of perfecting the

 

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security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable Second Lien Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09.

 

(b)             The duties or responsibilities of the Second Lien Agent and each other Authorized Representative under this Section 2.09 shall be limited solely to holding any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Second Lien Secured Party for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such Second Lien Secured Parties therein.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Existence and Amounts of Liens and Obligations

 

Whenever the Second Lien Agent or any Authorized Representative shall be required, in connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations hereunder, to determine the existence or amount of any Second Lien Obligations of any Series, or the Shared Collateral subject to any Lien securing the Second Lien Obligations of any Series, it may request that such information be furnished to it in writing by each other Authorized Representative and shall be entitled to make such determination on the basis of the information so furnished; provided, however, that if an Authorized Representative shall fail or refuse reasonably promptly to provide the requested information, the requesting Second Lien Agent or Authorized Representative shall be entitled to make any such determination or not make any determination by such method as it may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon a certificate of the Company. The Second Lien Agent and each Authorized Representative may rely conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to any Grantor, any Second Lien Secured Party or any other person as a result of such determination.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

The Second Lien Agent

 

SECTION 4.01     Appointment and Authority .

 

(a)             Each of the Second Lien Secured Parties hereby irrevocably appoints Citi to act on its behalf as the Second Lien Agent hereunder and as Second Lien Agent or collateral agent under each of the other Second Lien Security Documents and as “Applicable Second Lien Agent” under the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and authorizes the Second Lien Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Second Lien Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, including for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on the Shared Collateral granted by any Grantor to secure any of the Second Lien Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Second Lien Agent and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Second Lien Agent pursuant to Section 4.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Shared Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under any of the Second Lien Security Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of

 

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the Applicable Authorized Representative), shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IV and Article VIII of the Term Loan Agreement and the equivalent provision of any Other Second Lien Agreement (as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “Second Lien Agent” or collateral agent or “Applicable Second Lien Agent” under the Second Lien Security Documents or the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

 

(b)             Each Non-Controlling Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that the Second Lien Agent shall be entitled, for the benefit of the Second Lien Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with any Shared Collateral as provided herein and in the Second Lien Security Documents, without regard to any rights to which the holders of the Non-Controlling Secured Obligations would otherwise be entitled as a result of such Non-Controlling Secured Obligations. Without limiting the foregoing, each Non-Controlling Secured Party agrees that none of the Second Lien Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any of the Second Lien Obligations), or to sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any Second Lien Obligations), in any manner that would maximize the return to the Non-Controlling Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received by the Non-Controlling Secured Parties from such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation. Each of the Second Lien Secured Parties waives any claim it may now or hereafter have against the Second Lien Agent or the Authorized Representative of any other Series of Second Lien Obligations or any other Second Lien Secured Party of any other Series arising out of (i) any actions which the Second Lien Agent, any Authorized Representative or any Second Lien Secured Party takes or omits to take (including, actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the Second Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with the Second Lien Security Documents or any other agreement related thereto or to the collection of the Second Lien Obligations or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the Second Lien Obligations, (ii) any election by any Applicable Authorized Representative or any holders of Second Lien Obligations, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or (iii) subject to Section 2.05, any borrowing by, or grant of a security interest or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as debtor-in-possession. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Second Lien Agent shall not accept any Shared Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of any Second Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 9-620 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, without the consent of each Authorized Representative representing holders of Second Lien Obligations for whom such Collateral constitutes Shared Collateral.

 

SECTION 4.02     Rights as a Second Lien Secured Party . The Person serving as the Second Lien Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Second Lien Secured Party under any Series of Second Lien Obligations that it holds as any other

 

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Second Lien Secured Party of such Series and may exercise the same as though it were not the Second Lien Agent and the term “Second Lien Secured Party” or “Second Lien Secured Parties” or (as applicable) “Term Loan Secured Party”, “Term Loan Secured Parties”, “Other Second Lien Secured Party” or “Other Second Lien Secured Parties” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Second Lien Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Company or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Second Lien Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to any other Second Lien Secured Party.

 

SECTION 4.03     Exculpatory Provisions .

 

(a)             The Second Lien Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the Second Lien Security Documents and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Second Lien Agent:

 

(i)              shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties of any kind or nature to any Person, regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(ii)             shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Second Lien Security Documents that the Second Lien Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Applicable Authorized Representative; provided that the Second Lien Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Second Lien Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Second Lien Security Document or applicable law;

 

(iii)            shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Second Lien Security Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Company or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Second Lien Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity;

 

(iv)            shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Applicable Authorized Representative or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct or (iii) in reliance on a certificate of an authorized officer of the Company stating that such action is permitted by the terms of this Agreement; and shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Event of Default under any Series of Second Lien Obligations unless and until notice describing such Event Default is given to the Second Lien Agent by the Authorized Representative of such Second Lien Obligations or the Company;

 

(v)             shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement

 

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or any other Second Lien Security Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Second Lien Security Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Second Lien Security Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral for any Series of Second Lien Obligations, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in any Secured Credit Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Second Lien Agent;

 

(vi)            shall not have any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of any kind or nature under any Other Second Lien Agreement (but shall be entitled to all protections provided to the Second Lien Agent therein);

 

(vii)           with respect to the Term Loan Agreement, any Other Second Lien Agreement or any Second Lien Security Document, may conclusively assume that the Grantors have complied with all of their obligations thereunder unless advised in writing by the Authorized Representative thereunder to the contrary specifically setting forth the alleged violation; and

 

(viii)          may conclusively rely on any certificate of an officer of the Company provided pursuant to Section 2.04(d).

 

(b)             Each Secured Party acknowledges that, in addition to acting as the initial Second Lien Agent, Citi also serves as Administrative Agent under the Term Loan Agreement and each Second Lien Secured Party hereby waives any right to make any objection or claim against Citi (or any successor Second Lien Agent or any of their respective counsel) based on any alleged conflict of interest or breach of duties arising from the Second Lien Agent also serving as the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 4.04     Reliance by Second Lien Agent . The Second Lien Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Second Lien Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Second Lien Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may include, but shall not be limited to, counsel for the Company or counsel for the Administrative Agent), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

SECTION 4.05     Delegation of Duties . The Second Lien Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Second Lien Security Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Second

 

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Lien Agent. The Second Lien Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Affiliates. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of the Second Lien Agent and any such sub-agent.

 

SECTION 4.06     Resignation of Second Lien Agent . The Second Lien Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation as Second Lien Agent under this Agreement and the other Second Lien Security Documents to each Authorized Representative and the Company. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Applicable Authorized Representative shall have the right (subject, unless an Event of Default relating to the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has occurred and is continuing, to the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed)), to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank or trust company with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank or trust company with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Applicable Authorized Representative and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Second Lien Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Second Lien Agent may, on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties, appoint a successor Second Lien Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above (but without the consent of any other Second Lien Secured Party or the Company); provided that if the Second Lien Agent shall notify the Company and each Authorized Representative that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Second Lien Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Second Lien Security Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Second Lien Agent on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties under any of the Second Lien Security Documents, the retiring Second Lien Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security solely for purposes of maintaining the perfection of the security interests of the Second Lien Secured Parties therein until such time as a successor Second Lien Agent is appointed but with no obligation to take any further action at the request of the Applicable Authorized Representative, any other Second Lien Secured Parties or any Grantor) and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Second Lien Agent shall instead be made by or to each Authorized Representative directly, until such time as the Applicable Authorized Representative appoints a successor Second Lien Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Second Lien Agent hereunder and under the Second Lien Security Documents, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Second Lien Agent, and the retiring Second Lien Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Second Lien Security Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). After the retiring Second Lien Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Secured Credit Documents or Second Lien Security Documents, the provisions of this Article, Section 8.07 and Section 9.05 of the Term Loan Agreement and the equivalent provision of any Other Second Lien Agreement shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Second Lien Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Second Lien Agent was acting as Second Lien Agent. Upon any notice of resignation of the Second Lien Agent hereunder and under the other Second Lien Security Documents, the Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer (and maintain the

 

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validity and priority of) the Liens in favor of the retiring Second Lien Agent under the Second Lien Security Documents to the successor Second Lien Agent as promptly as practicable.

 

SECTION 4.07     Non-Reliance on Second Lien Agent and Other Second Lien Secured Parties . Each Second Lien Secured Party (excluding any Authorized Representative acting in such capacity, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Initial Other Authorized Representative) acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Second Lien Agent, any Authorized Representative or any other Second Lien Secured Party or any of their Affiliates and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Secured Credit Documents. Each Second Lien Secured Party (excluding any Authorized Representative acting in such capacity, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Initial Other Authorized Representative) also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Second Lien Agent, any Authorized Representative or any other Second Lien Secured Party or any of their Affiliates and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Secured Credit Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

SECTION 4.08     Collateral and Guaranty Matters . Each of the Second Lien Secured Parties irrevocably authorizes the Second Lien Agent, at its option and in its discretion,

 

(a)             to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Second Lien Agent under any Second Lien Security Document in accordance with Section 2.04 or upon receipt of a written request from the Company stating that the releases of such Lien is permitted by the terms of each then extant Secured Credit Document; and

 

(b)             to release any Grantor from its obligations under the Second Lien Security Documents upon receipt of a written request from the Company stating that such release is permitted by the terms of each then extant Secured Credit Document.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01     Notices . All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail, sent by facsimile, or sent to the e-mail address of the applicable recipient specified below (or the email address of a representative of the applicable recipient designated by such recipient from time to time to the parties hereto), as follows:

 

(a)           if to the Second Lien Agent or the Administrative Agent, to it at:

 

Citibank, N.A.

Global Loans

Ops 111

1615 Brett Road

 

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New Castle, DE 19720

Attention: Dan Boselli

Facsimile: (212) 994-0961

E-mail: Daniel.john.boselli@citi.com

 

(b)           if to the Initial Other Authorized Representative, to it at:

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Corporate Capital Markets

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Attention: EP Energy/Everest Administrator

Telephone: 612-217-5632

Facsimile. 612-217-5651

E-mail: jschweiger@wilmingtrust.com

 

(c)           if to any additional Other Authorized Representative, to it at the address set forth in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

 

Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt (if a Business Day) and on the next Business Day thereafter (in all other cases) if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by facsimile or email or on the date that is five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 5.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 5.01.

 

SECTION 5.02     Waivers; Amendment; Joinder Agreements .

 

(a)             No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)             Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be terminated, waived, amended or modified (other than pursuant to any Joinder Agreement) except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each Authorized Representative and the

 

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Second Lien Agent (and, to the extent any Grantor’s rights are adversely affected, by the Company).

 

(c)             Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Second Lien Secured Party, any Authorized Representative may become a party hereto by execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement and upon such execution and delivery, such Authorized Representative and the Other Second Lien Secured Parties and Other Second Lien Obligations of the Series for which such Authorized Representative is acting shall be subject to the terms hereof and the terms of the other Second Lien Security Documents applicable thereto.

 

SECTION 5.03     Parties in Interest . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other Second Lien Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.04     Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.05     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.06     Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.07     Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

SECTION 5.08     Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers . The Second Lien Agent and each Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties of the Series for whom it is acting, irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)             submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York County and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(b)             consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or

 

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proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

(c)             agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Person (or its Authorized Representative) at the address referred to in 5.01;

 

(d)             agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right of any other party hereto (or any Second Lien Secured Party) to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law; and

 

(e)             waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 5.08 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

 

SECTION 5.09     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.09.

 

SECTION 5.10     Headings . Article, Section and Annex headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.11     Conflicts .

 

(a)             In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any of the other Secured Credit Documents or Second Lien Security Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

 

(b)             Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Liens and security interests granted to the Second Lien Agent pursuant to any Second Lien Security Documents and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Second Lien Agent hereunder or thereunder or the application of Proceeds (including insurance proceeds and condemnation proceeds) of any Shared Collateral, are subject to the provisions of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the terms of the Senior Intercreditor Agreement shall control.

 

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SECTION 5.12     Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights . The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties in relation to one another. None of the Company, any other Grantor or any other creditor thereof shall have any rights or obligations hereunder, except as expressly provided in this Agreement ( provided that nothing in this Agreement (other than Section 2.01(a), 2.04, 2.05, 2.08, 2.09 or Article V) is intended to or will amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Term Loan Agreement or any Other Second Lien Agreements), and none of the Company or any other Grantor may rely on the terms hereof (other than Sections 2.01(a), 2.04, 2.05, 2.08, 2.09 and Article V). Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of any Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the Second Lien Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms.

 

SECTION 5.13     Integration.

 

This Agreement together with the other Secured Credit Documents and the Second Lien Security Documents represents the agreement of each of the Grantors and the Second Lien Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Grantor, the Collateral Agent, any or any other Second Lien Secured Party relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Secured Credit Documents or the Second Lien Security Documents.

 

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]

 

23



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Second Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Name: Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Name: Mohammed S. Baabde

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Initial Other Authorized Representative

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Signature Page to Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Second Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Initial Other Authorized Representative

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jane Schweiger

 

 

Name: Jane Schweiger

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement

 


 

CONSENT OF COMPANY

 

Dated: May 24, 2012

 

Reference is made to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement of even date herewith, among Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Agreement, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Initial Other Authorized Representative (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Intercreditor Agreement ”) . Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The Company has read the foregoing Intercreditor Agreement and consents thereto. The Company agrees that it will not, and will cause each of the other Grantors to not, take any action that would be contrary to the express provisions of the foregoing Intercreditor Agreement, agrees to abide by the requirements expressly applicable to it under the foregoing Intercreditor Agreement and agrees that, except as otherwise provided therein, no Second Lien Secured Party shall have any liability to any Grantor for acting in accordance with the provisions of the foregoing Intercreditor Agreement. The Company confirms on behalf of each Grantor that the foregoing Intercreditor Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Second Lien Secured Parties and their respective successors and assigns, and that no Grantor is an intended beneficiary or third party beneficiary thereof except to the extent otherwise expressly provided therein.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Intercreditor Agreement or provided herein, each party to the Intercreditor Agreement agrees that the Company and the other Grantors shall not have any right to consent to or approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Intercreditor Agreement except to the extent their rights are adversely affected (in which case the Company shall have the right to consent to or approve any such amendment, modification or waiver).

 

Without limitation to the foregoing, the Company agrees to take, and to cause each other Grantor to take, such further action and to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments (in recordable form, if requested) as the Second Lien Agent may reasonably request to effectuate the terms of and the lien priorities contemplated by the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

This Consent shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Notices delivered to the Company pursuant to this Consent shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions set forth in the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

[ Signature Page Follows . ]

 



 

IN WITNESS HEREOF, this Consent is hereby executed by the Company as of the date first written above.

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (f/k/a EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: VP and Treasurer

 

Signature Page to the Consent of the Company to the Pari Passu lntercreditor Agreement

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF] JOINDER AGREEMENT TO PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

Reference is made to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, among Citibank, N.A., as Second Lien Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Agreement, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Initial Other Authorized Representative (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Intercreditor Agreement ”) . Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

This Joinder Agreement, dated as of          , 20    (this “ Joinder Agreemen t ”), is being delivered pursuant to Section 5.02 of the Intercreditor Agreement in connection with the incurrence of the indebtedness for which the undersigned is acting as agent being entitled to the benefits of being Other Second Lien Obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

1 .    Joinder . The undersigned,                         , a                , (the “ New Authorized Representative ) as [trustee, administrative agent] under that certain [describe Additional Secured Debt Facility] (the “ Additional Second Lien Obligations ) hereby agrees to become party as an Authorized Representative and a Second Lien Secured Party under the Intercreditor Agreement for all purposes thereof on the terms set forth therein, and to be bound by the terms, conditions and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement as fully as if the undersigned had been an original signatory thereto. Upon the acknowledgment by the Company of this Joinder, the [ describe the document governing such Additional Secured Debt Facility ] will be designated as an Other Second Lien Agreement.

 

2.    Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation . The undersigned New Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and each holder of any Additional Second Lien Obligations (together with the Additional Authorized Representative, the “ New Second Lien Secured Parties ) , hereby agrees, for the enforceable benefit of all existing and future Authorized Representative and each existing and future other Second Lien Secured Party, that:

 

(a)  all Second Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all Liens granted to the Second Lien Agent on the Shared Collateral, for the benefit of the Second Lien Secured Parties, which are at any time granted by any Grantor to secure any Second Lien Obligations, and that all Liens on the Shared Collateral granted pursuant to the Second Lien Security Documents will be enforceable by the Second Lien Agent for the benefit of all Second Lien Secured Parties equally and ratably, in each case, pursuant to and subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(b)  the New Authorized Representative and each other New Second Lien Secured Party is bound by the terms, conditions and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents, including, without limitation, the provisions relating to the ranking of Liens and the order of application of proceeds from the enforcement of Liens; and

 



 

(c)  the New Authorized Representative shall perform its obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents.

 

3.      Appointment of Second Lien Agent . The New Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and the New Second Lien Secured Parties, hereby (a) irrevocably appoints Citibank, N.A. as Second Lien Agent for purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents, (b) irrevocably authorizes the Second Lien Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Second Lien Agent in the Intercreditor Agreement, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, and authorizes the Second Lien Agent to execute any Second Lien Security Documents on behalf of all Second Lien Secured Parties and to take such other actions to maintain and preserve the security interests granted pursuant to any Second Lien Security Documents, and (c) acknowledges that it has received and reviewed the Intercreditor Agreement, the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents and agrees to be bound by the terms thereof. The New Authorized Representative, on behalf of the New Second Lien Secured Parties, and the Second Lien Agent, on behalf of the existing Second Lien Secured Parties, each hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Second Lien Agent in its capacity as such shall be agent on behalf of the New Authorized Representative and on behalf of all other Second Lien Secured Parties.

 

4.      Address of Additional Authorized Representative . The address of the New Authorized Representative in respect of the Additional Second Lien Obligations for purposes of all notices and other communications hereunder and under the Intercreditor Agreement and the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is            ,             , Attention of               (Facsimile No.          , E-mail address:                            ).

 

5.      Counterparts . This Joinder Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Joinder Agreement by facsimile or PDF via electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Joinder Agreement. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF via electronic transmission shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

6.      Governing Law . THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

7.      Miscellaneous . The provisions of Article V of the Intercreditor Agreement shall apply with like effect to this Joinder Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow.]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Authorized Representative has caused this Joinder Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized representative, and the Company has caused the same to be accepted by its authorized representative, as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[NEW AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

Name:

 

Acknowledged and agreed :

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 



 

The Second Lien Agent acknowledges receipt of this Joinder Agreement and will act as the Second Lien Agent with respect to the Additional Second Lien Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents.

 

 

Dated:                     , 20    

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Second Lien Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 




Exhibit 10.13

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

TRANSACTION FEE AGREEMENT

 

TRANSACTION FEE AGREEMENT , dated as of May 24, 2012 (this “ Agreement ”), by and among EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (F/K/A EP ENERGY, L.L.C.) , a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), EPE ACQUISITION, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), APOLLO GLOBAL SECURITIES, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Apollo ”), RIVERSTONE V EVEREST HOLDINGS, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Riverstone ” and together with Apollo, the “ Initial Service Providers ” and each, an “ Initial Service Provider ”), ACCESS INDUSTRIES, INC. , a New York corporation (“ Access Industries ”) and KOREA NATIONAL OIL CORPORATION , a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Korea (“ KNOC ,” and together with Access Industries and the Initial Service Providers, the “ Service Providers ” and each, a “ Service Provider ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , the Service Providers have expertise in the areas of finance, strategy, investment, acquisitions and other matters relating to Holdings, its direct and indirect divisions and subsidiaries, parent entities and controlled affiliates (collectively, the “ Company Group ”) and their businesses;

 

WHEREAS, each of Holdings and the Company has availed itself of the Initial Service Providers’ expertise related to the business and affairs of the Company Group and the review and analysis of certain financial and other transactions;

 

WHEREAS, Holdings and its members have entered into that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Holdings, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof (the “ LLC Agreement ”); and

 

WHEREAS, each of the Service Providers, Holdings and the Company agrees that it is in its best interest to enter into this Agreement whereby, for the consideration specified herein, the Service Providers have provided and shall provide the services identified herein as independent consultants to the Company Group.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and the mutual agreements and covenants set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Section 1.                                           Retention of the Service Providers.

 

This letter serves to confirm the retention by Holdings and the Company of the Service Providers to provide structuring and financial services to Holdings and the Company upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

Section 2.                                           Term.

 

This Agreement shall commence on, and shall be effective from, the date hereof and shall terminate upon the Termination Date (as defined in the Management Fee Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among the Company, Holdings and the Service Providers); provided , that the obligations of

 



 

the Company Group pursuant to Sections 3 , 4(b) , 4(c) , and 5 and the provisions of Section 7 through Section 15 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.                                           Transaction Services.

 

(a)                                   Each of Holdings and the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Initial Service Providers have (i) structured the acquisition and the other transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Purchase Agreement ”), dated as of February 24, 2012, by and among EP Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ EP Energy ”), EP Energy Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (“ New EPE ”), El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ EP Brazil ” and together with EP Energy and New EPE, the “ Sellers ” and each a “ Seller ”) and the Company, (ii) arranged for financing in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement (the “ Acquisition Financing ”), and (iii) provided other services in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the Acquisition Financing.

 

(b)                                  Each of Holdings and the Company acknowledges and agrees that it may, pursuant to Section 6 hereof, engage the Service Providers to provide investment banking, financing or other financial advisory services in connection with an Additional Transaction (as defined below) after the date hereof.

 

(c)                                   Each Service Provider shall perform all services to be provided hereunder as an independent contractor to the Company Group and not as an employee, agent, partner, joint venturer or representative of any member of the Company Group.  No Service Provider shall have any authority to act for or to bind any member of the Company Group while acting in its capacity as an advisor to the Company Group under this Agreement without Holding’s or the Company’s prior written consent.

 

(d)                                  This Agreement shall in no way prohibit the Service Providers, their Affiliates, or any of their or their Affiliates’ current or former limited partners, general partners, directors, members, officers, managers, employees, agents, advisors or representatives from engaging in other activities or performing services for their or their own account or for the account of others, including for any Person that may be in competition with any business of any member of the Company Group.

 

(e)                                   Any advice or opinions provided by any Service Provider may not be disclosed or referred to publicly or to any third party (other than Holding’s, the Company’s or any of their affiliate’s legal, tax, financial or other advisors), except in accordance with such Service Provider’s prior written consent.

 

Section 4.                                           Compensation.

 

(a)                                   As consideration for services rendered as set forth in Section 3(a) , the Company agrees to pay:

 

i.                   to Apollo, a nonrefundable fee of $53,625,000 (the “ Apollo Transaction Fee ”), and

 

ii.                to Riverstone, a nonrefundable fee of $17,875,000 (the “ Riverstone Transaction Fee ” and together with the Apollo Transaction Fee, the “ Transaction Fees ”),

 

2



 

which shall be earned and payable in full upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement (the “ Completion Date ”). The Apollo Transaction Fee will be payable to Apollo by wire transfer in same-day funds to the bank account designated by Apollo and the Riverstone Transaction Fee will be payable to Riverstone by wire transfer in same-day funds to the bank account designated by Riverstone.

 

(b)                                  Nothing in this Agreement shall have the effect of prohibiting the Service Providers, their Affiliates or any of their or their Affiliates’ limited partners, general partners, directors, members, officers, managers, employees, agents, advisors or representatives from receiving from Holdings, the Company or any other member of the Company Group, any other fees.

 

(c)                                   All amounts payable to the Service Providers hereunder shall be paid in cash and in U.S. dollars by wire transfer in same-day funds to the respective bank accounts designated by the Service Providers.

 

Section 5.                                           Indemnification; Limitation on Damages

 

(a)                                   The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Service Provider, its respective Affiliates, or any of its or its Affiliates’ limited partners, general partners, directors, members, officers, managers, employees, agents, advisors (each such Person being an “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including in connection with seeking indemnification and, whether joint or several (the “ Liabilities ”), related to, arising out of or in connection with the services contemplated by this Agreement or the engagement of such Service Provider pursuant to, and the performance by such Service Provider of the services contemplated by, this Agreement, whether or not pending or threatened, whether or not an Indemnified Party is a party, whether or not resulting in any liability and whether or not such action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding is initiated or brought by any member of the Company Group.  The Company shall reimburse any Indemnified Party for all costs, fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) as they are incurred in connection with investigating, preparing, pursuing, defending or assisting in the defense of any action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding for which the Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification under the terms of the previous sentence, or any action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto.  The Company shall not be liable under the foregoing indemnification provisions with respect to any Liability of an Indemnified Party to the extent that such is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, in a final judgment from which no further appeal may be taken, to have resulted primarily from the willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party.  The attorneys’ fees and other expenses of an Indemnified Party shall be paid by the Company as they are incurred upon receipt, in each case, of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party to repay such amounts if it is finally judicially determined that the Liabilities in question resulted primarily from the willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party.

 

(b)                                  The Company Group’s sole remedy against a Service Provider for breach of this Agreement shall be to offset any fees otherwise payable to such Service Provider by the amount of any Liabilities arising out of or relating to such Service Provider’s performance under this Agreement or the services to be rendered by such Service Provider hereunder, it being understood that any recovery shall be limited to actual damages, and no special, consequential, indirect, or punitive damages shall be allowed.  No Indemnified Person shall be liable to the Company Group (i) for any breach hereunder by another Indemnified Person or (ii) for any breach by it, unless such breach constitutes fraud or willful misconduct as determined in a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction from which no appeal can be made.

 

3



 

Section 6.                                           Other Services.

 

If Holdings, the Company or any other member of the Company Group shall determine that it is advisable for any such entity to hire a financial advisor, consultant, investment banker or any similar agent in connection with a transaction (including any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets or equity interests) the result of which is that any Person (other than the Service Providers or an Affiliate of the Service Providers) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the equity and voting securities, or all or substantially all of the assets, of the Company Group, or in connection with one or more public offerings of any class of equity securities of Holdings, the Company or any other member of the Company Group (any of the foregoing, an “ Additional Transaction ”), Holdings or the Company shall notify the Service Providers of such determination in writing.  Promptly thereafter, upon the request of the Service Providers, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to agree upon appropriate additional services and indemnification for the relevant member of the Company Group to hire one or more of the Service Providers or their Affiliates for such services.  No member of the Company Group may hire any Person, other than one or more of the Service Providers or their Affiliates, for any such services, unless all of the following conditions have been satisfied: (a) the parties are unable to agree after 30 days following receipt by the Service Providers of such written notice, (b) such other Person has a reputation that is at least equal to the reputation of the Service Providers in respect of such services, (c) 10 business days shall have elapsed after Holdings or the Company provides a written notice to the Service Providers of its intention to hire such other Person, which notice shall identify such other Person and shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of the services to be provided, the compensation to be paid and the indemnification to be provided, (d) the compensation to be paid is not more than one or more of the Service Providers are willing to accept in the negotiations described above, and (e) the indemnification to be provided is not more favorable to such other Person than the indemnification that the Service Providers were willing to accept in the negotiations described above.  In the absence of an express agreement to the contrary, at the closing of any Additional Transaction, the Company shall pay to the Service Providers a fee equal to the lesser of (I) (one percent) 1.0% of the aggregate enterprise value paid or provided by the Company Group (including the aggregate value of (i) equity securities, warrants, rights and options acquired or retained, (ii) indebtedness acquired, assumed or refinanced and (iii) any other consideration or compensation paid in connection with such Additional Transaction) and (II) $100,000,000.00 (the “ Additional Transaction Fee ”), to be allocated as follows: (A) a portion of such fee shall be allocated among each of (1) Riverstone, (2) KNOC, and (3) Access Industries in accordance with a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate amount of the commitment funded by such Service Provider and/or its Affiliate in exchange for equity securities of Holdings (or any successor thereto) as of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of the commitments funded by all investors in Holdings (or any successor thereto) in exchange for equity securities of Holdings (or any successor thereto) as of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and (B) the remaining portion of such additional transaction fee shall be allocated to Apollo; provided , however , that notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, no Service Provider shall be entitled to receive any portion of such Additional Transaction Fee in the event that, at the time that such Additional Transaction Fee becomes payable, none of such Service Provider, its Affiliates or their respective permitted transferees are entitled to appoint a manager to the board of managers of Holdings pursuant to the terms of the LLC Agreement (such Service Provider, an “ Ineligible Service Provider ,” and the portion of such Additional Transaction Fee so forfeited, the “ Forfeited Fee ”), in which case the Forfeited Fee shall be allocated to each other Service Provider who is either entitled to, or whose Affiliates or the respective permitted transferees thereof are entitled to appoint a manager to the board of managers of Holdings pursuant to the terms of the LLC Agreement (such Service Provider, an “ Eligible Service Provider ”) in accordance with a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the portion of the Additional Transaction Fee that such Eligible Service Provider would have received if the Ineligible Service Provider had

 

4



 

remained eligible to receive its portion of the Additional Transaction Fee and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of the portions of the Additional Transaction Fee that the Eligible Service Providers would have received if the Ineligible Service Provider had remained eligible to receive the Forfeited Fee.  Upon presentation by a Service Provider to the Company of such documentation as may be reasonably requested by the Company, the Company shall reimburse the requesting Service Provider for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and expenses, and other disbursements incurred by such Service Provider, its Affiliates, or any of its or its Affiliates’ limited partners, general partners, directors, members, officers, managers, employees, agents, advisors or representatives in the performance of such Service Provider’s obligations hereunder in connection with any Additional Transaction after the date hereof.

 

Section 7.                                           Notices.

 

All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient if personally delivered, sent by internationally-recognized overnight courier, by telecopy, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

if to Apollo, to:

 

Apollo Global Securities, LLC

9 West 57 th  Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention:    Cindy Michel

Telecopier:  (212) 515-3288

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Apollo Management VII, L.P.

9 West 57 th  Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention:    Gregory Beard and Laurie D. Medley

Telecopier:  (212) 515-3288

 

and

 

Apollo Commodities Management, L.P. with respect to Series I

9 West 57 th  Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention:    Gregory Beard and Laurie D. Medley

Telecopier:  (212) 515-3288

 

and

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, N.Y. 10019-6064

Attention:  James H. Schwab

Telecopier: (212) 757-3990

 

5



 

if to Riverstone, to:

 

c/o Riverstone Holdings LLC

712 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention:  Thomas J. Walker

Telecopier: (212) 993-0077

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019

Attention:  Bruce C. Herzog

Telecopier:  (212) 728-9220

 

if to Access Industries, to:

 

Access Industries

730 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10019

Attention:    General Counsel

Telecopier:  (212) 977-8112

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention:  Jeffrey J. Rosen

Kevin A. Rinker

Telecopier: (212) 909-6836

 

if to KNOC, to:

 

Korea National Oil Corporation

57 Gwanpyeong-ro212beong-gil, Dongan-gu,

Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, Korea 431-711

Attention:    VP of New Ventures Dept.

Telecopier:  +82 31 384 1275

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Kim & Chang

Seyang building, 223 Naeja-dong, Jongno-gu

Seoul 110-720 Korea

 

6



 

Attention:   Chung-In Anthony Choi

Telecopier: +82 2 3703 1590

 

if to the Company or Holdings, to it at:

 

c/o Apollo Management VII, L.P.

9 West 57 th  Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention:    Gregory Beard and Laurie D. Medley

Telecopier:  (212) 515-3288

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, N.Y. 10019-6064

Attention:  James H. Schwab

Telecopier: (212) 757-3990

 

or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to each other party in writing in accordance herewith.  Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery, (b) in the case of nationally-recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date when sent, (c) in the case of telecopy transmission, when received, and (d) in the case of mailing, on the third business day following that on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted.

 

Section 8.                                           Benefits of Agreement.

 

This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Service Providers, Holdings, the Company, the Indemnified Parties and any successors to or assigns of the Service Providers, Holdings, the Company and the Indemnified Parties; provided , this Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld in the case of any assignment by a Service Provider and; provided , further , that no consent of any party shall be required for any assignment by a Service Provider to an Affiliate of such Service Provider. Upon a Service Provider’s request, the Company shall cause the other members of the Company Group to become parties hereto directly in order to avail themselves of the services hereunder.

 

Section 9.                                           Governing Law.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.  The parties hereto hereby declare that it is their intention that this Agreement shall be regarded as made under the laws of the State of Delaware and that the laws of said State shall be applied in interpreting its provisions in all cases where legal interpretation shall be required.  Each of the parties hereto:  (a) agrees that this Agreement involves at least US $100,000.00; (b) agrees that this Agreement has been entered into by the parties hereto in express reliance upon 6 Del. C. § 2708(a); (c) irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and of the federal courts sitting in the State of Delaware with respect to all actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (d) agrees that all claims with respect to any such action or

 

7



 

proceeding shall be heard and determined in such courts and agrees not to commence any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby except in such courts; (e) irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and irrevocably and unconditionally waives the defense of an inconvenient forum; (f) irrevocably appoints The Corporation Trust Company as its agent for the sole purpose of receiving service of process or other legal summons in connection with any such dispute, litigation, action or proceeding brought in such courts and agrees that it will maintain The Corporation Trust Company at all times as its duly appointed agent in the State of Delaware for the service of any process or summons in connection with any such dispute, litigation, action or proceeding brought in such courts and, if it fails to maintain such an agent during any period, any such process or summons may be served on it by mailing a copy of such process or summons by a nationally-recognized courier service to the address set forth below its signature to this Agreement, with such service deemed effective on the fifth day after the date of such mailing; and (g) agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.  The parties hereto agree that any violation of this Section shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement and shall constitute irreparable harm.

 

Section 10.                                    Headings.

 

Section headings are used for convenience only and shall in no way affect the construction of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.                                    Entire Agreement; Amendments.

 

This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to its subject matter and supersedes any and all prior agreements, and neither it nor any part of it may in any way be altered, amended, extended, waived, discharged or terminated except by a written agreement signed by each of the parties hereto.

 

Section 12.                                    Counterparts.

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including via facsimile transmission or PDF copies sent by e-mail, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same document.

 

Section 13.                                    Waivers.

 

Any party to this Agreement may, by written notice to the other party, waive any provision of this Agreement.  The waiver by any party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

 

Section 14.                                    Severability.

 

Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction will not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

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Section 15.                                    Definitions.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Affiliate,” (i) with respect to Apollo, shall include AIF VII Euro Holdings, L.P., Apollo Investment Fund VII, L.P., Apollo Investment Fund (PB) VII, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners VII, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners (Delaware) VII, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners (Delaware 892) VII, L.P., Apollo Advisors VII, L.P., Apollo Natural Resources Partners, L.P. and each of their respective affiliates (collectively, the “ Apollo Funds ”), the general partner of each of the Apollo Funds and each Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any of the foregoing Persons, (ii) with respect to Riverstone, shall include Riverstone V Everest Holdings, L.P. and each of their respective affiliates (collectively, the “ Riverstone Funds ”), the general partner of each of the Riverstone Funds and each Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any of the foregoing Persons (iii) with respect to Access Industries, shall include each Person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with Access Industries and (iv) with respect to KNOC, shall include each Person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with KNOC.  Furthermore, for purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Person ” shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, joint venture, unincorporated organization or governmental authority (or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof).  The words “include”, “includes” and “including” mean include, includes and including “without limitation”.

 

[Signature Page Follows.]

 

9



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (F/K/A EP ENERGY, L.L.C.)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:

VP and Treasurer

 

 

Signature Page to Transaction Fee Agreement

 


 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name:

Laurie Medley

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

Signature Page to Transaction Fee Agreement

 



 

 

APOLLO GLOBAL SECURITIES, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Cindy Michel

 

 

Name: Cindy Michel

 

 

Title: Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President

 

 

Signature Page to Transaction Fee Agreement

 



 

 

RIVERSTONE V EVEREST HOLDINGS, L.P.

 

 

 

 

By:

RIVERSTONE ENERGY PARTNERS V, L.P., its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

RIVERSTONE ENERGY GP V, LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas J. Walker

 

 

Name:

Thomas J. Walker

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

Signature Page to Transaction Fee Agreement

 



 

 

ACCESS INDUSTRIES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Peter L. Thoren

 

 

Name:

Peter L. Thoren

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jared Fertman

 

 

Name:

Jared Fertman

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

Signature Page to Transaction Fee Agreement

 



 

 

KOREA NATIONAL OIL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sung-jin Chang

 

 

Name: Sung-jin Chang

 

 

Title: VP of New Ventures Dept.

 

 

Signature Page to Transaction Fee Agreement

 




Exhibit 10.14

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

MANAGEMENT FEE AGREEMENT

 

MANAGEMENT FEE AGREEMENT , dated as of May 24, 2012 (this “ Agreement ”), by and among EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (F/K/A EP ENERGY, L.L.C.), a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), EPE ACQUISITION, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), APOLLO MANAGEMENT VII, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Apollo Management ”), APOLLO COMMODITIES MANAGEMENT, L.P., WITH RESPECT TO SERIES I , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Apollo Commodities Management ” and together with Apollo Management, “ Apollo ”), RIVERSTONE V EVEREST HOLDINGS, L.P.  a Delaware limited partnership (“ Riverstone ”), ACCESS INDUSTRIES, INC. , a New York corporation (“ Access Industries ”) and KOREA NATIONAL OIL CORPORATION , a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Korea (“ KNOC ” and together Apollo, Riverstone and Access Industries, the “ Service Providers ” and each a “ Service Provider ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , the Service Providers have expertise in the areas of finance, strategy, investment, acquisitions and other matters relating to Holdings, its direct and indirect divisions and subsidiaries, parent entities and controlled affiliates (collectively, the “ Company Group ”) and their businesses;

 

WHEREAS, each of Holdings and the Company desires to avail itself of the Service Providers’ expertise and consequently has requested that the Service Providers make such expertise available from time to time in rendering certain management consulting and advisory services related to the business and affairs of the Company Group and the review and analysis of certain financial and other transactions;

 

WHEREAS, Holdings and its members have entered into that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Holdings, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof (the “ LLC Agreement ”); and

 

WHEREAS, each of the Service Providers, Holdings and the Company agrees that it is in its best interest to enter into this Agreement whereby, for the consideration specified herein, the Service Providers have provided and shall provide the services identified herein as independent consultants to the Company Group.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and the mutual agreements and covenants set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Section 1.                                           Retention of the Service Providers.

 

Holdings and the Company retain the Service Providers, and each Service Provider hereby accepts such retention, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

Section 2.                                           Term.

 

(a)                                   This Agreement shall commence on, and shall be effective from, the date hereof and, subject to the terms of Section 2(b) below, unless otherwise extended pursuant to the following

 



 

sentence, shall terminate on the twelve-year anniversary of the date hereof (the “ Term ”) or such earlier date as the Service Providers, Holdings and the Company may mutually agree in a written agreement signed by each of them.  Upon the twelve-year anniversary of the date hereof, and at the end of each year thereafter (each of such twelve-year anniversary and the end of each year thereafter being a “ Year End ”), the Term shall be extended automatically for an additional year unless notice to the contrary is given by any party at least 30, but no more than 60, days prior to such Year End, as applicable.  The date on which the Term expires (as extended pursuant to the proceeding sentence) or on which the Service Providers, Holdings and the Company mutually agree to terminate the Agreement shall be deemed the “ Termination Date .”  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Company Group pursuant to Sections 3, 4 and 5 and the provisions of Section 6 through Section 14 shall survive any the termination of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The Service Providers’ obligation to provide services hereunder and the Company’s obligations under Section 4 shall continue through the earliest of (i) the Termination Date, (ii) a Change of Control and (iii) an IPO (each as defined below).

 

Section 3.                                           Management Consulting Services.

 

(a)                                   The Service Providers shall advise the Company Group concerning such management matters that relate to proposed financial transactions, acquisitions and other senior management matters related to the business, administration and policies of the members of the Company Group, in each case as Holdings or the Company shall reasonably and specifically request by way of written notice to the Service Providers, which notice shall specify the services required of the Service Providers and shall include all background materials and information necessary for the Service Providers to complete such services. If requested to provide such services, each Service Provider shall devote such time to any such written request as such Service Provider shall deem, in its sole discretion, necessary. Such consulting services, in each Service Provider’s sole discretion, shall be rendered in person or by telephone or other communication.  The Service Providers shall have no obligation to any member of the Company Group as to the manner and time of rendering its services hereunder, and no member of the Company Group shall have any right to dictate or direct the details of the services rendered hereunder.

 

(b)                                  Holdings and the Company shall promptly provide any materials or information that the Service Providers may reasonably request in connection with the provision of services by the Service Providers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or to comply with Securities and Exchange Commission or other legal requirements (any such materials or information so furnished, the “ Information ”).  Each of Holdings and the Company recognizes and confirms that each Service Provider (i) shall use and rely primarily on the Information and on information available from generally recognized public sources in performing the services contemplated by this Agreement without having independently verified the same, (ii) does not assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the accuracy or completeness of the Information and such other information and (iii) is entitled to rely upon the Information without independent verification.

 

(c)                                   Each Service Provider shall perform all services to be provided hereunder as an independent contractor to the Company Group and not as an employee, agent, partner, joint venturer or representative of any member of the Company Group.  No Service Provider shall have any authority to act for or to bind any member of the Company Group while acting in its capacity as an advisor to the Company Group under this Agreement without Holding’s or the Company’s prior written consent.  The Service Providers are not partners or joint venturers.

 

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(d)                                  This Agreement shall in no way prohibit the Service Providers, their Affiliates, or any of their or their Affiliates’ current or former limited partners, general partners, directors, members, officers, managers, employees, agents, advisors or representatives from engaging in other activities or performing services for its or their own account or for the account of others, including for any Person that may be in competition with any business of any member of the Company Group.

 

(e)                                   Any advice or opinions provided by any Service Provider may not be disclosed or referred to publicly or to any third party (other than Holding’s, the Company’s or any of their affiliate’s legal, tax, financial or other advisors), except in accordance with such Service Provider’s prior written consent.

 

Section 4.                                           Compensation.

 

(a)                                   As consideration for the Service Providers’ agreement to render the services set forth in Section 3(a) of this Agreement and as compensation for any such services rendered by the Service Providers, except as provided in Section 4(g), the Company agrees to pay a nonrefundable annual fee (the “ Annual Fee ”) equal to $25,000,000 to be allocated as follows: (i) a portion of the Annual Fee shall be allocated among each of (A) Riverstone, (B) KNOC and (C) Access Industries in accordance with a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate amount of the commitment funded by such Service Provider and/or its Affiliate in exchange for equity securities of Holdings (or any successor thereto) as of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Purchase Agreement ”), dated as of February 24, 2012, by and among EPE Acquisition, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, EP Energy Corporation, a corporation organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware, EP Energy Holding Company, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of the commitments funded by investors in Holdings (or any successor thereto) in exchange for equity securities of Holdings (or any successor thereto) as of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and (ii) the remaining portion of the Annual Fee shall be allocated to Apollo.  Such Annual Fee shall be payable in full for each calendar year during the Term on the first business day of such calendar year; provided , that the Annual Fee for the 2012 calendar year shall be prorated to cover only the time period commencing on the Completion Date and ending on December 31, 2012 and shall be payable in full and in advance on the Completion Date.  The Annual Fee will be payable to each Service Provider at the same time by wire transfer in same-day funds to the bank account designated by such Service Provider.

 

(b)                                  The parties acknowledge and agree that an objective of the Company Group is to maximize value for its equity holders which may include consummating (or participating in the consummation of) (i) a transaction (including any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets or equity interests) the result of which is that any Person other than the Service Providers or an Affiliate of the Service Providers becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the equity and voting securities, or all or substantially all of the assets, of the Company Group (each such event, a “ Change of Control ”), or (ii) one or more public offerings of any class of equity securities of Holdings, the Company or any other member of the Company Group (each such event, an “ IPO ”). The services provided to the Company Group by the Service Providers pursuant to this Agreement will help to facilitate the consummation of a Change of Control or IPO, should any member of the Company Group decide to pursue such a transaction.

 

(c)                                   Upon presentation by a Service Provider to the Company of such documentation as may be reasonably requested by the Company, the Company shall reimburse such

 

3



 

Service Provider for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and expenses, and other disbursements incurred by such Service Provider, its Affiliates, or any of its or its Affiliates’ limited partners, general partners, directors, members, officers, managers, employees, agents, advisors or representatives in the performance of such Service Provider’s obligations hereunder.

 

(d)                                  Nothing in this Agreement shall have the effect of prohibiting the Service Providers, their Affiliates or any of their or their Affiliates’ limited partners, general partners, directors, members, officers, managers, employees, agents, advisors or representatives from receiving any other fees from Holdings, the Company or any other member of the Company Group.

 

(e)                                   Reference is made to (i) the Credit Agreement, to be entered into simultaneously with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement (as amended, restated, modified or supplemented and in effect from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of May 24, 2012 and entered into by and among EPE Holdings LLC, EP Energy, LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), the lenders party thereto from time to time and JPMorgan Chase, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, (ii) the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012, among EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), the lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), (iii) the Indenture (the “ Secured Notes Indenture ”), dated as of April 24, 2012, among EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. (together with EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), the “ Issuers ”), the subsidiary guarantors party thereto from time to time and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), relating to the Issuers’ 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “ Secured Notes ”) and (iv) the Indenture (the “ Unsecured Notes Indenture ” and, together with the Secured Notes Indenture, the “ Indentures ”), dated as of April 24, 2012, among the Issuers, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto from time to time and the Trustee, relating to the Issuers’ 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Unsecured Notes ” and, together with the Secured Notes, the “ Notes ”) (the Notes, the Indentures and such related documents collectively being the “ Debt Instruments ”).  Any portion of the fees payable to the Service Providers under this Agreement (including the Annual Fee) which the Company is prohibited from paying to the Service Providers under the Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or the Debt Instruments shall be deferred, shall accrue and bear interest at a rate of (five percent) 5.0% per annum and shall be payable at the earliest time permitted under the Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the Debt Instruments or upon the payment in full of all obligations under the Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the Debt Instruments. The Company shall notify the Service Providers if the Company shall be unable to pay any fees pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or the Debt Instruments on each date on which the Company would otherwise make a payment of fees under this Agreement to the Service Providers.  Any portion of any fees not paid on the scheduled due date shall bear interest at an annual rate equal to the Discount Rate, compounded quarterly, from the date due until paid.

 

(f)                                     All amounts payable to the Service Providers hereunder shall be paid to each Service Provider in US dollars by wire transfer in same-day funds to the bank account designated by such Service Provider.

 

(g)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Service Provider shall be entitled to receive any portion of the Annual Fee in the event that, at the time that such Annual Fee becomes payable, none of such Service Provider, its Affiliates or their respective permitted transferees are entitled to appoint a manager to the board of managers of Holdings pursuant to the terms of the LLC Agreement (such Service Provider, an “ Ineligible Service Provider ” and the portion of such Annual Fee so forfeited, the “ Forfeited Fee ”), in which case the Forfeited Fee shall be allocated to each other Service Provider who is either entitled to, or whose Affiliates or the respective permitted transferees thereof are entitled to appoint a manager to the board of managers of Holdings pursuant to

 

4



 

the terms of the LLC Agreement (such Service Provider, an “ Eligible Service Provider ”) in accordance with a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the portion of the Annual Fee (as the case may be) that such Eligible Service Provider would have received if the Ineligible Service Provider had remained eligible to receive its portion of the Annual Fee (as the case may be) and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of the portions of the Annual Fee (as the case may be) that the Eligible Service Providers would have received if the Ineligible Service Provider had remained eligible to receive its portion of the Annual Fee (as the case may be).

 

Section 5.                                           Indemnification; Limitation on Damages

 

(a)                                   The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Service Provider, its respective Affiliates, or any of its or its Affiliates’ limited partners, general partners, directors, members, officers, managers, employees, agents, advisors (each such Person being an “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including in connection with seeking indemnification and, whether joint or several (the “ Liabilities ”), related to, arising out of or in connection with the services contemplated by this Agreement or the engagement of such Service Provider pursuant to, and the performance by such Service Provider of the services contemplated by, this Agreement, whether or not pending or threatened, whether or not an Indemnified Party is a party, whether or not resulting in any liability and whether or not such action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding is initiated or brought by any member of the Company Group.  The Company shall reimburse any Indemnified Party for all costs, fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) as they are incurred in connection with investigating, preparing, pursuing, defending or assisting in the defense of any action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding for which the Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification under the terms of the previous sentence, or any action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto.  The Company shall not be liable under the foregoing indemnification provisions with respect to any Liability of an Indemnified Party to the extent that such is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, in a final judgment from which no further appeal may be taken, to have resulted primarily from the willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party.  The attorneys’ fees and other expenses of an Indemnified Party shall be paid by the Company as they are incurred upon receipt, in each case, of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party to repay such amounts if it is finally judicially determined that the Liabilities in question resulted primarily from the willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party.

 

(b)                                  The Company Group’s sole remedy against a Service Provider for breach of this Agreement shall be to offset any fees otherwise payable to such Service Provider by the amount of any Liabilities arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the services to be rendered hereunder, it being understood that any recovery shall be limited to actual damages, and no special, consequential, indirect, or punitive damages shall be allowed. No Indemnified Person shall be liable to the Company Group (i) for any breach hereunder by another Indemnified Person or (ii) for any breach by it, unless such breach constitutes fraud or willful misconduct as determined in a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction from which no appeal can be made.

 

Section 6.                                           Notices.

 

All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient if personally delivered, sent by internationally-recognized overnight courier, by telecopy, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

if to Apollo, to:

 

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Apollo Global Securities, LLC

9 West 57 th  Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention:    Cindy Michel

Telecopier:  (212) 515-3288

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Apollo Management VII, L.P.

9 West 57 th  Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention:    Gregory Beard and Laurie D. Medley

Telecopier:  (212) 515-3288

 

and

 

Apollo Commodities Management, L.P. with respect to Series I

9 West 57 th  Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention:    Gregory Beard and Laurie D. Medley

Telecopier:  (212) 515-3288

 

and

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019-6064

Attention:  James H. Schwab

Telecopier: (212) 757-3990

 

if to Riverstone, to:

 

c/o Riverstone Holdings LLC

712 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor

New York, NY  10019

Attention:  Thomas J. Walker

Telecopier: (212) 993-0077

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019

Attention:  Bruce C. Herzog

Telecopier:  (212) 728-9220

E-mail:  bherzog@willkie.com

 

if to Access Industries, to:

 

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Access Industries
730 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Attention:    General Counsel
Telecopier:  (212) 977-8112

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Attention:  Jeffrey J. Rosen
                  Kevin A. Rinker
Telecopier: (212) 909-6836

 

if to KNOC, to:

 

Korea National Oil Corporation

57 Gwanpyeong-ro212beong-gil, Dongan-gu,

Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, Korea 431-711
Attention:    VP of New Ventures Dept.
Telecopier:  +82 31 384 1275

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Kim & Chang
Seyang building, 223 Naeja-dong, Jongno-gu

Seoul 110-720 Korea

Attention:   Chung-In Anthony Choi
Telecopier: +82 2 3703 1590

 

if to the Company or Holdings, to it at:

 

c/o Apollo Management VII, L.P.

9 West 57 th  Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention:    Gregory Beard and Laurie Medley

Telecopier:  (212) 515-3288

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019-6064

Attention:  James H. Schwab

Telecopier: (212) 757-3990

 

or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to each other party in writing in accordance herewith.  Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery, (b) in the case of nationally-

 

7



 

recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date when sent, (c) in the case of telecopy transmission, when received, and (d) in the case of mailing, on the third business day following that on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted.

 

Section 7.                                           Benefits of Agreement.

 

This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Service Providers, Holdings, the Company, the Indemnified Parties and any successors to or assigns of the Service Providers, Holdings, the Company and the Indemnified Parties; provided , this Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld in the case of any assignment by a Service Provider and; provided , further , that no consent of any party shall be required for any assignment by a Service Provider to an Affiliate of such Service Provider. Upon a Service Provider’s request, the Company shall cause the other members of the Company Group to become parties hereto directly in order to avail themselves of the services hereunder.

 

Section 8.                                           Governing Law.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.  The parties hereto hereby declare that it is their intention that this Agreement shall be regarded as made under the laws of the State of Delaware and that the laws of said State shall be applied in interpreting its provisions in all cases where legal interpretation shall be required.  Each of the parties hereto:  (a) agrees that this Agreement involves at least US $100,000.00; (b) agrees that this Agreement has been entered into by the parties hereto in express reliance upon 6 Del. C. § 2708(a); (c) irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and of the federal courts sitting in the State of Delaware with respect to all actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (d) agrees that all claims with respect to any such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such courts and agrees not to commence any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby except in such courts; (e) irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and irrevocably and unconditionally waives the defense of an inconvenient forum; (f) irrevocably appoints The Corporation Trust Company as its agent for the sole purpose of receiving service of process or other legal summons in connection with any such dispute, litigation, action or proceeding brought in such courts and agrees that it will maintain The Corporation Trust Company at all times as its duly appointed agent in the State of Delaware for the service of any process or summons in connection with any such dispute, litigation, action or proceeding brought in such courts and, if it fails to maintain such an agent during any period, any such process or summons may be served on it by mailing a copy of such process or summons by a nationally-recognized courier service to the address set forth below its signature to this Agreement, with such service deemed effective on the fifth day after the date of such mailing; and (g) agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.  The parties hereto agree that any violation of this Section shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement and shall constitute irreparable harm.

 

Section 9.                                           Headings.

 

Section headings are used for convenience only and shall in no way affect the construction of this Agreement.

 

8



 

Section 10.                                    Entire Agreement; Amendments.

 

This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to its subject matter and supersedes any and all prior agreements, and neither it nor any part of it may in any way be altered, amended, extended, waived, discharged or terminated except by a written agreement signed by each of the parties hereto.

 

Section 11.                                    Counterparts.

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including via facsimile transmission or PDF copies sent by e-mail, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same document.

 

Section 12.                                    Waivers.

 

Any party to this Agreement may, by written notice to the other party, waive any provision of this Agreement.  The waiver by any party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

 

Section 13.                                    Severability.

 

Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction will not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 14.                                    Definitions.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Affiliate,” (i) with respect to Apollo, shall include AIF VII Euro Holdings, L.P., Apollo Investment Fund VII, L.P., Apollo Investment Fund (PB) VII, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners VII, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners (Delaware) VII, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners (Delaware 892) VII, L.P., Apollo Advisors VII, L.P., Apollo Natural Resources Partners, L.P. and each of their respective affiliates (collectively, the “ Apollo Funds ”), the general partner of each of the Apollo Funds and each Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any of the foregoing Persons, (ii) with respect to Riverstone, shall include Riverstone V Everest Holdings, L.P. and each of their respective affiliates (collectively, the “ Riverstone Funds ”), the general partner of each of the Riverstone Funds and each Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any of the foregoing Persons, (iii) with respect to Access Industries, shall include each Person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with Access Industries and (iv) with respect to KNOC, shall include each Person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with KNOC. Furthermore, for purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Person ” shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, joint venture, unincorporated organization or governmental authority (or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof).  The words “include”, “includes” and “including” mean include, includes and including “without limitation”.

 

 [Signature Page Follows.]

 

9


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC (F/K/A EP ENERGY,
L.L.C.)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title: VP and Treasurer

 

Signature Page to Management Fee Agreement

 



 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name: Laurie Medley

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to Management Fee Agreement

 



 

 

APOLLO MANAGEMENT VII, L.P.

 

By:

AIF VII Management, LLC

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name: Laurie Medley

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to Management Fee Agreement

 



 

 

APOLLO COMMODITIES MANAGEMENT, L.P. ,

 

 

    WITH RESPECT TO SERIES I

 

By:

APOLLO COMMODITIES MANAGEMENT GP,

 

 

LLC, its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Laurie Medley

 

 

Name: Laurie Medley

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to Management Fee Agreement

 



 

 

RIVERSTONE V EVEREST HOLDINGS, L.P.

 

 

 

 

By:

RIVERSTONE ENERGY PARTNERS V, L.P., its

 

 

general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

RIVERSTONE ENERGY GP V, LLC

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas J. Walker

 

 

Name:

Thomas J. Walker

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

Signature Page to Management Fee Agreement

 



 

 

ACCESS INDUSTRIES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Peter L. Thoren

 

 

Name: Peter L. Thoren

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jared Fertman

 

 

Name: Jared Fertman

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to Management Fee Agreement

 



 

 

KOREA NATIONAL OIL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sung-jin Chang

 

 

Name:  Sung-jin Chang

 

 

Title:  VP of New Ventures Dept.

 

Signature Page to Management Fee Agreement

 




Exhibit 10.15

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

AMENDMENT, dated as of August 17, 2012 (this “ Amendment ”), to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, amended and restated, modified or supplemented from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EPE Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC), a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings (the “ Borrower ”), the banks, financial institutions and other lending institutions from time to time parties as lenders thereto (each a “ Lender ” and collectively, the “ Lenders ”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) and as collateral agent for the Lenders, the swingline lender and an issuer of Letters of Credit, and each other Issuing Bank from time to time party thereto.

 

W   I   T   N   E   S   S   E   T   H :

 

WHEREAS, Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement permits the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent and the Majority Lenders to enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications to the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents with the relevant Credit Parties; and

 

WHEREAS, the Credit Parties desire to amend the Credit Agreement on the terms set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

Section 1.1.        Defined Terms. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Amendment

 

Section 2.1.        Amendment. Section 10.2(z) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended, by deleting the figure “$500,000,000” therein and replacing such figure with “$850,000,000”.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Conditions and Miscellaneous

 

Section 3.1.        Conditions to Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become effective on the date on which:

 

(a)       The Administrative Agent shall have received this Amendment, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each of the Borrower and Holdings and Lenders comprising at least the Majority Lenders; and

 



 

(b)       Each of the Borrower and Holdings shall have confirmed and acknowledged to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders, and by its execution and delivery of this Amendment each of the Borrower and Holdings does hereby confirm and acknowledge to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders, that (i) such Credit Party shall have taken all necessary corporate or other organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment, (ii) the Credit Agreement and each other Credit Document to which it or any of its applicable Subsidiaries that are Credit Parties is a party constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law) and (iii) no Default or Event of Default exists under the Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.

 

Section 3.2.        Ratification. Each of the Borrower and Holdings (for itself and its applicable Subsidiaries that are Credit Parties) hereby (a) ratifies and confirms all of the Obligations under the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby) and the other Credit Documents related thereto, and, in particular, affirms that, after giving effect to this Amendment, the terms of the Security Documents secure, and will continue to secure, all Obligations thereunder, and (b) represents and warrants to the Lenders that as of the effectiveness of this Amendment (i) all of the representations and warranties contained in the Credit Document to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date (except where such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

Section 3.3.        Continuing Effect; No Other Amendments or Waivers. This Amendment shall not constitute an amendment or waiver of or consent to any provision of the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents except as expressly stated herein and shall not be construed as an amendment, waiver or consent to any action on the part of the Borrower that would require an amendment, waiver or consent of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders except as expressly stated herein. Except as expressly waived hereby, the provisions of the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents are and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.

 

Section 3.4.        Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of separate counterparts by the parties hereto (including by telecopy or via electronic mail), each of which counterparts when so executed shall be an original, but all the counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Section 3.5.        GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AMENDMENT A SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Section 3.6.        FINAL AGREEMENT. THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING THIS AMENDMENT, REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

 

EPE HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:

Vice President & Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC (F/K/A EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name:

Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:

Vice President & Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to the RBL Amendment]

 



 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ryan Fuessel

 

 

Name:

Ryan Fuessel

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signer

 



 

 

Bank of America

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jeffrey H. Rathkamp

 

 

Name:

Jeffrey H. Rathkamp

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

 

The Bank of Nova Scotia

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gregory E. George

 

 

Name:

Gregory E. George

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

 

SCOTIABANC INC.

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ J.F. Todd

 

 

Name:

J.F. Todd

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ H. Thind

 

 

Name:

H. Thind

 

 

Title:

Director

 



 

 

BANK OF SCOTLAND plc

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Assistant Vice President

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

Assistant Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

N/A

 

 

Name:

N/A

 

 

Title:

N/A

 



 

 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Andrew Oram

 

 

Name:

Andrew Oram

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

 

BMO Harris Financing, Inc.

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kevin Utsey

 

 

Name:

Kevin Utsey

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 


 

 

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York

Agency, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Dominic Sorresso

 

 

Name:

Dominic Sorresso

 

 

Title:

Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert Casey

 

 

Name:

Robert Casey

 

 

Title:

Executive Director

 



 

 

Capital One, National Association

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Matthew Molero

 

 

Name:

Matthew Molero

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

 

Citibank, N.A.

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John F. Miller

 

 

Name:

John F. Miller

 

 

Title:

Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

 

Comerica Bank

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Justin Crawford

 

 

Name:

Justin Crawford

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 



 

 

Compass Bank

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kathleen J. Bowen

 

 

Name:

Kathleen J. Bowen

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 



 

 

CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mikhail Faybusovich

 

 

Name:

Mikhail Faybusovich

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Vipul Dhadda

 

 

Name:

VIPUL DHADDA

 

 

Title:

ASSOCIATE

 



 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS

 

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Erin Morrissey

 

 

Name:

Erin Morrissey

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Marguerite Sutton

 

 

Name:

Marguerite Sutton

 

 

Title:

Director

 



 

 

DNB BANK ASA

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Henrik Asland

 

 

Name:

Henrik Asland

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pal Boger

 

 

Name:

PAL BOGER

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 



 

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lauren Havens

 

 

Name:

Lauren Havens

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

 

ING Capital LLC

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Juli Bieser

 

 

Name:

Juli Bieser

 

 

Title:

Director

 


 

 

Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James R. Fayen

 

 

Name:

James R. Fayen

 

 

Title:

Deputy General Manager

 



 

 

MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Dmitry Barsky

 

 

Name:

Dmitry Barsky

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 



 

 

NOMURA CORPORATE FUNDING AMERICAS, LLC

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James Merli

 

 

Name:

James Merli

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 



 

 

Royal Bank Of Canada

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark Lumpkin, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Mark Lumpkin, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

 

THE Royal Bank Of SCOTLAND plc

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sanjay Remond

 

 

Name:

Sanjay Remond

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 



 

 

Societe Generale

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Elena Robcivc

 

 

Name:

Elena Robcivc

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

 

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Yasuhiro Shirai

 

 

Name:

Yasuhiro Shirai

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

 

Suntrust Bank

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Scott Mackey

 

 

Name:

Scott Mackey

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

 

Toronto Dominion New York LLC

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Debbi L. Brito

 

 

Name:

DEBBI L. BRITO

 

 

Title:

AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

 

UBS Loan Finance LLC

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mary E. Evans

 

 

Name:

Mary E. Evans

 

 

Title:

Associate Director
Banking Products Services, US

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joselin Fernandes

 

 

Name:

Joselin Fernandes

 

 

Title:

Associate Director

 

 

 

Banking Products Services, US

 



 

 

Union Bank, N.A.

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lauren Trussell

 

 

Name:

Lauren Trussell

 

 

Title:

Assistant Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lila Jordan

 

 

Name:

Lila Jordan

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 




Exhibit 10.16

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

AMENDMENT No. 1, dated as of August 21, 2012 (this “ Amendment ”), to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, refinanced or replaced from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among EP Energy LLC (f/k/a Everest Acquisition LLC) (the “ Borrower ”), the lending institutions from time to time party thereto (each, a “ Lender ” and, collectively, the “ Lenders ”) and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein having the meaning provided in the Term Loan Agreement (as amended hereby).

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01(b) of the Term Loan Agreement, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders may agree to amend the Term Loan Agreement as set forth herein;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01(b)(ii) of the Term Loan Agreement, each Lender must agree to any reduction in the rate of interest applicable to its Loan;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to create a new tranche of term loans consisting of Tranche B-1 Loans (as defined in Section 1 hereof), which Tranche B-1 Loans shall have terms identical to the Tranche B Loans (as defined in Section 1 hereof), except as such terms are specifically amended hereby, which shall be in the same principal amount as the outstanding Tranche B Loans, as more fully set forth herein;

 

WHEREAS, upon the effectiveness of this Amendment, each Lender that shall have executed and delivered a consent to this Amendment substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (a “ Consent ”) indicating the “Cashless Settlement Option” (each, a “ Cashless Option Lender ”) shall be deemed to have exchanged all of its Tranche B Loans for Tranche B-1 Loans (which Tranche B Loans shall thereafter no longer be deemed to be outstanding) in the same aggregate principal amount as such Lender’s Tranche B Loans immediately prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and such Lender shall thereafter become a Tranche B-1 Lender (as defined in Section 1 hereof);

 

WHEREAS, upon the effectiveness of this Amendment, each Person that executes and delivers a joinder to this Amendment substantially in the form of Exhibit B (a “ Joinder Agreement ”) as an Additional Tranche B-1 Lender (as defined in Section 1 hereof) will make Additional Tranche B-1 Loans to the Borrower in the amount set forth on the signature page of such Person’s Joinder Agreement, the proceeds of which will be used by the Borrower to repay in full the outstanding principal amount of Tranche B Loans that are not exchanged for Tranche B-1 Loans (including Loans from Lenders that execute and deliver a Consent indicating the “Post-Closing Settlement Option” (each, a “ Post-Closing Option Lender ”));

 

WHEREAS, upon the effectiveness of this Amendment the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender both (i) all accrued and unpaid interest on the Tranche B Loans owned by such Lender to, but not including, the date of effectiveness of this Amendment, and (ii) the premium required with respect to the Tranche B Loans owned by such Lender pursuant to Section 2.14(c) of the Term Loan Agreement; and

 



 

WHEREAS, the Co-Lead Arrangers are co-lead arrangers for Amendment No. 1;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

 

Section 1.                Amendments. The Term Loan Agreement is hereby amended effective as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date as follows:

 

(a)            The following defined terms shall be added to Section 1.1 of the Term Loan Agreement:

 

Additional Tranche B-1 Commitment ” shall mean the commitment of an Additional Tranche B-1 Lender to make Additional Tranche B-1 Loans on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, in the amount set forth in the signature page to the Joinder Agreement of such Additional Tranche B-1 Lender. The aggregate principal amount of the Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments shall equal the outstanding principal amount of Tranche B Loans of Non-Exchanging Lenders immediately prior to the effectiveness of Amendment No. 1.

 

Additional Tranche B-1 Lender ” shall mean a Person with an Additional Tranche B-1 Commitment on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date. For the avoidance of doubt, a Lender of Tranche B Loans immediately prior to the effectiveness of Amendment No. 1 may also be an Additional Tranche B-1 Lender.

 

Additional Tranche B-1 Loan ” shall mean a Loan that is made pursuant to Section 2.01(e)(ii) on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date.

 

Amendment No. 1 ” shall mean Amendment No. 1 to this Agreement dated as of August 21, 2012.

 

Amendment No. 1 Effective Date ” shall mean August 21, 2012, the first Business Day on which all conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 of Amendment No. 1 are satisfied and the Tranche B-1 Loans are made.

 

Cashless Option Lender ” shall mean each Lender that has executed and delivered a Consent indicating the “Cashless Settlement Option.”

 

Consent ” shall mean a consent to Amendment No. 1 substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached to Amendment No. 1.

 

Joinder Agreement ” shall mean a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached to Amendment No. 1.

 

Non-Exchanging Lender ” shall mean each Lender that (i) did not execute and deliver a Consent on or prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date or (ii) is a Post-Closing Option Lender.

 

2



 

Post-Closing Option Lender ” shall mean each Lender that has executed and delivered a Consent indicating the “Post-Closing Settlement Option.” Each Post-Closing Option Lender shall become an assignee of an Additional Tranche B-1 Loan on or following the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date in the aggregate principal amount indicated on its Consent.

 

Tranche B Loans ” shall mean Loans outstanding on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, immediately prior to the effectiveness of Amendment No 1.”

 

Tranche B-1 Exchange Commitment ” shall mean the agreement of a Lender to exchange its Tranche B Loans for an equal aggregate principal amount of Tranche B-1 Loans on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, as evidenced by such Lender executing and delivering its Consent and indicating the “Cashless Settlement Option”.

 

Tranche B-1 Lender ” shall mean, collectively, (i) each Lender that executes and delivers a Consent (and indicates the “Cashless Settlement Option”) on or prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and (ii) each Additional Tranche B-1 Lender (including each Post-Closing Option Lender).

 

Tranche B-1 Loan ” shall mean, collectively, (i) each Loan received in exchange for a Tranche B Loan that is held by a Lender with a Tranche B-1 Exchange Commitment pursuant to Section 2.01(e)(i) on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and (ii) each Additional Tranche B-1 Loan.

 

(b)            Section 1.01 of the Term Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the definition of “Applicable Margin” in its entirety and replacing it with the following definition:

 

““ Applicable Margin ” means 4.00% in the case of a LIBOR Loan (or 3.00% in the case of an ABR Loan).”

 

(c)            Section 1.01 of the Term Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the definition of “Class” in its entirety and replacing it with the following definition:

 

““ Class ” when used in reference to (a) any Loan, refers to whether such Loan is a Loan made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a) on the Funding Date or a Loan or Loans of another class established pursuant to Section 2.01(e), 2.23 or 2.24, (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Funding Date Commitment or a commitment of another class established pursuant to Section 2.01(e), 2.23 or 2.24 and (c) any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment of a particular Class.”

 

(d)            Section 1.01 of the Term Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the definition of “Lender” in its entirety and replacing it with the following definition:

 

3



 

““ Lender ” means each financial institution listed on Schedule 2.01, and any Person that becomes a “Lender” hereunder pursuant to Section 2.01(e), 2.23 or 9.06, other than any such Person that has ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance in accordance with Section 9.06 or is a Non-Exchanging Lender (other than a Post-Closing Option Lender) and has had its Tranche B Loans prepaid pursuant to Section 2.01(e)(ii).”

 

(e)            Section 1.01 of the Term Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the definition of “Loans” in its entirety and replacing it with the following definition:

 

Loans ” means (i) the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 on the Funding Date, (ii) the Tranche B-1 Loans and (iii) any other loans made by Lenders to the Borrower hereunder after the Funding Date.

 

(f)             Section 1.01 of the Term Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting clause (b) of the definition of “LIBOR” in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

 

“(b) 1.00% per annum.”

 

(g)            Section 1.01 of the Term Loan Agreement is hereby amended adding the following sentence to the end of the definition of “Loan Document”:

 

“On and after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, Amendment No. 1 and any Joinder Agreement executed by an Additional Tranche B-1 Lender shall constitute Loan Documents.”

 

(h)            Section 2.01 of the Term Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following clause (e) at the end thereof:

 

“(e)          (i)             Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Cashless Option Lender hereby agrees that its Tranche B Loans will be automatically exchanged for a like principal amount of Tranche B-1 Loans on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date.

 

(ii)            Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Additional Tranche B-1 Lender agrees to make Additional Tranche B-1 Loans to the Borrower on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date in a principal amount not to exceed its Additional Tranche B-1 Commitment on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date. The Borrower shall prepay all Tranche B Loans of Non-Exchanging Lenders with the gross proceeds of the Additional Tranche B-1 Loans.

 

(iii)           The Tranche B-1 Loans shall have the same terms as the Tranche B Loans as set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents before giving effect to Amendment No. 1, except as modified by Amendment No. 1. For avoidance of doubt, the Tranche B-1 Loans shall constitute “Loan Obligations” under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and shall have the same rights and obligations under this

 

4



 

Agreement and the other Loan Documents as the Tranche B Loans prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, except as explicitly modified by Amendment No. 1.

 

(iv)           Upon the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, any Tranche B-1 Lender shall be deemed to be a “Lender” hereunder, and henceforth shall be entitled to all the rights of, and benefits accruing to, Lenders hereunder and shall be bound by all agreements, acknowledgements and other obligations of Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

 

(v)            The Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments and the Tranche B-1 Exchange Commitments shall be automatically terminated on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date upon the making of the Tranche B-1 Loans on such date.”

 

(i)             Section 2.14 of the Term Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding to the end of such Section new clause (f) as follows:

 

“(f)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.14 , 100% of the proceeds of all Additional Tranche B-1 Loans shall be used to repay Tranche B Loans of the Non-Exchanging Lenders.”

 

(j)               For the avoidance of doubt, (a) the Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments shall not be treated as Incremental Commitments; and (b) the Additional Tranche B-1 Loans shall not be treated as Loans made under an Incremental Commitment.

 

Section 2.                Representations and Warranties . Each Credit Party represents and warrants to the Lenders as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date that:

 

(a)            (i) Each Credit Party has (x) the corporate or other organizational power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of this Amendment, (y) taken all necessary corporate or other organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment and (z) duly executed and delivered this Amendment and (ii) this Amendment constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law).

 

(b)            None of the execution, delivery or performance by any Credit Party of this Amendment or the compliance with the terms and provisions hereof will (i) contravene any Requirement of Law except to the extent such contravention would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) result in any breach or violation of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the property or assets of such Credit Party or any of the Subsidiaries (other than Liens created under the Loan Documents and Liens permitted under Section 6.10 of the Term Loan Agreement) pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan agreement, lease agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, agreement

 

5



 

or other instrument to which such Credit Party or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound, except to the extent such breach, default or Lien that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents of such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(c)            Before and after giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties of each Credit Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, as though made on and as of such date; provided that, to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date or period, they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date or period.

 

(d)            At the time of and after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

Section 3.                Conditions to Effectiveness of Amendment . This Amendment shall become effective on the first Business Day on which each of the following conditions is satisfied:

 

(a)            The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) from each Lender with a Tranche B-1 Exchange Commitment and from each Post-Closing Option Lender, (ii) from the Administrative Agent and (iii) from the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor, either (x) a counterpart of this Amendment signed on behalf of such party (or a Consent) or (y) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or other electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Amendment) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Amendment (or a Consent).

 

(b)            The Administrative Agent shall have received from each Additional Tranche B-1 Lender an executed counterpart to the applicable Joinder Agreement. The aggregate amount of Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments and Tranche B-1 Exchange Commitments shall equal the aggregate principal amount of Tranche B Loans outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment.

 

(c)            The Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Lender immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment, a payment equal to 1% of the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding immediately prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, whether or not such Lender becomes a Tranche B-1 Lender.

 

(d)            The Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Lender immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment, simultaneously with the making of Tranche B-1 Loans under the Term Loan Agreement, all accrued and unpaid interest on their Tranche B Loans to, but not including, the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date.

 

6



 

(e)            The Administrative Agent shall have received a customary written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date) of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York counsel for the Credit Parties, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinions.

 

(f)             The Borrower shall have paid to (i) the Co-Lead Arrangers the fees in the amounts previously agreed in writing to be received on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and (ii) the Administrative Agent all reasonable documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Administrative Agent) payable pursuant to Section 9.05 of the Term Loan Agreement for which invoices have been presented at least three Business Days prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date.

 

(g)            At the time of and immediately after giving effect to this Amendment no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(h)            The Administrative Agent shall have received (1) a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership or certificate of formation, including all amendments thereto, of each Credit Party, in each case, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or other similar official) of the jurisdiction of its organization, and a certificate as to the good standing (to the extent such concept or a similar concept exists under the laws of such jurisdiction) of each such Credit Party as of a recent date from such Secretary of State (or other similar official); (2) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer of each Credit Party dated the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and certifying: (i) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws (or partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other equivalent governing documents) of such Credit Party as in effect on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (ii) below, (ii) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors (or managing general partner, managing member or equivalent) of such Credit Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party and the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, (iii) that the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, articles of incorporation or certificate of formation of such Credit Party has not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto disclosed pursuant to clause (1) above, (iv) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Credit Party, and (v) as to the absence of any pending proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of such Credit Party; and (3) a certificate of a director or an officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer executing the certificate pursuant to clause (2) above; provided that the certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer of each Credit Party may, in lieu of attaching the documents required pursuant clauses (1) and (2)(i) above, certify that such documents have not been amended, modified or otherwise changed since the Funding Date.

 

7



 

(i)             To the extent required and requested in writing by any Additional Tranche B-1 Lender at least three Business Days prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information about the Credit Parties required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

(j)             The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate signed by a Authorized Officer of the Borrower certifying as to the accuracy of the representations set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of Section 2 hereof.

 

Section 4.                Waivers. Solely in connection with the borrowing of Tranche B-1 Loans on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and the repayment of Tranche B Loans in connection therewith, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby waive (a) any required notice of prepayment of Tranche B Loans pursuant to Section 2.14(a) of the Term Loan Agreement, (b) any required notice of borrowing of Tranche B-1 Loans pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Term Loan Agreement, (c) any required notice of election to reduce Commitments pursuant to Section 2.20(b) of the Term Loan Agreement and (d) any right to receive any payments under Section 2.11 of the Term Loan Agreement as a result of Tranche B Loans being repaid on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and not on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

Section 5.                Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

SECTION 6.            Governing Law . THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Section 7.                Headings . The headings of this Amendment are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

Section 8.                Effect of Amendment; Reaffirmation . Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent under the Term Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Term Loan Agreement or any other provision of the Term Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect. The Required Lenders agree that the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may, but are not required to, enter into an Amended and Restated Term

 

8



 

Loan Agreement after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to give effect to the provisions of this Amendment. By executing and delivering a copy hereof, the Borrower hereby consents to Amendment No. 1 and the transactions contemplated thereby, and each Credit Party hereby confirms its respective guarantees, pledges and grants of security interests, as applicable, under and subject to the terms of each of the Loan Documents to which it is party, and agrees that, notwithstanding the effectiveness of Amendment No. 1, such guarantees, pledges and grants of security interests, and the terms of each of the Security Documents to which it is a party, shall continue to be in full force and effect, including to secure the Loan Obligations (including, without limitation, the Tranche B-1 Loans). For the avoidance of doubt, on and after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, this Amendment shall for all purposes constitute a Loan Document.

 

9



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:   Vice President & Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:   Vice President & Treasurer

 

[Amendment No. 1]

 


 

 

EP ENERGY GLOBAL LLC

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY PREFERRED HOLDINGS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

MBOW FOUR STAR, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY RESALE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY E&P COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

CRYSTAL E&P COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:   Vice President & Treasurer

 

[Amendment No. 1]

 



 

 

EPE NOMINEE CORP.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:   Vice President & Treasurer

 

[Amendment No. 1]

 



 

 

EP ENERGY BRAZIL, L.L.C.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:   Vice President & Treasurer

 

[Amendment No. 1]

 



 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kirkwood Roland

 

 

Name: Kirkwood Roland

 

 

Title:   Vice President

 

[Amendment No. 1]

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

CONSENT TO AMENDMENT NO. 1

 

CONSENT (this “ Consent ”) to Amendment No. 1 (“ Amendment ”) to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 (the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), by and among EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the lending institutions from time to time parties thereto (each a “ Lender ” and, collectively, the “ Lenders ”), and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”). Capitalized terms used in this Consent but not defined in this Consent have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Term Loan Agreement (as amended by the Amendment).

 

Existing Lenders of Loans. The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment and consents as follows (check ONE option):

 

Cashless Settlement Option

 

Post-Closing Settlement Option

o        to exchange 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Tranche B Loans held by such Lender for Tranche B-1 Loans in an equal principal amount.

 

o        to have 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Tranche B Loans held by such Lender prepaid on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and purchase by assignment the principal amount of Tranche B-1 Loans committed to separately by the undersigned.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Consent to be executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer as of the               of August, 2012.

 

 

 

 

,

 

 

as a Lender (type name of the legal entity)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If a second signature is necessary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Fund Manager (if any):

 

 

 

 



 

JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of August [ · ], 2012 (this “ Agreement ”), by and among [ADDITIONAL TRANCHE B-1 LENDER] (each, an “ Additional Tranche B-1  Lender ” and, collectively, the “ Additional Tranche B-1 Lenders ”), EP ENERGY LLC (the “ Borrower ”), and CITIBANK, N.A. (the “ Administrative Agent ”).

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, reference is hereby made to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 and amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of August 21, 2012 (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, each lender from time to time party thereto and CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent (capitalized terms used but not defined herein having the meaning provided in the Term Loan Agreement);

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Agreement, the Borrower may establish Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments (the “ Additional Tranche B-1  Commitments ”) with Additional Tranche B-1 Lenders (which may include existing Lenders); and

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Agreement, Additional Tranche B-1 Lenders shall become Lenders with Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments pursuant to one or more Joinder Agreements;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Each Additional Tranche B-1 Lender hereby agrees to provide the Additional Tranche B-1 Commitment set forth on its signature page hereto pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2.01(e)(ii) of the Term Loan Agreement. The Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments provided pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to all of the terms in the Term Loan Agreement and to the conditions set forth in the Term Loan Agreement, and shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by the Term Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and shall, without limiting the foregoing, benefit equally and ratably from the guarantees and security interests created by the Security Documents

 

Each Additional Tranche B-1 Lender, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent acknowledge and agree that the Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments provided pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments for all purposes of the Term Loan Agreement and the other applicable Loan Documents, and the Borrower and the Administrative Agent hereby consent to such Additional Tranche B-1 Lender becoming a Lender under the Term Loan Agreement. Each Additional Tranche B-1 Lender hereby agrees to make an Additional Tranche B-1 Loan to the Borrower in an amount equal to its Additional Tranche B-1 Commitment on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date in accordance with Section 2.01(e)(ii) of the Term Loan Agreement.

 



 

Each Additional Tranche B-1 Lender (that is not an existing Lender) (i) confirms that it has received a copy of the Term Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with copies of the financial statements referred to therein and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Co-Lead Arrangers or any other Additional Tranche B-1 Lender or any other Lender or Agent and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Term Loan Agreement; (iii) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under the Term Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (iv) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Term Loan Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

Upon (i) the execution of a counterpart of this Agreement by each Additional Tranche B-1 Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and (ii) the delivery to the Administrative Agent of a fully executed counterpart (including by way of telecopy or other electronic transmission) hereof, each of the undersigned Additional Tranche B-1 Lenders shall become Lenders under the Term Loan Agreement with the respective Additional Tranche B-1 Commitment set forth on its signature page hereto, effective as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date.

 

For each Additional Tranche B-1 Lender (that is not an existing Lender), delivered herewith to the Administrative Agent are such forms, certificates or other evidence with respect to United States federal income tax withholding matters as such Additional Tranche B-1 Lender may be required to deliver to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.17 of the Term Loan Agreement.

 

This Agreement may not be amended, modified or waived except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed and delivered on behalf of each of the parties hereto.

 

This Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and verbal, among the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

B-3



 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

B-4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused its duly authorized officer to execute and deliver this Joinder Agreement as of August [ · ], 2012.

 

 

[NAME OF ADDITIONAL TRANCHE B-1 LENDER]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

If a second signature is necessary:

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments:

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

B-5



 

Accepted:

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,

 

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

B-6




Exhibit 10.17

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of August 21, 2012 (this “ Agreement ”), by and among CITIBANK, N.A., as Additional Tranche B-1 Lender (the “ Additional Tranche B-1  Lender ”), EP ENERGY LLC (the “ Borrower ”), and CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”).

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, reference is hereby made to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2012 and amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of August 21, 2012 (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Term Loan Agreement ”), among the Borrower, each lender from time to time party thereto and CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent (capitalized terms used but not defined herein having the meaning provided in the Term Loan Agreement);

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Agreement, the Borrower may establish Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments (the “ Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments ”) with Additional Tranche B-1 Lenders (which may include existing Lenders); and

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Agreement, Additional Tranche B-1 Lenders shall become Lenders with Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments pursuant to one or more Joinder Agreements;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

The Additional Tranche B-1 Lender hereby agrees to provide the Additional Tranche B-1 Commitment set forth on its signature page hereto pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2.01(e)(ii) of the Term Loan Agreement. The Additional Tranche B-1 Commitment provided pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to all of the terms in the Term Loan Agreement and to the conditions set forth in the Term Loan Agreement, and shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by the Term Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and shall, without limiting the foregoing, benefit equally and ratably from the guarantees and security interests created by the Security Documents

 

The Additional Tranche B-1 Lender, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent acknowledge and agree that the Additional Tranche B-1 Commitment provided pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute Additional Tranche B-1 Commitment for all purposes of the Term Loan Agreement and the other applicable Loan Documents, and the Borrower and the Administrative Agent hereby consent to the Additional Tranche B-1 Lender becoming a Lender under the Term Loan Agreement. The Additional Tranche B-1 Lender hereby agrees to make an Additional Tranche B-1 Loan to the Borrower in an amount equal to its Additional Tranche B-1 Commitment on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date in accordance with Section 2.01(e)(ii) of the Term Loan Agreement.

 



 

Any Additional Tranche B-1 Lender (that is not an existing Lender) (i) confirms that it has received a copy of the Term Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with copies of the financial statements referred to therein and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Co-Lead Arrangers or any other Additional Tranche B-1 Lender or any other Lender or Agent and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Term Loan Agreement; (iii) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under the Term Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (iv) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Term Loan Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

Upon (i) the execution of a counterpart of this Agreement by the Additional Tranche B-1 Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and (ii) the delivery to the Administrative Agent of a fully executed counterpart (including by way of telecopy or other electronic transmission) hereof, each of the undersigned Additional Tranche B-1 Lender shall become a Lender under the Term Loan Agreement with the respective Additional Tranche B-1 Commitment set forth on its signature page hereto, effective as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date.

 

For any Additional Tranche B-1 Lender (that is not an existing Lender), delivered herewith to the Administrative Agent are such forms, certificates or other evidence with respect to United States federal income tax withholding matters as such Additional Tranche B-1 Lender may be required to deliver to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.17 of the Term Loan Agreement.

 

This Agreement may not be amended, modified or waived except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed and delivered on behalf of each of the parties hereto.

 

This Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and verbal, among the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 



 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused its duly authorized officer to execute and deliver this Joinder Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Additional Tranche B-1 Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Matthew Burke

 

 

Name: Matthew Burke

 

 

Title:   Director & Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Tranche B-1 Commitments:

 

 

 

 

 

$233,115,355.46

 

[Joinder Agreement]

 



 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle McCuen

 

 

Name: Kyle McCuen

 

 

Title:   Vice President & Treasurer

 

[Joinder Agreement]

 



 

Accepted:

 

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,

 

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kirkwood Roland

 

 

Name: Kirkwood Roland

 

 

Title:   Vice President

 

 

[Joinder Agreement]

 




Exhibit 10.18

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into by and between Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and Clayton A. Carrell (“ Employee ”) as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto. El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc. (“ EPEPM ”) also joins this Agreement for the limited purpose of acknowledging the provisions of Section 17 below.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, Employee is currently employed by EPEPM, a wholly owned subsidiary of EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation) (“ EP Energy ”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “ Purchase Agreement ”) dated as of February 24, 2012 by and among EP Energy, the Company and the other parties thereto, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy will be sold to EPE Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ EPE Acquisition ”);

 

WHEREAS, effective as of the Closing Date (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement, the “ Effective Date ”), the Company desires for the Company to employ Employee on the terms and conditions, and for the consideration, hereinafter set forth and Employee desires to be employed by the Company on such terms and conditions and for such consideration;

 

WHEREAS, Employee has participated in the El Paso Corporation 2004 Key Executive Severance Protection Plan, as amended from time to time (the “ 2004 Severance Plan ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the parties wish for this Agreement to set forth the entirety of Employee’s rights to, and with regard to, severance pay and benefits from EPEPM, the Company and their respective Affiliates (as such term is defined below) upon and after the Effective Date.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective covenants and agreements set forth below, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.              Employment . The Company agrees to employ Employee and Employee agrees to be employed by the Company beginning as of the Effective Date and continuing for the period of time set forth in Section 3 below, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) at any time and from time to time, the Company may, with the consent of Employee, cause any subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company to be Employee’s employer so long as the requirements of Section 20 are satisfied, and (b) the Company and Employee agree that Employee’s employer commencing as of the Effective Date shall be EPEPM until such time as such employer may be changed in accordance with clause (a) of this sentence. From and after the Effective Date, Employee shall serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and its primary domestic operating subsidiaries or in such other position(s) as the Company may designate from time to time with the consent of Employee.

 



 

2.            Duties and Responsibilities of Employee .

 

(a)            During the Employment Period, Employee shall devote substantially all of Employee’s business time and attention to the business of the Company and its Affiliates, will act in a manner that Employee reasonably believes is consistent with the best interests of the Company and its Affiliates and will perform with due care Employee’s duties and responsibilities. Employee’s duties will include those normally incidental to the position(s) set forth in Section 1 above of as well as whatever additional duties may be assigned to Employee, with Employee’s consent, by any senior officers or by the Board of Managers of EPE Acquisition (the “ Board ”) from time to time. Employee agrees not to engage in any activity that materially interferes with the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, during the Employment Period, Employee will not hold any type of outside employment, engage in any type of consulting or otherwise render services to or for any other person, entity or business concern without the advance written approval of the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that Employee may (i) serve on corporate boards or committees (A) listed on Schedule 2(a)  hereto or (B) approved by the Board, (ii) serve on civic, educational, religious, public interest, or charitable boards or committees, (iii) manage Employee’s personal and family investments, provided that such activity is not expressly prohibited by Section 10 and (iv) engage in passive investments (the activities referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) being “ Permitted Activities ”); provided, however, that such activities shall be permitted so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement or conflict with the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(b)            Employee expressly represents and covenants to the Company that Employee is not subject or a party to any employment agreement, noncompetition covenant, nondisclosure agreement, or any other agreement, covenant, understanding, or restriction that would prohibit Employee from executing this Agreement and fully performing Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder.

 

3.              Term of Employment . The initial term of this Agreement shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the fifth anniversary thereof (the “ Initial Term ”). On the last day of the Initial Term and each anniversary thereafter (each such date being referred to as a “ Renewal Date ”), provided that this Agreement has not been earlier terminated, this Agreement shall automatically renew and extend for a period of 12 months (each a “ Renewal Term ”) unless either party delivers written notice of its intention not to renew or extend the term at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated at any time during the Initial Term or the Renewal Term (if any) in accordance with Section 6 . The period from the Effective Date through the date of termination of this Agreement, regardless of the time or reason for such termination, shall be referred to herein as the “ Employment Period .”

 

4.            Compensation .

 

(a)            During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Employee an annualized base salary of $400,000 (“ Base Salary ”) (less applicable taxes and withholdings) in consideration for Employee’s services under this Agreement, payable in accordance with the

 

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Company’s customary payroll practices for employee salaries as in effect from time to time. Employee’s Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board and, in the sole discretion of the Board, Employee’s Base Salary may be increased (but not decreased) effective as of any date determined by the Board.

 

(b)            The Company shall establish, and Employee shall be entitled to participate in, an annual performance bonus plan under which Employee will be eligible for an annual bonus payable in a single lump sum (the “ Annual Performance Bonus ”) based on the achievement of performance targets established by the Board for a calendar year. Employee’s target annual bonus will be at least 100% of Employee’s Base Salary (the “ Target Annual Bonus ”), but the actual amount of the Annual Performance Bonus may range from 0% to 200% of Employee’s Target Annual Bonus depending on performance Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to the last sentence of this Section 4(b) , (i) the Annual Performance Bonus payable with respect to calendar year 2012, if any (the “ 2012 Annual Performance Bonus ”), will be paid from a bonus pool that will be funded at a minimum of 100% of the “target” level under the annual performance bonus plan and (ii) at the same time as the 2012 Annual Performance Bonus, if any, is paid to Employee (or would have been paid had the 2012 Annual Performance Bonus been earned), the Company will pay to Employee an additional bonus (the “ 2012 Guaranteed Bonus ”) consisting of a lump sum cash payment equal to $600,000. Bonus determinations will be made by the Board within 60 days of the end of each calendar year and any Annual Performance Bonus will be payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for employee bonuses, but in no event later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year to which it relates. Subject to the provisions of Section 7 below, Employee will not be entitled to receive payment of an Annual Performance Bonus or the 2012 Guaranteed Bonus unless Employee is employed by the Company on the date that such bonus is paid.

 

5.              Benefits. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to the following benefits during the Employment Period:

 

(a)            Reimbursement of Business Expenses . The Company agrees to reimburse Employee for reasonable, documented business-related expenses actually incurred by Employee in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies as in effect from time to time.

 

(b)            Benefit Plans and Programs . During the Employment Period, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the terms and eligibility requirements of any such plan or program, Employee will be eligible to participate in all benefit plans, arrangements, programs and practices (each a “ Benefit Plan ”), including improvements or modifications of the same, that are available to other senior executives of the Company and its Affiliates from time to time, subject to the eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions of such Benefit Plans, which Benefit Plans shall (at all times during the Employment Period) provide benefits to Employee that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided to Employee by EPEPM as of the day immediately preceding the Effective Date; provided, however, that (i) such comparability shall be determined without regard to any equity-based incentive compensation, defined benefit pension plan, any retiree medical or other post-retirement welfare plan, or benefits under any frozen employee benefit plan and (ii) such benefits shall be subject to market

 

3



 

adjustment to reflect, among other things, the addition of a company medical insurance subsidy and the absence of benefit accruals under any defined benefit plan or supplemental executive retirement plan. The Company will establish a 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 6% of eligible compensation plus a profit-sharing contribution in an amount sufficient so that the retirement benefits provided to Employee are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided as of the date immediately preceding the Effective Date (provided that in no event will the profit sharing contribution exceed 5% of eligible compensation) and will continue to provide long-term disability, life and travel accident benefits. The Company will not, however, by reason of this Section 5(b)  be obligated either (i) to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing any such Benefit Plan, or (ii) to provide Employee with all benefits provided to any other person or individual employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates, in each case so long as the Company provides Employee with benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to the benefits described pursuant to this paragraph.

 

(c)           Vacation . During the Employment Period, Employee shall be eligible to take up to five weeks of paid vacation per calendar year, which such vacation shall accrue and be taken in accordance with the Company’s vacation policies as may exist from time to time, provided that such policies are no less favorable than those policies in effect as of the day immediately preceding the Effective Date and, for purposes of vacation entitlements, Employee shall be given credit for prior service with EP Energy, EPEPM and their Affiliates.

 

(d)          Management Incentive Units . On the Effective Date, EPE Employee Holdings, LLC (“ Employee Holdings ”) shall issue to Employee 69,328 Class B Units in Employee Holdings as of the Effective Date (the “ Management Incentive Units ”). The Management Incentive Units will be subject to, and governed by, the terms and conditions set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Employee Holdings, as amended from time to time (the “ Employee Holdings LLC Agreement ”) and an award agreement between Employee Holdings and Employee.

 

(e)           Investment Units . On or before the 60th day following the Effective Date (the “ Management Class A Funding Date ”), Employee shall purchase 1,200 Class A Units (the “ Investment Units ”) in EPE Management Investors, LLC (“ EMI ”) in exchange for a cash payment equal to $1,200,000, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EMI, as amended from time to time (the “ EMI LLC Agreement ”). Conditioned on the acquisition by Employee of the Investment Units on or before the Management Class A Funding Date and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the LLC Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to receive 600 additional Class A Units (the “ Matching Units ”); provided, however, that the issuance of such Matching Units to Employee will be subject to Employee’s prior remittance to the Company of funds necessary to satisfy all taxes required to be withheld in connection with the receipt by Employee of such Matching Units. The Investment Units and the Matching Units will be subject to, and governed by, the terms and conditions set forth in the EMI LLC Agreement.

 

(f)           Indemnification . Without limiting the applicability of Section 5.17 of the Purchase Agreement (which shall remain applicable to Employee in accordance with the provisions thereof), in the event that Employee is made a party or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding (a “ Proceeding ”), other than any Proceeding initiated by

 

4



 

Employee or the Company related to any contest or dispute between Employee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries, by reason of the fact that Employee is or was a director or officer of, or was otherwise acting on behalf of, the Company, any Affiliate of the Company, or any other entity at the request of the Company, Employee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, from and against any and all liabilities, costs, claims and expenses, including any and all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding, and all amounts paid in settlement thereof after consultation with, and receipt of approval from, the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Costs and expenses incurred by Employee in defense of such Proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such litigation upon receipt by the Company of: (i) a written request for payment; (ii) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (iii) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on behalf of Employee to repay the amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined that Employee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement. The rights to indemnification and advancement of costs and expenses provided in this Section 5(f)  are not and will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights or remedies to which Employee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any agreement or otherwise, and each such right under this Section 5(f)  will be cumulative with all such other rights, if any.

 

(g)            Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance . During the Employment Period, the Company or any successor to the Company hereunder shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to Employee on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other similarly situated directors and senior officers of the Company as of the Effective Date.

 

6.              Termination of Employment .

 

(a)            Company’s Right to Terminate . In addition to terminating this Agreement upon the expiration of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term after issuance of a notice of non-renewal as contemplated in Section 3 , the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for any of the following reasons:

 

(i)             Upon Employee’s death;

 

(ii)            Upon the determination of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company that Employee is totally disabled, whether due to physical or mental condition, so as to be prevented from substantially performing Employee’s essential duties and responsibilities under this Agreement for a period of at least 180 consecutive days or 270 days during any 12-month period (Employee’s “ Disability ”);

 

(iii)           For Cause (as defined in Section 7 ); or

 

(iv)           For any other reason whatsoever, in the sole and complete discretion of the Company.

 

5



 

(b)            Employee’s Right to Terminate . Employee will have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for:

 

(i)             Good Reason (as defined in Section 7 ); or

 

(ii)            For any other reason whatsoever, in the sole and complete discretion of Employee, by providing the Company with a Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 6(c) below). In the case of a termination of employment by Employee pursuant to this Section 6(b)(ii) , the Termination Date (as defined in Section 6(c) below) specified in the Notice of Termination shall not be less than 30 nor more than 60 days, respectively, from the date such Notice of Termination is given, and the Company may require a Termination Date earlier than the Termination Date specified in the Notice of Termination (and, if such earlier Termination Date is so required, it shall not change the basis for Employee’s termination nor be construed or interpreted as a termination of employment pursuant to Section 3 or Section 6(a)(iv)) .

 

(c)            Notice of Termination . Any termination of Employee’s employment hereunder by the Company or by Employee (other than termination pursuant to Section 6(a)(i)  on account of Employee’s death) shall be communicated by written notice of termination (“ Notice of Termination ”) to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 21 . The Notice of Termination shall specify (i) the termination provision of this Agreement being relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Employee’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) the applicable Termination Date (as defined below). No action by either party hereto pursuant to this Section 6(c)  shall alter or amend any other provisions hereof or rights arising hereunder, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 8, 9, 10 and 11 hereof.

 

(d)            Date of Termination . Subject to Section 22(b) , the effective date of Employee’s termination (the “ Termination Date ”) will be as follows: (i) if Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee’s death, the date of such death; (ii) if Employee’s employment is terminated as a result of a Disability or by the Company with or without Cause, then the date specified in the Notice of Termination delivered to Employee; (iii) if Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 6(b)  above, then the date specified in the Notice of Termination delivered to Company by Employee; and (iv) if Employee’s employment terminates due to the giving of a non-renewal notice pursuant to Section 3 above, the last day of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.

 

(e)            Deemed Resignations . Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company and Employee prior to the termination of Employee’s employment, any termination of Employee’s employment shall, without changing the basis for termination of employment or the impact of such termination on Employee’s rights, if any, under Section 7 , constitute (i) an automatic resignation of Employee from any position held as an officer of the Company and each Affiliate of the Company and (ii) an automatic resignation of Employee from the Board (if applicable), from the board of directors or similar governing body of any Affiliate of the Company and from the board of directors or similar governing body of any corporation, limited liability entity or other entity in which the Company or any Affiliate holds an equity interest and

 

6



 

with respect to which board or similar governing body Employee serves as the Company’s or such Affiliate’s designee or other representative.

 

(f)             Accrued Compensation . Upon termination, Employee shall be entitled to receive a lump-sum amount equal to the sum of (i) Employee’s accrued and unpaid salary as of the Termination Date, (ii) Employee’s accrued and unpaid bonus amounts from years prior to the year in which the Termination Date occurs, and (iii) subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 6(f)  the cash out value of Employee’s accrued and unpaid vacation time as of the Termination Date, which lump-sum amount shall be paid as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 10 days of the Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in any vacation policy adopted by the Company or any of its Affiliates, for purposes of clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in the Purchase Agreement, in no event shall Employee be entitled to receive the cash out value of any accrued and unused vacation time in excess of (A) the amount of vacation time Employee is entitled to accrue in a single calendar year plus (B) the amount of vacation days Employee is allowed to carry over from year to year (up to 5 days), in either case as in effect under the vacation policy applicable to Employee immediately prior to the Termination Date. Employee shall also be entitled to payment of any vested benefits provided under the terms of any employee benefit plan in accordance with the terms of such plan.

 

7.              Severance Payments .

 

(a)            Termination without Cause or for Good Reason . If prior to the occurrence of a Threshold Capital Transaction (as such term is defined in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EPE Acquisition, as amended from time to time) or within two years thereafter, (A) the Company terminates Employee’s employment with the Company and, if applicable, its Affiliates, without Cause or by failing to renew the term of this Agreement in accordance with Section 3 , or (B) Employee terminates Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 6(b)(i) , and before the 60th day following the Termination Date, Employee has signed and not revoked in the time provided to do so a termination of employment agreement acceptable to the Company and substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A that contains a complete release of all claims against the Company, its Affiliates, and their designees from the claims specified in Exhibit A (a “ Release ”) and such Release has become effective and irrevocable, the Company shall pay Employee severance in accordance with Section 7(b) . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be required to pay Employee severance if the Company terminates Employee’s employment after receiving a Notice of Termination from Employee, provided that such Notice of Termination specifies that Employee’s termination is not for Good Reason. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 7(b)  shall not apply if (1) the Company terminates Employee’s employment for Cause pursuant to Section 6(a)(iii)  above; (2) the Company terminates Employee’s employment due to Disability or Employee’s employment terminates due to Employee’s death pursuant to Sections 6(a)(i)  or 6(a)(ii)  above or (3) Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii)  above.

 

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(b)            Severance Amount . If the Company is required to pay Employee severance by the express terms of Section 7(a) , Employee shall be entitled to receive the following as severance:

 

(i)             a lump-sum amount equal to two times the sum of Employee’s Base Salary and Target Annual Bonus as of the Termination Date, which amount shall be paid on the date that is sixty days following the Termination Date;

 

(ii)            a lump-sum amount equal to Employee’s target bonus amount for the year in which the Termination Date occurs, determined as if Employee had continued in employment until the end of such fiscal year and as if the Company and Employee had fully met all performance targets and goals, prorated by multiplying the full bonus amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of the year prior to and including the Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365, which lump-sum amount shall be paid as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 10 days of the Termination Date; and

 

(iii)           for a period of 24 months after the Termination Date, the basic life insurance, medical and dental benefits, at Company expense, which were being provided to Employee immediately prior to the Termination Date. The benefits provided in this Section 7(b)(iii)  shall be no less favorable to Employee, in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him or her, than the coverage provided Employee under the plans providing such benefits at the time Notice of Termination is given. The Company’s obligation hereunder to provide the foregoing benefits shall terminate to the extent Employee obtains replacement coverage under a subsequent employer’s benefit plans at an equal or higher level. Nothing in this Section 7(b)(iii)  shall require the Company or any of its Affiliates to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, any additional income tax payable by Employee attributable to the benefits provided under this Section 7(b)(iii) .

 

Any payments paid under this Section 7(b)  shall be in lieu of any severance benefits otherwise due to Employee under any severance pay plan or program maintained by the Company that covers its employees or Employees generally; provided, however, the effects of any termination of Employee’s employment with the Company on the Management Incentive Units shall be as provided in the Employee Holdings LLC Agreement.

 

(c)            Cause . Cause ” means the occurrence or existence of any of the following events:

 

(i)             Employee’s willful failure to perform Employee’s material duties (other than any such failure resulting from Employee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), including a willful failure to satisfy Employee’s fiduciary duties to the Company, that remains uncured 30 days after written notice thereof from the Company to Employee;

 

(ii)            Employee’s willful and material breach of this Agreement that remains uncured 30 days after written notice thereof from the Company to Employee;

 

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(iii)           Employee’s conviction of, or Employee’s plea of guilty or no contest to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude; or

 

(iv)           Employee’s engaging in actual fraud or willful, material misconduct in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement;

 

provided, however, that no termination of Employee’s employment shall be for Cause as set forth in clauses (i), (ii) or (iv) above until (A) there shall have been delivered to Employee a copy of a written notice setting forth that Employee was guilty of the conduct set forth in clause (i), (ii) or (iv) and specifying the particulars thereof in detail, and (B) Employee shall have been provided an opportunity to be heard by the Board (with the assistance of Employee’s counsel if Employee so desires) and (C) the Board shall have determined, as set forth in a written resolution adopted by at least a majority of the members of the whole Board, that Cause exists. No act, nor failure to act, on Employee’s part shall be considered “willful” unless Employee has acted, or failed to act, in bad faith or without a reasonable belief that Employee’s action or failure to act was in the best interests of the Company or its Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no failure to perform by Employee after a Notice of Termination is given by Employee shall constitute Cause.

 

(d)            Good Reason . Good Reason ” means the occurrence of any of the following events without Employee’s consent:

 

(i)             any decrease in Employee’s Base Salary other than a reduction of not more than 5% in connection with a general reduction in base salaries that affects all similarly situated executives in substantially the same proportions which is implemented in response to a material downturn in the U.S. domestic oil and natural gas exploration and development industry;

 

(ii)            a failure of the Company to cause Employee to be eligible under Benefit Plans that provide benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided to Employee as of the Effective Date;

 

(iii)           any material breach by the Company of this Agreement;

 

(iv)           a material diminution in Employee’s title, authority, duties, or responsibilities, without Employee’s prior written consent, or the assignment to Employee without Employee’s prior written consent of duties inconsistent in any substantial respect with Employee’s then-current title, authority, duties or responsibilities or any other action by the Company that results in a diminution in Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities;

 

(v)            any relocation of Employee’s principal place of employment to a location that is more than 35 miles from the then-current location of such employment, without Employee’s prior written consent; or

 

(vi)           any purported termination of Employee’s employment for Cause by the Company that does not otherwise comply with the terms of this Agreement (other than any purported termination of Employee’s employment for Cause by the Company

 

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acting in good faith, regardless of whether such purported termination complies with the terms of this Agreement).

 

Employee’s Termination Date shall not be considered to be on account of Good Reason unless (A) within 60 days after the date on which Employee knows, or should reasonably be expected to know, that one of the events set forth in Section 7(d)  has occurred, Employee provides written notice to the Board of the applicable facts and circumstances, (B) the Company does not remedy, cure or rectify the event within 30 days from the date on which written notice is received from Employee, and (C) Employee terminates his employment within 120 days after the initial existence of the condition specified in such notice.

 

8.            Conflicts of Interest . Employee agrees that Employee shall promptly disclose to the Board any material conflict of interest involving Employee after Employee becomes aware of such conflict.

 

9.            Confidentiality . Employee acknowledges and agrees that he has been provided Confidential Information (as defined below) regarding EPE Acquisition and the Company and that EPE Acquisition and the Company will provide Employee new and valuable Confidential Information of EPE Acquisition and the Company and it may also provide Employee confidential information of third parties who have supplied such information to EPE Acquisition and/or the Company. For purposes of this Section 9 , the term “Company” shall include EPE Acquisition and each of its subsidiaries. In consideration of such Confidential Information and other valuable consideration provided hereunder, and in order to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, Employee agrees to comply with this Section 9 .

 

(a)           Confidential Information . Confidential Information ” means, without limitation and regardless of whether such information or materials are expressly identified as confidential or proprietary, (i) any and all non-public, confidential or proprietary information of the Company, (ii) any information of the Company that gives the Company a competitive business advantage or the opportunity of obtaining such advantage, (iii) any information of the Company the disclosure or improper use of which would reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the interests of the Company and (iv) any trade secrets of the Company. Confidential Information also includes any non-public, confidential or proprietary information about, or belonging to, any third party that has been entrusted to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include any information which is or becomes generally known by the public other than as a result of Employee’s actions or inactions.

 

(b)          Protection . Except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or legal process, Employee promises (i) to keep the Confidential Information, and all documentation, materials and information relating thereto, strictly confidential, except to the extent that disclosure thereof is necessary or appropriate in the performance of Employee’s duties for the benefit of the Company, (ii) not to use the Confidential Information for any purpose other than as required in connection with fulfilling Employee’s duties for the benefit of the Company, and (iii) to return to the Company all Confidential Information in Employee’s possession and control upon separation from the Company for any reason, other than death. For the avoidance of doubt, Employee specifically acknowledges and agrees that any use by Employee of such Confidential Information other than as required in connection with fulfilling

 

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his duties on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Company will be a material breach of this Agreement.

 

(c)              Scope .        Employee understands and agrees that all Confidential Information, in whatever medium (verbal, written, electronic or other), is subject to this Agreement whether provided directly to Employee or not, whether provided to Employee prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement or not, and whether inadvertently disclosed to Employee or not. Confidential Information that was or is available to Employee or to which Employee had or has access will be deemed to have been provided to Employee.

 

(d)              Value and Security .        Employee understands and agrees that all Confidential Information, and every portion thereof, constitutes the valuable intellectual property of the Company and/or third parties, and Employee further acknowledges the importance of maintaining the security and confidentiality of the Confidential Information and of not misusing the Confidential Information.

 

(e)              Disclosure Required By Law .    If Employee is legally required to disclose any Confidential Information, Employee shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law or legal process, promptly notify the Company in writing of such request or requirement so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order or other relief or waive compliance with this Agreement. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Employee agrees to cooperate with and not to oppose any effort by the Company to resist or narrow such request or to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. In any such case, Employee will (A) disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that, according to the advice of Employee’s counsel, is required to be disclosed, (B) use reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that such Confidential Information will be treated confidentially, and (C) to the extent permitted by applicable law, promptly notify the Company in writing of the items of Confidential Information so disclosed.

 

(f)               Survival .   The covenants made by Employee in this Section 9 will survive termination of this Agreement, and Employee’s employment for a period of three years; provided, however, that any covenants with regard to the non-use or disclosure of trade secrets established by applicable law shall remain in effect for so long as provided by applicable law.

 

10.          Agreement Not to Compete .

 

(a)              Covenants .     For purposes of this Section 10, the term “Company” shall include EPE Acquisition and each of its subsidiaries. In order to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, including the preservation of the Confidential Information and the goodwill developed by Employee on behalf of Company, and as an express incentive for Company to enter into this Agreement, Employee agrees that, except in the ordinary course and scope of Employee’s employment hereunder, Employee shall not, either as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, director, officer, employee, employer, advisor, stockholder, partner, member, joint venturer, owner or in any other individual or representative capacity whatsoever, whether paid or unpaid, either for Employee’s own benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity, directly or indirectly:

 

11



 

(i)             during the Coverage Period, engage or carry on in Competitive Duties within the Restricted Area (including, without limitation, by engaging or carrying on in any of the activities set forth in Section 10(a)(ii)  through Section 10(a)(v)  below);

 

(ii)            during the Coverage Period, form or otherwise provide services to a Competing Business within the Restricted Area or directly or indirectly acquire any 5% or greater equity ownership, voting interest or profit participation interest in, any Competing Business within the Restricted Area;

 

(iii)           during the Coverage Period with respect to any Restricted Prospects, directly or indirectly (A) acquire, attempt to acquire, or assist a third person in acquiring, any interest in or rights to such Restricted Prospects, (B) acquire, attempt to acquire or assist a third party in acquiring any equity or other interest or right in any company, business, joint venture or other enterprise owning or controlling or seeking to own or control any interest in or rights to such Restricted Prospects, or (C) otherwise divert, take away, interfere with or compete for any acquisition by the Company of such Restricted Prospects or any other transaction or arrangement contemplated by the Company (and of which Employee was aware as of the Termination Date) relating to such Restricted Prospects (or attempt to do any of the foregoing);

 

(iv)           during the Coverage Period, directly or indirectly, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any employee of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company; provided, however, that this restriction shall not extend to prohibit or otherwise limit general employment advertising or solicitation not specifically targeting any specific employee or the hiring of any employee who responds to such advertising or solicitation or who approaches Employee for employment; or

 

(v)            at any time, use the name of the Company in connection with any business that is or would be in competition in any manner whatsoever with the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 10 shall not be deemed to restrict or prohibit Employee’s engaging in any Permitted Activities.

 

(b)              Disclosure and Authorization .    For a period of 12 months immediately following the termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, Employee promises to disclose to the Company any employment, consulting, or other service relationship Employee enters into after the Termination Date. Such disclosure shall be made within 30 days of Employee entering into such employment, consulting or other service relationship. Employee expressly consents to and authorizes the Company to disclose both the existence and terms of this Agreement to any future employer or user of Employee’s services and to take any steps the Company reasonably deems necessary to enforce this Agreement.

 

(c)              Value and Reasonableness .    Employee understands and acknowledges that the Company has made substantial investments to develop its business interests, goodwill, and Confidential Information. Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee has been provided, and may in the future be provided, Confidential Information. Employee agrees that the preservation of the Company’s Confidential Information and goodwill are business

 

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interests worthy of protection, and that the Company’s need for the protection afforded by this Section 10 is greater than any hardship Employee might experience by complying with its terms and that the restrictions contained herein are no greater than necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests. Employee further agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Section 10 are ancillary to an otherwise enforceable agreement and that the limitations as to time, geographic area, and scope of activity to be restrained contained in this Agreement are reasonable and are not greater than necessary to protect the Confidential Information and/or the goodwill or other business interests of the Company.

 

(d)              Reformation .    The Company and Employee believe the limitations as to time, geographic area, and scope of activity contained in this Section 10 are reasonable and do not impose a greater restraint than necessary to protect Confidential Information, goodwill, and other legitimate business interests of the Company. However, in the event an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that the limitations agreed upon are not appropriate, the parties agree to, and hereby do, request that the court reform the limitations to the satisfaction of the arbitrator or court. It is the express intent of the Company and Employee that the terms of this Competition Agreement be enforced to the full extent permitted by applicable law and not to any greater extent.

 

(e)              Right to Injunction .    Employee acknowledges that Employee’s violation of Sections 9 and/or 10 of this Agreement could cause irreparable harm to the Company for which damages may not adequately be measured, and Employee agrees that the Company shall be entitled as a matter of right to specific performance of Employee’s obligations under Sections 9 and 10 and an injunction, from any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any violation or further violation of such agreements by Employee or others acting on Employee’s behalf, without any showing of irreparable harm and without any showing that the Company does not have an adequate remedy at law. The Company’s right to injunctive relief shall be cumulative and in addition to any other remedies provided by law or equity.

 

(f)               Definitions .    As used in this Section 10 , the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(i)             “Competing Business” means any individual, sole proprietorship, business, firm, company, partnership, joint venture, organization, or other person, entity or arrangement that competes, or has material plans to compete of which Employee is aware, or that owns or controls a significant interest in any entity that competes, or has material plans to compete of which Employee is aware, with the Company, with respect to the Hydrocarbons exploration and production business in which the Company is engaged.

 

(ii)            “Competitive Duties” means duties for a Competing Business that: (A) are the same as, similar to, or substantially related to the duties that Employee had during the last 12 months of Employee’s employment with the Company; (B) are performed in the capacity of a director, executive officer, member or partner of a Competing Business; (C) involve the formation, management, operation, or control of such Competing Business or any recognized subdivision or department thereof; or (D) constitute the management or supervision of personnel engaged in any activity which

 

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is the same as, similar to or substantially related to any activity with which Employee had direct involvement during the last 12 months of Employee’s employment with the Company.

 

(iii)           “Coverage Period” means the period of time beginning on the Effective Date of this Agreement and ending 12 months following the Termination Date.

 

(iv)           “Hydrocarbons” means oil, condensate gas, casinghead gas and other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons.

 

(v)            “Oil and Gas Interests” means: (A) direct and indirect interests in and rights with respect to oil and natural gas properties (including revenues or net revenues therefrom) of any kind and nature, direct or indirect, including without limitation working, royalty and overriding royalty interests, mineral interests, leasehold interests, production payments, operating rights, net profits interests, other non-working interests and non-operating interests; and (B) interests in and rights with respect to oil and natural gas or revenues therefrom.

 

(vi)           “Restricted Area” means those oil and gas fields, shales, plays and other geographic areas set forth in Exhibit B hereto and any other oil and gas fields, shales, plays and geographic areas with respect to which: (A) Employee provides services on behalf of the Company during Employee’s employment hereunder; and (B) the Company has material operations or specific plans to conduct any material business as of the Termination Date (provided that Employee has material responsibilities, or has obtained Confidential Information, with respect to such operations or plans).

 

(vii)          “Restricted Prospects” includes any Oil and Gas Interests within the Restricted Area.

 

(g)              This Section 10 shall survive any termination of this Agreement for the periods stated herein.

 

11.          Parachute Taxes .

 

(a)              Gross-Up Payment . In the event it shall be determined that any vesting, payment or distribution of any type by the Company or any of its Affiliates or any other party in a transaction involving the Company or its Affiliates or a party to the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement or the Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the “Payments”) on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date and that is “contingent” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by Employee of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any income taxes, employment taxes and Excise Tax, imposed

 

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upon the Gross-Up Payment, Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. All determinations required to be made under this Section 11(a)  (including, without limitation, whether any vesting, payment or distribution (i) constitutes a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) is contingent on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement) shall be made by the Board acting in good faith and in accordance with commonly accepted practices, including, to the extent appropriate, the engagement of an independent public accounting firm. Payment of the Gross-Up Payment shall be made at the time that withholding is required in connection with any Payment, provided that the payment of any Gross-Up Payment shall be made prior to the date Employee is to remit the Excise Tax as provided under of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or pursuant to any judgment or agreement with any taxing authority.

 

(b)              Determination by Accountant .     Except as otherwise provided in Section 11(a) , all determinations required to be made under this Section 11 , including whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by the independent accounting firm retained by the Company on the date of Change in Control (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Employee within 15 business days of the date of termination, if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Employee, it shall furnish Employee with an opinion that he or she has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on his or her federal income tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 11(c)  and Employee thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee.

 

(c)              Notification Required .    Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after Employee knows of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. Employee shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, Employee shall:

 

(i)             give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,

 

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(ii)            take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

 

(iii)           cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim, and

 

(iv)           permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 11(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct Employee to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund, or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Employee agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs Employee to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to Employee (unless otherwise prohibited by applicable law), on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of Employee with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and Employee shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

 

(d)              Repayment .   If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c), Employee becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, Employee shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Section 11(c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c) , a determination is made that Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify Employee in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

 

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(e)              Shareholder Approval .   With respect to events from and after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if (a) Employee is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), (b) the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits that Employee has the right to receive from the Company or any of its Affiliates, would constitute an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, a “Excess Parachute Payment”)) and (c) shareholder approval (obtained in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 280G(b)(5) of the Code) of a payment or benefit to be provided to Employee by the Company or any other person (whether under this Agreement or otherwise) would result in the payment or benefit not being treated as an Excess Parachute Payment, then, upon the request of Employee and Employee’s agreement (to the extent necessary) to subject Employee’s entitlement to the receipt of such payment or benefit to shareholder approval, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to seek and obtain such approval in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder with the least amount of risk to Employee not receiving such payment or benefit.

 

12.        Withholdings .   The Company may withhold and deduct from any payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and (b) to the extent permissible under Section 409A (as hereinafter defined), any deductions consented to in writing by Employee.

 

13.        Severability .   It is the desire of the parties hereto that this Agreement be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and should any provision contained herein be held unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, the parties hereby agree and consent that such provision shall be reformed to create a valid and enforceable provision to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, if such provision cannot be reformed, it shall be deemed ineffective and deleted herefrom without affecting any other provision of this Agreement.

 

14.        Title and Headings; Construction .   Titles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions hereof. Any and all Exhibits referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular provision hereof.

 

15.        Arbitration; Injunctive Relief; Attorneys’ Fees .

 

(a)              Subject to Section 15(b) ,   any dispute, controversy or claim between Employee and the Company arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Employee’s employment, or the termination of either will be finally settled by arbitration in Houston, Texas before, and in accordance with the then-existing rules for the resolution of employment disputes then obtaining of, the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator’s award shall be reasoned, fmal and binding on all parties and may be enforced in a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

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(b)              Notwithstanding Section 15(a), an application for emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief by either party (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 10(g)) shall not be subject to arbitration under this Section 15 ; provided, however, that the remainder of any such dispute (beyond the application for emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief) shall be subject to arbitration under this Section 15 .

 

(c)              Each of Employee and the Company shall share equally the cost of the arbitrator and bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any arbitration, unless a statutory claim authorizing the award of attorneys’ fees is at issue, in which event the arbitrator may award a reasonable attorneys’ fee in accordance with the jurisprudence of that statute; provided, however, that if Employee institutes any legal action in seeking to obtain or enforce, or is required to defend in any legal action the validity or enforceability of, any right to severance provided by this Agreement, the Company, subject to Section 22(d), will reimburse Employee for all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, arbitration fees and the costs of experts) promptly after receipt from Employee of an invoice and supporting documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Company with respect to such fees and expenses. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, (i) the Company shall not be responsible for reimbursing any such fees and expenses to the extent they are incurred in connection with a claim made by Employee that the trier of fact finds to be frivolous or if Employee is determined to have breached Employee’s obligations under Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement and (ii) if, after the receipt by Employee of an amount reimbursed by the Company pursuant to this Section 15(c)  in connection with a claim made by Employee that the trier of fact finds to be frivolous or if Employee is determined to have breached Employee’s obligations under Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement, then Employee shall promptly repay to the Company all amounts reimbursed in connection with such claim pursuant to this Section 15(c) .

 

(d)              Nothing in this Section 15 shall prohibit a party to this Agreement from (i) instituting litigation to enforce any arbitration award or (ii) joining another party to this Agreement in a litigation initiated by a person which is not a party to this Agreement. IN ENTERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

16.        Governing Law .     THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THEREOF THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICABLE OF THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE EXCLUSIVE VENUE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF ANY DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR EMPLOYEE’S EMPLOYMENT (THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION UNDER SECTION 15 FOR ANY REASON) SHALL BE IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN HARRIS, COUNTY TEXAS AND THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS.

 

17.        Entire Agreement and Amendment .     This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Company and any of its Affiliates (including, without limitation, EPE

 

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Acquisition) with respect to Employee’s employment and the other matters covered herein (except the Purchase Agreement and any other agreements specifically referenced herein); moreover, this Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between Employee on the one hand and the Company and any of its Affiliates on the other hand concerning the subject matters hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding any provision within the 2004 Severance Plan that purports to restrict Employee’s rights to waive severance rights under the 2004 Severance Plan, effective as of the Effective Date, Employee is knowingly, voluntarily and permanently waiving any and all rights that Employee has under the 2004 Severance Plan on and after the Effective Date, as this Agreement and the other agreements being contemporaneously executed by Employee and the Company set forth the entirety of severance rights that Employee has, or in the future may have, with respect to, or arising out of, Employee’s employment with the Company or its Affiliates and the 2004 Severance Plan is hereby superseded in its entirety with respect to Employee. This Agreement may be amended, waived or terminated only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and Employee.

 

18.        Survival of Certain Provisions .    Wherever appropriate to the intention of the parties hereto and except as otherwise provided herein, the respective rights and obligations of said parties, including, but not limited to, the rights and obligations set forth in Section 6 through Section 11 hereof, shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason.

 

19.        Waiver of Breach .    No waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any subsequent time. The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time while such breach continues.

 

20.        Assignment .    Neither this Agreement nor any rights nor obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Employee (except, by will or by operation of the laws of intestate succession). The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, including to an Affiliate or any successor and any such assignment may take effect at any time without the consent of Employee, provided that (a) such Affiliate or successor has the fmancial wherewithal to perform all obligations of the Company hereunder and (b) such assignment does not, without Employee’s prior written consent, result in “Good Reason” within the meaning of Section 7(d)(iv)  with respect to (x) the Company and its Affiliates or (y) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Affiliates. The fact that any such assignment may be permitted under this Section 20 shall not affect the determination of whether such assignment or any related transaction constitutes a Threshold Capital Transaction. The Company will require any successor permitted under this Section 20, including any acquirer of substantially all of its assets, to assume its obligations under this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

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21.        Notices .    Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (a) when delivered in person, (b) on the first business day after such notice is sent by air express overnight courier service, or (c) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in each case addressed to the following address, as applicable:

 

If to the Company, addressed to:

 

Everest Acquisition LLC

c/o Apollo Global Management, LLC

9 West 59th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Mr. Sam Oh

 

If to Employee, addressed to:

 

Clayton A. Carrell

511 Hunters Park Lane

Houston, Texas 77024

 

22.          Section 409A .

 

(a)              General .    The intent of the parties is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and interpretive guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. The Company and Employee shall take commercially reasonable efforts to reform or amend any provision hereof to the extent that either of them reasonably determine that such provision would or could reasonably be expected to cause Employee to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A to try to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A through good faith modifications, in any case, to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A, provided that any such modifications shall not increase the cost or liability to the Company. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Employee and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A.

 

(b)              Separation from Service .    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement that is designated under this Agreement as payable upon Employee’s termination of employment shall be payable only upon Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A (a “ Separation from Service ”).

 

(c)              Specified Employee .    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is deemed by the Company at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, to the extent delayed

 

20



 

commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of Employee’s benefits shall not be provided to Employee prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of Employee’s Separation from Service or (ii) the date of Employee’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the delay period described in the preceding sentence, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to Employee under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

(d)              Expense Reimbursements .    To the extent that any reimbursements under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements payable to Employee shall be paid to Employee no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; provided, that Employee submits Employee’s reimbursement request promptly following the date the expense is incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, other than medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and Employee’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

(e)              Installments .    Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement, including without limitation any continuation salary payments that are payable on Company payroll dates, shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment as permitted under Section 409A. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A, no payment hereunder shall be accelerated or deferred unless such acceleration or deferral would not result in additional tax or interest pursuant to Section 409A.

 

23.        Affiliates .    For purposes of this Agreement, “Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such specified person; provided, however, that an Affiliate shall not include any portfolio company of any person. For purposes of the definition of “Affiliate”, “control” when used with respect to any person means the power to direct the management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have correlative meanings.

 

24.        Employee Acknowledgement .    Employee acknowledges that Employee has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on Employee’s own judgment after having had the opportunity to consult with advisors of Employee’s choosing.

 

25.        Counterparts .    This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature pages, each signed by one party, but together signed by both parties hereto.

 

21



 

26.        Company Name Change .    It is intended that the Company will change its name to EP Energy LLC on or immediately after the Effective Date. Upon such change becoming effective, all references in this Agreement to “the Company” shall refer to EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

27.        Provisions Regarding Effective Date .    As indicated in Section 1 , this Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date and, accordingly, in connection therewith and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force or effect if (a) Employee ceases to be employed by either EPEPM or one of its Affiliates at any time prior to the Effective Date and/or (b) the Effective Date does not occur on or prior to the End Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement).

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

22


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement this 24 th  day of May 2012, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Clayton A. Carrell

 

Clayton A. Carrell

 

 

 

For the limited purpose of acknowledging Section 17:

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John D. Jensen

 

 

John D. Jensen

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE
TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(CLAYTON A. CARRELL)

 



 

SCHEDULE 2(a)

 

PERMITTED CORPORATE BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS

 

None

 

SCHEDULE 2(a)

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Termination of Employment Agreement (this “Agreement” ) is between EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( “Company” ) , and Clayton A. Carrell ( “Employee” ) pursuant to that Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Employee and Company dated                  , 2012 (the “Employment Agreement” ) .

 

The parties hereby agree to terminate their employment relationship on the following terms and conditions.

 

1.              Termination of Employment .    Company and Employee agree that Employee’s employment with Company has been terminated, or shall be terminated, as of [ · ] (the “ Termination Date ), and Employee is eligible to receive certain severance benefits pursuant to Section 7 of the Employment Agreement.

 

2.              Complete Release and Other Consideration from Employee .    Subject to Employee’s timely receipt of the severance benefits payable to Employee pursuant to the Employment Agreement, in exchange for Company’s obligations under this Agreement, Employee agrees as follows:

 

(a)            Release of Claims .   Employee, on Employee’s own behalf and on behalf of Employee’s heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever releases Company, its direct and indirect subsidiaries and Affiliates (as defined in the Employment Agreement), and each of their respective current and former officers, directors, equity holders, members, managers, benefit plans, and plan administrators (collectively, the “Releasees” ) from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, or cause of action relating to:

 

(i)             any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns and the termination of that relationship;

 

(ii)            with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns: any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;

 

(iii)           with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns: any and

 

EXHIBIT A-1



 

all claims for violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law, including, but not limited to the following statutes (each as amended, if applicable), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

(iv)           any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or employment discrimination with respect thereto;

 

(v)            any and all claims arising out of any other federal, state, local or foreign law relating to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or employment discrimination with respect thereto;

 

(vi)           any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the non-withholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Employee with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns or as a result of this Agreement; and

 

(vii)          any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs with respect to the foregoing.

 

Employee agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete release as to the matters released. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement does not release (i) Employee’s current ownership of, or claims in respect of future rights or claims arising out of, (A) any direct or indirect equity interest in the Company or any of its Affiliates or (B) any options or other contingent rights thereto (including, without limitation, rights in respect of the Company’s Class B Units or any successor rights), (ii) any future rights under equity or equity incentives or (iii) claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, including, but not limited to, Employee’s right to file a charge with, or participate in a charge by, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other local, state, or federal administrative body or government agency that is authorized to enforce or administer laws related to employment, against Company (with the understanding that Employee’s release of claims herein bars Employee from recovering monetary or other personal relief from Company or any other Releasee), claims for unemployment compensation or any state disability insurance benefits pursuant to the terms of applicable state law, claims to continued participation in certain of Company’s group benefit plans pursuant to the terms and conditions of COBRA, claims to any benefit entitlements vested as the date of separation of Employee’s employment, pursuant to written terms of any employee benefit plan of Company or its Affiliates. Further, this Agreement does not release Employee’s rights, including under applicable law and Company’s

 

EXHIBIT A-2



 

D&O policy, to seek indemnity for acts committed, or omissions, within the course and scope of Employee’s employment duties.

 

(b)            Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under the ADEA .   Employee understands and acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ( “ADEA” ) , and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee understands and agrees that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Employee understands and acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further understands and acknowledges that Employee has been advised by this writing that: (a) Employee should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) Employee has [21/45] days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) Employee has 7 days following Employee’s execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement, which Employee may do by providing written notice of revocation to Company as provided in Section 21 of the Employment Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Employee signs this Agreement and returns it to Company in less than the [21/45] day period identified above, Employee hereby acknowledges that he has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the complete time period allotted for considering this Agreement.

 

3.            Confidentiality .   Except as may be required by applicable law or court order or as may be necessary in an action arising out of this Agreement, Employee agrees not to disclose the existence or terms of this Agreement to anyone other than Employee’s immediate family, attorneys, tax advisors, and financial counselors, provided that Employee first informs them of this confidentiality clause and secures their agreement to be bound by it.

 

4.            Employee’s Representations .    Employee acknowledges, agrees and expressly represents that, as of the date Employee executes this Agreement: (i) Employee has received all compensation and other sums that Employee is owed by the Releasees (other than sums owed pursuant to this Agreement); and (ii) Employee has received all leaves (paid and unpaid) that Employee was owed through the Termination Date.

 

5.            Release and Other Consideration from Company .   In exchange for Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, Company shall pay Employee those severance payments described in Section 7(b)  of the Employment Agreement, on the terms provided in the Employment Agreement. Employee acknowledges that these severance payments are conditioned on Employee’s compliance with Sections 9 and 10 of the Employment Agreement. Company may withhold from any severance payments all federal, state, local, and other taxes and withholdings as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

6.            Right to Consult an Attorney; Period of Review .   Employee is encouraged to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement. From the date this Agreement is first

 

EXHIBIT A-3



 

presented to Employee, Employee will have [21/45] days in which to review this Agreement. Employee may use as little or much of this [21/45] -day review period as Employee chooses.

 

7.            Amendment; Continuing Obligations .   This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement may be amended, waived or terminated only by a written instrument executed by both parties hereto. Employee hereby reaffirms and agrees to continue to abide by the terms set forth in Sections 9 and 10 of the Employment Agreement and expressly acknowledges the enforceability and continuing effect of those terms.

 

8.            Revocation .   Upon signing this Agreement, Employee will have 7 days to revoke the Agreement. To properly revoke the Agreement, Company must receive written notice of revocation from Employee by the close of business on the 7th day after the date the Agreement is signed by Employee. Written notice must be delivered pursuant to Section 21 of the Employment Agreement.

 

9.            Choice of Law .   This Agreement will be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its choice of law principles. This Agreement is subject to the arbitration provisions in Section 15 of the Employment Agreement.

 

10.          Effectiveness of Agreement .   This Agreement will be effective, and the payments described above will be made, only if Employee executes the Agreement within [21/45] days of receiving it and only if Employee does not revoke the Agreement under Section 8 above.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

EXHIBIT A-4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

Clayton A. Carrell

 

EXHIBIT A-5



 

EXHIBIT B

 

RESTRICTED AREAS

 

Eagle Ford La Salle County, Texas

Eagle Ford Dimmit County, Texas

Eagle Ford Webb County, Texas

Eagle Ford Atascosa County, Texas

Eagle Ford McMullen County, Texas

Altamont Duchesne County, Utah

Altamont Uintah County, Utah

Wolfcamp Reagan County, Texas

Wolfcamp Irion County, Texas

Wolfcamp Crockett County, Texas

Wolfcamp Upton County, Texas

Wilcox Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

Wilcox Newton County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex De Soto Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Bossier Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Webster Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Bienville Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Robertson County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex Panola County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex Caddo Parish, Louisiana

Black Warrior Jefferson County, Alabama

Black Warrior Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Black Warrior Fayette County, Alabama

Black Warrior Walker County, Alabama

Raton Colfax County, New Mexico

Raton Las Animas County, Colorado

Gulf Coast Starr County, Texas

Gulf Coast Zapata County, Texas

Gulf Coast Lavaca County, Texas

Gulf Coast Hidalgo County, Texas

Arkoma Le Flore County, Oklahoma

Arkoma Haskell County, Oklahoma

 

EXHIBIT B-1




Exhibit 10.19

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (this Agreement ) is made and entered into by and between Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company ) , and John D. Jensen ( Employee ) as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto. El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc. ( EPEPM ) also joins this Agreement for the limited purpose of acknowledging the provisions of Section 17 below.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, Employee is currently employed by EPEPM, a wholly owned subsidiary of EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation) ( EP Energy );

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement (the Purchase Agreement ) dated as of February 24, 2012 by and among EP Energy, the Company and the other parties thereto, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy will be sold to EPE Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( EPE Acquisition );

 

WHEREAS, effective as of the Closing Date (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement, the Effective Date ), the Company desires for the Company to employ Employee on the terms and conditions, and for the consideration, hereinafter set forth and Employee desires to be employed by the Company on such terms and conditions and for such consideration;

 

WHEREAS, Employee has participated in the El Paso Corporation 2004 Key Executive Severance Protection Plan, as amended from time to time (the 2004 Severance Plan ); and

 

WHEREAS, the parties wish for this Agreement to set forth the entirety of Employee’s rights to, and with regard to, severance pay and benefits from EPEPM, the Company and their respective Affiliates (as such term is defined below) upon and after the Effective Date.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective covenants and agreements set forth below, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.             Employment    The Company agrees to employ Employee and Employee agrees to be employed by the Company beginning as of the Effective Date and continuing for the period of time set forth in Section 3 below, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) at any time and from time to time, the Company may, with the consent of Employee, cause any subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company to be Employee’s employer so long as the requirements of Section 20 are satisfied, and (b) the Company and Employee agree that Employee’s employer commencing as of the Effective Date shall be EPEPM until such time as such employer may be changed in accordance with clause (a) of this sentence. From and after the Effective Date, Employee shall serve as Executive Vice President, Operation Services of the Company and its primary domestic operating subsidiaries or in such other position(s) as the Company may designate from time to time with the consent of Employee.

 



 

2.             Duties and Responsibilities of Employee .

 

(a)          During the Employment Period, Employee shall devote substantially all of Employee’s business time and attention to the business of the Company and its Affiliates, will act in a manner that Employee reasonably believes is consistent with the best interests of the Company and its Affiliates and will perform with due care Employee’s duties and responsibilities. Employee’s duties will include those normally incidental to the position(s) set forth in Section 1 above of as well as whatever additional duties may be assigned to Employee, with Employee’s consent, by any senior officers or by the Board of Managers of EPE Acquisition (the “Board”) from time to time. Employee agrees not to engage in any activity that materially interferes with the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, during the Employment Period, Employee will not hold any type of outside employment, engage in any type of consulting or otherwise render services to or for any other person, entity or business concern without the advance written approval of the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that Employee may (i) serve on corporate boards or committees (A) listed on Schedule 2(a)  hereto or (B) approved by the Board, (ii) serve on civic, educational, religious, public interest, or charitable boards or committees, (iii) manage Employee’s personal and family investments, provided that such activity is not expressly prohibited by Section 10 and (iv) engage in passive investments (the activities referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) being “Permitted Activities”); provided, however, that such activities shall be permitted so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement or conflict with the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(b)         Employee expressly represents and covenants to the Company that Employee is not subject or a party to any employment agreement, noncompetition covenant, nondisclosure agreement, or any other agreement, covenant, understanding, or restriction that would prohibit Employee from executing this Agreement and fully performing Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder.

 

3.             Term of Employment    The initial term of this Agreement shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the fifth anniversary thereof (the Initial Term ). On the last day of the Initial Term and each anniversary thereafter (each such date being referred to as a Renewal Date ), provided that this Agreement has not been earlier terminated, this Agreement shall automatically renew and extend for a period of 12 months (each a Renewal Term ) unless either party delivers written notice of its intention not to renew or extend the term at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated at any time during the Initial Term or the Renewal Term (if any) in accordance with Section 6 . The period from the Effective Date through the date of termination of this Agreement, regardless of the time or reason for such termination, shall be referred to herein as the Employment Period.

 

4.             Compensation .

 

(a)          During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Employee an annualized base salary of $400,000 ( Base Salary ) (less applicable taxes and withholdings) in consideration for Employee’s services under this Agreement, payable in accordance with the

 

2



 

Company’s customary payroll practices for employee salaries as in effect from time to time. Employee’s Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board and, in the sole discretion of the Board, Employee’s Base Salary may be increased (but not decreased) effective as of any date determined by the Board.

 

(b)         The Company shall establish, and Employee shall be entitled to participate in, an annual performance bonus plan under which Employee will be eligible for an annual bonus payable in a single lump sum (the “Annual Performance Bonus ) based on the achievement of performance targets established by the Board for a calendar year. Employee’s target annual bonus will be at least 100% of Employee’s Base Salary (the “Target Annual Bonus” ), but the actual amount of the Annual Performance Bonus may range from 0% to 200% of Employee’s Target Annual Bonus depending on performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to the last sentence of this Section 4(b) , (i) the Annual Performance Bonus payable with respect to calendar year 2012, if any (the “2012 Annual Performance Bonus” ), will be paid from a bonus pool that will be funded at a minimum of 100% of the “target” level under the annual performance bonus plan and (ii) at the same time as the 2012 Annual Performance Bonus, if any, is paid to Employee (or would have been paid had the 2012 Annual Performance Bonus been earned), the Company will pay to Employee an additional bonus (the “2012 Guaranteed Bonus” ) consisting of a lump sum cash payment equal to $600,000. Bonus determinations will be made by the Board within 60 days of the end of each calendar year and any Annual Performance Bonus will be payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for employee bonuses, but in no event later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year to which it relates. Subject to the provisions of Section 7 below, Employee will not be entitled to receive payment of an Annual Performance Bonus or the 2012 Guaranteed Bonus unless Employee is employed by the Company on the date that such bonus is paid.

 

5.              Benefits    Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to the following benefits during the Employment Period:

 

(a)          Reimbursement of Business Expenses .      The Company agrees to reimburse Employee for reasonable, documented business-related expenses actually incurred by Employee in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies as in effect from time to time.

 

(b)         Benefit Plans and Programs .      During the Employment Period, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the terms and eligibility requirements of any such plan or program, Employee will be eligible to participate in all benefit plans, arrangements, programs and practices (each a “Benefit Plan” ), including improvements or modifications of the same, that are available to other senior executives of the Company and its Affiliates from time to time, subject to the eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions of such Benefit Plans, which Benefit Plans shall (at all times during the Employment Period) provide benefits to Employee that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided to Employee by EPEPM as of the day immediately preceding the Effective Date; provided, however, that (i) such comparability shall be determined without regard to any equity-based incentive compensation, defined benefit pension plan, any retiree medical or other post-retirement welfare plan, or benefits under any frozen employee benefit plan and (ii) such benefits shall be subject to market

 

3



 

adjustment to reflect, among other things, the addition of a company medical insurance subsidy and the absence of benefit accruals under any defined benefit plan or supplemental executive retirement plan. The Company will establish a 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 6% of eligible compensation plus a profit-sharing contribution in an amount sufficient so that the retirement benefits provided to Employee are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided as of the date immediately preceding the Effective Date (provided that in no event will the profit sharing contribution exceed 5% of eligible compensation) and will continue to provide long-term disability, life and travel accident benefits. The Company will not, however, by reason of this Section 5(b)  be obligated either (i) to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing any such Benefit Plan, or (ii) to provide Employee with all benefits provided to any other person or individual employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates, in each case so long as the Company provides Employee with benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to the benefits described pursuant to this paragraph.

 

(c)          Vacation .      During the Employment Period, Employee shall be eligible to take up to five weeks of paid vacation per calendar year, which such vacation shall accrue and be taken in accordance with the Company’s vacation policies as may exist from time to time, provided that such policies are no less favorable than those policies in effect as of the day immediately preceding the Effective Date and, for purposes of vacation entitlements, Employee shall be given credit for prior service with EP Energy, EPEPM and their Affiliates.

 

(d)         Management Incentive Units .      On the Effective Date, EPE Employee Holdings, LLC (“ Employee Holdings ”) shall issue to Employee 69,328 Class B Units in Employee Holdings as of the Effective Date (the Management Incentive Units ”). The Management Incentive Units will be subject to, and governed by, the terms and conditions set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Employee Holdings, as amended from time to time (the “Employee Holdings LLC Agreement”) and an award agreement between Employee Holdings and Employee.

 

(e)          Investment Units .      On or before the 60th day following the Effective Date (the Management Class A Funding Date ), Employee shall purchase 1,200 Class A Units (the Investment Units ) in EPE Management Investors, LLC ( EMI”) in exchange for a cash payment equal to $1,200,000, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EMI, as amended from time to time (the EMI LLC Agreement ”). Conditioned on the acquisition by Employee of the Investment Units on or before the Management Class A Funding Date and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the LLC Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to receive 600 additional Class A Units (the Matching Units ”); provided, however, that the issuance of such Matching Units to Employee will be subject to Employee’s prior remittance to the Company of funds necessary to satisfy all taxes required to be withheld in connection with the receipt by Employee of such Matching Units. The Investment Units and the Matching Units will be subject to, and governed by, the terms and conditions set forth in the EMI LLC Agreement.

 

(f)          Indemnification .      Without limiting the applicability of Section 5.17 of the Purchase Agreement (which shall remain applicable to Employee in accordance with the provisions thereof), in the event that Employee is made a party or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding (a “Proceeding” ) , other than any Proceeding initiated by

 

4



 

Employee or the Company related to any contest or dispute between Employee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries, by reason of the fact that Employee is or was a director or officer of, or was otherwise acting on behalf of, the Company, any Affiliate of the Company, or any other entity at the request of the Company, Employee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, from and against any and all liabilities, costs, claims and expenses, including any and all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding, and all amounts paid in settlement thereof after consultation with, and receipt of approval from, the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Costs and expenses incurred by Employee in defense of such Proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such litigation upon receipt by the Company of: (i) a written request for payment; (ii) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (iii) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on behalf of Employee to repay the amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined that Employee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement. The rights to indemnification and advancement of costs and expenses provided in this Section 5(f)  are not and will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights or remedies to which Employee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any agreement or otherwise, and each such right under this Section 5(f)  will be cumulative with all such other rights, if any.

 

(g)         Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance .      During the Employment Period, the Company or any successor to the Company hereunder shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to Employee on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other similarly situated directors and senior officers of the Company as of the Effective Date.

 

6.             Termination of Employment .

 

(a)          Company’s Right to Terminate .      In addition to terminating this Agreement upon the expiration of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term after issuance of a notice of non-renewal as contemplated in Section 3 , the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for any of the following reasons:

 

(i)           Upon Employee’s death;

 

(ii)           Upon the determination of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company that Employee is totally disabled, whether due to physical or mental condition, so as to be prevented from substantially performing Employee’s essential duties and responsibilities under this Agreement for a period of at least 180 consecutive days or 270 days during any 12-month period (Employee’s Disability ”);

 

(iii)         For Cause (as defined in Section 7 ); or

 

(iv)        For any other reason whatsoever, in the sole and complete discretion of the Company.

 

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(b)         Employee’s Right to Terminate .      Employee will have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for:

 

(i)           Good Reason (as defined in Section 7 ); or

 

(ii)          For any other reason whatsoever, in the sole and complete discretion of Employee, by providing the Company with a Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 6(c)  below). In the case of a termination of employment by Employee pursuant to this Section 6(b)(ii) , the Termination Date (as defined in Section 6(c) below) specified in the Notice of Termination shall not be less than 30 nor more than 60 days, respectively, from the date such Notice of Termination is given, and the Company may require a Termination Date earlier than the Termination Date specified in the Notice of Termination (and, if such earlier Termination Date is so required, it shall not change the basis for Employee’s termination nor be construed or interpreted as a termination of employment pursuant to Section 3 or Section 6(a)(iv)) .

 

(c)          Notice of Termination .      Any termination of Employee’s employment hereunder by the Company or by Employee (other than termination pursuant to Section 6(a)(i)  on account of Employee’s death) shall be communicated by written notice of termination (“ Notice of Termination ”) to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 21 . The Notice of Termination shall specify (i) the termination provision of this Agreement being relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Employee’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) the applicable Termination Date (as defined below). No action by either party hereto pursuant to this Section 6(c)  shall alter or amend any other provisions hereof or rights arising hereunder, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 8, 9, 10 and 11 hereof.

 

(d)         Date of Termination .      Subject to Section 22(b) , the effective date of Employee’s termination (the Termination Date ”) will be as follows: (i) if Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee’s death, the date of such death; (ii) if Employee’s employment is terminated as a result of a Disability or by the Company with or without Cause, then the date specified in the Notice of Termination delivered to Employee; (iii) if Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 6(b)  above, then the date specified in the Notice of Termination delivered to Company by Employee; and (iv) if Employee’s employment terminates due to the giving of a non-renewal notice pursuant to Section 3 above, the last day of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.

 

(e)          Deemed Resignations .      Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company and Employee prior to the termination of Employee’s employment, any termination of Employee’s employment shall, without changing the basis for termination of employment or the impact of such termination on Employee’s rights, if any, under Section 7 , constitute (i) an automatic resignation of Employee from any position held as an officer of the Company and each Affiliate of the Company and (ii) an automatic resignation of Employee from the Board (if applicable), from the board of directors or similar governing body of any Affiliate of the Company and from the board of directors or similar governing body of any corporation, limited liability entity or other entity in which the Company or any Affiliate holds an equity interest and

 

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with respect to which board or similar governing body Employee serves as the Company’s or such Affiliate’s designee or other representative.

 

(f)          Accrued Compensation .      Upon termination, Employee shall be entitled to receive a lump-sum amount equal to the sum of (i) Employee’s accrued and unpaid salary as of the Termination Date, (ii) Employee’s accrued and unpaid bonus amounts from years prior to the year in which the Termination Date occurs, and (iii) subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 6(f)  the cash out value of Employee’s accrued and unpaid vacation time as of the Termination Date, which lump-sum amount shall be paid as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 10 days of the Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in any vacation policy adopted by the Company or any of its Affiliates, for purposes of clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in the Purchase Agreement, in no event shall Employee be entitled to receive the cash out value of any accrued and unused vacation time in excess of (A) the amount of vacation time Employee is entitled to accrue in a single calendar year plus (B) the amount of vacation days Employee is allowed to carry over from year to year (up to 5 days), in either case as in effect under the vacation policy applicable to Employee immediately prior to the Termination Date. Employee shall also be entitled to payment of any vested benefits provided under the terms of any employee benefit plan in accordance with the terms of such plan.

 

7.             Severance Payments .

 

(a)          Termination without Cause or for Good Reason .      If prior to the occurrence of a Threshold Capital Transaction (as such term is defined in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EPE Acquisition, as amended from time to time) or within two years thereafter, (A) the Company terminates Employee’s employment with the Company and, if applicable, its Affiliates, without Cause or by failing to renew the term of this Agreement in accordance with Section 3 , or (B) Employee terminates Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 6(b)(i) , and before the 60th day following the Termination Date, Employee has signed and not revoked in the time provided to do so a termination of employment agreement acceptable to the Company and substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A that contains a complete release of all claims against the Company, its Affiliates, and their designees from the claims specified in Exhibit A (a “Release”) and such Release has become effective and irrevocable, the Company shall pay Employee severance in accordance with Section 7(b) . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be required to pay Employee severance if the Company terminates Employee’s employment after receiving a Notice of Termination from Employee, provided that such Notice of Termination specifies that Employee’s termination is not for Good Reason. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 7(b)  shall not apply if: (1) the Company terminates Employee’s employment for Cause pursuant to Section 6(a)(iii)  above; (2) the Company terminates Employee’s employment due to Disability or Employee’s employment terminates due to Employee’s death pursuant to Sections 6(a)(i)  or 6(a)(ii)  above or (3) Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii)  above.

 

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(b)         Severance Amount .      If the Company is required to pay Employee severance by the express terms of Section 7(a) , Employee shall be entitled to receive the following as severance:

 

(i)           a lump-sum amount equal to two times the sum of Employee’s Base Salary and Target Annual Bonus as of the Termination Date, which amount shall be paid on the date that is sixty days following the Termination Date;

 

(ii)          a lump-sum amount equal to Employee’s target bonus amount for the year in which the Termination Date occurs, determined as if Employee had continued in employment until the end of such fiscal year and as if the Company and Employee had fully met all performance targets and goals, prorated by multiplying the full bonus amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of the year prior to and including the Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365, which lump-sum amount shall be paid as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 10 days of the Termination Date; and

 

(iii)         for a period of 24 months after the Termination Date, the basic life insurance, medical and dental benefits, at Company expense, which were being provided to Employee immediately prior to the Termination Date. The benefits provided in this Section 7(b)(iii)  shall be no less favorable to Employee, in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him or her, than the coverage provided Employee under the plans providing such benefits at the time Notice of Termination is given. The Company’s obligation hereunder to provide the foregoing benefits shall terminate to the extent Employee obtains replacement coverage under a subsequent employer’s benefit plans at an equal or higher level. Nothing in this Section 7(b)(iii)  shall require the Company or any of its Affiliates to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, any additional income tax payable by Employee attributable to the benefits provided under this Section 7(b)(iii) .

 

Any payments paid under this Section 7(b)  shall be in lieu of any severance benefits otherwise due to Employee under any severance pay plan or program maintained by the Company that covers its employees or Employees generally; provided, however, the effects of any termination of Employee’s employment with the Company on the Management Incentive Units shall be as provided in the Employee Holdings LLC Agreement.

 

(c)          Cause .       “Cause” means the occurrence or existence of any of the following events:

 

(i)           Employee’s willful failure to perform Employee’s material duties (other than any such failure resulting from Employee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), including a willful failure to satisfy Employee’s fiduciary duties to the Company, that remains uncured 30 days after written notice thereof from the Company to Employee;

 

(ii)          Employee’s willful and material breach of this Agreement that remains uncured 30 days after written notice thereof from the Company to Employee;

 

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(iii)         Employee’s conviction of, or Employee’s plea of guilty or no contest to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude; or

 

(iv)        Employee’s engaging in actual fraud or willful, material misconduct in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement;

 

provided, however, that no termination of Employee’s employment shall be for Cause as set forth in clauses (i), (ii) or (iv) above until (A) there shall have been delivered to Employee a copy of a written notice setting forth that Employee was guilty of the conduct set forth in clause (i), (ii) or (iv) and specifying the particulars thereof in detail, and (B) Employee shall have been provided an opportunity to be heard by the Board (with the assistance of Employee’s counsel if Employee so desires) and (C) the Board shall have determined, as set forth in a written resolution adopted by at least a majority of the members of the whole Board, that Cause exists. No act, nor failure to act, on Employee’s part shall be considered “willful” unless Employee has acted, or failed to act, in bad faith or without a reasonable belief that Employee’s action or failure to act was in the best interests of the Company or its Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no failure to perform by Employee after a Notice of Termination is given by Employee shall constitute Cause.

 

(d)         Good Reason .       “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events without Employee’s consent:

 

(i)            any decrease in Employee’s Base Salary other than a reduction of not more than 5% in connection with a general reduction in base salaries that affects all similarly situated executives in substantially the same proportions which is implemented in response to a material downturn in the U.S. domestic oil and natural gas exploration and development industry;

 

(ii)           a failure of the Company to cause Employee to be eligible under Benefit Plans that provide benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided to Employee as of the Effective Date;

 

(iii)          any material breach by the Company of this Agreement;

 

(iv)          a material diminution in Employee’s title, authority, duties, or responsibilities, without Employee’s prior written consent, or the assignment to Employee without Employee’s prior written consent of duties inconsistent in any substantial respect with Employee’s then-current title, authority, duties or responsibilities or any other action by the Company that results in a diminution in Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities;

 

(v)           any relocation of Employee’s principal place of employment to a location that is more than 35 miles from the then-current location of such employment, without Employee’s prior written consent; or

 

(vi)          any purported termination of Employee’s employment for Cause by the Company that does not otherwise comply with the terms of this Agreement (other than any purported termination of Employee’s employment for Cause by the Company

 

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acting in good faith, regardless of whether such purported termination complies with the terms of this Agreement).

 

Employee’s Termination Date shall not be considered to be on account of Good Reason unless (A) within 60 days after the date on which Employee knows, or should reasonably be expected to know, that one of the events set forth in Section 7(d)  has occurred, Employee provides written notice to the Board of the applicable facts and circumstances, (B) the Company does not remedy, cure or rectify the event within 30 days from the date on which written notice is received from Employee, and (C) Employee terminates his employment within 120 days after the initial existence of the condition specified in such notice.

 

8.             Conflicts of Interest    Employee agrees that Employee shall promptly disclose to the Board any material conflict of interest involving Employee after Employee becomes aware of such conflict.

 

9.             Confidentiality    Employee acknowledges and agrees that he has been provided Confidential Information (as defined below) regarding EPE Acquisition and the Company and that EPE Acquisition and the Company will provide Employee new and valuable Confidential Information of EPE Acquisition and the Company and it may also provide Employee confidential information of third parties who have supplied such information to EPE Acquisition and/or the Company. For purposes of this Section 9 , the term “Company” shall include EPE Acquisition and each of its subsidiaries. In consideration of such Confidential Information and other valuable consideration provided hereunder, and in order to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, Employee agrees to comply with this Section 9 .

 

(a)          Confidential Information .       “Confidential Information” means, without limitation and regardless of whether such information or materials are expressly identified as confidential or proprietary, (i) any and all non-public, confidential or proprietary information of the Company, (ii) any information of the Company that gives the Company a competitive business advantage or the opportunity of obtaining such advantage, (iii) any information of the Company the disclosure or improper use of which would reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the interests of the Company and (iv) any trade secrets of the Company. Confidential Information also includes any non-public, confidential or proprietary information about, or belonging to, any third party that has been entrusted to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include any information which is or becomes generally known by the public other than as a result of Employee’s actions or inactions.

 

(b)         Protection .      Except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or legal process, Employee promises (i) to keep the Confidential Information, and all documentation, materials and information relating thereto, strictly confidential, except to the extent that disclosure thereof is necessary or appropriate in the performance of Employee’s duties for the benefit of the Company, (ii) not to use the Confidential Information for any purpose other than as required in connection with fulfilling Employee’s duties for the benefit of the Company, and (iii) to return to the Company all Confidential Information in Employee’s possession and control upon separation from the Company for any reason, other than death. For the avoidance of doubt, Employee specifically acknowledges and agrees that any use by Employee of such Confidential Information other than as required in connection with fulfilling

 

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his duties on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Company will be a material breach of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Scope . Employee understands and agrees that all Confidential Information, in whatever medium (verbal, written, electronic or other), is subject to this Agreement whether provided directly to Employee or not, whether provided to Employee prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement or not, and whether inadvertently disclosed to Employee or not. Confidential Information that was or is available to Employee or to which Employee had or has access will be deemed to have been provided to Employee.

 

(d)                                  Value and Security . Employee understands and agrees that all Confidential Information, and every portion thereof, constitutes the valuable intellectual property of the Company and/or third parties, and Employee further acknowledges the importance of maintaining the security and confidentiality of the Confidential Information and of not misusing the Confidential Information.

 

(e)                                   Disclosure Required By Law . If Employee is legally required to disclose any Confidential Information, Employee shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law or legal process, promptly notify the Company in writing of such request or requirement so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order or other relief or waive compliance with this Agreement. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Employee agrees to cooperate with and not to oppose any effort by the Company to resist or narrow such request or to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. In any such case, Employee will (A) disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that, according to the advice of Employee’s counsel, is required to be disclosed, (B) use reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that such Confidential Information will be treated confidentially, and (C) to the extent permitted by applicable law, promptly notify the Company in writing of the items of Confidential Information so disclosed.

 

(f)                                     Survival . The covenants made by Employee in this Section 9 will survive termination of this Agreement, and Employee’s employment for a period of three years; provided, however , that any covenants with regard to the non-use or disclosure of trade secrets established by applicable law shall remain in effect for so long as provided by applicable law.

 

10.                                Agreement Not to Compete .

 

(a)                                   Covenants . For purposes of this Section 10 , the term “Company” shall include EPE Acquisition and each of its subsidiaries. In order to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, including the preservation of the Confidential Information and the goodwill developed by Employee on behalf of Company, and as an express incentive for Company to enter into this Agreement, Employee agrees that, except in the ordinary course and scope of Employee’s employment hereunder, Employee shall not, either as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, director, officer, employee, employer, advisor, stockholder, partner, member, joint venturer, owner or in any other individual or representative capacity whatsoever, whether paid or unpaid, either for Employee’s own benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity, directly or indirectly:

 

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(i)                                      during the Coverage Period, engage or carry on in Competitive Duties within the Restricted Area (including, without limitation, by engaging or carrying on in any of the activities set forth in Section 10(a)(ii)  through Section 10(a)(v)  below);

 

(ii)                                   during the Coverage Period, form or otherwise provide services to a Competing Business within the Restricted Area or directly or indirectly acquire any 5% or greater equity ownership, voting interest or profit participation interest in, any Competing Business within the Restricted Area;

 

(iii)                                during the Coverage Period with respect to any Restricted Prospects, directly or indirectly (A) acquire, attempt to acquire, or assist a third person in acquiring, any interest in or rights to such Restricted Prospects, (B) acquire, attempt to acquire or assist a third party in acquiring any equity or other interest or right in any company, business, joint venture or other enterprise owning or controlling or seeking to own or control any interest in or rights to such Restricted Prospects, or (C) otherwise divert, take away, interfere with or compete for any acquisition by the Company of such Restricted Prospects or any other transaction or arrangement contemplated by the Company (and of which Employee was aware as of the Termination Date) relating to such Restricted Prospects (or attempt to do any of the foregoing);

 

(iv)                               during the Coverage Period, directly or indirectly, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any employee of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company; provided , however , that this restriction shall not extend to prohibit or otherwise limit general employment advertising or solicitation not specifically targeting any specific employee or the hiring of any employee who responds to such advertising or solicitation or who approaches Employee for employment; or

 

(v)                                  at any time, use the name of the Company in connection with any business that is or would be in competition in any manner whatsoever with the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 10 shall not be deemed to restrict or prohibit Employee’s engaging in any Permitted Activities.

 

(b)                                  Disclosure and Authorization . For a period of 12 months immediately following the termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, Employee promises to disclose to the Company any employment, consulting, or other service relationship Employee enters into after the Termination Date. Such disclosure shall be made within 30 days of Employee entering into such employment, consulting or other service relationship. Employee expressly consents to and authorizes the Company to disclose both the existence and terms of this Agreement to any future employer or user of Employee’s services and to take any steps the Company reasonably deems necessary to enforce this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Value and Reasonableness . Employee understands and acknowledges that the Company has made substantial investments to develop its business interests, goodwill, and Confidential Information. Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee has been provided, and may in the future be provided, Confidential Information. Employee agrees that the preservation of the Company’s Confidential Information and goodwill are business

 

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interests worthy of protection, and that the Company’s need for the protection afforded by this Section 10 is greater than any hardship Employee might experience by complying with its terms and that the restrictions contained herein are no greater than necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests. Employee further agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Section 10 are ancillary to an otherwise enforceable agreement and that the limitations as to time, geographic area, and scope of activity to be restrained contained in this Agreement are reasonable and are not greater than necessary to protect the Confidential Information and/or the goodwill or other business interests of the Company.

 

(d)                                  Reformation . The Company and Employee believe the limitations as to time, geographic area, and scope of activity contained in this Section 10 are reasonable and do not impose a greater restraint than necessary to protect Confidential Information, goodwill, and other legitimate business interests of the Company. However, in the event an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that the limitations agreed upon are not appropriate, the parties agree to, and hereby do, request that the court reform the limitations to the satisfaction of the arbitrator or court. It is the express intent of the Company and Employee that the terms of this Competition Agreement be enforced to the full extent permitted by applicable law and not to any greater extent.

 

(e)                                   Right to Injunction . Employee acknowledges that Employee’s violation of Sections 9 and/or 10 of this Agreement could cause irreparable harm to the Company for which damages may not adequately be measured, and Employee agrees that the Company shall be entitled as a matter of right to specific performance of Employee’s obligations under Sections 9 and 10 and an injunction, from any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any violation or further violation of such agreements by Employee or others acting on Employee’s behalf, without any showing of irreparable harm and without any showing that the Company does not have an adequate remedy at law. The Company’s right to injunctive relief shall be cumulative and in addition to any other remedies provided by law or equity.

 

(f)                                     Definitions . As used in this Section 10 , the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(i)                                      Competing Business means any individual, sole proprietorship, business, firm, company, partnership, joint venture, organization, or other person, entity or arrangement that competes, or has material plans to compete of which Employee is aware, or that owns or controls a significant interest in any entity that competes, or has material plans to compete of which Employee is aware, with the Company, with respect to the Hydrocarbons exploration and production business in which the Company is engaged.

 

(ii)                                   Competitive Duties means duties for a Competing Business that: (A) are the same as, similar to, or substantially related to the duties that Employee had during the last 12 months of Employee’s employment with the Company; (B) are performed in the capacity of a director, executive officer, member or partner of a Competing Business; (C) involve the formation, management, operation, or control of such Competing Business or any recognized subdivision or department thereof; or (D) constitute the management or supervision of personnel engaged in any activity which

 

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is the same as, similar to or substantially related to any activity with which Employee had direct involvement during the last 12 months of Employee’s employment with the Company.

 

(iii)                                Coverage Period means the period of time beginning on the Effective Date of this Agreement and ending 12 months following the Termination Date.

 

(iv)                               Hydrocarbons means oil, condensate gas, casinghead gas and other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons.

 

(v)                                  Oil and Gas Interests means: (A) direct and indirect interests in and rights with respect to oil and natural gas properties (including revenues or net revenues therefrom) of any kind and nature, direct or indirect, including without limitation working, royalty and overriding royalty interests, mineral interests, leasehold interests, production payments, operating rights, net profits interests, other non-working interests and non-operating interests; and (B) interests in and rights with respect to oil and natural gas or revenues therefrom.

 

(vi)                               Restricted Area means those oil and gas fields, shales, plays and other geographic areas set forth in Exhibit B hereto and any other oil and gas fields, shales, plays and geographic areas with respect to which: (A) Employee provides services on behalf of the Company during Employee’s employment hereunder; and (B) the Company has material operations or specific plans to conduct any material business as of the Termination Date (provided that Employee has material responsibilities, or has obtained Confidential Information, with respect to such operations or plans).

 

(vii)                            Restricted Prospects includes any Oil and Gas Interests within the Restricted Area.

 

(g)                                  This Section 10 shall survive any termination of this Agreement for the periods stated herein.

 

11.                                Parachute Taxes .

 

(a)                                   Gross-Up Payment . In the event it shall be determined that any vesting, payment or distribution of any type by the Company or any of its Affiliates or any other party in a transaction involving the Company or its Affiliates or a party to the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement or the Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the “Payments”) on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date and that is “contingent” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by Employee of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any income taxes, employment taxes and Excise Tax, imposed

 

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upon the Gross-Up Payment, Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. All determinations required to be made under this Section 11(a)  (including, without limitation, whether any vesting, payment or distribution (i) constitutes a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) is contingent on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement) shall be made by the Board acting in good faith and in accordance with commonly accepted practices, including, to the extent appropriate, the engagement of an independent public accounting firm. Payment of the Gross-Up Payment shall be made at the time that withholding is required in connection with any Payment, provided that the payment of any Gross-Up Payment shall be made prior to the date Employee is to remit the Excise Tax as provided under of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) or pursuant to any judgment or agreement with any taxing authority.

 

(b)                                  Determination by Accountant . Except as otherwise provided in Section 11(a) , all determinations required to be made under this Section 11 , including whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by the independent accounting firm retained by the Company on the date of Change in Control (the “ Accounting Firm ”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Employee within 15 business days of the date of termination, if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Employee, it shall furnish Employee with an opinion that he or she has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on his or her federal income tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“ Underpayment ”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 11(c)  and Employee thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee.

 

(c)                                   Notification Required . Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after Employee knows of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. Employee shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, Employee shall:

 

(i)                                      give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,

 

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(ii)                                   take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

 

(iii)                                cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim, and

 

(iv)                               permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however , that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 11(c) , the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct Employee to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund, or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Employee agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however , that if the Company directs Employee to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to Employee (unless otherwise prohibited by applicable law), on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of Employee with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and Employee shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

 

(d)                                  Repayment . If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c) , Employee becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, Employee shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Section 11(c) ) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c) , a determination is made that Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify Employee in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

 

16



 

(e)                                   Shareholder Approval . With respect to events from and after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if (a) Employee is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), (b) the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits that Employee has the right to receive from the Company or any of its Affiliates, would constitute an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, a “ Excess Parachute Payment ”)) and (c) shareholder approval (obtained in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 280G(b)(5) of the Code) of a payment or benefit to be provided to Employee by the Company or any other person (whether under this Agreement or otherwise) would result in the payment or benefit not being treated as an Excess Parachute Payment, then, upon the request of Employee and Employee’s agreement (to the extent necessary) to subject Employee’s entitlement to the receipt of such payment or benefit to shareholder approval, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to seek and obtain such approval in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder with the least amount of risk to Employee not receiving such payment or benefit.

 

12.                                Withholdings . The Company may withhold and deduct from any payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and (b) to the extent permissible under Section 409A (as hereinafter defined), any deductions consented to in writing by Employee.

 

13.                                Severability . It is the desire of the parties hereto that this Agreement be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and should any provision contained herein be held unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, the parties hereby agree and consent that such provision shall be reformed to create a valid and enforceable provision to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, if such provision cannot be reformed, it shall be deemed ineffective and deleted herefrom without affecting any other provision of this Agreement.

 

14.                                Title and Headings; Construction . Titles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions hereof. Any and all Exhibits referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular provision hereof.

 

15.                                Arbitration; Injunctive Relief; Attorneys’ Fees .

 

(a)                                   Subject to Section 15(b) , any dispute, controversy or claim between Employee and the Company arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Employee’s employment, or the termination of either will be finally settled by arbitration in Houston, Texas before, and in accordance with the then-existing rules for the resolution of employment disputes then obtaining of, the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator’s award shall be reasoned, final and binding on all parties and may be enforced in a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

17



 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding Section 15(a) , an application for emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief by either party (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 10(g) ) shall not be subject to arbitration under this Section 15 ; provided, however , that the remainder of any such dispute (beyond the application for emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief) shall be subject to arbitration under this Section 15 .

 

(c)                                   Each of Employee and the Company shall share equally the cost of the arbitrator and bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any arbitration, unless a statutory claim authorizing the award of attorneys’ fees is at issue, in which event the arbitrator may award a reasonable attorneys’ fee in accordance with the jurisprudence of that statute; provided, however , that if Employee institutes any legal action in seeking to obtain or enforce, or is required to defend in any legal action the validity or enforceability of, any right to severance provided by this Agreement, the Company, subject to Section 22(d) , will reimburse Employee for all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, arbitration fees and the costs of experts) promptly after receipt from Employee of an invoice and supporting documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Company with respect to such fees and expenses. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, (i) the Company shall not be responsible for reimbursing any such fees and expenses to the extent they are incurred in connection with a claim made by Employee that the trier of fact finds to be frivolous or if Employee is determined to have breached Employee’s obligations under Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement and (ii) if, after the receipt by Employee of an amount reimbursed by the Company pursuant to this Section 15(c)  in connection with a claim made by Employee that the trier of fact finds to be frivolous or if Employee is determined to have breached Employee’s obligations under Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement, then Employee shall promptly repay to the Company all amounts reimbursed in connection with such claim pursuant to this Section 15(c) .

 

(d)                                  Nothing in this Section 15 shall prohibit a party to this Agreement from (i) instituting litigation to enforce any arbitration award or (ii) joining another party to this Agreement in a litigation initiated by a person which is not a party to this Agreement. IN ENTERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

16.                                Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THEREOF THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICABLE OF THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE EXCLUSIVE VENUE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF ANY DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR EMPLOYEE’S EMPLOYMENT (THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION UNDER SECTION 15 FOR ANY REASON) SHALL BE IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN HARRIS, COUNTY TEXAS AND THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS.

 

17.                                Entire Agreement and Amendment . This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Company and any of its Affiliates (including, without limitation, EPE

 

18



 

Acquisition) with respect to Employee’s employment and the other matters covered herein (except the Purchase Agreement and any other agreements specifically referenced herein); moreover, this Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between Employee on the one hand and the Company and any of its Affiliates on the other hand concerning the subject matters hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding any provision within the 2004 Severance Plan that purports to restrict Employee’s rights to waive severance rights under the 2004 Severance Plan, effective as of the Effective Date, Employee is knowingly, voluntarily and permanently waiving any and all rights that Employee has under the 2004 Severance Plan on and after the Effective Date , as this Agreement and the other agreements being contemporaneously executed by Employee and the Company set forth the entirety of severance rights that Employee has, or in the future may have, with respect to, or arising out of, Employee’s employment with the Company or its Affiliates and the 2004 Severance Plan is hereby superseded in its entirety with respect to Employee. This Agreement may be amended, waived or terminated only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and Employee.

 

18.                                Survival of Certain Provisions . Wherever appropriate to the intention of the parties hereto and except as otherwise provided herein, the respective rights and obligations of said parties, including, but not limited to, the rights and obligations set forth in Section 6 through Section 11 hereof, shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason.

 

19.                                Waiver of Breach . No waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any subsequent time. The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time while such breach continues.

 

20.                                Assignment . Neither this Agreement nor any rights nor obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Employee (except, by will or by operation of the laws of intestate succession). The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, including to an Affiliate or any successor and any such assignment may take effect at any time without the consent of Employee, provided that (a) such Affiliate or successor has the financial wherewithal to perform all obligations of the Company hereunder and (b) such assignment does not, without Employee’s prior written consent, result in “Good Reason” within the meaning of Section 7(d)(iv)  with respect to (x) the Company and its Affiliates or (y) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Affiliates. The fact that any such assignment may be permitted under this Section 20 shall not affect the determination of whether such assignment or any related transaction constitutes a Threshold Capital Transaction. The Company will require any successor permitted under this Section 20 , including any acquirer of substantially all of its assets, to assume its obligations under this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

19



 

21.                                Notices . Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (a) when delivered in person, (b) on the first business day after such notice is sent by air express overnight courier service, or (c) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in each case addressed to the following address, as applicable:

 

If to the Company, addressed to:

 

Everest Acquisition LLC

c/o Apollo Global Management, LLC

9 West 59th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Mr. Sam Oh

 

If to Employee, addressed to:

 

John D. Jensen

16903 Saddle Ridge Pass

Cypress, Texas 77433

 

22.                                Section 409A .

 

(a)                                   General . The intent of the parties is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and interpretive guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “ Section 409A ”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. The Company and Employee shall take commercially reasonable efforts to reform or amend any provision hereof to the extent that either of them reasonably determine that such provision would or could reasonably be expected to cause Employee to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A to try to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A through good faith modifications, in any case, to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A, provided that any such modifications shall not increase the cost or liability to the Company. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Employee and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A.

 

(b)                                  Separation from Service . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement that is designated under this Agreement as payable upon Employee’s termination of employment shall be payable only upon Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A (a “ Separation from Service ”).

 

(c)                                   Specified Employee . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is deemed by the Company at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, to the extent delayed

 

20



 

commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of Employee’s benefits shall not be provided to Employee prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of Employee’s Separation from Service or (ii) the date of Employee’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the delay period described in the preceding sentence, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to Employee under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

(d)                                  Expense Reimbursements . To the extent that any reimbursements under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements payable to Employee shall be paid to Employee no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; provided, that Employee submits Employee’s reimbursement request promptly following the date the expense is incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, other than medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and Employee’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

(e)                                   Installments . Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement, including without limitation any continuation salary payments that are payable on Company payroll dates, shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment as permitted under Section 409A. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A, no payment hereunder shall be accelerated or deferred unless such acceleration or deferral would not result in additional tax or interest pursuant to Section 409A.

 

23.                                Affiliates . For purposes of this Agreement, “ Affiliate means, with respect to any person, any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such specified person; provided, however , that an Affiliate shall not include any portfolio company of any person. For purposes of the definition of “Affiliate”, “ control when used with respect to any person means the power to direct the management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have correlative meanings.

 

24.                                Employee Acknowledgement . Employee acknowledges that Employee has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on Employee’s own judgment after having had the opportunity to consult with advisors of Employee’s choosing.

 

25.                                Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature pages, each signed by one party, but together signed by both parties hereto.

 

21



 

26.                                Company Name Change . It is intended that the Company will change its name to EP Energy LLC on or immediately after the Effective Date. Upon such change becoming effective, all references in this Agreement to “the Company” shall refer to EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

27.                                Provisions Regarding Effective Date . As indicated in Section 1 , this Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date and, accordingly, in connection therewith and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force or effect if (a) Employee ceases to be employed by either EPEPM or one of its Affiliates at any time prior to the Effective Date and/or (b) the Effective Date does not occur on or prior to the End Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement).

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

22


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement this 24 th  day of May, 2012, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John D. Jensen

 

John D. Jensen

 

 

 

For the limited purpose of acknowledging Section 17:

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION
MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Clayton A. Carrell

 

 

Clayton A. Carrell

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE
TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(JOHN D. JENSEN)

 



 

SCHEDULE 2(a)

 

PERMITTED CORPORATE BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS

 

None

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Termination of Employment Agreement (this “ Agreemen t ”) is between EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Company ”), and John D. Jensen (“ Employee ”) pursuant to that Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Employee and Company dated                            , 2012 (the “ Employment Agreement ”).

 

The parties hereby agree to terminate their employment relationship on the following terms and conditions.

 

1.             Termination of Employment . Company and Employee agree that Employee’s employment with Company has been terminated, or shall be terminated, as of [ · ] (the “ Termination Date ”), and Employee is eligible to receive certain severance benefits pursuant to Section 7 of the Employment Agreement.

 

2.             Complete Release and Other Consideration from Employee . Subject to Employee’s timely receipt of the severance benefits payable to Employee pursuant to the Employment Agreement, in exchange for Company’s obligations under this Agreement, Employee agrees as follows:

 

(a)           Release of Claims . Employee, on Employee’s own behalf and on behalf of Employee’s heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever releases Company, its direct and indirect subsidiaries and Affiliates (as defined in the Employment Agreement), and each of their respective current and former officers, directors, equity holders, members, managers, benefit plans, and plan administrators (collectively, the “ Releasees ”) from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, or cause of action relating to:

 

(i)            any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns and the termination of that relationship;

 

(ii)           with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns: any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;

 

(iii)          with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns: any and

 

EXHIBIT A-1



 

all claims for violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law, including, but not limited to the following statutes (each as amended, if applicable), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

(iv)          any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or employment discrimination with respect thereto;

 

(v)           any and all claims arising out of any other federal, state, local or foreign law relating to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or employment discrimination with respect thereto;

 

(vi)          any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the non-withholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Employee with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns or as a result of this Agreement; and

 

(vii)         any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs with respect to the foregoing.

 

Employee agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete release as to the matters released. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement does not release (i) Employee’s current ownership of, or claims in respect of future rights or claims arising out of, (A) any direct or indirect equity interest in the Company or any of its Affiliates or (B) any options or other contingent rights thereto (including, without limitation, rights in respect of the Company’s Class B Units or any successor rights), (ii) any future rights under equity or equity incentives or (iii) claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, including, but not limited to, Employee’s right to file a charge with, or participate in a charge by, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other local, state, or federal administrative body or government agency that is authorized to enforce or administer laws related to employment, against Company (with the understanding that Employee’s release of claims herein bars Employee from recovering monetary or other personal relief from Company or any other Releasee), claims for unemployment compensation or any state disability insurance benefits pursuant to the terms of applicable state law, claims to continued participation in certain of Company’s group benefit plans pursuant to the terms and conditions of COBRA, claims to any benefit entitlements vested as the date of separation of Employee’s employment, pursuant to written terms of any employee benefit plan of Company or its Affiliates. Further, this Agreement does not release Employee’s rights, including under applicable law and Company’s

 

EXHIBIT A-2



 

D&O policy, to seek indemnity for acts committed, or omissions, within the course and scope of Employee’s employment duties.

 

(b)           Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under the ADEA . Employee understands and acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ ADEA ”), and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee understands and agrees that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Employee understands and acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further understands and acknowledges that Employee has been advised by this writing that: (a) Employee should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) Employee has [21/45] days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) Employee has 7 days following Employee’s execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement, which Employee may do by providing written notice of revocation to Company as provided in Section 21 of the Employment Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Employee signs this Agreement and returns it to Company in less than the [21/45] day period identified above, Employee hereby acknowledges that he has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the complete time period allotted for considering this Agreement.

 

3.             Confidentiality . Except as may be required by applicable law or court order or as may be necessary in an action arising out of this Agreement, Employee agrees not to disclose the existence or terms of this Agreement to anyone other than Employee’s immediate family, attorneys, tax advisors, and financial counselors, provided that Employee first informs them of this confidentiality clause and secures their agreement to be bound by it.

 

4.             Employee’s Representations . Employee acknowledges, agrees and expressly represents that, as of the date Employee executes this Agreement: (i) Employee has received all compensation and other sums that Employee is owed by the Releasees (other than sums owed pursuant to this Agreement); and (ii) Employee has received all leaves (paid and unpaid) that Employee was owed through the Termination Date.

 

5.             Release and Other Consideration from Company . In exchange for Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, Company shall pay Employee those severance payments described in Section 7(b)  of the Employment Agreement, on the terms provided in the Employment Agreement. Employee acknowledges that these severance payments are conditioned on Employee’s compliance with Sections 9 and 10 of the Employment Agreement. Company may withhold from any severance payments all federal, state, local, and other taxes and withholdings as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

6.             Right to Consult an Attorney; Period of Review . Employee is encouraged to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement. From the date this Agreement is first

 

EXHIBIT A-3



 

presented to Employee, Employee will have [21/45] days in which to review this Agreement. Employee may use as little or much of this [21/45] -day review period as Employee chooses.

 

7.             Amendment; Continuing Obligations . This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement may be amended, waived or terminated only by a written instrument executed by both parties hereto. Employee hereby reaffirms and agrees to continue to abide by the terms set forth in Sections 9 and 10 of the Employment Agreement and expressly acknowledges the enforceability and continuing effect of those terms.

 

8.             Revocation . Upon signing this Agreement, Employee will have 7 days to revoke the Agreement. To properly revoke the Agreement, Company must receive written notice of revocation from Employee by the close of business on the 7th day after the date the Agreement is signed by Employee. Written notice must be delivered pursuant to Section 21 of the Employment Agreement.

 

9.             Choice of Law . This Agreement will be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its choice of law principles. This Agreement is subject to the arbitration provisions in Section 15 of the Employment Agreement.

 

10.           Effectiveness of Agreement . This Agreement will be effective, and the payments described above will be made, only if Employee executes the Agreement within [21/45] days of receiving it and only if Employee does not revoke the Agreement under Section 8 above.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

EXHIBIT A-4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John D. Jensen

 

EXHIBIT A-5



 

EXHIBIT B

 

RESTRICTED AREAS

 

Eagle Ford La Salle County, Texas
Eagle Ford Dimmit County, Texas
Eagle Ford Webb County, Texas
Eagle Ford Atascosa County, Texas
Eagle Ford McMullen County, Texas
Altamont Duchesne County, Utah
Altamont Uintah County, Utah
Wolfcamp Reagan County, Texas
Wolfcamp Irion County, Texas
Wolfcamp Crockett County, Texas
Wolfcamp Upton County, Texas
Wilcox Beauregard Parish, Louisiana
Wilcox Newton County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex De Soto Parish, Louisiana
Haynesville/Arklatex Bossier Parish, Louisiana
Haynesville/Arklatex Webster Parish, Louisiana
Haynesville/Arklatex Bienville Parish, Louisiana
Haynesville/Arklatex Robertson County, Texas
Haynesville/Arklatex Panola County, Texas
Haynesville/Arklatex Caddo Parish, Louisiana

Black Warrior Jefferson County, Alabama
Black Warrior Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Black Warrior Fayette County, Alabama
Black Warrior Walker County, Alabama
Raton Colfax County, New Mexico
Raton Las Animas County, Colorado
Gulf Coast Starr County, Texas

Gulf Coast Zapata County, Texas
Gulf Coast Lavaca County, Texas
Gulf Coast Hidalgo County, Texas
Arkoma Le Flore County, Oklahoma
Arkoma Haskell County, Oklahoma

 

EXHIBIT B-1




Exhibit 10.20

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into by and between Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and Brent J. Smolik (“ Employee ”) as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto. EPE Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the indirect parent of the Company (“ EPE Acquisition ”) and El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc. (“ EPEPM ”) also join this Agreement for the limited purpose of acknowledging the provisions of Section 17 below. This Agreement amends and restates in its entirety the Employment Agreement entered into by and between EPE Acquisition and Employee as of March 29, 2012 (the “ Original Agreement ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS , Employee is currently employed by EPEPM, a wholly owned subsidiary of EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation) (“ EP Energy ”);

 

WHEREAS , in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “ Purchase Agreement ”) dated as of February 24, 2012 by and among EP Energy, the Company and the other parties thereto, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy will be sold to EPE Acquisition;

 

WHEREAS , effective as of the Closing Date (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement, the “ Effective Date ”), the Company desires for the Company to employ Employee on the terms and conditions, and for the consideration, hereinafter set forth and Employee desires to be employed by the Company on such terms and conditions and for such consideration;

 

WHEREAS , Employee has participated in the El Paso Corporation 2004 Key Executive Severance Protection Plan, as amended from time to time (the “ 2004 Severance Plan ”); and

 

WHEREAS , the parties wish for this Agreement to set forth the entirety of Employee’s rights to, and with regard to, severance pay and benefits from EPEPM, the Company and their respective Affiliates (as such term is defined below) upon and after the Effective Date.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective covenants and agreements set forth below, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                            Employment . The Company agrees to employ Employee and Employee agrees to be employed by the Company beginning as of the Effective Date and continuing for the period of time set forth in Section 3 below, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) at any time and from time to time, the Company may, with the consent of Employee, cause any subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company to be Employee’s employer so long as the requirements of Section 20 are satisfied, and (b) the Company and Employee agree that Employee’s employer commencing as of the Effective Date shall be EPEPM until such time as such employer may be changed in accordance with clause (a) of this sentence. From and after the Effective Date, Employee shall serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and its primary domestic operating subsidiaries or in such

 



 

other position(s) as the Company may designate from time to time with the consent of Employee. As of the Effective Date, Employee shall also be appointed to serve as Chairman of the Board of Managers of EPE Acquisition (the “ Board ”) unless and until the Apollo Member (as such term is defined in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EPE Acquisition, as amended from time to time (the “ EPE Acquisition LLC Agreement ”)) appoints another individual to serve as Chairman of the Board.

 

2.                                            Duties and Responsibilities of Employee .

 

(a)                                   During the Employment Period, Employee shall devote substantially all of Employee’s business time and attention to the business of the Company and its Affiliates, will act in a manner that Employee reasonably believes is consistent with the best interests of the Company and its Affiliates and will perform with due care Employee’s duties and responsibilities. Employee’s duties will include those normally incidental to the position(s) set forth in Section 1 above of as well as whatever additional duties may be assigned to Employee, with Employee’s consent, by any senior officers or by the Board from time to time. Employee agrees not to engage in any activity that materially interferes with the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, during the Employment Period, Employee will not hold any type of outside employment, engage in any type of consulting or otherwise render services to or for any other person, entity or business concern without the advance written approval of the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that Employee may (i) serve on corporate boards or committees (A) listed on Schedule 2(a) hereto or (B) approved by the Board, (ii) serve on civic, educational, religious, public interest, or charitable boards or committees, (iii) manage Employee’s personal and family investments, provided that such activity is not expressly prohibited by Section 10 and (iv) engage in passive investments (the activities referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) being “ Permitted Activities ”); provided, however, that such activities shall be permitted so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement or conflict with the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(b)                                  Employee expressly represents and covenants to the Company that Employee is not subject or a party to any employment agreement, noncompetition covenant, nondisclosure agreement, or any other agreement, covenant, understanding, or restriction that would prohibit Employee from executing this Agreement and fully performing Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder.

 

3.                                            Term of Employment . The initial term of this Agreement shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the fifth anniversary thereof (the “ Initial Term ”) . On the last day of the Initial Term and each anniversary thereafter (each such date being referred to as a “ Renewal Date ”), provided that this Agreement has not been earlier terminated, this Agreement shall automatically renew and extend for a period of 12 months (each a “ Renewal Term ”) unless either party delivers written notice of its intention not to renew or extend the term at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated at any time during the Initial Term or the Renewal Term (if any) in accordance with Section 6 . The period from the Effective Date

 

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through the date of termination of this Agreement, regardless of the time or reason for such termination, shall be referred to herein as the “ Employment Period .

 

4.                                            Compensation .

 

(a)                                   During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Employee an annualized base salary of $850,000 (“ Base Salary ”) (less applicable taxes and withholdings) in consideration for Employee’s services under this Agreement, payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for employee salaries as in effect from time to time. Employee’s Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board and, in the sole discretion of the Board, Employee’s Base Salary may be increased (but not decreased) effective as of any date determined by the Board.

 

(b)                                  The Company shall establish, and Employee shall be entitled to participate in, an annual performance bonus plan under which Employee will be eligible for an annual bonus payable in a single lump sum (the “ Annual Performance Bonus ”) based on the achievement of performance targets established by the Board for a calendar year. Employee’s target annual bonus will be at least 100% of Employee’s Base Salary (the “ Target Annual Bonus ”), but the actual amount of the Annual Performance Bonus may range from 0% to 200% of Employee’s Target Annual Bonus depending on performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to the last sentence of this Section 4(b) , (i) the Annual Performance Bonus payable with respect to calendar year 2012, if any (the “ 2012 Annual Performance Bonus ”), will be paid from a bonus pool that will be funded at a minimum of 100% of the “target” level under the annual performance bonus plan and (ii) at the same time as the 2012 Annual Performance Bonus, if any, is paid to Employee (or would have been paid had the 2012 Annual Performance Bonus been earned), the Company will pay to Employee an additional bonus (the “ 2012 Guaranteed Bonus ”) consisting of a lump sum cash payment equal to $2,000,000. Bonus determinations will be made by the Board within 60 days of the end of each calendar year and any Annual Performance Bonus will be payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for employee bonuses, but in no event later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year to which it relates. Subject to the provisions of Section 7 below, Employee will not be entitled to receive payment of an Annual Performance Bonus or the 2012 Guaranteed Bonus unless Employee is employed by the Company on the date that such bonus is paid.

 

5.                                            Benefits . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to the following benefits during the Employment Period:

 

(a)                                   Reimbursement of Business Expenses . The Company agrees to reimburse Employee for reasonable, documented business-related expenses actually incurred by Employee in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies as in effect from time to time.

 

(b)                                  Benefit Plans and Programs . During the Employment Period, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the terms and eligibility requirements of any such plan or program, Employee will be eligible to participate in all benefit plans, arrangements, programs and practices (each a “ Benefit Plan ”), including improvements or modifications of the

 

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same, that are available to other senior executives of the Company and its Affiliates from time to time, subject to the eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions of such Benefit Plans, which Benefit Plans shall (at all times during the Employment Period) provide benefits to Employee that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided to Employee by EPEPM as of the day immediately preceding the Effective Date; provided, however, that (i) such comparability shall be determined without regard to any equity-based incentive compensation, defined benefit pension plan, any retiree medical or other post-retirement welfare plan, or benefits under any frozen employee benefit plan and (ii) such benefits shall be subject to market adjustment to reflect, among other things, the addition of a company medical insurance subsidy and the absence of benefit accruals under any defined benefit plan or supplemental executive retirement plan. The Company will establish a 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 6% of eligible compensation plus a profit-sharing contribution in an amount sufficient so that the retirement benefits provided to Employee are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided as of the date immediately preceding the Effective Date (provided that in no event will the profit sharing contribution exceed 5% of eligible compensation) and will continue to provide long-term disability, life and travel accident benefits. The Company will not, however, by reason of this Section 5(b) be obligated either (i) to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing any such Benefit Plan, or (ii) to provide Employee with all benefits provided to any other person or individual employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates, in each case so long as the Company provides Employee with benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to the benefits described pursuant to this paragraph.

 

(c)                                   Vacation . During the Employment Period, Employee shall be eligible to take up to five weeks of paid vacation per calendar year, which such vacation shall accrue and be taken in accordance with the Company’s vacation policies as may exist from time to time, provided that such policies are no less favorable than those policies in effect as of the day immediately preceding the Effective Date and, for purposes of vacation entitlements, Employee shall be given credit for prior service with EP Energy, EPEPM and their Affiliates.

 

(d)                                  Management Incentive Units . On the Effective Date, EPE Employee Holdings, LLC (“ Employee Holdings ”) shall issue to Employee 207,985 Class B Units in Employee Holdings as of the Effective Date (the “ Management Incentive Units ”) . The Management Incentive Units will be subject to, and governed by, the terms and conditions set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Employee Holdings, as amended from time to time (the “ Employee Holdings LLC Agreement ”) and an award agreement between Employee Holdings and Employee.

 

(e)                                   Investment Units . On or before the 60th day following the Effective Date (the “ Management Class A Funding Date ”), Employee shall purchase 4,000 Class A Units (the “ Investment Units ”) in EPE Management Investors, LLC (“ EMI ”) in exchange for a cash payment equal to $4,000,000, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EMI, as amended from time to time (the “ EMI LLC Agreement ”). Conditioned on the acquisition by Employee of the Investment Units on or before the Management Class A Funding Date and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the LLC Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to receive 2,000 additional Class A Units (the “ Matching Units ”); provided, however, that the issuance of such Matching Units to Employee will be subject to Employee’s prior remittance to the Company of

 

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funds necessary to satisfy all taxes required to be withheld in connection with the receipt by Employee of such Matching Units. The Investment Units and the Matching Units will be subject to, and governed by, the terms and conditions set forth in the EMI LLC Agreement.

 

(f)                                     Indemnification . Without limiting the applicability of Section 5.17 of the Purchase Agreement (which shall remain applicable to Employee in accordance with the provisions thereof), in the event that Employee is made a party or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding (a “ Proceeding ”), other than any Proceeding initiated by Employee or the Company related to any contest or dispute between Employee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries, by reason of the fact that Employee is or was a director or officer of, or was otherwise acting on behalf of, the Company, any Affiliate of the Company, or any other entity at the request of the Company, Employee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, from and against any and all liabilities, costs, claims and expenses, including any and all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding, and all amounts paid in settlement thereof after consultation with, and receipt of approval from, the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Costs and expenses incurred by Employee in defense of such Proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such litigation upon receipt by the Company of: (i) a written request for payment; (ii) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (iii) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on behalf of Employee to repay the amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined that Employee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement. The rights to indemnification and advancement of costs and expenses provided in this Section 5(f) are not and will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights or remedies to which Employee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any agreement or otherwise, and each such right under this Section 5(f) will be cumulative with all such other rights, if any.

 

(g)                                  Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance . During the Employment Period, the Company or any successor to the Company hereunder shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to Employee on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other similarly situated directors and senior officers of the Company as of the Effective Date.

 

6.                                            Termination of Employment .

 

(a)                                   Company’s Right to Terminate . In addition to terminating this Agreement upon the expiration of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term after issuance of a notice of non-renewal as contemplated in Section 3 , the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for any of the following reasons:

 

(i)                                      Upon Employee’s death;

 

(ii)                                   Upon the determination of the Board that Employee is totally disabled, whether due to physical or mental condition, so as to be prevented from

 

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substantially performing Employee’s essential duties and responsibilities under this Agreement for a period of at least 180 consecutive days or 270 days during any 12-month period (Employee’s “ Disability ”);

 

(iii)                                For Cause (as defined in Section 7 ); or

 

(iv)                               For any other reason whatsoever, in the sole and complete discretion of the Company.

 

(b)                                  Employee’s Right to Terminate . Employee will have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for:

 

(i)                                      Good Reason (as defined in Section 7 ); or

 

(ii)                                   For any other reason whatsoever, in the sole and complete discretion of Employee, by providing the Company with a Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 6(c) below). In the case of a termination of employment by Employee pursuant to this Section 6(b)(ii) , the Termination Date (as defined in Section 6(c) below) specified in the Notice of Termination shall not be less than 30 nor more than 60 days, respectively, from the date such Notice of Termination is given, and the Company may require a Termination Date earlier than the Termination Date specified in the Notice of Termination (and, if such earlier Termination Date is so required, it shall not change the basis for Employee’s termination nor be construed or interpreted as a termination of employment pursuant to Section 3 or Section 6(a)(iv) ).

 

(c)                                   Notice of Termination . Any termination of Employee’s employment hereunder by the Company or by Employee (other than termination pursuant to Section 6(a)(i) on account of Employee’s death) shall be communicated by written notice of termination (“ Notice of Termination ”) to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 21 . The Notice of Termination shall specify (i) the termination provision of this Agreement being relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Employee’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) the applicable Termination Date (as defined below). No action by either party hereto pursuant to this Section 6(c) shall alter or amend any other provisions hereof or rights arising hereunder, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 8, 9, 10 and 11 hereof.

 

(d)                                  Date of Termination . Subject to Section 22(b) , the effective date of Employee’s termination (the “ Termination Date ”) will be as follows: (i) if Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee’s death, the date of such death; (ii) if Employee’s employment is terminated as a result of a Disability or by the Company with or without Cause, then the date specified in the Notice of Termination delivered to Employee; (iii) if Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 6(b) above, then the date specified in the Notice of Termination delivered to Company by Employee; and (iv) if Employee’s employment terminates due to the giving of a non-renewal notice pursuant to Section 3 above, the last day of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.

 

(e)                                   Deemed Resignations . Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company and Employee prior to the termination of Employee’s employment, any termination of

 

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Employee’s employment shall, without changing the basis for termination of employment or the impact of such termination on Employee’s rights, if any, under Section 7 , constitute (i) an automatic resignation of Employee from any position held as an officer of the Company and each Affiliate of the Company and (ii) an automatic resignation of Employee from the Board (if applicable), from the board of directors or similar governing body of any Affiliate of the Company and from the board of directors or similar governing body of any corporation, limited liability entity or other entity in which the Company or any Affiliate holds an equity interest and with respect to which board or similar governing body Employee serves as the Company’s or such Affiliate’s designee or other representative.

 

(f)                                     Accrued Compensation . Upon termination, Employee shall be entitled to receive a lump-sum amount equal to the sum of (i) Employee’s accrued and unpaid salary as of the Termination Date, (ii) Employee’s accrued and unpaid bonus amounts from years prior to the year in which the Termination Date occurs, and (iii) subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 6(f) the cash out value of Employee’s accrued and unpaid vacation time as of the Termination Date, which lump-sum amount shall be paid as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 10 days of the Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in any vacation policy adopted by the Company or any of its Affiliates, for purposes of clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in the Purchase Agreement, in no event shall Employee be entitled to receive the cash out value of any accrued and unused vacation time in excess of (A) the amount of vacation time Employee is entitled to accrue in a single calendar year plus (B) the amount of vacation days Employee is allowed to carry over from year to year (up to 5 days), in either case as in effect under the vacation policy applicable to Employee immediately prior to the Termination Date. Employee shall also be entitled to payment of any vested benefits provided under the terms of any employee benefit plan in accordance with the terms of such plan.

 

7.                                            Severance Payments .

 

(a)                                   Termination without Cause or for Good Reason . If prior to the occurrence of a Threshold Capital Transaction (as such term is defined in the EPE Acquisition LLC Agreement) or within two years thereafter, (A) the Company terminates Employee’s employment with the Company and, if applicable, its Affiliates, without Cause or by failing to renew the term of this Agreement in accordance with Section 3 , or (B) Employee terminates Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 6(b)(i) , and before the 60th day following the Termination Date, Employee has signed and not revoked in the time provided to do so a termination of employment agreement acceptable to the Company and substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A that contains a complete release of all claims against the Company, its Affiliates, and their designees from the claims specified in Exhibit A (a “ Release ”) and such Release has become effective and irrevocable, the Company shall pay Employee severance in accordance with Section 7(b) . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be required to pay Employee severance if the Company terminates Employee’s employment after receiving a Notice of Termination from Employee, provided that such Notice of Termination specifies that Employee’s termination is not for Good Reason. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 7(b) shall not apply if: (1) the Company terminates Employee’s employment for Cause pursuant to Section 6(a)(iii) above; (2) the Company terminates Employee’s employment due to Disability or Employee’s employment

 

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terminates due to Employee’s death pursuant to Sections 6(a)(i) or 6(a)(ii) above or (3) Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii) above.

 

(b)                                  Severance Amount . If the Company is required to pay Employee severance by the express terms of Section 7(a) , Employee shall be entitled to receive the following as severance:

 

(i)                                      a lump-sum amount equal to three times the sum of Employee’s Base Salary and Target Annual Bonus as of the Termination Date, which amount shall be paid on the date that is sixty days following the Termination Date;

 

(ii)                                   a lump-sum amount equal to Employee’s target bonus amount for the year in which the Termination Date occurs, determined as if Employee had continued in employment until the end of such fiscal year and as if the Company and Employee had fully met all performance targets and goals, prorated by multiplying the full bonus amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of the year prior to and including the Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365, which lump-sum amount shall be paid as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 10 days of the Termination Date; and

 

(iii)                                for a period of 36 months after the Termination Date, the basic life insurance, medical and dental benefits, at Company expense, which were being provided to Employee immediately prior to the Termination Date. The benefits provided in this Section 7(b)(iii) shall be no less favorable to Employee, in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him or her, than the coverage provided Employee under the plans providing such benefits at the time Notice of Termination is given. The Company’s obligation hereunder to provide the foregoing benefits shall terminate to the extent Employee obtains replacement coverage under a subsequent employer’s benefit plans at an equal or higher level. Nothing in this Section 7(b)(iii) shall require the Company or any of its Affiliates to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, any additional income tax payable by Employee attributable to the benefits provided under this Section 7(b)(iii) .

 

Any payments paid under this Section 7(b) shall be in lieu of any severance benefits otherwise due to Employee under any severance pay plan or program maintained by the Company that covers its employees or Employees generally; provided, however, the effects of any termination of Employee’s employment with the Company on the Management Incentive Units shall be as provided in the Employee Holdings LLC Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Cause . Cause means the occurrence or existence of any of the following events:

 

(i)                                      Employee’s willful failure to perform Employee’s material duties (other than any such failure resulting from Employee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), including a willful failure to satisfy Employee’s fiduciary duties to the Company, that remains uncured 30 days after written notice thereof from the Company to Employee;

 

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(ii)                                        Employee’s willful and material breach of this Agreement that remains uncured 30 days after written notice thereof from the Company to Employee;

 

(iii)                                     Employee’s conviction of, or Employee’s plea of guilty or no contest to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude; or

 

(iv)                                    Employee’s engaging in actual fraud or willful, material misconduct in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement;

 

provided, however, that no termination of Employee’s employment shall be for Cause as set forth in clauses (i), (ii) or (iv) above until (A) there shall have been delivered to Employee a copy of a written notice setting forth that Employee was guilty of the conduct set forth in clause (i), (ii) or (iv) and specifying the particulars thereof in detail, and (B) Employee shall have been provided an opportunity to be heard by the Board (with the assistance of Employee’s counsel if Employee so desires) and (C) the Board shall have determined, as set forth in a written resolution adopted by at least a majority of the members of the whole Board, that Cause exists. No act, nor failure to act, on Employee’s part shall be considered “willful” unless Employee has acted, or failed to act, in bad faith or without a reasonable belief that Employee’s action or failure to act was in the best interests of the Company or its Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no failure to perform by Employee after a Notice of Termination is given by Employee shall constitute Cause.

 

(d)                                  Good Reason . Good Reason means the occurrence of any of the following events without Employee’s consent:

 

(i)                                           any decrease in Employee’s Base Salary other than a reduction of not more than 5% in connection with a general reduction in base salaries that affects all similarly situated executives in substantially the same proportions which is implemented in response to a material downturn in the U.S. domestic oil and natural gas exploration and development industry;

 

(ii)                                        a failure of the Company to cause Employee to be eligible under Benefit Plans that provide benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided to Employee as of the Effective Date;

 

(iii)                                     any material breach by the Company of this Agreement;

 

(iv)                                    a material diminution in Employee’s title, authority, duties, or responsibilities, without Employee’s prior written consent, or the assignment to Employee without Employee’s prior written consent of duties inconsistent in any substantial respect with Employee’s then-current title, authority, duties or responsibilities or any other action by the Company that results in a diminution in Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities;

 

(v)                                       any relocation of Employee’s principal place of employment to a location that is more than 35 miles from the then-current location of such employment, without Employee’s prior written consent;

 

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(vi)                               any purported termination of Employee’s employment for Cause by the Company that does not otherwise comply with the terms of this Agreement (other than any purported termination of Employee’s employment for Cause by the Company acting in good faith, regardless of whether such purported termination complies with the terms of this Agreement); or

 

(vii)                            the failure of EPE Acquisition to re-elect Employee as a member of the Board in connection with any election of managers without Employee’s prior written consent; provided, however, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the appointment of any individual other than Employee to serve as Chairman of the Board shall not constitute Good Reason.

 

Employee’s Termination Date shall not be considered to be on account of Good Reason unless (A) within 60 days after the date on which Employee knows, or should reasonably be expected to know, that one of the events set forth in Section 7(d) has occurred, Employee provides written notice to the Board of the applicable facts and circumstances, (B) the Company does not remedy, cure or rectify the event within 30 days from the date on which written notice is received from Employee, and (C) Employee terminates his employment within 120 days after the initial existence of the condition specified in such notice.

 

8.                                            Conflicts of Interest . Employee agrees that Employee shall promptly disclose to the Board any material conflict of interest involving Employee after Employee becomes aware of such conflict.

 

9.                                            Confidentiality . Employee acknowledges and agrees that he has been provided Confidential Information (as defined below) regarding EPE Acquisition and the Company and that EPE Acquisition and the Company will provide Employee new and valuable Confidential Information of EPE Acquisition and the Company and it may also provide Employee confidential information of third parties who have supplied such information to EPE Acquisition and/or the Company. For purposes of this Section 9 , the term “Company” shall include EPE Acquisition and each of its subsidiaries. In consideration of such Confidential Information and other valuable consideration provided hereunder, and in order to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, Employee agrees to comply with this Section 9 .

 

(a)                                   Confidential Information . Confidential Information means, without limitation and regardless of whether such information or materials are expressly identified as confidential or proprietary, (i) any and all non-public, confidential or proprietary information of the Company, (ii) any information of the Company that gives the Company a competitive business advantage or the opportunity of obtaining such advantage, (iii) any information of the Company the disclosure or improper use of which would reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the interests of the Company and (iv) any trade secrets of the Company. Confidential Information also includes any non-public, confidential or proprietary information about, or belonging to, any third party that has been entrusted to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include any information which is or becomes generally known by the public other than as a result of Employee’s actions or inactions.

 

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(b)              Protection .    Except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or legal process, Employee promises (i) to keep the Confidential Information, and all documentation, materials and information relating thereto, strictly confidential, except to the extent that disclosure thereof is necessary or appropriate in the performance of Employee’s duties for the benefit of the Company, (ii) not to use the Confidential Information for any purpose other than as required in connection with fulfilling Employee’s duties for the benefit of the Company, and (iii) to return to the Company all Confidential Information in Employee’s possession and control upon separation from the Company for any reason, other than death. For the avoidance of doubt, Employee specifically acknowledges and agrees that any use by Employee of such Confidential Information other than as required in connection with fulfilling his duties on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Company will be a material breach of this Agreement.

 

(c)              Scope .    Employee understands and agrees that all Confidential Information, in whatever medium (verbal, written, electronic or other), is subject to this Agreement whether provided directly to Employee or not, whether provided to Employee prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement or not, and whether inadvertently disclosed to Employee or not. Confidential Information that was or is available to Employee or to which Employee had or has access will be deemed to have been provided to Employee.

 

(d)              Value and Security .       Employee understands and agrees that all Confidential Information, and every portion thereof, constitutes the valuable intellectual property of the Company and/or third parties, and Employee further acknowledges the importance of maintaining the security and confidentiality of the Confidential Information and of not misusing the Confidential Information.

 

(e)              Disclosure Required By Law .   If Employee is legally required to disclose any Confidential Information, Employee shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law or legal process, promptly notify the Company in writing of such request or requirement so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order or other relief or waive compliance with this Agreement. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Employee agrees to cooperate with and not to oppose any effort by the Company to resist or narrow such request or to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. In any such case, Employee will (A) disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that, according to the advice of Employee’s counsel, is required to be disclosed, (B) use reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that such Confidential Information will be treated confidentially, and (C) to the extent permitted by applicable law, promptly notify the Company in writing of the items of Confidential Information so disclosed.

 

(f)               Survival .   The covenants made by Employee in this Section 9 will survive termination of this Agreement, and Employee’s employment for a period of three years; provided, however, that any covenants with regard to the non-use or disclosure of trade secrets established by applicable law shall remain in effect for so long as provided by applicable law.

 

10.             Agreement Not to Compete .

 

(a)              Covenants .   For purposes of this Section 10 , the term “Company” shall include EPE Acquisition and each of its subsidiaries. In order to protect the Company’s

 

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legitimate business interests, including the preservation of the Confidential Information and the goodwill developed by Employee on behalf of Company, and as an express incentive for Company to enter into this Agreement, Employee agrees that, except in the ordinary course and scope of Employee’s employment hereunder, Employee shall not, either as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, director, officer, employee, employer, advisor, stockholder, partner, member, joint venturer, owner or in any other individual or representative capacity whatsoever, whether paid or unpaid, either for Employee’s own benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity, directly or indirectly:

 

(i)             during the Coverage Period, engage or carry on in Competitive Duties within the Restricted Area (including, without limitation, by engaging or carrying on in any of the activities set forth in Section 10(a)(ii) through Section 10(a)(v) below);

 

(ii)            during the Coverage Period, form or otherwise provide services to a Competing Business within the Restricted Area or directly or indirectly acquire any 5% or greater equity ownership, voting interest or profit participation interest in, any Competing Business within the Restricted Area;

 

(iii)           during the Coverage Period with respect to any Restricted Prospects, directly or indirectly (A) acquire, attempt to acquire, or assist a third person in acquiring, any interest in or rights to such Restricted Prospects, (B) acquire, attempt to acquire or assist a third party in acquiring any equity or other interest or right in any company, business, joint venture or other enterprise owning or controlling or seeking to own or control any interest in or rights to such Restricted Prospects, or (C) otherwise divert, take away, interfere with or compete for any acquisition by the Company of such Restricted Prospects or any other transaction or arrangement contemplated by the Company (and of which Employee was aware as of the Termination Date) relating to such Restricted Prospects (or attempt to do any of the foregoing);

 

(iv)           during the Coverage Period, directly or indirectly, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any employee of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company; provided, however, that this restriction shall not extend to prohibit or otherwise limit general employment advertising or solicitation not specifically targeting any specific employee or the hiring of any employee who responds to such advertising or solicitation or who approaches Employee for employment; or

 

(v)            at any time, use the name of the Company in connection with any business that is or would be in competition in any manner whatsoever with the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 10 shall not be deemed to restrict or prohibit Employee’s engaging in any Permitted Activities.

 

(b)              Disclosure and Authorization .    For a period of 12 months immediately following the termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, Employee promises to disclose to the Company any employment, consulting, or other service relationship Employee enters into after the Termination Date. Such disclosure shall be made within 30 days of Employee entering into such employment, consulting or other service relationship. Employee

 

12



 

expressly consents to and authorizes the Company to disclose both the existence and terms of this Agreement to any future employer or user of Employee’s services and to take any steps the Company reasonably deems necessary to enforce this Agreement.

 

(c)            Value and Reasonableness .   Employee understands and acknowledges that the Company has made substantial investments to develop its business interests, goodwill, and Confidential Information. Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee has been provided, and may in the future be provided, Confidential Information. Employee agrees that the preservation of the Company’s Confidential Information and goodwill are business interests worthy of protection, and that the Company’s need for the protection afforded by this Section 10 is greater than any hardship Employee might experience by complying with its terms and that the restrictions contained herein are no greater than necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests. Employee further agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Section 10 are ancillary to an otherwise enforceable agreement and that the limitations as to time, geographic area, and scope of activity to be restrained contained in this Agreement are reasonable and are not greater than necessary to protect the Confidential Information and/or the goodwill or other business interests of the Company.

 

(d)            Reformation .   The Company and Employee believe the limitations as to time, geographic area, and scope of activity contained in this Section 10 are reasonable and do not impose a greater restraint than necessary to protect Confidential Information, goodwill, and other legitimate business interests of the Company. However, in the event an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that the limitations agreed upon are not appropriate, the parties agree to, and hereby do, request that the court reform the limitations to the satisfaction of the arbitrator or court. It is the express intent of the Company and Employee that the terms of this Competition Agreement be enforced to the full extent permitted by applicable law and not to any greater extent.

 

(e)            Right to Injunction .   Employee acknowledges that Employee’s violation of Sections 9 and/or 10 of this Agreement could cause irreparable harm to the Company for which damages may not adequately be measured, and Employee agrees that the Company shall be entitled as a matter of right to specific performance of Employee’s obligations under Sections 9 and 10 and an injunction, from any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any violation or further violation of such agreements by Employee or others acting on Employee’s behalf, without any showing of irreparable harm and without any showing that the Company does not have an adequate remedy at law. The Company’s right to injunctive relief shall be cumulative and in addition to any other remedies provided by law or equity.

 

(f)             Definitions .   As used in this Section 10 , the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(i)             Competing Business means any individual, sole proprietorship, business, firm, company, partnership, joint venture, organization, or other person, entity or arrangement that competes, or has material plans to compete of which Employee is aware, or that owns or controls a significant interest in any entity that competes, or has material plans to compete of which Employee is aware, with the Company, with respect

 

13



 

to the Hydrocarbons exploration and production business in which the Company is engaged.

 

(ii)            Competitive Duties means duties for a Competing Business that: (A) are the same as, similar to, or substantially related to the duties that Employee had during the last 12 months of Employee’s employment with the Company; (B) are performed in the capacity of a director, executive officer, member or partner of a Competing Business; (C) involve the formation, management, operation, or control of such Competing Business or any recognized subdivision or department thereof; or (D) constitute the management or supervision of personnel engaged in any activity which is the same as, similar to or substantially related to any activity with which Employee had direct involvement during the last 12 months of Employee’s employment with the Company.

 

(iii)           Coverage Period means the period of time beginning on the Effective Date of this Agreement and ending 12 months following the Termination Date.

 

(iv)           Hydrocarbons means oil, condensate gas, casinghead gas and other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons.

 

(v)            Oil and Gas Interests means: (A) direct and indirect interests in and rights with respect to oil and natural gas properties (including revenues or net revenues therefrom) of any kind and nature, direct or indirect, including without limitation working, royalty and overriding royalty interests, mineral interests, leasehold interests, production payments, operating rights, net profits interests, other non-working interests and non-operating interests; and (B) interests in and rights with respect to oil and natural gas or revenues therefrom.

 

(vi)           Restricted Area means those oil and gas fields, shales, plays and other geographic areas set forth in Exhibit B hereto and any other oil and gas fields, shales, plays and geographic areas with respect to which: (A) Employee provides services on behalf of the Company during Employee’s employment hereunder; and (B) the Company has material operations or specific plans to conduct any material business as of the Termination Date (provided that Employee has material responsibilities, or has obtained Confidential Information, with respect to such operations or plans).

 

(vii)          Restricted Prospects includes any Oil and Gas Interests within the Restricted Area.

 

(g)            This Section 10 shall survive any termination of this Agreement for the periods stated herein.

 

11.             Parachute Taxes.

 

(a)             Gross-Up Payment .   In the event it shall be determined that any vesting, payment or distribution of any type by the Company or any of its Affiliates or any other party in a transaction involving the Company or its Affiliates or a party to the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement or the Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement (as defined in the Purchase

 

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Agreement) to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the “ Payments ”) on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date and that is “contingent” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are collectively referred to as the “ Excise Tax ”), then Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “ Gross-Up Payment ”) in an amount such that after payment by Employee of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any income taxes, employment taxes and Excise Tax, imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. All determinations required to be made under this Section 11(a) (including, without limitation, whether any vesting, payment or distribution (i) constitutes a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) is contingent on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement) shall be made by the Board acting in good faith and in accordance with commonly accepted practices, including, to the extent appropriate, the engagement of an independent public accounting firm. Payment of the Gross-Up Payment shall be made at the time that withholding is required in connection with any Payment, provided that the payment of any Gross-Up Payment shall be made prior to the date Employee is to remit the Excise Tax as provided under of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) or pursuant to any judgment or agreement with any taxing authority.

 

(b)            Determination by Accountant.       Except as otherwise provided in Section 11(a) , all determinations required to be made under this Section 11 , including whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by the independent accounting firm retained by the Company on the date of Change in Control (the “ Accounting Firm ”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Employee within 15 business days of the date of termination, if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Employee, it shall furnish Employee with an opinion that he or she has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on his or her federal income tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“ Underpayment ”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 11(c) and Employee thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee.

 

(c)            Notification Required.    Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after Employee knows of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid.

 

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Employee shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, Employee shall:

 

(i)             give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,

 

(ii)            take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

 

(iii)           cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim, and

 

(iv)           permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 11(c) , the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct Employee to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund, or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Employee agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided , however , that if the Company directs Employee to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to Employee (unless otherwise prohibited by applicable law), on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of Employee with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and Employee shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

 

(d)            Repayment .   If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c) , Employee becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, Employee shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the

 

16



 

requirements of Section 11(c) ) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c) , a determination is made that Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify Employee in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

 

(e)            Shareholder Approval .   With respect to events from and after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if (a) Employee is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), (b) the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits that Employee has the right to receive from the Company or any of its Affiliates, would constitute an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, a “ Excess Parachute Payment ”)) and (c) shareholder approval (obtained in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 280G(b)(5) of the Code) of a payment or benefit to be provided to Employee by the Company or any other person (whether under this Agreement or otherwise) would result in the payment or benefit not being treated as an Excess Parachute Payment, then, upon the request of Employee and Employee’s agreement (to the extent necessary) to subject Employee’s entitlement to the receipt of such payment or benefit to shareholder approval, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to seek and obtain such approval in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder with the least amount of risk to Employee not receiving such payment or benefit.

 

12.             Withholdings   The Company may withhold and deduct from any payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and (b) to the extent permissible under Section 409A (as hereinafter defined), any deductions consented to in writing by Employee.

 

13.             Severability .    It is the desire of the parties hereto that this Agreement be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and should any provision contained herein be held unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, the parties hereby agree and consent that such provision shall be reformed to create a valid and enforceable provision to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, if such provision cannot be reformed, it shall be deemed ineffective and deleted herefrom without affecting any other provision of this Agreement.

 

14.             Title and Headings; Construction .    Titles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions hereof. Any and all Exhibits referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular provision hereof.

 

17



 

15.             Arbitration; Injunctive Relief; Attorneys’ Fees .

 

(a)              Subject to Section 15(b) , any dispute, controversy or claim between Employee and the Company arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Employee’s employment, or the termination of either will be finally settled by arbitration in Houston, Texas before, and in accordance with the then-existing rules for the resolution of employment disputes then obtaining of, the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator’s award shall be reasoned, fmal and binding on all parties and may be enforced in a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(b)              Notwithstanding Section 15(a) , an application for emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief by either party (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 10(g) ) shall not be subject to arbitration under this Section 15 ; provided, however, that the remainder of any such dispute (beyond the application for emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief) shall be subject to arbitration under this Section 15 .

 

(c)              Each of Employee and the Company shall share equally the cost of the arbitrator and bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any arbitration, unless a statutory claim authorizing the award of attorneys’ fees is at issue, in which event the arbitrator may award a reasonable attorneys’ fee in accordance with the jurisprudence of that statute; provided, however, that if Employee institutes any legal action in seeking to obtain or enforce, or is required to defend in any legal action the validity or enforceability of, any right to severance provided by this Agreement, the Company, subject to Section 22(d) , will reimburse Employee for all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, arbitration fees and the costs of experts) promptly after receipt from Employee of an invoice and supporting documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Company with respect to such fees and expenses. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, (i) the Company shall not be responsible for reimbursing any such fees and expenses to the extent they are incurred in connection with a claim made by Employee that the trier of fact finds to be frivolous or if Employee is determined to have breached Employee’s obligations under Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement and (ii) if, after the receipt by Employee of an amount reimbursed by the Company pursuant to this Section 15(c) in connection with a claim made by Employee that the trier of fact finds to be frivolous or if Employee is determined to have breached Employee’s obligations under Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement, then Employee shall promptly repay to the Company all amounts reimbursed in connection with such claim pursuant to this Section 15(c).

 

(d)              Nothing in this Section 15 shall prohibit a party to this Agreement from (i) instituting litigation to enforce any arbitration award or (ii) joining another party to this Agreement in a litigation initiated by a person which is not a party to this Agreement. IN ENTERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

16.             Governing Law.    THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THEREOF

 

18



 

THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICABLE OF THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE EXCLUSIVE VENUE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF ANY DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR EMPLOYEE’S EMPLOYMENT (THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION UNDER SECTION 15 FOR ANY REASON) SHALL BE IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN HARRIS, COUNTY TEXAS AND THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS.

 

17.             Entire Agreement and Amendment .     This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Company and any of its Affiliates (including, without limitation, EPE Acquisition) with respect to Employee’s employment and the other matters covered herein (except the Purchase Agreement and any other agreements specifically referenced herein); moreover, this Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between Employee on the one hand and the Company and any of its Affiliates on the other hand concerning the subject matters hereof, including, without limitation, the Original Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) Employee and EPE Acquisition expressly acknowledge and agree that this Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of the Original Agreement in its entirety and, therefore, this Agreement supersedes the Original Agreement in all respects and (b) Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding any provision within the 2004 Severance Plan that purports to restrict Employee’s rights to waive severance rights under the 2004 Severance Plan, effective as of the Effective Date, Employee is knowingly, voluntarily and permanently waiving any and all rights that Employee has under the 2004 Severance Plan on and after the Effective Date , as this Agreement and the other agreements being contemporaneously executed by Employee and the Company set forth the entirety of severance rights that Employee has, or in the future may have, with respect to, or arising out of, Employee’s employment with the Company or its Affiliates and the 2004 Severance Plan is hereby superseded in its entirety with respect to Employee. This Agreement may be amended, waived or terminated only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and Employee.

 

18.             Survival of Certain Provisions .     Wherever appropriate to the intention of the parties hereto and except as otherwise provided herein, the respective rights and obligations of said parties, including, but not limited to, the rights and obligations set forth in Section 6 through Section 11 hereof, shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason.

 

19.             Waiver of Breach .     No waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any subsequent time. The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time while such breach continues.

 

20.             Assignment .    Neither this Agreement nor any rights nor obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Employee (except, by will or by operation of the laws of intestate succession). The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, including to an Affiliate or any successor and any such assignment may

 

19



 

take effect at any time without the consent of Employee, provided that (a) such Affiliate or successor has the financial wherewithal to perform all obligations of the Company hereunder and (b) such assignment does not, without Employee’s prior written consent, result in “Good Reason” within the meaning of Section 7(d)(iv) with respect to (x) the Company and its Affiliates or (y) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Affiliates. The fact that any such assignment may be permitted under this Section 20 shall not affect the determination of whether such assignment or any related transaction constitutes a Threshold Capital Transaction. The Company will require any successor permitted under this Section 20 , including any acquirer of substantially all of its assets, to assume its obligations under this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

21.             Notices .    Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (a) when delivered in person, (b) on the first business day after such notice is sent by air express overnight courier service, or (c) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in each case addressed to the following address, as applicable:

 

If to the Company, addressed to:

 

Everest Acquisition LLC

c/o Apollo Global Management, LLC

9 West 59th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Mr. Sam Oh

 

If to Employee, addressed to:

 

Brent J. Smolik

2505 Del Monte Dr.

Houston, Texas 77019

 

22.             Section 409A .

 

(a)              General .   The intent of the parties is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and interpretive guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, Section 409A ”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. The Company and Employee shall take commercially reasonable efforts to reform or amend any provision hereof to the extent that either of them reasonably determine that such provision would or could reasonably be expected to cause Employee to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A to try to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A through good faith modifications, in any case, to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A, provided that any such modifications shall not increase the cost or liability to the Company. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and

 

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economic benefit to Employee and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A.

 

(b)              Separation from Service .   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement that is designated under this Agreement as payable upon Employee’s termination of employment shall be payable only upon Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A (a Separation from Service ”).

 

(c)              Specified Employee .   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is deemed by the Company at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of Employee’s benefits shall not be provided to Employee prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of Employee’s Separation from Service or (ii) the date of Employee’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the delay period described in the preceding sentence, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to Employee under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

(d)              Expense Reimbursements .   To the extent that any reimbursements under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements payable to Employee shall be paid to Employee no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; provided, that Employee submits Employee’s reimbursement request promptly following the date the expense is incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, other than medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and Employee’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

(e)              Installments .   Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement, including without limitation any continuation salary payments that are payable on Company payroll dates, shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment as permitted under Section 409A. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A, no payment hereunder shall be accelerated or deferred unless such acceleration or deferral would not result in additional tax or interest pursuant to Section 409A.

 

23.             Affiliates .    For purposes of this Agreement, “ Affiliate means, with respect to any person, any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such specified person; provided, however , that an Affiliate shall not include any portfolio company of any person. For purposes of the definition of “Affiliate”, “ control when used with respect to any person means the power to direct the management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have correlative meanings.

 

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24.             Employee Acknowledgement .    Employee acknowledges that Employee has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on Employee’s own judgment after having had the opportunity to consult with advisors of Employee’s choosing.

 

25.             Counterparts .    This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature pages, each signed by one party, but together signed by both parties hereto.

 

26.             Company Name Change .    It is intended that the Company will change its name to EP Energy LLC on or immediately after the Effective Date. Upon such change becoming effective, all references in this Agreement to “the Company” shall refer to EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

27.             Provisions Regarding Effective Date .    As indicated in Section 1 , this Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date and, accordingly, in connection therewith and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force or effect if (a) Employee ceases to be employed by either EPEPM or one of its Affiliates at any time prior to the Effective Date and/or (b) the Effective Date does not occur on or prior to the End Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement).

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

22


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement this 24 th  day of May, 2012, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Brent J. Smolik

 

Brent J. Smolik

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the limited purpose of acknowledging Section 17:

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Clayton A. Carrell

 

 

Clayton A. Carrell

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(BRENT J. SMOLIK)

 



 

SCHEDULE 2(a)

 

PERMITTED CORPORATE BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS

 

American Exploration and Production Council

American’s Natural Gas Alliance

Independent Petroleum Association of America

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Termination of Employment Agreement (this Agreement ”) is between EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Company ”) , and Brent J. Smolik (“ Employee ”) pursuant to that Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Employee and Company dated                    , 2012 (the Employment Agreement ”).

 

The parties hereby agree to terminate their employment relationship on the following terms and conditions.

 

1.                Termination of Employment .   Company and Employee agree that Employee’s employment with Company has been terminated, or shall be terminated, as of [ · ] (the Termination Date ”), and Employee is eligible to receive certain severance benefits pursuant to Section 7 of the Employment Agreement.

 

2.                Complete Release and Other Consideration from Employee .      Subject to Employee’s timely receipt of the severance benefits payable to Employee pursuant to the Employment Agreement, in exchange for Company’s obligations under this Agreement, Employee agrees as follows:

 

(a)           Release of Claims.    Employee, on Employee’s own behalf and on behalf of Employee’s heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever releases Company, its direct and indirect subsidiaries and Affiliates (as defined in the Employment Agreement), and each of their respective current and former officers, directors, equity holders, members, managers, benefit plans, and plan administrators (collectively, the Releasees ”) from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, or cause of action relating to:

 

(i)             any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns and the termination of that relationship;

 

(ii)            with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns: any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;

 

(iii)           with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns: any and

 

 

EXHIBIT A-1



 

all claims for violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law, including, but not limited to the following statutes (each as amended, if applicable), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

(iv)           any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or employment discrimination with respect thereto;

 

(v)            any and all claims arising out of any other federal, state, local or foreign law relating to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or employment discrimination with respect thereto;

 

(vi)           any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the non-withholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Employee with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns or as a result of this Agreement; and

 

(vii)          any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs with respect to the foregoing.

 

Employee agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete release as to the matters released. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement does not release (i) Employee’s current ownership of, or claims in respect of future rights or claims arising out of, (A) any direct or indirect equity interest in the Company or any of its Affiliates or (B) any options or other contingent rights thereto (including, without limitation, rights in respect of the Company’s Class B Units or any successor rights), (ii) any future rights under equity or equity incentives or (iii) claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, including, but not limited to, Employee’s right to file a charge with, or participate in a charge by, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other local, state, or federal administrative body or government agency that is authorized to enforce or administer laws related to employment, against Company (with the understanding that Employee’s release of claims herein bars Employee from recovering monetary or other personal relief from Company or any other Releasee), claims for unemployment compensation or any state disability insurance benefits pursuant to the terms of applicable state law, claims to continued participation in certain of Company’s group benefit plans pursuant to the terms and conditions of COBRA, claims to any benefit entitlements vested as the date of separation of Employee’s employment, pursuant to written terms of any employee benefit plan of Company or its Affiliates. Further, this Agreement does not release Employee’s rights, including under applicable law and Company’s

 

EXHIBIT A-2



 

D&O policy, to seek indemnity for acts committed, or omissions, within the course and scope of Employee’s employment duties.

 

(b)          Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under the ADEA .   Employee understands and acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ ADEA ”), and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee understands and agrees that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Employee understands and acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further understands and acknowledges that Employee has been advised by this writing that: (a) Employee should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) Employee has [21/45] days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) Employee has 7 days following Employee’s execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement, which Employee may do by providing written notice of revocation to Company as provided in Section 21 of the Employment Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Employee signs this Agreement and returns it to Company in less than the [21/45] day period identified above, Employee hereby acknowledges that he has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the complete time period allotted for considering this Agreement.

 

3.                Confidentiality .   Except as may be required by applicable law or court order or as may be necessary in an action arising out of this Agreement, Employee agrees not to disclose the existence or terms of this Agreement to anyone other than Employee’s immediate family, attorneys, tax advisors, and financial counselors, provided that Employee first informs them of this confidentiality clause and secures their agreement to be bound by it.

 

4.                Employee’s Representations .   Employee acknowledges, agrees and expressly represents that, as of the date Employee executes this Agreement: (i) Employee has received all compensation and other sums that Employee is owed by the Releasees (other than sums owed pursuant to this Agreement); and (ii) Employee has received all leaves (paid and unpaid) that Employee was owed through the Termination Date.

 

5.                Release and Other Consideration from Company .   In exchange for Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, Company shall pay Employee those severance payments described in Section 7(b) of the Employment Agreement, on the terms provided in the Employment Agreement. Employee acknowledges that these severance payments are conditioned on Employee’s compliance with Sections 9 and 10 of the Employment Agreement. Company may withhold from any severance payments all federal, state, local, and other taxes and withholdings as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

6.                Right to Consult an Attorney; Period of Review .   Employee is encouraged to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement. From the date this Agreement is first

 

EXHIBIT A-3



 

presented to Employee, Employee will have [21/45] days in which to review this Agreement. Employee may use as little or much of this [21/45] -day review period as Employee chooses.

 

7.                Amendment; Continuing Obligations .   This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement may be amended, waived or terminated only by a written instrument executed by both parties hereto. Employee hereby reaffirms and agrees to continue to abide by the terms set forth in Sections 9 and 10 of the Employment Agreement and expressly acknowledges the enforceability and continuing effect of those terms.

 

8.                Revocation .   Upon signing this Agreement, Employee will have 7 days to revoke the Agreement. To properly revoke the Agreement, Company must receive written notice of revocation from Employee by the close of business on the 7th day after the date the Agreement is signed by Employee. Written notice must be delivered pursuant to Section 21 of the Employment Agreement.

 

9.                Choice of Law .   This Agreement will be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its choice of law principles. This Agreement is subject to the arbitration provisions in Section 15 of the Employment Agreement.

 

10.              Effectiveness of Agreement .   This Agreement will be effective, and the payments described above will be made, only if Employee executes the Agreement within [21/45] days of receiving it and only if Employee does not revoke the Agreement under Section 8 above.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

EXHIBIT A-4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brent J. Smolik

 

EXHIBIT A-5



 

EXHIBIT B

 

RESTRICTED AREAS

 

Eagle Ford La Salle County, Texas

Eagle Ford Dimmit County, Texas

Eagle Ford Webb County, Texas

Eagle Ford Atascosa County, Texas

Eagle Ford McMullen County, Texas

Altamont Duchesne County, Utah

Altamont Uintah County, Utah

Wolfcamp Reagan County, Texas

Wolfcamp Irion County, Texas

Wolfcamp Crockett County, Texas

Wolfcamp Upton County, Texas

Wilcox Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

Wilcox Newton County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex De Soto Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Bossier Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Webster Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Bienville Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Robertson County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex Panola County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex Caddo Parish, Louisiana

Black Warrior Jefferson County, Alabama

Black Warrior Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Black Warrior Fayette County, Alabama

Black Warrior Walker County, Alabama

Raton Colfax County, New Mexico

Raton Las Animas County, Colorado

Gulf Coast Starr County, Texas

Gulf Coast Zapata County, Texas

Gulf Coast Lavaca County, Texas

Gulf Coast Hidalgo County, Texas

Arkoma Le Flore County, Oklahoma

Arkoma Haskell County, Oklahoma

 

EXHIBIT B-1




Exhibit 10.21

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into by and between Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and Dane E. Whitehead (“ Employee ”) as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto. EPE Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the indirect parent of the Company (“ EPE Acquisition ”) and El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc. (“ EPEPM ”) also join this Agreement for the limited purpose of acknowledging the provisions of Section 17 below. This Agreement amends and restates in its entirety the Employment Agreement entered into by and between EPE Acquisition and Employee as of March 29, 2012 (the “ Original Agreement ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS , Employee is currently employed by EPEPM, a wholly owned subsidiary of EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation) (“ EP Energy ”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “ Purchase Agreement ”) dated as of February 24, 2012 by and among EP Energy, the Company and the other parties thereto, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy will be sold to EPE Acquisition;

 

WHEREAS , effective as of the Closing Date (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement, the “ Effective Date ”), the Company desires for the Company to employ Employee on the terms and conditions, and for the consideration, hereinafter set forth and Employee desires to be employed by the Company on such terms and conditions and for such consideration;

 

WHEREAS , Employee has participated in the El Paso Corporation 2004 Key Executive Severance Protection Plan, as amended from time to time (the “ 2004 Severance Plan ”); and

 

WHEREAS , the parties wish for this Agreement to set forth the entirety of Employee’s rights to, and with regard to, severance pay and benefits from EPEPM, the Company and their respective Affiliates (as such term is defined below) upon and after the Effective Date.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective covenants and agreements set forth below, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.               Employment .    The Company agrees to employ Employee and Employee agrees to be employed by the Company beginning as of the Effective Date and continuing for the period of time set forth in Section 3 below, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) at any time and from time to time, the Company may, with the consent of Employee, cause any subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company to be Employee’s employer so long as the requirements of Section 20 are satisfied, and (b) the Company and Employee agree that Employee’s employer commencing as of the Effective Date shall be EPEPM until such time as such employer may be changed in accordance with clause (a) of this sentence. From and after the Effective Date, Employee shall serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and its primary domestic operating subsidiaries or in

 



 

such other position(s) as the Company may designate from time to time with the consent of Employee.

 

2.               Duties and Responsibilities of Employee .

 

(a)              During the Employment Period, Employee shall devote substantially all of Employee’s business time and attention to the business of the Company and its Affiliates, will act in a manner that Employee reasonably believes is consistent with the best interests of the Company and its Affiliates and will perform with due care Employee’s duties and responsibilities. Employee’s duties will include those normally incidental to the position(s) set forth in Section 1 above of as well as whatever additional duties may be assigned to Employee, with Employee’s consent, by any senior officers or by the Board of Managers of EPE Acquisition (the Board ”) from time to time. Employee agrees not to engage in any activity that materially interferes with the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, during the Employment Period, Employee will not hold any type of outside employment, engage in any type of consulting or otherwise render services to or for any other person, entity or business concern without the advance written approval of the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that Employee may (i) serve on corporate boards or committees (A) listed on Schedule 2(a) hereto or (B) approved by the Board, (ii) serve on civic, educational, religious, public interest, or charitable boards or committees, (iii) manage Employee’s personal and family investments, provided that such activity is not expressly prohibited by Section 10 and (iv) engage in passive investments (the activities referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) being Permitted Activities ”); provided, however, that such activities shall be permitted so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement or conflict with the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(b)              Employee expressly represents and covenants to the Company that Employee is not subject or a party to any employment agreement, noncompetition covenant, nondisclosure agreement, or any other agreement, covenant, understanding, or restriction that would prohibit Employee from executing this Agreement and fully performing Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder.

 

3.               Term of Employment .    The initial term of this Agreement shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the fifth anniversary thereof (the Initial Term ”). On the last day of the Initial Term and each anniversary thereafter (each such date being referred to as a Renewal Date ”), provided that this Agreement has not been earlier terminated, this Agreement shall automatically renew and extend for a period of 12 months (each a Renewal Term ”) unless either party delivers written notice of its intention not to renew or extend the term at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated at any time during the Initial Term or the Renewal Term (if any) in accordance with Section 6 . The period from the Effective Date through the date of termination of this Agreement, regardless of the time or reason for such termination, shall be referred to herein as the Employment Period.

 

2



 

4.               Compensation .

 

(a)              During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Employee an annualized base salary of $450,000 (“ Base Salary ”) (less applicable taxes and withholdings) in consideration for Employee’s services under this Agreement, payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for employee salaries as in effect from time to time. Employee’s Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board and, in the sole discretion of the Board, Employee’s Base Salary may be increased (but not decreased) effective as of any date determined by the Board.

 

(b)              The Company shall establish, and Employee shall be entitled to participate in, an annual performance bonus plan under which Employee will be eligible for an annual bonus payable in a single lump sum (the Annual Performance Bonus ”) based on the achievement of performance targets established by the Board for a calendar year. Employee’s target annual bonus will be at least 100% of Employee’s Base Salary (the Target Annual Bonus ”), but the actual amount of the Annual. Performance Bonus may range from 0% to 200% of Employee’s Target Annual Bonus depending on performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to the last sentence of this Section 4(b) , (i) the Annual Performance Bonus payable with respect to calendar year 2012, if any (the 2012 Annual Performance Bonus ”), will be paid from a bonus pool that will be funded at a minimum of 100% of the “target” level under the annual performance bonus plan and (ii) at the same time as the 2012 Annual Performance Bonus, if any, is paid to Employee (or would have been paid had the 2012 Annual Performance Bonus been earned), the Company will pay to Employee an additional bonus (the 2012 Guaranteed Bonus ”) consisting of a lump sum cash payment equal to $850,000. Bonus determinations will be made by the Board within 60 days of the end of each calendar year and any Annual Performance Bonus will be payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for employee bonuses, but in no event later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year to which it relates. Subject to the provisions of Section 7 below, Employee will not be entitled to receive payment of an Annual Performance Bonus or the 2012 Guaranteed Bonus unless Employee is employed by the Company on the date that such bonus is paid.

 

5.               Benefits .    Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to the following benefits during the Employment Period:

 

(a)              Reimbursement of Business Expenses .   The Company agrees to reimburse Employee for reasonable, documented business-related expenses actually incurred by Employee in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies as in effect from time to time.

 

(b)              Benefit Plans and Programs .   During the Employment Period, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the terms and eligibility requirements of any such plan or program, Employee will be eligible to participate in all benefit plans, arrangements, programs and practices (each a Benefit Plan ”), including improvements or modifications of the same, that are available to other senior executives of the Company and its Affiliates from time to time, subject to the eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions of such Benefit Plans, which Benefit Plans shall (at all times during the Employment Period) provide benefits to

 

3



 

Employee that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided to Employee by EPEPM as of the day immediately preceding the Effective Date; provided, however, that (i) such comparability shall be determined without regard to any equity-based incentive compensation, defined benefit pension plan, any retiree medical or other post-retirement welfare plan, or benefits under any frozen employee benefit plan and (ii) such benefits shall be subject to market adjustment to reflect, among other things, the addition of a company medical insurance subsidy and the absence of benefit accruals under any defined benefit plan or supplemental executive retirement plan. The Company will establish a 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 6% of eligible compensation plus a profit-sharing contribution in an amount sufficient so that the retirement benefits provided to Employee are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided as of the date immediately preceding the Effective Date (provided that in no event will the profit sharing contribution exceed 5% of eligible compensation) and will continue to provide long-term disability, life and travel accident benefits. The Company will not, however, by reason of this Section 5(b) be obligated either (i) to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing any such Benefit Plan, or (ii) to provide Employee with all benefits provided to any other person or individual employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates, in each case so long as the Company provides Employee with benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to the benefits described pursuant to this paragraph.

 

(c)            Vacation .   During the Employment Period, Employee shall be eligible to take up to five weeks of paid vacation per calendar year, which such vacation shall accrue and be taken in accordance with the Company’s vacation policies as may exist from time to time, provided that such policies are no less favorable than those policies in effect as of the day immediately preceding the Effective Date and, for purposes of vacation entitlements, Employee shall be given credit for prior service with EP Energy, EPEPM and their Affiliates.

 

(d)            Management Incentive Units .   On the Effective Date, EPE Employee Holdings, LLC (“ Employee Holdings ”) shall issue to Employee 69,328 Class B Units in Employee Holdings as of the Effective Date (the Management Incentive Units ”). The Management Incentive Units will be subject to, and governed by, the terms and conditions set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Employee Holdings, as amended from time to time (the Employee Holdings LLC Agreement ”) and an award agreement between Employee Holdings and Employee.

 

(e)            Investment Units .   On or before the 60th day following the Effective Date (the Management Class A Funding Date ”), Employee shall purchase 1,700 Class A Units (the Investment Units ”) in EPE Management Investors, LLC (“ EMI ”) in exchange for a cash payment equal to $1,700,000, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EMI, as amended from time to time (the EMI LLC Agreement ”). Conditioned on the acquisition by Employee of the Investment Units on or before the Management Class A Funding Date and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the LLC Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to receive 850 additional Class A Units (the Matching Units ”); provided, however, that the issuance of such Matching Units to Employee will be subject to Employee’s prior remittance to the Company of funds necessary to satisfy all taxes required to be withheld in connection with the receipt by Employee of such Matching Units. The Investment Units and the Matching Units will be subject to, and governed by, the terms and conditions set forth in the EMI LLC Agreement.

 

4



 

(f)               Indemnification .   Without limiting the applicability of Section 5.17 of the Purchase Agreement (which shall remain applicable to Employee in accordance with the provisions thereof), in the event that Employee is made a party or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding (a Proceeding ”), other than any Proceeding initiated by Employee or the Company related to any contest or dispute between Employee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries, by reason of the fact that Employee is or was a director or officer of, or was otherwise acting on behalf of, the Company, any Affiliate of the Company, or any other entity at the request of the Company, Employee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, from and against any and all liabilities, costs, claims and expenses, including any and all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding, and all amounts paid in settlement thereof after consultation with, and receipt of approval from, the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Costs and expenses incurred by Employee in defense of such Proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such litigation upon receipt by the Company of: (i) a written request for payment; (ii) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (iii) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on behalf of Employee to repay the amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined that Employee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement. The rights to indemnification and advancement of costs and expenses provided in this Section 5(f) are not and will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights or remedies to which Employee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any agreement or otherwise, and each such right under this Section 5(f) will be cumulative with all such other rights, if any.

 

(g)              Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance .   During the Employment Period, the Company or any successor to the Company hereunder shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to Employee on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other similarly situated directors and senior officers of the Company as of the Effective Date.

 

6.               Termination of Employment .

 

(a)              Company’s Right to Terminate .   In addition to terminating this Agreement upon the expiration of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term after issuance of a notice of non-renewal as contemplated in Section 3 , the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for any of the following reasons:

 

(i)             Upon Employee’s death;

 

(ii)            Upon the determination of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company that Employee is totally disabled, whether due to physical or mental condition, so as to be prevented from substantially performing Employee’s essential duties and responsibilities under this Agreement for a period of at least 180 consecutive days or 270 days during any 12-month period (Employee’s Disability ”);

 

5



 

(iii)           For Cause (as defined in Section 7 ); or

 

(iv)           For any other reason whatsoever, in the sole and complete discretion of the Company.

 

(b)            Employee’s Right to Terminate . Employee will have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for:

 

(i)             Good Reason (as defined in Section 7 ); or

 

(ii)            For any other reason whatsoever, in the sole and complete discretion of Employee, by providing the Company with a Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 6(c) below). In the case of a termination of employment by Employee pursuant to this Section 6(b)(ii) , the Termination Date (as defined in Section 6(c) below) specified in the Notice of Termination shall not be less than 30 nor more than 60 days, respectively, from the date such Notice of Termination is given, and the Company may require a Termination Date earlier than the Termination Date specified in the Notice of Termination (and, if such earlier Termination Date is so required, it shall not change the basis for Employee’s termination nor be construed or interpreted as a termination of employment pursuant to Section 3 or Section 6(a)(iv) ).

 

(c)            Notice of Termination .   Any termination of Employee’s employment hereunder by the Company or by Employee (other than termination pursuant to Section 6(a)(i) on account of Employee’s death) shall be communicated by written notice of termination (“ Notice of Termination ”) to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 21 . The Notice of Termination shall specify (i) the termination provision of this Agreement being relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Employee’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) the applicable Termination Date (as defined below). No action by either party hereto pursuant to this Section 6(c) shall alter or amend any other provisions hereof or rights arising hereunder, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 8, 9, 10 and 11 hereof.

 

(d)            Date of Termination .   Subject to Section 22(b) , the effective date of Employee’s termination (the Termination Date ”) will be as follows: (i) if Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee’s death, the date of such death; (ii) if Employee’s employment is terminated as a result of a Disability or by the Company with or without Cause, then the date specified in the Notice of Termination delivered to Employee; (iii) if Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 6(b) above, then the date specified in the Notice of Termination delivered to Company by Employee; and (iv) if Employee’s employment terminates due to the giving of a non-renewal notice pursuant to Section 3 above, the last day of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.

 

(e)            Deemed Resignations .   Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company and Employee prior to the termination of Employee’s employment, any termination of Employee’s employment shall, without changing the basis for termination of employment or the impact of such termination on Employee’s rights, if any, under Section 7 , constitute (i) an automatic resignation of Employee from any position held as an officer of the Company and

 

6



 

each Affiliate of the Company and (ii) an automatic resignation of Employee from the Board (if applicable), from the board of directors or similar governing body of any Affiliate of the Company and from the board of directors or similar governing body of any corporation, limited liability entity or other entity in which the Company or any Affiliate holds an equity interest and with respect to which board or similar governing body Employee serves as the Company’s or such Affiliate’s designee or other representative.

 

(f)               Accrued Compensation .   Upon termination, Employee shall be entitled to receive a lump-sum amount equal to the sum of (i) Employee’s accrued and unpaid salary as of the Termination Date, (ii) Employee’s accrued and unpaid bonus amounts from years prior to the year in which the Termination Date occurs, and (iii) subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 6(f) the cash out value of Employee’s accrued and unpaid vacation time as of the Termination Date, which lump-sum amount shall be paid as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 10 days of the Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in any vacation policy adopted by the Company or any of its Affiliates, for purposes of clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in the Purchase Agreement, in no event shall Employee be entitled to receive the cash out value of any accrued and unused vacation time in excess of (A) the amount of vacation time Employee is entitled to accrue in a single calendar year plus (B) the amount of vacation days Employee is allowed to carry over from year to year (up to 5 days), in either case as in effect under the vacation policy applicable to Employee immediately prior to the Termination Date. Employee shall also be entitled to payment of any vested benefits provided under the terms of any employee benefit plan in accordance with the terms of such plan.

 

7.               Severance Payments .

 

(a)              Termination without Cause or for Good Reason .   If prior to the occurrence of a Threshold Capital Transaction (as such term is defined in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EPE Acquisition, as amended from time to time) or within two years thereafter, (A) the Company terminates Employee’s employment with the Company and, if applicable, its Affiliates, without Cause or by failing to renew the term of this Agreement in accordance with Section 3 , or (B) Employee terminates Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 6(b)(i) , and before the 60th day following the Termination Date, Employee has signed and not revoked in the time provided to do so a termination of employment agreement acceptable to the Company and substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A that contains a complete release of all claims against the Company, its Affiliates, and their designees from the claims specified in Exhibit A (a Release ”) and such Release has become effective and irrevocable, the Company shall pay Employee severance in accordance with Section 7(b) . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be required to pay Employee severance if the Company terminates Employee’s employment after receiving a Notice of Termination from Employee, provided that such Notice of Termination specifies that Employee’s termination is not for Good Reason. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 7(b) shall not apply if: (1) the Company terminates Employee’s employment for Cause pursuant to Section 6(a)(iii) above; (2) the Company terminates Employee’s employment due to Disability or Employee’s employment terminates due to Employee’s death pursuant to Sections 6(a)(i) or 6(a)(ii) above or (3) Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii) above.

 

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(b)            Severance Amount .   If the Company is required to pay Employee severance by the express terms of Section 7(a) , Employee shall be entitled to receive the following as severance:

 

(i)             a lump-sum amount equal to two times the sum of Employee’s Base Salary and Target Annual Bonus as of the Termination Date, which amount shall be paid on the date that is sixty days following the Termination Date;

 

(ii)            a lump-sum amount equal to Employee’s target bonus amount for the year in which the Termination Date occurs, determined as if Employee had continued in employment until the end of such fiscal year and as if the Company and Employee had fully met all performance targets and goals, prorated by multiplying the full bonus amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of the year prior to and including the Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365, which lump-sum amount shall be paid as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 10 days of the Termination Date; and

 

(iii)           for a period of 24 months after the Termination Date, the basic life insurance, medical and dental benefits, at Company expense, which were being provided to Employee immediately prior to the Termination Date. The benefits provided in this Section 7(b)(iii) shall be no less favorable to Employee, in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him or her, than the coverage provided Employee under the plans providing such benefits at the time Notice of Termination is given. The Company’s obligation hereunder to provide the foregoing benefits shall terminate to the extent Employee obtains replacement coverage under a subsequent employer’s benefit plans at an equal or higher level. Nothing in this Section 7(b)(iii) shall require the Company or any of its Affiliates to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, any additional income tax payable by Employee attributable to the benefits provided under this Section 7(b)(iii) .

 

Any payments paid under this Section 7(b) shall be in lieu of any severance benefits otherwise due to Employee under any severance pay plan or program maintained by the Company that covers its employees or Employees generally; provided, however, the effects of any termination of Employee’s employment with the Company on the Management Incentive Units shall be as provided in the Employee Holdings LLC Agreement.

 

(c)            Cause .       Cause means the occurrence or existence of any of the following events:

 

(i)               Employee’s willful failure to perform Employee’s material duties (other than any such failure resulting from Employee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), including a willful failure to satisfy Employee’s fiduciary duties to the Company, that remains uncured 30 days after written notice thereof from the Company to Employee;

 

(ii)              Employee’s willful and material breach of this Agreement that remains uncured 30 days after written notice thereof from the Company to Employee;

 

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(iii)           Employee’s conviction of, or Employee’s plea of guilty or no contest to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude; or

 

(iv)           Employee’s engaging in actual fraud or willful, material misconduct in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement;

 

provided, however, that no termination of Employee’s employment shall be for Cause as set forth in clauses (i), (ii) or (iv) above until (A) there shall have been delivered to Employee a copy of a written notice setting forth that Employee was guilty of the conduct set forth in clause (i), (ii) or (iv) and specifying the particulars thereof in detail, and (B) Employee shall have been provided an opportunity to be heard by the Board (with the assistance of Employee’s counsel if Employee so desires) and (C) the Board shall have determined, as set forth in a written resolution adopted by at least a majority of the members of the whole Board, that Cause exists. No act, nor failure to act, on Employee’s part shall be considered “willful” unless Employee has acted, or failed to act, in bad faith or without a reasonable belief that Employee’s action or failure to act was in the best interests of the Company or its Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no failure to perform by Employee after a Notice of Termination is given by Employee shall constitute Cause.

 

(d)            Good Reason .      Good Reason means the occurrence of any of the following events without Employee’s consent:

 

(i)             any decrease in Employee’s Base Salary other than a reduction of not more than 5% in connection with a general reduction in base salaries that affects all similarly situated executives in substantially the same proportions which is implemented in response to a material downturn in the U.S. domestic oil and natural gas exploration and development industry;

 

(ii)            a failure of the Company to cause Employee to be eligible under Benefit Plans that provide benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided to Employee as of the Effective Date;

 

(iii)           any material breach by the Company of this Agreement;

 

(iv)           a material diminution in Employee’s title, authority, duties, or responsibilities, without Employee’s prior written consent, or the assignment to Employee without Employee’s prior written consent of duties inconsistent in any substantial respect with Employee’s then-current title, authority, duties or responsibilities or any other action by the Company that results in a diminution in Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities;

 

(v)            any relocation of Employee’s principal place of employment to a location that is more than 35 miles from the then-current location of such employment, without Employee’s prior written consent; or

 

(vi)           any purported termination of Employee’s employment for Cause by the Company that does not otherwise comply with the terms of this Agreement (other than any purported termination of Employee’s employment for Cause by the Company

 

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acting in good faith, regardless of whether such purported termination complies with the terms of this Agreement).

 

Employee’s Termination Date shall not be considered to be on account of Good Reason unless (A) within 60 days after the date on which Employee knows, or should reasonably be expected to know, that one of the events set forth in Section 7(d) has occurred, Employee provides written notice to the Board of the applicable facts and circumstances, (B) the Company does not remedy, cure or rectify the event within 30 days from the date on which written notice is received from Employee, and (C) Employee terminates his employment within 120 days after the initial existence of the condition specified in such notice.

 

8.               Conflicts of Interest .    Employee agrees that Employee shall promptly disclose to the Board any material conflict of interest involving Employee after Employee becomes aware of such conflict.

 

9.               Confidentiality .    Employee acknowledges and agrees that he has been provided Confidential Information (as defined below) regarding EPE Acquisition and the Company and that EPE Acquisition and the Company will provide Employee new and valuable Confidential Information of EPE Acquisition and the Company and it may also provide Employee confidential information of third parties who have supplied such information to EPE Acquisition and/or the Company. For purposes of this Section 9 , the term “Company” shall include EPE Acquisition and each of its subsidiaries. In consideration of such Confidential Information and other valuable consideration provided hereunder, and in order to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, Employee agrees to comply with this Section 9 .

 

(a)            Confidential Information .     Confidential Information means, without limitation and regardless of whether such information or materials are expressly identified as confidential or proprietary, (i) any and all non-public, confidential or proprietary information of the Company, (ii) any information of the Company that gives the Company a competitive business advantage or the opportunity of obtaining such advantage, (iii) any information of the Company the disclosure or improper use of which would reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the interests of the Company and (iv) any trade secrets of the Company. Confidential Information also includes any non-public, confidential or proprietary information about, or belonging to, any third party that has been entrusted to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include any information which is or becomes generally known by the public other than as a result of Employee’s actions or inactions.

 

(b)            Protection .   Except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or legal process, Employee promises (i) to keep the Confidential Information, and all documentation, materials and information relating thereto, strictly confidential, except to the extent that disclosure thereof is necessary or appropriate in the performance of Employee’s duties for the benefit of the Company, (ii) not to use the Confidential Information for any purpose other than as required in connection with fulfilling Employee’s duties for the benefit of the Company, and (iii) to return to the Company all Confidential Information in Employee’s possession and control upon separation from the Company for any reason, other than death. For the avoidance of doubt, Employee specifically acknowledges and agrees that any use by Employee of such Confidential Information other than as required in connection with fulfilling

 

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his duties on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Company will be a material breach of this Agreement.

 

(c)            Scope .     Employee understands and agrees that all Confidential Information, in whatever medium (verbal, written, electronic or other), is subject to this Agreement whether provided directly to Employee or not, whether provided to Employee prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement or not, and whether inadvertently disclosed to Employee or not. Confidential Information that was or is available to Employee or to which Employee had or has access will be deemed to have been provided to Employee.

 

(d)            Value and Security .     Employee understands and agrees that all Confidential Information, and every portion thereof, constitutes the valuable intellectual property of the Company and/or third parties, and Employee further acknowledges the importance of maintaining the security and confidentiality of the Confidential Information and of not misusing the Confidential Information.

 

(e)            Disclosure Required By Law .     If Employee is legally required to disclose any Confidential Information, Employee shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law or legal process, promptly notify the Company in writing of such request or requirement so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order or other relief or waive compliance with this Agreement. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Employee agrees to cooperate with and not to oppose any effort by the Company to resist or narrow such request or to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. In any such case, Employee will (A) disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that, according to the advice of Employee’s counsel, is required to be disclosed, (B) use reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that such Confidential Information will be treated confidentially, and (C) to the extent permitted by applicable law, promptly notify the Company in writing of the items of Confidential Information so disclosed.

 

(f)             Survival .     The covenants made by Employee in this Section 9 will survive termination of this Agreement, and Employee’s employment for a period of three years; provided, however, that any covenants with regard to the non-use or disclosure of trade secrets established by applicable law shall remain in effect for so long as provided by applicable law.

 

10.             Agreement Not to Compete .

 

(a)              Covenants .     For purposes of this Section 10 , the term “Company” shall include EPE Acquisition and each of its subsidiaries. In order to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, including the preservation of the Confidential Information and the goodwill developed by Employee on behalf of Company, and as an express incentive for Company to enter into this Agreement, Employee agrees that, except in the ordinary course and scope of Employee’s employment hereunder, Employee shall not, either as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, director, officer, employee, employer, advisor, stockholder, partner, member, joint venturer, owner or in any other individual or representative capacity whatsoever, whether paid or unpaid, either for Employee’s own benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity, directly or indirectly:

 

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(i)                                      during the Coverage Period, engage or carry on in Competitive Duties within the Restricted Area (including, without limitation, by engaging or carrying on in any of the activities set forth in Section 10(a)(ii) through Section 10(a)(v) below);

 

(ii)                                   during the Coverage Period, form or otherwise provide services to a Competing Business within the Restricted Area or directly or indirectly acquire any 5% or greater equity ownership, voting interest or profit participation interest in, any Competing Business within the Restricted Area;

 

(iii)                                during the Coverage Period with respect to any Restricted Prospects, directly or indirectly (A) acquire, attempt to acquire, or assist a third person in acquiring, any interest in or rights to such Restricted Prospects, (B) acquire, attempt to acquire or assist a third party in acquiring any equity or other interest or right in any company, business, joint venture or other enterprise owning or controlling or seeking to own or control any interest in or rights to such Restricted Prospects, or (C) otherwise divert, take away, interfere with or compete for any acquisition by the Company of such Restricted Prospects or any other transaction or arrangement contemplated by the Company (and of which Employee was aware as of the Termination Date) relating to such Restricted Prospects (or attempt to do any of the foregoing);

 

(iv)                               during the Coverage Period, directly or indirectly, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any employee of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company; provided, however, that this restriction shall not extend to prohibit or otherwise limit general employment advertising or solicitation not specifically targeting any specific employee or the hiring of any employee who responds to such advertising or solicitation or who approaches Employee for employment; or

 

(v)                                  at any time, use the name of the Company in connection with any business that is or would be in competition in any manner whatsoever with the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 10 shall not be deemed to restrict or prohibit Employee’s engaging in any Permitted Activities.

 

(b)                                  Disclosure and Authorization . For a period of 12 months immediately following the termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, Employee promises to disclose to the Company any employment, consulting, or other service relationship Employee enters into after the Termination Date. Such disclosure shall be made within 30 days of Employee entering into such employment, consulting or other service relationship. Employee expressly consents to and authorizes the Company to disclose both the existence and terms of this Agreement to any future employer or user of Employee’s services and to take any steps the Company reasonably deems necessary to enforce this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Value and Reasonableness . Employee understands and acknowledges that the Company has made substantial investments to develop its business interests, goodwill, and Confidential Information. Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee has been provided, and may in the future be provided, Confidential Information. Employee agrees that the preservation of the Company’s Confidential Information and goodwill are business

 

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interests worthy of protection, and that the Company’s need for the protection afforded by this Section 10 is greater than any hardship Employee might experience by complying with its terms and that the restrictions contained herein are no greater than necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests. Employee further agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Section 10 are ancillary to an otherwise enforceable agreement and that the limitations as to time, geographic area, and scope of activity to be restrained contained in this Agreement are reasonable and are not greater than necessary to protect the Confidential Information and/or the goodwill or other business interests of the Company.

 

(d)                                  Reformation . The Company and Employee believe the limitations as to time, geographic area, and scope of activity contained in this Section 10 are reasonable and do not impose a greater restraint than necessary to protect Confidential Information, goodwill, and other legitimate business interests of the Company. However, in the event an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that the limitations agreed upon are not appropriate, the parties agree to, and hereby do, request that the court reform the limitations to the satisfaction of the arbitrator or court. It is the express intent of the Company and Employee that the terms of this Competition Agreement be enforced to the full extent permitted by applicable law and not to any greater extent.

 

(e)                                   Right to Injunction . Employee acknowledges that Employee’s violation of Sections 9 and/or 10 of this Agreement could cause irreparable harm to the Company for which damages may not adequately be measured, and Employee agrees that the Company shall be entitled as a matter of right to specific performance of Employee’s obligations under Sections 9   and 10 and an injunction, from any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any violation or further violation of such agreements by Employee or others acting on Employee’s behalf, without any showing of irreparable harm and without any showing that the Company does not have an adequate remedy at law. The Company’s right to injunctive relief shall be cumulative and in addition to any other remedies provided by law or equity.

 

(f)                                     Definitions . As used in this Section 10 , the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(i)                                      Competing Business means any individual, sole proprietorship, business, firm, company, partnership, joint venture, organization, or other person, entity or arrangement that competes, or has material plans to compete of which Employee is aware, or that owns or controls a significant interest in any entity that competes, or has material plans to compete of which Employee is aware, with the Company, with respect to the Hydrocarbons exploration and production business in which the Company is engaged.

 

(ii)                                   Competitive Duties means duties for a Competing Business that: (A) are the same as, similar to, or substantially related to the duties that Employee had during the last 12 months of Employee’s employment with the Company; (B) are performed in the capacity of a director, executive officer, member or partner of a Competing Business; (C) involve the formation, management, operation, or control of such Competing Business or any recognized subdivision or department thereof; or (D) constitute the management or supervision of personnel engaged in any activity which

 

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is the same as, similar to or substantially related to any activity with which Employee had direct involvement during the last 12 months of Employee’s employment with the Company.

 

(iii)                                Coverage Period means the period of time beginning on the Effective Date of this Agreement and ending 12 months following the Termination Date.

 

(iv)                               Hydrocarbons means oil, condensate gas, casinghead gas and other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons.

 

(v)                                  Oil and Gas Interests means: (A) direct and indirect interests in and rights with respect to oil and natural gas properties (including revenues or net revenues therefrom) of any kind and nature, direct or indirect, including without limitation working, royalty and overriding royalty interests, mineral interests, leasehold interests, production payments, operating rights, net profits interests, other non-working interests and non-operating interests; and (B) interests in and rights with respect to oil and natural gas or revenues therefrom.

 

(vi)                               Restricted Area means those oil and gas fields, shales, plays and other geographic areas set forth in Exhibit B hereto and any other oil and gas fields, shales, plays and geographic areas with respect to which: (A) Employee provides services on behalf of the Company during Employee’s employment hereunder; and (B) the Company has material operations or specific plans to conduct any material business as of the Termination Date (provided that Employee has material responsibilities, or has obtained Confidential Information, with respect to such operations or plans).

 

(vii)                            Restricted Prospects includes any Oil and Gas Interests within the Restricted Area.

 

(g)                                  This Section 10 shall survive any termination of this Agreement for the periods stated herein.

 

11.                                     Parachute Taxes .

 

(a)                                   Gross-Up Payment . In the event it shall be determined that any vesting, payment or distribution of any type by the Company or any of its Affiliates or any other party in a transaction involving the Company or its Affiliates or a party to the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement or the Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the Payments ”) on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date and that is “contingent” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are collectively referred to as the Excise Tax ”), then Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a Gross-Up Payment ”) in an amount such that after payment by Employee of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any income taxes, employment taxes and Excise Tax, imposed

 

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upon the Gross-Up Payment, Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. All determinations required to be made under this Section 11(a) (including, without limitation, whether any vesting, payment or distribution (i) constitutes a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) is contingent on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement) shall be made by the Board acting in good faith and in accordance with commonly accepted practices, including, to the extent appropriate, the engagement of an independent public accounting firm. Payment of the Gross-Up Payment shall be made at the time that withholding is required in connection with any Payment, provided that the payment of any Gross-Up Payment shall be made prior to the date Employee is to remit the Excise Tax as provided under of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ”) or pursuant to any judgment or agreement with any taxing authority.

 

(b)                                  Determination by Accountant .   Except as otherwise provided in Section 11(a) , all determinations required to be made under this Section 11 , including whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by the independent accounting firm retained by the Company on the date of Change in Control (the Accounting Firm ”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Employee within 15 business days of the date of termination, if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Employee, it shall furnish Employee with an opinion that he or she has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on his or her federal income tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“ Underpayment ”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 11(c) and Employee thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee.

 

(c)                                   Notification Required . Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after Employee knows of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. Employee shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, Employee shall:

 

(i)                                      give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,

 

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(ii)                                   take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

 

(iii)                                cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim, and

 

(iv)                               permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 11(c) , the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct Employee to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund, or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Employee agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs Employee to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to Employee (unless otherwise prohibited by applicable law), on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of Employee with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and Employee shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

 

(d)                                  Repayment . If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c) , Employee becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, Employee shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Section 11(c) ) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c) , a determination is made that Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify Employee in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

 

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(e)                                   Shareholder Approval . With respect to events from and after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if (a) Employee is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), (b) the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits that Employee has the right to receive from the Company or any of its Affiliates, would constitute an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, a Excess Parachute Payment ”)) and (c) shareholder approval (obtained in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 280G(b)(5) of the Code) of a payment or benefit to be provided to Employee by the Company or any other person (whether under this Agreement or otherwise) would result in the payment or benefit not being treated as an Excess Parachute Payment, then, upon the request of Employee and Employee’s agreement (to the extent necessary) to subject Employee’s entitlement to the receipt of such payment or benefit to shareholder approval, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to seek and obtain such approval in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder with the least amount of risk to Employee not receiving such payment or benefit.

 

12.                                     Withholdings . The Company may withhold and deduct from any payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and (b) to the extent permissible under Section 409A (as hereinafter defined), any deductions consented to in writing by Employee.

 

13.                                     Severability . It is the desire of the parties hereto that this Agreement be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and should any provision contained herein be held unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, the parties hereby agree and consent that such provision shall be reformed to create a valid and enforceable provision to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, if such provision cannot be reformed, it shall be deemed ineffective and deleted herefrom without affecting any other provision of this Agreement.

 

14.                                     Title and Headings; Construction . Titles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions hereof. Any and all Exhibits referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular provision hereof.

 

15.                                     Arbitration; Injunctive Relief; Attorneys’ Fees .

 

(a)                                   Subject to Section 15(b) , any dispute, controversy or claim between Employee and the Company arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Employee’s employment, or the termination of either will be finally settled by arbitration in Houston, Texas before, and in accordance with the then-existing rules for the resolution of employment disputes then obtaining of, the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator’s award shall be reasoned, final and binding on all parties and may be enforced in a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

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(b)                                  Notwithstanding Section 15(a) , an application for emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief by either party (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 10(g) ) shall not be subject to arbitration under this Section 15 ; provided, however, that the remainder of any such dispute (beyond the application for emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief) shall be subject to arbitration under this Section 15 .

 

(c)                                   Each of Employee and the Company shall share equally the cost of the arbitrator and bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any arbitration, unless a statutory claim authorizing the award of attorneys’ fees is at issue, in which event the arbitrator may award a reasonable attorneys’ fee in accordance with the jurisprudence of that statute; provided, however, that if Employee institutes any legal action in seeking to obtain or enforce, or is required to defend in any legal action the validity or enforceability of, any right to severance provided by this Agreement, the Company, subject to Section 22(d) , will reimburse Employee for all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, arbitration fees and the costs of experts) promptly after receipt from Employee of an invoice and supporting documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Company with respect to such fees and expenses. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, (i) the Company shall not be responsible for reimbursing any such fees and expenses to the extent they are incurred in connection with a claim made by Employee that the trier of fact finds to be frivolous or if Employee is determined to have breached Employee’s obligations under Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement and (ii) if, after the receipt by Employee of an amount reimbursed by the Company pursuant to this Section 15(c) in connection with a claim made by Employee that the trier of fact finds to be frivolous or if Employee is determined to have breached Employee’s obligations under Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement, then Employee shall promptly repay to the Company all amounts reimbursed in connection with such claim pursuant to this Section 15(c) .

 

(d)                                  Nothing in this Section 15 shall prohibit a party to this Agreement from (i) instituting litigation to enforce any arbitration award or (ii) joining another party to this Agreement in a litigation initiated by a person which is not a party to this Agreement. IN ENTERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

16.                                     Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THEREOF THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICABLE OF THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE EXCLUSIVE VENUE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF ANY DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR EMPLOYEE’S EMPLOYMENT (THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION UNDER SECTION 15 FOR ANY REASON) SHALL BE IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN HARRIS, COUNTY TEXAS AND THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS.

 

17.                                     Entire Agreement and Amendment . This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Company and any of its Affiliates (including, without limitation, EPE

 

18



 

Acquisition) with respect to Employee’s employment and the other matters covered herein (except the Purchase Agreement and any other agreements specifically referenced herein); moreover, this Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between Employee on the one hand and the Company and any of its Affiliates on the other hand concerning the subject matters hereof, including, without limitation, the Original Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) Employee and EPE Acquisition expressly acknowledge and agree that this Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of the Original Agreement in its entirety and, therefore, this Agreement supersedes the Original Agreement in all respects and (b) Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding any provision within the 2004 Severance Plan that purports to restrict Employee’s rights to waive severance rights under the 2004 Severance Plan, effective as of the Effective Date, Employee is knowingly, voluntarily and permanently waiving any and all rights that Employee has under the 2004 Severance Plan on and after the Effective Date, as this Agreement and the other agreements being contemporaneously executed by Employee and the Company set forth the entirety of severance rights that Employee has, or in the future may have, with respect to, or arising out of, Employee’s employment with the Company or its Affiliates and the 2004 Severance Plan is hereby superseded in its entirety with respect to Employee. This Agreement may be amended, waived or terminated only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and Employee.

 

18.                                     Survival of Certain Provisions . Wherever appropriate to the intention of the parties hereto and except as otherwise provided herein, the respective rights and obligations of said parties, including, but not limited to, the rights and obligations set forth in Section 6 through Section 11 hereof, shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason.

 

19.                                     Waiver of Breach . No waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any subsequent time. The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time while such breach continues.

 

20.                                     Assignment . Neither this Agreement nor any rights nor obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Employee (except, by will or by operation of the laws of intestate succession). The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, including to an Affiliate or any successor and any such assignment may take effect at any time without the consent of Employee, provided that (a) such Affiliate or successor has the financial wherewithal to perform all obligations of the Company hereunder and (b) such assignment does not, without Employee’s prior written consent, result in “Good Reason” within the meaning of Section 7(d)(iv) with respect to (x) the Company and its Affiliates or (y) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Affiliates. The fact that any such assignment may be permitted under this Section 20 shall not affect the determination of whether such assignment or any related transaction constitutes a Threshold Capital Transaction. The Company will require any successor permitted under this Section 20 , including any acquirer of substantially all of its assets, to assume its obligations under this

 

19



 

Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

21.                                     Notices . Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (a) when delivered in person, (b) on the first business day after such notice is sent by air express overnight courier service, or (c) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in each case addressed to the following address, as applicable:

 

If to the Company, addressed to:

 

Everest Acquisition LLC

c/o Apollo Global Management, LLC

9 West 59th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Mr. Sam Oh

 

If to Employee, addressed to:

 

Dane E. Whitehead

760 Pifer Road

Houston, Texas 77024

 

22.                                     Section 409A .

 

(a)                                   General. The intent of the parties is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and interpretive guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, Section 409A ”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. The Company and Employee shall take commercially reasonable efforts to reform or amend any provision hereof to the extent that either of them reasonably determine that such provision would or could reasonably be expected to cause Employee to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A to try to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A through good faith modifications, in any case, to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A, provided that any such modifications shall not increase the cost or liability to the Company. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Employee and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A.

 

(b)                                  Separation from Service . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement that is designated under this Agreement as payable upon Employee’s termination of employment shall be payable only upon Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A (a Separation from Service ”).

 

20



 

(c)                                   Specified Employee . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is deemed by the Company at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of Employee’s benefits shall not be provided to Employee prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of Employee’s Separation from Service or (ii) the date of Employee’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the delay period described in the preceding sentence, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to Employee under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

(d)                                  Expense Reimbursements . To the extent that any reimbursements under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements payable to Employee shall be paid to Employee no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; provided, that Employee submits Employee’s reimbursement request promptly following the date the expense is incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, other than medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and Employee’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

(e)                                   Installments . Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement, including without limitation any continuation salary payments that are payable on Company payroll dates, shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment as permitted under Section 409A. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A, no payment hereunder shall be accelerated or deferred unless such acceleration or deferral would not result in additional tax or interest pursuant to Section 409A.

 

23.                                     Affiliates . For purposes of this Agreement, “ Affiliate means, with respect to any person, any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such specified person; provided, however, that an Affiliate shall not include any portfolio company of any person. For purposes of the definition of “Affiliate”, “ control when used with respect to any person means the power to direct the management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have correlative meanings.

 

24.                                     Employee Acknowledgement . Employee acknowledges that Employee has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on Employee’s own judgment after having had the opportunity to consult with advisors of Employee’s choosing.

 

25.                                     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall

 

21



 

together constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature pages, each signed by one party, but together signed by both parties hereto.

 

26.                                     Company Name Change . It is intended that the Company will change its name to EP Energy LLC on or immediately after the Effective Date. Upon such change becoming effective, all references in this Agreement to “the Company” shall refer to EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

27.                                     Provisions Regarding Effective Date . As indicated in Section 1 , this Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date and, accordingly, in connection therewith and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force or effect if (a) Employee ceases to be employed by either EPEPM or one of its Affiliates at any time prior to the Effective Date and/or (b) the Effective Date does not occur on or prior to the End Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement).

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

22


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement this 24 th  day of May, 2012, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Dane E. Whitehead

 

Dane E. Whitehead

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the limited purpose of acknowledging Section 17:

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Clayton A. Carrell

 

 

Clayton A. Carrell

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(DANE E. WHITEHEAD)

 



 

SCHEDULE 2(a)

 

PERMITTED CORPORATE BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS

 

None

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Termination of Employment Agreement (this Agreement ”) is between EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Company ”), and Dane E. Whitehead (“ Employee ”) pursuant to that Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Employee and Company dated                       , 2012 (the Employment Agreement ”).

 

The parties hereby agree to terminate their employment relationship on the following terms and conditions.

 

1.                                             Termination of Employment . Company and Employee agree that Employee’s employment with Company has been terminated, or shall be terminated, as of [ · ] (the Termination Date ”), and Employee is eligible to receive certain severance benefits pursuant to Section 7 of the Employment Agreement.

 

2.                                             Complete Release and Other Consideration from Employee . Subject to Employee’s timely receipt of the severance benefits payable to Employee pursuant to the Employment Agreement, in exchange for Company’s obligations under this Agreement, Employee agrees as follows:

 

(a)                                   Release of Claims . Employee, on Employee’s own behalf and on behalf of Employee’s heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever releases Company, its direct and indirect subsidiaries and Affiliates (as defined in the Employment Agreement), and each of their respective current and former officers, directors, equity holders, members, managers, benefit plans, and plan administrators (collectively, the Releasees ”) from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, or cause of action relating to:

 

(i)                                      any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns and the termination of that relationship;

 

(ii)                                   with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns: any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;

 

(iii)                                with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns: any and

 

EXHIBIT A-1



 

all claims for violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law, including, but not limited to the following statutes (each as amended, if applicable), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

(iv)                               any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or employment discrimination with respect thereto;

 

(v)                                  any and all claims arising out of any other federal, state, local or foreign law relating to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or employment discrimination with respect thereto;

 

(vi)                               any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the non-withholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Employee with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns or as a result of this Agreement; and

 

(vii)                            any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs with respect to the foregoing.

 

Employee agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete release as to the matters released. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement does not release (i) Employee’s current ownership of, or claims in respect of future rights or claims arising out of, (A) any direct or indirect equity interest in the Company or any of its Affiliates or (B) any options or other contingent rights thereto (including, without limitation, rights in respect of the Company’s Class B Units or any successor rights), (ii) any future rights under equity or equity incentives or (iii) claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, including, but not limited to, Employee’s right to file a charge with, or participate in a charge by, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other local, state, or federal administrative body or government agency that is authorized to enforce or administer laws related to employment, against Company (with the understanding that Employee’s release of claims herein bars Employee from recovering monetary or other personal relief from Company or any other Releasee), claims for unemployment compensation or any state disability insurance benefits pursuant to the terms of applicable state law, claims to continued participation in certain of Company’s group benefit plans pursuant to the terms and conditions of COBRA, claims to any benefit entitlements vested as the date of separation of Employee’s employment, pursuant to written terms of any employee benefit plan of Company or its Affiliates. Further, this Agreement does not release Employee’s rights, including under applicable law and Company’s

 

EXHIBIT A-2



 

D&O policy, to seek indemnity for acts committed, or omissions, within the course and scope of Employee’s employment duties.

 

(b)                                  Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under the ADEA . Employee understands and acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ ADEA ”), and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee understands and agrees that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Employee understands and acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further understands and acknowledges that Employee has been advised by this writing that: (a) Employee should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) Employee has [21/45] days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) Employee has 7 days following Employee’s execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement, which Employee may do by providing written notice of revocation to Company as provided in Section 21 of the Employment Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Employee signs this Agreement and returns it to Company in less than the [21/45] day period identified above, Employee hereby acknowledges that he has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the complete time period allotted for considering this Agreement.

 

3.                                             Confidentiality . Except as may be required by applicable law or court order or as may be necessary in an action arising out of this Agreement, Employee agrees not to disclose the existence or terms of this Agreement to anyone other than Employee’s immediate family, attorneys, tax advisors, and financial counselors, provided that Employee first informs them of this confidentiality clause and secures their agreement to be bound by it.

 

4.                                             Employee’s Representations . Employee acknowledges, agrees and expressly represents that, as of the date Employee executes this Agreement: (i) Employee has received all compensation and other sums that Employee is owed by the Releasees (other than sums owed pursuant to this Agreement); and (ii) Employee has received all leaves (paid and unpaid) that Employee was owed through the Termination Date.

 

5.                                             Release and Other Consideration from Company . In exchange for Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, Company shall pay Employee those severance payments described in Section 7(b) of the Employment Agreement, on the terms provided in the Employment Agreement. Employee acknowledges that these severance payments are conditioned on Employee’s compliance with Sections 9 and 10 of the Employment Agreement. Company may withhold from any severance payments all federal, state, local, and other taxes and withholdings as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

6.                                             Right to Consult an Attorney; Period of Review . Employee is encouraged to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement. From the date this Agreement is first

 

EXHIBIT A-3



 

presented to Employee, Employee will have [21/45] days in which to review this Agreement. Employee may use as little or much of this [21/45] -day review period as Employee chooses.

 

7.                                             Amendment; Continuing Obligations . This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement may be amended, waived or terminated only by a written instrument executed by both parties hereto. Employee hereby reaffirms and agrees to continue to abide by the terms set forth in Sections 9 and 10 of the Employment Agreement and expressly acknowledges the enforceability and continuing effect of those terms.

 

8.                                             Revocation . Upon signing this Agreement, Employee will have 7 days to revoke the Agreement. To properly revoke the Agreement, Company must receive written notice of revocation from Employee by the close of business on the 7th day after the date the Agreement is signed by Employee. Written notice must be delivered pursuant to Section 21 of the Employment Agreement.

 

9.                                             Choice of Law . This Agreement will be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its choice of law principles. This Agreement is subject to the arbitration provisions in Section 15 of the Employment Agreement.

 

10.                                       Effectiveness of Agreement . This Agreement will be effective, and the payments described above will be made, only if Employee executes the Agreement within [21/45] days of receiving it and only if Employee does not revoke the Agreement under Section 8 above.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

EXHIBIT A-4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dane E. Whitehead

 

EXHIBIT A-5



 

EXHIBIT B

 

RESTRICTED AREAS

 

Eagle Ford La Salle County, Texas

Eagle Ford Dimmit County, Texas

Eagle Ford Webb County, Texas

Eagle Ford Atascosa County, Texas

Eagle Ford McMullen County, Texas

Altamont Duchesne County, Utah

Altamont Uintah County, Utah

Wolfcamp Reagan County, Texas

Wolfcamp Irion County, Texas

Wolfcamp Crockett County, Texas

Wolfcamp Upton County, Texas

Wilcox Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

Wilcox Newton County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex De Soto Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Bossier Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Webster Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Bienville Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Robertson County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex Panola County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex Caddo Parish, Louisiana

Black Warrior Jefferson County, Alabama

Black Warrior Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Black Warrior Fayette County, Alabama

Black Warrior Walker County, Alabama

Raton Colfax County, New Mexico

Raton Las Animas County, Colorado

Gulf Coast Starr County, Texas

Gulf Coast Zapata County, Texas

Gulf Coast Lavaca County, Texas

Gulf Coast Hidalgo County, Texas

Arkoma Le Flore County, Oklahoma

Arkoma Haskell County, Oklahoma

 

EXHIBIT B-1




Exhibit 10.22

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into by and between Everest Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman (“ Employee ”) as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto. El Paso Exploration & Production Management, Inc. (“ EPEPM ”) also joins this Agreement for the limited purpose of acknowledging the provisions of Section 17 below.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS , Employee is currently employed by EPEPM, a wholly owned subsidiary of EP Energy, L.L.C. (f/k/a EP Energy Corporation) (“ EP Energy ”);

 

WHEREAS , in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “ Purchase Agreement ”) dated as of February 24, 2012 by and among EP Energy, the Company and the other parties thereto, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy will be sold to EPE Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ EPE Acquisition” );

 

WHEREAS , effective as of the Closing Date (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement, the “ Effective Date ”) , the Company desires for the Company to employ Employee on the terms and conditions, and for the consideration, hereinafter set forth and Employee desires to be employed by the Company on such terms and conditions and for such consideration;

 

WHEREAS , Employee has participated in the El Paso Corporation 2004 Key Executive Severance Protection Plan, as amended from time to time (the “ 2004 Severance Plan ”); and

 

WHEREAS , the parties wish for this Agreement to set forth the entirety of Employee’s rights to, and with regard to, severance pay and benefits from EPEPM, the Company and their respective Affiliates (as such term is defined below) upon and after the Effective Date.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective covenants and agreements set forth below, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Employment .  The Company agrees to employ Employee and Employee agrees to be employed by the Company beginning as of the Effective Date and continuing for the period of time set forth in Section 3 below, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) at any time and from time to time, the Company may, with the consent of Employee, cause any subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company to be Employee’s employer so long as the requirements of Section 20 are satisfied, and (b) the Company and Employee agree that Employee’s employer commencing as of the Effective Date shall be EPEPM until such time as such employer may be changed in accordance with clause (a) of this sentence. From and after the Effective Date, Employee shall serve as Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of the Company and its primary domestic operating subsidiaries or in such other position(s) as the Company may designate from time to time with the consent of Employee.

 



 

2.                                  Duties and Responsibilities of Employee .

 

(a)                                  During the Employment Period, Employee shall devote substantially all of Employee’s business time and attention to the business of the Company and its Affiliates, will act in a manner that Employee reasonably believes is consistent with the best interests of the Company and its Affiliates and will perform with due care Employee’s duties and responsibilities. Employee’s duties will include those normally incidental to the position(s) set forth in Section 1 above of as well as whatever additional duties may be assigned to Employee, with Employee’s consent, by any senior officers or by the Board of Managers of EPE Acquisition (the “ Board ”) from time to time. Employee agrees not to engage in any activity that materially interferes with the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, during the Employment Period, Employee will not hold any type of outside employment, engage in any type of consulting or otherwise render services to or for any other person, entity or business concern without the advance written approval of the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that Employee may (i) serve on corporate boards or committees (A) listed on Schedule 2(a)  hereto or (B) approved by the Board, (ii) serve on civic, educational, religious, public interest, or charitable boards or committees, (iii) manage Employee’s personal and family investments, provided that such activity is not expressly prohibited by Section 10 and (iv) engage in passive investments (the activities referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) being “ Permitted Activities ”); provided, however, that such activities shall be permitted so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement or conflict with the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(b)                                  Employee expressly represents and covenants to the Company that Employee is not subject or a party to any employment agreement, noncompetition covenant, nondisclosure agreement, or any other agreement, covenant, understanding, or restriction that would prohibit Employee from executing this Agreement and fully performing Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder.

 

3.                             Term of Employment .  The initial term of this Agreement shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the fifth anniversary thereof (the “ Initial Term ”). On the last day of the Initial Term and each anniversary thereafter (each such date being referred to as a “ Renewal Date ”), provided that this Agreement has not been earlier terminated, this Agreement shall automatically renew and extend for a period of 12 months (each a “ Renewal Term ”) unless either party delivers written notice of its intention not to renew or extend the term at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated at any time during the Initial Term or the Renewal Term (if any) in accordance with Section 6 . The period from the Effective Date through the date of termination of this Agreement, regardless of the time or reason for such termination, shall be referred to herein as the “ Employment Period .

 

4.                                  Compensation .

 

(a)                                  During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Employee an annualized base salary of $370,000 (“ Base Salary ”) (less applicable taxes and withholdings) in consideration for Employee’s services under this Agreement, payable in accordance with the

 

2



 

Company’s customary payroll practices for employee salaries as in effect from time to time. Employee’s Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board and, in the sole discretion of the Board, Employee’s Base Salary may be increased (but not decreased) effective as of any date determined by the Board.

 

(b)                                  The Company shall establish, and Employee shall be entitled to participate in, an annual performance bonus plan under which Employee will be eligible for an annual bonus payable in a single lump sum (the “ Annual Performance Bonus ”) based on the achievement of performance targets established by the Board for a calendar year. Employee’s target annual bonus will be at least 55% of Employee’s Base Salary (the “ Target Annual Bonus ”), but the actual amount of the Annual Performance Bonus may range from 0% to 200% of Employee’s Target Annual Bonus depending on performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to the last sentence of this Section 4(b) , (i) the Annual Performance Bonus payable with respect to calendar year 2012, if any (the “ 2012 Annual Performance Bonus ”), will be paid from a bonus pool that will be funded at a minimum of 100% of the “target” level under the annual performance bonus plan and (ii) at the same time as the 2012 Annual Performance Bonus, if any, is paid to Employee (or would have been paid had the 2012 Annual Performance Bonus been earned), the Company will pay to Employee an additional bonus (the “ 2012 Guaranteed Bonus ”) consisting of a lump sum cash payment equal to $370,000. Bonus determinations will be made by the Board within 60 days of the end of each calendar year and any Annual Performance Bonus will be payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for employee bonuses, but in no event later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year to which it relates. Subject to the provisions of Section 7 below, Employee will not be entitled to receive payment of an Annual Performance Bonus or the 2012 Guaranteed Bonus unless Employee is employed by the Company on the date that such bonus is paid.

 

5 .                             Benefits .   Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to the following benefits during the Employment Period:

 

(a)                                  Reimbursement of Business Expenses .  The Company agrees to reimburse Employee for reasonable, documented business-related expenses actually incurred by Employee in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies as in effect from time to time.

 

(b)                                  Benefit Plans and Programs .  During the Employment Period, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the terms and eligibility requirements of any such plan or program, Employee will be eligible to participate in all benefit plans, arrangements, programs and practices (each a “ Benefit Plan ”), including improvements or modifications of the same, that are available to other senior executives of the Company and its Affiliates from time to time, subject to the eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions of such Benefit Plans, which Benefit Plans shall (at all times during the Employment Period) provide benefits to Employee that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided to Employee by EPEPM as of the day immediately preceding the Effective Date; provided, however, that (i) such comparability shall be determined without regard to any equity-based incentive compensation, defined benefit pension plan, any retiree medical or other post-retirement welfare plan, or benefits under any frozen employee benefit plan and (ii) such benefits shall be subject to market

 

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adjustment to reflect, among other things, the addition of a company medical insurance subsidy and the absence of benefit accruals under any defined benefit plan or supplemental executive retirement plan. The Company will establish a 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 6% of eligible compensation plus a profit-sharing contribution in an amount sufficient so that the retirement benefits provided to Employee are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided as of the date immediately preceding the Effective Date (provided that in no event will the profit sharing contribution exceed 5% of eligible compensation) and will continue to provide long-term disability, life and travel accident benefits. The Company will not, however, by reason of this Section 5(b)  be obligated either (i) to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing any such Benefit Plan, or (ii) to provide Employee with all benefits provided to any other person or individual employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates, in each case so long as the Company provides Employee with benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to the benefits described pursuant to this paragraph.

 

(c)                                   Vacation .  During the Employment Period, Employee shall be eligible to take up to six weeks of paid vacation per calendar year, which such vacation shall accrue and be taken in accordance with the Company’s vacation policies as may exist from time to time, provided that such policies are no less favorable than those policies in effect as of the day immediately preceding the Effective Date and, for purposes of vacation entitlements, Employee shall be given credit for prior service with EP Energy, EPEPM and their Affiliates.

 

(d)                                  Management Incentive Units .  On the Effective Date, EPE Employee Holdings, LLC (“ Employee Holdings ”) shall issue to Employee 27,731 Class B Units in Employee Holdings as of the Effective Date (the “ Management Incentive Units ”). The Management Incentive Units will be subject to, and governed by, the terms and conditions set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Employee Holdings, as amended from time to time (the “ Employee Holdings LLC Agreement ”) and an award agreement between Employee Holdings and Employee.

 

(e)                                   Investment Units .  On or before the 60th day following the Effective Date (the “ Management Class A Funding Date ”), Employee shall purchase 740 Class A Units (the “ Investment Units ”) in EPE Management Investors, LLC (“ EMT’ ) in exchange for a cash payment equal to $740,000, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EMI, as amended from time to time (the “ EMI LLC Agreement ”). Conditioned on the acquisition by Employee of the Investment Units on or before the Management Class A Funding Date and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the LLC Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to receive 370 additional Class A Units (the “ Matching Units ”); provided, however, that the issuance of such Matching Units to Employee will be subject to Employee’s prior remittance to the Company of funds necessary to satisfy all taxes required to be withheld in connection with the receipt by Employee of such Matching Units. The Investment Units and the Matching Units will be subject to, and governed by, the terms and conditions set forth in the EMI LLC Agreement.

 

(f)                                    Indemnification .  Without limiting the applicability of Section 5.17 of the Purchase Agreement (which shall remain applicable to Employee in accordance with the provisions thereof), in the event that Employee is made a party or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding (a “ Proceeding ”), other than any Proceeding initiated by

 

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Employee or the Company related to any contest or dispute between Employee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries, by reason of the fact that Employee is or was a director or officer of, or was otherwise acting on behalf of, the Company, any Affiliate of the Company, or any other entity at the request of the Company, Employee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, from and against any and all liabilities, costs, claims and expenses, including any and all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding, and all amounts paid in settlement thereof after consultation with, and receipt of approval from, the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Costs and expenses incurred by Employee in defense of such Proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such litigation upon receipt by the Company of: (i) a written request for payment; (ii) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (iii) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on behalf of Employee to repay the amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined that Employee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement. The rights to indemnification and advancement of costs and expenses provided in this Section 5(f)  are not and will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights or remedies to which Employee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any agreement or otherwise, and each such right under this Section 5(f)  will be cumulative with all such other rights, if any.

 

(g)                                   Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance .  During the Employment Period, the Company or any successor to the Company hereunder shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to Employee on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other similarly situated directors and senior officers of the Company as of the Effective Date.

 

6.                                       Termination of Employment .

 

(a)                                  Company’s Right to Terminate .  In addition to terminating this Agreement upon the expiration of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term after issuance of a notice of non-renewal as contemplated in Section 3 , the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for any of the following reasons:

 

(i)                                      Upon Employee’s death;

 

(ii)                                   Upon the determination of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company that Employee is totally disabled, whether due to physical or mental condition, so as to be prevented from substantially performing Employee’s essential duties and responsibilities under this Agreement for a period of at least 180 consecutive days or 270 days during any 12-month period (Employee’s “ Disability ”);

 

(iii)                                For Cause (as defined in Section 7 ); or

 

(iv)                               For any other reason whatsoever, in the sole and complete discretion of the Company.

 

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(b)                                  Employee’s Right to Terminate .  Employee will have the right to terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment with the Company at any time for:

 

(i)                                      Good Reason (as defined in Section 7 ); or

 

(ii)                                   For any other reason whatsoever, in the sole and complete discretion of Employee, by providing the Company with a Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 6(c)  below). In the case of a termination of employment by Employee pursuant to this Section 6(b)(ii) , the Termination Date (as defined in Section 6(c)  below) specified in the Notice of Termination shall not be less than 30 nor more than 60 days, respectively, from the date such Notice of Termination is given, and the Company may require a Termination Date earlier than the Termination Date specified in the Notice of Termination (and, if such earlier Termination Date is so required, it shall not change the basis for Employee’s termination nor be construed or interpreted as a termination of employment pursuant to Section 3 or Section 6(a)(iv) ).

 

(c)                                   Notice of Termination .  Any termination of Employee’s employment hereunder by the Company or by Employee (other than termination pursuant to Section 6(a)(i)  on account of Employee’s death) shall be communicated by written notice of termination (“ Notice of Termination ”) to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 21 . The Notice of Termination shall specify (i) the termination provision of this Agreement being relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Employee’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) the applicable Termination Date (as defined below). No action by either party hereto pursuant to this Section 6(c)  shall alter or amend any other provisions hereof or rights arising hereunder, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 8, 9, 10 and 11 hereof.

 

(d)                                  Date of Termination .  Subject to Section 22(b) , the effective date of Employee’s termination (the “ Termination Date ”) will be as follows: (i) if Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee’s death, the date of such death; (ii) if Employee’s employment is terminated as a result of a Disability or by the Company with or without Cause, then the date specified in the Notice of Termination delivered to Employee; (iii) if Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 6(b)  above, then the date specified in the Notice of Termination delivered to Company by Employee; and (iv) if Employee’s employment terminates due to the giving of a non-renewal notice pursuant to Section 3 above, the last day of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.

 

(e)                                   Deemed Resignations .  Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company and Employee prior to the termination of Employee’s employment, any termination of Employee’s employment shall, without changing the basis for termination of employment or the impact of such termination on Employee’s rights, if any, under Section 7 , constitute (i) an automatic resignation of Employee from any position held as an officer of the Company and each Affiliate of the Company and (ii) an automatic resignation of Employee from the Board (if applicable), from the board of directors or similar governing body of any Affiliate of the Company and from the board of directors or similar governing body of any corporation, limited liability entity or other entity in which the Company or any Affiliate holds an equity interest and

 

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with respect to which board or similar governing body Employee serves as the Company’s or such Affiliate’s designee or other representative.

 

(f)                                    Accrued Compensation .  Upon termination, Employee shall be entitled to receive a lump-sum amount equal to the sum of (i) Employee’s accrued and unpaid salary as of the Termination Date, (ii) Employee’s accrued and unpaid bonus amounts from years prior to the year in which the Termination Date occurs, and (iii) subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 6(f)  the cash out value of Employee’s accrued and unpaid vacation time as of the Termination Date, which lump-sum amount shall be paid as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 10 days of the Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in any vacation policy adopted by the Company or any of its Affiliates, for purposes of clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in the Purchase Agreement, in no event shall Employee be entitled to receive the cash out value of any accrued and unused vacation time in excess of (A) the amount of vacation time Employee is entitled to accrue in a single calendar year plus (B) the amount of vacation days Employee is allowed to carry over from year to year (up to 5 days), in either case as in effect under the vacation policy applicable to Employee immediately prior to the Termination Date. Employee shall also be entitled to payment of any vested benefits provided under the terms of any employee benefit plan in accordance with the terms of such plan.

 

7.                                       Severance Payments .

 

(a)                                  Termination without Cause or for Good Reason .  If prior to the occurrence of a Threshold Capital Transaction (as such term is defined in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EPE Acquisition, as amended from time to time) or within two years thereafter, (A) the Company terminates Employee’s employment with the Company and, if applicable, its Affiliates, without Cause or by failing to renew the term of this Agreement in accordance with Section 3 , or (B) Employee terminates Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 6(b)(i) , and before the 60th day following the Termination Date, Employee has signed and not revoked in the time provided to do so a termination of employment agreement acceptable to the Company and substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A that contains a complete release of all claims against the Company, its Affiliates, and their designees from the claims specified in Exhibit A (a “ Release ”) and such Release has become effective and irrevocable, the Company shall pay Employee severance in accordance with Section 7(b) . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be required to pay Employee severance if the Company terminates Employee’s employment after receiving a Notice of Termination from Employee, provided that such Notice of Termination specifies that Employee’s termination is not for Good Reason. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 7(b)  shall not apply if (1) the Company terminates Employee’s employment for Cause pursuant to Section 6(a)(iii)  above; (2) the Company terminates Employee’s employment due to Disability or Employee’s employment terminates due to Employee’s death pursuant to Sections 6(a)(i)  or 6(a)(ii)  above or (3) Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii)  above.

 

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(b)                                  Severance Amount .  If the Company is required to pay Employee severance by the express terms of Section 7(a) , Employee shall be entitled to receive the following as severance:

 

(i)                                      a lump-sum amount equal to two times the sum of Employee’s Base Salary and Target Annual Bonus as of the Termination Date, which amount shall be paid on the date that is sixty days following the Termination Date;

 

(ii)                                   a lump-sum amount equal to Employee’s target bonus amount for the year in which the Termination Date occurs, determined as if Employee had continued in employment until the end of such fiscal year and as if the Company and Employee had fully met all performance targets and goals, prorated by multiplying the full bonus amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of the year prior to and including the Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365, which lump-sum amount shall be paid as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 10 days of the Termination Date; and

 

(iii)                                for a period of 24 months after the Termination Date, the basic life insurance, medical and dental benefits, at Company expense, which were being provided to Employee immediately prior to the Termination Date. The benefits provided in this Section 7(b)(iii)  shall be no less favorable to Employee, in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him or her, than the coverage provided Employee under the plans providing such benefits at the time Notice of Termination is given. The Company’s obligation hereunder to provide the foregoing benefits shall terminate to the extent Employee obtains replacement coverage under a subsequent employer’s benefit plans at an equal or higher level. Nothing in this Section 7(b)(iii)  shall require the Company or any of its Affiliates to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, any additional income tax payable by Employee attributable to the benefits provided under this Section 7(b)(iii) .

 

Any payments paid under this Section 7(b)  shall be in lieu of any severance benefits otherwise due to Employee under any severance pay plan or program maintained by the Company that covers its employees or Employees generally; provided, however, the effects of any termination of Employee’s employment with the Company on the Management Incentive Units shall be as provided in the Employee Holdings LLC Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Cause .   Cause means the occurrence or existence of any of the following events:

 

(i)                                      Employee’s willful failure to perform Employee’s material duties (other than any such failure resulting from Employee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), including a willful failure to satisfy Employee’s fiduciary duties to the Company, that remains uncured 30 days after written notice thereof from the Company to Employee;

 

(ii)                                   Employee’s willful and material breach of this Agreement that remains uncured 30 days after written notice thereof from the Company to Employee;

 

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(iii)                                Employee’s conviction of, or Employee’s plea of guilty or no contest to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude; or

 

(iv)                               Employee’s engaging in actual fraud or willful, material misconduct in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement;

 

provided, however, that no termination of Employee’s employment shall be for Cause as set forth in clauses (i), (ii) or (iv) above until (A) there shall have been delivered to Employee a copy of a written notice setting forth that Employee was guilty of the conduct set forth in clause (i), (ii) or (iv) and specifying the particulars thereof in detail, and (B) Employee shall have been provided an opportunity to be heard by the Board (with the assistance of Employee’s counsel if Employee so desires) and (C) the Board shall have determined, as set forth in a written resolution adopted by at least a majority of the members of the whole Board, that Cause exists. No act, nor failure to act, on Employee’s part shall be considered “willful” unless Employee has acted, or failed to act, in bad faith or without a reasonable belief that Employee’s action or failure to act was in the best interests of the Company or its Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no failure to perform by Employee after a Notice of Termination is given by Employee shall constitute Cause.

 

(d)                                  Good Reason .   Good Reason means the occurrence of any of the following events without Employee’s consent:

 

(i)                                      any decrease in Employee’s Base Salary other than a reduction of not more than 5% in connection with a general reduction in base salaries that affects all similarly situated executives in substantially the same proportions which is implemented in response to a material downturn in the U.S. domestic oil and natural gas exploration and development industry;

 

(ii)                                   a failure of the Company to cause Employee to be eligible under Benefit Plans that provide benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided to Employee as of the Effective Date;

 

(iii)                                any material breach by the Company of this Agreement;

 

(iv)                               a material diminution in Employee’s title, authority, duties, or responsibilities, without Employee’s prior written consent, or the assignment to Employee without Employee’s prior written consent of duties inconsistent in any substantial respect with Employee’s then-current title, authority, duties or responsibilities or any other action by the Company that results in a diminution in Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities;

 

(v)                                  any relocation of Employee’s principal place of employment to a location that is more than 35 miles from the then-current location of such employment, without Employee’s prior written consent; or

 

(vi)                               any purported termination of Employee’s employment for Cause by the Company that does not otherwise comply with the terms of this Agreement (other than any purported termination of Employee’s employment for Cause by the Company

 

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acting in good faith, regardless of whether such purported termination complies with the terms of this Agreement).

 

Employee’s Termination Date shall not be considered to be on account of Good Reason unless (A) within 60 days after the date on which Employee knows, or should reasonably be expected to know, that one of the events set forth in Section 7(d)  has occurred, Employee provides written notice to the Board of the applicable facts and circumstances, (B) the Company does not remedy, cure or rectify the event within 30 days from the date on which written notice is received from Employee, and (C) Employee terminates his employment within 120 days after the initial existence of the condition specified in such notice.

 

8.                                  Conflicts of Interest .  Employee agrees that Employee shall promptly disclose to the Board any material conflict of interest involving Employee after Employee becomes aware of such conflict.

 

9.                                  Confidentiality .  Employee acknowledges and agrees that he has been provided Confidential Information (as defined below) regarding EPE Acquisition and the Company and that EPE Acquisition and the Company will provide Employee new and valuable Confidential Information of EPE Acquisition and the Company and it may also provide Employee confidential information of third parties who have supplied such information to EPE Acquisition and/or the Company. For purposes of this Section 9 , the term “Company” shall include EPE Acquisition and each of its subsidiaries. In consideration of such Confidential Information and other valuable consideration provided hereunder, and in order to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, Employee agrees to comply with this Section 9 .

 

(a)                                  Confidential Information .   Confidential Information means, without limitation and regardless of whether such information or materials are expressly identified as confidential or proprietary, (i) any and all non-public, confidential or proprietary information of the Company, (ii) any information of the Company that gives the Company a competitive business advantage or the opportunity of obtaining such advantage, (iii) any information of the Company the disclosure or improper use of which would reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the interests of the Company and (iv) any trade secrets of the Company. Confidential Information also includes any non-public, confidential or proprietary information about, or belonging to, any third party that has been entrusted to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include any information which is or becomes generally known by the public other than as a result of Employee’s actions or inactions.

 

(b)                                  Protection .  Except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or legal process, Employee promises (i) to keep the Confidential Information, and all documentation, materials and information relating thereto, strictly confidential, except to the extent that disclosure thereof is necessary or appropriate in the performance of Employee’s duties for the benefit of the Company, (ii) not to use the Confidential Information for any purpose other than as required in connection with fulfilling Employee’s duties for the benefit of the Company, and (iii) to return to the Company all Confidential Information in Employee’s possession and control upon separation from the Company for any reason, other than death. For the avoidance of doubt, Employee specifically acknowledges and agrees that any use by Employee of such Confidential Information other than as required in connection with fulfilling

 

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his duties on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Company will be a material breach of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Scope .  Employee understands and agrees that all Confidential Information, in whatever medium (verbal, written, electronic or other), is subject to this Agreement whether provided directly to Employee or not, whether provided to Employee prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement or not, and whether inadvertently disclosed to Employee or not. Confidential Information that was or is available to Employee or to which Employee had or has access will be deemed to have been provided to Employee.

 

(d)                                  Value and Securit y .  E mployee understands and agrees that all Confidential Information, and every portion thereof, constitutes the valuable intellectual property of the Company and/or third parties, and Employee further acknowledges the importance of maintaining the security and confidentiality of the Confidential Information and of not misusing the Confidential Information.

 

(e)                                   Disclosure Required By Law .  If Employee is legally required to disclose any Confidential Information, Employee shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law or legal process, promptly notify the Company in writing of such request or requirement so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order or other relief or waive compliance with this Agreement. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Employee agrees to cooperate with and not to oppose any effort by the Company to resist or narrow such request or to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. In any such case, Employee will (A) disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that, according to the advice of Employee’s counsel, is required to be disclosed, (B) use reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that such Confidential Information will be treated confidentially, and (C) to the extent permitted by applicable law, promptly notify the Company in writing of the items of Confidential Information so disclosed.

 

(f)                                    Survival .  The covenants made by Employee in this Section 9 will survive termination of this Agreement, and Employee’s employment for a period of three years; provided, however, that any covenants with regard to the non-use or disclosure of trade secrets established by applicable law shall remain in effect for so long as provided by applicable law.

 

10.                                Agreement Not to Compete .

 

(a)                                  Covenants .  For purposes of this Section 10 , the term “Company” shall include EPE Acquisition and each of its subsidiaries. In order to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, including the preservation of the Confidential Information and the goodwill developed by Employee on behalf of Company, and as an express incentive for Company to enter into this Agreement, Employee agrees that, except in the ordinary course and scope of Employee’s employment hereunder, Employee shall not, either as principal, agent, independent contractor, consultant, director, officer, employee, employer, advisor, stockholder, partner, member, joint venturer, owner or in any other individual or representative capacity whatsoever, whether paid or unpaid, either for Employee’s own benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity, directly or indirectly:

 

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(i)                                      during the Coverage Period, engage or carry on in Competitive Duties within the Restricted Area (including, without limitation, by engaging or carrying on in any of the activities set forth in Section 10(a)(ii)  through Section 10(a)(v)  below);

 

(ii)                                   during the Coverage Period, form or otherwise provide services to a Competing Business within the Restricted Area or directly or indirectly acquire any 5% or greater equity ownership, voting interest or profit participation interest in, any Competing Business within the Restricted Area;

 

(iii)                                during the Coverage Period with respect to any Restricted Prospects, directly or indirectly (A) acquire, attempt to acquire, or assist a third person in acquiring, any interest in or rights to such Restricted Prospects, (B) acquire, attempt to acquire or assist a third party in acquiring any equity or other interest or right in any company, business, joint venture or other enterprise owning or controlling or seeking to own or control any interest in or rights to such Restricted Prospects, or (C) otherwise divert, take away, interfere with or compete for any acquisition by the Company of such Restricted Prospects or any other transaction or arrangement contemplated by the Company (and of which Employee was aware as of the Termination Date) relating to such Restricted Prospects (or attempt to do any of the foregoing);

 

(iv)                               during the Coverage Period, directly or indirectly, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any employee of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company; provided, however, that this restriction shall not extend to prohibit or otherwise limit general employment advertising or solicitation not specifically targeting any specific employee or the hiring of any employee who responds to such advertising or solicitation or who approaches Employee for employment; or

 

(v)                                  at any time, use the name of the Company in connection with any business that is or would be in competition in any manner whatsoever with the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 10 shall not be deemed to restrict or prohibit Employee’s engaging in any Permitted Activities.

 

(b)                                  Disclosure and Authorization .  For a period of 12 months immediately following the termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, Employee promises to disclose to the Company any employment, consulting, or other service relationship Employee enters into after the Termination Date. Such disclosure shall be made within 30 days of Employee entering into such employment, consulting or other service relationship. Employee expressly consents to and authorizes the Company to disclose both the existence and terms of this Agreement to any future employer or user of Employee’s services and to take any steps the Company reasonably deems necessary to enforce this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Value and Reasonableness .  Employee understands and acknowledges that the Company has made substantial investments to develop its business interests, goodwill, and Confidential Information. Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee has been provided, and may in the future be provided, Confidential Information. Employee agrees that the preservation of the Company’s Confidential Information and goodwill are business

 

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interests worthy of protection, and that the Company’s need for the protection afforded by this Section 10 is greater than any hardship Employee might experience by complying with its terms and that the restrictions contained herein are no greater than necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests. Employee further agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Section 10 are ancillary to an otherwise enforceable agreement and that the limitations as to time, geographic area, and scope of activity to be restrained contained in this Agreement are reasonable and are not greater than necessary to protect the Confidential Information and/or the goodwill or other business interests of the Company.

 

(d)                                  Reformation .  The Company and Employee believe the limitations as to time, geographic area, and scope of activity contained in this Section 10 are reasonable and do not impose a greater restraint than necessary to protect Confidential Information, goodwill, and other legitimate business interests of the Company. However, in the event an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that the limitations agreed upon are not appropriate, the parties agree to, and hereby do, request that the court reform the limitations to the satisfaction of the arbitrator or court. It is the express intent of the Company and Employee that the terms of this Competition Agreement be enforced to the full extent permitted by applicable law and not to any greater extent.

 

(e)                                   Right to Injunction .  Employee acknowledges that Employee’s violation of Sections 9 and/or 10 of this Agreement could cause irreparable harm to the Company for which damages may not adequately be measured, and Employee agrees that the Company shall be entitled as a matter of right to specific performance of Employee’s obligations under Sections 9 and 10 and an injunction, from any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any violation or further violation of such agreements by Employee or others acting on Employee’s behalf, without any showing of irreparable harm and without any showing that the Company does not have an adequate remedy at law. The Company’s right to injunctive relief shall be cumulative and in addition to any other remedies provided by law or equity.

 

(f)                                    Definitions .  As used in this Section 10 , the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(i)                                      Competing Business means any individual, sole proprietorship, business, firm, company, partnership, joint venture, organization, or other person, entity or arrangement that competes, or has material plans to compete of which Employee is aware, or that owns or controls a significant interest in any entity that competes, or has material plans to compete of which Employee is aware, with the Company, with respect to the Hydrocarbons exploration and production business in which the Company is engaged.

 

(ii)                                   Competitive Duties means duties for a Competing Business that: (A) are the same as, similar to, or substantially related to the duties that Employee had during the last 12 months of Employee’s employment with the Company; (B) are performed in the capacity of a director, executive officer, member or partner of a Competing Business; (C) involve the formation, management, operation, or control of such Competing Business or any recognized subdivision or department thereof; or (D) constitute the management or supervision of personnel engaged in any activity which

 

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is the same as, similar to or substantially related to any activity with which Employee had direct involvement during the last 12 months of Employee’s employment with the Company.

 

(iii)                                Coverage Period means the period of time beginning on the Effective Date of this Agreement and ending 12 months following the Termination Date.

 

(iv)                               Hydrocarbons means oil, condensate gas, casinghead gas and other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons.

 

(v)                                  Oil and Gas Interests means: (A) direct and indirect interests in and rights with respect to oil and natural gas properties (including revenues or net revenues therefrom) of any kind and nature, direct or indirect, including without limitation working, royalty and overriding royalty interests, mineral interests, leasehold interests, production payments, operating rights, net profits interests, other non-working interests and non-operating interests; and (B) interests in and rights with respect to oil and natural gas or revenues therefrom.

 

(vi)                               Restricted Area means those oil and gas fields, shales, plays and other geographic areas set forth in Exhibit B hereto and any other oil and gas fields, shales, plays and geographic areas with respect to which: (A) Employee provides services on behalf of the Company during Employee’s employment hereunder; and (B) the Company has material operations or specific plans to conduct any material business as of the Termination Date (provided that Employee has material responsibilities, or has obtained Confidential Information, with respect to such operations or plans).

 

(vii)                            Restricted Prospects includes any Oil and Gas Interests within the Restricted Area.

 

(g)                                   This Section 10 shall survive any termination of this Agreement for the periods stated herein.

 

11.                                Parachute Taxes .

 

(a)                                  Gross-Up Payment .  In the event it shall be determined that any vesting, payment or distribution of any type by the Company or any of its Affiliates or any other party in a transaction involving the Company or its Affiliates or a party to the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement or the Kinder Morgan Merger Agreement (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the “ Payments ”) on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date and that is “contingent” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are collectively referred to as the “ Excise Tax ”), then Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “ Gross-Up Payment ”) in an amount such that after payment by Employee of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any income taxes, employment taxes and Excise Tax, imposed

 

14



 

upon the Gross-Up Payment, Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. All determinations required to be made under this Section 11(a)  (including, without limitation, whether any vesting, payment or distribution (i) constitutes a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) is contingent on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement) shall be made by the Board acting in good faith and in accordance with commonly accepted practices, including, to the extent appropriate, the engagement of an independent public accounting firm. Payment of the Gross-Up Payment shall be made at the time that withholding is required in connection with any Payment, provided that the payment of any Gross-Up Payment shall be made prior to the date Employee is to remit the Excise Tax as provided under of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) or pursuant to any judgment or agreement with any taxing authority.

 

(b)                                  Determination by Accountant .  Except as otherwise provided in Section 11(a) , all determinations required to be made under this Section 11 , including whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by the independent accounting firm retained by the Company on the date of Change in Control (the “ Accounting Firm ”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Employee within 15 business days of the date of termination, if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Employee, it shall furnish Employee with an opinion that he or she has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on his or her federal income tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“ Underpayment ”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 11(c)  and Employee thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee.

 

(c)                                   Notification Required .  Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after Employee knows of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. Employee shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, Employee shall:

 

(i)                                      give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,

 

15



 

(ii)                                   take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

 

(iii)                                cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim, and

 

(iv)                               permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 11(c) , the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct Employee to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund, or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Employee agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs Employee to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to Employee (unless otherwise prohibited by applicable law), on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of Employee with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and Employee shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

 

(d)                                  Repayment .  If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c) , Employee becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, Employee shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Section 11(c) ) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c) , a determination is made that Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify Employee in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

 

16



 

(e)                                   Shareholder Approval .  With respect to events from and after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if (a) Employee is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), (b) the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits that Employee has the right to receive from the Company or any of its Affiliates, would constitute an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, a “ Excess Parachute Payment ”)) and (c) shareholder approval (obtained in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 280G(b)(5) of the Code) of a payment or benefit to be provided to Employee by the Company or any other person (whether under this Agreement or otherwise) would result in the payment or benefit not being treated as an Excess Parachute Payment, then, upon the request of Employee and Employee’s agreement (to the extent necessary) to subject Employee’s entitlement to the receipt of such payment or benefit to shareholder approval, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to seek and obtain such approval in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder with the least amount of risk to Employee not receiving such payment or benefit.

 

12.                           Withholdings .  The Company may withhold and deduct from any payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and (b) to the extent permissible under Section 409A (as hereinafter defined), any deductions consented to in writing by Employee.

 

13.                           Severability .  It is the desire of the parties hereto that this Agreement be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and should any provision contained herein be held unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, the parties hereby agree and consent that such provision shall be reformed to create a valid and enforceable provision to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, if such provision cannot be reformed, it shall be deemed ineffective and deleted herefrom without affecting any other provision of this Agreement.

 

14.                           Title and Headings; Construction .  Titles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions hereof. Any and all Exhibits referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular provision hereof.

 

15.                           Arbitration; Injunctive Relief; Attorneys’ Fees .

 

(a)                                  Subject to Section 15(b) , any dispute, controversy or claim between Employee and the Company arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Employee’s employment, or the termination of either will be finally settled by arbitration in Houston, Texas before, and in accordance with the then-existing rules for the resolution of employment disputes then obtaining of, the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator’s award shall be reasoned, final and binding on all parties and may be enforced in a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

17



 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding Section 15(a) , an application for emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief by either party (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 10(g) ) shall not be subject to arbitration under this Section 15 ; provided, however, that the remainder of any such dispute (beyond the application for emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief) shall be subject to arbitration under this Section 15 .

 

(c)                                   Each of Employee and the Company shall share equally the cost of the arbitrator and bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any arbitration, unless a statutory claim authorizing the award of attorneys’ fees is at issue, in which event the arbitrator may award a reasonable attorneys’ fee in accordance with the jurisprudence of that statute; provided, however, that if Employee institutes any legal action in seeking to obtain or enforce, or is required to defend in any legal action the validity or enforceability of, any right to severance provided by this Agreement, the Company, subject to Section 22(d) , will reimburse Employee for all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, arbitration fees and the costs of experts) promptly after receipt from Employee of an invoice and supporting documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Company with respect to such fees and expenses. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, (i) the Company shall not be responsible for reimbursing any such fees and expenses to the extent they are incurred in connection with a claim made by Employee that the trier of fact finds to be frivolous or if Employee is determined to have breached Employee’s obligations under Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement and (ii) if, after the receipt by Employee of an amount reimbursed by the Company pursuant to this Section 15(c)  in connection with a claim made by Employee that the trier of fact finds to be frivolous or if Employee is determined to have breached Employee’s obligations under Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement, then Employee shall promptly repay to the Company all amounts reimbursed in connection with such claim pursuant to this Section 15(c) .

 

(d)                                  Nothing in this Section 15 shall prohibit a party to this Agreement from (i) instituting litigation to enforce any arbitration award or (ii) joining another party to this Agreement in a litigation initiated by a person which is not a party to this Agreement. IN ENTERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

16.                           Governing Law .  THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THEREOF THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICABLE OF THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE EXCLUSIVE VENUE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF ANY DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR EMPLOYEE’S EMPLOYMENT (THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION UNDER SECTION 15 FOR ANY REASON) SHALL BE IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN HARRIS, COUNTY TEXAS AND THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS.

 

17.                           Entire Agreement and Amendment .  This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Company and any of its Affiliates (including, without limitation, EPE

 

18



 

Acquisition) with respect to Employee’s employment and the other matters covered herein (except the Purchase Agreement and any other agreements specifically referenced herein); moreover, this Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between Employee on the one hand and the Company and any of its Affiliates on the other hand concerning the subject matters hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding any provision within the 2004 Severance Plan that purports to restrict Employee’s rights to waive severance rights under the 2004 Severance Plan, effective as of the Effective Date, Employee is knowingly, voluntarily and permanently waiving any and all rights that Employee has under the 2004 Severance Plan on and after the Effective Date , as this Agreement and the other agreements being contemporaneously executed by Employee and the Company set forth the entirety of severance rights that Employee has, or in the future may have, with respect to, or arising out of, Employee’s employment with the Company or its Affiliates and the 2004 Severance Plan is hereby superseded in its entirety with respect to Employee. This Agreement may be amended, waived or terminated only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and Employee.

 

18.                           Survival of Certain Provisions .  Wherever appropriate to the intention of the parties hereto and except as otherwise provided herein, the respective rights and obligations of said parties, including, but not limited to, the rights and obligations set forth in Section 6 through Section 11 hereof, shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason.

 

19.                           Waiver of Breach .  No waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any subsequent time. The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time while such breach continues.

 

20.                           Assignment .  Neither this Agreement nor any rights nor obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Employee (except, by will or by operation of the laws of intestate succession). The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, including to an Affiliate or any successor and any such assignment may take effect at any time without the consent of Employee, provided that (a) such Affiliate or successor has the fmancial wherewithal to perform all obligations of the Company hereunder and (b) such assignment does not, without Employee’s prior written consent, result in “Good Reason” within the meaning of Section 7(d)(iv)  with respect to (x) the Company and its Affiliates or (y) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Affiliates. The fact that any such assignment may be permitted under this Section 20 shall not affect the determination of whether such assignment or any related transaction constitutes a Threshold Capital Transaction. The Company will require any successor permitted under this Section 20 , including any acquirer of substantially all of its assets, to assume its obligations under this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

19



 

21.                           Notices .  Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (a) when delivered in person, (b) on the first business day after such notice is sent by air express overnight courier service, or (c) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in each case addressed to the following address, as applicable:

 

If to the Company, addressed to:

 

Everest Acquisition LLC

c/o Apollo Global Management, LLC

9 West 59th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Mr. Sam Oh

 

If to Employee, addressed to:

 

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

6135 Lake Street

Houston, Texas 77005

 

22.                           Section 409A .

 

(a)                                  General .  The intent of the parties is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and interpretive guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “ Section 409A ”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. The Company and Employee shall take commercially reasonable efforts to reform or amend any provision hereof to the extent that either of them reasonably determine that such provision would or could reasonably be expected to cause Employee to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A to try to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A through good faith modifications, in any case, to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A, provided that any such modifications shall not increase the cost or liability to the Company. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Employee and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A.

 

(b)                                  Separation from Service .  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement that is designated under this Agreement as payable upon Employee’s termination of employment shall be payable only upon Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A (a “ Separation from Service ”).

 

(c)                                   Specified Employee .  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is deemed by the Company at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, to the extent delayed

 

20


 

commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of Employee’s benefits shall not be provided to Employee prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of Employee’s Separation from Service or (ii) the date of Employee’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the delay period described in the preceding sentence, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to Employee (or Employee’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to Employee under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

(d)                                  Expense Reimbursements .  To the extent that any reimbursements under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements payable to Employee shall be paid to Employee no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; provided, that Employee submits Employee’s reimbursement request promptly following the date the expense is incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, other than medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and Employee’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

(e)                                   Installments .  Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement, including without limitation any continuation salary payments that are payable on Company payroll dates, shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment as permitted under Section 409A. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A, no payment hereunder shall be accelerated or deferred unless such acceleration or deferral would not result in additional tax or interest pursuant to Section 409A.

 

23.                           Affiliates .  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Affiliate means, with respect to any person, any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such specified person; provided, however, that an Affiliate shall not include any portfolio company of any person. For purposes of the definition of “Affiliate”, “control” when used with respect to any person means the power to direct the management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have correlative meanings.

 

24.                           Employee Acknowledgement .   Employee acknowledges that Employee has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on Employee’s own judgment after having had the opportunity to consult with advisors of Employee’s choosing.

 

25.                           Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature pages, each signed by one party, but together signed by both parties hereto.

 

21



 

26.                           Company Name Change .  It is intended that the Company will change its name to EP Energy LLC on or immediately after the Effective Date. Upon such change becoming effective, all references in this Agreement to “the Company” shall refer to EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

27.                           Provisions Regarding Effective Date .  As indicated in Section 1 , this Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date and, accordingly, in connection therewith and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force or effect if (a) Employee ceases to be employed by either EPEPM or one of its Affiliates at any time prior to the Effective Date and/or (b) the Effective Date does not occur on or prior to the End Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement).

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

22



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement this 24 th  day of May 2012, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

 

 

 

For the limited purpose of acknowledging Section 17:

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Clayton A. Carrell

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE
TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(MARGUERITE N. WOUNG-CHAPMAN)

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement this         day of May, 2012, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

EVEREST ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

 

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

 

 

 

For the limited purpose of acknowledging Section 17:

 

 

 

 

 

EL PASO EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Clayton A. Carrell

 

 

Clayton A. Carrell

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE
TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(MARGUERITE N. WOUNG-CHAPMAN)

 



 

SCHEDULE 2(a)

 

PERMITTED CORPORATE BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS

 

None

 

SCHEDULE 2(a)



 

EXHIBIT A

 

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Termination of Employment Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is between EP Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Company ”), and Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman (“ Employee ”) pursuant to that Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Employee and Company dated                 , 2012 (the “ Employment Agreement ”).

 

The parties hereby agree to terminate their employment relationship on the following terms and conditions.

 

1.                                  Termination of Employment .  Company and Employee agree that Employee’s employment with Company has been terminated, or shall be terminated, as of [•] (the “ Termination Date ”), and Employee is eligible to receive certain severance benefits pursuant to Section 7 of the Employment Agreement.

 

2.                                  Complete Release and Other Consideration from Employee .  Subject to Employee’s timely receipt of the severance benefits payable to Employee pursuant to the Employment Agreement, in exchange for Company’s obligations under this Agreement, Employee agrees as follows:

 

(a)                                  Release of Claims .  Employee, on Employee’s own behalf and on behalf of Employee’s heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever releases Company, its direct and indirect subsidiaries and Affiliates (as defined in the Employment Agreement), and each of their respective current and former officers, directors, equity holders, members, managers, benefit plans, and plan administrators (collectively, the “ Releasees ”) from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, or cause of action relating to:

 

(i)                                 any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns and the termination of that relationship;

 

(ii)                              with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns: any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;

 

(iii)                           with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns: any and

 

EXHIBIT A-1



 

all claims for violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law, including, but not limited to the following statutes (each as amended, if applicable), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

(iv)                          any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or employment discrimination with respect thereto;

 

(v)                             any and all claims arising out of any other federal, state, local or foreign law relating to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or employment discrimination with respect thereto;

 

(vi)                          any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the non-withholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Employee with respect to Employee’s employment or service relationship with, or affiliation with, the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or permitted assigns or as a result of this Agreement; and

 

(vii)                       any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs with respect to the foregoing.

 

Employee agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete release as to the matters released. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement does not release (i) Employee’s current ownership of, or claims in respect of future rights or claims arising out of, (A) any direct or indirect equity interest in the Company or any of its Affiliates or (B) any options or other contingent rights thereto (including, without limitation, rights in respect of the Company’s Class B Units or any successor rights), (ii) any future rights under equity or equity incentives or (iii) claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, including, but not limited to, Employee’s right to file a charge with, or participate in a charge by, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other local, state, or federal administrative body or government agency that is authorized to enforce or administer laws related to employment, against Company (with the understanding that Employee’s release of claims herein bars Employee from recovering monetary or other personal relief from Company or any other Releasee), claims for unemployment compensation or any state disability insurance benefits pursuant to the terms of applicable state law, claims to continued participation in certain of Company’s group benefit plans pursuant to the terms and conditions of COBRA, claims to any benefit entitlements vested as the date of separation of Employee’s employment, pursuant to written terms of any employee benefit plan of Company or its Affiliates. Further, this Agreement does not release Employee’s rights, including under applicable law and Company’s

 

EXHIBIT A-2



 

D&O policy, to seek indemnity for acts committed, or omissions, within the course and scope of Employee’s employment duties.

 

(b)                                  Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under the ADEA .  Employee understands and acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ ADEA ”), and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee understands and agrees that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Employee understands and acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further understands and acknowledges that Employee has been advised by this writing that: (a) Employee should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) Employee has [21/45] days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) Employee has 7 days following Employee’s execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement, which Employee may do by providing written notice of revocation to Company as provided in Section 21 of the Employment Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Employee signs this Agreement and returns it to Company in less than the [21/45] day period identified above, Employee hereby acknowledges that he has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the complete time period allotted for considering this Agreement.

 

3.                                  Confidentiality .  Except as may be required by applicable law or court order or as may be necessary in an action arising out of this Agreement, Employee agrees not to disclose the existence or terms of this Agreement to anyone other than Employee’s immediate family, attorneys, tax advisors, and financial counselors, provided that Employee first informs them of this confidentiality clause and secures their agreement to be bound by it.

 

4.                                  Employee’s Representations .  Employee acknowledges, agrees and expressly represents that, as of the date Employee executes this Agreement: (i) Employee has received all compensation and other sums that Employee is owed by the Releasees (other than sums owed pursuant to this Agreement); and (ii) Employee has received all leaves (paid and unpaid) that Employee was owed through the Termination Date.

 

5.                                  Release and Other Consideration from Company .  In exchange for Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, Company shall pay Employee those severance payments described in Section 7(b)  of the Employment Agreement, on the terms provided in the Employment Agreement. Employee acknowledges that these severance payments are conditioned on Employee’s compliance with Sections 9 and 10 of the Employment Agreement. Company may withhold from any severance payments all federal, state, local, and other taxes and withholdings as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

6.                                  Right to Consult an Attorney; Period of Review .  Employee is encouraged to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement. From the date this Agreement is first

 

EXHIBIT A-3



 

presented to Employee, Employee will have [21/45] days in which to review this Agreement. Employee may use as little or much of this [21/45] -day review period as Employee chooses.

 

7.                                  Amendment; Continuing Obligations .  This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement may be amended, waived or terminated only by a written instrument executed by both parties hereto. Employee hereby reaffirms and agrees to continue to abide by the terms set forth in Sections 9 and 10 of the Employment Agreement and expressly acknowledges the enforceability and continuing effect of those terms.

 

8.                                  Revocation .  Upon signing this Agreement, Employee will have 7 days to revoke the Agreement. To properly revoke the Agreement, Company must receive written notice of revocation from Employee by the close of business on the 7th day after the date the Agreement is signed by Employee. Written notice must be delivered pursuant to Section 21 of the Employment Agreement.

 

9.                                  Choice of Law .  This Agreement will be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its choice of law principles. This Agreement is subject to the arbitration provisions in Section 15 of the Employment Agreement.

 

10.                           Effectiveness of Agreement .  This Agreement will be effective, and the payments described above will be made, only if Employee executes the Agreement within [21/45] days of receiving it and only if Employee does not revoke the Agreement under Section 8 above.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

EXHIBIT A-4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

EP ENERGY LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Sam Oh

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman

 

 

EXHIBIT A-5



 

EXHIBIT B

 

RESTRICTED AREAS

 

Eagle Ford La Salle County, Texas

Eagle Ford Dimmit County, Texas

Eagle Ford Webb County, Texas

Eagle Ford Atascosa County, Texas

Eagle Ford McMullen County, Texas

Altamont Duchesne County, Utah

Altamont Uintah County, Utah

Wolfcamp Reagan County, Texas

Wolfcamp Irion County, Texas

Wolfcamp Crockett County, Texas

Wolfcamp Upton County, Texas

Wilcox Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

Wilcox Newton County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex De Soto Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Bossier Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Webster Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Bienville Parish, Louisiana

Haynesville/Arklatex Robertson County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex Panola County, Texas

Haynesville/Arklatex Caddo Parish, Louisiana

Black Warrior Jefferson County, Alabama

Black Warrior Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Black Warrior Fayette County, Alabama

Black Warrior Walker County, Alabama

Raton Colfax County, New Mexico

Raton Las Animas County, Colorado

Gulf Coast Starr County, Texas

Gulf Coast Zapata County, Texas

Gulf Coast Lavaca County, Texas

Gulf Coast Hidalgo County, Texas

Arkoma Le Flore County, Oklahoma

Arkoma Haskell County, Oklahoma

 

EXHIBIT B-1


 



Exhibit 10.23

 

EP Energy
Senior Executive Survivor Benefit Plan

 

May 25, 2012

 



 

Table of Contents

 

PREAMBLE

1

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

2

1.1

Annual Salary

2

1.2

Beneficiary

2

1.3

Board

2

1.4

Company

2

1.5

Effective Date

3

1.6

El Paso Plan

3

1.7

ERISA

3

1.8

Executive Employee

3

1.9

Participant

3

1.10

Plan

3

1.11

Plan Administrator

3

1.12

Survivor Benefit

3

ARTICLE II ELIGIBILITY

4

2.1

Participation

4

2.2

Duration of Participation

4

ARTICLE III SURVIVOR BENEFIT

5

3.1

Pre-Retirement Survivor Benefit

5

3.2

No Duplicate Coverage

5

3.3

Payment of Survivor Benefit

5

3.4

Facility of Payment

5

3.5

Proof of Death or Disability

5

3.6

Payment by the Company

6

ARTICLE IV FUNDING THE PLAN

7

4.1

Unfunded Obligation

7

4.2

No Participant Contributions

7

ARTICLE V AMENDMENT AND PLAN TERMINATION

8

5.1

Amendment and Termination

8

5.2

No Adverse Effect

8

ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS

9

6.1

Plan Administration

9

6.2

Non-assignability of Benefits

9

6.3

Claims Procedure

10

6.4

Reliance on Information

12

6.5

No Additional Rights

12

6.6

Governing Law

12

6.7

Disclosure to Participants

12

6.8

Income Tax Withholding Requirements

12

6.9

Severability

12

6.10

Correction of Errors

13

6.11

No Examination or Accounting

13

 

EP Energy Corporation

Senior Executive Survivor Benefit Plan

 

i



 

PREAMBLE

 

THIS WELFARE PLAN (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan” and known as the EP Energy Senior Executive Survivor Benefit Plan) is adopted by EP Energy, L.L.C. (hereinafter “Company”).

 

WHEREAS, on February 24, 2012, EP Energy Corporation (subsequently converted to a limited liability company and renamed EP Energy, L.L.C.), EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C. entered into a purchase and sale agreement with EPE Acquisition LLC (“EPE Acquisition”), whereby EPE Acquisition would acquire all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EP Energy, L.L.C. immediately prior to the merger of El Paso Corporation (or its successor) into Kinder Morgan, Inc. (“Closing Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Plan is to provide survivor benefits for certain senior executives of the Company and its designated subsidiaries to secure the good will, loyalty and efficiency of the covered executives; and

 

WHEREAS, the Plan is intended to be an unfunded or an insured welfare plan maintained by the Company for the purpose of providing benefits for a select group of management employees who are highly compensated, which Plan is exempt from the reporting and disclosure provisions of Part 1 of Title I of ERISA pursuant to ERISA Section 104(a)(3) and Department of Labor regulation Section 2520.104-24 thereunder, or any statutory or regulatory provisions that may hereafter replace such sections;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, except as otherwise specified herein, the Company does hereby adopt the Plan, as set forth in the following pages, effective as of the Closing Date.

 

1



 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

The following terms when used herein shall have the following meaning, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context. Capitalized terms are used throughout the Plan text for terms defined by this and other sections.

 

1.1                                Annual Salary

 

“Annual Salary” means the annual salary being paid to the Participant by the Company at the time of the Participant’s death (grossed-up to reflect salary deferrals, if any, under Section 401(k) plans, Section 125 cafeteria plans, Section 132 plans and other qualified and nonqualified elective deferrals), but excluding payments to the Participant under any stock option, employee stock ownership, bonus, performance share unit, or other incentive plans or extra, vacation, or added compensation or benefits of any kind or nature.

 

1.2                                Beneficiary

 

“Beneficiary” means person or persons designated from time to time by a Participant, upon a form made available by the Plan Administrator for such purpose or in such form satisfactory to the Plan Administrator, to receive distributions from this Plan in the event of the Participant’s death. Any such person designated by the Participant under the El Paso Plan shall be the Beneficiary under this Plan until such designation is revoked or changed.

 

In the event that no Beneficiary designation has been made or the designated Beneficiary has predeceased the Participant or dies before the benefit has been fully paid, the remaining balance of such benefit shall be paid in equal shares to the first surviving class of the following classes of preference Beneficiaries: (a) the Participant’s spouse, (b) the Participant’s surviving children, (c) the Participant’s parents, (d) the Participant’s surviving brothers and sisters, or (e) the Participant’s estate.

 

A Participant may at any time change a Beneficiary designation by filing prior to such Participant’s death, written notice of such change with the Plan Administrator in the manner set forth in this Section 1.2.

 

1.3                                Board

 

“Board” means the Board of Managers of the Company.

 

1.4                                Company

 

“Company” means EP Energy, L.L.C. For purposes of clarity, it is intended that the Company will change its name to EP Energy Global LLC on or shortly prior to the Effective Date. Upon such change becoming effective, all references in this Plan to the

 

2



 

“Company” shall refer to EP Energy Global LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, unless the context requires otherwise. In addition, persons employed by EP Energy Management, L.L.C. shall be considered employed by the Company for all purposes under the Plan.

 

1.5                                Effective Date

 

The “Effective Date” of this Plan is the Closing Date.

 

1.6                                El Paso Plan

 

“El Paso Plan” means the El Paso Corporation Senior Executive Survivor Benefit Plan.

 

1.7                                ERISA

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including all regulations thereunder.

 

1.8                                Executive Employee

 

“Executive Employee” means an employee who is employed by the Company at the level of senior vice president or above.

 

1.9                                Participant

 

“Participant” means an Executive Employee who meets the eligibility requirements of Article II.

 

1.10                      Plan

 

“Plan” means the EP Energy Senior Executive Survivor Benefit Plan.

 

1.11                         Plan Administrator

 

“Plan Administrator” means the senior most Human Resources officer of the Company.

 

1.12                         Survivor Benefit

 

“Survivor Benefit” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 

3



 

ARTICLE II

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

2.1                                Participation

 

An Executive Employee shall become a Participant in the Plan as of his or her first day of employment as an Executive Employee.

 

Any Participant in the El Paso Plan on the day immediately preceding the Effective Date of this Plan, who is an Executive Employee on the Effective Date, shall become a Participant in this Plan on the Effective Date and shall immediately cease participation in the El Paso Plan.

 

2.2                                Duration of Participation

 

(a)                                  Active Employment as an Executive Employee

 

A Participant remains eligible for a Survivor Benefit under the Plan so long as he or she remains actively employed by the Company as an Executive Employee. A leave of absence for a period and purpose which is approved by the Company, shall not be deemed a termination of employment.

 

A Participant who ceases to be an Executive Employee for any reason other than death or permanent disability shall cease to be a Participant in the Plan after 31 days following the last date of employment as an Executive Employee.

 

(b)                                  Disability

 

A Participant who becomes permanently disabled before attaining age 55, while employed by the Company for purposes of this Plan shall be deemed to remain in the active employment of the Company while disabled until such Participant has attained age 55. At age 55, a disabled Participant shall be deemed to be a retired Participant for purposes of this Plan and, therefore, no longer an Executive Employee who is eligible for benefits under the Plan. A Participant shall be considered to be permanently disabled on the date as of which benefits are payable to the disabled employee under the long term disability plan sponsored by the Company.

 

4



 

ARTICLE III

 

SURVIVOR BENEFIT

 

3.1                                Pre-Retirement Survivor Benefit

 

If a Participant dies while employed by the Company the Participant’s Beneficiary shall receive a lump sum Survivor Benefit pursuant to the following formula:

 

the Survivor Benefit shall equal (i) two and one-half times the Participant’s Annual Salary, less (ii) $50,000 (which is the amount of the Company provided group term life insurance benefit payable to the Participant’s beneficiary under the terms of the Company sponsored group term life coverage).

 

In the event the Survivor Benefit (or any portion thereof, including interest) is taxable income to the Participant’s Beneficiary, the benefit will be increased in the manner determined by the Plan Administrator, to adjust for federal income taxes at the highest applicable marginal rate for the year in which the lump sum payment is made.

 

3.2                                No Duplicate Coverage

 

Participants in this Plan shall not be eligible to receive life insurance benefits in excess of $50,000 of coverage, under any group term life insurance policies (other than travel and accident policies) which are purchased by the Company to cover employees who are not eligible to participate in this Plan.

 

3.3                                Payment of Survivor Benefit

 

The Survivor Benefit shall be paid in cash on the first day of the month following the Participant’s death, or as soon thereafter as is practicable.

 

3.4                                Facility of Payment

 

If a Survivor Benefit is payable to a minor or incompetent or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of his or her property, the Plan Administrator may pay such Survivor Benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care and custody of such Beneficiary. The Plan Administrator may require any proof of incompetency, minority or guardianship as the Plan Administrator deems appropriate prior to distribution of the Survivor Benefit. Such distribution shall completely discharge the Plan Administrator and the Company from all liability with respect to such Survivor Benefit.

 

3.5                                Proof of Death or Disability

 

The Plan Administrator may require proof of death or permanent disability of a Participant and evidence of the right of a Beneficiary to receive a Survivor Benefit.

 

5



 

3.6                                Payment by the Company

 

All Survivor Benefit payments to Beneficiaries shall be paid by the Company, or by an insurer pursuant to an insurance policy purchased by the Company.

 

6



 

ARTICLE IV

 

FUNDING THE PLAN

 

4.1                                Unfunded Obligation

 

The Survivor Benefits to be paid to the Beneficiaries of the Participants pursuant to this Plan are an unfunded obligation of the Company. Nothing herein contained shall require the Company to segregate any monies from its general funds, to create any trust, to make any special deposits, or to purchase any policies of insurance with respect to this obligation. Title to and beneficial ownership of any policies of insurance purchased or funds invested by the Company, including the proceeds, income and profits therefrom, which the Company may make to fulfill its obligations under this Plan shall at all times remain in the Company.

 

4.2                                No Participant Contributions

 

No Participant shall be required or permitted to make contributions to the Plan.

 

7


 

ARTICLE V

 

AMENDMENT AND PLAN TERMINATION

 

5.1                                  Amendment and Termination

 

The Plan may at any time and from time to time be amended, modified or terminated, without further approval of the Board, or any individual(s) or entity acting pursuant to written authorization of the Board to adopt the Plan amendment. In addition, the most senior Human Resources officer of the Company may approve and adopt any written amendment to the Plan that such officer demes is necessary or appropriate to meet the requirements of ERISA, the Code or any other law as now in effect or as hereafter enacted or amended, and may approve and adopt any amendments to the Plan, to the extent permitted by law, to simplify or clarify administration of the Plan and to make other changes to the Plan to the extent such changes will not increase the cost to the Company of maintaining the Plan, except by an amount that is de minimis in nature.

 

Any amendments made pursuant to this section shall be in writing and subject to any advance notice or other requirements of ERISA.

 

5.2                                  No Adverse Effect

 

No amendment or termination shall adversely affect the right of a Beneficiary to receive a benefit pursuant to the terms of the Plan as the result of the death of a Participant which occurred prior to the date of such change.

 

8



 

ARTICLE VI

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.1                                  Plan Administration

 

The Plan Administrator shall have the sole authority and responsibility for the administration of the Plan, under the terms of ERISA, including the discretionary authority to interpret the provisions of the Plan and the facts and circumstances of claims for benefits.

 

The Plan Administrator’s powers and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

(a)                                   make rules and regulations as necessary to carry out the provisions of the Plan or to facilitate the operations of the Plan;

 

(b)                                  construe and interpret the Plan, decide all questions of eligibility and determine the amount, manner and time of payment of any benefits hereunder;

 

(c)                                   determine the rights of any person to a benefit;

 

(d)                                  obtain from the Company and from Participants any information that is necessary for the proper administration of the Plan and, when appropriate, furnish such information to other persons entitled thereto;

 

(e)                                   purchase group term or individual policies of life insurance covering the Participants to fund the obligation of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Plan;

 

(f)                                     authorize one or more agents to make any payment on behalf of the Company, appoint agents and clerks, and employ such professional services, including legal, medical, accounting and actuarial, as necessary to administer the Plan; and

 

(g)                                  to keep all such books of account, records and other data as may be necessary for the administration of the Plan.

 

All determinations and actions by the Plan Administrator pursuant to the terms of the Plan and any rules or regulations thereunder shall be binding upon all Participants and their Beneficiaries.

 

6.2                                  Non-assignability of Benefits

 

Survivor Benefits under the Plan may not be assigned, sold, transferred, or encumbered, in whole or in part, either directly or by operation of law or otherwise, and any attempt to do so shall be void. To the extent permitted by law, no benefits payable under the Plan shall in any manner be subject to garnishment, attachment, execution, or other legal

 

9



 

process or be liable for, or subject to the debts or liability of any Participant or Beneficiary.

 

6.3                                  Claims Procedure

 

Claims for benefits shall be administered in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 6.3 and any additional written procedures that may be adopted from time to time by the Plan Administrator.

 

(a)                                   Submission of Claim

 

A claim for benefit payment shall be considered filed when a written request is submitted to the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall respond to a claim in writing or electronically. An authorized representative may act on behalf of a Participant or Beneficiary (hereinafter “Claimant”) who claims benefits.

 

(b)                                  Procedures for Adverse Determinations

 

Adverse determinations for claims for benefits will be resolved using the following procedures:

 

(i)                                      Notice of Denial

 

Any time a claim for benefits is wholly or partially denied, the Claimant shall be given written or electronic notice of such action within 90 days after the claim is filed, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing. If there is an extension, the Claimant shall be notified of the extension and the reason for the extension within the initial 90-day period. The extension shall not exceed 180 days after the claim is filed.

 

The denial notice will indicate (A) the reason for denial; (B) the specific provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based; (C) an explanation of the claims appeal procedure including the time limits applicable to the procedure and a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a); and (D) a description of any additional material or information necessary to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary.

 

(ii)                         Request for Review

 

Any person who has had a claim for benefits denied by the Plan Administrator, who disputes the benefit determination, or is otherwise adversely affected by action of the Plan Administrator, shall have the right to appeal the claim to the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall provide a full and fair review of the appeal that takes into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted relating

 

10



 

to the claim, without regard to whether the information was previously submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

 

Such appeal of the claim must be in writing, and must be made within 60 days after the Claimant is advised of the Plan Administrator’s action.  If written request for appeal is not made within such 60-day period, the Claimant shall forfeit his or her right to appeal the claim.

 

The Claimant shall be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the claim. The Claimant may submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim.

 

(iii)                           Review of Claim

 

If the Claimant files a timely written request for review of a denial of a claim for benefits, then the Plan Administrator shall review the claim. The Plan Administrator may hold a hearing if deemed necessary, and shall issue a written decision reaffirming, modifying or setting aside the initial determination by the Plan Administrator within a reasonable time and not later than 60 days after receipt of the written request for review, or 120 days if special circumstances, such as a hearing, require an extension. If an extension is required, the Claimant shall be notified in writing or electronically within the initial 60-day period of the extension, the special circumstances requiring the extension and the date by which the Plan expects to render a determination.

 

A copy of the decision shall be furnished to the Claimant. The decision shall set forth the specific reasons for the decision and specific Plan provisions on which it is based, a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the claim, and a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a), noting the limitation under Section 6.3(c). The decision shall be final and binding upon the Claimant and all other persons involved.

 

(c)                                   Civil Actions Under ERISA Section 502(a)

 

A civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) may not be filed with respect to a claim for benefits under the Plan until the claims procedures and review procedures of this Section 6.3 have been satisfied. The civil action may not be brought on or after the date that is one year after the date that the final decision under Section 6.3(b)(iii) is made with respect to the claim.

 

11



 

6.4                                  Reliance on Information

 

The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to rely on all tables, valuations, certificates and reports made by record keepers and accountants and upon all opinions given by legal counsel. The Plan Administrator shall be fully protected in respect of any action taken or suffered by the Plan Administrator in good faith in reliance upon any such record keeper, accountant, advisor or counsel, and all action so taken or suffered shall be conclusive upon all Participants and Beneficiaries under the Plan.

 

6.5                                  No Additional Rights

 

Neither anything contained in this Plan, nor any modification of the same or act done in pursuance hereof, shall be construed as giving any person any legal or equitable right against the Plan Administrator or the Company, unless specifically provided herein. Neither the establishment of the Plan, nor any action of the Company or the Plan Administrator, shall be held or construed to confer upon any person any right to be continued as an employee, or, upon dismissal, any right or interest in any insurance policy other than as herein provided. The Company expressly reserves the right to discharge any employee at any time.

 

6.6                               Governing Law

 

To the extent that state law is not preempted by ERISA or any other law of the United States, the Plan and all rights hereunder shall be governed, construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. Venue for any dispute arising under this Plan shall be the applicable state or federal court in Houston, Texas (Federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas or Harris County Civil Court at Law).

 

6.7                                  Disclosure to Participants

 

Each Participant shall be advised of the general provisions of the Plan and, upon written request addressed to the Plan Administrator, shall be furnished any information requested regarding the Participant’s status, rights and privileges under the Plan as may be required by law.

 

6.8                                  Income Tax Withholding Requirements

 

Any Survivor Benefit payment made under the Plan will be subject to any applicable income tax withholding requirements.

 

6.9                                  Severability

 

If any provision of this Plan is held illegal or invalid for any reason, such determination shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Plan, which shall be construed as if said illegal or invalid provision had never been included.

 

12



 

6.10                            Correction of Errors

 

In accordance with the Plan Administrator’s authority and responsibility to administer the Plan pursuant to this Article VI, the Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, correct any Plan administrative errors.

 

6.11                            No Examination or Accounting

 

Neither this Plan nor any action taken thereunder shall be construed as giving any persons the right to an accounting or to examine the books or affairs of the Company.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, EP Energy, L.L.C. has caused this Plan to be duly executed on this 24 th  day of May, 2012.

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Authorized Person

 

By:

/s/ Joan M. Gallagher

Witness

 

 

Joan M. Gallagher

 

 

Its:

SVP, HR & Administrative Services

 

13




Exhibit 10.24

 

EP ENERGY

 

2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

SECTION 1 ESTABLISHMENT AND OBJECTIVES

1

 

 

 

SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS

1

 

 

 

2.1

Award

1

2.2

Award Agreement

1

2.3

Beneficiary

1

2.4

Board

2

2.5

Cash Awards

2

2.6

Cause

2

2.7

Code

2

2.8

Company

2

2.9

Effective Date

2

2.10

Employee

2

2.11

Employer

3

2.12

EPE

3

2.13

Incentive Award

3

2.14

Participant

3

2.15

Performance Goals

3

2.16

Performance Period

5

2.17

Plan Administrator

5

2.18

Subsidiary

5

2.19

Threshold Capital Transaction

5

 

 

SECTION 3 ADMINISTRATION

6

 

 

 

3.1

Plan Administrator

6

3.2

Authority of Plan Administrator

6

3.3

Indemnification of Plan Administrator

7

 

 

SECTION 4 ELIGIBILITY

7

 

 

 

4.1

Eligibility

7

4.2

Actual Participation

7

 

 

SECTION 5 INCENTIVE AWARDS

7

 

 

 

5.1

Incentive Awards

7

5.2

Performance Goal Certification

8

5.3

Discretion to Reduce Awards; Participant’s Performance

8

5.4

Required Payment of Incentive Awards

8

5.5

Nontransferability of Incentive Awards

8

 

 

SECTION 6 CASH AWARDS

9

 

 

 

6.1

Grant of Cash Awards

9

6.2

Value of Cash Awards

9

6.3

Payment of Cash Awards

9

6.4

Transferability of Cash Awards

9

 

i



 

SECTION 7 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

9

 

 

 

7.1

Effect of Termination of Employment

9

 

 

SECTION 8 EFFECT OF A THRESHOLD CAPITAL TRANSACTION

10

 

 

 

8.1

Lapse of Vesting Restrictions

10

 

 

SECTION 9 GENERAL PROVISIONS

10

 

 

 

9.1

Forfeiture Events

10

9.2

Continued Service

10

9.3

Other Compensation

10

9.4

Nontransferability

11

9.5

Unfunded Obligations

11

9.6

Beneficiaries

11

9.7

Governing Law

11

9.8

Satisfaction of Tax Obligations

11

9.9

Participants in Foreign Jurisdictions

11

9.10

Clawback

12

 

 

SECTION 10 COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A

12

 

 

 

10.1

Section 409A of the Code

12

 

 

SECTION 11 AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

13

 

 

 

11.1

Amendment of Plan

13

11.2

Termination or Suspension of Plan

13

 

ii



 

EP ENERGY
2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

SECTION 1
ESTABLISHMENT AND OBJECTIVES

 

EP Energy, L.L.C. hereby establishes a cash-based incentive compensation plan to be known as the “EP Energy 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan” (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”). The Plan shall become effective on May 25, 2012 (the “Effective Date”) and shall remain in effect until such time as it is amended or terminated as set forth in Section 11 hereof.

 

The objectives of the Plan are to promote the interests of the Company and its equity investors by strengthening the Company’s ability to attract and retain the employment and or services of Participants (as hereinafter defined) through discretionary bonuses based on the performance of the Company and/or the Participants relating to specified objective financial and business criteria, thereby aligning their interests and efforts to the long-term interests of the Company’s equity investors, and to provide them with a direct incentive to achieve the Company’s strategic and financial goals.

 

SECTION 2
DEFINITIONS

 

Unless otherwise required by the context, the following terms when used in the Plan shall have the meanings set forth in this Section  2:

 

2.1                                Award

 

An “Award” granted under the Plan means any Incentive Award or Cash Award subject to such terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator may establish from time to time under the terms of the Plan.

 

2.2                                Award Agreement

 

The “Award Agreement” is the written agreement adopted by the Plan Administrator setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan (which, in the discretion of the Plan Administrator, need not be countersigned by a Participant). The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, provide for the use of electronic, internet or other non-paper Award Agreements.

 

2.3                                Beneficiary

 

The person or persons designated by the Participant pursuant to Section 9.6 of the Plan to whom payments are to be paid pursuant to the terms of the Plan in the event of the Participant’s death.

 

1



 

2.4                                Board

 

The Board of Managers of EPE.

 

2.5                                Cash Awards

 

As defined in Section 6.

 

2.6                                Cause

 

A termination of a Participant by his or her Employer shall be for “Cause” if the Employer determines that the Participant has (i) failed to substantially perform his or her duties to the Employer’s satisfaction (other than a failure resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), including a failure to satisfy the Participant’s fiduciary duties to the Company, EPE or any of their respective Affiliates that has not been cured to the Employer’s satisfaction; (ii) willfully engaged in conduct that is injurious to the Company or any of its affiliates, monetarily or otherwise; (iii) has been convicted of, or pleaded no contest to, any felony (or state law equivalent), or any crime involving moral turpitude; or (iv) willfully engaged in conduct in violation of the Company’s policies or code of business conduct or materially breached any agreement between the Participant and the Company, EPE or any of their respective affiliates. Whether a Participant has been terminated for Cause will be determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

2.7                                Code

 

The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time, and the temporary or final regulations of the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury adopted pursuant to the Code.

 

2.8                                Company

 

“Company” means EP Energy, L.L.C. In addition, it is intended that the Company will change its name to EP Energy Global LLC on or shortly prior to the Effective Date. Upon such change becoming effective, all references in this Plan to the “Company” shall refer to EP Energy Global LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

2.9                                Effective Date

 

“Effective Date” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1 hereof.

 

2.10                         Employee

 

“Employee” means any employee of the Company or a Subsidiary other than an employee who is included in a unit of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement unless such agreement expressly provides for eligibility under the Plan.

 

2



 

2.11                         Employer

 

“Employer” means, as to any Participant who is an Employee, the Company (or any parent entity) or Subsidiary that employs the Participant on such date.

 

2.12                         EPE

 

“EPE” means EPE Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

2.13                         Incentive Award

 

A percentage of base salary, fixed dollar amount or other measure of compensation which Participants are eligible to receive, in cash, at the end of a Performance Period if certain performance measures are achieved.

 

2.14                         Participant

 

An eligible Employee to whom an Award is granted under the Plan, to the extent such an Employee is designated as a Participant as set forth in Section 4.1.

 

2.15                         Performance Goals

 

The Plan Administrator may grant Awards subject to Performance Goals to any Participant. As to any such Awards, the Plan Administrator shall establish one or more of the following Performance Goals for each Performance Period in writing. Each Performance Goal selected for a particular Performance Period shall include any one or more of the following, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole (including any parent entity of the Company) or to a Subsidiary or business unit, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to the pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Plan Administrator:

 

·                                           earnings;

·                                           earnings before interest and taxes;

·                                           earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;

·                                           earnings per share;

·                                           net income;

·                                           operating income;

·                                           revenues;

·                                           operating cash flow;

·                                           free cash flow (defined as operating cash flow less capital expenditures less dividends);

·                                           debt level;

·                                           debt ratios or other measures of credit quality or liquidity;

·                                           equity ratios;

 

3



 

·                                                expenses;

·                                                cost reduction targets;

·                                                capital expended;

·                                                working capital;

·                                                weighted average cost of capital;

·                                                operating or profit margins;

·                                                interest-sensitivity gap levels;

·                                                return on assets;

·                                                return on net assets;

·                                                return on equity or capital employed;

·                                                return on total capital;

·                                                amount of the oil and gas reserves;

·                                                oil and gas reserve additions;

·                                                oil and gas reserve replacement ratios;

·                                                costs of finding oil and gas reserves;

·                                                oil and gas reserve replacement costs;

·                                                daily natural gas and/or oil production;

·                                                production and production growth;

·                                                absolute or per unit operating and maintenance costs;

·                                                absolute or per unit general and administrative costs;

·                                                absolute or per unit lease operating expenses;

·                                                operating and maintenance cost management;

·                                                performance of investment in oil and/or gas properties;

·                                                capital efficiency targets (capital/new volumes);

·                                                redeployable capital savings targets;

·                                                absolute or per unit cash costs;

·                                                present value ratio;

·                                                drilling inventory growth (% or absolute);

·                                                production or reserves per debt adjusted shares

·                                                total shareholder return;

·                                                charge-offs;

·                                                asset sale targets;

·                                                asset quality levels;

·                                                value of assets;

·                                                employee retention/attrition rates;

·                                                investments;

·                                                regulatory compliance;

·                                                satisfactory internal or external audits;

·                                                improvement of financial ratings;

·                                                safety targets;

·                                                environmental targets;

·                                                economic value added;

·                                                achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives;

·                                                project completion measures;

 

4



 

·                                           other measures such as those relating to acquisitions, dispositions, or customer satisfaction; and/or

·                                           any additional performance measure designated by the Plan Administrator.

 

The Plan Administrator shall adjust the Performance Goals to include or exclude extraordinary charges, gain or loss on the disposition of business units, losses from discontinued operations, restatements and accounting changes and other unplanned special charges, including, but not limited to, restructuring expenses, acquisitions, acquisition expenses, including expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets, securities offerings, equity or debt repurchases and loan loss provisions. The Plan Administrator may also provide for the manner in which performance will be measured against the Performance Goals (or may adjust the Performance Goals) to reflect the impact of specified corporate transactions, special charges, and tax law changes. Performance Goals may include a threshold level of performance below which no Award shall be earned, target levels of performance at which specific Awards will be earned, and a maximum level of performance at which the maximum level of Awards will be earned.

 

2.16                         Performance Period

 

That period of time during which Performance Goals are evaluated to determine the vesting or granting of Awards under the Plan, as the Plan Administrator may determine.

 

2.17                         Plan Administrator

 

“Plan Administrator” means the entity, as specified in Section 3.1, authorized to administer the Plan.

 

2.18                         Subsidiary

 

“Subsidiary” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or other ownership interests.

 

2.19                         Threshold Capital Transaction

 

As defined in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EPE, as amended from time to time.

 

5



 

SECTION 3
ADMINISTRATION

 

3.1                                Plan Administrator

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Board or such other person(s), committee or group as the Board shall select (the “Plan Administrator”). The members constituting the Plan Administrator shall be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the discretion of, the Board.

 

3.2                                Authority of Plan Administrator

 

Subject to the express terms and conditions set forth herein, the Plan Administrator shall have the power from time to time to:

 

(a)                                  determine those individuals to whom Awards shall be granted under the Plan and the amount subject to such Awards and prescribe the terms and conditions, including vesting and forfeiture conditions (which need not be identical) of each such Awards;

 

(b)                                  establish Performance Goals for any Performance Period and determine whether such goals were satisfied;

 

(c)                                   establish and approve forms of Award Agreement for use under the Plan;

 

(d)                                  make any amendments, modifications or adjustments to the terms of any outstanding Awards, as permitted by the Plan;

 

(e)                                   construe and interpret the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder and decide all questions of fact arising in its application;

 

(f)                                    establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan;

 

(g)                                   exercise its discretion with respect to the powers and rights granted to it as set forth in the Plan; and

 

(h)                                  generally, exercise such powers and perform such acts as are deemed necessary or advisable to promote the best interests of the Company with respect to the Plan.

 

All decisions and determinations by the Plan Administrator in the exercise of the above powers shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company, its Subsidiaries, the Participants and all other persons having or claiming any interest therein.

 

6



 

3.3                                Indemnification of Plan Administrator

 

Each member of any committee acting as Plan Administrator, while serving as such, shall be entitled, in good faith, to rely or act upon any advice of the Company’s independent auditors, counsel or consultants hired by the committee, or other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan. The Plan Administrator and any officers or employees of the Company acting at the direction or on behalf of the Company shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made, or not taken or made, in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected under the Company’s charter or by-laws with respect to any such action or determination.

 

SECTION 4
ELIGIBILITY

 

4.1                                Eligibility

 

Persons eligible to participate in the Plan include all Employees, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion. No Employee shall be a Participant or be entitled to any payment hereunder unless such Employee is designated as a Participant and granted an Award by the Plan Administrator.

 

4.2                                Actual Participation

 

Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Plan Administrator may, from time to time, select from all eligible Employees those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award. The Plan Administrator may establish additional terms, conditions, rules or procedures to accommodate the rules or laws of applicable foreign jurisdictions and to afford Participants favorable treatment under such laws; provided , however , that no Award shall be granted under any such additional terms, conditions, rules or procedures with terms or conditions which are inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

 

SECTION 5
INCENTIVE AWARDS

 

5.1                                Incentive Awards

 

Prior to the beginning of each Performance Period, or not later than 90 days following the commencement of the relevant fiscal year, the Plan Administrator shall establish Performance Goals or other performance measures which must be achieved for any Participant to receive an Incentive Award for that Performance Period. The Performance Goals or other performance measures may be based on any combination of corporate and business unit Performance Goals or other performance measures. The Plan Administrator may also establish one or more Performance Goals or other performance measures which must be achieved for any Participant to receive an Incentive Award for that Performance Period. Such Performance Goals or other performance measures may include a threshold level of performance below which no Incentive

 

7



 

Award shall be earned, target levels of performance at which specific Incentive Awards will be earned, and a maximum level of performance at which the maximum level of Incentive Awards will be earned. Each Incentive Award shall specify the amount of cash subject to such Incentive Award.

 

5.2                                Performance Goal Certification

 

An Incentive Award shall become payable to the extent provided herein in the event that the Plan Administrator certifies in writing prior to payment of the Incentive Award that the Performance Goals or other performance measures selected for a particular Performance Period have been attained. In no event will an Incentive Award be payable under the Plan if the threshold level of performance set for each Performance Goal or other performance measure for the applicable Performance Period is not attained.

 

5.3                                Discretion to Reduce Awards; Participant’s Performance

 

The Plan Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may reduce the amount of any Incentive Award otherwise payable to a Participant upon attainment of any Performance Goal or other performance measure for the applicable Performance Period. A Participant’s individual performance must be satisfactory, regardless of the Company’s performance and the attainment of Performance Goals or other performance measures, before he or she may be paid an Incentive Award. In evaluating a Participant’s performance, the Plan Administrator shall consider the Performance Goals or other performance measures, the Participant’s responsibilities and accomplishments, and such other factors as it deems appropriate.

 

5.4                                Required Payment of Incentive Awards

 

The Plan Administrator shall make a determination as soon as reasonably practicable (but in all events within sixty days) after the information that is necessary to make such a determination is available for a particular Performance Period whether the Performance Goals or other performance measures for the Performance Period have been achieved and the amount of the Incentive Award for each Participant. The Plan Administrator shall certify the foregoing determinations in writing. Unless otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, each Incentive Award shall be paid during the calendar year immediately following the end of the Performance Period. Participants shall receive payment, if any, in respect of their Incentive Awards in cash.

 

5.5                                Nontransferability of Incentive Awards

 

Except as otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator, Incentive Awards may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

8


 

SECTION 6
CASH AWARDS

 

6.1                                Grant of Cash Awards

 

Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Plan Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant cash awards to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms, including time-based vesting criteria and/or the achievement of specific performance criteria, as the Plan Administrator may determine (each, a “Cash Award”).

 

6.2                                Value of Cash Awards

 

Each Cash Award granted pursuant to this Section 6 shall specify a payment amount or payment range as determined by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may establish performance criteria applicable to such awards in its discretion. If the Plan Administrator exercises its discretion to establish performance criteria, the value of such cash awards that will be paid out to the Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance goals are met.

 

6.3                                Payment of Cash Awards

 

Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award as set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

6.4                                Transferability of Cash Awards

 

Except as otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator, Cash Awards may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

SECTION 7
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

7.1                                Effect of Termination of Employment

 

The Award Agreement applicable to each Award shall set forth the effect of a termination of the Participant’s employment upon such Award; provided , however , that, unless explicitly set forth otherwise in an Award Agreement or as determined by the Plan Administrator, all of a Participant’s unvested Awards shall automatically be forfeited upon termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason. Provisions relating to the effect of a termination of employment upon an Award shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Plan Administrator and need not be uniform among all Awards or among all Participants. Unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise, the transfer of employment of a Participant as between the Company and its affiliates and Subsidiaries shall not constitute a termination of employment.

 

9



 

SECTION 8
EFFECT OF A THRESHOLD CAPITAL TRANSACTION

 

8.1                                Lapse of Vesting Restrictions

 

Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event of the consummation of a Threshold Capital Transaction, any vesting restrictions applicable to outstanding Cash Awards shall immediately lapse and, become payable within (30) days thereafter.

 

SECTION 9
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

9.1                                Forfeiture Events

 

The Plan Administrator may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, without limitation, termination of employment for Cause, violation of material policies that may apply to the Participant, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company or any of its affiliates or Subsidiaries.

 

9.2                                Continued Service

 

Nothing in the Plan shall:

 

(a)                                   interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company (including any parent thereof) or a Subsidiary to terminate any Participant’s employment at any time, nor

 

(b)                                  confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company (or any parent thereof) or a Subsidiary.

 

No Employee shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under the Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive future Awards.

 

9.3                                Other Compensation

 

Unless determined otherwise by the Plan Administrator or required by contractual obligations, the grant, vesting or payment of Awards under the Plan shall not be considered as part of a Participant’s salary or used for the calculation of any other pay, allowance, pension or other benefit unless otherwise permitted by other benefit plans provided by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or required by law or by contractual obligations of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

10



 

9.4                                Nontransferability

 

Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, the right of a Participant or Beneficiary to the payment of any Award under the Plan may not be assigned, transferred, pledged or encumbered, nor shall such right or other interests be subject to attachment, garnishment, execution or other legal process.

 

9.5                                Unfunded Obligations

 

Any amounts (deferred or otherwise) to be paid to Participants pursuant to the Plan are unfunded obligations. Neither the Company (including any parent thereof) nor any Subsidiary is required to segregate any monies from its general funds, to create any trusts or to make any special deposits with respect to this obligation.

 

9.6                                Beneficiaries

 

The designation of a Beneficiary shall be on a form provided by the Company, executed by the Participant (with the consent of the Participant’s spouse, if required by the Company for reasons of community property or otherwise), and delivered to a designated representative the Company. A Participant may change his or her Beneficiary designation at any time. If no Beneficiary is designated, if the designation is ineffective, or if the Beneficiary dies before the balance of a Participant’s benefit is paid, the balance shall be paid to the Participant’s spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, to the Participant’s estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, a Participant’s Beneficiary shall be determined under applicable state law if such state law does not recognize Beneficiary designations under plans of this sort and is not preempted by laws which recognize the provisions of this Section 9.6.

 

9.7                             Governing Law

 

The Plan shall be construed and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.

 

9.8                                Satisfaction of Tax Obligations

 

The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all federal, state, local, domestic or foreign taxes required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Plan.

 

9.9                                Participants in Foreign Jurisdictions

 

The Plan Administrator shall have the authority to adopt such modifications, procedures and subplans as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws of any countries in which the Company may operate to ensure the viability of the benefits from Awards granted to Participants employed in such countries, to meet the requirements of local laws that

 

11



 

permit the Plan to operate in a qualified or tax-efficient manner, to comply with applicable foreign laws and to meet the objectives of the Plan.

 

9.10                         Clawback

 

Notwithstanding any provisions in the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required by applicable law and/or any policy that may be adopted by the Board, Awards and amounts paid or payable pursuant to or with respect to Awards shall be subject to clawback to the extent necessary to comply with such law(s) and/or policy, which clawback may include forfeiture and/or recoupment of Awards and amounts paid or payable pursuant to or with respect to Awards.

 

SECTION 10
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A

 

10.1                      Section 409A of the Code

 

The Plan and all Awards granted hereunder are intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code and any guidance issued thereunder and shall be administered, operated and construed in accordance with such intent. The Plan Administrator may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, including, but not limited to Section 409A of the Code, permit Participants to defer Awards under the Plan. Any such deferrals shall be subject to such terms, conditions and procedures that the Plan Administrator may establish from time to time in its sole discretion.

 

Notwithstanding this or any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Board may amend the Plan in any manner, or take any other action, that either of them determines, in its sole discretion, is necessary, appropriate or advisable to cause the Plan to comply with Section 409A of the Code and any guidance issued thereunder, which amendment may be retroactive to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code. Any such action, once taken, shall be deemed to be effective from the earliest date necessary to avoid a violation of Section 409A of the Code and shall be final, binding and conclusive on all Participants and other individuals having or claiming any right or interest under the Plan.

 

12



 

SECTION 11
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

 

11.1                         Amendment of Plan

 

The Board may from time to time make such amendments to the Plan as it may deem proper and in the best interest of the Company; provided , however , no change in any Award previously granted under the Plan may be made without the consent of the Participant if such change would impair the right of the Participant under the Award to acquire or retain cash that the Participant may have acquired as a result of the Plan.

 

11.2                      Termination or Suspension of Plan

 

The Board may at any time suspend the operation of or terminate the Plan with respect to any rights which are not at that time subject to any Award outstanding under the Plan.

 

13



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, EP Energy, L.L.C. has caused the Plan to be duly executed on this 24 day of May, 2012.

 

 

 

 

EP ENERGY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Authorized Person

 

By:

/s/ Joan M. Gallagher

Witness

 

 

Joan M. Gallagher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its:

SVP, HR & Administrative Services

 

14




Exhibit 10.25

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN AGREEMENT

 

This MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of May 24, 2012, is executed and agreed to by and between EPE Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and EPE Employee Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ EEH ”).

 

WHEREAS , the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “ LLC Agreement ”), authorizes the Board to cause the Company to issue Class B Units to EEH, and, in connection therewith, authorizes the Company to cause EEH to issue EEH Units to employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries, including the Employer (as hereinafter defined);

 

WHEREAS , each of the Persons set forth on Schedule A hereto (as may be amended) (each, a “ Grantee ”), on the Grant Date (as hereinafter defined) applicable to such Grantee, is an employee of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries and has provided or agreed to provide services to or for the benefit of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

WHEREAS , in consideration for the services provided or to be provided to or for the benefit of the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Company desires to grant incentive awards in the form of profits interests to each of the Grantees; and

 

WHEREAS , the Company desires to issue to EEH on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the LLC Agreement, and EEH desires to accept on such terms and conditions, the aggregate number of Class B Units set forth on Schedule A hereto, as such schedule may be amended from time to time.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the promises and of the mutual agreements contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Award . On the terms and subject to the conditions of the LLC Agreement and this Agreement, the Company hereby issues to EEH the aggregate number of Class B Units set forth opposite each Grantee’s name on Schedule A hereto, as such schedule may be amended from time to time, (the “ Awarded B Units ”) in the series of Class B Units set forth opposite such Grantee’s name on Schedule A as of the date set forth opposite such Grantee’s name on Schedule A (the “ Grant Date ”). The Threshold Value for each Awarded B Unit shall be as set forth on Schedule A . The Awarded B Units are intended to constitute “profits interests” within the meaning of Revenue Procedures 93-27 and 2001-43 (or the corresponding requirements of any subsequent guidance promulgated by the United States Internal Revenue Service or other applicable Law) and, accordingly, the capital account associated with each such Awarded B Units at the time of its issuance shall be equal to $0.00. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined in the body hereof are defined in Exhibit A . In accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement, the EEH Agreement and an Award Agreement between EEH and the applicable Grantee, EEH shall issue to each Grantee, on the applicable Grant Date, such

 



 

number and series of EEH Units as corresponds to the number and series of Awarded B Units set forth next to such Grantee’s name on Schedule A, as such schedule may be amended from time to time.

 

2.                                       Unvested Units . As of the applicable Grant Date, the Awarded B Units issued pursuant to this Agreement are Unvested Class B Units under the LLC Agreement, subject to all of the restrictions on Unvested Class B Units (as well as on Class B Units, in general) under the LLC Agreement and carry only such rights as are conferred on Unvested Class B Units under the LLC Agreement (“ Unvested Units ”). Unvested Units will become vested in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement.

 

3.                                       Vesting of Awarded B Units .

 

(a)                                  Subject to the remainder of this Section 3 and Section 4, Unvested Units shall vest and become Vested Class B Units under the LLC Agreement and shall no longer be subject to the restrictions on Unvested Class B Units (but shall remain subject to the restrictions on Vested Class B Units and Class B Units in general) under the LLC Agreement (“ Vested Units ”) in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the table below, provided that the applicable Grantee remains continuously employed by El Paso Exploration & Production Management, LLC (the “ Employer ”) or one of its Affiliates, and EEH remains a Member of the Company or its Affiliates, from the applicable Grant Date through each vesting date set forth below:

 

Vesting Date

 

Cumulative Percentage of
Unvested Units issued pursuant
hereto that become Vested Units

 

First Anniversary of the applicable Grant Date

 

20

%

Second Anniversary of the applicable Grant Date

 

40

%

Third Anniversary of the applicable Grant Date

 

60

%

Fourth Anniversary of the applicable Grant Date

 

80

%

Fifth Anniversary of the applicable Grant Date

 

100

%

 

If on an applicable vesting date, the application of the vesting schedule set forth above results in a fractional Unvested Unit becoming a Vested Unit, the number of Unvested Units vesting on such date shall be rounded up to the next whole number of Unvested Units.

 

(b)                                  Upon the occurrence of a Threshold Capital Transaction, all Awarded B Units that have not previously become Vested Units shall become Vested Units as of the date of such Threshold Capital Transaction, provided that the applicable Grantee has remained continuously employed by the Employer or one of its Affiliates from the applicable Grant Date through the date of such Threshold Capital Transaction.

 

4.                                       Forfeiture and Redemption of Awarded B Units

 

(a)                             If the employment of a Grantee with the Employer or one of its Affiliates is terminated for Cause, then on the date of such Grantee’s termination of employment, EEH will forfeit to the Company, without consideration, all of its Awarded B Units attributable to

 

2



 

such Grantee (and such Grantee’s Permitted Transferees), including all Vested Units and all Unvested Units, and all rights arising from such Awarded B Units and from being a holder thereof.

 

(b)                                  If (x) a Grantee voluntarily terminates the Grantee’s employment with the Employer or one of its Affiliates for Good Reason, (y) a Grantee’s employment with the Employer or one of its Affiliates is terminated by the Employer or such Affiliate without Cause, or (z) a Grantee’s employment with the Employer or one of its Affiliates is terminated upon such Grantee’s death or because such Grantee incurs a Disability, then:

 

(i)                                      for a period of one year following the date of such Grantee’s termination of employment, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to redeem from EEH, in accordance with Section 5 below, any or all of the Vested Units attributable to such Grantee (and such Grantee’s Permitted Transferees) as of the date of such Grantee’s termination at the Fair Market Value of such Awarded B Units determined as of the date the Company elects to redeem such Awarded B Units;

 

(ii)                                   on the date of such Grantee’s termination of employment, a pro-rata portion of the Awarded B Units attributable to such Grantee that remain Unvested Units as of such date, if any, shall become Vested Units and such pro-rata portion shall equal the product of (i) 20 percent of the number of Awarded B Units granted under this Agreement multiplied by (ii) a fraction, (A) the numerator of which is the number of days between the most recent anniversary of the applicable Grant Date preceding such Grantee’s date of termination of employment (or, if such Grantee’s employment terminates prior to the first anniversary of the applicable Grant Date, the number of days between such Grant Date and the date of such Grantee’s termination of employment) and (B) the denominator of which is 365; and

 

(iii)                                on the date of such Grantee’s termination of employment, all of the Unvested Units that do not become Vested Units in accordance with Section 4(b)(ii) above shall become “tentatively vested” (the “ Tentatively Vested Units ”) and subject to vesting as follows:

 

(A)                                     if a Threshold Capital Transaction occurs on or prior to the date that is 180 days following the date of such Grantee’s termination of employment (the “ Determination Date ”), then (I) all of the Tentatively Vested Units shall become Vested Units as of the date on which such Threshold Capital Transaction occurs and (II) for a period of one year after the date on which such Threshold Capital Transaction occurs, the Company shall have the right to redeem, in accordance with Section 5 below, any or all of the Vested Units attributable to such Grantee and such Grantee’s Permitted Transferees at the Fair Market Value of such Awarded B Units determined as of the date the Company elects to redeem such Awarded B Units; and

 

3



 

(B)                                     if a Threshold Capital Transaction does not occur on or prior to the Determination Date, then EEH will forfeit to the Company, without consideration, all of the Tentatively Vested Units attributable to such Grantee (and such Grantee’s Permitted Transferees) and all rights arising from such Tentatively Vested Units and from being a holder thereof.

 

(c)                           If a Grantee voluntarily terminates employment with the Employer or one of its Affiliates without Good Reason, then:

 

(i)                                           on the date of such Grantee’s termination of employment, EEH will forfeit to the Company, without consideration, all of the Unvested Units attributable to such Grantee (and such Grantee’s Permitted Transferees) and, subject to Section 8.04(h)(v) of the LLC Agreement, 25% of the Vested Units attributable to such Grantee (and such Grantee’s Permitted Transferees) and all rights arising from such Awarded B Units and from being a holder thereof; and

 

(ii)                                        following such Grantee’s termination of employment, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to redeem from EEH, in accordance with Section 5 below, any or all of the Vested Units attributable to such Grantee (and such Grantee’s Permitted Transferees) as of the date of such Grantee’s termination (determined after giving effect to Section 4(c)(i) above) at the Fair Market Value of such Awarded B Units determined as of the date the Company elects to redeem such Awarded B Units.

 

(d)                             If a Grantee with a Grant Date of May 24, 2012 fails to make EMI Capital Contributions in an aggregate amount equal to its Equity Commitment on or prior to the Management Class A Funding Date, then immediately after the Management Class A Funding Date EEH will forfeit to the Company, without consideration, all of its Awarded B Units attributable to such Grantee (and such Grantee’s Permitted Transferees), including all Vested Units and all Unvested Units, and all rights arising from such Awarded B Units and from being a holder thereof.

 

(e)                              The forfeitures of Awarded B Units (including all rights arising from such Awarded B Units) subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 4 shall occur immediately and without further action of the Company or the Board or any other Person upon the termination of employment of a Grantee or other event giving rise to such forfeitures (the date of termination of employment of a Grantee or such other event being a “ Trigger Date ”).

 

5.                                       Procedure for Redemption of Vested Units .

 

(a)                             In order to exercise the right to redeem any Vested Units that are subject to redemption pursuant to Section 4 (the “ Subject Units ”), the Company shall deliver written notice to such Grantee, and such Grantee’s Permitted Transferee, legal representative or guardian, or the executor of such Grantee’s estate, as applicable (the “ Holder ”) and to EEH, no later than the one-year anniversary of the Trigger Date, in which notice the Company shall identify the Subject Units and set forth the applicable Purchase Price (as defined below) determined by the Board. The notice shall also set a reasonable time and place for the closing

 

4



 

of the redemption of the Subject Units, which shall be not less than 10 calendar days nor more than 55 calendar days after the date of such notice.

 

(b)                             In order to redeem the Subject Units, the Company shall provide the Holder and EEH with written notice of the Board’s determination of the Fair Market Value of the Subject Units (the “ Purchase Price ”). The Holder shall have the right to dispute in writing the Board’s determination of the Purchase Price within 15 calendar days following receipt of the Board’s determination (the “ Notice Period ”). If the Company has not received written notice of such a dispute within the Notice Period, the Purchase Price as determined by the Board shall be deemed to be the final Purchase Price. If the Company has received written notice of such a dispute within the Notice Period, then the Board’s determination of the Purchase Price shall be submitted for review and final determination by an internationally recognized independent valuation firm with significant experience performing valuations of privately held companies engaged in the oil and natural gas exploration and production business of similar size and scope as the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (the “ Independent Valuation Firm ”) selected by the Holder, provided that such Independent Valuation Firm is approved by the Board acting in good faith. Subject to the foregoing, the Independent Valuation Firm shall review all relevant data, including any necessary books and records of the Company, to determine the changes to the Purchase Price calculation, if any, necessary to resolve only the disputed items or amounts. The determination by the Independent Valuation Firm shall be made as promptly as practical, but in no event later than 30 calendar days from its engagement, and shall be final and binding on the Company, the Holder, EEH and the members of EEH. All costs charged by the Independent Valuation Firm to make such determination will be shared equally by the Company and the Holder.

 

(c)                              Any payment of the Purchase Price for the Subject Units by the Company shall be made, at the Company’s discretion, in the form of a check payable EEH or a wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by EEH.

 

(d)                             Upon payment of the Purchase Price by the Company, the Subject Units shall automatically be cancelled without further action by the Company, EEH, the Grantee or any other Person.

 

(e)                              The Holder shall execute and deliver all documentation and agreements reasonably requested by the Company to reflect a redemption of the Subject Units pursuant to this Agreement, but neither the failure of the Holder to execute or deliver any such documentation nor the failure of the Holder to deposit the Company’s check, if any, shall affect the validity of a redemption of the Subject Units pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(f)                               In connection with any redemption of the Subject Units hereunder, the Holder shall at a minimum make customary representations and warranties concerning (i) such Holder’s valid title to and ownership of the Subject Units, free of all liens, claims and encumbrances (excluding those arising under applicable securities Laws), (ii) such Holder’s authority, power and right to enter into and consummate the redemption of the Subject Units, (iii) the absence of any violation, default or acceleration of any agreement to which such Holder is subject or by which its assets are bound as a result of the redemption of the Subject Units, and (iv) the absence of, or compliance with, any governmental or third party consents, approvals,

 

5



 

filings or notifications required to be obtained or made by such Holder in connection with the redemption of the Subject Units.

 

6.                                       Undertaking of EEH.     Upon the repurchase, redemption or forfeiture of Awarded B Units attributable to a Grantee in accordance with this Agreement, EEH shall immediately cause the redemption, repurchase or forfeiture, respectively, of an equivalent number of EEH Units of such Grantee and/or its Permitted Transferees. EEH hereby agrees to take whatever additional actions and execute whatever additional documents the Company may in its reasonable judgment deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed on EEH pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement and the LLC Agreement.

 

7.                                       Fees.

 

(a)                                  Following the consummation of a Threshold Capital Transaction, upon each distribution by the Company pursuant to Section 5.03(c) of the LLC Agreement, the Company shall pay to EEH an amount equal to the difference, if a positive number, between (a) the product of (i) ninety-six percent (96%), expressed as a decimal, times (ii) that portion of such distribution which was made (or deemed made) to the Class B Members pursuant to Section 5.03(c) of the LLC Agreement calculated on a pro forma basis as if the cumulative amount of fees theretofore paid by the Company pursuant to the Transaction Fee Agreement and the Management Fee Agreement had, at the times such fees were paid, instead been distributed by the Company to the Members pursuant to Section 5.03(c) of the LLC Agreement, minus (b) the sum of (i) that portion of such distribution which was made (or deemed made) to the Class B Members pursuant to Section 5.03(c) of the LLC Agreement, plus (ii) any amounts previously paid pursuant to this Section 7.

 

(b)                                  Upon the consummation of a Specified Class B Repurchase, the Company shall pay to EEH, in respect of the Specified Repurchased Class B Units that were repurchased by the Company in such Specified Class B Repurchase, an amount equal to the difference, if a positive number, between (a) the product of (i) ninety-six percent (96%), expressed as a decimal, times (ii) the purchase price paid (or deemed paid) in respect of such Specified Repurchased Class B Units pursuant to Section 8.04(h)(ii) of the LLC Agreement calculated on a pro forma basis as if the cumulative amount of fees theretofore paid by the Company pursuant to the Transaction Fee Agreement and the Management Fee Agreement had, at the times such fees were paid, instead been distributed by the Company to the Members pursuant to Section 5.03(c) of the LLC Agreement, minus (b) the sum of (i) the purchase price paid in respect of such Specified Repurchased Class B Units pursuant to Section 8.04(h)(ii) of the LLC Agreement, plus (ii) any amounts previously paid pursuant to this Section 7.

 

8.                                       General Provisions.

 

(a)                             Notices .     Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (i) when delivered in person, (ii) on the first business day after such notice is sent by air express overnight courier service, or (iii) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail, registered or certified mail,

 

6



 

return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in each case addressed to the following address, as applicable:

 

If to EEH to:

 

EPE Employee Holdings, LLC

 

 

c/o Apollo Global Management, LLC

 

 

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

 

 

New York, New York 10019

 

 

Attention: Sam Oh

 

If to the Company to:

 

EPE Acquisition, LLC

 

 

c/o Apollo Management VII, L.P.

 

 

Apollo Commodities Management, L.P., with respect to Series I

 

 

9 West 57 th  Street

 

 

New York, NY 10019

 

 

Attention: Gregory Beard and Laurie Medley

 

(b)                             Governing Law .     THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE. THE PARTIES HEREBY DECLARE THAT IT IS THEIR INTENTION THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE REGARDED AS MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND THAT THE LAWS OF SAID STATE SHALL BE APPLIED IN INTERPRETING ITS PROVISIONS IN ALL CASES WHERE LEGAL INTERPRETATION SHALL BE REQUIRED.

 

(c)                              Waiver of Jury Trial .     IN ENTERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

(d)                         Amendment and Waiver .     The provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived only with the prior written consent of EEH and the Company, and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may amend Schedule A from time to time to reflect the issuance of additional Awarded B Units in respect of the Grantees (including, for the avoidance of doubt, to Upper-Tier Management Investors or employees of the Employer or its Affiliates or the Company or its Subsidiaries not previously listed on Schedule A) or the repurchase or forfeiture of Awarded B Units.

 

(e)                              Severability .     Any provision in this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction by reason of applicable Law shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating or affecting the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

7



 

(f)                               Entire Agreement .    This Agreement and the LLC Agreement embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

(g)                              Counterparts .      This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or pdf attachment to electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart to this Agreement.

 

(h)                             Title and Headings; Construction .      All Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole, including all Exhibits attached hereto, and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All references herein to Sections and Exhibits shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Sections of this Agreement and the Exhibits attached hereto, and all such Exhibits attached hereto are hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. In the event that the LLC Agreement is amended following the Grant Date in a manner that amends, corrects, modifies, re-titles, re-numbers or otherwise revises the LLC Agreement section reference within this Agreement, such section reference within this Agreement shall be deemed to continue to reference the applicable original LLC Agreement section, as so amended. The use herein of the word “including” following any general statement, term or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation”, “but not limited to”, or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. The word “or” as used herein is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive. Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto.

 

(i)                                 Gender and Plurals .   Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

(j)                                Successors and Assigns .     Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by and against EEH, the Company and EEH and the Company’s respective successors and assigns (including subsequent holders of Awarded B Units); provided, however, that EEH’s rights and obligations under this Agreement are not assignable except in connection with a Transfer of the Awarded B Units permitted under the LLC Agreement. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement or in

 

8



 

the LLC Agreement, (i) each Awarded B Unit shall remain subject to the terms of the LLC Agreement and this Agreement regardless of who holds such Awarded B Unit.

 

(k)                                  Rights of Third Parties .  Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person, other than the parties hereto, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(1)                                  WAIVER OF PUNITIVE AND EXEMPLARY DAMAGE CLAIMS . EACH PARTY, BY EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT, WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, ANY CLAIMS TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR SIMILAR DAMAGES NOT MEASURED BY THE PREVAILING PARTY’S ACTUAL DAMAGES IN ANY DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY ARISING UNDER, RELATING TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

 

(m)                         Sections 83 and 409A of the Code . The parties intend for the issuance of the Awarded B Units to be a transfer of property within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code rather than a deferral of compensation pursuant to Section 409A of the Code (“ Section 409A ”). Accordingly, this Agreement and the issuance of the Awarded B Units hereunder shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent and any action required by either of the parties pursuant to this Agreement will be provided in such a manner that the Awarded B Units do not become subject to the provisions of Section 409A, including any regulations or other interpretive guidance promulgated with respect to Section 409A.

 

(n)                             Withholding . To the extent that the receipt of the Awarded B Units, the vesting of the Awarded B Units, or the execution of this Agreement results in compensation income or wages to EEH for federal, state or local tax purposes, EEH agrees to deliver to the Employer (or, if directed by the Company, one of its Affiliates) at the time of such receipt, lapse or execution, as the case may be, such amount of money as the Employer or such Affiliate may require to meet its minimum obligation under applicable tax Laws or regulations, and if EEH fails to do so, the Company is authorized to withhold from any cash or Class B Unit remuneration then or thereafter payable to EEH any tax required to be withheld by reason of such resulting compensation income or wages.

 

(o)                             Section 83(b) Election . Within 30 days after the date of issuance of the Awarded B Units, EEH agrees to timely file an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the Awarded B Units and to submit a copy of such election to the Company. The form of such election shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B . EEH acknowledges that it is its sole responsibility, and not the responsibility of the Company to file the election under Section 83(b) of the Code even if EEH requests the Company or any of its managers, directors, officers, employees or authorized representatives (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, lenders, prospective lenders and financial representatives) of the Company to assist in making such filing.

 

[Signatures appear on the following page]

 

9



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Management Incentive Plan Agreement as of the date first written above, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

EPE EMPLOYEE HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

By its manager:

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Name:

Sam Oh

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Name:

Sam Oh

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE
TO
MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN AGREEMENT

 



 

EXHIBIT A
DEFINED TERMS

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person.

 

Award Agreement ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Board ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Cause ” as to any Grantee has the meaning assigned to such term in an employment agreement, if any, between the Employer or any of its Affiliates and such Grantee; provided , however , in the absence of such an employment agreement or if such employment agreement does not define the term “ Cause ,” then “ Cause ” has the meaning set forth in the Award Agreement between EEH and such Grantee.

 

Class A Members ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Class B Members ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Class B Units ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Delaware Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. §§ 18-101 et seq., as amended from time to time.

 

Disability ” as to any Grantee has the meaning assigned to such term in an employment agreement, if any, between the Employer or any of its Affiliates and such Grantee; provided , however , in the absence of such an employment agreement or if such employment agreement does not define the terms “ Disability ” then “ Disability ” has the meaning set forth in the Award Agreement between EEH and such Grantee.

 

EEH Units ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

EMI Agreement ” means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EPE Management Investors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, dated as of the date hereof, as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time.

 

EMI Capital Contributions ” means “Capital Contributions” as defined in the EMI Agreement.

 

Equity Commitment ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Fair Market Value ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Exhibit A-1



 

Good Reason ” as to any Grantee has the has the meaning assigned to such term in an employment agreement, if any, between the Employer or any of its Affiliates and such Grantee; provided , however , in the absence of such an employment agreement or if such employment agreement does not define the term “ Good Reason ,” then “ Good Reason ” has the meaning set forth in the Award Agreement between EEH and such Grantee.

 

Law ” means any applicable constitutional provision, statute, act, code (including the Code), law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, decree, ruling, proclamation, resolution, judgment, decision, injunction, award, declaration, or interpretative or advisory opinion or letter of a domestic, foreign or international governmental authority or any political subdivision thereof and shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, the Delaware Act.

 

Management Class A Funding Date ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Management Fee Agreement ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Member ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Permitted Transferee ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Person ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Profits ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Securities Act ” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Specified Class B Repurchase ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Specified Repurchased Class B Units ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Subsidiary ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Threshold Capital Transaction ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Threshold Value ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Transaction Fee Agreement ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Transfer ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Unvested Class B Units ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Upper-Tier Management Investors ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Vested Class B Units ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Exhibit A-2



 

EXHIBIT B
SECTION 83(B) ELECTION FORM

 

Election to Include in
Taxable Income in Year of Transfer Pursuant
to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code

 

The undersigned is receiving an award of restricted membership units of a Delaware limited liability company that is being treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All parties to the transaction believe the award of restricted membership units to be a “profits interest” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Service Revenue Procedures 93-27 and 2001-43. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that (i) the award of restricted membership units constitutes a “capital interest” rather than a “profits interest” or (ii) the undersigned disposes of such restricted membership units within two years following receipt thereof, the undersigned hereby makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the property described below and supplies the following information in accordance with the regulations promulgated thereunder:

 

1.                                       The name, address and taxpayer identification number of the undersigned (the “ Taxpayer ”) are:

 

Name:

EPE Employee Holdings, LLC

Address:

c/o Apollo Global Management, LLC, 9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor, New York,

 

New York 10019, Attention: Sam Oh

Taxpayer Identification
Number:

45-5086572

 

2.                                       Description of the property with respect to which the election is being made (the “ Property ”):

 

          Class B Units of EPE Acquisition, LLC (the “ Company ”).

 

3.                                       The date on which the Property was transferred is            , 2012 (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

The taxable year to which this election relates is calendar year 2012.

 

4.                                       Nature of the restrictions to which the Property is subject:

 

The Class B Units issued to the Taxpayer are subject to various transfer restrictions and repurchase rights and vest over a period beginning on the Effective Date, and are subject to forfeiture under certain circumstances.

 

5.                                       The fair market value at the time of transfer (determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which by its terms will never lapse) of the Property with respect to which this election is being made is $0.00.

 

6.                                       The amount paid by the Taxpayer for the Property is $0.00.

 

7.                                       A copy of this statement has been furnished to the Company as provided in Treasury Regulation section 1.83-2(d).

 

8.                                       This statement is executed on                                 , 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxpayer’s Signature

 

This statement must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service Center with which you filed your last U.S. federal income tax return within 30 days after the grant date of the Class B Units. This filing should be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. You are also required to (i) deliver a copy of this statement to the Company and (ii) attach a copy of this statement to your federal income tax return for the taxable year that includes the grant date. You should also retain a copy of this statement for your records.

 

Exhibit B-1




Exhibit 10.26

 

EPE EMPLOYEE HOLDINGS, LLC

MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE UNIT AGREEMENT

 

Employee:                                                      

 

Grant Date:                                             , 20  

 

1.                                       Award .  EPE Employee Holdings, LLC (the “ Company ”) is pleased to grant you (“ you ” or the “ Employee ”), as of the Grant Date set forth above (the “ Grant Date ”), [ · ] Class B Units (the “ MIPs ”).  The Threshold Value for each MIP shall be $0.00.  The MIPs are intended to constitute “profits interests” within the meaning of Revenue Procedures 93-27 and 2001-43 (or the corresponding requirements of any subsequent guidance promulgated by the United States Internal Revenue Service or other applicable Law) and, accordingly, the capital account associated with each such MIP at the time of its issuance shall be equal to $0.00.  The grant of the MIPs is subject to your acceptance of and agreement to all the applicable terms, conditions and restrictions described in this Management Incentive Unit Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) and the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company (as amended from time to time, the “ EEH LLC Agreement ”).   Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined in the body hereof are defined in Exhibit A .

 

2.                                       Terms of Issuance .  You acknowledge and agree that no provision contained in this Agreement entitles you to remain in the employment of El Paso Exploration & Production Management, LLC (the “ Employer ”) or any of its Affiliates.  On or prior to the Grant Date, you acknowledge that you have received a copy of the EEH LLC Agreement.  You acknowledge and agree that (a) your execution of this Agreement evidences your intention to be bound by the terms of the EEH LLC Agreement, in addition to the terms of this Agreement, and (b) the MIPs are subject to all of the terms and restrictions set forth in the EEH LLC Agreement and in this Agreement.  You further acknowledge and agree that the EEH LLC Agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms and that, as amended, the EEH LLC Agreement will at all times apply to the MIPs.

 

3.                                       Unvested MIPs .  As of the Grant Date, the MIPs issued pursuant to this Agreement are Unvested Units under the EEH LLC Agreement, subject to all of the restrictions on Unvested Units (as well as on Class B Units, in general) under the EEH LLC Agreement and carry only such rights as are conferred on Unvested Units under the EEH LLC Agreement (“ Unvested MIPs ”).  Unvested MIPs will become vested in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of this Agreement.

 

4.                                       Vesting of MIPs .

 

(a)                            Subject to the remainder of this Section 4 and Section 5, the Unvested MIPs shall vest and become Vested Units under the EEH LLC Agreement and shall no longer be subject to the restrictions on Unvested Units (but shall remain subject to the restrictions on Vested Units and Class B Units in general) under the EEH LLC Agreement (“ Vested MIPs ”) in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the table below, provided that you remain

 



 

continuously employed by the Employer or one of its Affiliates from the Grant Date through each vesting date set forth below:

 

Vesting Date

 

Cumulative Percentage of
Unvested MIPs issued pursuant
hereto that become Vested MIPs

 

First Anniversary of the Grant Date

 

20

%

Second Anniversary of the Grant Date

 

40

%

Third Anniversary of the Grant Date

 

60

%

Fourth Anniversary of the Grant Date

 

80

%

Fifth Anniversary of the Grant Date

 

100

%

 

If on an applicable vesting date, the application of the vesting schedule set forth above results in a fractional Unvested MIP becoming a Vested MIP, the number of Unvested MIPs vesting on such date shall be rounded up to the next whole number of Unvested MIPs.

 

(b)                            Upon the occurrence of a Threshold Capital Transaction, all MIPs that have not previously become Vested MIPs shall become Vested MIPs as of the date of such Threshold Capital Transaction, provided that you have remained continuously employed by the Employer or one of its Affiliates from the Grant Date through the date of such Threshold Capital Transaction.

 

5.                                       Forfeiture and Redemption of MIPs

 

(a)                            If your employment with the Employer or one of its Affiliates is terminated for Cause, then on the date of your termination of employment, you (and your Permitted Transferees) will forfeit to the Company, without consideration, all of the MIPs (including all Vested MIPs and all Unvested MIPs) and all rights arising from such MIPs and from being a holder thereof.

 

(b)                            If (x) you voluntarily terminate your employment with the Employer or one of its Affiliates for Good Reason, (y) your employment with the Employer or one of its Affiliates is terminated by the Employer or such Affiliate without Cause, or (z) your employment with the Employer or one of its Affiliates is terminated upon your death or because you incur a Disability, then:

 

(i)                                      for a period of one year following the date of your termination of employment, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to redeem, in accordance with Section 6 below, any or all of the Vested MIPs held by you (and your Permitted Transferees) as of the date of your termination at the Fair Market Value of such MIPs determined as of the date the Company elects to redeem such MIPs;

 

(ii)                                   on the date of your termination of employment, a pro-rata portion of the MIPs that remain Unvested MIPs as of such date, if any, shall become Vested MIPs and such pro-rata portion shall equal the product of (i) 20 percent of the number of MIPs granted under this Agreement multiplied by (ii) a fraction, (A) the numerator of which is the number of days between the most recent anniversary of the Grant Date preceding the date of your termination of employment (or, if your employment terminates

 

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prior to the first anniversary of the Grant Date, the number of days between the Grant Date and the date of your termination of employment) and (B) the denominator of which is 365; and

 

(iii)                                on the date of your termination of employment, all of the Unvested MIPs that do not become Vested MIPs in accordance with Section 5(b)(ii) above shall become “tentatively vested” (the “ Tentatively Vested MIPs ”) and subject to vesting as follows:

 

(A)                                if a Threshold Capital Transaction occurs on or prior to the date that is 180 days following the date of your termination of employment (the “ Determination Date ”), then (I) all of the Tentatively Vested MIPs shall become Vested MIPs as of the date on which such Threshold Capital Transaction occurs and (II) for a period of one year after the date on which such Threshold Capital Transaction occurs, the Company shall have the right to redeem, in accordance with Section 6 below, any or all of the Vested MIPs held by you and your Permitted Transferees at the Fair Market Value of such MIPs determined as of the date the Company elects to redeem such MIPs; and

 

(B)                                if a Threshold Capital Transaction does not occur on or prior to the Determination Date, then you (and your Permitted Transferees) will forfeit to the Company, without consideration, all of the Tentatively Vested MIPs and all rights arising from such Tentatively Vested MIPs and from being a holder thereof.

 

(c)                             If you voluntarily terminate your employment with the Employer or one of its Affiliates without Good Reason, then:

 

(i)                                      on the date of your termination of employment, you (and your Permitted Transferees) will forfeit to the Company, without consideration, all of the Unvested MIPs and 25% of the Vested MIPs and all rights arising from such MIPs and from being a holder thereof; and

 

(ii)                                   following your termination of employment, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to redeem, in accordance with Section 6 below, any or all of the Vested MIPs held by you and your Permitted Transferees as of the date of your termination (determined after giving effect to Section 5(c)(i) above) at the Fair Market Value of such MIPs determined as of the date the Company elects to redeem such MIPs.

 

(d)                            The forfeitures of MIPs (including all rights arising from such MIPs) subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5 shall occur immediately and without further action of the Company, the Board, you, your Permitted Transferees or any other Person upon the termination of your employment or other event giving rise to such forfeitures (the date of your termination of employment or such other event being the “ Trigger Date ”).

 

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6.                                       Procedure for Redemption of Vested MIPs .

 

(a)                            In order to exercise the right to redeem any Vested MIPs that are subject to redemption pursuant to Section 5 (the “ Subject Units ”), the Company shall deliver written notice to you, your Permitted Transferee, your legal representative or guardian, or the executor of your estate, as applicable (the “ Holder ”), no later than the one-year anniversary of the Trigger Date, in which notice the Company shall identify the Subject Units and set forth the applicable Purchase Price (as defined below) determined by the Board.  The notice shall also set a reasonable time and place for the closing of the redemption of the Subject Units, which shall be not less than 10 calendar days nor more than 55 calendar days after the date of such notice.

 

(b)                            In order to redeem the Subject Units, the Company shall provide the Holder with written notice of the Board’s determination of the Fair Market Value of the Subject Units (the “ Purchase Price ”).  The Holder shall have the right to dispute in writing the Board’s determination of the Purchase Price within 15 calendar days following receipt of the Board’s determination (the “ Notice Period ”).  If the Company has not received written notice of such a dispute within the Notice Period, the Purchase Price as determined by the Board shall be deemed to be the final Purchase Price.  If the Company has received written notice of such a dispute within the Notice Period, then the Board’s determination of the Purchase Price shall be submitted for review and final determination by an internationally recognized independent valuation firm with significant experience performing valuations of privately held companies engaged in the oil and natural gas exploration and production business of similar size and scope as EPE and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (the “ Independent Valuation Firm ”) selected by the Holder, provided that such Independent Valuation Firm is approved by the Board acting in good faith.  Subject to the foregoing, the Independent Valuation Firm shall review all relevant data, including any necessary books and records of the Company, to determine the changes to the Purchase Price calculation, if any, necessary to resolve only the disputed items or amounts.  The determination by the Independent Valuation Firm shall be made as promptly as practical, but in no event later than 30 calendar days from its engagement, and shall be final and binding on the Company and the Holder.  All costs charged by the Independent Valuation Firm to make such determination will be shared equally by the Company and the Holder.

 

(c)                             Any payment of the Purchase Price for the Subject Units by the Company shall be made, at the Company’s discretion, in the form of a check payable to the Holder or a wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Holder.

 

(d)                            Upon payment of the Purchase Price by the Company, the Subject Units shall automatically be cancelled without further action by the Company, you or any other Person.

 

(e)                             The Holder shall execute and deliver all documentation and agreements reasonably requested by the Company to reflect a redemption of the Subject Units pursuant to this Agreement, but neither the failure of the Holder to execute or deliver any such documentation nor the failure of the Holder to deposit the Company’s check, if any, shall affect the validity of a redemption of the Subject Units pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(f)                              In connection with any redemption of the Subject Units hereunder, the Holder shall at a minimum make customary representations and warranties concerning (i)  such

 

4



 

Holder’s valid title to and ownership of the Subject Units, free of all liens, claims and encumbrances (excluding those arising under applicable securities Laws), (ii)  such Holder’s authority, power and right to enter into and consummate the redemption of the Subject Units, (iii)  the absence of any violation, default or acceleration of any agreement to which such Holder is subject or by which its assets are bound as a result of the redemption of the Subject Units, and (iv) the absence of, or compliance with, any governmental or third party consents, approvals, filings or notifications required to be obtained or made by such Holder in connection with the redemption of the Subject Units .

 

7.                                       Representations and Warranties .

 

(a)                            You represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

 

(i)                                      That this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against you in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) any legal principles of general applicability governing the availability of equitable remedies, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law or under applicable legal codes), and that your execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not and will not conflict with, violate or cause a breach of any agreement, contract or instrument to which you are a party or any judgment, order or decree to which you are subject.

 

(ii)                                   That you have received all the information you consider necessary in connection with your execution of this Agreement, that you have had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company, EPE and your independent counsel regarding the terms, conditions and limitations set forth in this Agreement, the EEH LLC Agreement and the EPE LLC Agreement and the business, properties, prospects and financial condition of the Company, EPE and its Subsidiaries.

 

(iii)                                That you understand that the MIPs are not registered under the Securities Act on the ground that the grant provided for in this Agreement and the issuance of securities hereunder is exempt from registration under the Securities Act.

 

(b)                            The Company represents and warrants to you that this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) any legal principles of general applicability governing the availability of equitable remedies, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law or under applicable legal codes), and that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not and will not conflict with, violate or cause a breach of any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Company is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which the Company is subject.

 

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8.                                       General Provisions .

 

(a)                            Notices .  Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (i) when delivered in person, (ii) on the first business day after such notice is sent by air express overnight courier service, or (iii) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in each case addressed to the following address, as applicable:

 

If to the Company to:

EPE Employee Holdings, LLC

 

c/o Apollo Global Management, LLC

 

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

 

New York, New York 10019

 

Attention: Sam Oh

 

 

If to the Employee to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)                            Governing Law .  THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE.  THE PARTIES HEREBY DECLARE THAT IT IS THEIR INTENTION THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE REGARDED AS MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND THAT THE LAWS OF SAID STATE SHALL BE APPLIED IN INTERPRETING ITS PROVISIONS IN ALL CASES WHERE LEGAL INTERPRETATION SHALL BE REQUIRED.  THE EXCLUSIVE VENUE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF ANY DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR EMPLOYEE’S EMPLOYMENT (THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION UNDER SECTION 8(c) FOR ANY REASON) SHALL BE IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN HARRIS, COUNTY TEXAS AND THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS.

 

(c)                                   Arbitration; Waiver of Jury Trial .

 

(i)                                      Subject to Section 8(c)(ii), any dispute, controversy or claim between Employee and the Company arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Employee’s employment, or the termination of either will be finally settled by arbitration in Houston, Texas before, and in accordance with the then-existing rules for the resolution of employment disputes then obtaining of, the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator’s award shall be reasoned, final and binding on all parties and may be enforced in a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(ii)                                   Notwithstanding Section 8(c)(i), an application for emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief by either party shall not be subject to arbitration under this Section 8(c); provided, however, that the remainder of any such dispute (beyond the application for emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief) shall be subject to arbitration under this Section 8(c).

 

6



 

(iii)                                Each of Employee and the Company shall share equally the cost of the arbitrator and bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any arbitration, unless a statutory claim authorizing the award of attorneys’ fees is at issue, in which event the arbitrator may award a reasonable attorneys’ fee in accordance with the jurisprudence of that statute.

 

(iv)                               Nothing in this Section 8(c) shall prohibit a party to this Agreement from (i) instituting litigation to enforce any arbitration award or (ii) joining another party to this Agreement in a litigation initiated by a person which is not a party to this Agreement. IN ENTERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

(d)                                  Amendment and Waiver .  The provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived only with the prior written consent of you and the Company, and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

(e)                             Severability .  Any provision in this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction by reason of applicable Law shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating or affecting the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

(f)                              Entire Agreement .  This Agreement, the EEH LLC Agreement, the EPE LLC Agreement and the Employment Agreement embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

(g)                             Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or pdf attachment to electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart to this Agreement.

 

(h)                            Title and Headings; Construction .  All Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.  The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole, including all Exhibits attached hereto, and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  All references herein to Sections and Exhibits shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Sections of this Agreement and the Exhibits attached hereto, and all such Exhibits attached hereto are hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes.  In the event that the EEH LLC Agreement, the EPE LLC Agreement and/or the Employment Agreement is amended following the Grant Date in a manner that amends, corrects, modifies, re-titles, re-numbers or otherwise revises an applicable

 

7



 

EEH LLC Agreement, EPE LLC Agreement and/or Employment Agreement section reference within this Agreement, such section reference within this Agreement shall be deemed to continue to reference the applicable original EEH LLC Agreement section, EPE LLC Agreement section and/or Employment Agreement section, as so amended. The use herein of the word “including” following any general statement, term or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation”, “but not limited to”, or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. The word “or” as used herein is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive.  Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto.

 

(i)                                Gender and Plurals .  Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

(j)                               Successors and Assigns .  Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by and against you, the Company and your and the Company’s respective successors, assigns, heirs, representative and estate, as the case may be (including subsequent holders of MIPs); provided, however, that your rights and obligations under this Agreement are not be assignable except in connection with a transfer of the MIPs permitted under the EEH LLC Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement or in the EEH LLC Agreement, (i) each MIP shall remain subject to the terms of the EEH LLC Agreement and this Agreement regardless of who holds such MIP and (ii) the effect that your employment by the Employer or any Affiliate or events related to such employment have on the rights of and restrictions on the MIPs, including vesting, and the rights of the Company with regard to the MIPs, under this Agreement, shall not be altered by any Transfer of the MIPs.

 

(k)                            Employment Relationship .  Nothing in the issuance of the MIPs and nothing in this Agreement affects in any way the right of the Employer or any of its Affiliates to terminate your employment at any time.

 

(l)                                Rights of Third Parties .  Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person, other than the parties hereto, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(m)                        Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements . All representations, warranties and agreements contained herein shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the termination of this Agreement.

 

(n)                            WAIVER OF PUNITIVE AND EXEMPLARY DAMAGE CLAIMS .  EACH PARTY, BY EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT, WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST

 

8



 

EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, ANY CLAIMS TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR SIMILAR DAMAGES NOT MEASURED BY THE PREVAILING PARTY’S ACTUAL DAMAGES IN ANY DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY ARISING UNDER, RELATING TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

 

(o)                            Spouse .  Your spouse is required to execute the spousal consent set forth on the signature page attached hereto (the “ Consent ”) to evidence his or her agreement and consent to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the EEH LLC Agreement as to his or her interest, whether as community property or otherwise, if any, in the MIPs you hold.  If your spouse fails to execute the Consent, until such time as the Consent is duly executed, your economic rights associated with the MIPs will be suspended and not subject to recovery.

 

(p)                            Sections 83 and 409A of the Code .   The parties intend for the issuance of the MIPs to be a transfer of property within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code rather than a deferral of compensation pursuant to Section 409A of the Code (“ Section 409A ”).  Accordingly, this Agreement and the issuance of the MIPs hereunder shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent and any action required by either of the parties pursuant to this Agreement will be provided in such a manner that the MIPs do not become subject to the provisions of Section 409A, including any regulations or other interpretive guidance promulgated with respect to Section 409A.

 

(q)                            Withholding .  To the extent that the receipt of the MIPs, the vesting of the MIPs, or the execution of this Agreement results in compensation income or wages to you for federal, state or local tax purposes, you agree to deliver to the Employer (or, of directed by the Company, one of its Affiliates) at the time of such receipt, lapse or execution, as the case may be, such amount of money as the Employer or such Affiliate may require to meet its minimum obligation under applicable tax Laws or regulations, and if you fail to do so, the Company is authorized to withhold from any cash or Class B Unit remuneration then or thereafter payable to you any tax required to be withheld by reason of such resulting compensation income or wages.

 

(r)                               Section 83(b) Election .  Within 30 days after the date of issuance of the MIPs, you agree to timely file an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the MIPs and to submit a copy of such election to the Company.  The form of such election shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B .  You acknowledge that it is your sole responsibility, and not the responsibility of the Company to file the election under Section 83(b) of the Code even if you request the Company or any of its managers, directors, officers, employees or authorized representatives (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, lenders, prospective lenders and financial representatives) of the Company to assist in making such filing.

 

[Signatures appear on the following page]

 

9



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Management Incentive Unit Agreement as of the date first written above, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

EPE EMPLOYEE HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

By: EPE ACQUISITION, LLC, its manager

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ Insert name of Employee ]

 

SPOUSAL CONSENT

 

The Employee’s spouse, if any, is fully aware of, understands and fully consents and agrees to the provisions of this Agreement and the EEH LLC Agreement and their binding effect upon any marital or community property interests he or she may now or hereafter own, and agrees that the termination of his or her and the Employee’s marital relationship for any reason shall not have the effect of removing any MIPs otherwise subject to this Agreement from coverage hereunder and that his or her awareness, understanding, consent and agreement are evidenced by his or her signature below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spouse’s Name:

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

TO

MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE UNIT AGREEMENT

 


 

EXHIBIT A

DEFINED TERMS

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person.

 

Board ” means the board of managers of EPE.

 

Cause is defined in the Employment Agreement.

 

Class B Units ” is defined in the EEH LLC Agreement.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Delaware Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. §§ 18-101 et seq ., as amended from time to time.

 

Disability ” is defined in the Employment Agreement.

 

Employment Agreement ” means the Employment Agreement by and between the Employee and Everest Acquisition LLC, as amended from time to time.

 

EPE ” means EPE Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

EPE LLC Agreement ” means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EPE, as amended from time to time.

 

Fair Market Value ” is defined in the EPE LLC Agreement.

 

Good Reason ” is defined in the Employment Agreement.

 

Law ” means any applicable constitutional provision, statute, act, code (including the Code), law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, decree, ruling, proclamation, resolution, judgment, decision, injunction, award, declaration, or interpretative or advisory opinion or letter of a domestic, foreign or international governmental authority or any political subdivision thereof and shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, the Delaware Act.

 

Permitted Transferee ” is defined in the EEH LLC Agreement.

 

Person ” is defined in the EEH LLC Agreement.

 

Securities Act ” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Subsidiary ” is defined in the EEH LLC Agreement.

 

Threshold Capital Transaction ” is defined in the EEH LLC Agreement.

 

Exhibit A-1



 

Threshold Value ” is defined in the EPE LLC Agreement.

 

Transfer ” is defined in the EEH LLC Agreement.

 

Exhibit A-2



 

EXHIBIT B

SECTION 83(B) ELECTION FORM

 

Election to Include in
Taxable Income in Year of Transfer Pursuant
to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code

 

The undersigned is receiving an award of restricted membership units of a Delaware limited liability company that is being treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.  All parties to the transaction believe the award of restricted membership units to be a “profits interest” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Service Revenue Procedures 93-27 and 2001-43.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that (i) the award of restricted membership units constitutes a “capital interest” rather than a “profits interest” or (ii) the undersigned disposes of such restricted membership units within two years following receipt thereof, the undersigned hereby makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the property described below and supplies the following information in accordance with the regulations promulgated thereunder:

 

1.                                       The name, address and taxpayer identification number of the undersigned (the “ Taxpayer ”) are:

 

Name:

 

Address:

 

 

 

Taxpayer Identification
Number:

 

 

2.                                       Description of the property with respect to which the election is being made (the “ Property ”):

 

            Class B Units of EPE Employee Holdings, LLC (the “ Company ”).

 

3.                                       The date on which the Property was transferred is                     , 2012 (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

The taxable year to which this election relates is calendar year 2012.

 

4.                                       Nature of the restrictions to which the Property is subject:

 

The Class B Units issued to the Taxpayer are subject to various transfer restrictions and repurchase rights and vest over a period beginning on the Effective Date, and are subject to forfeiture under certain circumstances.

 

5.                                       The fair market value at the time of transfer (determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which by its terms will never lapse) of the Property with respect to which this election is being made is $0.00.

 

6.                                       The amount paid by the Taxpayer for the Property is $0.00.

 

7.                                       A copy of this statement has been furnished to the Company as provided in Treasury Regulation section 1.83-2(d).

 

8.                                       This statement is executed on                                 , 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

Taxpayer’s Signature

 

This statement must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service Center with which you filed your last U.S. federal income tax return within 30 days after the grant date of the Class B Units.  This filing should be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.  You are also required to (i) deliver a copy of this statement to the Company and (ii) attach a copy of this statement to your federal income tax return for the taxable year that includes the grant date.  You should also retain a copy of this statement for your records.

 

Exhibit B-1




Exhibit 10.27

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

EPE EMPLOYEE HOLDINGS, LLC,

 

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

 

DATED AS OF MAY 24, 2012

 

 

THE UNITS REFERRED TO IN THIS AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY FOREIGN JURISDICTION AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE AFORESAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE AND FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS THEREUNDER, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OTHER SUBSTANTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH HEREIN.

 

SUCH UNITS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SPECIFIED IN THIS AGREEMENT, CERTAIN MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE UNIT AGREEMENTS AND THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF EPE ACQUISITION, LLC, DATED AS OF MAY 24, 2012, AS AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND USAGE

 

Section 1.01

Definitions

2

Section 1.02

Terms and Usage Generally

11

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

THE COMPANY

 

Section 2.01

Formation

12

Section 2.02

Name

12

Section 2.03

Qualification; Filings

12

Section 2.04

Term

13

Section 2.05

Registered Agent and Registered Office

13

Section 2.06

Purposes

13

Section 2.07

Powers of the Company

13

Section 2.08

Partnership Status

13

Section 2.09

Ownership of Property

13

Section 2.10

Resignation and Withdrawal of the Initial Member

13

Section 2.11

Coordination Between the Members and Holdco

13

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

BOOKS AND RECORDS; MEMBERS

 

Section 3.01

Tax and Accounting Information; Banking

14

Section 3.02

Admission of Members

15

Section 3.03

Books and Records

16

Section 3.04

Limited Voting Rights of Members

16

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

UNITS

 

Section 4.01

Authorization of Class B Units

17

Section 4.02

Issuance of Class B Units

17

Section 4.03

No Preemptive Rights

18

Section 4.04

Certificates

18

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS;

DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS

 

Section 5.01

Capital Contributions

19

Section 5.02

Capital Accounts

19

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(Continued)

 

 

Page

 

 

Section 5.03

Distributions

21

Section 5.04

Allocations

22

Section 5.05

Other Allocation Rules

25

Section 5.06

Tax Withholding; Withholding Advances

27

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

CERTAIN TAX MATTERS

 

 

 

Section 6.01

Tax Matters Partner

28

Section 6.02

U.S. Federal Income Tax Classification of the Company

29

Section 6.03

Profits Interest Elections

29

Section 6.04

Section 83(b) Elections

29

Section 6.05

Safe Harbor

29

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

 

 

Section 7.01

Management of the Company by the Manager

30

Section 7.02

Resignation

30

Section 7.03

Agency Authority of Managers and Officers

30

Section 7.04

Limited Liability

30

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

TRANSFERS OF UNITS

 

 

 

Section 8.01

Restrictions on Transfers

31

Section 8.02

Drag-Along Rights

32

Section 8.03

IPO and Exit Restructuring

33

Section 8.04

Repurchase; Forfeiture

33

Section 8.05

Specified Repurchase

34

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES;

CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS

 

 

 

Section 9.01

Representations and Warranties of the Company

35

Section 9.02

Representations and Warranties of the Members

36

Section 9.03

Fiduciary Duties; Competing Activities

37

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(Continued)

 

 

Page

ARTICLE X

LIMITATION ON LIABILITY; EXCULPATION

AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

 

 

Section 10.01

Limitation on Liability

38

Section 10.02

Exculpation and Indemnification

38

Section 10.03

Insurance

39

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

 

 

 

Section 11.01

Dissolution

40

Section 11.02

Winding Up of the Company

40

Section 11.03

Distribution of Property

41

Section 11.04

Termination

41

Section 11.05

Survival

41

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

Section 12.01

Expenses

41

Section 12.02

Further Assurances

41

Section 12.03

Notices

42

Section 12.04

No Third Party Beneficiaries

42

Section 12.05

Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

43

Section 12.06

Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction

43

Section 12.07

Counterparts

44

Section 12.08

Entire Agreement

44

Section 12.09

Headings

44

Section 12.10

Severability

44

Section 12.11

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

44

Section 12.12

Amendment

45

Section 12.13

Confidentiality

45

Section 12.14

Representation by Counsel

46

Section 12.15

Exhibits and Schedules

46

Section 12.16

Specific Performance

47

Section 12.17

Reliance on Authority of Person Signing Agreement

47

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

MEMBERS

A-1

SCHEDULE B

CAPITAL ACCOUNTS

B-1

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

Addendum Agreement

A-1

 

iii



 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
EPE EMPLOYEE HOLDINGS, LLC,
A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

This Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”) of EPE Employee Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among the Company, the Members, the Manager, and solely for the purpose of Section 2.10 , the Initial Member. Unless otherwise specified, capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in Article I . The Company, the Members and the Manager are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “ Parties ” and each is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Party .”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company was formed pursuant to the Delaware Act by the filing of the Certificate of Formation of the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 26, 2012 (the “ Certificate of Formation ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company was formed for the sole purpose of holding Profits Interests in EPE Acquisition, LLC (including any successor entity, “ Holdco ”) and receiving Fees;

 

WHEREAS, Holdco, as the sole member of the Company (solely in such capacity, the “ Initial Member ”), entered into that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of March 26, 2012 (the “ Original Agreement ”) and the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of April 24, 2012 (the “ Prior Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Original Agreement and the Prior Agreement and in accordance with the Delaware Act, the Initial Member has agreed to resign from the Company as the Initial Member and shall cease to be a Member upon the admission to the Company of at least one (1) of the Persons set forth on Schedule A (as may be amended from time to time) as a Member, as of the Closing; and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties desire that this Agreement be the Company’s “limited liability company agreement,” as such term is defined in Section 18-101(7) of the Delaware Act.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, acting pursuant to the Delaware Act, agree that this Agreement shall govern the relationship between the Company, the Members and the Manager and do hereby amend and restate the Prior Agreement in its entirety as follows:

 



 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND USAGE

 

Section 1.01                              Definitions.

 

(a)                                  The following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

Additional Member ” means any Person admitted as a Member of the Company after the Closing Date in connection with the issuance of Units by the Company to such Person in accordance with Section 3.02(b)  and Section 4.02.

 

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit ” means, with respect to any Member, the deficit balance, if any, in such Member’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Allocation Year, after giving effect to the following adjustments:

 

(i)                                      Credit to such Capital Account any amounts that such Member is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the respective penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and

 

(ii)                                   Debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6).

 

The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account Deficit is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, a Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person; provided , that for the purposes hereof, neither the Company nor the Manager shall be treated as an Affiliate of any Member.

 

Allocation Year ” means (i) the period commencing on April 24, 2012 and ending on December 31, 2012, (ii) any subsequent twelve (12) month period commencing on January 1 and ending on December 31, or (iii) any portion of the period described in clauses (i) or (ii) for which the Company is required to allocate Net Income, Net Loss and other items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Article V .

 

Applicable Obligations ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Applicable Rights ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Applicable Understandings ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Board ” means the board of managers of Holdco or any similar governing body of any successor entity.

 

Board Observer ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

2



 

Business Day ” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday or any day which is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

 

Capital Account ” means the capital account established and maintained for each Member pursuant to Section 5.02 .

 

Capital Contribution ” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of money contributed or, to the extent provided herein, deemed contributed to the Company and the initial Carrying Value of any Property (other than money) contributed to the Company with respect to the Units held by such Member as of such date.

 

Capital Interest Percentage ” means, with respect to any Member, as of any date of determination and as determined in good faith by the Manager, the percentage of the total distributions that would be made to such Member if the assets of the Company were sold for their Carrying Values, all liabilities of the Company were paid in accordance with their terms, all Management Loans were satisfied, all Unvested Units became Vested Units, all items of Net Income and Net Loss were allocated to the Members in accordance with Article V , and the resulting net proceeds were distributed to the Members in accordance with Article XI ; provided, however, that the Manager may determine that the Members’ Capital Interest Percentages should be determined based upon a hypothetical sale of the assets of the Company for their respective Fair Market Values (instead of Carrying Values) in order to ensure that such percentages correspond to the Members’ “proportionate interests in partnership capital” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.613A-3(e)(2)(ii). The foregoing definition of Capital Interest Percentage is intended to result in a percentage that corresponds with that defined as “partner’s proportionate interest in partnership capital” in Treasury Regulation Section 1.613A-3(e)(2)(ii), and Capital Interest Percentage shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

Carrying Value ” means with respect to any Property (other than money), such Property’s adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

 

(i)                                      The initial Carrying Value of any such Property contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the Fair Market Value of such Property;

 

(ii)                                   The Carrying Values of all such Properties shall be adjusted to equal their respective Fair Market Values (taking Section 7701(g) of the Code into account), at the time of any Revaluation pursuant to Section 5.02(c) ;

 

(iii)                                The Carrying Value of any item of such Properties distributed to any Member shall be adjusted to equal the Fair Market Value (taking Section 7701(g) of the Code into account) of such Property on the date of distribution; and

 

(iv)                               The Carrying Values of such Properties shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such Properties pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and subparagraph (vi) of the definition of “Net Income” and “Net Loss” or Section 5.04(b)(vi) ; provided , however , that Carrying Values shall not be

 

3



 

adjusted pursuant to this subparagraph (iv) to the extent that an adjustment pursuant to subparagraph (ii) is required in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this subparagraph (iv). If the Carrying Value of such Property has been determined or adjusted pursuant to subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iv), such Carrying Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset, for purposes of computing Net Income and Net Loss and for purposes of computing Simulated Depletion.

 

Closing ” means the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement.

 

Closing Date ” means the date on which the Closing occurs pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Company Minimum Gain ” means “partnership minimum gain,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).

 

control ” (including the terms “ controlling ” and “ controlled ”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of such subject Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.

 

Coordination Committee ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Covered Person ” means (i) each Member or an Affiliate thereof, in each case in such capacity, (ii) each Representative of the Company in such capacity, (iii) each executive officer or authorized agent of the Company in such capacity, and (iv) the Manager, Holdco and each of their respective Affiliates, in each case, in such capacity.

 

Delaware Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. §§ 18-101 et   seq .

 

Depletable Property ” means each separate oil and gas property as defined in Section 614 of the Code held by the Company directly or indirectly through Holdco.

 

Depreciation ” means, for each Allocation Year, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction (other than Simulated Depletion) allowable with respect to an asset for such Allocation Year, except that if the Carrying Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such Allocation Year, Depreciation shall be an amount that bears the same ratio to such beginning Carrying Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such Allocation Year bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided , however , that if the adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes of an asset at the beginning of such Allocation Year is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Carrying Value using any reasonable method selected by the Manager.

 

4


 

Drag-Along Notice ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Drag-Along Purchaser ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Drag-Along Sale ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Drag-Along Terms ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

EMI ” means EPE Management Investors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

EMI Agreement ” means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EMI, dated as of the date hereof, as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time.

 

EMI Capital Contributions ” means “Capital Contributions” as defined in the EMI Agreement.

 

EMI Units ” means “Class A Units” as defined in the EMI Agreement.

 

Enforceability Exceptions ” means (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) any legal principles of general applicability governing the availability of equitable remedies, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law or under applicable legal codes).

 

Equity Commitment ” has the meaning set forth in the EMI Agreement.

 

Exit Restructuring ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Fair Market Value ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Fee Percentage ” means as of any date of determination, with respect to any Member, a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the number of Class B Units held by such Member as of such date and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of Class B Units held by all of the Members as of such date.

 

Fiscal Year ” means the twelve (12)-month (or shorter) period ending on December 31 of each year.

 

Funding Date ” has the meaning set forth in the EMI Agreement.

 

GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time.

 

Governmental Authority ” means any: (i) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (ii) U.S. and other federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; or (iii) governmental or quasigovernmental authority of any nature (including any governmental division, department, agency,

 

5



 

commission, instrumentality, official, organization, unit, body or entity, any court or other tribunal).

 

Holdco Agreement ” means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Holdco, dated as of the date hereof, as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time.

 

Holdco A Units ” means “Class A Units” as defined in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Holdco B Units ” means “Class B Units,” as defined in the Holdco Agreement.

 

IPO ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

IRS ” means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States.

 

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of preferential arrangement that has the practical effect of creating a security interest, in respect of such asset.

 

Losses ” means, with respect to any indemnity specified herein, the amount of any liability, loss, cost, expense, claim, award, judgment, settlement, obligation, damage, injury, tax, fine, Lien, penalty or deficiency incurred or suffered by any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder arising out of or resulting from the indemnified matter, whether attributable to personal injury or death, property damage, contract claims, torts or otherwise, including interest thereon and reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of attorneys, consultants, accountants or other Representatives and experts incident to matters indemnified against, and the costs of investigation and/or monitoring of such matters, and the costs of enforcement of the indemnity.

 

Major Exit ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Member ” means any Person named as a member (as such term is defined in the Delaware Act) of the Company on Schedule A and on the books and records of the Company, as the same may be amended from time to time to reflect any Person admitted as an Additional Member or a Substitute Member, for so long as such Person continues to be a member of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, no Person who has not been issued Class B Units by the Company (except for any Substitute Member) shall be a “Member.”

 

Member Nonrecourse Debt ” has the same meaning as the term “partner nonrecourse debt” in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

 

Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain ” means an amount with respect to each “partner nonrecourse debt” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4)) equal to the Company Minimum Gain that would result if such partner nonrecourse debt were treated as a nonrecourse liability (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2)) determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(3).

 

Member Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the same meaning as the term “partner nonrecourse deductions” in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(2).

 

6



 

MlP Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Net Income ” and “ Net Loss ” mean, for each Allocation Year, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such Allocation Year, determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Section 703(a)(1) of the Code shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments (without duplication):

 

(i)                                           Any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” and “Net Loss” shall be added to such taxable income or loss;

 

(ii)                                        Any expenditures of the Company described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code or treated as Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income and Net Loss pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” and “Net Loss,” shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;

 

(iii)                                     In the event the Carrying Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to subparagraphs (ii) or (iii) of the definition of “Carrying Value,” the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the Carrying Value of the asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases the Carrying Value of the asset) from the disposition of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income and/or Net Loss;

 

(iv)                                    Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Property (other than Depletable Property) with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Carrying Value of the Property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such Property differs from its Carrying Value;

 

(v)                                       Gain resulting from any disposition of a Depletable Property with respect to which gain is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be treated as being equal to the corresponding Simulated Gain;

 

(vi)                                    In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Allocation Year, computed in accordance with the definition of Depreciation;

 

(vii)                                 To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s limited liability company interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) from the disposition of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss; and

 

7



 

(viii)                         Notwithstanding any other provision of this definition, any items that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.04(b)  or Section 5.04(c)  shall not be taken into account in computing Net Income and Net Loss.

 

The amounts of the items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction available to be specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.04(b)  or Section 5.04(c)  shall be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in subparagraphs (i) through (vii) above.

 

New MIP ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

New MIP Securities ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b)(1) and 1.704-2(c).

 

Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, estate, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest from time to time identified by the Wall Street Journal as being the “prime” or “reference” rate.

 

Profits Interest ” means an interest in the profits of the Company satisfying the requirements for a partnership interest transferred in connection with the performance of services, as set forth in IRS Revenue Procedures 93-27, 1993-2 C.B. 343 (Jun. 9. 1993) and 2001-43, 2001-2 C.B. 191 (Aug. 3, 2001), unless superseded by IRS Notice 2005-43, 2005-24 I.R.B. 1221 (May 20, 2005), in which case, as set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.83-3, Notice 2005-43 and any similar or related authority or the corresponding requirements of any subsequent guidance promulgated by the IRS or other applicable law.

 

Property ” means an interest of any kind in any real or personal (or mixed) property, including cash, and any improvements thereto, and shall include both tangible and intangible property.

 

Purchase Agreement ” means that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012, by and among Holdco, EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., pursuant to which the El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., EP Energy Corporation and EP Energy Holding Company agreed to sell to Holdco all of the issued and outstanding Shares (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) in exchange for the payment by Holdco of the Purchase Price (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) to El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., EP Energy Corporation and EP Energy Holding Company, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Representatives ” means with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s current, former or future (as applicable) officers, directors, managers, shareholders, partners, members, equity holders, parents, agents, employees, representatives (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers and financial advisors of such Person or its Affiliates) and Affiliates (including, with respect to any Member, any Manager(s) designated by such Member).

 

8



 

Section 2.11 Principle ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Securities ” means any stock, shares, units, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

 

Securities Act ” means the United States Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Series Sharing Percentage ” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to a series of Class B Units and any Member, a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the number of Class B Units of such series held by such Member as of such date, and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of Class B Units of such series held by all Members holding such series of Class B Units as of such date.

 

Simulated Basis ” means the Carrying Value of any Depletable Property.

 

Simulated Depletion ” means, with respect to each Depletable Property, a depletion allowance computed in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles (as if the Simulated Basis of the property were its adjusted tax basis) and in the manner specified in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

 

Simulated Gain ” means the amount of gain realized from the sale or other disposition of Depletable Property as calculated in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

 

Simulated Loss ” means the amount of loss realized from the sale or other disposition of Depletable Property as calculated in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

 

Specified Class B Repurchase ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Specified Tag-Along Sale ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Specified Repurchased Class B Units ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Specified Repurchase Notice ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Subscription Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of Units or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions) having the

 

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power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.

 

Substitute Member ” means any Person admitted as a Member pursuant to Section 3.02(b)  in connection with the Transfer of then-existing Units to such Person.

 

Tag-Along Sale ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Threshold Capital Transaction ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Transfer ” means any sale, assignment, transfer, exchange, gift, bequest, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition or encumbrance, direct or indirect, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, and shall include all matters deemed to constitute a Transfer under Article VIII . The terms “ Transferred ,” “ Transferring ,” “ Transferor ,” “ Transferee ” and “ Transferable ” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Treasury Regulations ” mean the regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

Unit ” means a Member’s limited liability company interest in the Company representing a fractional part of the limited liability company interests in the Company of all Members; provided , that any type, class or series of Units shall have the designations, preferences and/or special rights set forth or referenced in this Agreement with respect to such type, class or series of Units, and the limited liability company interest in the Company represented by such type, class or series of Units shall be determined in accordance with such designations, preferences and/or special rights.

 

Unvested Unit ” means any Class B Unit that has not vested pursuant to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement and the provisions hereof.

 

Vested Unit ” means any Class B Unit that has vested pursuant to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement and the provisions hereof.

 

(b)                                  As used in this Agreement, each of the following capitalized terms shall have the meaning described to them in the Section set forth opposite such term:

 

Term

 

Section

Agreement

 

Preamble

Award Agreement

 

4.02(a)

Certificate of Formation

 

Recitals

Class

 

4.01

Class B Units

 

4.01

Company

 

Preamble

Company Specified Notice

 

8.05(a)

Covered Investor

 

9.03(a)

Confidential Information

 

12.13(b)

Dissolution Event

 

11.01(c)

 

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Term

 

Section

Fees

 

5.03(a)

Flow-Through Distributions

 

5.03(a)

Grantee

 

4.02(a)

Holdco

 

Recitals

Initial Member

 

Recitals

Management Loan

 

5.03(b)

Manager

 

7.01

Member Parties

 

12.13(a)

Original Agreement

 

Recitals

Parties

 

Preamble

Party

 

Preamble

Permitted Transfer

 

8.01(c)

Permitted Transferee

 

8.01(c)

Prior Agreement

 

Recitals

Proposed Guidance

 

6.05

Regulatory Allocations

 

5.04(c)

Revaluation

 

5.02(c)

Safe Harbor

 

6.05

Tax Matters Partner

 

6.01

Withholding Advances

 

5.06(b)

 

Section 1.02                              Terms and Usage Generally. The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed to be references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. The terms “clause(s)” and “subparagraph(s)” shall be used herein interchangeably. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” All accounting terms not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings determined by GAAP. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and permitted assigns. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified, supplemented or restated, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. Each reference herein (other than in any Schedule or Exhibit) to Unit numbers or amounts shall be appropriately adjusted for any Unit split, recapitalization, recombination, reclassification or the like with respect to such Units occurring after the date hereof. Any references herein to “US$”, “$” or “dollars” shall mean U.S. dollars shall be made in U.S. dollars. Any references herein to “the date hereof” shall mean May 24, 2012.

 

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ARTICLE II
THE COMPANY

 

Section 2.01                              Formation.

 

(a)                                       The Members hereby agree to continue the Company as a limited liability company pursuant to the Delaware Act, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

(b)                                       The Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company pursuant to the Delaware Act by the filing of the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 26, 2012. The Members and the Manager hereby agree that the Company shall be governed by, and the rights, duties and liabilities of the Members and the Manager shall be as provided in, the Delaware Act and this Agreement. To the extent that the rights or obligations of any Member or the Manager are different by reason of any provision of this Agreement than they would be in the absence of such provision, this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by the Delaware Act, control.

 

(c)                                        Carson Sieving, as an “authorized person” within the meaning of the Delaware Act, has executed, delivered and filed the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the Members hereby ratify and approve in all respects such execution, delivery and filing of the Certificate of Formation by such authorized person. Upon the filing of the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, her powers as an authorized person ceased.

 

(d)                                       The Members hereby ratify and approve the Initial Member’s execution of consents, agreements, documents and instruments, as applicable, on the Company’s behalf and the filing of forms and documents with Governmental Authorities and agencies prior to the date hereof. The Initial Member shall cease to hold the powers granted to the Initial Member under the Original Agreement following the Closing.

 

Section 2.02                              Name. The name of the Company shall be EPE Employee Holdings, LLC. Subject to all applicable laws, all business of the Company shall be conducted in such name or under such other name or names as the Manager shall determine to be necessary or appropriate. The Manager shall cause to be filed on behalf of the Company such assumed or fictitious name certificates or similar instruments as may from time to time be required by law.

 

Section 2.03                              Qualification; Filings. The Manager shall cause any “authorized person” within the meaning of the Delaware Act to file and record any amendments and/or restatements to the Certificate of Formation and such other certificates and documents (and any amendments or restatements thereof) as may be required under the laws of the State of Delaware and of any other jurisdiction in which the Company may conduct business. The Manager shall have authority to cause the Company to be qualified, formed, reformed or registered in any jurisdiction in which the Company transacts business if such qualification, formation, reformation or registration is necessary or desirable in order to protect the limited liability of the Members or to permit the Company lawfully to transact business in such jurisdiction, including under any assumed or fictitious name statutes or similar laws in any such jurisdiction.

 

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Section 2.04                              Term. The term of the Company began on March 26, 2012, the date the Certificate of Formation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and the Company shall have perpetual existence unless sooner dissolved and its affairs wound up as provided in Article XI .

 

Section 2.05                              Registered Agent and Registered Office. The name of the registered agent of the Company for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware shall be The Corporation Trust Company, and the address of such registered agent and the address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. Such office and such agent may be changed to such place within the State of Delaware and any successor registered agent, respectively, as may be determined from time to time by the Manager in accordance with the Delaware Act.

 

Section 2.06                              Purposes. The Company has been formed for the exclusive purpose of owning Profits Interests in Holdco, receiving Fees and those activities necessarily incidental thereto.

 

Section 2.07                              Powers of the Company. The Company shall have the power and authority to take any and all actions necessary, appropriate or advisable to or for the furtherance of the purposes set forth in Section 2.06 .

 

Section 2.08                              Partnership Status. Subject to Section 6.02 , the Members intend that the Company shall be treated as a partnership for federal, state and local tax purposes to the extent such treatment is available, and agree to take such actions as may be necessary to receive and maintain such treatment and refrain from taking any actions inconsistent therewith; provided , however , that the Members intend that the Company shall not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member shall be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member, for any purposes other than federal, state and local tax purposes, and this Agreement shall not be construed to suggest otherwise.

 

Section 2.09                              Ownership of Property. Legal title to all Property, conveyed to, or held by the Company shall reside in the Company and shall be conveyed only in the name of the Company and no Member or any other Person, individually, shall have any ownership of such Property.

 

Section 2.10                              Resignation and Withdrawal of the Initial Member. Pursuant to the Original Agreement, and in accordance with the Delaware Act, the Initial Member hereby resigns from the Company, withdraws as a Member and ceases to be a Member immediately upon the admission of at least one (1) of the Persons set forth on Schedule A as a Member as of the Closing and the Members hereby, upon the admission of at least one (1) of the Persons set forth on Schedule A as a Member, consent and agree to such resignation and withdrawal of the Initial Member from the Company.

 

Section 2.11                              Coordination Between the Members and Holdco. The Company has been formed as a special purpose investment vehicle through which the Members indirectly hold Profits Interests in Holdco. In accordance with the Section 2.11 Principle, the Parties agree and acknowledge that:

 

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(a)                                  the Company may exercise, enforce or seek the benefit of any of its Applicable Rights with respect to one or more of the Members pursuant to the Section 2.11 Principle;

 

(b)                                  the Company is expected to take any and all actions with respect to one or more of the Members reasonably necessary to allow the Company to comply with or satisfy its Applicable Obligations, in each case, pursuant to the Section 2.11 Principle;

 

(c)                                   the Company may recognize and give effect to any Applicable Understanding with respect to one or more of the Members pursuant to the Section 2.11 Principle; and

 

(d)                                  whenever the Company has the right to vote on, consent to, approve or has been afforded any other similar rights with respect to any matter under the Holdco Agreement, the Company’s vote, consent, approval or exercise of such other similar right shall be cast or exercised on a “look-through” basis, as though each Member providing instructions (as contemplated below) was exercising such vote, consent, approval or similar right directly in accordance with the Section 2.11 Principle and, in each case, based on each such Member’s instructions to the Company with respect to such vote, consent, approval or other similar right.

 

Each Member agrees to take any and all such actions requested by the Manager as are reasonably necessary to allow the Company to effect to the foregoing and to enable the Company to satisfy the obligations and liabilities imposed on the Company under the Holdco Agreement.

 

ARTICLE III
BOOKS AND RECORDS; MEMBERS

 

Section 3.01                              Tax and Accounting Information; Banking.

 

(a)                                  Accounting Method . For financial reporting purposes, the books and records of the Company shall be kept on the accrual method of accounting and in accordance with GAAP, in each case, applied in a consistent manner and such books and records shall reflect all Company transactions.

 

(b)                                  Tax Returns .

 

(i)                                      The Company shall timely cause to be prepared by a nationally recognized accounting firm (chosen by the Manager in its sole discretion) all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns (including information returns) of the Company, which may be required by a jurisdiction in which the Company operates or conducts business for each year or period for which such returns are required to be filed and shall cause such returns to be timely filed.

 

(ii)                                   Within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Company shall furnish to each Person that was a Member during such Fiscal Year all information required to be reported in the tax returns of the Members for tax jurisdictions in which the Company is doing business, including a report (including Schedule K-1, if applicable) indicating each Member’s share in the Company’s taxable income, gain, credits, losses and deductions for such year, in sufficient detail to enable such Member to prepare its federal, state and other tax returns. The Company shall provide each such Person with an

 

14



 

estimate of such information by March 1 of the following Fiscal Year. The Company shall provide each such Person with sufficient information for such Person to pay estimated taxes with respect to the Company at least fifteen (15) days before such estimated taxes are due. The Company will provide each current or former Member with any information reasonably requested by such Member in connection with the filing of any tax return by such Member or an Affiliate of such Member, any tax audit or proceeding relating to such Member or an Affiliate of such Member or any tax planning of such Member or an Affiliate of such Member.

 

(c)                                        Inconsistent Positions; Audits . No Member shall take a position on its income tax return with respect to any item of Company income, gain, deduction, loss or credit that is different from the position taken on the Company’s income tax return with respect to such item (as reflected on the applicable Schedule K-1 provided to such Member). If any current or former Member or any Affiliate of a current or former Member would be materially adversely affected by any audit or administrative or judicial proceeding with respect to the Company, the Manager shall (to the extent practicable under the circumstances) consult with such Member in good faith in connection with the negotiation, settlement or the making of any material decision with respect to such audit or proceeding. The Company shall provide to such Member any information reasonably requested by such Member in connection with any such audit or proceeding.

 

(d)                                       Bank Accounts . The Manager shall cause one or more bank accounts to be maintained in the name of the Company in such bank or banks as may be determined by the Manager, which accounts shall be used for the payment of expenditures incurred by the Company and in which shall be deposited any and all receipts of the Company. All such receipts shall be and remain the property of the Company, shall be received, held and disbursed by the Company at the times determined by the Manager (in its sole discretion) for the purposes specified in this Agreement and shall not be commingled with the funds of any other Person.

 

Section 3.02                              Admission of Members.

 

(a)                                       The name, address, class and number of Class B Units held of record of each Member, and the respective Series Sharing Percentage of each Member, in each case as of the Closing, are set forth on Schedule A . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, when any Class B Units are issued, repurchased, redeemed, forfeited or Transferred in accordance with this Agreement and an applicable Award Agreement, the Manager shall cause the Company to promptly thereafter amend Schedule A and the books and records of the Company to reflect such issuance, repurchase, redemption, forfeiture or Transfer, the admission of Additional Members or Substitute Members and the resulting Series Sharing Percentage of each Member and no consent of any Member shall be required in connection with any such amendment.

 

(b)                                       Except for the issuance of Class B Units and admission of Members at the Closing pursuant to Section 4.02(b) , no Transferee of any Units or Person to whom any Units are issued pursuant to this Agreement shall be admitted as a Member hereunder or acquire any rights hereunder, including any voting rights or the right to receive distributions and allocations in respect of the Transferred or issued Units, as applicable, unless (i) such Units are Transferred or

 

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issued in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement (including Article VIII ) and in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement and (ii) such Transferee or recipient shall have executed and delivered to the Company such instruments as the Manager deems necessary or desirable, in its reasonable discretion, to effectuate the admission of such Transferee or recipient as a Member and to confirm the agreement of such Transferee or recipient to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including an Addendum Agreement and/or Award Agreement. Upon complying with the immediately preceding sentence, without the need for any further action of any Person, a Transferee or recipient shall be deemed admitted to the Company as a Member. A Substitute Member shall enjoy the same rights, and be subject to the same obligations, hereunder as its Transferor; provided , that such Transferor shall not be relieved of any obligation or liability hereunder arising prior to the consummation of such Transfer but shall be relieved of all future obligations with respect to the Units so Transferred. As promptly as practicable after the admission of any Person as a Member, the books and records of the Company shall be changed to reflect such admission of a Substitute Member or Additional Member. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, including Section 12.12 , in the event of any admission of a Substitute Member or Additional Member pursuant to this Section 3.02(b) , this Agreement shall be deemed amended to reflect such admission, and any formal amendment of this Agreement (including Schedule A attached hereto) in connection therewith shall only require execution by the Company, the Manager and such Substitute Member or Additional Member, as applicable, to be effective.

 

(c)                                   If a Member shall Transfer all (but not less than all) its Units, the Member shall thereupon cease to be a Member; provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, such Member shall continue to be bound by the provisions of Section 12.13 .

 

Section 3.03                              Books and Records. During regular business hours, upon reasonable notice and in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with the business of the Company, each Member shall, at such Member’s own expense, have access to inspect the Company’s books and records at the Company’s principal office or at such other offices of the Company where such records are kept. It is acknowledged, understood and agreed that the information contained on Schedules A and B of this Agreement, Schedule A of the Subscription Agreement, Schedules A and B of the EMI Agreement and Schedule A of the MIP Agreement, each as amended from time to time, other than the names and addresses of the Members, the aggregate number of Units issued, the aggregate Capital Account balance, and information on the applicable Schedule that is opposite the name of the requesting Person, shall not be provided to any Member (other than a Member who is (i) the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of EP Energy LLC (ii) or an employee of Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries who the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of EP Energy LLC has determined needs to know the information on such schedules in order to carry out the functions of such employee’s employment) for the purpose of preserving privacy with respect to Unit ownership of the Members, unless the Manager determines otherwise.

 

Section 3.04                              Limited Voting Rights of Members.

 

(a)                                  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or as otherwise required by law, any matter requiring the vote, approval or consent of the Members shall be approved or consented to by a written instrument indicating such vote, consent or approval duly executed by

 

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the Members that together hold, in the aggregate, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the Class B Units then entitled to vote thereon.

 

(b)                                  Whenever the Company has the right to vote on, consent to, approve or has been afforded any other similar rights with respect to any matter under the Holdco Agreement, the Company’s vote, consent, approval or exercise of such other similar right shall be cast or exercised on a “look-through” basis, in accordance with Section 2.11(d) .

 

(c)                                   If, pursuant to this Agreement, any Member is not entitled to cast a vote, give a consent or provide or withhold any approval under this Agreement or otherwise, the determination as to whether the matter under consideration has been approved or consented to shall be made without regard to the Units or Capital Contributions of such Member in counting the necessary votes, consents or approvals.

 

ARTICLE IV
UNITS

 

Section 4.01                              Authorization of Class B Units.

 

Subject to Section 4.02 , the Company is hereby authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 Units in the aggregate representing a single class of Units (a “ Class ”), called Class B (the “ Class B Units ”), each having the rights, obligations and other features provided in this Agreement. Such number of authorized Class B Units shall be adjusted to correspond to the number of Holdco B Units authorized pursuant to Section 4.01(b) of the Holdco Agreement, as adjusted by Section 8.04(h)(iv) of the Holdco Agreement. All Units issued hereunder shall be uncertificated unless otherwise determined by the Manager. The Company may only issue Class B Units to Persons employed by or otherwise performing services for Holdco or its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.02                              Issuance of Class B Units.

 

(a)                                  If the Board desires to grant incentive awards in the form of Profits Interests to employees of Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries (each, a “ Grantee ”), then upon the issuance of Holdco B Units to the Company in accordance with the Holdco Agreement, the Manager shall cause the Company to issue corresponding Class B Units to the applicable Grantees. Each award of Class B Units will be evidenced by a Management Incentive Unit Agreement (each, an “ Award Agreement ”), that shall be executed by the Company and the applicable Grantee. In addition to the rights, obligations and limitations of the holders of Class B Units set forth in this Agreement, the Class B Units shall be subject to the vesting, forfeiture, repurchase and other requirements set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (A) the initial Capital Account balance associated with any Class B Unit shall be zero, (B) upon issuance or as otherwise required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations, the Carrying Values of all of the Company’s assets shall be adjusted pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Carrying Value and any resulting Net Income, Net Loss, and other items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Capital Accounts of all Members in accordance with Article V , and (C) any award of Class B Units to a Grantee shall have such other terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement with such Grantee. The Class B Units issued upon the Closing shall be designated the Class B-1 Units. After the Closing Date,

 

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the Company shall from time to time, in connection with each issuance of Holdco B Units to the Company in accordance with the Holdco Agreement, designate and issue additional series of Class B Units, each of which additional series shall be designated by a sequential number (e.g., Class B-2, Class B-3, etc.) that is the same as the sequential number designating the corresponding Holdco B Units. The Class B Units are intended to constitute Profits Interests and this Section 4.02 shall not be interpreted otherwise.

 

(b)                                       Upon the Closing, the Company will issue to each Person listed on Schedule A who has both entered into an Award Agreement and executed this Agreement on the date hereof, the number of Class B Units set forth in such Person’s Award Agreement in consideration for the services provided and/or to be provided by such Person to or for the benefit of Holdco or its Subsidiaries and, at such time, each such Person is hereby admitted as a Member of the Company and shall be shown as such on the books and records of the Company; provided , however , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any such Member who fails to make EMI Capital Contributions in an aggregate amount equal to its Equity Commitment on or prior to the Funding Date shall, immediately after the Funding Date, automatically cease to be a Member of the Company and shall be removed from Schedule A and have no rights under this Agreement or the Holdco Agreement and all Units issued to such Member shall automatically be forfeited to the Company without consideration.

 

(c)                                        Upon the reissuance or reallocation of Holdco B Units to the Company in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Holdco Agreement, the Manager may cause the Company to reissue or reallocate Class B Units corresponding to such Holdco B Units to any new employee or employees of Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries, if any, hired to replace the Member from whom such Class B Units were repurchased or the Member who forfeited such Class B Units, as the case may be, and/or to any other new or existing employees of Holdco or its Subsidiaries in such proportions and on such terms as determined by the Manager and to admit any such Persons as a Member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, any such reissuance or reallocation of the Class B Units pursuant to this Section 4.02(c)  shall be made in accordance with and governed by this Section 4.02(c) .

 

Section 4.03                              No Preemptive Rights. No Person shall have preemptive rights to purchase any Securities or other interests issued or proposed to be issued by the Company.

 

Section 4.04                              Certificates. In the sole discretion of the Manager, issued and outstanding Units may be evidenced by certificates. In addition to any other legend which the Company may deem advisable under the Securities Act, all certificates representing issued and outstanding Units shall be endorsed as follows:

 

“THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO NUMEROUS CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, INCLUDING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, AS SPECIFIED IN THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (AS AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, THE “ LLC AGREEMENT ”) OF EPE EMPLOYEE HOLDINGS,

 

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LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (THE “ COMPANY ”) AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO ONE OR MORE MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE UNIT AGREEMENTS, AS MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND ONE OR MORE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY.

 

THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE (A) HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ ACT ”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY FOREIGN JURISDICTION, (B) MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE AND FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND SUCH LAWS, AND (C) ARE SUBJECT TO AND ARE TRANSFERABLE ONLY UPON COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE LLC AGREEMENT, CERTAIN MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE UNIT AGREEMENTS AND THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF EPE ACQUISITION, LLC, AS AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME.”

 

ARTICLE V
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS;
DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS

 

Section 5.01                              Capital Contributions. No Member will have any obligation to make any Capital Contribution and no Member shall make any Capital Contribution without the prior written consent of the Manager.

 

(a)                                  Except as expressly provided herein, no Member, in its capacity as a Member, shall have the right to receive any cash or any other Property of the Company.

 

Section 5.02                              Capital Accounts.

 

(a)                                  Maintenance of Capital Accounts . The Company shall maintain a Capital Account for each Member on the books of the Company in accordance with the following provisions:

 

(i)                                      As of the Closing, the Capital Account of each Member shall be set forth on Schedule B .

 

(ii)                                   To each Member’s Capital Account there shall be credited: (A) the amount of money and the Fair Market Value of any Property (other than money) contributed by such Member pursuant to any provision of this Agreement; (B) such Member’s distributive share of Net Income and any item in the nature of income or gain that is allocated pursuant to Section 5.04 ; and (C) the amount of any Company liabilities

 

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assumed by such Member or that are secured by any Property distributed to such Member.

 

(iii)                                To each Member’s Capital Account there shall be debited: (A) the amount of money and the Fair Market Value of any Property (other than money) distributed to such Member pursuant to any provision of this Agreement; (B) such Member’s distributive share of Net Loss and any items in the nature of expenses or losses that are allocated to such Member pursuant to Section 5.04 ; and (C) and the amount of any liabilities of such Member assumed by the Company or that are secured by any Property contributed by such Member to the Company.

 

(iv)                               In determining the amount of any liability for purposes of subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) above there shall be taken into account Section 752(c) of the Code and any other applicable provisions of the Code and the Treasury Regulations.

 

The foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations. In the event that the Manager shall determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts or any debits or credits thereto are maintained (including debits or credits relating to liabilities that are secured by contributed or distributed Property or that are assumed by the Company or the Members), the Manager may make such modification so long as such modification is not likely to have a material effect on the amounts distributed to any Person pursuant to Article XI upon the dissolution of the Company. The Manager also shall (i) make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between Capital Accounts of the Members and the amount of capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(9) and (ii) make any appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b).

 

(b)                                  Succession to Capital Accounts . In the event any Person becomes a Substitute Member in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, such Substitute Member shall succeed to the Capital Account of the former Member to the extent such Capital Account relates to the Transferred Units.

 

(c)                                   Adjustments of Capital Accounts . The Company shall revalue the Capital Accounts of the Members in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) (a “ Revaluation ”) at the following times: (i) immediately prior to the contribution of more than a de minimis amount of money or other property to the Company by a new or existing Member as consideration for one or more Units; (ii) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of property in respect of one or more Units; (iii) the issuance by the Company of more than a de minimis Profits Interest (as described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(5)(iii), IRS Revenue Procedure 93-27, 1993-2 C.B. 343 until superseded by IRS Notice 2005-43, 2005-24 I.R.B. 1221 (May 20, 2005) and any similar subsequent authority); and (iv) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), including pursuant to an Exit Restructuring; provided ,

 

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however , that adjustments pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be made only if the Manager reasonably determines that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interest of the Members (it being hereby acknowledged that such adjustments may not ordinarily be necessary or appropriate in the case of the issuance of a Profits Interest or in the case of a contribution for Units that do not represent a material percentage interest in the Company or are not issued at a valuation materially in excess of the book value of other Units of the same class, as then reflected in the Members’ Capital Accounts).

 

(d)                                  No Member shall be entitled to withdraw capital or receive distributions except as specifically provided herein. A Member shall have no obligation to the Company, to any other Member or to any creditor of the Company to restore any negative balance in the Capital Account of such Member. Except as expressly provided elsewhere herein, no interest will be paid on the balance in any Member’s Capital Account.

 

(e)                                   Whenever it is necessary for purposes of this Agreement to determine a Member’s Capital Account on a per Unit basis, such amount shall be determined by dividing the Capital Account of such Member by the number of Units held of record by such Member.

 

Section 5.03                              Distributions.

 

(a)                                       Subject to the remainder of this Section 5.03 and applicable law, all cash and Property distributed to the Company based on the Company’s status as a holder of Holdco B Units (the “ Flow-Through Distributions ”) shall be distributed by the Company among the corresponding series of Class B Units (and within each such series of Class B Units such Flow-Through Distributions shall be allocated pro rata in accordance with the respective Series Sharing Percentages of the Members holding Class B Units in such series). Subject to Section 5.03(b)  and Section 5.03(c) , upon (i) the payment of fees by Holdco to the Company pursuant to Section 7(a) of the MIP Agreement, the Company shall distribute such fees to the Members in accordance with their Fee Percentages, and (ii) the payment of fees by Holdco pursuant to Section 7(b) of the MIP Agreement, the Company shall distributed such fees to the Members pro rata in accordance with their Class B Units that were repurchased by the Company in connection with the Specified Class B Repurchase in which such fees were paid by Holdco (the fees paid by Holdco described in clause (i) and (ii), “ Fees ”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, and for the avoidance of doubt, Securities in Holdco and New MIP Securities shall not be distributed by the Company unless otherwise determined by the Board in its sole discretion).

 

(b)                                       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if a distribution or amount otherwise payable to the Company pursuant to (or in accordance with) Section 5.03 of the Holdco Agreement is reduced as a result of the existence of any outstanding amounts under any loan made by Holdco or EMI to a Member to fund such Member’s purchase of EMI Units (a “ Management Loan ”), then (A) an amount equal to such reduction shall be deemed to have been paid by the Company pursuant to this Section 5.03 to such Member and then paid by such Member to the Holdco in reduction of the amounts owing under such Management Loan (in accordance with the terms thereof), and the portion of the resulting distribution otherwise due to such Member from the Company shall be reduced accordingly and (B) the portion of such distribution payable to each other Member shall be calculated as though the amount deemed to

 

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have been paid to the Member referred to in clause (A)  of this Section 5.03(b)  had been included in such distribution.

 

(c)                                        It is the intention of the Parties that distributions to any Member be limited to the extent necessary so that the Class B Units constitute Profits Interests. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Manager shall, if necessary, limit distributions under this Section 5.03 to any Member with respect to its Class B Units so that such distributions do not exceed the available profits (as determined by the Manager) in respect of the Class B Units of such Member. If any Member’s distributions are reduced pursuant to the preceding sentence, an amount equal to such excess distributions shall instead be treated as apportioned to the remaining Members in accordance with this Section 5.03 , and the Manager shall make adjustments to future distributions to the Members as promptly as practicable so that such Member receives on a cumulative basis the amount of profits to which it would have otherwise been entitled had this Section 5.03(c)  not been in effect; provided, that any distribution pursuant to this sentence shall be further subject to the provisions of this Section 5.03(c) .

 

(d)                                       The Members acknowledge and agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no distributions (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Flow-Through Distributions resulting from a distribution pursuant to Section 5.03(f) (Tax Advances to Class B Members) of the Holdco Agreement, if any, and payments in respect of repurchases or other payments pursuant to Article VIII , if any, which shall be subject to the respective terms and provisions set forth therein) will be made by Holdco to the Company until after the consummation of a Threshold Capital Transaction.

 

Section 5.04                              Allocations.

 

(a)                                       Net Income and Net Loss . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Net Income and Net Loss (and, to the extent necessary, individual items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit) of the Company shall be allocated among the Members in a manner such that, after giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Sections 5.04(b) , Section 5.04(c)  and Section 5.04(d) , the Capital Account balance of each Member, immediately after making such allocation, is, as nearly as possible, equal (proportionately) to (i) the distributions that would be made to such Members pursuant to Section 5.03(b)  if the Company were dissolved, its affairs wound up and its assets sold for cash equal to their Carrying Value, all Company liabilities were satisfied (limited with respect to each nonrecourse liability to the Carrying Value of the assets securing such liability), all Unvested Units became Vested Units, all Management Loans were satisfied, and the net assets of the Company were distributed in accordance with Section 5.03 to the Members immediately after making such allocation, minus (ii) such Member’s share of Company Minimum Gain and Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets.

 

(b)                                  Special Allocations . The following special allocations shall be made in the following order:

 

(i)                                      Minimum Gain Chargeback . Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f), notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V , if there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any Allocation Year, each

 

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Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such Allocation Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Allocation Years) in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Member pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 5.04(b)(i)  is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(ii)                                   Member Minimum Gain Chargeback . Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4), notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V , if there is a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to a Member Nonrecourse Debt during any Allocation Year, each Member who has a share of the Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5), shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such Allocation Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Allocation Years) in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Member pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 5.04(b)(ii)  is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4), and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(iii)                                Qualified Income Offset . In the event any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations, or distributions described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704 -1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) or Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Company income, gain and Simulated Gain shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations, the Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of the Member as promptly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.04(b)(iii)  shall be made only if and to the extent that the Member would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided for in this Article V have been tentatively made as if this Section 5.04(b)(iii)  were not in this Agreement.

 

(iv)                               Nonrecourse Deductions . Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated to the Members in any manner determined by the Manager and permissible under the Treasury Regulations.

 

(v)                                  Member Nonrecourse Deductions . Any Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any Allocation Year shall be specially allocated to the Member who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such

 

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Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1).

 

(vi)                               Section 754 Adjustments . To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Sections 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as the result of a distribution to a Member in complete liquidation of such Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment to Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such gain or loss shall be specially allocated to such Members in accordance with their interests in the Company in the event Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) applies, or to the Member to whom such distribution was made in the event Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.

 

(vii)                            Simulated Depletion . Simulated Depletion with respect to each Depletable Property shall be allocated to the Members in the same proportion that the Members (or their predecessors in interest) were allocated the Simulated Basis of such property. For purposes of such computation, the Simulated Basis of each Depletable Property shall be allocated to each Member in accordance with such Member’s Capital Interest Percentage as of the time such Depletable Property is acquired by the Company, and shall be reallocated among the Members in accordance with the Members’ Capital Interest Percentages as determined immediately following the occurrence of an event giving rise to an adjustment to the Carrying Values of the Company’s Depletable Properties pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Carrying Value. For purposes of computing Simulated Depletion, the Company shall apply the simulated cost depletion method under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

 

(viii)                         Simulated Loss . Simulated Loss with respect to the disposition of a Depletable Property shall be allocated among the Members in proportion to their allocable shares of the total amount realized from such disposition under Section 5.05 (c)(ii) .

 

(ix)                               Fee Income . Any income attributable to the receipt by the Company of Fees shall be allocated among the Members in the manner in which such Fees are distributed to such Members pursuant to Section 5.03(a) .

 

(c)                                   Curative Allocations . The allocations set forth in Section 5.04(b)(i)  through (viii) and Section 5.04(d)  (the “ Regulatory Allocations ”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the Treasury Regulations. It is the intent of the Members that, to the extent possible, all Regulatory Allocations shall be offset either with other Regulatory Allocations or with special allocations of other items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to this Section 5.04(c) . Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V (other than the Regulatory Allocations), the Manager shall make such offsetting special allocations of Company income, gain, loss or deduction in whatever manner it determines appropriate so that, after such offsetting allocations are made, each Member’s Capital Account balance is, to the extent possible, equal to the Capital Account balance such Member would have had if the

 

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Regulatory Allocations were not part of this Agreement and all Company items were allocated pursuant to Section 5.04 .

 

(d)                                  Loss Limitation . Net Loss allocated pursuant to Section 5.04 hereof shall not exceed the maximum amount of Net Loss that can be allocated without causing any Member to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit at the end of any Allocation Year. In the event some but not all of the Members would have Adjusted Capital Account Deficits as a consequence of an allocation of Net Loss pursuant to Section 5.04 hereof, the limitation set forth in this Section 5.04(d)  shall be applied on a Member by Member basis and Net Loss not allocable to any Member as a result of such limitation shall be allocated to the other Members in accordance with the positive balances in such Member’s Capital Accounts so as to allocate the maximum permissible Net Loss to each Member under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d).

 

Section 5.05          Other Allocation Rules.

 

(a)                                       Interim Allocations Due to Percentage Interest Adjustment . If a Unit is the subject of a Transfer, or the Members’ Series Sharing Percentages change pursuant to the terms of this Agreement during any Allocation Year, the amount of Net Income and Net Loss to be allocated to the Members for such entire Allocation Year shall be allocated to the portion of such Allocation Year which precedes the date of such Transfer or change (and if there shall have been a prior Transfer or change in such Allocation Year, which commences on the date of such prior Transfer or change) and to the portion of such Allocation Year which occurs on and after the date of such Transfer or change (and if there shall be a subsequent Transfer or change in such Allocation Year, which precedes the date of such subsequent Transfer or change), in accordance with an interim closing of the books using the semi-monthly convention pursuant to proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.706-4(e)(2), and the amounts of the items so allocated to each such portion shall be credited or charged to the Members in accordance with Section 5.04 as in effect during each such portion of the Allocation Year in question. Such allocation shall be made without regard to the date, amount or receipt of any distributions that may have been made with respect to the Transferred Unit.

 

(b)                                       Tax Allocations: Code Section 704(c) . In accordance with Section 704(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, with respect to any Property contributed to the Company (i) in the case of contributed Depletable Property, the adjusted tax basis of such Depletable Property, (ii) in the case of any other contributed Property, the income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such Property shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such Property to the Company for federal income tax purposes and its initial Carrying Value using an allocation method set forth in Treasury Regulation 1.704-3 determined by the Manager. In the event the Carrying Value of such Property is adjusted pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Carrying Value, (A) in the case of any Depletable Property, the adjusted tax basis of such Depletable Property shall be reallocated among the Members upon the occurrence of such adjustment, or (B) in the case of any other Property, subsequent allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such Property, in either case shall be made in a manner to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such Property for U.S. federal income tax purposes and its Carrying Value as required by Code Section 704(c) and the applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder. Following any allocation or reallocation of adjusted tax basis of Depletable

 

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Property, or for purposes of any other allocations subject to this Section 5.05(b) , the Company shall, for each Depletable Property or other Property, select from the allocation methods described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3 the method that the Manager determines is in the best interest of the Company and the Members.

 

(c)                                   Other Income Tax Allocations .

 

(i)                                           The deduction for depletion with respect to each Depletable Property shall, in accordance with Code Section 613A(c)(7)(D), be computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes separately by the Members rather than the Company. Except as provided in Section 5.05(b) , for purposes of such computation, the proportionate share of the adjusted tax basis of each Depletable Property shall be allocated among the Members based upon their relative Capital Interest Percentages as of the date of the acquisition of, or the addition of improvements capitalized in the basis subject to depletion of, such Depletable Property by the Company. Further, upon the occurrence of an adjustment to the Carrying Values of the Depletable Properties of the Company pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Carrying Value, except as provided in Section 5.05(b) , the proportionate share of the adjusted tax basis of each such Depletable Property shall be reallocated among the Members based upon the relative Capital Interest Percentages of the Members as of the date of such adjustment. Each Member shall separately keep records of its share of the adjusted tax basis in each Depletable Property, adjust such share of the adjusted tax basis for any cost or percentage depletion allowable with respect to such property and use such adjusted tax basis in the computation of its cost depletion or in the computation of its gain or loss on the disposition of such property by the Company. Upon the request of the Company, each Member shall advise the Company of its adjusted tax basis in each Depletable Property and any depletion computed with respect thereto, both as computed in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. The Company may rely on such information and, if it is not provided by the Member, may make such reasonable assumptions as it shall determine with respect thereto.

 

(ii)                                        Except as provided in Section 5.05(b) , for the purposes of the separate computation of gain or loss by each Member on the sale or disposition of each Depletable Property, the Company’s allocable share of the “amount realized” (as such term is defined in Section 1001(b) of the Code) from such sale or disposition shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Members as follows:

 

(A)                                first , to the extent such amount realized constitutes a recovery of the Simulated Basis of the property, to the Members in the same percentages as the depletable basis of such property was allocated to the Members pursuant to Section 5.04(b) , except as otherwise provided in Section 5.05 ; and

 

(B)                                second , the remainder of such amount realized, if any, shall be allocated among the Members in the same manner as Simulated Gain is allocated under Section 5.04(a) .

 

(d)                                  In the event that final Treasury Regulations are promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury requiring certain forfeiture allocations as contemplated by proposed

 

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Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii), the parties will amend this Agreement in such a manner as will be most beneficial to the non-forfeiting Members.

 

Section 5.06          Tax Withholding; Withholding Advances.

 

(a)                                  Tax Withholding .

 

(i)                                           If requested by the Company, each Member shall, if able to do so, deliver to the Company: (A) an affidavit in form satisfactory to the Company that the applicable Member (or its direct or indirect owners, as the case may be) is not subject to withholding under the provisions of any federal, state, local, foreign or other law; (B) any certificate that the Company may reasonably request with respect to any such laws; and/or (C) any other form or instrument reasonably requested by the Company relating to any Member’s status under such law; provided , that, for the avoidance of doubt, in the absence of a change in law occurring after the date hereof and except as provided in Section 5.06(a)(iii) , the Company shall not withhold U.S. federal income tax with respect to any Member that furnishes the Company with a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 that provides that such Member is either exempt from, or not subject to, backup withholding. In the event that a Member (or its direct or indirect owners, as the case may be) fails or is unable to deliver to the Company an affidavit described in subclause (A) of this clause (i), the Company may withhold amounts from such Member in accordance with Section 5.06(b) .

 

(ii)                                        After receipt of a written request of any Member, the Company shall provide such information to such Member and take such other action as may be reasonably necessary to assist such Member in making any necessary filings, applications or elections to obtain any available exemption from, or any available refund of, any withholding imposed by any foreign taxing authority with respect to amounts distributable or items of income allocable to such Member hereunder to the extent not adverse to the Company or any Member. In addition, the Company shall, at the request of any Member, make or cause to be made (or cause the Company to make) any such filings, applications or elections; provided, that any such requesting Member shall cooperate with the Company, with respect to any such filing, application or election to the extent reasonably determined by the Company and that any filing fees, taxes or other out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Company and related thereto shall be paid and borne by such requesting Member or, if there is more than one requesting Member, by such requesting Members in accordance with their respective Series Sharing Percentages.

 

(iii)                                     Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that the issuance of Class B Units to a Member, the payment of Fees to a Member and/or any distribution, payment, transfer or other action or event with respect to a Member under this Agreement results in the receipt of compensation by such Member with respect to which the Company, Holdco or one of Holdco’s Subsidiaries has a tax withholding obligation pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation, as a result of the filing of an election under Section 83(b) of the Code), then, unless other arrangements have been made that are acceptable to the Company, Holdco or one of Holdco’s

 

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Subsidiaries, as applicable, the Company is authorized to deduct or withhold, or cause to be deducted or withheld, from any payment of Fees or other amount owing to a Member hereunder the amount (in cash or Units, including Units that would otherwise be issued hereunder) of any applicable taxes payable in respect of such payment or amount, and to take such other actions as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company, Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries to satisfy its withholding obligations for the payment of such taxes.

 

(b)                                       Withholding Advances . To the extent the Company is required by law to withhold or to make tax payments on behalf of or with respect to any Member (e.g., backup withholding) (“ Withholding Advances ”), the Company may withhold such amounts and make such tax payments as so required.

 

(c)                                        Deemed Withholding Advances . If amounts payable to the Company are reduced on account of taxes paid or withheld (directly or indirectly) by any Person, and such taxes are imposed on or with respect to one or more, but not all of the Members, the amount of the reduction shall be borne by the relevant Members and treated as if it were paid by the Company as a Withholding Advance with respect to such Members for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                       Repayment of Withholding Advances . All Withholding Advances made on behalf of a Member, plus interest thereon at a rate equal to the Prime Rate as of the date of such Withholding Advances, plus two percent (2.0%) per annum, shall (i) be paid on demand by the Member on whose behalf such Withholding Advances were made (it being understood that no such payment shall increase such Member’s Capital Account), or (ii) with the consent of the Manager, in its sole discretion, be repaid by reducing the amount of the current or next succeeding distribution or distributions which would otherwise have been made to such Member or, if such distributions are not sufficient for that purpose, by so reducing distributions otherwise payable to such Member. Whenever repayment of a Withholding Advance by a Member is made as described in clause (ii) above, for all other purposes of this Agreement such Member shall be treated as having received all distributions (whether before or upon Dissolution) unreduced by the amount of such Withholding Advance and interest thereon.

 

(e)                                        Withholding Advances; Reimbursement of Liabilities . Each Member hereby agrees to reimburse the Company for any liability with respect to Withholding Advances (including interest thereon) required or made on behalf of or with respect to such Member (including penalties imposed with respect thereto).

 

ARTICLE VI
CERTAIN TAX MATTERS

 

Section 6.01      Tax Matters Partner. The “ Tax Matters Partner ” (as such term is defined in Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code) of the Company shall be a Member designated by the Manager in its sole discretion. The Tax Matters Partner shall use its reasonable efforts to comply with the responsibilities outlined in Sections 6221 through 6233 of the Code (including the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) and shall have any powers necessary to perform fully in such capacity. The Tax Matters Partner is authorized to represent the Company before taxing authorities and courts in tax matters affecting the Company and the Members in their

 

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capacity as such, and shall keep the Members promptly informed of any such administrative and judicial proceedings. The Tax Matters Partner shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Company for all reasonable third-party costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with any administrative or judicial proceeding affecting tax matters of the Company and the Members in their capacity as such. The Tax Matters Partner shall not bind any Member to any settlement agreement or closing agreement without such Member’s prior written consent. Any Member who enters into a settlement agreement with any tax authority with respect to any Company item shall notify the Tax Matters Partner of such settlement agreement and its terms within thirty (30) days after the date of settlement. This provision shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 6.02      U.S. Federal Income Tax Classification of the Company. The Tax Matters Partner shall, for and on behalf of the Company, take all steps as may be required to maintain the Company’s classification as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. By executing this Agreement, each of the Parties consents to the authority of the Tax Matters Partner to make any election consistent with such classification and shall cooperate in the making of any such election (including providing consents and other authorizations that may be required). Except as provided herein, each Member has not taken, and shall not take (or omit to take), any action that would be inconsistent with the classification of the Company as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Section 6.03      Profits Interest Elections. All Members consent to the making of any election by the Company necessary to cause the interests of the Members to be treated as Profits Interests for all federal income tax purposes.

 

Section 6.04      Section 83(b) Elections. Each Member who acquires Class B Units acknowledges and agrees to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to such Class B Units within thirty (30) days of such acquisition and to consult with such Member’s tax advisors to determine the tax consequences of such acquisition and of filing an election under Section 83(b) of the Code. Each such Member acknowledges that it is the sole responsibility of such Member, and not the responsibility of the Company, to file the election under Section 83(b) of the Code even if such Member requests the Company or any of its employees, consultants, advisors or agents to assist in making the filing. Each such Member (a) agrees that it will provide to the Company, on or before the due date for filing such election, proof that its respective election under Section 83(b) of the Code has been or will be filed timely and (b) acknowledges that it is not relying on the Company for any tax, financial or legal advice.

 

Section 6.05      Safe Harbor. Each Member agrees that (a) if and when Proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.83-3(l) and the proposed revenue procedure contained in IRS Notice 2005-43, 2005-24 I.R.B. 1221 (May 20, 2005) (together, the “ Proposed Guidance ”) or any substantially similar successor rules become effective, the Manager is authorized and directed to elect the safe harbor described therein, pursuant to which the fair market value of any interest in the Company that is transferred in connection with the performance of services will be treated as being equal to the liquidation value of that interest (the “ Safe Harbor ”), and (b) while the election described in this Section 6.05 remains effective, the Company and each of the Members (including any Member to whom a Unit is transferred in connection with the performance of services) shall comply with all requirements of the Safe Harbor described in the Proposed Guidance (or any substantially similar successor rules) with respect to all Units that are

 

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transferred in connection with the performance of services, including any requirement that such Member prepare and file all U.S. federal income tax returns reporting the income tax effects of each Unit issued by the Company in connection with the performance of services. For purposes of the Safe Harbor, the Tax Matters Partner is hereby designated as the “partner who has responsibility for Federal income tax reporting” by the Company and, accordingly, execution of such Safe Harbor election by the Tax Matters Partner constitutes execution of a “Safe Harbor Election” in accordance with the Proposed Guidance or any similar provision of any final pronouncement. A Member’s obligations to comply with the requirements of this Section 6.05   shall survive such Member’s ceasing to be a Member of the Company and the termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the Company.

 

ARTICLE VII
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

Section 7.01      Management of the Company by the Manager. The management of the Company is vested in and shall be managed by one “manager” (as such term is defined in the Delaware Act) (the “ Manager ”). The Manager is hereby granted, the full and complete, power, authority and discretion for, on behalf of and in the name of the Company, to take such actions and manage and direct the business and affairs of the Company, as it may, in its sole discretion, deem necessary or advisable to carry out any and all of the objectives and purposes of the Company, subject only to the terms of this Agreement and the Delaware Act. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or required by the Delaware Act, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law the Members (in their capacity as Members) will not participate in the control of the Company and will have no right, power or authority to act for or on behalf of or otherwise bind the Company and will have no right to vote on or consent to any other matter, act, decision or document involving the Company or its business. The Parties hereby agree that as of April 24, 2012 and as of the date hereof Holdco is and shall be the Manager until Holdco has resigned as Manager and a replacement Manager is appointed as Manager in accordance with Section 7.02 .

 

Section 7.02      Resignation. The Manager may not be removed by the Members, but the Manager may resign as Manager at any time. Immediately prior to any such resignation, the Manager, acting in its sole discretion, shall appoint a replacement manager to serve as the Manager; provided , however , that if Holdco is no longer the Manager, then such replacement manager shall be appointed by Holdco.

 

Section 7.03      Agency Authority of Managers and Officers. The Manager may authorize any officer or other Person to endorse checks, drafts, and other evidences of indebtedness made payable to the order of the Company (but only for the purpose of deposit into the Company’s accounts) or to sign contracts and obligations on behalf of the Company.

 

Section 7.04      Limited Liability. Subject to Article X , no Person who is a Manager or an officer of the Company shall be personally liable under any judgment of a court, or in any other manner, for any debt, obligation or liability of the Company, whether that liability or obligation arises in contract, tort, or otherwise, solely by reason of being a Manager or an officer of the Company.

 

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ARTICLE VIII
TRANSFERS OF UNITS

 

Section 8.01      Restrictions on Transfers.

 

(a)                                       Except as provided in this Article VIII , no Member shall Transfer all or any part of its Units or any right pertaining thereto, including the right to vote or consent on any matter or to receive distributions or advances from the Company pursuant thereto without the prior approval of the Board in its sole discretion. Any such Transfer, either directly or indirectly, or issuance of Securities by a Member or a Permitted Transferee, with the purpose or effect of circumventing (as determined in good faith by the Manager) the foregoing restriction, shall not be in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, and shall be deemed a Transfer by such Member of Units in violation of this Agreement (and a breach of this Agreement by such Member) and shall be null and void ab initio.

 

(b)                                       It shall be a condition precedent to any Transfer otherwise permitted or approved pursuant to this Article VIII that:

 

(i)                                      the Transferor shall have provided to the Company prior written notice of such Transfer at least ten (10) Business Days in advance of such Transfer;

 

(ii)                                   the Transferee, in the case of a Transfer of Units, shall agree in writing to be bound by this Agreement and the terms of any Award Agreements to which such Units are subject and shall have executed and delivered an Addendum Agreement in the form attached thereto;

 

(iii)                                the Transfer shall comply with all applicable federal, state or foreign laws, including securities laws;

 

(iv)                               the Transfer will not subject the Company to any registration or reporting requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

 

(v)                                  the Transfer shall not impose any material liability or reporting obligation on the Company, any Member (other than the Transferor or the Transferee) or the Manager in any jurisdiction, whether domestic or foreign, or result in the Company, any Member or the Manager becoming subject to the jurisdiction of any court or governmental entity anywhere, other than the states, courts and governmental entities in which the Company or the Manager is then subject to such liability, reporting obligation or jurisdiction;

 

(vi)                               if at the time of the Transfer the Company is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Transfer shall satisfy one or more safe harbor provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1 including Sections 1.7704-1(e), (f), (g), (h) and (j), relating to “publicly traded partnerships”;

 

(vii)                            if at the time of the Transfer the Company is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Transfer shall not cause a Dissolution Event or,

 

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unless the Manager determines it to be immaterial, a termination of the Company pursuant to Section 708 of the Code;

 

(viii)                         the Transfer shall not cause all or any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute “plan assets” under United States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the Code; and

 

(ix)                               upon the request of the Manager, any Member undertaking a Transfer of such Units pursuant to this Article VIII shall have delivered an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Manager that such Transfer complies with the conditions set forth clauses (i) through (viii)  of this Section 8.01(b) . The Manager may also request officer certificates and representations and warranties from the Transferee and Transferor as to the matters set forth in this Section 8.01(b)  and such other factual matters as the Manager may reasonably request.

 

(c)                                        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 8.01 (other than the provisions of Section 8.01(b) , which shall be applicable in any event), any Transfer by any Member of all or any of its respective Class B Units to (x) a spouse, lineal ancestor, lineal descendant, legally adopted child, brother or sister of such Member or (y) a lineal descendant or legally adopted child of a brother or sister of any Person described in the immediately preceding clause (x) (any Person described in the immediately preceding clause (x) or (y), a “ Family Member ”) or to a trust or other entity whose sole and exclusive beneficiaries are such Member and/or Family Members of such Member, provided , that such Transfers would not result in a violation of applicable law, including U.S. federal or state securities laws and such Transferee executes and delivers to the Company an Addendum Agreement (each such Transfer a “ Permitted Transfer ” and each such Person receiving Class B Units pursuant to such Permitted Transfer, a “ Permitted Transferee ”) shall be permitted at any time without prior approval of the Manager.

 

(d)                                       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, upon the consummation of any Transfer of Units permitted pursuant to this Article VIII , if such Transferor owes any amount pursuant to any Management Loan, then until such time as all outstanding amounts under such Management Loan have been repaid in full, the Company shall direct payment of the applicable consideration received pursuant to such Transfer first to the repayment of such Management Loan, or, to the extent such consideration is received by such Transferor, such Transferor shall pay such amounts to the Company or Holdco (as applicable) as lender under such Management Loan.

 

Section 8.02      Drag-Along Rights.

 

(a)                                       Within five (5) days after the receipt by the Company of a Drag-Along Notice, the Company shall forward such Drag-Along Notice to the Members. Each Member shall, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to, cooperate in connection with the Drag-Along Sale and take all steps reasonably necessary or reasonably requested by Holdco, the Company, and the Drag-Along Purchaser to cancel the Holdco Class B Units in accordance with the Holdco Agreement and otherwise consummate the Drag-Along Sale on the Drag-Along Terms (including by waiving any appraisal or dissenter’s rights that may exist under any applicable law, voting for or

 

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consenting to any merger, consolidation, sale of assets or similar transaction, executing any purchase agreements, merger agreements, escrow agreements or related documents, including instruments of Transfer and providing customary several, but not joint, representations, warranties and indemnities concerning such Member’s valid ownership of its Class B Units, free and clear of all Liens and encumbrances (other than those arising under applicable securities laws or in connection with the Drag-Along Sale) and such Member’s authority, power, and right to enter into and consummate agreements relating to such transactions without violating any applicable law or other agreement; provided , however , that such agreements, documents or instruments shall not contain any non-competition or similar restrictive covenants. Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, each Member shall, subject to the provisions of any definitive agreement (including any limitations on indemnification set forth therein) entered into in connection with a Drag-Along Sale, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Drag-Along Purchaser in any Drag-Along Sale, pro rata in accordance with the amount of consideration received by such Member in connection with such Drag-Along Sale as a proportion of the aggregate amount of consideration received by all Members together with all members of Holdco (excluding the Company) in connection with such Drag-Along Sale, from and against any losses, damages and liabilities arising from or in connection with (i) any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of Holdco or the Company in connection with such Drag-Along Sale, and (ii) any other indemnification obligation in connection with such Drag-Along Sale relating to the business or potential liabilities of the Company or Holdco and its Subsidiaries; provided , that (A) such indemnification obligation shall be several and not joint, and (B) the aggregate maximum amount of such indemnification obligation shall not exceed the amount of consideration received by such Member in connection with such Drag-Along Sale.

 

(b)                                       For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) if any amount is outstanding pursuant to a Management Loan of a Member, then until such time as all outstanding amounts under such Management Loan have been repaid in full, such Member shall direct and the Company shall direct the net proceeds from such Drag-Along Sale otherwise payable to such Member to first be applied to repay such Management Loan or such portion thereof as may be repaid with such net proceeds and (ii) subject to the applicable reductions in clause (i) of this Section 8.02(b), the net proceeds received by the Company in such Drag-Along Sale shall be distributed in the manner in which Flow-Through Distributions are distributed pursuant to Section 5.03(a) .

 

Section 8.03      IPO and Exit Restructuring. Following the request of the Manager, the Board, or the Coordination Committee in connection with an IPO, Major Exit or Exit Restructuring, the Company and the Members shall vote for, consent to and take all actions reasonably required by the Board or Coordination Committee (as applicable) in connection therewith or to fulfill the Company’s obligations under Section 8.07 of the Holdco Agreement (in each case, in accordance with the Section 2.11 Principle). In the event the Company distributes New MIP Securities to the Members, such New MIP Securities shall be distributed in the manner in which Flow-Through Distributions are distributed pursuant to Section 5.03(a) .

 

Section 8.04      Repurchase; Forfeiture.

 

(a)                                       General .     This Section 8.04 is subject to the provisions of the any applicable Award Agreement. All Transferees and Substitute Members shall be subject to this Section 8.04 .

 

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(b)                                  Vesting Schedule . The Class B Units shall vest in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Award Agreement governing the issuance of such Class B Units.

 

(c)                                   Unit Repurchase and Forfeiture . Class B Units shall be subject to forfeiture to the Company and repurchase by the Company as provided in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Management Loans . The Members acknowledge and agree that if any amount is outstanding pursuant to a Management Loan as of the date of such repurchase of Class B Units and the purchase price paid to the Company by Holdco for the Holdco B Units is reduced as a result of the existence of such outstanding amounts, then an amount equal to such reduction shall be deemed paid by the Company to such Member as a portion of the purchase price for such Class B Units and the total purchase price for such Class B Units otherwise due to such Member shall be reduced by the amount of such reduction.

 

(e)                                   Repurchases Upon Request . The Members shall have, in respect of their Class B Units, rights corresponding to those rights set forth in Section 8.09(d) of the Holdco Agreement (Repurchases Upon Request), which shall be exercisable (subject to limitations corresponding to those set forth in Section 8.09 of the Holdco Agreement) in accordance with the Section 2.11 Principle.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, any Class B Units repurchased pursuant to this Section 8.04 shall be deemed forfeited in full as of the time of receipt of payment therefor, whether in cash or by note or in accordance with Section 8.04(d) , and consequently, the holders thereof shall not be entitled to any distributions in respect of such Class B Units for any period thereafter.

 

Section 8.05      Specified Repurchase.

 

(a)                                       Within one (1) Business Days following receipt by the Company of a written notice from Holdco contemplated by the first sentence of Section 8.04(h) of the Holdco Agreement of the consummation of a Specified Tag-Along Sale, the Company shall forward a copy of such notice to the Members (a “ Company Specified Notice ”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary (including the Section 2.11 Principle and Section 2.11(d) ), if within four (4) Business Days after the sending of such Company Specified Notice, the Company has received written notice from Members that together hold, in the aggregate, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the Class B Units then outstanding (whether or not vested), that such Members elect not to participate, in whole or in part, in the Specified Class B Repurchase, then the Company shall provide to Holdco a Specified Repurchase Notice setting forth that the Company is electing to exercise the repurchase right under Section 8.04 of the Holdco Agreement with respect to none of the Holdco Class B Units, and if the Company does not receive such written notice from such Members, the Company shall not provide to Holdco a Specified Repurchase Notice. Following the consummation of a Specified Class B Repurchase, the Company shall repurchase the Class B Units corresponding to such Specified Repurchased Class B Units from the Members on a pro rata basis, the purchase price therefor shall be the net proceeds received by the Company in such Specified Class B Repurchase, such purchase price shall be paid to such Members in the manner in which Flow-Through Distributions are distributed pursuant to Section 5.03(a)  and such Class B Units so repurchased shall be cancelled and not reissued.

 

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(b)                                       Forfeiture . Following a Specified Tag-Along Sale in which the Apollo Member, the Riverstone Member and their respective Permitted Transferees (as such terms are defined in the Holdco Agreement) shall no longer hold any Holdco A Units, any Vested Units that remain outstanding following the repurchase of Class B Units pursuant to Section 8.05(a)  which followed the Specified Class B Repurchase relating to such Specified Tag-Along Sale shall not be subject to Section 5.01(c)(i) of any Award Agreement.

 

(c)                                        Management Loans . The Members acknowledge and agree that if any amount is outstanding pursuant to a Management Loan as of the date of such repurchase of Class B Units and the purchase price paid to the Company by Holdco for the Specified Repurchased Class B Units is reduced as a result of the existence of such outstanding amounts, then an amount equal to such reduction shall be deemed paid by the Company to such Member as a portion of the purchase price for such Class B Units and the total purchase price for such Class B Units otherwise due to such Member shall be reduced by the amount of such reduction.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, any Class B Units repurchased pursuant to this Section 8.05   shall be deemed forfeited in full as of the time of receipt of payment therefor, whether in cash or by note or in accordance with Section 8.05(c) , and consequently, the holder thereof shall not be entitled to any cash distributions in respect of such Class B Units for any period thereafter, including during the time that any note issued by the Company or Holdco in respect of the purchase price of such Class B Units remains outstanding; provided , however , that such holders shall be entitled to their respective pro rata shares of any contingent consideration or funds released from escrow, as and when received by Holdco or released under any applicable escrow arrangement, as and to the extent contemplated by Section 8.04(h)(ii) of the Holdco Agreement, in each case consistent with the Section 2.11 Principle.

 

ARTICLE IX
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES;
CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS

 

Section 9.01      Representations and Warranties of the Company. By executing and delivering this Agreement, the Company hereby represents and warrants to each of the Members that the following statements are true and correct as of the date hereof:

 

(a)                                       The Company is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Since the date of its formation, the Company has not conducted any business or incurred any liabilities or obligations, other than liabilities and obligations pursuant to the Delaware Act, the Original Agreement, the Prior Agreement or any other agreement referenced herein.

 

(b)                                       Except as expressly disclosed in writing to the Members on the date hereof, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement are within the Company’s organizational powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational action on its behalf, require no consent, approval, permit, license, order or authorization of, notice to, action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority, and do not and will not result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or of any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree or

 

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any agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

(c)                                        The Company has full power and authority to issue and deliver the Class B Units in accordance with the terms hereof. The Class B Units, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, will be duly authorized, validly issued and free and clear of any Liens other than those created by the Members or arising pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement referenced herein.

 

(d)                                       The representations and warranties of Holdco, as set forth in the Holdco Agreement, are true and correct.

 

Section 9.02 Representations and Warranties of the Members. By executing and delivering this Agreement, each Member hereby represents and warrants to the Company and each other Member that the following statements are true and correct as of the date hereof, as of the date such Member is admitted to the Company and as of the date(s) such Member is issued Units:

 

(a)                                       Such Member’s Units are being held for its own account solely for investment and not with a view to resale or distribution thereof other than in compliance with all applicable securities laws and this Agreement.

 

(b)                                       If such Member is an entity, such Member is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. If such Member is a natural person, such Member has full legal capacity.

 

(c)                                        The execution, delivery and performance by such Member of this Agreement are within such Member’s corporate or other powers, as applicable, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action on its behalf (or, if such Member is an individual, are within such Member’s legal right, power and capacity), require no consent, approval, permit, license, order or authorization of, notice to, action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority, and do not and will not result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or of any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree or any agreement or other instrument to which such Member is a party or by which such Member or any of such Member’s properties is bound. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Member and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of such Member, enforceable against such Member in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

(d)                                       Such Member is familiar with the business, financial condition, properties, operations and prospects of Holdco, its Subsidiaries and the Company, and has asked such questions of the Company and the Manager and conducted such due diligence concerning such matters and concerning the Class B Units, this Agreement and the Holdco Agreement as it has desired to ask and conduct, and all such questions have been answered to its full satisfaction. Such Member has not relied upon any representations made by, or other information (whether

 

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oral or written) furnished by or on behalf of, the Manager, the Company or any director, officer, employee, agent or Affiliate of such Persons, other than as set forth in this Agreement. Such Member has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of holding Class B Units and being a Member. Such Member understands that owning Class B Units involves various risks, including the restrictions on transferability set forth in this Agreement, lack of any public market for such Class B Units, the risk of owning Class B Units for an indefinite period of time and the risk of losing its entire investment in the Company. Such Member is able to bear the economic risk of such investment; and such Member acknowledges that the Class B Units have not been registered under the Securities Act or any other applicable federal or state securities laws, and that the Company has no intention, and shall not have any obligation, to register or to obtain an exemption from registration for the Class B Units or to take action so as to permit sales pursuant to the Securities Act (including Rules 144 and 144A thereunder). Such Member has carefully considered and has, to the extent it believes necessary, discussed with legal, tax, accounting and financial advisors the suitability of an investment in the Company and holding Class B Units in light of its particular tax and financial situation, and has determined that the Class B Units are a suitable investment for such Member.

 

Section 9.03      Fiduciary Duties; Competing Activities.

 

(a)                                  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Members hereby agree that pursuant to the authority of Sections 18-1101(c)-(e) of the Delaware Act, the Members hereby eliminate any and all fiduciary duties, at law, in equity or under this Agreement, of the Manager and its advisors, shareholders, partners, members, Representatives and Affiliates (in each case, other than those Persons who are or were employees of Holdco or its Subsidiaries) (each, a “ Covered Investor ”) that are owed to the Company or the Members and hereby agree that such Persons shall have no fiduciary duties to the Company or any Member; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not eliminate the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not remove or supersede any restrictions or obligations placed on any employee of Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, any of the confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation obligations set forth in any employment agreements between the Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries and any employee of Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries and in any Award Agreements.

 

(b)                                  In furtherance of the foregoing, the Members hereby agree that each Covered Investor may engage or invest in, independently or with others, any business activity of any type or description, including those that might be in the same business as or similar to the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries’ business and that might be in direct or indirect competition with the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company, nor Holdco or its Subsidiaries nor any Member shall have any right in or to such other ventures or activities or to the income or proceeds derived therefrom. The pursuit of any such ventures or activities by a Covered Investor, even if competitive with the business of the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper and shall not constitute a conflict of interest or breach of fiduciary or other duty by such Covered Investor with respect to the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries or the other Members. No Covered Investor who is not an employee of Holdco or its Subsidiaries shall be obligated to present any investment opportunity or prospective economic

 

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advantage to the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries, even if the opportunity is of the character that, if presented to the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries, could be taken by the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries, and such Covered Investor shall have the right to hold such investment opportunity or prospective economic advantage for its own account or the account of its portfolio companies (as applicable) or to recommend such opportunity to Persons other than the Company, Holdco and its Subsidiaries and the Members. In addition, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time under applicable law, the Company and the Members renounce any interest or expectancy in being offered an opportunity to participate in business opportunities that are from time to time presented to any Covered Investor who is not an employee of Holdco or its Subsidiaries, and the Company and the Members waive any claim related to the foregoing. Each Member acknowledges that the Covered Investors may own and/or manage other businesses, including businesses that may compete directly or indirectly with the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries and for such Covered Investors’ time, and each such Member hereby waives any and all rights and claims which it may otherwise have against the Covered Investors as a result of any such activities.

 

ARTICLE X
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY; EXCULPATION
AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 10.01    Limitation on Liability. The debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Representative of the Company, the Manager or the Members or their Representatives shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company; provided , that the foregoing shall not alter a Member’s obligation to return funds wrongfully distributed to such Member.

 

Section 10.02    Exculpation and Indemnification.

 

(a)                                  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect on the date hereof and to such greater extent as applicable law may hereafter from time to time permit, the Company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Person from and against any and all Losses incurred or suffered by such Covered Person (whether as a result of any claim by any Member or any third party or otherwise) by reason of: (i) any act or omission or alleged act or omission performed or omitted to be performed on behalf of the Company in connection with the business of the Company; (ii) the fact that he or she is or was a Covered Person, or that such Covered Person is or was serving at the request of the Company as a manager, director, officer, member, partner, parent or other Representative of any other Person; or (iii) any other act or omission or alleged act or omission arising out of or in connection with the Company or the business of the Company, to the extent not reimbursed by insurance or other coverage, in each case, if: (A) such Covered Person acted or omitted to act in good faith and in the belief that such act or omission was in, or was not opposed to, the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, (B) such Covered Person’s conduct did not constitute fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct and (C) if such Covered Person is a Member, such Member’s conduct did not constitute a willful breach or violation of this Agreement. The obligations of the Company under this Section 10.02   shall be satisfied solely out of and to the extent of the Company’s assets, and no Covered Person

 

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shall have any personal liability on account thereof. There shall be, and each Covered Person shall be entitled to, a rebuttable presumption that such Covered Person acted in good faith and is otherwise entitled to indemnification under this Section 10.02(a)  and advancement of expenses under Section 10.02(b) .

 

(b)                                  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect on the date hereof and to such greater extent as applicable law may hereafter from time to time permit the Company: (i) shall promptly reimburse (and/or advance to the extent reasonably required) each Covered Person for reasonable legal or other expenses (as incurred) of such Covered Person in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any threatened, pending or completed lawsuit, action, investigation, suit or proceeding to which such Covered Person is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to, relating to any Losses for which such Covered Person may be indemnified pursuant to Section 10.02(a) ; and (ii) shall reimburse the Manager for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by it in performing in its capacity as the Tax Matters Partner or in connection with any administrative or judicial proceeding affecting tax matters of the Company and the Members in their capacity as such; provided , in each case, that such reimbursement and/or advancement shall only be provided to such Covered Person or the Tax Matters Partner (as applicable) upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person or Tax Matters Partner (as applicable) that if it is finally judicially determined that such Person is not entitled to the indemnification provided pursuant to Section 10.02(a) , then such Covered Person shall promptly reimburse the Company for any reimbursed or advanced expenses.

 

(c)                                   A Covered Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Company by any Person as to matters such Covered Person reasonably believes are within his, her or its professional or expert competence.

 

(d)                                  The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses and the remedies provided for in this Section 10.02 are not and shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights or remedies to which any Covered Person may at any time be entitled under any applicable law, agreement, or otherwise, but each such right or remedy under this Article X shall be cumulative with all such other rights and remedies. No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 10.02 or any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of any Covered Person under this Section 10.02 in respect of any action that such Covered Person has taken or omitted in that Covered Person’s capacity as such prior to such amendment, modification or repeal.

 

Section 10.03      Insurance. The Company shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Covered Person against any liability asserted against such Covered Person and incurred by such Covered Person in any such capacity, or arising out of such Person’s status as a Covered Person, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such Covered Person against such liability under the provisions of Section 10.02 or under applicable law.

 

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ARTICLE XI
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

 

Section 11.01    Dissolution.

 

(a)                                  The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Members or Substitute Members pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  No Member shall (i) resign from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company except in connection with a Transfer of Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) take any action to dissolve, terminate or liquidate the Company or to require apportionment, appraisal or partition of the Company or any of its assets, or to file a bill for an accounting, except as specifically provided in this Agreement, and each Member, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, hereby waives any rights to take any such actions under applicable law, including any right to petition a court for judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Delaware Act.

 

(c)                                   The Company shall be dissolved and its business wound up upon the earliest to occur of any one of the following events (each a “ Dissolution Event ”):

 

(i)                                      the expiration of forty-five (45) days after the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (including by distribution to the Members) unless the Manager, in its sole discretion, determines otherwise; or

 

(ii)                                   the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Delaware Act, in contravention of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  The death, retirement, resignation, expulsion, bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution of a Member or the occurrence of any other event that terminates the continued membership of a Member shall not in and of itself cause dissolution of the Company.

 

Section 11.02    Winding Up of the Company.

 

(a)                                  The Manager shall promptly notify the Members of any Dissolution Event. Upon the occurrence of a Dissolution Event, the Company’s assets shall be liquidated in an orderly manner. The Manager shall act as or appoint a liquidating trustee to wind up the affairs of the Company pursuant to this Agreement. In performing its duties, the liquidating trustee is authorized to sell, distribute, exchange or otherwise dispose of the assets of the Company in accordance with the Delaware Act and in any reasonable manner that the liquidating trustee shall determine to be in the best interest of the Members. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event of any liquidation contemplated by this Section 11.02 , the liquidating trustee shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary to preserve the value of any rights of the Company with respect to any contingent consideration or escrow funds referred to in Section 8.04(h)(ii) of the Holdco Agreement and in any New MIPS Securities or other rights pursuant to Section 8.07(e) of the Holdco Agreement.

 

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(b)                                  The proceeds of the liquidation of the Company shall be distributed in the following order and priority:

 

(i)                                      first , to the creditors (including any Members or their respective Affiliates that are creditors) of the Company in satisfaction of all of the Company’s indebtedness (whether by payment or by making reasonable provision for payment thereof, including the setting up of any reserves which are, in the judgment of the liquidating trustee, reasonably necessary therefor); and

 

(ii)                                   second , to the Members, in accordance with Section 5.03 , subject to the limitations of Article V , as promptly as practicable.

 

Section 11.03    Distribution of Property. In the event it becomes necessary in connection with the liquidation of the Company to make a distribution of Property in-kind, subject to the priority set forth in Section 11.02 , the liquidating trustee shall have the right to compel each Member to accept a distribution of any Property in-kind (even if the percentage of the Property distributed to such Member differs from a percentage of that Property which is equal to such Series Sharing Percentages), with such distribution being based upon the amount of cash that would be distributed to such Members if such Property were sold for an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of such Property, as determined by the liquidating trustee in good faith.

 

Section 11.04    Termination. The Company shall terminate when all of the assets of the Company, after payment of or reasonable provision for the payment of all debts and liabilities of the Company, shall have been distributed to the Members in the manner provided for in this Article XI , and the Certificate of Formation shall have been cancelled in the manner required by the Delaware Act.

 

Section 11.05    Survival. Termination, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company for any reason shall not release any Party from any liability which at the time of such termination, dissolution, liquidation or winding up already had accrued to any other Party or which thereafter may accrue in respect to any act or omission prior to such termination, dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

 

ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01    Expenses. Except as otherwise agreed to in writing by Holdco or any of its Affiliates prior to the date hereof, each Member shall bear its own expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including all fees and expenses of its Representatives. Notwithstanding the exception to the foregoing, each Member shall bear any such expenses incurred after the Closing Date.

 

Section 12.02    Further Assurances. Each Member agrees to execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record such further certificates, amendments, instruments and documents, and to do all such other acts and things, as may be required by law or as, in the reasonable judgment of the Manager, may be necessary or advisable to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

 

41



 

Section 12.03    Notices.

 

(a)                                       Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all notices, requests and other communications to any Party hereunder shall be in writing (including a facsimile or similar writing) and shall be given to such Party at the address or facsimile number specified for such Party on Schedule A hereto (or in the case of the Company, this Section 12.03(a) ) or as such Party shall hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other Parties. Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i) if personally delivered, on the date of such delivery, (ii) if given by facsimile, at the time such facsimile is transmitted and the appropriate confirmation is received, (iii) if delivered by an internationally recognized overnight courier, on the next Business Day after the date when sent, (iv) if delivered by registered or certified mail, three (3) Business Days (or, if to an address outside the United States, seven (7) days) after such communication is deposited in the mails with first-class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid, or (v) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified on Schedule A or in Section 12.03(b) .

 

(b)                                       All notices, requests or other communications to the Company hereunder shall be delivered to the Company at the following address and/or facsimile number in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.03(a) :

 

EPE Employee Holdings, LLC

c/o Apollo Management VII, L.P.

Apollo Commodities Management, L.P.,

with respect to Series I

9 West 57 th  Street

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Gregory Beard and Laurie Medley

Telecopier: (212) 515-3288

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019-6064

Attention: James H. Schwab

Telecopier: (212) 757-3990

 

and with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P.

666 Fifth Ave., 26th Floor

New York, NY 10103

Attention: James J. Fox

Telecopier: (212) 237-0100

 

Section 12.04    No Third Party Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other agreement to the contrary, this Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or remedies upon, and shall not be enforceable by any Person other than the actual Parties hereto, their

 

42



 

respective successors and permitted assigns, and, solely with respect to the provisions of Article X , each Covered Person and, solely with respect to the provisions of Section 9.03 , each Covered Investor.

 

Section 12.05    Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure by any Party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, agreement, term or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach of such or any other covenant, agreement, term or condition shall operate as a waiver of such or any other covenant, agreement, term or condition of this Agreement. Any Member by notice given in accordance with Section 12.03 may, but shall not be under any obligation to, waive any of its rights or conditions to its obligations hereunder, or any duty, obligation or covenant of any other Member. No waiver shall affect or alter the remainder of this Agreement but each and every covenant, agreement, term and condition hereof shall continue in full force and effect with respect to any other then existing or subsequent breach. The rights and remedies provided by this Agreement are cumulative and the exercise of any one right or remedy by any Party shall not preclude or waive its right to exercise any or all other rights or remedies.

 

Section 12.06    Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws. The Parties hereby declare that it is their intention that this Agreement shall be regarded as made under the laws of the State of Delaware and that the laws of said State shall be applied in interpreting its provisions in all cases where legal interpretation shall be required. Each of the Parties: (a) agrees that this Agreement involves at least US $100,000.00; (b) agrees that this Agreement has been entered into by the Parties in express reliance upon 6 Del. C. § 2708(a); (c) irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and of the federal courts sitting in the State of Delaware with respect to all actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (d) agrees that all claims with respect to any such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such courts and agrees not to commence any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby except in such courts; (e) irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and irrevocably and unconditionally waives the defense of an inconvenient forum; (f) irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that the Company is a commercial business entity and is a separate entity distinct from its ultimate equity holders, Holdco and/or the executive organs of the government of any state and is capable of suing and being sued; (g) agrees that its entry into this constitutes, and the exercise of its rights and performance of its obligations hereunder will constitute, private and commercial acts performed for private and commercial purposes that shall not be deemed as being entered into in the exercise of any public function; (h) irrevocably appoints The Corporation Trust Company as its agent for the sole purpose of receiving service of process or other legal summons in connection with any such dispute, litigation, action or proceeding brought in such courts and agrees that it will maintain The Corporation Trust Company at all times as its duly appointed agent in the State of Delaware (and the Company shall reasonably assist each Member, to the extent requested by such Member, with such appointment, including by informing The Corporation Trust Company of such appointment and assisting such Member with the delivery of any documentation required for such appointment to The Corporation Trust Company) for the service of any process or summons in connection with

 

43



 

any such dispute, litigation, action or proceeding brought in such courts and, if it fails to maintain such an agent during any period, any such process or summons may be served on it by mailing a copy of such process or summons by an internationally recognized courier service to the address set forth next to its name in Schedule A or with respect to the Company, the address set forth in Section 12.03(b) , with such service deemed effective on the fifth (5 th ) day after the date of such mailing; and (i) agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding and from which no appeal can be made shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. The Parties agree that any violation of this Section 12.06 shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement and shall constitute irreparable harm.

 

Section 12.07    Counterparts.   This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or pdf attachment to electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart to this Agreement.

 

Section 12.08    Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with the Award Agreements, the MIP Agreement and the Holdco Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the Parties in connection herewith and therewith, and no covenant, representation or condition not expressed in this Agreement, the MIP Agreement, any applicable Award Agreements or the Holdco Agreement shall affect, or be effective to interpret, change or restrict, the express provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 12.09    Headings. The titles of Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof.

 

Section 12.10    Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights or obligations of any Party under this Agreement shall not be materially and adversely affected thereby, (a) such provision shall be fully severable, (b) this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof, (c) the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance herefrom, and (d) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

 

Section 12.11    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

44


 

Section 12.12   Amendment. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented, and any provision hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument duly approved by the Board and the Members that together hold, in the aggregate, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the Class B Units and duly executed by the Manager; provided , however , that the Manager may, without the consent of any Member, amend or modify this Agreement (including Schedule A ) or waive any provision of this Agreement (other than this Section 12.12 ), and/or the Certificate of Formation pursuant to a written instrument duly approved by the Board to the extent necessary or (as determined by the Board) desirable to issue new Class B Units, and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Holdco Agreement.

 

Section 12.13    Confidentiality.

 

(a)                                  Each of the Members shall, and shall direct those of its directors, officers, members, stockholders, partners, employees, attorneys, accountants, consultants, trustees, Affiliates and other Representatives (the “ Member Parties ”) who have access to Confidential Information to, keep confidential and not disclose any Confidential Information without the express consent, in the case of Confidential Information acquired from the Company, of the Board or, in the case of Confidential Information acquired from another Member, such other Member, unless:

 

(i)                                      such disclosure shall be required by applicable law, governmental rule or regulation, court order, administrative or arbitral proceeding;

 

(ii)                                   such disclosure is reasonably required in connection with any tax audit involving the Company or any Member;

 

(iii)                                such disclosure is reasonably required in connection with any litigation against or involving the Company or any Member; or

 

(iv)                               such disclosure is reasonably required in connection with any proposed Transfer of all or any part of such Member’s Units in the Company; provided , that with respect to any such use of any Confidential Information referred to in this clause (iv), advance notice must be given to the Manager so that it may require any proposed Transferee that is not a Member to enter into a confidentiality agreement with terms substantially similar to the terms of this Section 12.13 (excluding this clause (iv)) prior to the disclosure of such Confidential Information.

 

(b)                                  Confidential Information ” shall mean any information related to the activities of the Company, Holdco and its Subsidiaries and members and managers, the Members and their respective Affiliates that a Member may acquire from the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries, members or managers, the Manager or the Members, or their respective Representatives, other than information that (i) is already available through publicly available sources of information (other than as a result of disclosure by such Member), (ii) was available to a Member on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure to such Member by the Company, or (iii) becomes available to a Member on a non-confidential basis from a third party, provided such third party is not known by such Member, after reasonable inquiry, to be bound by this Agreement or another

 

45



 

confidentiality agreement with the Company. Such Confidential Information may include information that pertains or relates to the business and affairs of any other Member or any other Company or Holdco matters. Confidential Information may be used by a Member and its Member Parties only in connection with Company matters and in connection with the maintenance of its Units in the Company.

 

(c)                                        In the event that any Member or any Member Parties of such Member is required to disclose any of the Confidential Information, such Member shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Company with prompt written notice so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, and such Member shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Company in any effort any such Person undertakes to obtain a protective order or other remedy. In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or that the Company waives compliance with the provisions of this Section 12.13 , such Member and its Member Parties shall furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required and shall exercise all reasonable efforts to obtain reasonably reliable assurance that the Confidential Information shall be accorded confidential treatment.

 

(d)                                       Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.11 and the foregoing provisions of this Section 12.13 , this Section 12.13 shall not apply in respect of any Member who is or has been a party to any Award Agreement or employment agreement with Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries containing provisions as to confidentiality (which shall instead govern their obligations of confidentiality); provided , that each such Member shall nevertheless also be subject to this Section 12.13 with respect to Confidential Information consisting of: (i) the terms, provisions and existence of this Agreement, the Holdco Agreement and any agreement referenced therein or herein, (ii) any information relating to the Members, the members of Holdco or their respective Affiliates (including, as applicable, the identities of such Persons, information relating to their interests in Holdco or the Company or the corporate ownership structure of Holdco, its members or the Company) and (iii) any information obtained by or provided to such Member under the Holdco Agreement or this Agreement (including pursuant to the Section 2.11 Principle) or through any Board Observer designated by EMI or the chief executive officer of EP Energy LLC, whether through such Board Observer’s or such chief executive officer’s attendance of any Board meetings or receipt of written materials distributed to each Board Observer or such chief executive officer, in each case solely in its capacity as a representative on the Board, except that any such covered information shall not be deemed to include any information presented by management of Holdco to the Board that relates to ordinary course financial or operational matters).

 

Section 12.14    Representation by Counsel. Each of the Parties has been represented by, or has had an opportunity to consult with, legal counsel in connection with the drafting, negotiation and execution of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage of any Party by any court or arbitrator or any Governmental Authority by reason of such Party having drafted or being deemed to have drafted such provision.

 

Section 12.15    Exhibits and Schedules. All Exhibits and Schedules attached to this Agreement are incorporated and shall be treated as if set forth herein.

 

46



 

Section 12.16   Specific Performance. The Parties acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for breaches or violations of this Agreement and that any Party, in addition to any other rights and remedies which the Parties may have hereunder or at law or in equity, may, in its sole discretion, apply to a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with Section 12.06 for specific performance or injunction or such other equitable relief as such court may deem just and proper in order to enforce this Agreement in the event of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement or prevent any violation hereof and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, each Party hereby waives (a) any objection to the imposition of such relief, and (b) any requirement for the posting of any bond or similar collateral in connection therewith.

 

Section 12.17   Reliance on Authority of Person Signing Agreement. If a Member is not a natural person, neither the Company nor any other Member will (a) be required to determine the authority of the individual signing this Agreement to make any commitment or undertaking on behalf of such entity or to determine any fact or circumstance bearing upon the existence of the authority of such individual, or (b) be responsible for the application or distribution of proceeds paid or credited to individuals signing this Agreement on behalf of such entity.

 

[ Signature pages follow. ]

 

47



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.

 

 

THE COMPANY :

 

 

 

EPE EMPLOYEE HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

By its manager:

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Name:

Sam Oh

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

THE MANAGER :

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Name:

Sam Oh

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement
of EPE Employee Holdings, LLC

 



 

 

THE INITIAL MEMBER (solely for the purposes of Section 2.10 ):

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Name:

Sam Oh

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Limited l iability Company Agreement
of EPE Employee Holdings, LLC

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

Addendum Agreement

 

This Addendum Agreement (this “ Addendum Agreement ”) is made this [       ] day of [                 ] , 20 [       ] , by and between [                                ] (the “ Transferee ”), [                                     ] (the “ Transferor ”), EPE Employee Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and the Manager pursuant to the terms of that certain Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of May 24, 2012, including all exhibits and schedules thereto (the “ Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

WITNESSETH :

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Members entered into the Agreement to impose certain restrictions and obligations upon themselves, and to provide certain rights, with respect to the Company, the Members, the Managers and the Class B Units;

 

WHEREAS, the Transferee is acquiring Class B Units pursuant to a Transfer, in either case in accordance with the Agreement and any Award Agreement to which the Class B Units and/or the Transferee are subject, and in such amount as set forth in Section 4 below (the “ Acquired Units ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Agreement requires that any Person to whom Class B Units are Transferred must enter into an Addendum Agreement binding the Transferee to the Agreement to the same extent as if it were an original party thereto and imposing the same restrictions and obligations upon the Transferee and the Acquired Units as are imposed upon the Members and the Units under the Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises of the parties hereto and as a condition of the purchase or receipt by the Transferee of the Acquired Units, the Transferee acknowledges and agrees as follows:

 

1.                                       The Transferee has received and read the Agreement and acknowledges that the Transferee is acquiring the Acquired Units in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and that the Acquired Units are subject to one or more Award Agreements.

 

2.                                       By the execution and delivery of this Addendum Agreement, the Transferee represents and warrants to, and agrees with the Company and the Transferor that the following statements are true and correct as of the date hereof:

 

(a)                                  The Transferee is holding the Acquired Units for its own account solely for investment and not with a view to resale or distribution thereof other than in compliance with all applicable securities laws and the Agreement.

 

Exhibit A-1



 

(b)                                  If the Transferee is an entity, the Transferee is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. If such Transferee is a natural person, such Transferee has full legal capacity.

 

(c)                                   Except as expressly disclosed in writing to the Company and the other Members, the execution, delivery and performance by the Transferee of this Addendum Agreement are within the Transferee’s corporate or other powers, as applicable, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action on its behalf (or, if the Transferee is an individual, are within such Transferee’s legal right, power and capacity), require no consent, approval, permit, license, order or authorization of, notice to, action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority on the part of the Transferee (except as expressly disclosed in writing to the Board prior to the date hereof), and do not and will not result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or of any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree or any agreement or other instrument to which the Transferee is a party or by which the Transferee or any of the Transferee’s properties is bound. This Addendum Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Transferee and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Transferee, enforceable against the Transferee in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) any legal principles of general applicability governing the availability of equitable remedies, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law or under applicable legal codes).

 

(d)                                  The Transferee does not have any liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the execution, delivery or performance of this Addendum Agreement by the Transferee.

 

(e)                                   The Transferee has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of holding the Acquired Units and being a Member. The Transferee understands that owning the Acquired Units involves various risks, including the restrictions on transferability set forth in this Agreement, lack of any public market for such Acquired Units, the risk of owning the Acquired Units for an indefinite period of time and the risk of losing its entire investment in the Company. The Transferee is able to bear the economic risk of such investment; is acquiring the Acquired Units for investment and solely for its own beneficial account and not with a view to or any present intention of directly or indirectly selling, Transferring, offering to sell or Transfer, participating in any distribution or otherwise disposing of all or a portion of the Acquired Units; and the Transferee acknowledges the Acquired Units have not been registered under the Securities Act or any other applicable federal or state securities laws, and that the Company has no intention, and shall not have any obligation, to register or to obtain an exemption from registration for the Acquired Units or to take action so as to permit sales pursuant to the Securities Act (including Rules 144 and 144A thereunder). The Transferee has carefully considered and has, to the extent it believes necessary, discussed with legal, tax,

 

Exhibit A-2



 

accounting and financial advisors the suitability of an investment in the Company and holding the Acquired Units in light of its particular tax and financial situation, and has determined that the Acquired Units are a suitable investment for the Transferee.

 

3.                                            The Transferee agrees that the Acquired Units are bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement, and hereby joins in, and agrees to be bound by, and shall have the benefit of, all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement to the same extent as if the Transferee were an original party to the Agreement or an initial Member, as the case may be; provided , however , that the Transferee’s joinder in the Agreement shall not constitute admission of the Transferee as a Member unless and until the Company executes this Addendum Agreement confirming the due admission of the Transferee. This Addendum Agreement shall be attached to and become a part of the Agreement.

 

4.                                            For good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by the Transferor and the Transferee, the Transferor hereby transfers and assigns absolutely to the Transferee the Acquired Units, including, for the avoidance of doubt, all rights, title and interest in and to the Acquired Units, with effect from the date hereof. It is hereby confirmed by the Transferor that the Transferor has complied in all respects with the provisions of the Agreement with respect to the transfer of the Acquired Units. The number of Units currently held by the Transferor, and the number of Acquired Units to be transferred and assigned pursuant to this Addendum Agreement, are as follows:

 

Number of Class B Units of 
Each Series
Held by the Transferor

 

Number of Acquired Units of 
Each Series

 

 

 

[                 ]

 

[                 ]

 

5.                                            The Transferee hereby agrees to accept the Acquired Units and hereby agrees and consents to become a Member and hereby is admitted as a Member.

 

6.                                            Any notice required as permitted by the Agreement shall be given to Transferee at the address listed beneath the Transferee’s signature below.

 

7.                                            This Addendum Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank . ]

 

Exhibit A-3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

THE COMPANY:

EPE EMPLOYEE HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

By its manager:

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

TRANSFEROR:

[INSERT NAME]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

TRANSFEREE:

[INSERT NAME]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

[INSERT TRANSFEREE’S ADDRESS]

 

Exhibit 1




Exhibit 10.28

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

EPE MANAGEMENT INVESTORS, LLC

 

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

DATED AS OF MAY 24, 2012

 

THE UNITS REFERRED TO IN THIS AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY FOREIGN JURISDICTION AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE AFORESAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE AND FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS THEREUNDER, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OTHER SUBSTANTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH HEREIN.

 

SUCH UNITS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SPECIFIED IN THIS AGREEMENT, CERTAIN SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE AND PLEDGE AGREEMENTS AND THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF EPE ACQUISITION, LLC, DATED AS OF MAY 24, 2012, AS AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME.

 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND USAGE

 

Section 1.01

Definitions

2

Section 1.02

Terms and Usage Generally

12

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

THE COMPANY

 

 

 

Section 2.01

Formation

12

Section 2.02

Name

13

Section 2.03

Qualification; Filings

13

Section 2.04

Term

13

Section 2.05

Registered Agent and Registered Office

13

Section 2.06

Purposes

13

Section 2.07

Powers of the Company

14

Section 2.08

Partnership Status

14

Section 2.09

Ownership of Property

14

Section 2.10

Resignation and Withdrawal of the Initial Member

14

Section 2.11

Coordination Between the Members and Holdco

14

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

BOOKS AND RECORDS; MEMBERS

 

 

 

Section 3.01

Tax and Accounting Information; Banking

15

Section 3.02

Admission of Members

16

Section 3.03

Books and Records

17

Section 3.04

Limited Voting Rights of Members

17

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

UNITS

 

 

 

Section 4.01

Authorization and Issuance of Class A Units

18

Section 4.02

Issuances of Additional Units

19

Section 4.03

Certificates

19

Section 4.04

Preemptive Rights

20

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS;

DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS

 

 

 

Section 5.01

Capital Contributions

21

Section 5.02

Capital Accounts

22

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(Continued)

 

 

Page

 

 

Section 5.03

Distributions

24

Section 5.04

Allocations

24

Section 5.05

Other Allocation Rules

27

Section 5.06

Tax Withholding; Withholding Advances

29

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

CERTAIN TAX MATTERS

 

 

 

Section 6.01

Tax Matters Partner

31

Section 6.02

U.S. Federal Income Tax Classification of the Company

31

Section 6.03

Section 83(b) Elections

31

Section 6.04

Safe Harbor

32

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

 

 

Section 7.01

Management of the Company by the Manager

32

Section 7.02

Resignation

32

Section 7.03

Agency Authority of Managers and Officers

33

Section 7.04

Limited Liability

33

Section 7.05

Appointment of Board Observers

33

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

TRANSFERS OF UNITS

 

 

 

Section 8.01

Restrictions on Transfers

33

Section 8.02

Tag-Along Rights

35

Section 8.03

Drag-Along Rights

36

Section 8.04

IPO and Exit Restructuring

37

Section 8.05

Repurchase

37

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES;

CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS

 

 

 

Section 9.01

Representations and Warranties of the Company

39

Section 9.02

Representations and Warranties of the Members

40

Section 9.03

Fiduciary Duties; Competing Activities

41

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(Continued)

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE X

LIMITATION ON LIABILITY; EXCULPATION

AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

 

 

Section 10.01

Limitation on Liability

42

Section 10.02

Exculpation and Indemnification

42

Section 10.03

Insurance

44

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

 

 

 

Section 11.01

Dissolution

44

Section 11.02

Winding Up of the Company

44

Section 11.03

Distribution of Property

45

Section 11.04

Termination

45

Section 11.05

Survival

45

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

Section 12.01

Expenses

45

Section 12.02

Further Assurances

45

Section 12.03

Notices

46

Section 12.04

No Third Party Beneficiaries

47

Section 12.05

Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

47

Section 12.06

Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction

47

Section 12.07

Counterparts

48

Section 12.08

Entire Agreement

48

Section 12.09

Headings

48

Section 12.10

Severability

48

Section 12.11

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

49

Section 12.12

Amendment

49

Section 12.13

Confidentiality

49

Section 12.14

Representation by Counsel

51

Section 12.15

Exhibits and Schedules

51

Section 12.16

Specific Performance

51

Section 12.17

Reliance on Authority of Person Signing Agreement

51

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

MEMBERS

A-1

SCHEDULE B

Capital Accounts

B-1

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

Addendum Agreement

A-1

 

iii



 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
EPE MANAGEMENT INVESTORS, LLC,
A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

This Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”) of EPE Management Investors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), dated as of May 24, 2012, by and among the Company, the Members, the Manager, and solely for the purpose of Section 2.10 , the Initial Member. Unless otherwise specified, capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in Article I . The Company, the Members and the Manager are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “ Parties ” and each is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Party .”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company was formed pursuant to the Delaware Act by the filing of the Certificate of Formation of the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 26, 2012 (the “ Certificate of Formation ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company was formed for the sole purpose of holding certain capital interests in EPE Acquisition, LLC (including any successor entity, “ Holdco ”);

 

WHEREAS, Holdco, as the sole member of the Company (solely in such capacity, the “ Initial Member ”), entered into that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of March 26, 2012 (the “ Original Agreement ”) and the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of April 24, 2012 (the “ Prior Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Original Agreement and the Prior Agreement and in accordance with the Delaware Act, the Initial Member has agreed to resign from the Company as the Initial Member and shall cease to be a Member upon the admission to the Company of at least one (1) of the Persons set forth on Schedule A (as may be amended from time to time) as a Member (the date of such admission being the “ Admission Date ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties desire that this Agreement be the Company’s “limited liability company agreement,” as such term is defined in Section 18-101(7) of the Delaware Act.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, acting pursuant to the Delaware Act, agree that this Agreement shall govern the relationship between the Company, the Members and the Manager and do hereby amend and restate the Prior Agreement in its entirety as follows:

 



 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND USAGE

 

Section 1.01          Definitions.

 

(a)           The following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

Additional Member ” means any Person admitted as a Member of the Company after the Funding Date in connection with the issuance of Units by the Company to such Person in accordance with Section 3.02(b)  who is not listed on Schedule A as of the date hereof.

 

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit ” means, with respect to any Member, the deficit balance, if any, in such Member’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Allocation Year, after giving effect to the following adjustments:

 

(i)            Credit to such Capital Account any amounts that such Member is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the respective penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and

 

(ii)           Debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6).

 

The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account Deficit is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, a Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person; provided , that for the purposes hereof, neither the Company nor the Manager shall be treated as an Affiliate of any Member.

 

Allocation Year ” means (i) the period commencing on April 24, 2012 and ending on December 31, 2012, (ii) any subsequent twelve (12) month period commencing on January 1 and ending on December 31, or (iii) any portion of the period described in clauses (i) or (ii) for which the Company is required to allocate Net Income, Net Loss and other items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Article V .

 

Applicable Obligations ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Applicable Rights ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Applicable Understandings ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Award Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Board ” means the board of managers of Holdco or any similar governing body of any successor entity.

 

2



 

Board Observers ” means the Board Observers (as defined in the Holdco Agreement) designated by the Company pursuant to Section 7.06(a) of the Holdco Agreement.

 

Business Day ” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday or any day which is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

 

Capital Account ” means the capital account established and maintained for each Member pursuant to Section 5.02.

 

Capital Contribution ” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of money or promissory obligations contributed or, to the extent provided herein, deemed contributed to the Company and the initial Carrying Value of any Property (other than money) contributed to the Company with respect to the Units held by such Member as of such date.

 

Capital Interest Percentage ” means, with respect to any Member, as of any date of determination and as determined in good faith by the Manager, the percentage of the total distributions that would be made to such Member if the assets of the Company were sold for their Carrying Values, all liabilities of the Company were paid in accordance with their terms, all Management Loans were satisfied, all items of Net Income and Net Loss were allocated to the Members in accordance with Article V , and the resulting net proceeds were distributed to the Members in accordance with Article XI ; provided , however , that the Manager may determine that the Members’ Capital Interest Percentages should be determined based upon a hypothetical sale of the assets of the Company for their respective Fair Market Values (instead of Carrying Values) in order to ensure that such percentages correspond to the Members’ “proportionate interests in partnership capital” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.613A-3(e)(2)(ii). The foregoing definition of Capital Interest Percentage is intended to result in a percentage that corresponds with that defined as “partner’s proportionate interest in partnership capital” in Treasury Regulation Section 1.613A-3(e)(2)(ii), and Capital Interest Percentage shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

Carrying Value ” means with respect to any Property (other than money), such Property’s adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

 

(i)            The initial Carrying Value of any such Property contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the Fair Market Value of such Property;

 

(ii)           The Carrying Values of all such Properties shall be adjusted to equal their respective Fair Market Values (taking Section 7701(g) of the Code into account), at the time of any Revaluation pursuant to Section 5.02(c) ;

 

(iii)          The Carrying Value of any item of such Properties distributed to any Member shall be adjusted to equal the Fair Market Value (taking Section 7701(g) of the Code into account) of such Property on the date of distribution; and

 

(iv)          The Carrying Values of such Properties shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such Properties pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are

 

3



 

taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and subparagraph (vi) of the definition of “Net Income” and “Net Loss” or Section 5.04(b)(vi) ; provided , however , that Carrying Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this subparagraph (iv) to the extent that an adjustment pursuant to subparagraph (ii) is required in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this subparagraph (iv). If the Carrying Value of such Property has been determined or adjusted pursuant to subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iv), such Carrying Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset, for purposes of computing Net Income and Net Loss and for purposes of computing Simulated Depletion.

 

Cause ” as to any Member has the meaning assigned to such term in an employment agreement, if any, between Holdco or one of its Subsidiaries and such Member; provided , however , in the absence of such an employment agreement or if such employment agreement does not define the term “Cause,” then “Cause” has the meaning set forth in the Award Agreement between such Member and EEH.

 

Closing ” means the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement.

 

Closing Date ” means the date on which the Closing occurs pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (which, for the avoidance of doubt, is the date hereof).

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Company Minimum Gain ” means “partnership minimum gain,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).

 

control ” (including the terms “ controlling ” and “ controlled ”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of such subject Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.

 

Coordination Committee ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Covered Person ” means (i) each Member or an Affiliate thereof, in each case in such capacity, (ii) each Representative of the Company in such capacity, (iii) each executive officer or authorized agent of the Company in such capacity, and (iv) the Manager, Holdco and each of their respective Affiliates, in each case, in such capacity.

 

Deemed Contribution Amount ” means, with a respect to a Member, an amount equal to (A) the number of Matching Units issued to such Member pursuant to Section 5.01(a)  multiplied by (B) $1,000.

 

Delaware Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. §§ 18-101 et seq .

 

4


 

Depletable Property ” means each separate oil and gas property as defined in Section 614 of the Code held by the Company directly or indirectly through Holdco.

 

Depreciation ” means, for each Allocation Year, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction (other than Simulated Depletion) allowable with respect to an asset for such Allocation Year, except that if the Carrying Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such Allocation Year, Depreciation shall be an amount that bears the same ratio to such beginning Carrying Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such Allocation Year bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided , however , that if the adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes of an asset at the beginning of such Allocation Year is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Carrying Value using any reasonable method selected by the Manager.

 

Disability ” as to any Member has the meaning assigned to such term in an employment agreement, if any, between the Holdco or one of its Subsidiaries and such Member; provided , however , in the absence of such an employment agreement or if such employment agreement does not define the terms “Disability” then “Disability” has the meaning set forth in the Award Agreement between such Member and EEH.

 

Drag-Along Notice ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Drag-Along Purchaser ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Drag-Along Sale ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Drag-Along Terms ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

EEH ” means EPE Employee Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

EEH Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Eligible Member ” means each Member that, as of the applicable date, is a holder of Class A Units.

 

Enforceability Exceptions ” means (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) any legal principles of general applicability governing the availability of equitable remedies, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law or under applicable legal codes).

 

Equity Security ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, and in any event, includes any security having the attendant right to vote for directors or similar representatives and any general or limited partner interest in any Person.

 

Exit Restructuring ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

5



 

Fair Market Value ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Fiscal Year ” means the twelve (12)-month (or shorter) period ending on December 31 of each year.

 

Funding Date ” means the sixtieth (60 th ) day following the Closing Date.

 

GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time.

 

Good Reason ” as to any Member has the has the meaning assigned to such term in an employment agreement, if any, between the Holdco or one of its Subsidiaries and such Member; provided , however , in the absence of such an employment agreement or if such employment agreement does not define the term “Good Reason,” then “Good Reason” has the meaning set forth in the Award Agreement between such Member and EEH.

 

Governmental Authority ” means any: (i) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (ii) U.S. and other federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; or (iii) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental division, department, agency, commission, instrumentality, official, organization, unit, body or entity, any court or other tribunal).

 

Holdco Agreement ” means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Holdco, dated as of the date hereof, as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time.

 

Holdco A Units ” means “Class A Units” as defined in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Holdco Securities ” means “Additional Securities” as defined in the Holdco Agreement.

 

IPO ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

IRS ” means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States.

 

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of preferential arrangement that has the practical effect of creating a security interest, in respect of such asset.

 

Losses ” means, with respect to any indemnity specified herein, the amount of any liability, loss, cost, expense, claim, award, judgment, settlement, obligation, damage, injury, tax, fine, Lien, penalty or deficiency incurred or suffered by any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder arising out of or resulting from the indemnified matter, whether attributable to personal injury or death, property damage, contract claims, torts or otherwise, including interest thereon and reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of attorneys, consultants, accountants or other Representatives and experts incident to matters indemnified against, and the costs of investigation and/or monitoring of such matters, and the costs of enforcement of the indemnity.

 

6



 

Major Exit ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Management Loans ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Maximum Tag-Along Portion ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Member ” means any Person named as a member (as such term is defined in the Delaware Act) of the Company on Schedule A and on the books and records of the Company, as the same may be amended from time to time to reflect any Person admitted as an Additional Member or a Substitute Member, for so long as such Person continues to be a member of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, no Person who has not been issued Class A Units by the Company (except for any Substitute Member) shall be a “Member.”

 

Member Nonrecourse Debt ” has the same meaning as the term “partner nonrecourse debt” in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

 

Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain ” means an amount with respect to each “partner nonrecourse debt” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4)) equal to the Company Minimum Gain that would result if such partner nonrecourse debt were treated as a nonrecourse liability (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2)) determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(3).

 

MlP Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Member Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the same meaning as the term “partner nonrecourse deductions” in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(2).

 

Net Income ” and “ Net Loss ” mean, for each Allocation Year, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such Allocation Year, determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Section 703(a)(1) of the Code shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments (without duplication):

 

(i)            Any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” and “Net Loss” shall be added to such taxable income or loss;

 

(ii)           Any expenditures of the Company described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code or treated as Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income and Net Loss pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” and “Net Loss,” shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;

 

(iii)          In the event the Carrying Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to subparagraphs (ii) or (iii) of the definition of “Carrying Value,” the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the Carrying Value of the asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases the Carrying Value of the asset) from the disposition

 

7



 

of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income and/or Net Loss;

 

(iv)          Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Property (other than Depletable Property) with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Carrying Value of the Property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such Property differs from its Carrying Value;

 

(v)           Gain resulting from any disposition of a Depletable Property with respect to which gain is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be treated as being equal to the corresponding Simulated Gain;

 

(vi)          In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Allocation Year, computed in accordance with the definition of Depreciation;

 

(vii)         To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s limited liability company interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) from the disposition of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss; and

 

(viii)        Notwithstanding any other provision of this definition, any items that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.04(b)  or Section 5.04(c)  shall not be taken into account in computing Net Income and Net Loss.

 

The amounts of the items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction available to be specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.04(b)  or Section 5.04(c)  shall be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in subparagraphs (i) through (vii) above.

 

Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b)(1) and 1.704-2(c).

 

Original Cost ” means, at any given time with respect to the Holdco A Units attributable to the Class A Units held at such time by a Member or its Permitted Transferees, the per Unit amount equal to the quotient of (a) the sum of (i) the cash amount paid by the Member to the Company to purchase such Class A Units and (ii) the amount of principal, if any, previously repaid by the Member under a Management Loan that was obtained to purchase such Class A Units divided by (b) the number of Class A Units held by the Member at such time.

 

Percentage Interest ” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any Member, a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the number of Class A Units or other Units (as applicable) held by such Member as of such date and the denominator of

 

8



 

which is the aggregate number of Class A Units or other Units (as applicable) held by all of the Members as of such date.

 

Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, estate, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest from time to time identified by the Wall Street Journal as being the “prime” or “reference” rate.

 

Property ” means an interest of any kind in any real or personal (or mixed) property, including cash, and any improvements thereto, and shall include both tangible and intangible property.

 

Purchase Agreement ” means that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2012, by and among Holdco, EP Energy Corporation, EP Energy Holding Company and El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., pursuant to which the El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., EP Energy Corporation and EP Energy Holding Company agreed to sell to Holdco all of the issued and outstanding Shares (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) in exchange for the payment by Holdco of the Purchase Price (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) to El Paso Brazil, L.L.C., EP Energy Corporation and EP Energy Holding Company, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Representatives ” means with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s current, former or future (as applicable) officers, directors, managers, shareholders, partners, members, equity holders, parents, agents, employees, representatives (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers and financial advisors of such Person or its Affiliates) and Affiliates (including, with respect to any Member, any Manager(s) designated by such Member).

 

Section 2.11 Principle ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Securities ” means any stock, shares, units, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

 

Securities Act ” means the United States Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Series Sharing Percentage ” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to a series of Class A Units and any Member, a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the number of Class A Units of such series held by such Member as of such date, and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of Class A Units of such series held by all Members holding such series of Class A Units as of such date.

 

Simulated Basis ” means the Carrying Value of any Depletable Property.

 

9



 

Simulated Depletion ” means, with respect to each Depletable Property, a depletion allowance computed in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles (as if the Simulated Basis of the property were its adjusted tax basis) and in the manner specified in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

 

Simulated Gain ” means the amount of gain realized from the sale or other disposition of Depletable Property as calculated in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

 

Simulated Loss ” means the amount of loss realized from the sale or other disposition of Depletable Property as calculated in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

 

Subscription Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of Units or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions) having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.

 

Substitute Member ” means any Person admitted as a Member pursuant to Section 3.02(b)  in connection with the Transfer of then-existing Units to such Person.

 

Tag-Along Notice ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Tag-Along Sale ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Tag-Along Seller ” has the meaning set forth in the Holdco Agreement.

 

Transfer ” means any sale, assignment, transfer, exchange, gift, bequest, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition or encumbrance, direct or indirect, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, and shall include all matters deemed to constitute a Transfer under Article VIII . The terms “ Transferred ,” “ Transferring ,” “ Transferor ,” “ Transferee ” and “ Transferable ” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Treasury Regulations ” mean the regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

Unit ” means a Member’s limited liability company interest in the Company representing a fractional part of the limited liability company interests in the Company of all Members; provided , that any type, class or series of Units shall have the designations, preferences and/or special rights set forth or referenced in this Agreement with respect to such type, class or series of Units, and the limited liability company interest in the Company represented by such type, class or series of Units shall be determined in accordance with such designations, preferences and/or special rights.

 

10



 

(b)           As used in this Agreement, each of the following capitalized terms shall have the meaning described to them in the Section set forth opposite such term:

 

Term

 

Section

Additional Purchase Right

 

4.04(b)

Additional Securities

 

4.04(a)

Admission Date

 

Recitals

Agreement

 

Preamble

Certificate of Formation

 

Recitals

Class

 

4.01

Class A Units

 

4.01

Company

 

Preamble

Confidential Information

 

12.13(b)

Covered Investor

 

9.03(a)

Dissolution Event

 

11.01(c)

Equity Commitment

 

5.01(a)

Family Member

 

8.01(c)

Final Determination

 

8.05(c)(ii)

Flow-Through Distributions

 

5.03(a)

Funded Units

 

5.01(a)

Holdco

 

Recitals

Holder

 

8.05(c)(i)

Independent Valuation Firm

 

8.05(c)(ii)

Initial Member

 

Recitals

Management Loan

 

5.03(b)

Manager

 

7.01

Matching Units

 

5.01(a)

Member Parties

 

12.13(a)

Notice Period

 

8.05(c)(ii)

Original Agreement

 

Recitals

Parties

 

Preamble

Party

 

Preamble

Permitted Transfer

 

8.01(c)

Permitted Transferee

 

8.01(c)

Preemptive Notice

 

4.04(b)

Preemptive Right

 

4.04(a)

Prior Agreement

 

Recitals

Proposed Guidance

 

6.04

Regulatory Allocations

 

5.04(c)

Repurchase Notice

 

8.05(c)(i)

Revaluation

 

5.02(c)

Safe Harbor

 

6.04

Subject Units

 

8.05(c)(i)

Subject Unit Purchase Price

 

8.05(c)(i)

Tag-Along Member

 

8.02(a)

Tag-Along Rights

 

8.02(a)

 

11



 

Term

 

Section

Tax Matters Partner

 

6.01

Trigger Date

 

8.05(c)(i)

Valuation Dispute

 

8.05(c)(ii)

Withholding Advances

 

5.06(b)

 

Section 1.02          Terms and Usage Generally. The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed to be references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. The terms “clause(s)” and “subparagraph(s)” shall be used herein interchangeably. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” All accounting terms not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings determined by GAAP. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and permitted assigns. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified, supplemented or restated, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. Each reference herein (other than in any Schedule or Exhibit) to Unit numbers or amounts shall be appropriately adjusted for any Unit split, recapitalization, recombination, reclassification or the like with respect to such Units occurring after the date hereof. Any references herein to “US$”, “$” or “dollars” shall mean U.S. dollars shall be made in U.S. dollars. Any references herein to “the date hereof” shall mean May 24, 2012.

 

ARTICLE II
THE COMPANY

 

Section 2.01          Formation.

 

(a)           The Members hereby agree to continue the Company as a limited liability company pursuant to the Delaware Act, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

(b)           The Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company pursuant to the Delaware Act by the filing of the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 26, 2012. The Members and the Manager hereby agree that the Company shall be governed by, and the rights, duties and liabilities of the Members and the Manager shall be as provided in, the Delaware Act and this Agreement. To the extent that the rights or obligations of any Member or the Manager are different by reason of any provision of this Agreement than they would be in the absence of such provision, this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by the Delaware Act, control.

 

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(c)           Carson Sieving, as an “authorized person” within the meaning of the Delaware Act, has executed, delivered and filed the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the Members hereby ratify and approve in all respects such execution, delivery and filing of the Certificate of Formation by such authorized person. Upon the filing of the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, her powers as an authorized person ceased.

 

(d)           The Members hereby ratify and approve the Initial Member’s execution of consents, agreements, documents and instruments, as applicable, on the Company’s behalf and the filing of forms and documents with Governmental Authorities and agencies prior to the date hereof. The Initial Member shall cease to hold the powers granted to the Initial Member under the Original Agreement following the Closing.

 

Section 2.02          Name. The name of the Company shall be EPE Management Investors, LLC. Subject to all applicable laws, all business of the Company shall be conducted in such name or under such other name or names as the Manager shall determine to be necessary or appropriate. The Manager shall cause to be filed on behalf of the Company such assumed or fictitious name certificates or similar instruments as may from time to time be required by law.

 

Section 2.03          Qualification; Filings. The Manager shall cause any “authorized person” within the meaning of the Delaware Act to file and record any amendments and/or restatements to the Certificate of Formation and such other certificates and documents (and any amendments or restatements thereof) as may be required under the laws of the State of Delaware and of any other jurisdiction in which the Company may conduct business. The Manager shall have authority to cause the Company to be qualified, formed, reformed or registered in any jurisdiction in which the Company transacts business if such qualification, formation, reformation or registration is necessary or desirable in order to protect the limited liability of the Members or to permit the Company lawfully to transact business in such jurisdiction, including under any assumed or fictitious name statutes or similar laws in any such jurisdiction.

 

Section 2.04          Term. The term of the Company began on March 26, 2012, the date the Certificate of Formation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and the Company shall have perpetual existence unless sooner dissolved and its affairs wound up as provided in Article XI .

 

Section 2.05          Registered Agent and Registered Office. The name of the registered agent of the Company for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware shall be The Corporation Trust Company, and the address of such registered agent and the address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. Such office and such agent may be changed to such place within the State of Delaware and any successor registered agent, respectively, as may be determined from time to time by the Manager in accordance with the Delaware Act.

 

Section 2.06          Purposes. The Company has been formed for the exclusive purpose of owning certain Equity Securities in Holdco and those activities necessarily incidental thereto.

 

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Section 2.07                              Powers of the Company. The Company shall have the power and authority to take any and all actions necessary, appropriate or advisable to or for the furtherance of the purposes set forth in Section 2.06 .

 

Section 2.08                              Partnership Status. Subject to Section 6.02 , the Members intend that the Company shall be treated as a partnership for federal, state and local tax purposes to the extent such treatment is available, and agree to take such actions as may be necessary to receive and maintain such treatment and refrain from taking any actions inconsistent therewith; provided , however , that the Members intend that the Company shall not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member shall be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member, for any purposes other than federal, state and local tax purposes, and this Agreement shall not be construed to suggest otherwise.

 

Section 2.09                              Ownership of Property. Legal title to all Property, conveyed to, or held by the Company shall reside in the Company and shall be conveyed only in the name of the Company and no Member or any other Person, individually, shall have any ownership of such Property.

 

Section 2.10                           Resignation and Withdrawal of the Initial Member. Pursuant to the Original Agreement, and in accordance with the Delaware Act, the Initial Member hereby resigns from the Company, withdraws as a Member and ceases to be a Member immediately upon the admission of at least one (1) of the Persons set forth on Schedule A as a Member on the Admission Date and the Members hereby, upon the admission of at least one (1) of the Persons set forth on Schedule A as a Member, consent and agree to such resignation and withdrawal of the Initial Member from the Company.

 

Section 2.11                              Coordination Between the Members and Holdco. The Company has been formed as a special purpose investment vehicle through which the Members indirectly invest in Holdco. In accordance with the Section 2.11 Principle, the Parties agree and acknowledge that:

 

(a)                                  the Company may exercise, enforce or seek the benefit of any of its Applicable Rights with respect to one or more of the Members pursuant to the Section 2.11 Principle;

 

(b)                                  the Company is expected to take any and all actions with respect to one or more of the Members reasonably necessary to allow the Company to comply with or satisfy its Applicable Obligations, in each case, pursuant to the Section 2.11 Principle;

 

(c)                                   the Company may recognize and give effect to any Applicable Understanding with respect to one or more of the Members pursuant to the Section 2.11 Principle; and

 

(d)                                  whenever the Company has the right to vote on, consent to, approve or has been afforded any other similar rights with respect to any matter under the Holdco Agreement, the Company’s vote, consent, approval or exercise of such other similar right shall be cast or exercised on a “look-through” basis, as though each Member providing instructions (as contemplated below) was exercising such vote, consent, approval or similar right directly in accordance with the Section 2.11 Principle and, in each case, based on each such

 

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Member’s instructions to the Company with respect to such vote, consent, approval or other similar right.

 

Each Member agrees to take any and all such actions requested by the Manager as are reasonably necessary to allow the Company to effect to the foregoing and to enable the Company to satisfy the obligations and liabilities imposed on the Company under the Holdco Agreement.

 

ARTICLE III
BOOKS AND RECORDS; MEMBERS

 

Section 3.01                Tax and Accounting Information; Banking.

 

(a)                                  Accounting Method . For financial reporting purposes, the books and records of the Company shall be kept on the accrual method of accounting and in accordance with GAAP, in each case, applied in a consistent manner and such books and records shall reflect all Company transactions.

 

(b)                                  Tax Returns .

 

(i)                                      The Company shall timely cause to be prepared by a nationally recognized accounting firm (chosen by the Manager in its sole discretion) all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns (including information returns) of the Company, which may be required by a jurisdiction in which the Company operates or conducts business for each year or period for which such returns are required to be filed and shall cause such returns to be timely filed.

 

(ii)                                   Within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Company shall furnish to each Person that was a Member during such Fiscal Year all information required to be reported in the tax returns of such Person for tax jurisdictions in which the Company is doing business, including a report (including Schedule K-1, if applicable) indicating such Person’s share in the Company’s taxable income, gain, credits, losses and deductions for such year, in sufficient detail to enable such Person to prepare its federal, state and other tax returns. The Manager shall provide each such Person with an estimate of such information by March 1 of the following Fiscal Year. The Manager shall provide each such Person with sufficient information for such Person to pay estimated taxes with respect to the Company at least fifteen (15) days before such estimated taxes are due. The Manager will provide each current or former Member with any information reasonably requested by such Member in connection with the filing of any tax return by such Member or an Affiliate of such Member, any tax audit or proceeding relating to such Member or an Affiliate of such Member or any tax planning of such Member or an Affiliate of such Member.

 

(c)                                   Inconsistent Positions; Audits . No Member shall take a position on its income tax return with respect to any item of Company income, gain, deduction, loss or credit that is different from the position taken on the Company’s income tax return with respect to such item, as reflected on the applicable Schedule K-1 provided to such Member. If any current or former Member or any Affiliate of a current or former Member would be materially adversely affected by any audit or administrative or judicial proceeding with respect to the Company, the Manager

 

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shall (to the extent practicable under the circumstances) consult with such Member in good faith in connection with the negotiation, settlement or the making of any material decision with respect to such audit or proceeding. The Manager shall provide to such Member any information reasonably requested by such Member in connection with any such audit or proceeding.

 

(d)                                  Bank Accounts . The Manager shall cause one or more bank accounts to be maintained in the name of the Company in such bank or banks as may be determined by the Manager, which accounts shall be used for the payment of expenditures incurred by the Company and in which shall be deposited any and all receipts of the Company. All such receipts shall be and remain the property of the Company, shall be received, held and disbursed by the Company at the times determined by the Manager (in its sole discretion) for the purposes specified in this Agreement and shall not be commingled with the funds of any other Person.

 

Section 3.02                Admission of Members.

 

(a)                             The name, address, Equity Commitment, Capital Contributions, class and number of Units held of record of each Member, and the respective Percentage Interest and Series Sharing Percentage of each Member shall be set forth on Schedule A , which shall be amended immediately after the Funding Date to reflect the issuances of Class A Units and admission of Members to the Company on or prior the Funding Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, when any Units are issued, repurchased (including as a result of any repurchase of such Class A Units pursuant to Section 8.05 ), or Transferred in accordance with this Agreement, the Manager shall cause the Company to promptly thereafter amend Schedule A and the books and records of the Company to reflect such issuance, repurchase, or Transfer, the admission of Additional Members or Substitute Members and the resulting Percentage Interest and Series Sharing Percentage of each Member and no consent of any Member shall be required in connection with any such amendment.

 

(b)                             No Transferee of any Units shall be admitted as a Member hereunder or acquire any rights hereunder, including any voting rights or the right to receive distributions and allocations in respect of the Transferred Units unless (i) such Units are Transferred in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement (including Article VIII ) and (ii) such Transferee shall have executed and delivered to the Company such instruments as the Manager deems necessary or desirable, in its reasonable discretion, to effectuate the admission of such Transferee as a Member and to confirm the agreement of such Transferee to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including an Addendum Agreement; provided , that such Transferor shall not be relieved of any obligation or liability hereunder arising prior to the consummation of such Transfer but shall be relieved of all future obligations with respect to the Units so Transferred. No Person to whom Units are issued pursuant to this Agreement shall be admitted as a Member hereunder or acquire any rights hereunder, including any voting rights or the right to receive distributions and allocations in respect such Units, as applicable, unless (i) such Units are issued in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement (including this Section 3.02(b) ) and (ii) such Person shall have executed and delivered to the Company such instruments as the Manager deems necessary or desirable, in its reasonable discretion, to effectuate the admission of such Person as a Member and to confirm the agreement of such Person to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including an Addendum Agreement (it being acknowledged and agreed that each Person who has executed this

 

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Agreement on the date hereof need not execute an Addendum Agreement or other documents referred to in this clause (ii) in order to be admitted as a Member on or prior to the Funding Date in accordance with the terms of this Agreement). As promptly as practicable after the admission of any Person as a Member, the books and records of the Company shall be changed to reflect such admission of a Substitute Member or Additional Member. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, including Section 12.12 , in the event of any admission of a Substitute Member or Additional Member pursuant to this Section 3.02(b) , this Agreement shall be deemed amended to reflect such admission, and any formal amendment of this Agreement (including Schedule A attached hereto) in connection therewith shall only require execution by the Company, the Manager and such Substitute Member or Additional Member, as applicable, to be effective.

 

(c)                              If a Member shall Transfer all (but not less than all) its Units, the Member shall thereupon cease to be a Member of the Company; provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, such Member shall continue to be bound by the provisions of Section 12.13 .

 

(d)                             The spouse, if any, of each Person set forth on Schedule A who is executing this Agreement on the date hereof shall execute on the date hereof, or if such Person marries a spouse after the date hereof such spouse shall promptly thereafter execute, the spousal consent set forth on the signature page of such Person attached hereto to evidence such spouse’s agreement and consent to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement as to such spouse’s interest, whether as community property or otherwise, in Units, if any, of such Person, and, if such Person’s spouse fails to execute such spousal consent, such Person shall not have any rights, if any, under this Agreement (including with respect to any Units) until such time as such spousal consent is duly executed.

 

Section 3.03                Books and Records. During regular business hours, upon reasonable notice and in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with the business of the Company, each Member shall, at such Member’s own expense, have access to inspect the Company’s books and records at the Company’s principal office or at such other offices of the Company where such records are kept. It is acknowledged, understood and agreed that the information contained on Schedules A and B of this Agreement, Schedule A of the Subscription Agreement, Schedules A and B of the EEH Agreement and Schedule A of the MIP Agreement each as amended from time to time, other than the names and addresses of the Members, the aggregate number of Units issued, the aggregate Holdco capital account balances, and information on the applicable Schedule that is opposite the name of the requesting Person, shall not be provided to any Member (other than a Member who is (i) the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of EP Energy LLC (ii) or an employee of Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries who the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of EP Energy LLC has determined needs to know the information on such schedules in order to carry out the functions of such employee’s employment with Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries) for the purpose of preserving privacy with respect to Unit ownership of the Members and the ownership of Holdco and its members, unless the Manager determines otherwise.

 

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Section 3.04                Limited Voting Rights of Members.

 

(a)                                  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or as otherwise required by law, any matter requiring the vote, approval or consent of the Members shall be approved or consented to by a written instrument indicating such vote, consent or approval duly executed by the Members that together hold, in the aggregate, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the Class A Units then entitled to vote thereon.

 

(b)                                  Whenever the Company has the right to vote on, consent to, approve or has been afforded any other similar rights with respect to any matter under the Holdco Agreement, the Company’s vote, consent, approval or exercise of such other similar right shall be cast or exercised on a “look-through” basis, in accordance with Section 2.11(d) .

 

(c)                                   If, pursuant to this Agreement, any Member is not entitled to cast a vote, give a consent or provide or withhold any approval under this Agreement or otherwise, the determination as to whether the matter under consideration has been approved or consented to shall be made without regard to the Units or Capital Contributions of such Member in counting the necessary votes, consents or approvals.

 

ARTICLE IV
UNITS

 

Section 4.01                Authorization and Issuance of Class A Units.

 

(a)                                  Subject to the provisions of Section 4.02 and Section 4.04 , the Company is hereby authorized to issue Units (in whole or fractional numbers) representing a single class of Units (a “ Class ”) called Class A (the “ Class A Units ”), each having the rights, obligations and other features provided in this Agreement. All Units issued hereunder shall be uncertificated unless otherwise determined by the Manager. Each Class A Unit issued hereunder shall correspond to a Holdco A Unit issued to the Company, and shall be issued at the same price and in exchange for the same consideration as that paid or to be paid by the Company for the corresponding Holdco A Unit. For the purpose of tracing each Capital Contributions to the Company and Class A Units issued to a Member to the distributions and allocations from Holdco to the Company, the Class A Units issued on or before the Funding Date shall be designated the Class A-1 Units, and after the Funding Date, each issuance of Class A Units shall be designated as a new series of Class A Units, each of which new series shall be designated by a sequential number (e.g., Class A-2, Class A-3, etc.).

 

(b)                                  The number and series of Class A Units issued to Members shall be listed on Schedule A , which may be amended from time to time by the Manager as required to reflect issuances of Class A Units to new Members and changes in the number of Class A Units held by Members and to reflect the addition or cessation of Members. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, no Member shall be issued any Class A Units unless and until such Member has funded its Capital Contributions to the Company as required pursuant to Section 5.01 . The number of Class A Units held by each Member shall not be affected by (A) any issuance by the Company of Class A Units to the other Members or (B) any change in the Capital Account of such Member.

 

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(c)                                   Holders of Class A Units shall (I) share in each item of Company income, gain, loss, deduction and credit as provided in this Agreement in accordance herewith, (II) be entitled to participate in distributions made pursuant to this Agreement, and (III) be entitled to such other voting and participation rights as are set forth in this Agreement. In addition to the rights, obligations and limitations of the holders of Class A Units set forth in this Agreement, the Class A Units shall be subject to the same repurchase and other requirements, mutatis mutandis , as are applicable to the corresponding Holdco A Units issued (or to be issued) to the Company pursuant to the Holdco Agreement and the Subscription Agreement as set forth therein.

 

Section 4.02                              Issuances of Additional Units. Subject to, and to the extent contemplated by, Section 4.04 , in addition to Class A Units, the Company may issue additional classes of Units or other interests in the Company (in whole or fractional numbers) as the Board shall determine in good faith with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties, as shall be fixed by the Board, and which may include additional classes of Units or other interests reflecting additional Capital Contributions, to which the assets and liabilities and income and expenditure attributable or allocated to such class shall be applied or charged.

 

Section 4.03                              Certificates. In the sole discretion of the Manager, issued and outstanding Units may be evidenced by certificates. In addition to any other legend which the Company may deem advisable under the Securities Act, all certificates representing issued and outstanding Units shall be endorsed as follows:

 

“THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO NUMEROUS CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, INCLUDING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, AS SPECIFIED IN THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (AS AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, THE “ LLC AGREEMENT ”) OF EPE MANAGEMENT INVESTORS, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (THE “ COMPANY ”) AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO ONE OR MORE MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE UNIT AGREEMENTS, AS MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND ONE OR MORE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY.

 

THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE (A) HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ ACT ”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY FOREIGN JURISDICTION AND (B) MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT, (B) APPLICABLE STATE AND FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND SUCH LAWS, AND (C) ARE SUBJECT TO AND ARE TRANSFERABLE ONLY UPON COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE LLC AGREEMENT, [CERTAIN SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE AND PLEDGE

 

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AGREEMENTS] [bracketed language to be deleted if not applicable] AND THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF EPE ACQUISITION, LLC, AS AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME.”

 

Section 4.04                Preemptive Rights.

 

(a)                                  If the Company receives a written notice from Holdco providing an offer for the Company to purchase additional Holdco Securities pursuant to Section 4.04 or Section 5.01(b)(B) of the Holdco Agreement, then each Eligible Member shall have the right to purchase (a “ Preemptive Right ”) on the terms set forth herein, that number of Units or other Securities equal to such Member’s pro rata share (based on the relative Percentage Interests of all Eligible Members) of the number of Units or other Securities that the Company would have to issue (the “ Additional Securities ”) to fund the Company’s exercise of its rights to purchase additional Holdco Securities in full.

 

(b)                                  Promptly upon the Company’s receipt of a notice from Holdco described in Section 4.04(a) , the Company shall, by written notice (the “ Preemptive Notice ”) to each Eligible Member, provide an offer to sell Additional Securities to each Eligible Member in accordance with Section 4.04(a) , which Preemptive Notice shall include the applicable purchase price per share or other unit, aggregate amount of Additional Securities offered by the Company, number or amount of Additional Securities offered to such Member (based on the respective Percentage Interests of the Eligible Members immediately prior to such issuance), proposed closing date, place and time for the issuance thereof (which closing shall occur immediately prior to the Company’s purchase of the related Holdco Securities), and any other material terms and conditions of the offer. On or before the date that is one (1) Business Day before the date by which the Company must notify Holdco of the Company’s election to purchase Holdco Securities pursuant to the notice from Holdco described Section 4.04(a) (which date shall be specified in the Preemptive Notice), any Eligible Member wishing to exercise its Preemptive Right concerning such Additional Securities shall deliver notice to the Company setting forth the number of Additional Securities which such Member commits to purchase (which may be for all or any portion of such Additional Securities offered to such Eligible Member in the Preemptive Notice). Each Eligible Member shall have the additional right (the “ Additional Purchase Right ”) to offer in its notice of exercise to purchase any or all of the Additional Securities not accepted for purchase by any other Eligible Member, in which event such Additional Securities not accepted by any other Eligible Member shall be deemed to have been offered to and accepted by the Eligible Members exercising such Additional Purchase Right in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests immediately prior to such issuance on the same terms and at the same price per share or other unit as those specified in the Preemptive Notice, but in no event shall any Eligible Member exercising its Additional Purchase Right be allocated a number of Additional Securities in excess of the maximum number such Eligible Member has offered to purchase in its notice of exercise. Each Eligible Member so exercising its right under this Section 4.04 shall be entitled and obligated to purchase that number of Additional Securities specified in such Eligible Member’s notice on the terms and conditions set forth in the Preemptive Notice.

 

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(c)                                   The purchase price for each Additional Security shall equal the price to be paid by the Company for each related Holdco Security and shall be paid as a Capital Contribution. If Holdco proposes to issue:

 

(i)                                      Holdco A Units, the Company shall (A) subject to this Section 4.04 , issue the number of Class A Units and the series thereof that each Eligible Member elects to purchase pursuant (and makes the corresponding Capital Contribution in exchange therefor) to this Section 4.04 and (B) exercise its pre-emptive rights to purchase from Holdco, in the aggregate, an equal number of such Holdco A Units; and

 

(ii)                                   a new class or series of Securities of Holdco, the Company shall (A) create a new class or series, as applicable, of Securities of the Company having designations, preferences and rights with respect to distributions hereunder that are equivalent to those granted to any related Holdco Securities, (B) subject to this Section 4.04 , issue the number of such Securities of the Company that each Eligible Member elects to purchase (and makes the corresponding Capital Contribution in exchange therefor) pursuant to this Section 4.04 and (C) exercise its pre-emptive rights to purchase from Holdco, in the aggregate, an equal number of such Holdco Securities.

 

(d)                                  The Members acknowledge and agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Manager may determine in its sole discretion that the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.04 , Section 4.04 and Section 5.01(b)(B) of the Holdco Agreement, and the applicability of Section 2.11 and the Section 2.11 Principle thereto, shall not apply to any Eligible Member that is not an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act).

 

ARTICLE V
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS;
DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS

 

Section 5.01                Capital Contributions.

 

(a)                                  Initial Capital Contributions . Each Person listed on Schedule A , as completed on the date hereof, shall have made Capital Contributions (including promissory obligations deemed to have been made by such Member pursuant to a Management Loan) to the Company on or prior to the Funding Date in the amount set forth opposite its name on Schedule A (as completed on the date hereof) under the heading “Equity Commitment” (such amount, an “ Equity Commitment ”) in exchange for the issuance by the Company to such Member of a number of Class A Units (the “ Funded Units ”) equal to (A) the aggregate amount of such Capital Contributions made by such Member (including promissory obligations deemed to have been made by such Member but excluding the amounts set forth in clause (IV) below) to the Company, divided by (B) $1,000. Promptly after the making of such Capital Contributions on or prior to the Funding Date by such Person in an aggregate amount equal to its Equity Commitment, such Person shall be (I) issued such Funded Units and admitted as a Member, (II) entitled to its rights and shall be bound by its obligations under this Agreement, (III) issued a number of additional Class A Units by the Company equal to (x) the number of Funded Units issued to such Member, multiplied by (y) fifty percent (50%) (the “ Matching Units ”) and (IV)

 

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treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having made additional Capital Contributions to the Company equal to the Deemed Contribution Amount related to such Matching Units; provided , however , that the additional Capital Contributions described in this clause (IV) shall be ignored when determining whether a Person has made Capital Contributions in an amount equal to its Equity Commitment. No Person who has failed to make Capital Contributions in an aggregate amount equal to its Equity Commitment on or prior to the Funding Date shall be admitted as a Member or issued any Units, and any such Person shall be removed from Schedule A immediately after the Funding Date and shall have no rights under this Agreement or the Holdco Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, no Person listed on Schedule A (as completed on the date hereof) shall have any rights under this Agreement as a Member or otherwise or under the Holdco Agreement pursuant to the Section 2.11 Principle or otherwise unless and until such Person has made Capital Contributions in an aggregate amount equal to his or her Equity Commitment on or prior to the Funding Date.

 

(b)                                  Voluntary Capital Contributions . Except as provided in Section 5.01(a) or Section 4.04(b) , no Member shall have any obligation to the Company, to any other Member or to any creditor of the Company to make any Capital Contributions and no Member shall make any Capital Contribution without the prior written consent of the Manager; provided , that any Member may voluntarily make additional Capital Contributions in exchange for Class A Units at any time pursuant to a valid exercise of Preemptive Rights.

 

(c)                                   No Other Rights in Cash or Property of the Company . Except as expressly provided herein, no Member, in its capacity as a Member, shall have the right to receive any cash or any other Property of the Company.

 

Section 5.02     Capital Accounts.

 

(a)                                  Maintenance of Capital Accounts . The Company shall maintain a Capital Account for each Member on the books of the Company in accordance with the following provisions:

 

(i)                                      As of the Funding Date, the Capital Account of each Member shall be set forth on Schedule B .

 

(ii)                                   To each Member’s Capital Account there shall be credited: (A) the amount of money and the Fair Market Value of any Property (other than money) contributed by such Member pursuant to any provision of this Agreement; (B) upon the issuance of Matching Units to such Member, such Member’s Deemed Contribution Amount; (C) such Member’s distributive share of Net Income and any item in the nature of income or gain that is allocated pursuant to Section 5.04 ; and (D) the amount of any Company liabilities assumed by such Member or that are secured by any Property distributed to such Member. The principal amount of a promissory note that is not readily traded on an established market and that is contributed to the Company by the maker of the note (or a Member related to the maker of the note within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c)) shall not be included in the Capital Account of any Member until the Company makes a taxable disposition of the note or

 

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until (and to the extent) principal payments are made on the note, all in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d)(2).

 

(iii)                                To each Member’s Capital Account there shall be debited: (A) the amount of money and the Fair Market Value of any Property (other than money) distributed to such Member pursuant to any provision of this Agreement; (B) such Member’s distributive share of Net Loss and any items in the nature of expenses or losses that are allocated to such Member pursuant to Section 5.04 ; and (C) and the amount of any liabilities of such Member assumed by the Company or that are secured by any Property contributed by such Member to the Company.

 

(iv)                               In determining the amount of any liability for purposes of subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) above there shall be taken into account Section 752(c) of the Code and any other applicable provisions of the Code and the Treasury Regulations.

 

The foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations. In the event that the Manager shall determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts or any debits or credits thereto are maintained (including debits or credits relating to liabilities that are secured by contributed or distributed Property or that are assumed by the Company or the Members), the Manager may make such modification so long as such modification is not likely to have a material effect on the amounts distributed to any Person pursuant to Article XI upon the dissolution of the Company. The Manager also shall (i) make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between Capital Accounts of the Members and the amount of capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(9) and (ii) make any appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b).

 

(b)                                  Succession to Capital Accounts . In the event any Person becomes a Substitute Member in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, such Substitute Member shall succeed to the Capital Account of the former Member to the extent such Capital Account relates to the Transferred Units.

 

(c)                                   Adjustments of Capital Accounts . The Company shall revalue the Capital Accounts of the Members in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) (a “ Revaluation ”) at the following times: (i) immediately prior to the contribution of more than a de minimis amount of money or other property to the Company by a new or existing Member as consideration for one or more Units; (ii) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of property in respect of one or more Units; (iii) the issuance by the Company of more than a de minimis Profits Interest (as described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(5)(iii), IRS Revenue Procedure 93-27, 1993-2 C.B. 343 until superseded by IRS Notice 2005-43, 2005-24 I.R.B. 1221 (May 20, 2005) and any similar subsequent authority); and (iv) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), including pursuant to an Exit Restructuring; provided ,

 

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however , that adjustments pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be made only if the Manager reasonably determines that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interest of the Members (it being hereby acknowledged that such adjustments may not ordinarily be necessary or appropriate in the case of the issuance of a Profits Interest or in the case of a contribution for Units that do not represent a material Percentage Interest or are not issued at a valuation materially in excess of the book value of other Units of the same class, as then reflected in the Members’ Capital Accounts).

 

(d)                                  No Member shall be entitled to withdraw capital or receive distributions except as specifically provided herein. A Member shall have no obligation to the Company, to any other Member or to any creditor of the Company to restore any negative balance in the Capital Account of such Member. Except as expressly provided elsewhere herein, no interest will be paid on the balance in any Member’s Capital Account.

 

(e)                                   Whenever it is necessary for purposes of this Agreement to determine a Member’s Capital Account on a per Unit basis, such amount shall be determined by dividing the Capital Account of such Member by the number of Units held of record by such Member.

 

Section 5.03                Distributions.

 

(a)                                  Subject to Section 5.03(b) and applicable law, all cash and Property (excluding Securities in Holdco) distributed to the Company based on the Company’s status as a holder of Holdco A Units (the “ Flow-Through Distributions ”), shall be distributed by the Company among the series of Class A Units in amounts which correspond to such series of Class A Units (and within each such series of Class A Units such Flow-Through Distributions shall be allocated pro rata in accordance with the respective Series Sharing Percentages of the Members holding Class A Units in such series).

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if a distribution or amount otherwise payable to the Company pursuant to (or in accordance with) Section 5.03 of the Holdco Agreement is reduced as a result of the existence of any outstanding amounts under any loan made by Holdco or the Company to a Member to fund such Member’s purchase of Class A Units (a “ Management Loan ”), then (A) an amount equal to such reduction shall be deemed to have been paid by the Company pursuant to this Section 5.03 to such Member and then paid by such Member to Holdco in reduction of the amounts owing under such Management Loan (in accordance with the terms thereof), and the portion of the resulting distribution otherwise due to such Member from the Company shall be reduced accordingly and (B) the portion of such distribution payable to each other Member shall be calculated as though the amount deemed to have been paid to the Member referred to in clause (A) of this Section 5.03(b) had been included in such distribution.

 

Section 5.04                Allocations.

 

(a)                                  Net Income and Net Loss . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Net Income and Net Loss (and, to the extent necessary, individual items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit) of the Company shall be allocated among the Members in a manner such that, after giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Sections 5.04(b) , Section 5.04(c) and

 

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Section 5.04(d) , the Capital Account balance of each Member, immediately after making such allocation, is, as nearly as possible, equal (proportionately) to (i) the distributions that would be made to such Members pursuant to Section 5.03(a) if the Company were dissolved, its affairs wound up and its assets sold for cash equal to their Carrying Value, all Company liabilities were satisfied (limited with respect to each nonrecourse liability to the Carrying Value of the assets securing such liability), all Management Loans were satisfied, and the net assets of the Company were distributed in accordance with Section 5.03 to the Members immediately after making such allocation, minus (ii) such Member’s share of Company Minimum Gain and Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets. In furtherance of, and to the extent consistent with, the foregoing, items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit comprising Net Income and Net Loss that are allocated to the Company based on the Company’s status as a holder of Holdco A Units shall be allocated by the Company among the holders of the series of Class A Units in a manner in which the Manager reasonably determines is allocable to such series of Class A Units.

 

(b)                                  Special Allocations . The following special allocations shall be made in the following order:

 

(i)                                      Minimum Gain Chargeback . Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f), notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V , if there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any Allocation Year, each Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such Allocation Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Allocation Years) in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Member pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 5.04(b)(i) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(ii)                                   Member Minimum Gain Chargeback . Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4), notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V , if there is a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to a Member Nonrecourse Debt during any Allocation Year, each Member who has a share of the Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5), shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such Allocation Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Allocation Years) in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Member pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 5.04(b)(ii) is

 

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intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4), and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(iii)                                Qualified Income Offset . In the event any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations, or distributions described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Company income, gain and Simulated Gain shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations, the Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of the Member as promptly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.04(b)(iii) shall be made only if and to the extent that the Member would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided for in this Article V have been tentatively made as if this Section 5.04(b)(iii) were not in this Agreement.

 

(iv)                               Nonrecourse Deductions . Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated to the Members in proportion to the amount of money and the Fair Market Value of any Property (other than money) contributed by the Members pursuant to any provision of this Agreement (including, upon the issuance of Matching Units to the Members pursuant to Section 5.01(a) , their respective Deemed Contribution Amounts).

 

(v)                                  Member Nonrecourse Deductions . Any Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any Allocation Year shall be specially allocated to the Member who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1).

 

(vi)                               Section 754 Adjustments . To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Sections 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as the result of a distribution to a Member in complete liquidation of such Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment to Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such gain or loss shall be specially allocated to such Members in accordance with their interests in the Company in the event Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) applies, or to the Member to whom such distribution was made in the event Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.

 

(vii)                            Simulated Depletion . Simulated Depletion with respect to each Depletable Property shall be allocated to the Members in the same proportion that the Members (or their predecessors in interest) were allocated the Simulated Basis of such property. For purposes of such computation, the Simulated Basis of each Depletable Property shall be allocated to each Member in accordance with such Member’s Capital Interest Percentage as of the time such Depletable Property is acquired by the Company, and shall be reallocated among the Members in accordance with the Members’ Capital Interest Percentages as determined immediately following the occurrence of an event giving rise to an adjustment to the Carrying Values of the Company’s Depletable Properties pursuant

 

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to clause (ii) of the definition of Carrying Value. For purposes of computing Simulated Depletion, the Company shall apply the simulated cost depletion method under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

 

(viii)                         Simulated Loss . Simulated Loss with respect to the disposition of a Depletable Property shall be allocated among the Members in proportion to their allocable shares of the total amount realized from such disposition under Section 5.05(c)(ii) .

 

(c)                                   Curative Allocations . The allocations set forth in Section 5.04(b)(i) through (viii) and Section 5.04(d) (the “ Regulatory Allocations ”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the Treasury Regulations. It is the intent of the Members that, to the extent possible, all Regulatory Allocations shall be offset either with other Regulatory Allocations or with special allocations of other items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to this Section 5.04(c) . Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V (other than the Regulatory Allocations), the Manager shall make such offsetting special allocations of Company income, gain, loss or deduction in whatever manner it determines appropriate so that, after such offsetting allocations are made, each Member’s Capital Account balance is, to the extent possible, equal to the Capital Account balance such Member would have had if the Regulatory Allocations were not part of this Agreement and all Company items were allocated pursuant to Section 5.04 .

 

(d)                                  Loss Limitation . Net Loss allocated pursuant to Section 5.04 hereof shall not exceed the maximum amount of Net Loss that can be allocated without causing any Member to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit at the end of any Allocation Year. In the event some but not all of the Members would have Adjusted Capital Account Deficits as a consequence of an allocation of Net Loss pursuant to Section 5.04 hereof, the limitation set forth in this Section 5.04(d) shall be applied on a Member by Member basis and Net Loss not allocable to any Member as a result of such limitation shall be allocated to the other Members in accordance with the positive balances in such Member’s Capital Accounts so as to allocate the maximum permissible Net Loss to each Member under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d).

 

Section 5.05                Other Allocation Rules.

 

(a)                                  Interim Allocations Due to Percentage Interest Adjustment . If a Unit is the subject of a Transfer, or the Members’ Percentage Interests or Series Sharing Percentages change pursuant to the terms of this Agreement during any Allocation Year, the amount of Net Income and Net Loss to be allocated to the Members for such entire Allocation Year shall be allocated to the portion of such Allocation Year which precedes the date of such Transfer or change (and if there shall have been a prior Transfer or change in such Allocation Year, which commences on the date of such prior Transfer or change) and to the portion of such Allocation Year which occurs on and after the date of such Transfer or change (and if there shall be a subsequent Transfer or change in such Allocation Year, which precedes the date of such subsequent Transfer or change), in accordance with an interim closing of the books using the semi-monthly convention pursuant to proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.706-4(e)(2), and the amounts of the items so allocated to each such portion shall be credited or charged to the Members in accordance with Section 5.04 as in effect during each such portion of the Allocation Year in

 

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question. Such allocation shall be made without regard to the date, amount or receipt of any distributions that may have been made with respect to the Transferred Unit.

 

(b)                                  Tax Allocations: Code Section 704(c) . In accordance with Section 704(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, with respect to any Property contributed to the Company (i) in the case of contributed Depletable Property, the adjusted tax basis of such Depletable Property, (ii) in the case of any other contributed Property, the income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such Property shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such Property to the Company for federal income tax purposes and its initial Carrying Value using an allocation method set forth in Treasury Regulation 1.704-3 determined by the Manager. In the event the Carrying Value of such Property is adjusted pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Carrying Value, (A) in the case of any Depletable Property, the adjusted tax basis of such Depletable Property shall be reallocated among the Members upon the occurrence of such adjustment, or (B) in the case of any other Property, subsequent allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such Property, in either case shall be made in a manner to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such Property for U.S. federal income tax purposes and its Carrying Value as required by Code Section 704(c) and the applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder. Following any allocation or reallocation of adjusted tax basis of Depletable Property, or for purposes of any other allocations subject to this Section 5.05(b) , the Company shall, for each Depletable Property or other Property, select from the allocation methods described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3 the method that the Manager determines is in the best interest of the Company and the Members.

 

(c)                                   Other Income Tax Allocations .

 

(i)                                      The deduction for depletion with respect to each Depletable Property shall, in accordance with Code Section 613A(c)(7)(D), be computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes separately by the Members rather than the Company. Except as provided in Section 5.05(b) , for purposes of such computation, the proportionate share of the adjusted tax basis of each Depletable Property shall be allocated among the Members based upon their relative Capital Interest Percentages as of the date of the acquisition of, or the addition of improvements capitalized in the basis subject to depletion of, such Depletable Property by the Company. Further, upon the occurrence of an adjustment to the Carrying Values of the Depletable Properties of the Company pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Carrying Value, except as provided in Section 5.05(b) , the proportionate share of the adjusted tax basis of each such Depletable Property shall be reallocated among the Members based upon the relative Capital Interest Percentages of the Members as of the date of such adjustment. Each Member shall separately keep records of its share of the adjusted tax basis in each Depletable Property, adjust such share of the adjusted tax basis for any cost or percentage depletion allowable with respect to such property and use such adjusted tax basis in the computation of its cost depletion or in the computation of its gain or loss on the disposition of such property by the Company. Upon the request of the Company, each Member shall advise the Company of its adjusted tax basis in each Depletable Property and any depletion computed with respect thereto, both as computed in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

 

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The Company may rely on such information and, if it is not provided by the Member, may make such reasonable assumptions as it shall determine with respect thereto.

 

(ii)                                   Except as provided in Section 5.05(b) , for the purposes of the separate computation of gain or loss by each Member on the sale or disposition of each Depletable Property, the Company’s allocable share of the “amount realized” (as such term is defined in Section 1001(b) of the Code) from such sale or disposition shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Members as follows:

 

(A)                                first , to the extent such amount realized constitutes a recovery of the Simulated Basis of the property, to the Members in the same percentages as the depletable basis of such property was allocated to the Members pursuant to Section 5.04(b) , except as otherwise provided in Section 5.05 ; and

 

(B)                                second , the remainder of such amount realized, if any, shall be allocated among the Members in the same manner as Simulated Gain is allocated under Section 5.04(a) .

 

(d)                                  In the event that final Treasury Regulations are promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury requiring certain forfeiture allocations as contemplated by proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii), the parties will amend this Agreement in such a manner as will be most beneficial to the non-forfeiting Members.

 

Section 5.06                Tax Withholding; Withholding Advances.

 

(a)                                  Tax Withholding .

 

(i)                                      If requested by the Company, each Member shall, if able to do so, deliver to the Company: (A) an affidavit in form satisfactory to the Company that the applicable Member (or its direct or indirect owners, as the case may be) is not subject to withholding under the provisions of any federal, state, local, foreign or other law; (B) any certificate that the Company may reasonably request with respect to any such laws; and/or (C) any other form or instrument reasonably requested by the Company relating to any Member’s status under such law; provided , that , for the avoidance of doubt, in the absence of a change in law occurring after the date hereof and except as provided in Section 5.06(a)(iii) , the Company shall not withhold U.S. federal income tax with respect to any Member that furnishes the Company with a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 that provides that such Member is either exempt from, or not subject to, backup withholding. In the event that a Member (or its direct or indirect owners, as the case may be) fails or is unable to deliver to the Company an affidavit described in subclause (A) of this clause (i), the Company may withhold amounts from such Member in accordance with Section 5.06(b) .

 

(ii)                                   After receipt of a written request of any Member, the Company shall provide such information to such Member and take such other action as may be reasonably necessary to assist such Member in making any necessary filings, applications or elections to obtain any available exemption from, or any available refund of, any withholding imposed by any foreign taxing authority with respect to amounts

 

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distributable or items of income allocable to such Member hereunder to the extent not adverse to the Company or any Member. In addition, the Company shall, at the request of any Member, make or cause to be made (or cause the Company to make) any such filings, applications or elections; provided, that any such requesting Member shall cooperate with the Company, with respect to any such filing, application or election to the extent reasonably determined by the Company and that any filing fees, taxes or other out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Company and related thereto shall be paid and borne by such requesting Member or, if there is more than one requesting Member, by such requesting Members in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

 

(iii)                                Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that the issuance of Holdco A Units to the Company, the issuance of Class A Units to an employee of Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries and/or any distribution, payment, transfer or other action under this Agreement or the Holdco Agreement results in the receipt of compensation by such employee with respect to which the Company, Holdco or one of its Subsidiaries has a tax withholding obligation pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation, as a result of the filing of an election under Section 83(b) of the Code), then, unless other arrangements have been made that are acceptable to the Company and Holdco, the Company will deduct or withhold from the Class A Units that would otherwise be issued to such employee that number of Class A Units with an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of withholding equal to the aggregate amount of the Company’s, Holdco’s or its Subsidiary’s tax withholding liability and will pay or cause to be paid such withholding obligation.

 

(b)                                  Withholding Advances . To the extent the Company is required by law to withhold or to make tax payments on behalf of or with respect to any Member (e.g., backup withholding) (“ Withholding Advances ”), the Company may withhold such amounts and make such tax payments as so required.

 

(c)                                   Deemed Withholding Advances . If amounts payable to the Company are reduced on account of taxes paid or withheld (directly or indirectly) by any Person, and such taxes are imposed on or with respect to one or more, but not all of the Members, the amount of the reduction shall be borne by the relevant Members and treated as if it were paid by the Company as a Withholding Advance with respect to such Members for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Repayment of Withholding Advances . All Withholding Advances made on behalf of a Member, plus interest thereon at a rate equal to the Prime Rate as of the date of such Withholding Advances, plus two percent (2.0%) per annum, shall (i) be paid on demand by the Member on whose behalf such Withholding Advances were made (it being understood that no such payment shall increase such Member’s Capital Account), or (ii) with the consent of the Manager, in its sole discretion, be repaid by reducing the amount of the current or next succeeding distribution or distributions which would otherwise have been made to such Member or, if such distributions are not sufficient for that purpose, by so reducing distributions otherwise payable to such Member. Whenever repayment of a Withholding Advance by a Member is made as described in clause (ii) above, for all other purposes of this Agreement such Member shall be

 

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treated as having received all distributions (whether before or upon Dissolution) unreduced by the amount of such Withholding Advance and interest thereon.

 

(e)           Withholding Advances; Reimbursement of Liabilities . Each Member hereby agrees to reimburse the Company for any liability with respect to Withholding Advances (including interest thereon) required or made on behalf of or with respect to such Member (including penalties imposed with respect thereto).

 

ARTICLE VI
CERTAIN TAX MATTERS

 

Section 6.01          Tax Matters Partner. The “ Tax Matters Partner ” (as such term is defined in Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code) of the Company shall be a Member designated by the Manager in its sole discretion. The Tax Matters Partner shall use its reasonable efforts to comply with the responsibilities outlined in Sections 6221 through 6233 of the Code (including the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) and shall have any powers necessary to perform fully in such capacity. The Tax Matters Partner is authorized to represent the Company before taxing authorities and courts in tax matters affecting the Company and the Members in their capacity as such, and shall keep the Members promptly informed of any such administrative and judicial proceedings. The Tax Matters Partner shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Company for all reasonable third-party costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with any administrative or judicial proceeding affecting tax matters of the Company and the Members in their capacity as such. The Tax Matters Partner shall not bind any Member to any settlement agreement or closing agreement without such Member’s prior written consent. Any Member who enters into a settlement agreement with any tax authority with respect to any Company item shall notify the Tax Matters Partner of such settlement agreement and its terms within thirty (30) days after the date of settlement. This provision shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 6.02          U.S. Federal Income Tax Classification of the Company. The Tax Matters Partner shall, for and on behalf of the Company, take all steps as may be required to maintain the Company’s classification as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. By executing this Agreement, each of the Parties consents to the authority of the Tax Matters Partner to make any election consistent with such classification and shall cooperate in the making of any such election (including providing consents and other authorizations that may be required). Except as provided herein, each Member has not taken, and shall not take (or omit to take), any action that would be inconsistent with the classification of the Company as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Section 6.03          Section 83(b) Elections. Each Member who acquires Class A Units acknowledges and agrees to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to such Class A Units within thirty (30) days of such acquisition and to consult with such Member’s tax advisors to determine the tax consequences of such acquisition and of filing an election under Section 83(b) of the Code. Each such Member acknowledges that it is the sole responsibility of such Member, and not the responsibility of the Company, to file the election under Section 83(b) of the Code even if such Member requests the Company or any of its employees, consultants, advisors or agents to assist in making the filing. Each such Member (a) agrees that it will provide to the Company, on or before the due date for filing such election, proof that its

 

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respective election under Section 83(b) of the Code has been or will be filed timely and (b) acknowledges that it is not relying on the Company for any tax, financial or legal advice.

 

Section 6.04          Safe Harbor. Each Member agrees that (a) if and when Proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.83-3(1) and the proposed revenue procedure contained in IRS Notice 2005-43, 2005-24 I.R.B. 1221 (May 20, 2005) (together, the “ Proposed Guidance ”) or any substantially similar successor rules become effective, the Manager is authorized and directed to elect the safe harbor described therein, pursuant to which the fair market value of any interest in the Company that is transferred in connection with the performance of services will be treated as being equal to the liquidation value of that interest (the “ Safe Harbor ”), and (b) while the election described in this Section 6.04 remains effective, the Company and each of the Members (including any Member to whom a Unit is transferred in connection with the performance of services) shall comply with all requirements of the Safe Harbor described in the Proposed Guidance (or any substantially similar successor rules) with respect to all Units that are transferred in connection with the performance of services, including any requirement that such Member prepare and file all U.S. federal income tax returns reporting the income tax effects of each Unit issued by the Company in connection with the performance of services. For purposes of the Safe Harbor, the Tax Matters Partner is hereby designated as the “partner who has responsibility for Federal income tax reporting” by the Company and, accordingly, execution of such Safe Harbor election by the Tax Matters Partner constitutes execution of a “Safe Harbor Election” in accordance with the Proposed Guidance or any similar provision of any final pronouncement. A Member’s obligations to comply with the requirements of this Section 6.04 shall survive such Member’s ceasing to be a Member of the Company and the termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the Company.

 

ARTICLE VII
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

Section 7.01          Management of the Company by the Manager. The management of the Company is vested in and shall be managed by one “manager” (as such term is defined in the Delaware Act) (the “ Manager ”). The Manager is hereby granted, the full and complete, power, authority and discretion for, on behalf of and in the name of the Company, to take such actions and manage and direct the business and affairs of the Company, as it may, in its sole discretion, deem necessary or advisable to carry out any and all of the objectives and purposes of the Company, subject only to the terms of this Agreement and the Delaware Act. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or required by the Delaware Act, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law the Members (in their capacity as Members) will not participate in the control of the Company and will have no right, power or authority to act for or on behalf of or otherwise bind the Company and will have no right to vote on or consent to any other matter, act, decision or document involving the Company or its business. The Parties hereby agree that as of April 24, 2012 and as of the date hereof Holdco is and shall be the Manager until Holdco has resigned as Manager and a replacement Manager is appointed as Manager in accordance with Section 7.02 .

 

Section 7.02          Resignation. The Manager may not be removed by the Members, but the Manager may resign as Manager at any time. Immediately prior to any such resignation, the Manager, acting in its sole discretion, shall appoint a replacement manager to serve as the

 

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Manager; provided , however , that if Holdco is no longer the Manager, then such replacement manager shall be appointed by Holdco.

 

Section 7.03          Agency Authority of Managers and Officers. The Manager may authorize any officer or other Person to endorse checks, drafts, and other evidences of indebtedness made payable to the order of the Company (but only for the purpose of deposit into the Company’s accounts) or to sign contracts and obligations on behalf of the Company.

 

Section 7.04          Limited Liability. Subject to Article X , no Person who is a Manager or an officer of the Company shall be personally liable under any judgment of a court, or in any other manner, for any debt, obligation or liability of the Company, whether that liability or obligation arises in contract, tort, or otherwise, solely by reason of being a Manager or an officer of the Company.

 

Section 7.05          Appointment of Board Observers. Each Board Observer that the Company is entitled to designate pursuant to the Holdco Agreement shall be designated by the Members then holding at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the issued and outstanding Class A Units.

 

ARTICLE VIII
TRANSFERS OF UNITS

 

Section 8.01          Restrictions on Transfers.

 

(a)            Except as provided in this Article VIII , no Member shall Transfer all or any part of its Units or any right pertaining thereto, including the right to vote or consent on any matter or to receive distributions or advances from the Company pursuant thereto without the prior approval of the Board in its sole discretion. Any such Transfer, either directly or indirectly, or issuance of Equity Securities by a Member or a Permitted Transferee, with the purpose or effect of circumventing (as determined in good faith by the Manager) the foregoing restriction, shall not be in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, and shall be deemed a Transfer by such Member of Units in violation of this Agreement (and a breach of this Agreement by such Member) and shall be null and void ab initio.

 

(b)           It shall be a condition precedent to any Transfer otherwise permitted or approved pursuant to this Article VIII that:

 

(i)            the Transferor shall have provided to the Company prior written notice of such Transfer at least ten (10) Business Days in advance of such Transfer;

 

(ii)           the Transferee, in the case of a Transfer of Units, shall agree in writing to be bound by this Agreement and the terms of any Award Agreements to which such Units are subject and shall have executed and delivered an Addendum Agreement in the form attached thereto;

 

(iii)          the Transfer shall comply with all applicable federal, state or foreign laws, including securities laws;

 

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(iv)          the Transfer will not subject the Company to any registration or reporting requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

 

(v)           the Transfer shall not impose any material liability or reporting obligation on the Company, any Member (other than the Transferor or the Transferee) or the Manager in any jurisdiction, whether domestic or foreign, or result in the Company, any Member or the Manager becoming subject to the jurisdiction of any court or governmental entity anywhere, other than the states, courts and governmental entities in which the Company or the Manager is then subject to such liability, reporting obligation or jurisdiction;

 

(vi)          if at the time of the Transfer the Company is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Transfer shall satisfy one or more safe harbor provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1 including Sections 1.7704-1(e), (f), (g), (h) and (j), relating to “publicly traded partnerships”;

 

(vii)         if at the time of the Transfer the Company is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Transfer shall not cause a Dissolution Event or, unless the Manager determines it to be immaterial, a termination of the Company pursuant to Section 708 of the Code;

 

(viii)        the Transfer shall not cause all or any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute “plan assets” under United States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the Code; and

 

(ix)          upon the request of the Manager, any Member undertaking a Transfer of such Units pursuant to this Article VIII shall have delivered an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Manager that such Transfer complies with the conditions set forth clauses (i)  through (viii)  of this Section 8.01(b) . The Manager may also request officer certificates and representations and warranties from the Transferee and Transferor as to the matters set forth in this Section 8.01(b)  and such other factual matters as the Manager may reasonably request.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 8.01 (other than the provisions of Section 8.01(b) , which shall be applicable in any event), any Transfer by any Member of (x) all or any of such Member’s Class A Units to a spouse, lineal ancestor, lineal descendant, legally adopted child, brother or sister of such Member, (y) all or any portion of such Member’s Units to a lineal descendant or legally adopted child of a brother or sister of any Person described in the immediately preceding clause (x) (any Person described in the immediately preceding clause (x) or (y), a “ Family Member ”) or to a trust or other entity whose sole and exclusive beneficiaries are such Member and/or Family Members of such Member, or (z) not more than twenty percent (20%) of the Class A Units issued to such Member to another Member, provided that, in the case of clauses (x), (y) and (z), such Transfers would not result in a violation of applicable law, including U.S. federal or state securities laws and such Transferee executes and delivers to the Company an Addendum Agreement in a form then agreed to by the Manager, (each such Transfer described in clause (x), (y) or (z) a “ Permitted Transfer ” and each

 

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such Person receiving Class A Units pursuant to such Permitted Transfer, a “ Permitted Transferee ”) shall be permitted at any time without prior approval of the Manager.

 

(d)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, upon the consummation of any Transfer of Units permitted pursuant to this Article VIII , if such Transferor owes any amount pursuant to any Management Loan, then until such time as all outstanding amounts under such Management Loan have been repaid in full, the Company shall direct payment of the applicable consideration received pursuant to such Transfer first to the repayment of such Management Loan, or, to the extent such consideration is received by such Transferor, such Transferor shall pay such amounts to the Company or Holdco (as applicable) as lender under such Management Loan.

 

Section 8.02          Tag-Along Rights.

 

(a)           If at any time the Company receives a Tag-Along Notice, the Company shall promptly (and, in any event, within five (5) days of the Company’s receipt of such Tag-Along Notice) deliver to each Member holding Class A Units a written notice setting forth the date the Tag-Along Notice was received by the Company and the Tag-Along Terms and the Company’s Maximum Tag-Along Portion, and attaching a copy of the Tag-Along Notice. Each Member holding Class A Units shall have the right and option (“ Tag-Along Rights ”), but not the obligation, to cause the Company to repurchase, at the same price per Class A Unit as the Tag-Along Seller, up to such Member’s Percentage Interest of the Company’s Maximum Tag-Along Portion, by delivering written notice to the Company, which notice shall specify the number of Class A Units which such Member wishes to cause the Company to repurchase, by the date that is ten (10) days after the date of receipt by such Member of the notice referred to in the immediately preceding sentence (each Member delivering such notice, a “ Tag-Along Member ”). The rights of the Members pursuant to this Section 8.02(a)  shall terminate with respect to such proposed Tag-Along Sale if not exercised by such date. The exercise by a Tag-Along Member of its Tag-Along Rights as set forth in such Member’s notice to the Company shall be irrevocable; provided , however , that if the principal Tag-Along Terms change with the result that the per Unit price shall be less than the per Unit price set forth in the Tag-Along Notice or the other terms and conditions shall be less favorable to the Company than those set forth in the Tag-Along Notice, the Company shall promptly notify each Tag-Along Member thereof and each such Tag-Along Member shall have five (5) Business Days to consider such changes and shall be permitted to withdraw its exercise of its Tag-Along Rights by written notice to the Company and upon such withdrawal shall be released from its obligations thereunder.

 

(b)           If any Members exercise their Tag-Along Rights, or withdraw such exercise, the Company shall deliver a Tag-Along Exercise specifying the number of Holdco A Units equal to the aggregate number of Class A Units of such Members to be repurchased by the Company, or withdrawing such number of Holdco A Units equal to the aggregate number of Class A Units withdrawn by such Members in accordance with Section 8.02(a) . The Company shall repurchase, without further action on the part of the Transferring Member, the number of Class A Units of such Member equal to such Member’s Percentage Interest of the Holdco A Units of the Company purchased in the Tag-Along Sale, and shall then be obligated to sell to the Proposed Tag-Along Purchaser an equal number of Holdco A Units on the Tag-Along Terms, subject to the proviso in Section 8.02(a) . Each participating Tag-Along Member shall cooperate in

 

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connection with such Tag-Along Sale and take all steps reasonably necessary or reasonably requested by the Company to consummate such Tag-Along Sale on the Tag-Along Terms; provided , however , that no Tag-Along Member shall be required to enter into any agreements, documents or instruments that contain any non-competition or similar restrictive covenants. Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, each participating Tag-Along Member shall, subject to the provisions of any definitive agreement (including any limitations on indemnification set forth therein) entered into in connection with such Tag-Along Sale, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Proposed Tag-Along Purchaser in any Tag-Along Sale, pro rata in accordance with the amount of consideration received by such Tag-Along Member relative to the total consideration by all members of Holdco in connection with such Tag-Along Sale, from and against any losses, damages and liabilities arising from or in connection with (i) any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the Company or Holdco in connection with such Tag-Along Sale, and (ii) any other indemnification obligation in connection with such Tag-Along Sale relating to the business or potential liabilities of the Company, Holdco and its Subsidiaries; provided , that (A) the terms of such indemnification obligation applicable to each Tag-Along Member shall be consistent with terms applicable to the Tag-Along Seller, (B) such indemnification obligation shall be several and not joint, and (C) the aggregate maximum amount of such indemnification obligation shall not exceed the amount of consideration received by such Tag-Along Member for its Class A Units sold to the Company in connection with such Tag-Along Sale. The Tag-Along Members shall share the fees and expenses allocated to the Company pursuant to Section 8.04(e) of the Holdco Agreement pro rata in accordance with the amount of proceeds to be received by such Tag-Along Member in such Tag-Along Sale.

 

Section 8.03          Drag-Along Rights.

 

(a)           Within five (5) days after the receipt by the Company of a Drag-Along Notice, the Company shall forward such Drag-Along Notice to the Members. Each Member shall, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to, cooperate in connection with the Drag-Along Sale and take all steps reasonably necessary or reasonably requested by Holdco, the Company, and the Drag-Along Purchaser to consummate the Drag-Along Sale on the Drag-Along Terms (including by waiving any appraisal or dissenter’s rights that may exist under any applicable law, voting for or consenting to any merger, consolidation, sale of assets or similar transaction, executing any purchase agreements, merger agreements, escrow agreements or related documents, including instruments of Transfer and providing customary several, but not joint, representations, warranties and indemnities concerning such Member’s valid ownership of its Class A Units, free and clear of all Liens and encumbrances (other than those arising under applicable securities laws or in connection with the Drag-Along Sale) and such Member’s authority, power, and right to enter into and consummate agreements relating to such transactions without violating any applicable law or other agreement; provided , however , that such agreements, documents or instruments shall not contain any non-competition or similar restrictive covenants. Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, each Member shall, subject to the provisions of any definitive agreement (including any limitations on indemnification set forth therein) entered into in connection with a Drag-Along Sale, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Drag-Along Purchaser in any Drag-Along Sale, pro rata in accordance with the amount of consideration received by such Member in connection with such Drag-Along Sale as a proportion of the aggregate amount of consideration received by all Members together with all

 

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members of Holdco (excluding the Company) in connection with such Drag-Along Sale, from and against any losses, damages and liabilities arising from or in connection with (i) any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of Holdco or the Company in connection with such Drag-Along Sale, and (ii) any other indemnification obligation in connection with such Drag-Along Sale relating to the business or potential liabilities of the Company or Holdco and its Subsidiaries; provided , that (A) such indemnification obligation shall be several and not joint, and (B) the aggregate maximum amount of such indemnification obligation shall not exceed the amount of proceeds received by such Member with respect to its Class A Units in connection with such Drag-Along Sale.

 

(b)           For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) if any amount is outstanding pursuant to a Management Loan of a Member, then until such time as all outstanding amounts under such Management Loan have been repaid in full, such Member shall direct and the Company shall direct the net proceeds from such Drag-Along Sale otherwise payable to such Member to first be applied to repay such Management Loan or such portion thereof as may be repaid with such net proceeds and (ii) subject to the applicable reductions in clause (i) of this Section 8.03(b) , the net proceeds received by the Company in such Drag-Along Sale shall be distributed in the manner in which Flow-Through Distributions are distributed pursuant to Section 5.03(a) .

 

Section 8.04          IPO and Exit Restructuring. (a) Promptly following the request of the Manager, the Board, or the Coordination Committee in connection with an IPO, Major Exit or Exit Restructuring, the Company and the Members shall vote for, consent to and take all actions reasonably required by the Board or Coordination Committee (as applicable) in connection therewith or to fulfill the Company’s obligations under Section 8.07 of the Holdco Agreement (in each case, in accordance with the Section 2.11 Principle). The Company shall provide the Members the ability to exercise the Company’s rights under the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 among the parties to the Holdco Agreement on a “flow through” basis, in accordance with the Section 2.11 Principle.

 

Section 8.05          Repurchase.

 

(a)           General . All Members, Transferees and Substitute Members shall be subject to this Section 8.05 .

 

(b)           Redemption in Connection With Termination of Employment .

 

(i)            If (A) the employment of a Member with Holdco or its Subsidiaries is terminated for Cause or (B) a Member voluntarily terminates from employment with Holdco and its Subsidiaries without Good Reason, then, for a period of one year following the date of such Member’s termination of employment, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase from such Member, in accordance with Section 8.05(c)  below, any or all of such Member’s (and such Member’s Permitted Transferees’) Class A Units as of the date of such Member’s termination for a purchase price equal to the lesser of the Original Cost of such Units and the Fair Market Value of the Holdco A Units attributable to such Member determined as of the date the Company elects to repurchase such Class A Units.

 

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(ii)           If (A) a Member is terminated from employment with Holdco and its Subsidiaries without Cause, (B) a Member voluntarily terminates from employment with the Holdco and its Subsidiaries for Good Reason or (C) a Member’s employment with the Holdco and its Subsidiaries is terminated upon such Member’s death or because such Member incurs a Disability, then the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase from such Member, in accordance with Section 8.05(c)  below, any or all of such Member’s (and such Member’s Permitted Transferees’) Class A Units as of the date of such Member’s termination for a purchase price equal to the Fair Market Value of the Holdco A Units attributable to such Member determined as of the date the Company elects to repurchase such Class A Units.

 

(c)           Redemption Procedure .

 

(i)            In order to exercise the right to repurchase any Class A Units that are subject to repurchase pursuant to Section 8.05(b)  (the “ Subject Units ”), the Company shall deliver written notice to such Member, and such Member’s Permitted Transferees, legal representative or guardian, or the executor of such Member’s estate, as applicable (the “ Holder ”), no later than the one-year anniversary of the termination of the Member’s employment with the Holdco and its Subsidiaries (the “ Trigger Date ”), in which notice the Company shall set forth (i) the number of such Subject Units, (ii) the Original Cost of such Subject Units (only if such Subject Units are subject to repurchase pursuant to Section 8.05(b)(i)) , (iii) the Fair Market Value of such Subject Units, and (iv) the purchase price for such Subject Units determined by the Board in accordance with Section 8.05(b)(i)  or Section 8.05(b)(ii) , as applicable (the “ Subject Unit Purchase Price ” and, such notice, a “ Repurchase Notice ”). The Repurchase Notice shall also set a reasonable time and place for the closing of the repurchase of such Subject Units, which shall be not less than 20 calendar days nor more than 55 calendar days after the date of such Repurchase Notice; provided , however , that in the event of a Valuation Dispute with respect to such Subject Units, the closing of the repurchase of such Subject Units shall be the tenth Business Day following the Final Determination.

 

(ii)           The Holder shall have the right to dispute in writing the Board’s determination of the Fair Market Value of such Subject Units within 15 calendar days following receipt of the Repurchase Notice (the “ Notice Period ”). If the Company has not received written notice of such a dispute from the Holder within the Notice Period, then the Subject Unit Purchase Price as determined by the Board shall be deemed to be the final Subject Unit Purchase Price. If the Company has received written notice from the Holder of such a dispute within the Notice Period (a “ Valuation Dispute ”), then the Board’s determination of the Fair Market Value of such Subject Units shall be submitted for review and final determination by an internationally recognized independent valuation firm with significant experience performing valuations of privately held companies engaged in the oil and natural gas exploration and production business of similar size and scope as the Holdco and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (the “ Independent Valuation Firm ”) selected by the Holder, provided that such Independent Valuation Firm is approved by the Board acting in good faith. Subject to the foregoing, the Independent Valuation Firm shall review all relevant data, including any necessary books and records of the Company or Holdco, to determine the changes to the Fair Market Value

 

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calculation, if any, necessary to resolve only the disputed items or amounts. Such determination by the Independent Valuation Firm shall be made as promptly as practical, but in no event later than 30 calendar days from its engagement, and shall be final and binding on the Company, the Holder and Holdco with respect to such Subject Units and the Subject unit Purchase Price with respect thereto (the “ Final Determination ”). All costs charged by the Independent Valuation Firm to make such determination will be shared equally by Holdco and the Holder.

 

(iii)          Any payment of the Subject Unit Purchase Price by the Company shall be made, at the Company’s discretion, in the form of a check payable by the Company or a wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Holder. Upon payment of the Subject Unit Purchase Price by the Company, the Subject Units shall automatically be cancelled without further action by the Company, Holdco, the Member, the Holder or any other Person.

 

(d)           Loans . The Members acknowledge and agree that if any amount is outstanding pursuant to a Management Loan as of the date of such repurchase of Class A Units and the purchase price paid to the Company by Holdco for the Holdco A Units is reduced as a result of the existence of such outstanding amounts, then an amount equal to such reduction shall be deemed paid by the Company to such Member as a portion of the purchase price for such Class A Units, the total purchase price for such Class A Units otherwise due to such Member shall be reduced by the amount of such reduction and the amount of such reduction shall be deemed paid by such Member to the Company in reduction of the amounts owing under such Management Loan; provided , however , that, in the event the Subject Unit Purchase Price has been determined (and calculated prior to the application of the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.05(d)) based on the Original Cost of such Subject Units (for the avoidance of doubt, because the Original Cost of such Subject Units is less than the Fair Market Value of such Subject Units), then the amount deemed to be paid by such Member to the Company pursuant to this Section 8.05(d)  shall be deemed to be made in full repayment of all amounts owing under such Management Loan.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, any Class A Units repurchased pursuant to this Section 8.05 shall be deemed forfeited in full as of the time of receipt of payment therefor, whether in cash or by note or in accordance with Section 8.05(d) , and consequently, the holders thereof shall not be entitled to any cash distributions in respect of such Class A Units for any period thereafter.

 

ARTICLE IX
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES;
CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS

 

Section 9.01          Representations and Warranties of the Company. By executing and delivering this Agreement, the Company hereby represents and warrants to each of the Members that the following statements are true and correct as of the date hereof:

 

(a)           The Company is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Since the date of its formation, the Company has not conducted any business or incurred any liabilities or obligations, other than liabilities and

 

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obligations pursuant to the Delaware Act, the Original Agreement, the Prior Agreement or any agreement referenced herein.

 

(b)         Except as expressly disclosed in writing to the Members on the date hereof, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement are within the Company’s organizational powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational action on its behalf, require no consent, approval, permit, license, order or authorization of, notice to, action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority, and do not and will not result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or of any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree or any agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

(c)          The Company has full power and authority to issue and deliver the Class A Units in accordance with the terms hereof. The Class A Units, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, will be duly authorized, validly issued and free and clear of any Liens other than those created by the Members or arising pursuant to this Agreement or any agreement referenced herein.

 

(d)         The representations and warranties of Holdco, as set forth in the Holdco Agreement, are true and correct.

 

Section 9.02          Representations and Warranties of the Members. By executing and delivering this Agreement, each Member hereby represents and warrants to the Company and each other Member that the following statements are true and correct as of the date hereof, as of the date such Member is admitted to the Company and as of the date(s) such Member is acquires Units and/or makes a Capital Contribution:

 

(a)         Such Member’s Units are being held for its own account solely for investment and not with a view to resale or distribution thereof other than in compliance with all applicable securities laws and this Agreement.

 

(b)         If such Member is an entity, such Member is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. If such Member is a natural person, such Member has full legal capacity.

 

(c)          The execution, delivery and performance by such Member of this Agreement are within such Member’s corporate or other powers, as applicable, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action on its behalf (or, if such Member is an individual, are within such Member’s legal right, power and capacity), require no consent, approval, permit, license, order or authorization of, notice to, action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority, and do not and will not result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or of any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree or any agreement or other instrument to which such Member is a party or by which such Member or any of such Member’s properties is bound. This Agreement has been

 

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duly executed and delivered by such Member and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of such Member, enforceable against such Member in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

(d)           Such Member is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act or has disclosed in writing that such Member is not an accredited investor in a signed writing delivered to the Company. Such Member is familiar with the business, financial condition, properties, operations and prospects of Holdco, its Subsidiaries and the Company, and has asked such questions of the Company and the Manager and conducted such due diligence concerning such matters and concerning the Class A Units, this Agreement and the Holdco Agreement as it has desired to ask and conduct, and all such questions have been answered to its full satisfaction. Such Member has not relied upon any representations made by, or other information (whether oral or written) furnished by or on behalf of, the Manager, the Company, Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries or any director, officer, employee, agent or Affiliate of such Persons, other than as set forth in this Agreement. Such Member has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of holding Class A Units and being a Member. Such Member understands that owning Class A Units involves various risks, including the restrictions on transferability set forth in this Agreement, lack of any public market for such Class A Units, the risk of owning Class A Units for an indefinite period of time and the risk of losing its entire investment in the Company. Such Member is able to bear the economic risk of such investment; and such Member acknowledges that the Class A Units have not been registered under the Securities Act or any other applicable federal or state securities laws, and that the Company has no intention, and shall not have any obligation, to register or to obtain an exemption from registration for the Class A Units or to take action so as to permit sales pursuant to the Securities Act (including Rules 144 and 144A thereunder). Such Member has carefully considered and has, to the extent it believes necessary, discussed with legal, tax, accounting and financial advisors the suitability of an investment in the Company and holding Class A Units in light of its particular tax and financial situation, and has determined that the Class A Units are a suitable investment for such Member.

 

Section 9.03          Fiduciary Duties; Competing Activities.

 

(a)           To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Members hereby agree that pursuant to the authority of Sections 18-1101(c)-(e) of the Delaware Act, the Members hereby eliminate any and all fiduciary duties, at law, in equity or under this Agreement, of the Manager and its advisors, shareholders, partners, members, Representatives and Affiliates (in each case, other than those Persons who are or were employees of Holdco or its Subsidiaries) (each, a “ Covered Investor ”) that are owed to the Company or the Members and hereby agree that such Persons shall have no fiduciary duties to the Company or any Member; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not eliminate the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not remove or supersede any restrictions or obligations placed on any employee of Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, any of the confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation obligations set forth in any employment agreements between the Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries and any employee of Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries and in any Award Agreements.

 

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(b)                                  In furtherance of the foregoing, the Members hereby agree that each Covered Investor may engage or invest in, independently or with others, any business activity of any type or description, including those that might be in the same business as or similar to the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries’ business and that might be in direct or indirect competition with the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company, nor Holdco or its Subsidiaries nor any Member shall have any right in or to such other ventures or activities or to the income or proceeds derived therefrom. The pursuit of any such ventures or activities by a Covered Investor, even if competitive with the business of the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper and shall not constitute a conflict of interest or breach of fiduciary or other duty by such Covered Investor with respect to the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries or the other Members. No Covered Investor who is not an employee of Holdco or its Subsidiaries shall be obligated to present any investment opportunity or prospective economic advantage to the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries, even if the opportunity is of the character that, if presented to the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries, could be taken by the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries, and such Covered Investor shall have the right to hold such investment opportunity or prospective economic advantage for its own account or the account of its portfolio companies (as applicable) or to recommend such opportunity to Persons other than the Company, Holdco and its Subsidiaries and the Members. In addition, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time under applicable law, the Company and the Members renounce any interest or expectancy in being offered an opportunity to participate in business opportunities that are from time to time presented to any Covered Investor who is not an employee of Holdco or its Subsidiaries, and the Company and the Members waive any claim related to the foregoing. Each Member acknowledges that the Covered Investors may own and/or manage other businesses, including businesses that may compete directly or indirectly with the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries and for such Covered Investors’ time, and each such Member hereby waives any and all rights and claims which it may otherwise have against the Covered Investors as a result of any such activities.

 

ARTICLE X
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY; EXCULPATION
AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 10.01                       Limitation on Liability. The debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Representative of the Company, the Manager or the Members or their Representatives shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company; provided , that the foregoing shall not alter a Member’s obligation to return funds wrongfully distributed to such Member.

 

Section 10.02                       Exculpation and Indemnification.

 

(a)                                  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect on the date hereof and to such greater extent as applicable law may hereafter from time to time permit, the Company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Person from and against any and all Losses incurred or suffered by such Covered Person (whether as a result of any claim by any Member or any third party or otherwise) by reason of: (i) any act or omission or alleged act or omission performed or omitted to be performed on behalf of the Company in connection with the

 

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business of the Company; (ii) the fact that he or she is or was a Covered Person, or that such Covered Person is or was serving at the request of the Company as a manager, director, officer, member, partner, parent or other Representative of any other Person; or (iii) any other act or omission or alleged act or omission arising out of or in connection with the Company or the business of the Company, to the extent not reimbursed by insurance or other coverage, in each case, if: (A) such Covered Person acted or omitted to act in good faith and in the belief that such act or omission was in, or was not opposed to, the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, (B) such Covered Person’s conduct did not constitute fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct and (C) if such Covered Person is a Member, such Member’s conduct did not constitute a willful breach or violation of this Agreement. The obligations of the Company under this Section 10.02 shall be satisfied solely out of and to the extent of the Company’s assets, and no Covered Person shall have any personal liability on account thereof. There shall be, and each Covered Person shall be entitled to, a rebuttable presumption that such Covered Person acted in good faith and is otherwise entitled to indemnification under this Section 10.02(a)  and advancement of expenses under Section 10.02(b) .

 

(b)                                  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect on the date hereof and to such greater extent as applicable law may hereafter from time to time permit the Company: (i) shall promptly reimburse (and/or advance to the extent reasonably required) each Covered Person for reasonable legal or other expenses (as incurred) of such Covered Person in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any threatened, pending or completed lawsuit, action, investigation, suit or proceeding to which such Covered Person is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to, relating to any Losses for which such Covered Person may be indemnified pursuant to Section 10.02(a); and (ii) shall reimburse the Manager for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by it in performing in its capacity as the Tax Matters Partner or in connection with any administrative or judicial proceeding affecting tax matters of the Company and the Members in their capacity as such; provided , in each case, that such reimbursement and/or advancement shall only be provided to such Covered Person or the Tax Matters Partner (as applicable) upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person or Tax Matters Partner (as applicable) that if it is finally judicially determined that such Person is not entitled to the indemnification provided pursuant to Section 10.02(a) , then such Covered Person shall promptly reimburse the Company for any reimbursed or advanced expenses.

 

(c)                                   A Covered Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Company by any Person as to matters such Covered Person reasonably believes are within his, her or its professional or expert competence.

 

(d)                                  The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses and the remedies provided for in this Section 10.02 are not and shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights or remedies to which any Covered Person may at any time be entitled under any applicable law, agreement, or otherwise, but each such right or remedy under this Article X shall be cumulative with all such other rights and remedies. No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 10.02 or any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of any Covered Person under this

 

43



 

Section 10.02 in respect of any action that such Covered Person has taken or omitted in that Covered Person’s capacity as such prior to such amendment, modification or repeal.

 

Section 10.03                       Insurance. The Company shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Covered Person against any liability asserted against such Covered Person and incurred by such Covered Person in any such capacity, or arising out of such Person’s status as a Covered Person, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such Covered Person against such liability under the provisions of Section 10.02 or under applicable law.

 

ARTICLE XI
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

 

Section 11.01                       Dissolution.

 

(a)                                  The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Members or Substitute Members pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  No Member shall (i) resign from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company except in connection with a Transfer of Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) take any action to dissolve, terminate or liquidate the Company or to require apportionment, appraisal or partition of the Company or any of its assets, or to file a bill for an accounting, except as specifically provided in this Agreement, and each Member, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, hereby waives any rights to take any such actions under applicable law, including any right to petition a court for judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Delaware Act.

 

(c)                                   The Company shall be dissolved and its business wound up upon the earliest to occur of any one of the following events (each a “ Dissolution Event ”):

 

(i)                                      the expiration of forty-five (45) days after the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (including by distribution to the Members) unless the Manager, in its sole discretion, determines otherwise; or

 

(ii)                                   the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Delaware Act, in contravention of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  The death, retirement, resignation, expulsion, bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution of a Member or the occurrence of any other event that terminates the continued membership of a Member shall not in and of itself cause dissolution of the Company.

 

Section 11.02                       Winding Up of the Company.

 

(a)                                  The Manager shall promptly notify the Members of any Dissolution Event. Upon the occurrence of a Dissolution Event, the Company’s assets shall be liquidated in an orderly manner. The Manager shall act as or appoint a liquidating trustee to wind up the affairs of the Company pursuant to this Agreement. In performing its duties, the liquidating trustee is authorized to sell, distribute, exchange or otherwise dispose of the assets of the Company in

 

44



 

accordance with the Delaware Act and in any reasonable manner that the liquidating trustee shall determine to be in the best interest of the Members.

 

(b)                                  The proceeds of the liquidation of the Company shall be distributed in the following order and priority:

 

(i)                                      first , to the creditors (including any Members or their respective Affiliates that are creditors) of the Company in satisfaction of all of the Company’s indebtedness (whether by payment or by making reasonable provision for payment thereof, including the setting up of any reserves which are, in the judgment of the liquidating trustee, reasonably necessary therefor); and

 

(ii)                                   second , to the Members, in accordance with Section 5.03 , subject to the limitations of Article V , as promptly as practicable.

 

Section 11.03                       Distribution of Property. In the event it becomes necessary in connection with the liquidation of the Company to make a distribution of Property in-kind, subject to the priority set forth in Section 11.02 , the liquidating trustee shall have the right to compel each Member to accept a distribution of any Property in-kind (even if the percentage of the Property distributed to such Member differs from a percentage of that Property which is equal to such Member’s Percentage Interest), with such distribution being based upon the amount of cash that would be distributed to such Members if such Property were sold for an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of such Property, as determined by the liquidating trustee in good faith.

 

Section 11.04                       Termination. The Company shall terminate when all of the assets of the Company, after payment of or reasonable provision for the payment of all debts and liabilities of the Company, shall have been distributed to the Members in the manner provided for in this Article XI , and the Certificate of Formation shall have been cancelled in the manner required by the Delaware Act.

 

Section 11.05                       Survival. Termination, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company for any reason shall not release any Party from any liability which at the time of such termination, dissolution, liquidation or winding up already had accrued to any other Party or which thereafter may accrue in respect to any act or omission prior to such termination, dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

 

ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01                       Expenses. Except as otherwise agreed to in writing by Holdco or any of its Affiliates prior to the date hereof, each Member shall bear its own expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including all fees and expenses of its Representatives. Notwithstanding the exception to the foregoing, each Member shall bear any such expenses incurred after the Closing Date.

 

Section 12.02                       Further Assurances. Each Member agrees to execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record such further certificates, amendments, instruments and documents, and to

 

45



 

do all such other acts and things, as may be required by law or as, in the reasonable judgment of the Manager, may be necessary or advisable to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

 

Section 12.03                       Notices.

 

(a)                                  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all notices, requests and other communications to any Party hereunder shall be in writing (including a facsimile or similar writing) and shall be given to such Party at the address or facsimile number specified for such Party on Schedule A hereto (or in the case of the Company, this Section 12.03(a) ) or as such Party shall hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other Parties. Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i) if personally delivered, on the date of such delivery, (ii) if given by facsimile, at the time such facsimile is transmitted and the appropriate confirmation is received, (iii) if delivered by an internationally recognized overnight courier, on the next Business Day after the date when sent, (iv) if delivered by registered or certified mail, three (3) Business Days (or, if to an address outside the United States, seven (7) days) after such communication is deposited in the mails with first-class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid, or (v) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified on Schedule A or in Section 12.03(b) .

 

(b)                                  All notices, requests or other communications to the Company hereunder shall be delivered to the Company at the following address and/or facsimile number in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.03(a) :

 

EPE Management Investors, LLC

c/o Apollo Management VII, L.P.

Apollo Commodities Management, L.P.,

with respect to Series I

9 West 57 th  Street

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Gregory Beard and Laurie Medley

Telecopier: (212) 515-3288

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019-6064

Attention: James H. Schwab

Telecopier: (212) 757-3990

 

and with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

46



 

Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P.

666 Fifth Ave., 26th Floor

New York, NY 10103

Attention: James J. Fox

Telecopier: (212) 237-0100

 

Section 12.04                       No Third Party Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other agreement to the contrary, this Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or remedies upon, and shall not be enforceable by any Person other than the actual Parties hereto, their respective successors and permitted assigns, and, solely with respect to the provisions of Article X , each Covered Person and, solely with respect to the provisions of Section 9.03 , each Covered Investor.

 

Section 12.05                       Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure by any Party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, agreement, term or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach of such or any other covenant, agreement, term or condition shall operate as a waiver of such or any other covenant, agreement, term or condition of this Agreement. Any Member by notice given in accordance with Section 12.03 may, but shall not be under any obligation to, waive any of its rights or conditions to its obligations hereunder, or any duty, obligation or covenant of any other Member. No waiver shall affect or alter the remainder of this Agreement but each and every covenant, agreement, term and condition hereof shall continue in full force and effect with respect to any other then existing or subsequent breach. The rights and remedies provided by this Agreement are cumulative and the exercise of any one right or remedy by any Party shall not preclude or waive its right to exercise any or all other rights or remedies.

 

Section 12.06                       Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws. The Parties hereby declare that it is their intention that this Agreement shall be regarded as made under the laws of the State of Delaware and that the laws of said State shall be applied in interpreting its provisions in all cases where legal interpretation shall be required. Each of the Parties: (a) agrees that this Agreement involves at least US $100,000.00; (b) agrees that this Agreement has been entered into by the Parties in express reliance upon 6 Del. C. § 2708(a); (c) irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and of the federal courts sitting in the State of Delaware with respect to all actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (d) agrees that all claims with respect to any such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such courts and agrees not to commence any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby except in such courts; (e) irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and irrevocably and unconditionally waives the defense of an inconvenient forum; (f) irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that the Company is a commercial business entity and is a separate entity distinct from its ultimate equity holders, Holdco and/or the executive organs of the government of any state and is capable of suing and being sued; (g) agrees that its entry into this constitutes, and the exercise of its rights and performance of its obligations hereunder will constitute, private and commercial acts performed for private and commercial purposes that shall

 

47



 

not be deemed as being entered into in the exercise of any public function; (h) irrevocably appoints The Corporation Trust Company as its agent for the sole purpose of receiving service of process or other legal summons in connection with any such dispute, litigation, action or proceeding brought in such courts and agrees that it will maintain The Corporation Trust Company at all times as its duly appointed agent in the State of Delaware (and the Company shall reasonably assist each Member, to the extent requested by such Member, with such appointment, including by informing The Corporation Trust Company of such appointment and assisting such Member with the delivery of any documentation required for such appointment to The Corporation Trust Company) for the service of any process or summons in connection with any such dispute, litigation, action or proceeding brought in such courts and, if it fails to maintain such an agent during any period, any such process or summons may be served on it by mailing a copy of such process or summons by an internationally-recognized courier service to the address set forth next to its name in Schedule A or with respect to the Company, the address set forth in Section 12.03(b) , with such service deemed effective on the fifth (5 th ) day after the date of such mailing; and (i) agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding and from which no appeal can be made shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. The Parties agree that any violation of this Section 12.06 shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement and shall constitute irreparable harm.

 

Section 12.07                       Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or pdf attachment to electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart to this Agreement.

 

Section 12.08                       Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with the Award Agreements, the Subscription Agreement, the Holdco Agreement and the Secured Promissory Note and Pledge Agreements with respect to any Management Loans constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the Parties in connection herewith and therewith, and no covenant, representation or condition not expressed in this Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, the Holdco Agreement or any applicable Secured Promissory Note and Pledge Agreements with respect to Management Loans shall affect, or be effective to interpret, change or restrict, the express provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 12.09                       Headings. The titles of Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof.

 

Section 12.10                       Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights or obligations of any Party under this Agreement shall not be materially and adversely affected thereby, (a) such provision shall be fully severable, (b) this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof, (c) the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance herefrom, and (d) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this

 

48



 

Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

 

Section 12.11                       WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

Section 12.12                       Amendment. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented, and any provision hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument duly approved by the Board and the Members that together hold, in the aggregate, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the Class A Units and duly executed by the Manager; provided , however , that the Manager may, without the consent of any Member, amend or modify this Agreement (including Schedule A ) or waive any provision of this Agreement (other than this Section 12.12 ), and/or the Certificate of Formation pursuant to a written instrument duly approved by the Board to the extent necessary or (as determined by the Board) desirable to issue new Class A Units, and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Holdco Agreement.

 

Section 12.13                       Confidentiality.

 

(a)                                  Each of the Members shall, and shall direct those of its directors, officers, members, stockholders, partners, employees, attorneys, accountants, consultants, trustees, Affiliates and other Representatives (the “ Member Parties ”) who have access to Confidential Information to, keep confidential and not disclose any Confidential Information without the express consent, in the case of Confidential Information acquired from the Company, of the Board or, in the case of Confidential Information acquired from another Member, such other Member, unless:

 

(i)                                      such disclosure shall be required by applicable law, governmental rule or regulation, court order, administrative or arbitral proceeding;

 

(ii)                                   such disclosure is reasonably required in connection with any tax audit involving the Company or any Member;

 

(iii)                                such disclosure is reasonably required in connection with any litigation against or involving the Company or any Member; or

 

(iv)                               such disclosure is reasonably required in connection with any proposed Transfer of all or any part of such Member’s Units in the Company; provided , that with respect to any such use of any Confidential Information referred to in this clause (iv), advance notice must be given to the Manager so that it may require any proposed Transferee that is not a Member to enter into a confidentiality agreement with terms

 

49



 

substantially similar to the terms of this Section 12.13 (excluding this clause (iv)) prior to the disclosure of such Confidential Information.

 

(b)                                  Confidential Information ” shall mean any information related to the activities of the Company, Holdco and its Subsidiaries and members and managers, the Members and their respective Affiliates that a Member may acquire from the Company, Holdco or its Subsidiaries, members or managers, the Manager or the Members, or their respective Representatives, other than information that (i) is already available through publicly available sources of information (other than as a result of disclosure by such Member), (ii) was available to a Member on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure to such Member by the Company, or (iii) becomes available to a Member on a non-confidential basis from a third party, provided such third party is not known by such Member, after reasonable inquiry, to be bound by this Agreement or another confidentiality agreement with the Company. Such Confidential Information may include information that pertains or relates to the business and affairs of any other Member or any other Company or Holdco matters. Confidential Information may be used by a Member and its Member Parties only in connection with Company matters and in connection with the maintenance of its Units in the Company.

 

(c)                                   In the event that any Member or any Member Parties of such Member is required to disclose any of the Confidential Information, such Member shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Company with prompt written notice so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, and such Member shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Company in any effort any such Person undertakes to obtain a protective order or other remedy. In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or that the Company waives compliance with the provisions of this Section 12.13 , such Member and its Member Parties shall furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required and shall exercise all reasonable efforts to obtain reasonably reliable assurance that the Confidential Information shall be accorded confidential treatment.

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.11 and the foregoing provisions of this Section 12.13 , this Section 12.13 shall not apply in respect of any Member who is or has been a party to any Award Agreement or employment agreement with Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries containing provisions as to confidentiality (which shall instead govern their obligations of confidentiality); provided, that each such Member shall nevertheless also be subject to this Section 12.13 with respect to Confidential Information consisting of: (i) the terms, provisions and existence of this Agreement, the Holdco Agreement and any agreement referenced therein or herein, (ii) any information relating to the Members, the members of Holdco or the Company or their respective Affiliates (including, as applicable, the identities of such Persons, information relating to their interests in Holdco or the corporate ownership structure of Holdco, its members or the Company), and (iii) any information obtained by or provided to such Member under the Holdco Agreement or this Agreement (including pursuant to the Section 2.11 Principle) or through any Board Observer designated by the Company or the chief executive officer of EP Energy LLC, whether through such Board Observer’s or such chief executive officer’s attendance of any Board meetings or receipt of written materials distributed to each Board Observer or such chief executive officer, in each case solely in its capacity as a representative on the Board, except that any such covered information shall not be deemed to

 

50



 

include any information presented by management of Holdco to the Board that relates to ordinary course financial or operational matters).

 

Section 12.14                       Representation by Counsel. Each of the Parties has been represented by, or has had an opportunity to consult with, legal counsel in connection with the drafting, negotiation and execution of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage of any Party by any court or arbitrator or any Governmental Authority by reason of such Party having drafted or being deemed to have drafted such provision.

 

Section 12.15                       Exhibits and Schedules. All Exhibits and Schedules attached to this Agreement are incorporated and shall be treated as if set forth herein.

 

Section 12.16                       Specific Performance. The Parties acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for breaches or violations of this Agreement and that any Party, in addition to any other rights and remedies which the Parties may have hereunder or at law or in equity, may, in its sole discretion, apply to a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with Section 12.06 for specific performance or injunction or such other equitable relief as such court may deem just and proper in order to enforce this Agreement in the event of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement or prevent any violation hereof and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, each Party hereby waives (a) any objection to the imposition of such relief, and (b) any requirement for the posting of any bond or similar collateral in connection therewith.

 

Section 12.17                       Reliance on Authority of Person Signing Agreement. If a Member is not a natural person, neither the Company nor any other Member will (a) be required to determine the authority of the individual signing this Agreement to make any commitment or undertaking on behalf of such entity or to determine any fact or circumstance bearing upon the existence of the authority of such individual, or (b) be responsible for the application or distribution of proceeds paid or credited to individuals signing this Agreement on behalf of such entity.

 

[ Signature pages follow. ]

 

51


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.

 

 

THE COMPANY :

 

 

 

EPE MANAGEMENT INVESTORS, LLC

 

 

 

By its manager:

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Name:

Sam Oh

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

THE MANAGER :

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Name:

Sam Oh

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement
of EPE Management Investors, LLC

 



 

 

THE INITIAL MEMBER (solely for the purposes of Section 2.10 ):

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Name:

Sam Oh

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement
of EPE Management Investors, LLC

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

Addendum Agreement

 

This Addendum Agreement (this “ Addendum Agreement ”) is made this [    ] day of [            ], 20[  ], by and between [                           ] (the “ Transferee ”), [                                  ] (the “ Transferor ”), EPE Management Investors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and the Manager pursuant to the terms of that certain Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of May 24, 2012, including all exhibits and schedules thereto (the “ Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

WITNESSETH :

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Members entered into the Agreement to impose certain restrictions and obligations upon themselves, and to provide certain rights, with respect to the Company, the Members, the Managers and the Class A Units;

 

WHEREAS, the Transferee is acquiring Class A Units pursuant to a Transfer, in either case in accordance with the Agreement and any Award Agreement to which the Class A Units and/or the Transferee are subject, and in such amount as set forth in Section 4 below (the “ Acquired Units ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Agreement requires that any Person to whom Class A Units are Transferred must enter into an Addendum Agreement binding the Transferee to the Agreement to the same extent as if it were an original party thereto and imposing the same restrictions and obligations upon the Transferee and the Acquired Units as are imposed upon the Members and the Units under the Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises of the parties hereto and as a condition of the purchase or receipt by the Transferee of the Acquired Units, the Transferee acknowledges and agrees as follows:

 

1.                                       The Transferee has received and read the Agreement and acknowledges that the Transferee is acquiring the Acquired Units in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and that the Acquired Units may be subject to one or more Secured Promissory Note and Pledge Agreements relating to Management Loans.

 

2.                                       By the execution and delivery of this Addendum Agreement, the Transferee represents and warrants to, and agrees with the Company and the Transferor that the following statements are true and correct as of the date hereof:

 

(a)                                  The Transferee is holding the Acquired Units for its own account solely for investment and not with a view to resale or distribution thereof other than in compliance with all applicable securities laws and the Agreement.

 

Exhibit A-1



 

(b)                                  If the Transferee is an entity, the Transferee is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. If such Transferee is a natural person, such Transferee has full legal capacity.

 

(c)                                   Except as expressly disclosed in writing to the Company and the other Members, the execution, delivery and performance by the Transferee of this Addendum Agreement are within the Transferee’s corporate or other powers, as applicable, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action on its behalf (or, if the Transferee is an individual, are within such Transferee’s legal right, power and capacity), require no consent, approval, permit, license, order or authorization of, notice to, action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority on the part of the Transferee (except as expressly disclosed in writing to the Board prior to the date hereof), and do not and will not result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or of any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree or any agreement or other instrument to which the Transferee is a party or by which the Transferee or any of the Transferee’s properties is bound. This Addendum Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Transferee and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Transferee, enforceable against the Transferee in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) any legal principles of general applicability governing the availability of equitable remedies, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law or under applicable legal codes).

 

(d)                                  The Transferee does not have any liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the execution, delivery or performance of this Addendum Agreement by the Transferee.

 

(e)                                   Except as expressly disclosed in writing by the Transferee to the Company, the Transferee is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. The Transferee has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of holding the Acquired Units and being a Member. The Transferee understands that owning the Acquired Units involves various risks, including the restrictions on transferability set forth in this Agreement, lack of any public market for such Acquired Units, the risk of owning the Acquired Units for an indefinite period of time and the risk of losing its entire investment in the Company. The Transferee is able to bear the economic risk of such investment; is acquiring the Acquired Units for investment and solely for its own beneficial account and not with a view to or any present intention of directly or indirectly selling, Transferring, offering to sell or Transfer, participating in any distribution or otherwise disposing of all or a portion of the Acquired Units; and the Transferee acknowledges the Acquired Units have not been registered under the Securities Act or any other applicable federal or state securities laws, and that the Company has no intention, and shall not have any obligation, to register or to obtain an exemption from registration for the Acquired Units or to take action so as to permit sales

 

Exhibit A-2



 

pursuant to the Securities Act (including Rules 144 and 144A thereunder). The Transferee has carefully considered and has, to the extent it believes necessary, discussed with legal, tax, accounting and financial advisors the suitability of an investment in the Company and holding the Acquired Units in light of its particular tax and financial situation, and has determined that the Acquired Units are a suitable investment for the Transferee.

 

3.                                       The Transferee agrees that the Acquired Units are bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement, and hereby joins in, and agrees to be bound by, and shall have the benefit of, all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement to the same extent as if the Transferee were an original party to the Agreement or an initial Member, as the case may be; provided , however , that the Transferee’s joinder in the Agreement shall not constitute admission of the Transferee as a Member unless and until the Company executes this Addendum Agreement confirming the due admission of the Transferee. This Addendum Agreement shall be attached to and become a part of the Agreement.

 

4.                                       For good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by the Transferor and the Transferee, the Transferor hereby transfers and assigns absolutely to the Transferee the Acquired Units, including, for the avoidance of doubt, all rights, title and interest in and to the Acquired Units, with effect from the date hereof. It is hereby confirmed by the Transferor that the Transferor has complied in all respects with the provisions of the Agreement with respect to the transfer of the Acquired Units. The number of Units currently held by the Transferor, and the number of Acquired Units to be transferred and assigned pursuant to this Addendum Agreement, are as follows:

 

Number of Class A Units

 

Number of Acquired Units to

Held by the Transferor

 

be transferred and assigned

 

 

 

[                 ]

 

[                 ]

 

5.                                       The Transferee hereby agrees to accept the Acquired Units and hereby agrees and consents to become a Member and hereby is admitted as a Member.

 

6.                                       Any notice required as permitted by the Agreement shall be given to Transferee at the address listed beneath the Transferee’s signature below.

 

7.                                       This Addendum Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank. ]

 

Exhibit A-3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

THE COMPANY:

EPE MANAGEMENT INVESTORS, LLC

 

 

 

By its manager: EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

TRANSFEROR:

[INSERT NAME]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

TRANSFEREE:

[INSERT NAME]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

[INSERT TRANSFEREE’S ADDRESS]

 

Exhibit A-4




Exhibit 10.29

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of May 24, 2012, is executed and agreed to by and between EPE Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and EPE Management Investors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ EMI ”). Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined in the body hereof are defined in Exhibit A hereto.

 

WHEREAS , the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of May 24, 2012 (as amended from time to time, the “ LLC Agreement ”), authorizes the Board to cause the Company to issue Class A Units (whether Matching Units or Funded Units, the “ Subscribed Class A Units ”) to EMI upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the LLC Agreement, and, in connection therewith, authorizes the Company to cause EMI to issue a corresponding number of EMI Units to EMI Members (each, a “ Management Investor ”);

 

WHEREAS , the purpose of this Agreement is to set forth certain of the circumstances in which the Company shall have the right to repurchase Subscribed Class A Units from EMI; and

 

WHEREAS , EMI and EEH are parties to that certain Subscription Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 (the “ Prior Subscription Agreement ”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the promises and of the mutual agreements contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows and amend and restate the Prior Subscription Agreement in its entirety:

 

1.                                       Repurchase of Subscribed Class A Units

 

(a)                                  If (i) the employment of a Management Investor with the Company or its Subsidiaries is terminated for Cause or (ii) a Management Investor voluntarily terminates from employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries without Good Reason, then, for a period of one year following the date of such Management Investor’s termination of employment, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase from EMI, in accordance with Section 2 below, any or all of the Subscribed Class A Units attributable to such Management Investor (and such Management Investor’s Permitted Transferees) as of the date of such Management Investor’s termination for a purchase price equal to the lesser of the Original Cost of such Subscribed Class A Units and the Fair Market Value of such Subscribed Class A Units determined as of the date the Company elects to repurchase such Subscribed Class A Units.

 

(b)                                  If (i) a Management Investor is terminated from employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries without Cause, (ii) a Management Investor voluntarily terminates from employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries for Good Reason or (iii) a Management Investor’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated upon such Management Investor’s death or because such Management Investor incurs a Disability, then the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase from EMI, in

 



 

accordance with Section 2 below, any or all of the Subscribed Class A Units attributable to such Management Investor (and such Management Investor’s Permitted Transferees) as of the date of such Management Investor’s termination for a purchase price equal to the Fair Market Value of such Units determined as of the date the Company elects to repurchase such Subscribed Class A Units.

 

2.                                       Procedure for Repurchase of Vested Units .

 

(a)                                  In order to exercise the right to repurchase any Subscribed Class A Units that are subject to repurchase pursuant to Section 1 (the “ Subject Units ”), the Company shall deliver written notice to such Management Investor, and such Management Investor’s Permitted Transferee, legal representative or guardian, or the executor of such Management Investor’s estate, as applicable (the “ Holder ”) and to EMI, no later than the one-year anniversary of the termination of the Management Investor’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries (the “ Trigger Date ”), in which notice the Company shall set forth (i) the number of such Subject Units, (ii) the Original Cost of such Subject Units (only if such Subject Units are subject to repurchase pursuant to Section 1(a)), (iii) the Fair Market Value of such Subject Units, and (iv) and the purchase price for such Subject Units determined by the Board in accordance with Section 1(a) or Section 1(b), as applicable (the “ Purchase Price ” and, such notice, a “ Repurchase Notice ”). The Repurchase Notice shall also set a reasonable time and place for the closing of the repurchase of such Subject Units, which shall be not less than 20 calendar days nor more than 55 calendar days after the date of such Repurchase Notice; provided, however, that in the event of a Valuation Dispute (as defined below) with respect to such Subject Units, the closing of the repurchase of such Subject Units shall be the tenth Business Day following the Final Determination (as defined below).

 

(b)                                  The Holder shall have the right to dispute in writing the Board’s determination of the Fair Market Value of such Subject Units within 15 calendar days following receipt of a Repurchase Notice (the “ Notice Period ”). If the Company has not received written notice of such a dispute from the Holder within the Notice Period, then the Purchase Price as determined by the Board shall be deemed to be the final Purchase Price. If the Company has received written notice from the Holder of such a dispute within the Notice Period (a “ Valuation Dispute ”), then the Board’s determination of the Fair Market Value of such Subject Units shall be submitted for review and final determination by an internationally recognized independent valuation firm with significant experience performing valuations of privately held companies engaged in the oil and natural gas exploration and production business of similar size and scope as the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (the “ Independent Valuation Firm ”) selected by the Holder, provided that such Independent Valuation Firm is approved by the Board acting in good faith. Subject to the foregoing, the Independent Valuation Firm shall review all relevant data, including any necessary books and records of the Company, to determine the changes to the Fair Market Value calculation, if any, necessary to resolve only the disputed items or amounts. Such determination by the Independent Valuation Firm shall be made as promptly as practical, but in no event later than 30 calendar days from its engagement, and shall be final and binding on the Company, the Holder, EMI and the members of EMI with respect to such Subject Units and the Purchase Price with respect thereto (the “ Final Determination ”). All costs charged by the Independent Valuation Firm to make such determination will be shared equally by the Company and the Holder.

 

2



 

(c)                                   Any payment of the Purchase Price for the Subject Units by the Company shall be made, at the Company’s discretion, in the form of a check payable to EMI or a wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by EMI. Upon payment of the Purchase Price by the Company, the Subject Units shall automatically be cancelled without further action by the Company, EMI, the Management Investor or any other Person.

 

3.                                       Undertaking of EMI. Upon the repurchase of Subscribed Class A Units attributable to such Management Investor in accordance with this Agreement, EMI shall immediately cause the repurchase of an equivalent number of EMI Units of such Management Investor and/or its Permitted Transferees. EMI hereby agrees to take whatever additional actions and execute whatever additional documents the Company may in its reasonable judgment deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed on EMI pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement and the LLC Agreement.

 

4.                                       General Provisions.

 

(a)                                  Notices . Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (i) when delivered in person, (ii) on the first business day after such notice is sent by air express overnight courier service, or (iii) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in each case addressed to the following address, as applicable:

 

If to EMI to:

 

EPE Management Investors, LLC

c/o Apollo Global Management, LLC

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Sam Oh

 

 

 

If to the Company to:

 

EPE Acquisition, LLC

c/o Apollo Management VII, L.P.

Apollo Commodities Management, L.P., with respect to Series I

9 West 57 th  Street

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Gregory Beard and Laurie Medley

 

(b)                                  Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE. THE PARTIES HEREBY DECLARE THAT IT IS THEIR INTENTION THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE REGARDED AS MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND THAT THE LAWS OF SAID STATE SHALL BE APPLIED IN INTERPRETING ITS PROVISIONS IN ALL CASES WHERE LEGAL INTERPRETATION SHALL BE REQUIRED.

 

3



 

(c)                                   Waiver of Jury Trial . IN ENTERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

(d)                                  Amendment and Waiver . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived only with the prior written consent of EMI and the Company, and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

(e)                                   Severability . Any provision in this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction by reason of applicable Law shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating or affecting the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

(f)                                    Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the EMI Agreement and the LLC Agreement embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

(g)                                   Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or pdf attachment to electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart to this Agreement.

 

(h)                                  Title and Headings; Construction . All Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole, including all Exhibits attached hereto, and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All references herein to Sections and Exhibits shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Sections of this Agreement and the Exhibits attached hereto, and all such Exhibits attached hereto are hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. In the event that the LLC Agreement is amended following the date hereof in a manner that amends, corrects, modifies, re-titles, re-numbers or otherwise revises the LLC Agreement section reference within this Agreement, such section reference within this Agreement shall be deemed to continue to reference the applicable original LLC Agreement section, as so amended. The use herein of the word “including” following any general statement, term or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation”, “but not limited to”, or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. The word “or” as used herein is disjunctive but not

 

4



 

necessarily exclusive. Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto.

 

(i)                                      Gender and Plurals . Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

(j)                                     Successors and Assigns . Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by and against EMI, the Company and EMI and the Company’s respective successors and assigns (including subsequent holders of Subscribed Class A Units); provided, however, that EMI’s rights and obligations under this Agreement are not assignable except in connection with a Transfer of the Subscribed Class A Units permitted under the LLC Agreement. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement or in the LLC Agreement, (i) each Subscribed Class A Unit shall remain subject to the terms of the LLC Agreement and this Agreement regardless of who holds such Subscribed Class A Unit.

 

(k)                                  Rights of Third Parties . Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person, other than the parties hereto, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(1)                                  WAIVER OF PUNITIVE AND EXEMPLARY DAMAGE CLAIMS . EACH PARTY, BY EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT, WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, ANY CLAIMS TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR SIMILAR DAMAGES NOT MEASURED BY THE PREVAILING PARTY’S ACTUAL DAMAGES IN ANY DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY ARISING UNDER, RELATING TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

 

[Signatures appear on the following page]

 

5



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amended and Restated Subscription Agreement as of the date first written above, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

 

 

EPE MANAGEMENT INVESTORS, LLC

 

 

 

By its manager:

 

 

 

EPE Acquisition, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Name:

Sam Oh

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

EPE ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Oh

 

 

Name:

Sam Oh

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Signature Page to Amended and Restated Subscription Agreement

 



 

EXHIBIT A
DEFINED TERMS

 

Award Agreement ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Board ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Business Day ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Capital Contribution ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Cause ” as to any Management Investor has the meaning assigned to such term in an employment agreement, if any, between the Company or one of its Subsidiaries and such Management Investor; provided , however , in the absence of such an employment agreement or if such employment agreement does not define the term “Cause,” then “Cause” has the meaning set forth in the Award Agreement between EEH and such Management Investor.

 

Class A Units ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Delaware Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. §§ 18-101 et seq., as amended from time to time.

 

Disability ” as to any Management Investor has the meaning assigned to such term in an employment agreement, if any, between the Company or one of its Subsidiaries and such Management Investor; provided , however , in the absence of such an employment agreement or if such employment agreement does not define the terms “Disability” then “Disability” has the meaning set forth in the Award Agreement between EMI and such Management Investor.

 

EEH ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

EMI Agreement ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

EMI Units ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Fair Market Value ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Funded Units ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Good Reason ” as to any Management Investor has the has the meaning assigned to such term in an employment agreement, if any, between the Company or one of its Subsidiaries and such Management Investor; provided , however , in the absence of such an employment agreement or if such employment agreement does not define the term “Good Reason,” then “Good Reason” has the meaning set forth in the Award Agreement between EEH and such Management Investor.

 

Law ” means any applicable constitutional provision, statute, act, code (including the Code), law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, decree, ruling, proclamation, resolution, judgment, decision, injunction, award, declaration, or interpretative or advisory opinion or letter of a

 

Exhibit A-1



 

domestic, foreign or international governmental authority or any political subdivision thereof and shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, the Delaware Act.

 

Management Loan ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Matching Units ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Original Cost ” means, at any given time with respect to the Subscribed Class A Units attributable to the EMI Units held at such time by a particular Management Investor or its Permitted Transferee, the per Unit amount equal to the quotient of (a) the sum of (i) the cash amount paid by the Management Investor to EMI to purchase such EMI Units and (ii) the amount of principal, if any, previously repaid by the Management Investor under a Management Loan that was obtained to purchase such EMI Units divided by (b) the number of EMI Units held by the Management Investor at such time.

 

Permitted Transferee ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Person ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Subsidiary ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Unit ” is defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Exhibit A-2


 

 

 



Exhibit 12.1

 

EP ENERGY LLC

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES

(In millions)

 

 

 

Successor

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

March 23
(inception) to
June 30,

 

 

January 1, to
May 24,

 

Six months ended
June 30,

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

$

(150

)

 

$

314

 

$

213

 

$

482

 

$

706

 

$

(1,373

)

$

(1,676

)

$

707

 

Less: (Loss) income from equity investees

 

(1

)

 

(5

)

(1

)

(7

)

(7

)

(30

)

(93

)

12

 

(Loss) income before income taxes before adjustment for (loss) income from equity investees

 

(149

)

 

319

 

214

 

489

 

713

 

(1,343

)

(1,583

)

695

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed charges

 

55

 

 

19

 

12

 

26

 

31

 

33

 

87

 

134

 

Distributed income of equity investees

 

 

 

8

 

15

 

46

 

50

 

45

 

80

 

63

 

Capitalized interest

 

(2

)

 

(4

)

(6

)

(13

)

(9

)

(7

)

(29

)

(35

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total earnings available for fixed charges

 

$

(96

)

 

$

342

 

$

235

 

$

548

 

$

785

 

$

(1,272

)

$

(1,445

)

$

857

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and debt expense

 

$

54

 

 

$

19

 

$

12

 

$

25

 

$

30

 

$

32

 

$

86

 

$

133

 

Interest component of rent

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed charges

 

$

55

 

 

$

19

 

$

12

 

$

26

 

$

31

 

$

33

 

$

87

 

$

134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges(1) 

 

 

 

18.00

 

19.58

 

21.08

 

25.32

 

 

 

6.40

 

 


(1)  Earnings for the periods from March 23 to June 30, 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $151 million, $1,305 million and $1,532 million, respectively.

 

For purposes of computing these ratios, earnings means income (loss) before income taxes before:

 

· income or loss from equity investees, adjusted to reflect actual distributions from equity investments; and

 

· fixed charges;

less:

 

· capitalized interest

 

 

Fixed charges means the sum of the following:

 

· interest costs, not including interest on tax liabilities which is included in income tax expense on our income statement;

 

· amortization of debt costs; and

 

· that portion of rental expense which we believe represents an interest factor

 




Exhibit 21.1

 

Subsidiaries of EP Energy LLC

As of September [   ], 2012

 

Subsidiary

 

Jurisdiction

 

% Owned

 

Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

EP Energy Global LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

%

EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

EP Energy Pescada Ltda.(1)

 

Brazil

 

99.9999

%

EP Energy Brazil Holdings Company

 

Cayman Islands

 

100

%

EP Energy do Brasil Ltda.(2)

 

Brazil

 

99.8002

%

EP Energy Maritime B.V. (3)

 

Netherlands

 

73

%

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

EP Energy Management, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.(4)

 

Delaware

 

99

%

EP Nominee Corp.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

Starr County Gathering System(5)

 

Texas

 

30

%

Black Warrior Transmission Corp.(5)

 

Alabama

 

50

%

Black Warrior Methane Corp.(5)

 

Alabama

 

50

%

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

EnerVest Energy, L.P.(5)

 

Delaware

 

23

%

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

Four Star Oil & Gas Company(4)

 

Delaware

 

48.8

%

 


(1)  0.001% held by EP Energy Brazil Holding Company

(2)  0.1998% held by EP Energy Brazil Holding Company

(3)  27% held by EP Energy do Brasil Ltda.

(4)  1% held by EP Energy Management, L.L.C., as general partner

(5)  Other percentage owned by unaffiliated parties

 




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Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

        We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-00000) and related Preliminary Prospectus of EP Energy LLC for the registration of $750 million 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, $2,000 million 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 and $350 million 7.75% Senior Notes due 2022 and to the inclusion of our report dated March 7, 2012 (except for Note 12, as to which the date is September 11, 2012), with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of EP Energy Corporation included herein for the year ended December 31, 2011, and our report dated September 11, 2012, with respect to the financial statements of Everest Acquisition LLC included herein for the period ended April 30, 2012.

Houston, Texas
September 11, 2012




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Exhibit 23.2

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of EP Energy LLC of our report dated February 24, 2012 relating to the financial statements of Four Star Oil & Gas Company, which appears in such Registration Statement.  We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

 

 

 

 

Houston, Texas

 

September 10, 2012

 

 




EXHIBIT 23.4

 

 

 

 

TBPE REGISTERED ENGINEERING FIRM F-1580

FAX (713) 651-0849

 

1100 LOUISIANA     SUITE 3800

HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-5235

TELEPHONE (713) 651-9191

 

CONSENT OF RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

 

As independent petroleum engineers, Ryder Scott Company, L.P. hereby consents to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-00000) of EP Energy LLC (the “Registration Statement”) of the reference to us under the heading “Experts” and our report under the captions “Part I. Business — Oil and Gas Properties” and “Part II.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data —Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Operations (Unaudited)” and our reserve reports attached as Exhibit 99.5 to this Registration Statement.

 

 

/s/ RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

 

RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

 

TBPE Firm Registration No. F-1580

 

 

 

 

Houston, Texas

 

September 10, 2012

 

 

SUITE 600, 1015 4TH STREET, S.W.

 

CALGARY, ALBERTA T2R 1J4

 

TEL (403) 262-2799

 

FAX (403) 262-2790

621 17TH STREET, SUITE 1550

 

DENVER, COLORADO 80293-1501

 

TEL (303) 623-9147

 

FAX (303) 623-4258

 




Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

File No.      

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A

TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

16-1486454

(I.R.S. employer identification no.)

 

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19890

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Robert C. Fiedler

Vice President and Counsel

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

(302) 651-8541

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

EP ENERGY LLC

EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.(1)

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

45-4871021

Delaware

 

45-4870996

(State of incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. employer identification no.)

 

1001 Louisiana Street

 

 

Houston, Texas

 

77002

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

9.375% Senior Notes due 2020

7.750% Senior Notes due 2022

(Title of the indenture securities)

 


(1)  SEE TABLE OF ADDITIONAL OBLIGOR

 

 

 



 

SCHEDULE A

 

Obligor

 

State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Organization

 

Address of Obligors’ Principal
Executive Offices

 

IRS
Employer
Identification
Number

EP Energy Global LLC

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EP Energy Brazil, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EP Energy Preferred Holdings Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

MBOW Four Star, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EP Energy Management, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EP Energy Resale Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EP Energy Gathering Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street

Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

EPE Nominee Corp.

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

80-0817606

Crystal E&P Company, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

 

Not Applicable

 

The primary standard industrial classification code number for each of the additional registrants is 1311

 



 

Item 1.            GENERAL INFORMATION.  Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

(a)                        Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

 

(b)                        Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Yes.

 

Item 2.                            AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR .   If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:

 

Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.

 

Item 16.                     LIST OF EXHIBITS.  Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.

 

1.                A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.

 

2.                The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.

 

3.                The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T - 1.

 

4.                A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of form T-1.

 

5.                Not applicable.

 

6.                The consent of Trustee as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6 of Form T-1.

 

7.                Current Report of the Condition of Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.

 

8.                Not applicable.

 

9.                Not applicable.

 



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Minneapolis and State of Minnesota on the 7 th day of September, 2012.

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST,

 

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jane Schweiger

 

Name: Jane Schweiger

 

Title: Vice President

 



 

EXHIBIT 1

 

CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 



 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:

 

FIRST.                                                            The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.

 

SECOND.                                           The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware.  The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.

 

THIRD.                                                        The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit.  The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof.  Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater.  Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.

 

Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders.  The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:

 

1)               exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or

 

2)               exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit.

 

Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office.  Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.

 

Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting.  Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.

 

FOURTH.                                            There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting.  It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in

 



 

the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day.  If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists.  The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.

 

In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder.  If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate.  On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.

 

Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors.  Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed.  Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:

 

1)               The name and address of each proposed nominee.

 

2)               The principal occupation of each proposed nominee.

 

3)               The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee.

 

4)               The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder.

 

5)               The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder.

 

Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.  No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.

 

A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

 

A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director’s removal.

 



 

FIFTH.                                                           The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.

 

No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix.  Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.

 

Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval.  If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.

 

Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration.  Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.

 

If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association’s stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares.  The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.

 

The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations,

 



 

whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders.  Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.

 

SIXTH.                                                         The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.

 

A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.

 

The board of directors shall have the power to:

 

1)               Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association.

 

2)               Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association.

 

3)               Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law.

 

4)               Dismiss officers and employees.

 

5)               Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof.

 

6)               Ratify written policies authorized by the association’s management or committees of the board.

 

7)               Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital.

 

8)               Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association.

 

9)               Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association.

 

10)         Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders.

 

11)         Make contracts.

 

12)         Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform.

 

SEVENTH.                                       The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits.  The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.

 


 

EIGHTH.                                            The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.

 

NINTH.                                                   The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists.  If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.

 

TENTH.                                                   For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).

 

Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.

 

Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that

 



 

such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders.  To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.

 

In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met.  If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.

 

In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met.  If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.

 

To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.

 

The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.

 

If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.

 



 

The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency.  Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.

 

ELEVENTH.                          These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount.  The association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.

 



 

EXHIBIT 4

 

BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 



 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

 

OF

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

ARTICLE I

Meetings of Shareholders

 

Section 1.  Annual Meeting .  The annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may properly come before the meeting shall be held at the main office of the association, Rodney Square North, 1100 Market Street, City of Wilmington, State of Delaware, at 1:00 o’clock p.m. on the first Tuesday in March of each year, or at such other place and time as the board of directors may designate, or if that date falls on a legal holiday in Delaware, on the next following banking day.  Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his/her address appearing on the books of the association.  If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, or in the event of a legal holiday, on the next following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares.  In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.

 

Section 2.  Special Meetings .  Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose at any time by the board of directors or by any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than fifty percent of the stock of the association.  Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.

 

The board of directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting.  The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.

 

A special meeting may be called by shareholders or the board of directors to amend the articles of association or bylaws, whether or not such bylaws may be amended by the board of directors in the absence of shareholder approval.

 

If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned.  If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date.  If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.

 



 

Section 3.  Nominations of Directors .  Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors.  Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association and the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C., not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed.  Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:

 

(1)                                  The name and address of each proposed nominee;

 

(2)                                  The principal occupation of each proposed nominee;

 

(3)                                  The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee;

 

(4)                                  The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and

 

(5)                                  The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder.

 

Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.

 

Section 4.  Proxies .  Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy.  Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting.  Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting.  Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder.  Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.

 

Section 5.  Quorum .  A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice.  A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2.  If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.

 



 

ARTICLE II

Directors

 

Section 1.  Board of Directors .  The board of directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association.  Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the board of directors.

 

Section 2.  Number .  The board of directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit.  The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof.

 

Section 3.  Organization Meeting .  The secretary or treasurer, upon receiving the certificate of the judges of the result of any election, shall notify the directors-elect of their election and of the time at which they are required to meet at the main office of the association, or at such other place in the cities of Wilmington, Delaware or Buffalo, New York, to organize the new board of directors and elect and appoint officers of the association for the succeeding year.  Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within 30 days thereof.  If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum, the directors present may adjourn the meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.

 

Section 4.  Regular Meetings .  The Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time, by resolution designate the place, date and hour for the holding of a regular meeting, but in the absence of any such designation, regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held, without notice, on the first Tuesday of each March, June and September, and on the second Tuesday of each December at the main office or other such place as the board of directors may designate.  When any regular meeting of the board of directors falls upon a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next banking business day unless the board of directors shall designate another day.

 

Section 5.  Special Meetings .  Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of the association, or at the request of two or more directors.  Each member of the board of directors shall be given notice by telegram, first class mail, or in person stating the time and place of each special meeting.

 

Section 6.  Quorum .  A majority of the entire board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice.  If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 7.  If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance.

 

Section 7.   Meetings by Conference Telephone.   Any one or more members of the board of directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such board or committees by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time.  Participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 8.  Procedures .  The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every

 



 

meeting of the board of directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.

 

Section 9.  Removal of Directors .  Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the stockholders.  Any director may be removed without cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote.  Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of the directors notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

 

Section 10.  Vacancies .  When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the board of directors, according to the laws of the United States, may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the board of directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board of directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I.  At any such shareholder meeting, each shareholder entitled to vote shall have the right to multiply the number of votes he or she is entitled to cast by the number of vacancies being filled and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates.  A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.

 

ARTICLE III

Committees of the Board

 

The board of directors has power over and is solely responsible for the management, supervision, and administration of the association.  The board of directors may delegate its power, but none of its responsibilities, to such persons or committees as the board may determine.

 

The board of directors must formally ratify written policies authorized by committees of the board of directors before such policies become effective.  Each committee must have one or more member(s), and who may be an officer of the association or an officer or director of any affiliate of the association, who serve at the pleasure of the board of directors.  Provisions of the articles of association and these bylaws governing place of meetings, notice of meeting, quorum and voting requirements of the board of directors, apply to committees and their members as well.  The creation of a committee and appointment of members to it must be approved by the board of directors.

 

Section 1.  Loan Committee .  There shall be a loan committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often.  The loan committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have power to discount and purchase bills, notes and other evidences of debt, to buy and sell bills of exchange, to examine and approve loans and discounts, to exercise authority regarding loans and discounts, and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors that may lawfully be delegated.  The loan committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.

 

Section 2.  Investment Committee .  There shall be an investment committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often.  The investment committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have the power to ensure adherence to the investment policy, to recommend amendments thereto, to purchase and sell securities, to exercise authority regarding

 



 

investments and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors regarding investment securities that may be lawfully delegated.  The investment committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.

 

Section 3.  Examining Committee .  There shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often.  The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter.  Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 3, the responsibility and authority of the Examining Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association’s parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.

 

Section 4.  Trust Audit Committee.   There shall be a trust audit committee in conformance with Section 1 of Article V.

 

Section 5.  Other Committees .  The board of directors may appoint, from time to time, from its own members, compensation, special litigation and other committees of one or more persons, for such purposes and with such powers as the board of directors may determine.

 

However, a committee may not:

 

(1)                                  Authorize distributions of assets or dividends;

 

(2)                                  Approve action required to be approved by shareholders;

 

(3)                                  Fill vacancies on the board of directors or any of its committees;

 

(4)                                  Amend articles of association;

 

(5)                                  Adopt, amend or repeal bylaws; or

 

(6)                                  Authorize or approve issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares.

 

Section 6.  Committee Members’ Fees .  Committee members may receive a fee for their services as committee members and traveling and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending any meeting of a committee of which they are a member.  The fee may be a fixed sum to be paid for attending each meeting or a fixed sum to be paid quarterly, or semiannually, irrespective of the number of meetings attended or not attended.  The amount of the fee and the basis on which it shall be paid shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

 



 

ARTICLE IV

Officers and Employees

 

Section 1.  Chairperson of the Board .  The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chairperson of the board to serve at its pleasure.  Such person shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors.  The chairperson of the board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the board of directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the board of directors.

 

Section 2.  President .  The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association.  In the absence of the chairperson, the president shall preside at any meeting of the board of directors.  The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these bylaws.  The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the board of directors.

 

Section 3.  Vice President .  The board of directors may appoint one or more vice presidents.  Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the board of directors.  One vice president shall be designated by the board of directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.

 

Section 4.  Secretary .  The board of directors shall appoint a secretary, treasurer, or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the board of directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings.  The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice to the office of treasurer, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the board of directors.

 

Section 5.  Other Officers .  The board of directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the board of directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association.  Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the board of directors, the chairperson of the board, or the president.  The board of directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.

 

Section 6.  Tenure of Office .  The president and all other officers shall hold office for the current year for which the board of directors was elected, unless they shall resign, become disqualified, or be removed; and any vacancy occurring in the office of president shall be filled promptly by the board of directors.

 

Section 7.  Resignation .  An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association.  A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

 


 

ARTICLE V

Fiduciary Activities

 

Section 1.  Trust Audit Committee.   There shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles.  Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the bank or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the bank’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the board of directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 1, the responsibility and authority of the Trust Audit Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association’s parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.

 

Section 2.  Fiduciary Files.  There shall be maintained by the association all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.

 

Section 3.  Trust Investments.   Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and applicable law.  Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made, but does vest in the association investment discretion, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under applicable law.

 

ARTICLE VI

Stock and Stock Certificates

 

Section 1.  Transfers .  Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded.  Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares.  The board of directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.

 

Section 2. Stock Certificates .  Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually or by facsimile process by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the board of directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon.  Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed.

 

The board of directors may adopt or use procedures for replacing lost, stolen, or destroyed stock certificates as permitted by law.

 



 

The association may establish a procedure through which the beneficial owner of shares that are registered in the name of a nominee may be recognized by the association as the shareholder.  The procedure may set forth:

 

(1)                                   The types of nominees to which it applies;

 

(2)                                   The rights or privileges that the association recognizes in a beneficial owner;

 

(3)                                   How the nominee may request the association to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder;

 

(4)                                   The information that must be provided when the procedure is selected;

 

(5)                                   The period over which the association will continue to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder;

 

(6)                                   Other aspects of the rights and duties created.

 

ARTICLE VII

Corporate Seal

 

Section 1.  Seal .  The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors.  The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the board of directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same.  The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.

 

ARTICLE VIII

Miscellaneous Provisions

 

Section 1.  Fiscal Year .  The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.

 

Section 2.  Execution of Instruments .  All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by the chairperson of the board, or the president, or any vice president, or the secretary, or the treasurer, or, if in connection with the exercise of fiduciary powers of the association, by any of those offices or by any trust officer.  Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the board of directors may from time to time direct.  The provisions of this section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these bylaws.

 

Section 3.  Records .  The articles of association, the bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the board of directors, and standing committees of the board of directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose.  The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.

 



 

Section 4.  Corporate Governance Procedures.   To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.

 

Section 5.  Indemnification.  For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).

 

Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred.  The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.

 

Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association.  In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these bylaws and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders.  To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such

 



 

action or proceeding.

 

In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met.  If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.

 

In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met.  If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.

 

To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.

 

The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s articles of association, these bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.

 

If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.

 

The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency.  Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.

 



 

ARTICLE IX

Inspection and Amendments

 

Section 1.  Inspection .  A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.

 

Section 2.  Amendments .  The bylaws of the association may be amended, altered or repealed, at any regular meeting of the board of directors, by a vote of a majority of the total number of the directors except as provided below, and provided that the following language accompany any such change.

 

I,                                , certify that:  (1) I am the duly constituted (secretary or treasurer) of                                    and secretary of its board of directors, and as such officer am the official custodian of its records;  (2) the foregoing bylaws are the bylaws of the association, and all of them are now lawfully in force and effect.

 

I have hereunto affixed my official signature on this                     day of                      .

 

 

 

 

(Secretary or Treasurer)

 

 

The association’s shareholders may amend or repeal the bylaws even though the bylaws also may be amended or repealed by the board of directors.

 



 

EXHIBIT 6

 

Section 321(b) Consent

 

Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST,

 

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

Dated: September 7, 2012

By:

/s/ Jane Schweiger

 

Name: Jane Schweiger

 

Title: Vice President

 



 

EXHIBIT 7

 

R E P O R T   O F   C O N D I T I O N

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

As of the close of business on June 30, 2012:

 

ASSETS

 

Thousands of Dollars

 

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

 

1,510,434

 

Securities:

 

20,231

 

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell:

 

0

 

Loans and leases held for sale:

 

0

 

Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance:

 

599,510

 

Premises and fixed assets:

 

13,817

 

Other real estate owned:

 

8

 

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies:

 

0

 

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures:

 

0

 

Intangible assets:

 

9,626

 

Other assets:

 

67,850

 

Total Assets:

 

2,221,476

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Thousands of Dollars

 

Deposits

 

1,302,430

 

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

180,000

 

Other borrowed money:

 

0

 

Other Liabilities:

 

342,445

 

Total Liabilities

 

1,824,875

 

 

EQUITY CAPITAL

 

Thousands of Dollars

 

Common Stock

 

1,000

 

Surplus

 

381,463

 

Retained Earnings

 

20,667

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

(6,529

)

Total Equity Capital

 

396,601

 

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital

 

2,221,476

 

 




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Exhibit 99.1

         LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

To Tender for Exchange
$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019
(CUSIP Numbers 29977HAC4/U2993NAB7)
$2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9.375% Senior Notes Due 2020
(CUSIP Numbers 29977HAA8/U2993NAA9)
and
$350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.750% Senior Notes Due 2022
(CUSIP Numbers 268787AA6/U2937LAA2)
of
EP Energy LLC
and
Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

         THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, AT THE END OF          , 2012, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). TENDERS OF INITIAL NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE
EXPIRATION DATE.

Delivery to:     Wilmington Trust, National Association, Exchange Agent

By overnight delivery, courier or hand or certified or registered mail:
Wilmington Trust, National Association
c/o Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-1626

Attention: Sam Hamed

By facsimile (for eligible institutions only):
(302) 636-4139, Attention: Sam Hamed

For information or confirmation by telephone:
(302) 636-6181

         Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above, or transmission of instructions via facsimile other than as set forth above, will not constitute a valid delivery.

         Please read this entire Letter of Transmittal carefully before completing any box below.

        The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received the prospectus, dated          , 2012 (the "Prospectus"), of EP Energy LLC and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. (together, the "Companies"), and this Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter"), which together constitute the Companies' offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange (a) $750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of their 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (CUSIP Number 29977HAD2), (b) $2,000,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of their 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (CUSIP Number 29977HAB6) and (c) $350,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of their 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (CUSIP Number 268787AB4) (collectively, the "Exchange Notes"), for a corresponding and like aggregate principal amount of their outstanding (i) 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (CUSIP Numbers 29977HAC4/U2993NAB7), (ii) 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (CUSIP Numbers 29977HAA8/U2993NAA9) and (iii) 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (CUSIP Numbers 268787AA6/U2937LAA2) (collectively, the "Initial Notes")


that were issued and sold in reliance upon an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

        For each Initial Note accepted for exchange, the holder of such Initial Note will receive a corresponding Exchange Note, having an aggregate principal amount equal to that of the surrendered Initial Note that is identical in all material respects to such Initial Note, except that the Exchange Note will be registered under the Securities Act.

        This Letter is to be completed by a holder of Initial Notes either if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if a tender of certificates for Initial Notes, if available, is to be made by book-entry transfer to the account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository Trust Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility") pursuant to the procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes—Book-Entry Delivery Procedure" section of the Prospectus and an Agent's Message (as defined herein) is not delivered. Delivery of this Letter and any other required documents should be made to the Exchange Agent. Delivery of documents to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility does not constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent.

        Holders of Initial Notes whose certificates are not immediately available, or who are unable to deliver their certificates (or cannot obtain a confirmation of the book-entry tender of their Initial Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") on a timely basis) and all other documents required by this Letter to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, must tender their Initial Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes—Guaranteed Delivery Procedure" section of the Prospectus. See Instruction 1.

        The undersigned has completed the appropriate boxes below and signed this Letter to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect to the Exchange Offer. Holders who wish to exchange their Initial Notes must complete this Letter in its entirety.

         The instructions included with this Letter must be followed. Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter may be directed to the Exchange Agent.

2


        List below the Initial Notes to which this Letter relates. If the space provided below is inadequate, the certificate numbers and principal amount of Initial Notes should be listed on a separate signed schedule affixed to this Letter.


 
DESCRIPTION OF INITIAL NOTES (See Instruction 2)

 
Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s)
Exactly as Name(s) appear(s) on Initial Notes
(Please fill in, if blank)

  Certificate
Number(s)*

  Aggregate
Principal Amount
Represented by
Certificate

  Principal Amount
Tendered
(if less than all)**


 
          

         

          

          

        Total        

 
  *   Need not be completed if Initial Notes are being tendered by book-entry transfer.
**   Unless otherwise indicated in this column, the holder will be deemed to have tendered the full aggregate principal amount represented by such Initial Notes. See Instruction 2. Initial Notes tendered hereby must be in denominations of principal amount that are $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. See Instruction 1.

 
o
CHECK HERE IF TENDERED INITIAL NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

        Name of Tendering Institution:    
   
 

        Account Number:       Transaction Code Number:    
   
 
     
 

        By crediting Initial Notes to the Exchange Agent's Account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance with the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") and by complying with applicable ATOP procedures with respect to the Exchange Offer, including transmitting an Agent's Message to the Exchange Agent in which the holder of Initial Notes acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Letter, the participant in ATOP confirms on behalf of itself and the beneficial owners of such Initial Notes all provisions of this Letter applicable to it and such beneficial owners as if it had completed the information required herein and executed and transmitted this Letter to the Exchange Agent.

3


o
CHECK HERE IF TENDERED INITIAL NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

        Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):    
   
 

        Window Ticket Number (if any):    
   
 

        Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:    
   
 

        Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery:    
   
 

        If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer, Complete the Following:

        Account Number:

 

 

 

Transaction Code Number:

 

 
   
 
     
 
o
CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER.

o
CHECK HERE IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

        Name:    
   
 

        Address:    
   
 

 

 


 

4



PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby tenders to the Companies for exchange the aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the Initial Notes tendered hereby, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Companies all right, title and interest in and to such Initial Notes as are being tendered hereby.

        The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as the agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as the agent of the Companies in connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered Initial Notes with full power of substitution to (i) deliver such Initial Notes, or transfer ownership of such Initial Notes on the account books maintained by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, to the Companies and deliver all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, and (ii) present such Initial Notes for transfer on the books of the Companies and receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Initial Notes, all in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer. The power of attorney granted in this paragraph shall be deemed to be irrevocable and coupled with an interest.

        The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Initial Notes tendered hereby and to acquire Exchange Notes issuable upon the exchange of such tendered Initial Notes, and that the Companies will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim when the same are accepted by the Companies.

        The undersigned acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made in reliance on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, that the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than (i) any such holder that is an "affiliate" of the Companies within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act or (ii) any broker-dealer that purchases Initial Notes from the Companies to resell pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act ("Rule 144A") or any other available exemption), without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders have no arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes and are not participating in, and do not intend to participate in, the distribution of the Exchange Notes. The undersigned acknowledges that the Companies do not intend to request the SEC to consider, and the SEC has not considered the Exchange Offer in the context of a no-action letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff of the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as in other circumstances. The undersigned acknowledges that any holder that is an affiliate of the Companies, or is participating in or intends to participate in or has any arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, (i) cannot rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC and (ii) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.

        The undersigned hereby further represents that (i) any Exchange Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being acquired in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such Exchange Notes, whether or not such person is the holder; (ii) such holder or other person has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of such Exchange Notes within the meaning of the Securities Act and is not participating in, and does not intend to participate in, the distribution of such Exchange Notes within the meaning of the Securities Act and (iii) such

5


holder or such other person is not an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Companies or, if such holder or such other person is an affiliate, such holder or such other person will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.

        If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer, it represents that it will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Initial Notes that were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale, offer to resell or other transfer of such Exchange Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

        The undersigned also warrants that acceptance of any tendered Initial Notes by the Companies and the issuance of Exchange Notes in exchange therefor shall constitute performance in full by the Companies of certain of their obligations under the registration rights agreements in respect of the Initial Notes, which have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement in connection with the Exchange Offer.

        The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Companies to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Initial Notes tendered hereby. All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter and every obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives of the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. This tender may be withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Letter.

        The undersigned understands that tenders of the Initial Notes pursuant to any one of the procedures described under "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Companies in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

        The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer" the Companies may not be required to accept for exchange any of the Initial Notes tendered. Initial Notes not accepted for exchange or withdrawn will be returned to the undersigned at the address set forth below unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions" below.

        Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" below, please deliver the Exchange Notes (and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing Initial Notes for any Initial Notes not exchanged) in the name of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry delivery of Initial Notes, please credit the account indicated above maintained at the Book Entry Transfer Facility. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" below, please send the Exchange Notes (and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing Initial Notes for any Initial Notes not exchanged) to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's signature(s). In the event that both "Special Issuance Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are completed, please issue the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes accepted for exchange (and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing Initial Notes for any Initial Notes not exchanged) in the names of the person(s) so indicated. The undersigned recognizes that the Companies have no obligation pursuant to the "Special Issuance Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" to transfer any Initial Notes from the name of the registered holder(s) thereof if the Companies do not accept for exchange any of the Initial Notes so tendered for exchange.

6


         The Book-Entry Transfer Facility, as the holder of record of certain Initial Notes, has granted authority to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility participants whose names appear on a security position listing with respect to such Initial Notes as of the date of tender of such Initial Notes to execute and deliver this Letter as if they were the holders of record. Accordingly, for purposes of this Letter, the term "holder" shall be deemed to include such Book-Entry Transfer Facility participants.

         THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF INITIAL NOTES" ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER AND DELIVERING SUCH NOTES AND THIS LETTER TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE INITIAL NOTES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX ABOVE.

7



SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 3, 4, 5 and 6)

        To be completed ONLY if certificates for Initial Notes not tendered or not accepted for exchange, or Exchange Notes issued in exchange for Initial Notes accepted for exchange, are to be issued in the name of and sent to someone other than the undersigned, or if Initial Notes delivered by book-entry transfer which are not accepted for exchange are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility other than the account indicated above.

Issue (certificates) to:

Name(s):    

(Please Type or Print)

 

 

  

(Please Type or Print)

Address:

 

 


 

 

  

(Include Zip Code)

  

(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number)

(Complete IRS Form W-9)

 

Credit unexchanged Initial Notes delivered by book-entry transfer to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility account set forth below.



 

(Book-Entry Transfer Facility
Account Number, if applicable)


SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 3, 4, 5 and 6)

        To be completed ONLY if certificates for Initial Notes not tendered or not accepted for exchange, or Exchange Notes issued in exchange for Initial Notes accepted for exchange, are to be sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than shown in the box entitled "Description of Initial Notes" above.

Mail to:    

Name(s):

 

  

(Please Type or Print)

 

 

 

(Please Type or Print)

Address:

 

  


 

 

  

(Include Zip Code)

 

(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number)

(Complete IRS Form W-9)

IMPORTANT: UNLESS GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES ARE COMPLIED WITH, THIS LETTER OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF OR AN AGENT'S MESSAGE IN LIEU HEREOF (IN EACH CASE, TOGETHER WITH THE CERTIFICATE(S) FOR INITIAL NOTES OR A CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING ANY BOX ABOVE.

8



x     

      

x

 

 

Signature(s) of Owner(s)

 

 

Date

Area Code and Telephone Number:    

Name(s):                                                                  

(Please Type or Print)
  

(Please Type or Print)

Capacity:

 

  


Address:

 

 


  

(Including Zip Code)

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION
(If required by Instruction 3)

Signature(s) Guaranteed by    

an Eligible Institution:                                                                  

(Authorized Signature)

  

(Title)

  

(Name of Firm)

  

(Address, Include Zip Code)

 

(Area Code and Telephone Number)

Dated:     

   

9



INSTRUCTIONS

Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Exchange Offer

1.     Delivery of this Letter and Initial Notes; Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.

        This Letter is to be completed by noteholders either if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes—Book-Entry Delivery Procedure" section of the Prospectus and an Agent's Message is not delivered. Certificates for all physically tendered Initial Notes, or Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter (or manually signed facsimile hereof) and any other documents required by this Letter, must be received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth herein on or prior to midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date, or the tendering holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below. Initial Notes tendered hereby must be in denominations of principal amount that are $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by The Depository Trust Company and received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of the Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express acknowledgment from a participant tendering Initial Notes which are subject to the Book-Entry Confirmation and that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by this Letter and that the Companies may enforce this Letter against such participant.

        Noteholders who wish to tender their Initial Notes and (a) whose certificates for Initial Notes are not immediately available, or (b) who cannot deliver their certificates and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, or (c) who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, must tender their Initial Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes—Guaranteed Delivery Procedure" section of the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures,

        The method of delivery of this Letter, the Initial Notes and all other required documents is at the election and risk of the tendering holders, but the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received or confirmed by the Exchange Agent. If Initial Notes are sent by mail, it is suggested that the mailing be made sufficiently in advance of the Expiration Date to permit delivery to the Exchange Agent prior to midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date.

10


        See "The Exchange Offer" section of the Prospectus.

2.     Partial Tenders (not applicable to noteholders who tender by book-entry transfer).

        Tenders of Initial Notes will be accepted only in denominations of principal amount that are $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. If less than the entire principal amount of any Initial Notes is tendered, the tendering holder(s) should fill in the principal amount of Initial Notes to be tendered in the box above entitled "Description of Initial Notes." The entire principal amount of the Initial Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. If the entire principal amount of Initial Notes is not tendered, then Initial Notes for the principal amount of Initial Notes not tendered and Exchange Notes issued in exchange for any Initial Notes accepted will be sent to the holder at his or her registered address, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter, promptly after the Initial Notes are accepted for exchange.

3.     Signatures on this Letter; Bond Powers and Endorsements; Guarantee of Signatures.

        If this Letter is signed by the registered holder of the Initial Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificates representing such Initial Notes without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

        If this Letter is signed by a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, the signature must correspond with the name as it appears on the security position listing as the holder of the Initial Notes.

        If any tendered Initial Notes are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all of such owners must sign this Letter.

        If any tendered Initial Notes are registered in different names on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this Letter as there are different registrations of certificates.

        When this Letter is signed by the registered holder or holders of the Initial Notes specified herein and tendered hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate bond powers are required. If, however, the Exchange Notes are to be issued, or any untendered Initial Notes are to be reissued, to a person other than the registered holder, then endorsements of any certificates transmitted hereby or separate bond powers are required. Signatures on such certificate(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

        If this Letter is signed by a person other than the registered holder or holders of any certificate(s) specified herein, such certificate(s) must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or holders appear(s) on the certificate(s) and signatures on such certificate(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

        If this Letter or any certificates or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Companies, evidence satisfactory to the Companies of its authority to so act must be submitted with the Letter.

        Endorsements on certificates for Initial Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this Instruction 3 must be guaranteed by a firm which is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or a commercial bank, a clearing agency, insured credit union, a savings association or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States or an "eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (each an "Eligible Institution").

11


        Signatures on this Letter need not be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution if the Initial Notes are tendered: (i) by a registered holder of Initial Notes (which term, for purposes of the Exchange Offer, includes any participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility system whose name appears on a security position listing as the holder of such Initial Notes) who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on this Letter, or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution.

4.     Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions.

        Tendering holders of Initial Notes should indicate, in the applicable box or boxes, the name and address (or account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility) to which Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer, or substitute Initial Notes not tendered or accepted for exchange, are to be issued or sent, if different from the name or address of the person signing this Letter. In the case of issuance in a different name, the employer identification or social security number of the person named must also be indicated. Holders tendering Initial Notes by book-entry transfer may request that Initial Notes not exchanged be credited to such account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility as such noteholder may designate hereon. If no such instructions are given, such Initial Notes not exchanged will be returned to the name or address of the person signing this Letter.

5.     IRS Form W-9.

        Under U.S. federal income tax law, payments made in respect of Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to backup withholding at the rate, currently 28%, specified in Section 3406(a)(1) of the Code (the "Specified Rate"). In order to avoid such backup withholding, each tendering holder (or other payee) that is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien) should complete and sign the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") Form W-9 included with this Letter, on which form such holder must provide the correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN") and certify, under penalties of perjury, that (a) the TIN provided is correct or that such holder is awaiting a TIN; (b) the holder is not subject to backup withholding because (i) the holder has not been notified by the IRS that the holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report interest or dividends, (ii) the IRS has notified the holder that the holder is no longer subject to backup withholding, or (iii) the holder is exempt from backup withholding; and (c) the holder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). If a holder has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding, it must follow the applicable instructions included with the IRS Form W-9.

        The holder (other than an exempt or foreign holder subject to the requirements described below) is required to give the TIN (in general, if an individual, the holder's Social Security number, otherwise, the holder's employer identification number) of the record holder of the Initial Notes. If the tendering holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for one or intends to apply for one in the near future, such holder should follow the applicable instructions included with the IRS Form W-9. If the Exchange Agent or the Company is not provided with the correct TIN, the holder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Code in addition to backup withholding at the Specified Rate on payments to such holder.

        Certain holders (including all corporations and certain holders that are neither U.S. persons nor U.S. resident aliens ("foreign holders")) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. Such an exempt holder, other than a holder that is a foreign person, should enter the holder's name, address, status and TIN on the IRS Form W-9 and check the "Exempt Payee" box on the IRS Form W-9, and sign, date and return the IRS Form W-9 to the Paying Agent and should follow the additional instructions included with the IRS Form W-9. A foreign holder should not complete the IRS Form W-9. In order for a foreign holder to qualify as an exempt recipient, such holder must submit a statement (generally, the IRS Form W-8BEN), signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that person's exempt status. Such statements can be obtained from the Exchange Agent or

12


online from the IRS at www.irs.gov. For further information concerning backup withholding and instructions for completing the IRS Form W-9 (including how to obtain a TIN if you do not have one and how to complete the IRS Form W-9 if Initial Notes are registered in more than one name), consult the instructions included with the IRS Form W-9.

        Failure to complete the IRS Form W-9 will not, by itself, cause Initial Notes to be deemed invalidly tendered, but may require the Companies (or the Paying Agent) to withhold at the Specified Rate on payments made in respect of Exchange Notes. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, if the required information is furnished to the IRS, the federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

6.     Transfer Taxes.

        The Companies will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the transfer of Initial Notes to them or their order pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, Exchange Notes or substitute Initial Notes not exchanged are to be delivered to, or are to be registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Initial Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Initial Notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing this Letter, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the transfer of Initial Notes to the Companies or their order pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with this Letter, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder.

        If the tendering holder does not submit satisfactory evidence of the payment of any of these taxes or of any exemption from this payment with this Letter, the Companies will bill the tendering holder directly the amount of these transfer taxes.

        Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Initial Notes specified in this Letter or for funds to cover such stamps to be provided with the Initial Notes specified in this Letter.

7.     Waiver of Conditions.

        The Companies reserve the absolute right to amend, waive or modify, in whole or in part, any or all conditions to the Exchange Offer.

8.     No Conditional Tenders.

        No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Initial Notes, by execution of this Letter, shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of their Initial Notes for exchange.

        Neither the Companies, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is obligated to give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of Initial Notes nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such notice.

9.     Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Initial Notes.

        Any holder whose Initial Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above for further instructions. This Letter and related documents cannot be processed until the Initial Notes have been replaced.

13


10.   Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies.

        Questions relating to the procedure for tendering, as well as requests for additional copies of the Prospectus, this Letter and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, may be directed to the Exchange Agent, at the address and telephone number indicated above.

11.   Incorporation of Letter of Transmittal.

        This Letter shall be deemed to be incorporated in and acknowledged and accepted by any tender through the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's ATOP procedures by any participant on behalf of itself and the beneficial owners of any Initial Notes so tendered.

12.   Withdrawals.

        Tenders of Initial Notes may be withdrawn only pursuant to the limited withdrawal rights set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer—Withdrawal of Tenders" in the Prospectus.

14


Form        W-9
(Rev. December 2011)
  
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

 

Request for Taxpayer
Identification Number and Certification

 

  
Give Form to the
requester. Do not
send to the IRS.


Print or type
        See Specific Instructions on page 2.

    Name (as shown on your income tax return)                                   

 

 

 
    Business name/disregarded entity name, if different from above

 

 

 

 

 

Check appropriate box for federal tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

classification (required):     o  Individual/sole proprietor     o  C Corporation     o  S Corporation     o  Partnership     o  Trust/estate

 

 
                            o  Exempt payee
    o Limited liability company. Enter the tax classification (C=C corporation, S=S corporation, P=partnership) > .....    

 

 

o Other (see instructions) >

 

 

 

 

 
    Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.)   Requester's name and address (optional)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
    City, state, and ZIP code    

 

 

 
    List account number(s) here (optional)
    
   

  Part I Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)


Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on the "Name" line to avoid backup withholding. For individuals, this is your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the Part I instructions on page 3. For other entities, it is your employer identification number (EIN). If you do not have a number, see How to get a TIN on page 3.

Note. If the account is in more than one name, see the chart on page 4 for guidelines on whose number to enter.

Social security number
[  ][  ][  ]-[  ][  ]-[  ][  ][  ][  ]
       
Employer identification number
[  ][  ]-[  ][  ][  ][  ][  ][  ]
       


  Part II Certification


Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:


1.

 

The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and

2.

 

I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and
    

3.

 

I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (defined below).

Certification instructions. You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return. For real estate transactions, item 2 does not apply. For mortgage interest paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and generally, payments other than interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the certification, but you must provide your correct TIN. See the instructions on page 4.


Sign
Here
  Signature of
U.S. person
>
  Date >


General Instructions

Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted.

Purpose of Form

A person who is required to file an information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) to report, for example, income paid to you, real estate transactions, mortgage interest you paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or contributions you made to an IRA.

     Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to provide your correct TIN to the person requesting it (the requester) and, when applicable, to:

     1. Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued),

     2. Certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, or

     3. Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee. If applicable, you are also certifying that as a U.S. person, your allocable share of any partnership income from a U.S. trade or business is not subject to the withholding tax on foreign partners' share of effectively connected income.

Note. If a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester's form if it is substantially similar to this Form W-9.

Definition of a U.S. person. For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. person if you are:

• An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien,

• A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States,

• An estate (other than a foreign estate), or

• A domestic trust (as defined in Regulations section 301.7701-7).

Special rules for partnerships. Partnerships that conduct a trade or business in the United States are generally required to pay a withholding tax on any foreign partners' share of income from such business. Further, in certain cases where a Form W-9 has not been received, a partnership is required to presume that a partner is a foreign person, and pay the withholding tax. Therefore, if you are a U.S. person that is a partner in a partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States, provide Form W-9 to the partnership to establish your U.S. status and avoid withholding on your share of partnership income.


 
    Cat. No. 10231X   Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2011)

Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2011)   Page 2

 

     The person who gives Form W-9 to the partnership for purposes of establishing its U.S. status and avoiding withholding on its allocable share of net income from the partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States is in the following cases:

• The U.S. owner of a disregarded entity and not the entity,

• The U.S. grantor or other owner of a grantor trust and not the trust, and

• The U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust) and not the beneficiaries of the trust.

Foreign person. If you are a foreign person, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use the appropriate Form W-8 (see Publication 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities).

Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien. Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as a "saving clause." Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the payee has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes.

     If you are a U.S. resident alien who is relying on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain types of income, you must attach a statement to Form W-9 that specifies the following five items:

     1. The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exemption from tax as a nonresident alien.

     2. The treaty article addressing the income.

     3. The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the saving clause and its exceptions.

     4. The type and amount of income that qualifies for the exemption from tax.

     5. Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article.

      Example. Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax for scholarship income received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a resident alien for tax purposes if his or her stay in the United States exceeds 5 calendar years. However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated April 30, 1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to continue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student who qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an exemption from tax on his or her scholarship or fellowship income would attach to Form W-9 a statement that includes the information described above to support that exemption.

     If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity not subject to backup withholding, give the requester the appropriate completed Form W-8.

What is backup withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS a percentage of such payments. This is called "backup withholding." Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include interest, tax-exempt interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, and certain payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding.

     You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you give the requester your correct TIN, make the proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return.

Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:

     1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester,

     2. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the Part II instructions on page 3 for details),

     3. The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN,

     4. The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup withholding because you did not report all your interest and dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only), or

     5. You do not certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup withholding under 4 above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).

     Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. See the instructions below and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9.

     Also see Special rules for partnerships on page 1.

Updating Your Information

You must provide updated information to any person to whom you claimed to be an exempt payee if you are no longer an exempt payee and anticipate receiving reportable payments in the future from this person. For example, you may need to provide updated information if you are a C corporation that elects to be an S corporation, or if you no longer are tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account, for example, if the grantor of a grantor trust dies.

Penalties

Failure to furnish TIN. If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

Civil penalty for false information with respect to withholding. If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.

Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

Misuse of TINs. If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

Specific Instructions

Name

If you are an individual, you must generally enter the name shown on your income tax return. However, if you have changed your last name, for instance, due to marriage without informing the Social Security Administration of the name change, enter your first name, the last name shown on your social security card, and your new last name.

     If the account is in joint names, list first, and then circle, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of the form.

Sole proprietor. Enter your individual name as shown on your income tax return on the "Name" line. You may enter your business, trade, or "doing business as (DBA)" name on the "Business name/disregarded entity name" line.

Partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation. Enter the entity's name on the "Name" line and any business, trade, or "doing business as (DBA) name" on the "Business name/disregarded entity name" line.

Disregarded entity. Enter the owner's name on the "Name" line. The name of the entity entered on the "Name" line should never be a disregarded entity. The name on the "Name" line must be the name shown on the income tax return on which the income will be reported. For example, if a foreign LLC that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes has a domestic owner, the domestic owner's name is required to be provided on the "Name" line. If the direct owner of the entity is also a disregarded entity, enter the first owner that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. Enter the disregarded entity's name on the "Business name/disregarded entity name" line. If the owner of the disregarded entity is a foreign person, you must complete an appropriate Form W-8.

Note. Check the appropriate box for the federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on the "Name" line (Individual/sole proprietor, Partnership, C Corporation, S Corporation, Trust/estate).

Limited Liability Company (LLC). If the person identified on the "Name" line is an LLC, check the "Limited liability company" box only and enter the appropriate code for the tax classification in the space provided. If you are an LLC that is treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes, enter "P" for partnership. If you are an LLC that has filed a Form 8832 or a Form 2553 to be taxed as a corporation, enter "C" for C corporation or "S" for S corporation. If you are an LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner under Regulation section 301.7701-3 (except for employment and excise tax), do not check the LLC box unless the owner of the LLC (required to be identified on the "Name" line) is another LLC that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. If the LLC is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, enter the appropriate tax classification of the owner identified on the "Name" line.


Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2011)   Page 3

 

Other entities. Enter your business name as shown on required federal tax documents on the "Name" line. This name should match the name shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity. You may enter any business, trade, or DBA name on the "Business name/ disregarded entity name" line.

Exempt Payee

If you are exempt from backup withholding, enter your name as described above and check the appropriate box for your status, then check the "Exempt payee" box in the line following the "Business name/ disregarded entity name," sign and date the form.

     Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not exempt from backup withholding. Corporations are exempt from backup withholding for certain payments, such as interest and dividends.

Note. If you are exempt from backup withholding, you should still complete this form to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding.

     The following payees are exempt from backup withholding:

     1. An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any IRA, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2),

     2. The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities,

     3. A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities,

     4. A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, or

     5. An international organization or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

     Other payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:

     6. A corporation,

     7. A foreign central bank of issue,

     8. A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States,

     9. A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission,

     10. A real estate investment trust,

     11. An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940,

     12. A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a),

     13. A financial institution,

     14. A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian, or

     15. A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947.

     The following chart shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above, 1 through 15.

IF the payment is for . . .   THEN the payment is exempt for . . .
Interest and dividend payments   All exempt payees except for 9
Broker transactions   Exempt payees 1 through 5 and 7
through 13. Also, C corporations.
Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends   Exempt payees 1 through 5
Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5,000  1   Generally, exempt payees 1 through 7  2

1 See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions.

2 However, the following payments made to a corporation and reportable on Form 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: medical and health care payments, attorneys' fees, gross proceeds paid to an attorney, and payments for services paid by a federal executive agency.

Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN, your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not have an ITIN, see How to get a TIN below.

     If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN or EIN. However, the IRS prefers that you use your SSN.

     If you are a single-member LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner (see Limited Liability Company (LLC) on page 2), enter the owner's SSN (or EIN, if the owner has one). Do not enter the disregarded entity's EIN. If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity's EIN.

Note. See the chart on page 4 for further clarification of name and TIN combinations.

How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for an SSN, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local Social Security Administration office or get this form online at www.ssa.gov . You may also get this form by calling 1-800-772-1213. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an ITIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website at www.irs.gov/businesses and clicking on Employer Identification Number (EIN) under Starting a Business. You can get Forms W-7 and SS-4 from the IRS by visiting IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).

     If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, write "Applied For" in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made with respect to readily tradable instruments, generally you will have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup withholding on payments. The 60-day rule does not apply to other types of payments. You will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to the requester.

Note. Entering "Applied For" means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one soon.

Caution: A disregarded domestic entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8.

Part II. Certification

To establish to the withholding agent that you are a U.S. person, or resident alien, sign Form W-9. You may be requested to sign by the withholding agent even if item 1, below, and items 4 and 5 on page 4 indicate otherwise.

     For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part I should sign (when required). In the case of a disregarded entity, the person identified on the "Name" line must sign. Exempt payees, see Exempt Payee on page 3.

Signature requirements. Complete the certification as indicated in items 1 through 3, below, and items 4 and 5 on page 4.

      1. Interest, dividend, and barter exchange accounts opened before 1984 and broker accounts considered active during 1983. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

      2. Interest, dividend, broker, and barter exchange accounts opened after 1983 and broker accounts considered inactive during 1983. You must sign the certification or backup withholding will apply. If you are subject to backup withholding and you are merely providing your correct TIN to the requester, you must cross out item 2 in the certification before signing the form.

      3. Real estate transactions. You must sign the certification. You may cross out item 2 of the certification.


Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2011)   Page 4

 

      4. Other payments. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification unless you have been notified that you have previously given an incorrect TIN. "Other payments" include payments made in the course of the requester's trade or business for rents, royalties, goods (other than bills for merchandise), medical and health care services (including payments to corporations), payments to a nonemployee for services, payments to certain fishing boat crew members and fishermen, and gross proceeds paid to attorneys (including payments to corporations).

      5. Mortgage interest paid by you, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, qualified tuition program payments (under section 529), IRA, Coverdell ESA, Archer MSA or HSA contributions or distributions, and pension distributions. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

What Name and Number To Give the Requester
For this type of account:   Give name and SSN of:
1.   Individual   The individual
2.   Two or more individuals (joint account)   The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account  1
3.   Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)   The minor  2
4.   a.   The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee)   The grantor-trustee  1
    b.   So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law   The actual owner  1
5.   Sole proprietorship or disregarded entity owned by an individual   The owner  3
6.   Grantor trust filing under Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 1 (see Regulation section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(A))   The grantor*
For this type of account:   Give name and EIN of:
7.   Disregarded entity not owned by an individual   The owner
8.   A valid trust, estate, or pension trust   Legal entity  4
9.   Corporate or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 or Form 2553   The corporation
10.   Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization   The organization
11.   Partnership or multi-member LLC   The partnership
12.   A broker or registered nominee   The broker or nominee
13.   Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a state or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments   The public entity
14.   Grantor trust filing under the Form 1041 Filing Method or the Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 2 (see Regulation section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(B))   The trust

1 List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has an SSN, that person's number must be furnished.

2 Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's SSN.

3 You must show your individual name and you may also enter your business or "DBA" name on the "Business name/disregarded entity" name line. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one), but the IRS encourages you to use your SSN.

4 List first and circle the name of the trust, estate, or pension trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.) Also see Special rules for partnerships on page 1.

* Note. Grantor also must provide a Form W-9 to trustee of trust.

Note. If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.

Secure Your Tax Records from Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, social security number (SSN), or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. An identity thief may use your SSN to get a job or may file a tax return using your SSN to receive a refund.

     To reduce your risk:

• Protect your SSN,

• Ensure your employer is protecting your SSN, and

• Be careful when choosing a tax preparer.

     If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter.

     If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039.

     For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance.

     Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a system problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the TAS toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059.

Protect yourself from suspicious emails or phishing schemes. Phishing is the creation and use of email and websites designed to mimic legitimate business emails and websites. The most common act is sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.

     The IRS does not initiate contacts with taxpayers via emails. Also, the IRS does not request personal detailed information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts.

     If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward this message to phishing@irs.gov . You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).

     Visit IRS.gov to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk.

   


Privacy Act Notice

Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to provide your correct TIN to persons (including federal agencies) who are required to file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, or certain other income paid to you; mortgage interest you paid; the acquisition or abandonment of secured property; the cancellation of debt; or contributions you made to an IRA, Archer MSA, or HSA. The person collecting this form uses the information on the form to file information returns with the IRS, reporting the above information. Routine uses of this information include giving it to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions for use in administering their laws. The information also may be disclosed to other countries under a treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce civil and criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism. You must provide your TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Under section 3406, payers must generally withhold a percentage of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to the payer. Certain penalties may also apply for providing false or fraudulent information.




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PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
INSTRUCTIONS
Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Exchange Offer

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


Exhibit 99.2

NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY

EP ENERGY LLC
AND
EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.


OFFER TO EXCHANGE
$750,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR
6.875% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2019 (CUSIP NUMBER 29977HAD2) WHICH HAVE BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FOR A LIKE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR
6.875% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2019 (CUSIP NUMBERS 29977HAC4/U2993NAB7)

$2,000,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR
9.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2020 (CUSIP NUMBER 29977HAB6) WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FOR A LIKE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR
9.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2020 (CUSIP NUMBERS 29977HAA8/U2993NAA9) and

$350,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR
7.750% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022 (CUSIP NUMBER 2268787AB4) WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FOR A LIKE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR
7.750% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022 (CUSIP NUMBERS 268787AA6/U2937LAA2)

        This form or one substantially equivalent hereto must be used to accept the Exchange Offer of EP Energy LLC and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. (together, the "Companies") made pursuant to the prospectus dated                        , 2012 (the "Prospectus"), if certificates for the outstanding $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (CUSIP Numbers 29977HAC4/U2993NAB7), $2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (CUSIP Numbers 29977HAA8/U2993NAA9) or $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (CUSIP Numbers 268787AA6/U2937LAA2) (collectively, the "Initial Notes") are not immediately available or if the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis or time will not permit all required documents to reach the Companies prior to midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer. Such form may be delivered or transmitted by telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery to Wilmington Trust, National Association (the "Exchange Agent") as set forth below. In addition, in order to utilize the guaranteed delivery, a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), must also be received by the Exchange Agent prior to midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Certificates for all tendered Initial Notes in proper form for transfer or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, and all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal must be received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date. Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the Prospectus.

Delivery to:

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Exchange Agent


By overnight delivery, courier or hand or certified or registered mail:
Wilmington Trust, National Association
c/o Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-1626

Attention: Sam Hamed

By facsimile (for eligible institutions only):
(302) 636-4139, Attention: Sam Hamed

For information or confirmation by telephone:
(302) 636-6181

         Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above, or transmission of instructions via facsimile other than as set forth above, will not constitute a valid delivery.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        Upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned hereby tenders to the Companies the principal amount of Initial Notes set forth below, pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure described in "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes" section of the Prospectus.

Principal Amount of 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 Initial Notes Tendered(1)        

$

 

 


 

 

 

 

Certificate Nos. (if available):

 

 

 

 

  


 

 

 

 


Total Principal Amount Represented by Initial Notes Certificate(s):

 

If Initial Notes will be delivered by book-entry transfer to The Depository Trust Company, provide account number.

$

 

  


 

Account Number

 

    

Principal Amount of 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 Initial Notes Tendered(2)

 

 

 

 

$

 

  


 

 

 

 

Certificate Nos. (if available):

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

   


(1)
Must be in denominations of principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

(2)
Must be in denominations of principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

2



Total Principal Amount Represented by Initial Notes Certificate(s):
  If Initial Notes will be delivered by book-entry transfer to The Depository Trust Company, provide account number.

$

 

 


 

Account Number

 

    

Principal Amount of 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 Initial Notes Tendered(3)

 

 

 

 

$

 

  


 

 

 

 

Certificate Nos. (if available):

 

 

 

 

  


 

 

 

 

Total Principal Amount Represented by Initial Notes Certificate(s):
  If Initial Notes will be delivered by book-entry transfer to The Depository Trust Company, provide account number.

$

 

  


 

Account Number

 

    

ANY AUTHORITY HEREIN CONFERRED OR AGREED TO BE CONFERRED SHALL SURVIVE THE DEATH OR INCAPACITY OF THE UNDERSIGNED AND EVERY OBLIGATION OF THE UNDERSIGNED HEREUNDER SHALL BE BINDING UPON THE HEIRS, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF THE UNDERSIGNED.


PLEASE SIGN HERE

X     

      

X

 

 


 

    
Signature(s) of Owner(s) or Authorized Signatory   Date

 


Area Code and Telephone Number:

 

  


 

 

        Must be signed by the holder(s) of Initial Notes as their name(s) appear(s) on certificate(s) for Initial Notes or on a security position listing, or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by endorsement and documents transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must set forth his or her full title below.

   


(3)
Must be in denominations of principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

3



PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

Name(s):    


 

 

  


Capacity:

 

 


Address(es):

 

 


 

 

  


 

 

 


 

 

 

4



GUARANTEE

        The undersigned, a member of a registered national securities exchange, or a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States, hereby guarantees that the certificates representing the principal amount of Initial Notes tendered hereby in proper form for transfer, or timely confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Initial Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company pursuant to the procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes" section of the Prospectus, together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof) with any required signature guarantee and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, will be received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth above, no later than three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution hereof.


 
 
 
Name of Firm   Authorized Signature


 

 


 
Address   Title




 

Name:

 

  
                                                                    Zip Code   (Please Type or Print)

Area Code and Tel. No.

 




 

Dated:

 

  

NOTE:   DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR INITIAL NOTES WITH THIS FORM. CERTIFICATES FOR INITIAL NOTES SHOULD ONLY BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

5




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NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY EP ENERGY LLC AND EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.
OFFER TO EXCHANGE $750,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 6.875% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2019 (CUSIP NUMBER 29977HAD2) WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 FOR A LIKE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 6.875% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2019 (CUSIP NUMBERS 29977HAC4/U2993NAB7) $2,000,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 9.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2020 (CUSIP NUMBER 29977HAB6) WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 FOR A LIKE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 9.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2020 (CUSIP NUMBERS 29977HAA8/U2993NAA9) and $350,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 7.750% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022 (CUSIP NUMBER 2268787AB4) WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 FOR A LIKE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 7.750% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022 (CUSIP NUMBERS 268787AA6/U2937LAA2)
PLEASE SIGN HERE
PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)
GUARANTEE

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Exhibit 99.3

         EP ENERGY LLC
and
EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

Offer to Exchange up to
$750,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of their 6.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019
For Any and All of Their Outstanding 6.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019,
$2,000,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of their 9.375% Senior Notes Due 2020
For Any and All of Their Outstanding 9.375% Senior Notes Due 2020
and
$350,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of their 7.750% Senior Notes Due 2022
For Any and All of Their Outstanding 7.750% Senior Notes Due 2022

THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK
CITY TIME, AT THE END OF       , 2012, UNLESS EXTENDED.

      , 2012

To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,
Trust Companies and Other Nominees:

        EP Energy LLC and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. (together, the "Issuers") are offering, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated                         , 2012 (the "Prospectus") and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal enclosed herewith (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer") to exchange their 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 and 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (collectively, the "Initial Notes") for a corresponding and equal aggregate principal amount of new 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, new 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 and new 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (collectively, the "Exchange Notes"), which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). As set forth in the Prospectus, the terms of the Exchange Notes are identical in all material respects to the corresponding Initial Notes, except that the Exchange Notes have been registered under the Securities Act, and therefore will not bear legends restricting their transfer and will not contain certain provisions providing for the payment of additional interest to the holders of the Initial Notes under certain circumstances relating to (a) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 24, 2012, among the Issuers, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and the initial purchasers of the initial 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, (b) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 24, 2012, among the Issuers, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and the initial purchasers of the initial 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 and (c) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 13, 2012, among the Issuers, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and the initial purchasers of the initial 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022.

         The Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary conditions. See "The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer" in the Prospectus.

        Enclosed herewith for your information and forwarding to your clients are copies of the following documents:


         Your prompt action is requested. Please note the Exchange Offer will expire at midnight, New York City time, at the end of            , 2012, unless extended. Please furnish copies of the enclosed materials to those of your clients for whom you hold Initial Notes registered in your name or in the name of your nominee as quickly as possible.

        In all cases, exchange of Initial Notes accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of (a) certificates representing such Initial Notes, or confirmation of book entry transfer of such Initial Notes, as the case may be, (b) the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, or an Agent's Message and (c) any other required documents.

        Holders who wish to tender their Initial Notes and (i) whose Initial Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Initial Notes, the Letter of Transmittal or an Agent's Message and in either case together with any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date must tender their Initial Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth under the caption "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Initial Notes Guaranteed Delivery Procedure" in the Prospectus.

        The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Initial Notes residing in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction.

        The Issuers will not pay any fees or commissions to brokers, dealers or other persons for soliciting exchange of Initial Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Issuers will, however, upon request, reimburse you for customary clerical and mailing expenses incurred by you in forwarding any of the enclosed materials to your clients. The Issuers will pay or cause to be paid any transfer taxes payable on the transfer of Initial Notes to them except as otherwise provided in Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal.

        Questions and requests for assistance with respect to the Exchange Offer or for copies of the Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent by telephone at (302) 636-6181 (Attention: Sam Hamed) or by facsimile (for eligible institutions only) at (302) 636-4139 (Attention: Sam Hamed).

    Very truly yours,

 

 

EP Energy LLC and
    Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

         Nothing contained herein or in the enclosed documents shall constitute you or any other person as the agent, of the Issuers or any affiliate thereof, or authorize you or any other person to make any statements or use any document on behalf of any of the Issuers in connection with the Exchange Offer other than the enclosed documents and the statements contained therein.

2




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Exhibit 99.4

EP ENERGY LLC
and
EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.

         Offer to Exchange up to
$750,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of their 6.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019
For Any and All of Their Outstanding 6.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019,
$2,000,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of their 9.375% Senior Notes Due 2020
For Any and All of Their Outstanding 9.375% Senior Notes Due 2020
and
$350,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of their 7.750% Senior Notes Due 2022
For Any and All of Their Outstanding 7.750% Senior Notes Due 2022

THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT,
NEW YORK CITY TIME, AT THE END OF                    , 2012 UNLESS EXTENDED.

      , 2012

To Our Clients:

        Enclosed for your consideration is a Prospectus dated                    , 2012 (the "Prospectus") and a Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer") relating to the offer by EP Energy LLC and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc. (together, the "Issuers") to exchange their 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 and 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (collectively, the "Initial Notes") for a corresponding and equal aggregate principal amount of new 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, new 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 and new 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (collectively, the "Exchange Notes"), which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). As set forth in the Prospectus, the terms of the Exchange Notes are identical in all material respects to the corresponding Initial Notes, except that the Exchange Notes have been registered under the Securities Act, and therefore will not bear legends restricting their transfer and will not contain certain provisions providing for the payment of additional interest to the holders of the Initial Notes under certain circumstances relating to (a) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 24, 2012, among the Issuers, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and the initial purchasers of the initial 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, (b) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 24, 2012, among the Issuers, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and the initial purchasers of the initial 9.375% Senior Notes due 2020 and (c) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 13, 2012, among the Issuers, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and the initial purchasers of the initial 7.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (collectively, the "Registration Rights Agreements").

        The enclosed material is being forwarded to you as the beneficial owner of Initial Notes carried by us for your account or benefit but not registered in your name. An exchange of any Initial Notes may only be made by us as the registered Holder and pursuant to your instructions. Therefore, we urge beneficial owners of Initial Notes registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to contact such Holder promptly if they wish to exchange Initial Notes in the Exchange Offer.

        Accordingly, we request instructions as to whether you wish us to exchange any or all such Initial Notes held by us for your account or benefit, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal. We urge you to read carefully the Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal before instructing us to exchange your Initial Notes.

        Your instructions to us should be forwarded as promptly as possible in order to permit us to exchange Initial Notes on your behalf in accordance with the provisions of the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer expires at midnight, New York City time, at the end of                    , 2012, unless extended. The term "Expiration Date" shall mean midnight, New York City time, at the end of                    


, 2012, unless the Exchange Offer is extended as provided in the Prospectus, in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended. A tender of Initial Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date.

        Your attention is directed to the following:

        The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Initial Notes residing in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction.

        If you wish us to tender any or all of your Initial Notes held by us for your account or benefit, please so instruct us by completing, executing and returning to us the attached instruction form. The accompanying Letter of Transmittal is furnished to you for informational purposes only and may not be used by you to exchange Initial Notes held by us and registered in our name for your account or benefit.


INSTRUCTIONS

        The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the enclosed material referred to therein relating to the Exchange Offer of EP Energy LLC and Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

        This will instruct you to tender for exchange the aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes indicated below (or, if no aggregate principal amount is indicated below, all Initial Notes) held by you for the account or benefit of the undersigned, pursuant to the terms of and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal.

Aggregate Principal Amount of 6.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 to be tendered for exchange:

$

Aggregate Principal Amount of 9.375% Senior Notes Due 2020 to be tendered for exchange:

$

Aggregate Principal Amount of 7.750% Senior Notes Due 2022 to be tendered for exchange:

$

2


        * I (we) understand that if I (we) sign this instruction form without indicating an aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes in the space above, all Initial Notes held by you for my (our) account will be tendered for exchange.


Signature(s)

 

Capacity (full title), if signing in a fiduciary or representative capacity

 

Name(s) and address, including zip code

Date:        
   
 
   


Area Code and Telephone Number

 

Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.

3




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EP ENERGY LLC and EVEREST ACQUISITION FINANCE INC.
INSTRUCTIONS

Exhibit 99.5

 

EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

 

Estimated

 

Future Reserves

 

Attributable to Certain

 

Leasehold, Royalty and Equity Interests

 

 

SEC Parameters

 

 

As of

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

\s\ Jeffrey D. Wilson

 

\s\ Val Rick Robinson

Jeffrey D. Wilson, P.E.

 

Val Rick Robinson, P.E.

TBPE License No. 86426

 

TBPE License No. 105137

Senior Vice President

 

Vice President

 

[SEAL]

[SEAL]

 

RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

TBPE Firm Registration No. F-1580

 

 

RYDER SCOTT COMPANY   PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS

 



 

 

TBPE REGISTERED ENGINEERING FIRM F-1580

 

FAX (713) 651-0849

1100 LOUISIANA

SUITE 3800

HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-5235

TELEPHONE (713) 651-9191

 

 

January 12, 2012

 

 

El Paso Production Company

El Paso Tower

1001 Louisiana

Houston, Texas  77002

 

Gentlemen:

 

At the request of El Paso Production Company (El Paso), Ryder Scott Company (Ryder Scott) has conducted a reserves audit of the estimates of the proved reserves as of December 31, 2011, prepared by El Paso’s engineering and geological staff based on the definitions and disclosure guidelines of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) contained in Title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting, Final Rule released January 14, 2009, in the Federal Register (SEC regulations). Our third party reserves audit, completed on January 11, 2012 and presented herein, was prepared for public disclosure by El Paso in filings made with the SEC in accordance with the disclosure requirements set forth in the SEC regulations. The estimated reserves shown herein represent El Paso’s estimated net reserves attributable to the leasehold and royalty interests in certain properties owned by El Paso and the portion of those reserves reviewed by Ryder Scott, as of December 31, 2011. The properties reviewed by Ryder Scott incorporate El Paso reserve determinations and are located in the states of Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas and Utah and offshore Brazil.

 

The working and royalty interest properties reviewed by Ryder Scott account for a portion of El Paso’s total net proved reserves as of December 31, 2011. The portions reviewed by Ryder Scott as determined by various metrics are as follows:

 

Portions Reviewed

El Paso Leasehold and Royalty Interests

 

 

 

Developed

 

Undeveloped

 

Total

 

Net Liquid Reserves

 

86

%

99

%

95

%

Net Gas Reserves

 

73

%

93

%

81

%

Net Equivalent Reserves

 

76

%

95

%

86

%

Discount Future Net Income

 

81

%

97

%

87

%

 

As prescribed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers in Paragraph 2.2(f) of the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information (SPE auditing standards), a reserves audit is defined as “the process of reviewing certain of the pertinent facts interpreted and assumptions made that have resulted in an estimate of reserves prepared by others and the rendering of an opinion about (1) the appropriateness of the methodologies employed; (2) the adequacy and quality of the data relied upon; (3) the depth and thoroughness of the reserves estimation process; (4) the classification of reserves appropriate to the relevant definitions used; and (5) the reasonableness of the estimated reserve quantities.”

 

SUITE 600, 1015 4TH STREET, S.W.

CALGARY, ALBERTA T2R 1J4

TEL (403) 262-2799

FAX (403) 262-2790

 

 

621 17TH STREET, SUITE 1550

DENVER, COLORADO 80293-1501

TEL (303) 623-9147

FAX (303) 623-4258 

 



 

Based on our review, including the data, technical processes and interpretations presented by El Paso, it is our opinion that the overall procedures and methodologies utilized by El Paso in preparing their estimates of the proved reserves as of December 31, 2011, comply with the current SEC regulations and that the overall proved reserves for the reviewed properties as estimated by El Paso are, in the aggregate, reasonable within the established audit tolerance guidelines of 10 percent as set forth in the SPE auditing standards.

 

The estimated reserves presented in this report are related to hydrocarbon prices.  El Paso has informed us that in the preparation of their reserve and income projections, as of December 31, 2011, they used average prices during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered in this report, determined as the unweighted arithmetic averages of the prices in effect on the first-day-of-the-month for each month within such period, unless prices were defined by contractual arrangements, as required by the SEC regulations.  Actual future prices may vary significantly from the prices required by SEC regulations; therefore, volumes of reserves actually recovered and the amounts of income actually received may differ significantly from the estimated quantities presented in this report.  The net reserves as estimated by El Paso attributable to El Paso’s Leasehold and Royalty interest in properties that we reviewed and the reserves of properties that we did not review are summarized as follows:

 

SEC PARAMETERS

Estimated Net Reserves

Attributable to Certain Leasehold and Royalty Interests of

El Paso Production Company

As of December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Proved

 

 

 

Developed

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Producing

 

Non-Producing

 

Undeveloped

 

Proved

 

Net Reserves of Properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audited by Ryder Scott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil/Condensate - MBarrels

 

33,273

 

10,200

 

129,525

 

172,998

 

Plant Products - MBarrels

 

3,127

 

234

 

8,876

 

12,237

 

Gas — MMCF

 

1,025,532

 

125,692

 

998,708

 

2,149,932

 

Total Gas Equivalents — MMCFE*

 

1,243,932

 

188,296

 

1,829,114

 

3,261,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Reserves of Properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not Audited by Ryder Scott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil/Condensate — MBarrels

 

2,474

 

3,120

 

1,479

 

7,073

 

Plant Products — MBarrels

 

1,192

 

614

 

201

 

2,007

 

Gas — MMCF

 

283,863

 

134,283

 

79,114

 

497,260

 

Total Gas Equivalents — MMCFE*

 

305,859

 

156,687

 

89,194

 

551,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Net Reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil/Condensate - MBarrels

 

35,747

 

13,320

 

131,004

 

180,071

 

Plant Products — MBarrels

 

4,319

 

848

 

9,077

 

14,244

 

Gas — MMCF

 

1,309,395

 

259,975

 

1,077,822

 

2,647,192

 

Total Gas Equivalents — MMCFE*

 

1,549,791

 

344,983

 

1,918,308

 

3,813,082

 

 


* 1 bbl liquid = 6 MCF gas equivalents

 

2



 

Additionally, Ryder Scott reviewed El Paso’s estimated net reserves attributable to the company’s equity interest in Four Star Oil & Gas (FSOG).  The estimated reserves owned as equity interest and the portion of those reserves reviewed by Ryder Scott are presented separately.  Net interest was based on El Paso’s 48.77 percent equity interest in FSOG.  The equity interest properties reviewed by Ryder Scott incorporate El Paso reserve determinations and are located in the states of Alabama, Colorado, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

 

The Four Star Oil & Gas equity interest properties reviewed by Ryder Scott account for a portion of El Paso’s total equity interest as of December 31, 2011.  The portions reviewed by Ryder Scott as determined by various metrics, the net reserves as estimated by El Paso attributable to El Paso’s Equity Interest in Four Star Oil & Gas properties that we reviewed and the reserves of properties that we did not review are summarized as follows:

 

Portions Reviewed

El Paso Equity Interest in Four Star Oil & Gas

 

 

 

Developed

 

Undeveloped

 

Total

 

Net Liquid Reserves

 

82

%

100

%

85

%

Net Gas Reserves

 

86

%

100

%

88

%

Net Equivalent Reserves

 

85

%

100

%

87

%

Discount Future Net Income

 

91

%

100

%

91

%

 

SEC PARAMETERS

Estimated Net Reserves

Attributable to the Equity Interests of

El Paso Production Company in Four Star Oil & Gas

As of December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Proved

 

 

 

Developed

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Producing

 

Non-Producing

 

Undeveloped

 

Proved

 

Net Reserves of Properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audited by Ryder Scott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil/Condensate - MBarrels

 

1,209

 

103

 

49

 

1,361

 

Plant Products - MBarrels

 

3,092

 

184

 

840

 

4,116

 

Gas – MMCF

 

98,165

 

1,843

 

18,625

 

118,633

 

Total Gas Equivalents – MMCFE*

 

123,971

 

3,565

 

23,959

 

151,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Reserves of Properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not Audited by Ryder Scott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil/Condensate – MBarrels

 

207

 

 

 

207

 

Plant Products – MBarrels

 

790

 

 

2

 

792

 

Gas – MMCF

 

14,295

 

1,726

 

59

 

16,080

 

Total Gas Equivalents – MMCFE*

 

20,277

 

1,726

 

71

 

22,074

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Net Reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil/Condensate - MBarrels

 

1,416

 

103

 

49

 

1,568

 

Plant Products – MBarrels

 

3,882

 

184

 

842

 

4,908

 

Gas – MMCF

 

112,460

 

3,569

 

18,684

 

134,713

 

Total Gas Equivalents – MMCFE*

 

144,248

 

5,291

 

24,030

 

173,569

 

 


* 1 bbl liquid = 6 MCF gas equivalents

 

3



 

Liquid hydrocarbons are expressed in standard 42 gallon barrels.  All gas volumes are reported on an “as sold basis” expressed in millions of cubic feet (MMCF) at the official temperature and pressure bases of the areas in which the gas reserves are located.  The net remaining reserves are also shown herein on an equivalent unit basis wherein oil is converted to natural gas equivalent using a factor of 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas equivalent per one barrel of oil.  MMCFE means million of cubic feet equivalent.

 

Reserves Included in This Report

 

In our opinion, the proved reserves presented in this report conform to the definition as set forth in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulations Part 210.4-10(a).  An abridged version of the SEC reserves definitions from 210.4-10(a) entitled “Petroleum Reserves Definitions” is included as an attachment to this report.

 

The various proved reserve status categories are defined under the attachment entitled “Petroleum Reserves Definitions” in this report.  The proved developed non-producing reserves included herein consist of the behind pipe category.

 

Reserves are “estimated remaining quantities of oil and gas and related substances anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations.”  All reserve estimates involve an assessment of the uncertainty relating the likelihood that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the estimated quantities determined as of the date the estimate is made.  The uncertainty depends chiefly on the amount of reliable geologic and engineering data available at the time of the estimate and the interpretation of these data.  The relative degree of uncertainty may be conveyed by placing reserves into one of two principal classifications, either proved or unproved.  Unproved reserves are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves and may be further sub-classified as probable and possible reserves to denote progressively increasing uncertainty in their recoverability.  At El Paso’s request, this report addresses only the proved reserves attributable to the properties reviewed herein.

 

Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward.  The proved reserves included herein were estimated using deterministic methods.  If deterministic methods are used, the SEC has defined reasonable certainty for proved reserves as a “high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered.”

 

Proved reserve estimates will generally be revised only as additional geologic or engineering data become available or as economic conditions change.  For proved reserves, the SEC states that “as changes due to increased availability of geoscience (geological, geophysical, and geochemical), engineering, and economic data are made to the estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) with time, reasonably certain EUR is much more likely to increase or remain constant than to decrease.”  Moreover, estimates of proved reserves may be revised as a result of future operations, effects of regulation by governmental agencies or geopolitical or economic risks.  Therefore, the proved reserves included in this report are estimates only and should not be construed as being exact quantities, and if recovered, could be more or less than the estimated amounts.

 

4



 

Audit Data, Methodology, Procedure and Assumptions

 

The estimation of reserves involves two distinct determinations.  The first determination results in the estimation of the quantities of recoverable oil and gas and the second determination results in the estimation of the uncertainty associated with those estimated quantities in accordance with the definitions set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulations Part 210.4-10(a).  The process of estimating the quantities of recoverable oil and gas reserves relies on the use of certain generally accepted analytical procedures.  These analytical procedures fall into three broad categories or methods: (1) performance-based methods; (2) volumetric-based methods; and (3) analogy.  These methods may be used singularly or in combination by the reserve evaluator in the process of estimating the quantities of reserves.  Reserve evaluators must select the method or combination of methods which in their professional judgment is most appropriate given the nature and amount of reliable geoscience and engineering data available at the time of the estimate, the established or anticipated performance characteristics of the reservoir being evaluated and the stage of development or producing maturity of the property.

 

In many cases, the analysis of the available geoscience and engineering data and the subsequent interpretation of this data may indicate a range of possible outcomes in an estimate, irrespective of the method selected by the evaluator.  When a range in the quantity of reserves is identified, the evaluator must determine the uncertainty associated with the incremental quantities of the reserves.  If the reserve quantities are estimated using the deterministic incremental approach, the uncertainty for each discrete incremental quantity of the reserves is addressed by the reserve category assigned by the evaluator.  Therefore, it is the categorization of reserve quantities as proved, probable and/or possible that addresses the inherent uncertainty in the estimated quantities reported.  For proved reserves, uncertainty is defined by the SEC as reasonable certainty wherein the “quantities actually recovered are much more likely than not to be achieved.”  The SEC states that “probable reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves but which, together with proved reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered.”  The SEC states that “possible reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves and the total quantities ultimately recovered from a project have a low probability of exceeding proved plus probable plus possible reserves.”  All quantities of reserves within the same reserve category must meet the SEC definitions as noted above.

 

Estimates of reserves quantities and their associated reserve categories may be revised in the future as additional geoscience or engineering data become available.  Furthermore, estimates of reserves quantities and their associated reserve categories may also be revised due to other factors such as changes in economic conditions, results of future operations, effects of regulation by governmental agencies or geopolitical or economic risks as previously noted herein.

 

The proved reserves for the working interest and royalty properties that we reviewed were estimated by performance methods, the volumetric method, analogy, or a combination of methods.  Performance estimates utilized extrapolations of historical production and pressure data available through November 2011 in those cases where such data were considered to be definitive.  The data utilized in this analysis were furnished to Ryder Scott by El Paso or obtained from public data sources and were considered sufficient for the purpose thereof.

 

The proved producing reserves were estimated by performance methods alone or a combination of methods where there were inadequate historical performance data to establish a definitive trend and where the use of production performance data as the sole basis for the reserve estimates was considered to be inappropriate.  Decline curve analysis was used as the primary

 

5



 

methodology for the proved producing reserves; 47 percent of which were confirmed by volumetric evaluations.

 

The proved developed non-producing and undeveloped reserves that we reviewed were estimated by the volumetric method, analogy, or a combination of methods.  The volumetric analysis utilized pertinent well and seismic data furnished to Ryder Scott by El Paso for our review or which we have obtained from public data sources that were available through November 2011.  The data utilized from the analogues in conjunction with well and seismic data incorporated into the volumetric analysis were considered sufficient for the purpose thereof.  Analogy was used as the primary methodology in 98 percent of the proved non-producing and undeveloped reserves and volumetrics was used in the remaining 2 percent.

 

Horizontal wells account for 54 percent of the proved reserves reviewed.  Coal bed methane wells account for 21 percent, and shale wells account for 49 percent of the proved reserves reviewed.

 

The volumes associated with Four Star Oil & Gas are based on performance alone or in combination with analogy.

 

To estimate economically recoverable proved oil and gas reserves, we consider many factors and assumptions including, but not limited to, the use of reservoir parameters derived from geological, geophysical and engineering data which cannot be measured directly, economic criteria based on current costs and SEC pricing requirements, and forecasts of future production rates.  Under the SEC regulations 210.4-10(a)(22)(v) and (26), proved reserves must be anticipated to be economically producible from a given date forward based on existing economic conditions including the prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined.  While it may reasonably be anticipated that the future prices received for the sale of production and the operating costs and other costs relating to such production may increase or decrease from those under existing economic conditions, such changes were, in accordance with rules adopted by the SEC, omitted from consideration in conducting this review.

 

As stated previously, proved reserves must be anticipated to be economically producible from a given date forward based on existing economic conditions including the prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined.  To confirm that the proved reserves reviewed by us meet the SEC requirements to be economically producible, we have reviewed certain primary economic data utilized by El Paso relating to hydrocarbon prices and costs as noted herein.

 

The hydrocarbon prices furnished by El Paso for the properties reviewed by us are based on SEC price parameters using the average prices during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered in this report, determined as the unweighted arithmetic averages of the prices in effect on the first-day-of-the-month for each month within such period, unless prices were defined by contractual arrangements.  For hydrocarbon products sold under contract, the contract prices, including fixed and determinable escalations exclusive of inflation adjustments, were used until expiration of the contract.  Upon contract expiration, the prices were adjusted to the 12-month unweighted arithmetic average as previously described.

 

The initial SEC hydrocarbon prices in effect on December 31, 2011, for the properties reviewed by us were determined using the 12-month average first-day-of-the-month benchmark prices appropriate to the geographic area where the hydrocarbons are sold.  These benchmark prices are prior to the adjustments for differentials as described herein.  The table below summarizes the “benchmark prices” and “price reference” used by El Paso for the geographic areas reviewed by us.  In certain geographic areas, the price reference and benchmark prices may be defined by contractual

 

6


 

arrangements.  In cases where there are multiple contracts or price references within the same geographic area, the benchmark price is represented by the unweighted arithmetic average of the initial 12-month average first-day-of-the-month benchmark prices used.

 

The product prices which were actually used by El Paso to determine the future gross revenue for each property reviewed by us reflect adjustments to the benchmark prices for gravity, quality, local conditions, gathering and transportation fees and/or distance from market, referred to herein as “differentials.”  The differentials used by El Paso were accepted as factual data and reviewed by us for their reasonableness; however, we have not conducted an independent verification of the data used by El Paso.

 

The table below summarizes El Paso’s net volume weighted benchmark prices adjusted for differentials for the working and royalty interest properties reviewed by us and referred to herein as El Paso’s “average realized prices.”  The average realized prices shown in the table below were determined from El Paso’s estimate of the total future gross revenue before production taxes for the properties reviewed by us and El Paso’s estimate of the total net reserves for the properties reviewed by us for the geographic area.  The data shown in the table below is presented in accordance with SEC disclosure requirements for each of the geographic areas reviewed by us.

 

Geographic Area

 

Product

 

Price
Reference

 

Average
Benchmark
Prices

 

Average
Realized

Prices

 

North America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

Oil/Condensate

 

WTI Cushing

 

$96.19/Bbl

 

$89.87/Bbl

 

 

 

NGLs

 

WTI Cushing

 

$96.19/Bbl

 

$47.96/Bbl

 

 

 

Gas

 

Various (1)

 

$4.03/MMBTU

 

$3.67/Mcf

 

South America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brazil

 

Oil/Condensate

 

WTI Cushing

 

$96.19/Bbl

 

$101.51/Bbl

 

 

 

Gas

 

Contract

 

$5.83/MMBTU

 

$6.61/Mcf

 

 


(1)          Gas Reference Price Hubs are: ANR Louisiana, CenterPoint Energy Gas Transmission East, Colorado Interstate Gas Rocky Mntns, Columbia Gulf Transmission Mainline, Florida Gas Transmission (Zone 3), Henry Hub Cash Price, Houston Ship Channel Index (large packages), Natural Gas Pipeline (South Texas zone), Natural Gas Pipeline (TexOk Zone), Northwest, Wyo. Pool, Panhandle Eastern Pipeline (TX/OK Main Line), Southern Natural Gas Co. Louisiana, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Texas (Zone 0), Texas Eastern Transmission (East Texas), Texas Eastern Transmission (South Texas), Texas Eastern Transmission (West Louisiana), Texas Gas Transmission Corp. (Zone 1), Texas Gas Transmission Corp. (Zone SL), Tennessee Gas Pipeline (LA 800 Leg) and Transcontinental Gas Pipeline (Zone 1)

 

The table below summarizes El Paso’s net volume weighted benchmark prices adjusted for differentials for the Four Star Oil & Gas equity interest properties reviewed by us but is otherwise constructed in the same manner and purpose as the prior average realized prices table.

 

Geographic Area

 

Product

 

Price
Reference

 

Average
Benchmark
Prices

 

Average
Realized

Prices

 

North America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

Oil/Condensate

 

WTI Cushing

 

$96.19/Bbl

 

$105.40/Bbl

 

FSOG

 

NGLs

 

WTI Cushing

 

$96.19/Bbl

 

$48.10/Bbl

 

Equity Area

 

Gas

 

Various (2)

 

$3.99/MMBTU

 

$3.98/Mcf

 

 


(2)          Gas Reference Price Hubs are Columbia Gulf Transmission Louisiana, Northern Natural Gas Demarcation, El Paso Natural Gas Co. San Juan and West Texas Waha

 

7



 

The effects of derivative instruments designated as price hedges of oil and gas quantities are not reflected in El Paso’s individual property evaluations.

 

Accumulated gas production imbalances, if any, were not taken into account in the proved gas reserve estimates reviewed.  The proved gas volumes included herein do not attribute gas consumed in operations as reserves.

 

Operating costs furnished by El Paso are based on the operating expense reports of El Paso and include only those costs directly applicable to the leases or wells for the properties reviewed by us. The operating costs include a portion of general and administrative costs allocated directly to the leases and wells.  For operated properties, the operating costs include an appropriate level of corporate general administrative and overhead costs.  The operating costs furnished by El Paso were accepted as factual data and reviewed by us for their reasonableness; however, we have not conducted an independent verification of the data used by El Paso.  No deduction was made for loan repayments, interest expenses, or exploration and development prepayments that were not charged directly to the leases or wells.

 

Development costs furnished by El Paso are based on authorizations for expenditure for the proposed work or actual costs for similar projects.  The development costs furnished by El Paso were accepted as factual data and reviewed by us for their reasonableness; however, we have not conducted an independent verification of the data used by El Paso.  The estimated net cost of abandonment after salvage was included by El Paso for properties where abandonment costs net of salvage were significant.  El Paso’s estimates of the net abandonment costs were accepted without independent verification.

 

The proved developed non-producing and undeveloped reserves for the properties reviewed by us have been incorporated herein in accordance with El Paso’s plans to develop these reserves as of December 31, 2011.  The implementation of El Paso’s development plans as presented to us is subject to the approval process adopted by El Paso’s management.  As the result of our inquiries during the course of our review, El Paso has informed us that the development activities for the properties reviewed by us have been subjected to and received the internal approvals required by El Paso’s management at the appropriate local, regional and/or corporate level.  In addition to the internal approvals as noted, certain development activities may still be subject to specific partner AFE processes, Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) requirements or other administrative approvals external to El Paso.  Where appropriate, El Paso has provided written documentation supporting their commitment to proceed with the development activities as presented to us .  Additionally, El Paso has informed us that they are not aware of any legal, regulatory, political or economic obstacles that would significantly alter their plans.  Of the 1,918 BCFE of proved undeveloped reserves estimated for the working and royalty interest properties (excluding undeveloped Four Star equity interest volumes), 35 BCFE are scheduled to remain undeveloped for five years or more due to pace restrictions established by the surface owner in the Raton area.  El Paso has historical and ongoing drilling and development activities in this area, including a 30 well drilling program completed in 2011 and plans with the surface owner for drill site preparations in 2012 and drilling in 2013.

 

Current costs used by El Paso were held constant throughout the life of the properties.

 

El Paso’s forecasts of future production rates are based on historical performance from wells currently on production.  If no production decline trend has been established, future production rates were held constant, or adjusted for the effects of curtailment where appropriate, until a decline in ability to produce was anticipated.  An estimated rate of decline was then applied to depletion of the reserves.

 

8



 

If a decline trend has been established, this trend was used as the basis for estimating future production rates.

 

Test data and other related information were used by El Paso to estimate the anticipated initial production rates for those wells or locations that are not currently producing.  For reserves not yet on production, sales were estimated to commence at an anticipated date furnished by El Paso.  Wells or locations that are not currently producing may start producing earlier or later than anticipated in El Paso’s estimates due to unforeseen factors causing a change in the timing to initiate production.  Such factors may include delays due to weather, the availability of rigs, the sequence of drilling, completing and/or recompleting wells and/or constraints set by regulatory bodies.

 

The future production rates from wells currently on production or wells or locations that are not currently producing may be more or less than estimated because of changes including, but not limited to, reservoir performance, operating conditions related to surface facilities, compression and artificial lift, pipeline capacity and/or operating conditions, producing market demand and/or allowables or other constraints set by regulatory bodies.

 

Ryder Scott did not evaluate the country and geopolitical risks in the countries where El Paso operates or has interests.   El Paso’s operations may be subject to various levels of governmental controls and regulations.  These controls and regulations may include, but may not be limited to, matters relating to land tenure and leasing, the legal rights to produce hydrocarbons including the granting, extension or termination of production sharing contracts, the fiscal terms of various production sharing contracts, drilling and production practices, environmental protection, marketing and pricing policies, royalties, various taxes and levies including income tax, and foreign trade and investment and are subject to change from time to time.  Such changes in governmental regulations and policies may cause volumes of proved reserves actually recovered and amounts of proved income actually received to differ significantly from the estimated quantities.

 

The estimates of proved reserves presented herein were based upon a detailed study of the properties in which El Paso owns an interest; however, we have not made any field examination of the properties.  No consideration was given in this report to potential environmental liabilities that may exist nor were any costs included by El Paso for potential liabilities to restore and clean up damages, if any, caused by past operating practices.

 

Certain technical personnel of El Paso are responsible for the preparation of reserve estimates on new properties and for the preparation of revised estimates, when necessary, on old properties.  These personnel assembled the necessary data and maintained the data and workpapers in an orderly manner.  We consulted with these technical personnel and had access to their workpapers and supporting data in the course of our audit.

 

El Paso has informed us that they have furnished us all of the material accounts, records, geological and engineering data, and reports and other data required for this investigation.  In performing our audit of El Paso’s forecast of future proved production, we have relied upon data furnished by El Paso with respect to property interests owned, production and well tests from examined wells, normal direct costs of operating the wells or leases, other costs such as transportation and/or processing fees, ad valorem and production taxes, recompletion and development costs, abandonment costs after salvage, product prices based on the SEC regulations, adjustments or differentials to product prices, geological structural and isochore maps, well logs, core analyses, and pressure measurements.  Ryder Scott reviewed such factual data for its reasonableness; however, we have not conducted an independent verification of the data furnished by El Paso.  The data described herein were accepted as authentic and sufficient for determining the reserves unless, during the course of our

 

9



 

examination, a matter of question came to our attention in which case the data were not accepted until all questions were satisfactorily resolved.  We consider the factual data furnished to us by El Paso to be appropriate and sufficient for the purpose of our review of El Paso’s estimates of reserves.  In summary, we consider the assumptions, data, methods and analytical procedures used by El Paso and as reviewed by us appropriate for the purpose hereof, and we have used all such methods and procedures that we consider necessary and appropriate under the circumstances to render the conclusions set forth herein.

 

Audit Opinion

 

Based on our review, including the data, technical processes and interpretations presented by El Paso, it is our opinion that the overall procedures and methodologies utilized by El Paso in preparing their estimates of the proved reserves as of December 31, 2011, comply with the current SEC regulations and that the overall proved reserves for the reviewed properties as estimated by El Paso are, in the aggregate, reasonable within the established audit tolerance guidelines of 10 percent as set forth in the SPE auditing standards.

 

We were in reasonable agreement with El Paso’s estimates of proved reserves for the properties which we reviewed.  As a consequence, it is our opinion that on an aggregate basis the data presented herein for the properties that we reviewed fairly reflects the estimated net reserves owned by El Paso.

 

Other Properties

 

Other properties, as used herein, are those properties of El Paso which we did not review.  The proved net reserves attributable to the other working and royalty interest properties account for 5 percent of the total proved net liquid hydrocarbon reserves and 19 percent of the total proved net gas reserves or 14 percent of the total proved net reserves on a standard cubic foot of gas equivalent, MMCFE basis based on estimates prepared by El Paso as of December 31, 2011.  Based on reserve and income projections prepared by El Paso, the other properties represent 13 percent of the total proved discounted future net income based on the unescalated pricing policy of the SEC.

 

The proved net reserves attributable to the El Paso’s other equity interest in Four Star Oil & Gas properties account for 15 percent of the total proved net liquid hydrocarbon reserves and 12 percent of the total proved net gas reserves or 13 percent of the total proved net reserves on a standard cubic foot of gas equivalent, MMCFE basis based on estimates prepared by El Paso as of December 31, 2011.  Based on reserve and income projections prepared by El Paso, the other properties represent 9 percent of the total proved discounted future net income of the company’s equity interest in Four Star Oil & Gas based on the unescalated pricing policy of the SEC.

 

The same technical personnel of El Paso were responsible for the preparation of the reserve estimates for the properties that we reviewed as well as for the properties not reviewed by Ryder Scott.

 

10



 

Standards of Independence and Professional Qualification

 

Ryder Scott is an independent petroleum engineering consulting firm that has been providing petroleum consulting services throughout the world for over seventy years.  Ryder Scott is employee-owned and maintains offices in Houston, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  We have over eighty engineers and geoscientists on our permanent staff.  By virtue of the size of our firm and the large number of clients for which we provide services, no single client or job represents a material portion of our annual revenue.  We do not serve as officers or directors of any publicly traded oil and gas company and are separate and independent from the operating and investment decision-making process of our clients.  This allows us to bring the highest level of independence and objectivity to each engagement for our services.

 

Ryder Scott actively participates in industry-related professional societies and organizes an annual public forum focused on the subject of reserves evaluations and SEC regulations.  Many of our staff have authored or co-authored technical papers on the subject of reserves related topics.  We encourage our staff to maintain and enhance their professional skills by actively participating in ongoing continuing education.

 

Prior to becoming an officer of the Company, Ryder Scott requires that staff engineers and geoscientists have received professional accreditation in the form of a registered or certified professional engineer’s license or a registered or certified professional geoscientist’s license, or the equivalent thereof, from an appropriate governmental authority or a recognized self-regulating professional organization.

 

We are independent petroleum engineers with respect to El Paso.  Neither we nor any of our employees have any interest in the subject properties, and neither the employment to do this work nor the compensation is contingent on our estimates of reserves for the properties which were reviewed.

 

The results of this audit, presented herein, are based on technical analysis conducted by teams of geoscientists and engineers from Ryder Scott.  The professional qualifications of the undersigned, the technical person primarily responsible for overseeing the review of the reserves information discussed in this report, are included as an attachment to this letter.

 

Terms of Usage

 

The results of our third party audit, presented in report form herein, were prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements set forth in the SEC regulations and intended for public disclosure as an exhibit in filings made with the SEC by El Paso.

 

El Paso makes periodic filings on Form 10-K with the SEC under the 1934 Exchange Act.  Furthermore, El Paso has certain registration statements filed with the SEC under the 1933 Securities Act into which any subsequently filed Form 10-K is incorporated by reference.  We have consented to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements on Form S-3 and S-8 of El Paso of the references to our name as well as to the references to our third party report for El Paso, which appears in the December 31, 2010 annual report on Form 10-K of El Paso.  Our written consent for such use is included as a separate exhibit to the filings made with the SEC by El Paso.

 

We have provided El Paso with a digital version of the original signed copy of this report letter.  In the event there are any differences between the digital version included in filings made by El Paso

 

11



 

and the original signed report letter, the original signed report letter shall control and supersede the digital version.

 

The data and work papers used in the preparation of this report are available for examination by authorized parties in our offices.  Please contact us if we can be of further service.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

TBPE Firm Registration No. F-1580

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

\s\ Val Rick Robinson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Val Rick Robinson, P.E.

 

 

TBPE License No. 105137

 

 

Vice President

[SEAL]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

\s\ Jeffrey D. Wilson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey D. Wilson, P.E.

 

 

TBPE License No. 86426

 

 

Senior Vice President

[SEAL]

 

12


 

Professional Qualifications of Primary Technical Engineer

 

The conclusions presented in this report are the result of technical analysis conducted by teams of geoscientists and engineers from Ryder Scott Company, L.P.  Jeffrey D. Wilson was the primary technical person responsible for the estimate of the reserves, future production and income presented herein.

 

Mr. Wilson, an employee of Ryder Scott Company L.P. (Ryder Scott) since 1998, is a Senior Vice President and also serves as a member of the Board of Directors responsible for coordinating and supervising staff and consulting engineers of the company in ongoing reservoir evaluation studies worldwide.  Before joining Ryder Scott, Mr. Wilson served in a number of engineering positions with Exxon.  For more information regarding Mr. Wilson’s geographic and job specific experience, please refer to the Ryder Scott Company website at www.ryderscott.com/Experience/Employees.

 

Mr. Wilson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston in 1991, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.  He is also a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and currently serves as a member of the SPE Oil and Gas Reserves Committee.

 

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers requires a minimum of fifteen hours of continuing education annually, including at least one hour in the area of professional ethics, which Mr. Wilson fulfills.  As part of his 2011 continuing education hours, Mr. Wilson attended an internally presented 6 hours of formalized training and 24 hours of formalized external training on various topics including SEC oil and gas reporting requirements, the SPE/WPC/AAPG/SPEE Petroleum Resources Management System, overviews of the various productive basins, evaluations of resource play reserves, petroleum economics evaluation methods and software, and ethics training.  Mr. Wilson also taught multiple classes throughout the year for a total of 12 hours class time on advanced economic modeling techniques and production sharing contract modeling.

 

Based on his educational background, professional training and more than 20 years of practical experience in the estimation and evaluation of petroleum reserves, Mr. Wilson has attained the professional qualifications as a Reserves Estimator and Reserves Auditor set forth in Article III of the “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information” promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers as of February 19, 2007.

 



 

PETROLEUM RESERVES DEFINITIONS

 

As Adapted From:

RULE 4-10(a) of REGULATION S-X PART 210

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC)

 

PREAMBLE

 

On January 14, 2009, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published the “Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting; Final Rule” in the Federal Register of National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).  The “Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting; Final Rule” includes revisions and additions to the definition section in Rule 4-10 of Regulation S-X, revisions and additions to the oil and gas reporting requirements in Regulation S-K, and amends and codifies Industry Guide 2 in Regulation S-K.  The “Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting; Final Rule”, including all references to Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K, shall be referred to herein collectively as the “SEC regulations”.  The SEC regulations take effect for all filings made with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as of December 31, 2009, or after January 1, 2010.  Reference should be made to the full text under Title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, Regulation S-X Part 210, Rule 4-10(a) for the complete definitions (direct passages excerpted in part or wholly from the aforementioned SEC document are denoted in italics herein).

 

Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of oil and gas and related substances anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations.   All reserve estimates involve an assessment of the uncertainty relating the likelihood that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the estimated quantities determined as of the date the estimate is made.  The uncertainty depends chiefly on the amount of reliable geologic and engineering data available at the time of the estimate and the interpretation of these data.  The relative degree of uncertainty may be conveyed by placing reserves into one of two principal classifications, either proved or unproved.  Unproved reserves are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves and may be further sub-classified as probable and possible reserves to denote progressively increasing uncertainty in their recoverability.  Under the SEC regulations as of December 31, 2009, or after January 1, 2010, a company may optionally disclose estimated quantities of probable or possible oil and gas reserves in documents publicly filed with the SEC.  The SEC regulations continue to prohibit disclosure of estimates of oil and gas resources other than reserves and any estimated values of such resources in any document publicly filed with the SEC unless such information is required to be disclosed in the document by foreign or state law as noted in §229.1202 Instruction to Item 1202.

 

Reserves estimates will generally be revised only as additional geologic or engineering data become available or as economic conditions change.

 

Reserves may be attributed to either natural energy or improved recovery methods.  Improved recovery methods include all methods for supplementing natural energy or altering natural forces in the reservoir to increase ultimate recovery.  Examples of such methods are pressure maintenance, natural gas cycling, waterflooding, thermal methods, chemical flooding, and the use of miscible and immiscible displacement fluids.  Other improved recovery methods may be developed in the future as petroleum technology continues to evolve.

 

Reserves may be attributed to either conventional or unconventional petroleum accumulations.  Petroleum accumulations are considered as either conventional or unconventional based on the nature of their in-place characteristics, extraction method applied, or degree of processing prior to sale.  Examples of unconventional petroleum accumulations include coalbed or coalseam methane (CBM/CSM), basin-centered gas, shale gas, gas hydrates, natural bitumen and oil shale deposits.

 



 

These unconventional accumulations may require specialized extraction technology and/or significant processing prior to sale.

 

Reserves do not include quantities of petroleum being held in inventory.

 

Because of the differences in uncertainty, caution should be exercised when aggregating quantities of petroleum from different reserves categories.

 

RESERVES (SEC DEFINITIONS)

 

Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X §210.4-10(a)(26) defines reserves as follows:

 

Reserves.  Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of oil and gas and related substances anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations.  In addition, there must exist, or there must be a reasonable expectation that there will exist, the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in the production, installed means of delivering oil and gas or related substances to market, and all permits and financing required to implement the project.

 

Note to paragraph (a)(26): Reserves should not be assigned to adjacent reservoirs isolated by major, potentially sealing, faults until those reservoirs are penetrated and evaluated as economically producible.  Reserves should not be assigned to areas that are clearly separated from a known accumulation by a non-productive reservoir ( i.e. , absence of reservoir, structurally low reservoir, or negative test results).  Such areas may contain prospective resources ( i.e. , potentially recoverable resources from undiscovered accumulations).

 

PROVED RESERVES (SEC DEFINITIONS)

 

Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X §210.4-10(a)(22) defines proved oil and gas reserves as follows:

 

Proved oil and gas reserves.  Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible—from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations—prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

 

(i) The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes:

 

(A) The area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any, and

 

(B) Adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with reasonable certainty, be judged to be continuous with it and to contain economically producible oil or gas on the basis of available geoscience and engineering data.

 

3



 

PROVED RESERVES (SEC DEFINITIONS) CONTINUED

 

(ii) In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons (LKH) as seen in a well penetration unless geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establishes a lower contact with reasonable certainty.

 

(iii) Where direct observation from well penetrations has defined a highest known oil (HKO) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves may be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir only if geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establish the higher contact with reasonable certainty.

 

(iv) Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when:

 

(A) Successful testing by a pilot project in an area of the reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole, the operation of an installed program in the reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or other evidence using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty of the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based; and

 

(B) The project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities.

 

(v) Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. The price shall be the average price during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the report, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions.

 

4



 

RESERVES STATUS DEFINITIONS AND GUIDELINES

 

As Adapted From:

RULE 4-10(a) of REGULATION S-X PART 210

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC)

 

and

 

PETROLEUM RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SPE-PRMS)

Sponsored and Approved by:

SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS (SPE)

WORLD PETROLEUM COUNCIL (WPC)

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PETROLEUM GEOLOGISTS (AAPG)

SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM EVALUATION ENGINEERS (SPEE)

 

Reserves status categories define the development and producing status of wells and reservoirs.  Reference should be made to Title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, Regulation S-X Part 210, Rule 4-10(a) and the SPE-PRMS as the following reserves status definitions are based on excerpts from the original documents (direct passages excerpted from the aforementioned SEC and SPE-PRMS documents are denoted in italics herein).

 

DEVELOPED RESERVES (SEC DEFINITIONS)

 

Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X §210.4-10(a)(6) defines developed oil and gas reserves as follows:

 

Developed oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that can be expected to be recovered:

 

(i) Through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and

 

(ii) Through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.

 

Developed Producing (SPE-PRMS Definitions)

 

While not a requirement for disclosure under the SEC regulations, developed oil and gas reserves may be further sub-classified according to the guidance contained in the SPE-PRMS as Producing or Non-Producing.

 

Developed Producing Reserves

 

Developed Producing Reserves are expected to be recovered from completion intervals that are open and producing at the time of the estimate.

 

Improved recovery reserves are considered producing only after the improved recovery project is in operation.

 



 

Developed Non-Producing

 

Developed Non-Producing Reserves include shut-in and behind-pipe reserves.

 

Shut-In

 

Shut-in Reserves are expected to be recovered from:

(1)          completion intervals which are open at the time of the estimate, but which have not  started producing;

(2)          wells which were shut-in for market conditions or pipeline connections; or

(3)          wells not capable of production for mechanical reasons.

 

Behind-Pipe

 

Behind-pipe Reserves are expected to be recovered from zones in existing wells, which will require additional completion work or future re-completion prior to start of production.

 

In all cases, production can be initiated or restored with relatively low expenditure compared to the cost of drilling a new well.

 

UNDEVELOPED RESERVES (SEC DEFINITIONS)

 

Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X §210.4-10(a)(31) defines undeveloped oil and gas reserves as follows:

 

Undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

 

(i)                Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances.

 

(ii)            Undrilled locations can be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances, justify a longer time.

 

(iii)        Under no circumstances shall estimates for undeveloped reserves be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.

 

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